![[The Scouts logo]](/images/scouts150.png)
Focus on GLSW
Scouting in Greater London South West December 2005
County Commissioner’s Message
A few days ago I met a friend in the local supermarket and after exchanging the usual greetings she informed me that she had just finished all her Christmas shopping and was off home to put her feet up and celebrate. I suppose it was her use of the word ‘celebrate’ and writing for Focus that brought my mind back to the theme of celebration as mentioned in the last edition.
As leaders we should take time out to recognise what we have achieved with our membership over the past year. If we really think about it I bet that there’s plenty to celebrate and we often neglect to reflect and recognise what has been achieved because we are too close to appreciate what has occurred. Carrying out a year’s worth of regular meetings for your section for a start alone is worth celebrating, as well as the achievements gained through the quality of the programme content itself.
Celebrate the fact that without you and the support that you’ve given or received, the Scouting experience for the youngsters in your care, would not have grown.
So, sometime over the Christmas period, as well as celebrating all the usual festivities, take time to reflect upon that fact and have that extra mince pie or glass of your favourite tipple. Go on – you deserve it!
To everyone in GLSW, from Lin, Andy, Chris and myself – a very Happy Christmas.
Development Update
The last couple of months have been extremely busy for the Development Project. At the beginning of September college and university ‘Fresher’ events were the major agenda item. Kingston University Fresher Fayre proved an interesting event again, with over 140 leads to follow up for potential new Network members and Leaders and a full colour advertisement in the Fresher Handbook which stays in circulation for the whole year we certainly hope to pick up some new members and already have one new adult on board who has Duke of Edinburgh Award leading experience.
Work also continues on the preparations for ‘Join the Adventure’ our county wide adult recruitment day on the Saturday 18th March 2006. By the time Focus goes to press we’ll have already had the first two evening workshop sessions (28th November at Sutton Civic Centre and 6 December at 1st Richmond HQ) to help Districts plan their bases to make the most of this event. To find out more about ‘Join the Adventure’ in your District please contact your DC directly. Details are also available on the County web site. We’re also waiting to hear from HQ regarding our next bid for use of the Mobile Display Unit (MDU). This booking is for Royal Kingston for ‘Join the Adventure’ so fingers crossed for that.
Last month (October) the MDU visited Sutton High Street. Our original plans to locate the unit outside Waterstones did’t work out and we put a nice big dent in the unit and badly scuffed a couple of substantial bollards trying to squeeze it in to the space we had been allocated. Fortunately with a few very early morning phone calls we were able to arrange to move the unit and set it up in the front of Magnet Ltd car park at the opposite end of Sutton High Street. I’d like to express my thanks to Branch Manager, Paul, who allowed us to take over the car park for the whole day. I’d also like to thank friend and Magnet Designer, Peter, who is Scout Leader at 16th Battersea. Peter got the 7am phone call and plea for help and in true Scouting fashion pulled out all the stops to help us.
Also coming up – the first of our ‘Awareness’ sessions (14 November) aiming to help existing adults in GLSW have a greater understanding of Scouting for and within minority communities. We’ll also be looking at ways of engaging the wider community in the current Scouting provision.
And we’re working on a new scheme to promote Explorer Scouting using informal ‘drop-in’ sessions in the lunch hour at secondary schools. If you work or teach in a secondary school in GLSW and can help us get a foot in the door we’d like to hear from you. All in all it’s a very busy time for the Development Project. If you want to know more about any of the current initiatives please check out the web site (www.glswscouts.org.uk/development) or contact me directly.
Health & Safety
The County H&S Coordinators met on the 2nd November. We now have a full team covering all Districts.
| Croydon | Eastern | Les Blake |
| Purley | Roger Tomlin | |
| Richmond upon Thames | Paul Cook | |
| Royal Kingston | Alan Lane | |
| Sutton | Janet Drinkall | |
| Wimbledon & Wandle | Wandle | David Christmas |
| Wimbledon & Merton | Bernard Reeves | |
Every Leader and Helper involved with Scouts should by now have a GREEN CARD. Please ask if you do not have one.
Special Needs
The following publications were updated in June and July 2005 and can be downloaded from the ScoutBaseUK Library or ordered direct from The Information Centre at Gilwell Park:
- Diabetics FS250009 (45KBytes PDF)
- Asthma FS250018 (20KBytes PDF)
- Speech Impairment FS250023 (49KBytes PDF)
- Autism FS250025 (45KBytes PDF)
- Cerebral Palsy FS250027 (46KBytes PDF)
- Down’s Syndrome FS250030 (45KBytes PDF)
This is the last article I write as Assistant County Commissioner for Special Needs as from January 2006 Derek Smith will be stepping into this role. Derek is Group Scout Leader of the 15th Wallington – a special needs Group – and has lots of practical experience helping youngsters with varying degrees of special needs enjoy Scouting from the weekly meetings to camping. He is enthusiastic in wanting all young people to experience what Scouting has to offer.
Where have all the years gone since I started helping on the Surrey and then the GLSW training team over 40 years ago!!! I have also had some great times on the County Team both as ACC (Cub Scouts) and ACC (Special Needs). I’ve made some wonderful friends, met many inspirational people and been to lots of memorable places – all in the name of Scouting.
I will still be helping, but more on the side lines! Enjoy your Scouting and have lots of fun doing it.
Did your Scout Fellowship go to GLSW County Gang Show ‘Souwest 2005’? A group of Croydon Fellowship members did on the Friday, 28th October. From the first number, ‘Is this the way’, to the finale, ‘We’ll meet again’, it was a lively, colourful, cracking performance. The level of applause showed just how much the audience enjoyed it. Croydon certainly did. Well done, Gang.
We seem to be unlucky with Scout Fellowship ACC’s. Just as we get used to them they move on. No doubt our Fellowships are quite capable of giving ‘active support’ whether or not there is an ACC. Some might even question whether one is needed. Seriously though, we do need someone to represent Fellowship on the County Team who can communicate with members on matters affecting them. Now that Steve Clarke has emigrated to Australia, where we wish him every happiness, we look forward to meeting his successor.
On 20th August, after meeting for a relaxing picnic lunch on the Hogs Back, near Guildford, a party of Croydon Fellowship members proceeded in convoy to ‘Woodlarks’ Farnham, Surrey. Arriving shortly after 2.00 p.m., they spent the afternoon moving, pitching and re-adjusting an assortment of tents for a Guide sponsored camp for 150 campers, all of whom had special needs. It was hard work done for a good cause. ‘Woodlarks’, a site specially adapted for camping activities for people with disabilities, has been in existence and supported by Scouting since the 1930’s. Surrey Rover Scouts were once the support team. Now like many places the site could use extra practical help – scope for D. of E. Service perhaps!
National Scout Air Rifle Championships October 2005
For the second year these were held at the ‘home’ of shooting – Bisley.
There were 586 entries, representing some 55 Groups/Units, spanning the whole age range from 10 upwards and from many parts of England and Wales. This was a considerable increase on last year’s, which was in itself a record!
The main shooting events were held in the NSRA’s Lord Robert’s Centre – a place built for the 2002 Commonwealth Games. Bisley became the HQ of the National Rifle Association when it had to move from Wimbledon Common (the range there having been opened by Queen Victoria), because of residential development. Bisley is like a village, but with many club houses, all with charm and characters of their own.
Apart from air rifle and air pistol, small bore and full bore shooting were also on offer at the Championships, plus archery and field target air rifle shooting. All rifles and pistols for the main events were supplied by the organisers – so everyone had the same chances.
With so many competitors, medals were very hard to come by. Some ten Groups and two Explorer Units from GLSW took part. Trophies and Medals won by GLSW teams and individuals:
- Webley Scott Team Event for Six Yard Air Rifle
-
Bronze Medals to 3rd Hampton Hill’s Team of SL Paul Fitchett, Sam Orkney, Joe Carpenter and Joe Riddett. 25th Purley came 7th and 2nd Malden 9th – out of 55 teams taking part.
The best individual in this event was Mike Bamsey of 2nd Malden who won the Bronze in the Under-14 category. He has also been invited to join the National Scout Shooting Squad.
Worthy of mention here are Jonathan Steinberg-Smart of 25th Purley who came 7th, Chris Kendall of 2nd Malden – 10th and Vanessa Chan of 2nd Hook – 14th. There were 142 Scouts in this age group!
Melanie Flowers of 3rd Hampton came 4th in the class for female shooters.
- Team Event for Six Yard Air Pistol
-
3rd Hampton Hill came third in this event also! The team comprised SL Paul Fitchett, Peter Hall, Joe Riddett and Tom Burton. 25th Purley were 9th and 1st North Sutton 18th.
The Gold Medal in the Senior age group went to Dave Gibson of 13th Twickenham, with a remarkable 96 out of 100.
The best GLSW Juniors were Chris Kendall of 2nd Malden and Mark Zilles of 1st Old Malden. 220 competitors were in this age group!
- The Chief’s Prize
Best under 14 individual with aggregate scores of six yard rifle and pistol plus field target rifle -
No medals here, but Mike Bamsey came 5th, Chris Kendall 11th and Mark Zilles 13th – out of 223!
- The NSRA Cup
As above, but for over 14s -
Again no medals. ACSL Woody McSherry of 2nd Malden came 16th out of 302 competitors.
- The Ladies’ Plate
Best aggregate score by a female under 18 -
Melanie Flowers came 4th with Joanna Miles of 3rd Whitton 8th.
- The Duke of Connaught’s Shields
For nominated teams of three; the scores of rifle, pistol and field target are combined -
In the Junior event, 3rd Hampton Hill came 5th, 25th Purley 9th and 1st Old Malden 11th.
In the Senior, 25th Purley were 8th, 1st Old Malden 13th and Merton Park ESU 16th.
- Full Bore Event
-
Marcus Winter of 25th Purley took the Bronze medal.
- Field Target
-
In the Junior age group George Holden of 14th Wimbledon came 7th and Richard Yellop of 1st Old Malden 8th.
The Gold Medal in the seniors was won by Andrew Gorley of 1st North Sutton. Close behind in joint 4th place were Ewan Henry of 3rd Hampton Hill, Andrew Brett of 1st Old Malden and Leslie Button of 1st North Sutton.
- 10 Metre Own Rifle
-
This is a top class event and Melanie Flowers of 3rd Hampton Hill won Bronze – with her dad, Simon, in 5th place.
- Biathlon
The best event for GLSW, which involves running a set course, interspersed with shooting at field targets. A test of athleticism as well as precision shooting! -
Andrew Brett of 1st Old Malden won the Silver Medal and Marcus Winter the Bronze.
All who took part had a good time and were kept pretty busy going from one event to another. Full results may be found on the Web at www.dohoo.clara.net/nsarc2k5.
Next year’s Championships – the 30th – will be over the weekend of 20th/22nd October 2006.
A YPS Tutor Diploma Course will be held in January on 22nd or 29th (tbc). If interested please contact me.
Unique Opportunity
Would you describe yourself as an enthusiastic individual, an entertaining personality, an organised individual, a good communicator, a team player, a fundraiser, a totally focused person, a reliable individual or just someone who can get things done. Then this is the opportunity for you. 80, yes 80 young people have applied to be part of the most exciting adventure…. the 21st World Scout Jamboree. This fantastic response has been inspired by the recent reports from EuroJam and thus GLSW have now applied to take two units, yes I will repeat, two units to the World Jamboree in 2007.
In order to meet this demand it has been decided to extend the Application Date for Adults wishing to be considered for the Leadership Team until Friday 30th December 2005. So, what do you have to do in order to join this adventure of a lifetime?
It’s simple: complete an application form, get your DC to sign it and then return it to me. I now look forward to receiving your application.
Will YOU (or your Explorers) be over 18 in 2007? Or are you a member of the Network, a Leader or a Fellowship member? Do you want to find out more about the unique opportunity to go to the 21st World Scout Jamboree as a member of staff – as part of the International Service Team (IST)? Then we have an evening planned just for you. Find out just what you can expect the experience to be like – find out about the new specialist GLSW IST Network – bring along all your questions and we will attempt to answer them. Put this date in your 2006 Diary NOW – Tuesday 3rd January – 8.00pm at the County Training Centre, Bow Lane, Morden – be there!
Mission Improbable 2005
At the end of September forty Scouts from Troops across the County took part in the third Mission Improbable weekend camp – a record number! I’m pleased to say all the Scouts achieved their Outdoor Challenge badge and completed two nights away, as well as having a fantastic weekend.
The camp took place at Walton Firs campsite, a perfect setting and well resourced. The Scouts enjoyed a wide range of activities including wide games, a camp fire, cooking, softball, big scale pioneering, and the adventure course. The whole weekend ran along the theme of ‘Mission Improbable meets James Bond’ and the leadership team (Q, Moneypenny, Jaws, Dr No...etc) all contributed greatly to the overall success of the event. The time and skills of leaders from many Groups ensured all the varied activities ran smoothly, and I thank them all.
The Scouts included members of the newly formed 68th Croydon, who all had a great time. My special thanks must go to their Leader, and to the members of the Muslim Scout Fellowship, for their support.
The acquisition by the County of a number of lightweight hike tents has made it possible to run a camp where Scouts can come along without having to find and transport equipment of their own. This helps us achieve our aim of making the MI camp widely accessible and I believe the increasing numbers indicates this policy is working. Here’s to MI 2006!
Seychelles 2006 Expedition
GLSW is continuing its contact and support for the Seychelles Scouts, started in 2000, with a second expedition in 2006. Since our first visit and the donation by the county of much needed equipment to help get them started they have now been accepted by the World Bureau as a fully fledged association. This expedition is open to all Explorer Scouts and Network Scouts. We will be supporting the Seychelles Scout Association with their National Camp which will be on the island of Mahe. During the camp there will be opportunities to run activities for the Seychelles Scouts and to participate in joint activities. After the camp there will the chance to undertake some Community Projects with the Seychelles Scouts and it is planned that we will have the chance to see some of the other islands.
There will also be the opportunity to undertake an Explorer Belt Expedition. This will takes a further week with teams returning on Saturday 2nd September. It is planned to start the expedition from one of the smaller islands independently from the main party from midway through the second week.
The trip will be during the last two weeks of August 2006. The initial cost of the expedition has been set at £1,500, the major part of this being the airfare, so a programme of fundraising is planned to offset this cost.
Those who went last time know that this is a fantastic opportunity and the welcome we receive from the Seychelles Scouts is very warm so –
If you have any queries or wish to register your interest then please contact me.
International activities were very much flavour of the month in September. On the 13th we gathered at Bow Lane to view a PowerPoint presentation of the Summer Expedition to Sweden, and were delighted that our good friend Kerstin Siwmark and her daughter Joanne were able to join us during a visit to the UK.
At the end of the month Ian Newbery and I spent a weekend in Lithuania reconnoitring the country for the planned County Explorer Belt Expedition next July/August. We were made most welcome by the Lithuanian Scouts we met in Vilnius and Kaunas, and will be flying some of them over for our training weekend at Bears Wood in February. Since our return we have produced a budget and presentation which we have given in Kingston, Morden, and Wallington; and we look forward to a good response from would-be expeditioners by the December 31st deadline. The maximum cost of this venture is £490.
In October Network members helped staff checkpoints on the County Explorer Scout Night Hike, participated successfully in the Sedan Chair Rally at Tolmers, and spent a week in the Peak District preparing for and carrying out their Queen’s Scout Award Expedition. On October 30th I was joined by Karen James and Catherine Keen at Gilwell for the annual C & C Day and the Network Regional Panel Meeting.
We are now gearing up for the 2006 Census, and all Network Scouts will receive their membership renewal form in the near future. Please return them, with payment if applicable, by 31st January, sooner if possible. On December 3rd we are staffing another night hike, NITEX, this time for Croydon Explorer Units, and then on December 9th holding a special Presentation of Queen’s Scout Awards at Carshalton House Water Tower, Carshalton, and have invited Kate Hoey MP as principal guest. For our Christmas treat we are going to Wimbledon to see the Chief Scout as ‘Buttons’ in Cinderella – we hope he will join us for a meal and drinks after the performance.
A new Committee was elected at the last Network Committee meeting, and is as follows:
- Chairman
- Ed Wilson
- Vice-Chairman
- Sean Weston
- Secretary
- Martin Hossell
- Treasurer
- Robert Hiscocks
In the last issue of FOCUS we reported that Paul Bonavia had gained the Queen’s Scout Award. In fact it is Andrew Bonavia, and he has also gained the Duke of Edinburgh’s Gold Award. Apologies to Andrew on both counts!
We are actively seeking to co-opt new Committee members, so if you are willing to serve please contact the undersigned.
Awards
| Queen’s Scout Award | |
|---|---|
| Nicholas Attwell | Worcester Park ESU |
| Catherine Keen* | County Scout Network |
| *has also gained the Duke of Edinburgh’s Gold Award | |
| 100 Nights Away Woggle | |
| Andrew Clay | Scott ESU Richmond |
| Dale Monk | Scott ESU Richmond |
| Melanie McLaren | Scott ESU Richmond |
| Alex Gill | Scott ESU Richmond |
| David Riordan | Scott ESU Richmond |
| Anthony Sharp | Scott ESU Richmond |
| Jenny Riordan | Scott ESU Richmond |
| Alexander Penson | Scott ESU Richmond |
| Peter De Boeck | Scott ESU Richmond |
| Luke Ives | Scott ESU Richmond |
| James Smith | Scott ESU Richmond |
| Thomas Penson | Scott ESU Richmond |
| Stephen Wapshott | Scott ESU Richmond |
| Edward Sowden | Double Dragon ESU Sutton |
| Michael Ansell | Belmont ESU Sutton |
| Daniel Elsley | Belmont ESU Sutton |
| Tom Randall | Belmont ESU Sutton |
| 75 Nights Away Badge | |
| Kerry Haysted | Scott ESU Richmond |
| James Gilbert | Scott ESU Richmond |
| Matthew Snell | Scott ESU Richmond |
| Michael Hill | Scott ESU Richmond |
| Emma Wellham | Scott ESU Richmond |
| Benjamin Sowden | Double Dragon ESU Sutton |
Monopoly Run 2006
Chingford District Network Scouts brings to you... ~ Monopoly Run 2006 ~ Friday 3rd to Sunday 5th March
The Monopoly Run is an old Venture Scout event that has been re-created for enjoyment of Explorers and Network Scouts.
Monopoly Run practically a real, live game of Monopoly, but without the houses, the money and the ‘Get out of Jail Free’ cards, in that the object of the event is to make your way around the board. Simple, we hear you say… But, try doing this in a team of five, taking a photo at each location to prove that you were there, all in a total of 14 hours, over a two-day period, competing against other teams...
The event will be catered for and there will be a disco on Friday and Saturday evening.
So if you want to spend a weekend in London, taking in the sights of the capital, competing against other Explorer and Network Scouts from across the Country
If you require any more information, please e-mail me.
County Gang Show
When we start rehearsing the show we always promise the cast, especially the young ones, that we would give them the best week of their lives... and this year we certainly didn’t disappoint!
We put on a varied and fast paced show... and did it VERY professionally. We made them laugh and we made them cry. Our Wartime Memories item really did bring a tear to the eyes of those who remembered World War II and the cast AND the audience shed tears when we played tribute to Adam Smith (a Sutton Explorer Scout who was also a cast member) who passed away during the summer after contracting meningitis. The cast also pulled out all the stops on Saturday evening after the theatre received a bomb scare call. We had to evacuate and the cast and crew were magnificent during the evacuation. The saying is the show must go on and boy did it! Saturday night was something special... something I have never experienced before!
It was great to see so many of you supporting us but we can always do with more! It’s a great event to watch and even better if you are a cast member! Please do what you can to help us... it’s a County event but it appears not all the County are involved... please DO get involved. We had no representatives from Richmond this year, which was a shame. If I can help to get this message across please let me know – likewise if you want more details about the Souwest 2006, or any other gang show matter please contact me.
Diary Dates
| 2005 | |
|---|---|
| 6 December | Join the Adventure – Richmond |
| 9 December | Scout Network Presentations |
| 13 December | DCs meeting |
| 2006 | |
| 3 January | County IST Network meeting – Bow Lane |
| 9 February | CST – Bow Lane |
| 12 February | Explorer Day – Bow Lane |
| 13 March | County Finance |
| 18 March | ADULT RECRUITMENT DAY |
| 22 March | County census meeting – Bow Lane |
| 29 March | County Executive – Bow Lane |
| 12–14 May | Agent 2007 Conference |
| 17 May | Wimbledon and Wandle AGM |
| 21 May | County Day – Bow Lane |
| 7 June | County AGM |
| 13 June | Croydon AGM |
| 14 June | Royal Kingston AGM |
| 28 June | CST – Bow Lane |
| 2 July | Cub and Beaver Fun Day – Walton Firs |
| 29 July–12 August | County Explorer Belt Lithuania and Seychelles |
| 4 September | County Finance |
| 20 September | County Executive – Bow Lane |
| 23–24 October | Warwick Conference and AGM |
| 29 October | Regional Communication and Consultation Day – Gilwell |
| 6 November | County Finance |
| 19 November | County Day – Bow Lane |
| 29 November | County Executive – Bow Lane |
Focus on GLSW
Items for the February issue should be submitted by 15 January 2006 to the editor: focus@glswscouts.org.uk
E-mail to webmaster