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Focus on GLSW
Scouting in Greater London South West December 2006
County Commissioner’s Message
In just over a month’s time the anticipation will be over and the Centenary Year will have started. Many of us will have different expectations of what the year will bring and mean. I hope none of you will be disappointed. I cannot really emphasize enough how important the year will be for the Scout movement, not just for the present but for the future.
It is a once in a life time opportunity for all of us to get the message across of how great Scouting is, what we stand for and can provide for the young people of today. Throughout the year whatever we do, we must try to maximise the opportunities for good public relations.
With all the heightened awareness that there will be, both nationally and locally, there will be an upsurge from those wishing to join, youngsters and adults. We must make sure that we can adequately deal with all the new interest and do not ‘flatter to deceive’ and therefore disappoint those who join in a wave of enthusiasm, so that they leave within a few months. Be Prepared!
Be Prepared also to pace yourself, so that Scouting’s Centenary year is an enjoyable one for you and full of memories, so that the enthusiasm for Scouting is carried forward to 2008 and beyond.
Enjoy it all!
Very best wishes to you all for a peaceful and enjoyable Christmas and New Year.
National Scout Air Rifle Championships, October 2006
This was the 30th year of the event, which began at Walton Firs Scout Campsite and since 2004 has been held at the internationally renowned Bisley Camp.
Some 60 Groups and ESU teams took part travelling from many parts of England and Wales, including our own County, GLSW. There were just over 600 individuals – Scouts Explorer and Network Scouts and Leaders. GLSW was represented by teams from 25th Purley, 1st North Sutton, 14th Wimbledon, 3rd Hampton Hill, 1st Tolworth, 2nd Malden, Royal Kingston, Merton Park, Leander and 1st Hook.
GLSW performed well in all categories, coming out with a good range of trophies and medals. Congratulations to all those who took part, including:
- Alistair Exworthy, Leander Sea Scouts
- Gold Medal (U14 individual 6-yard air pistol)
- Mike Bamsey, 2nd Malden
- Silver Medal (U14 individual 6-yard air pistol)
Chief’s Prize (U14 highest combined score)
Gold in the Knock-out Competition - Liam Davies, 25th Purley
- Silver in the Knock-out Competition
- Joe Riddett, 3rd Hampton Hill
- Bronze in the Knock-out Competition
- Melanie Flowers, 3rd Hampton Hill
- Silver Medal (top class 10-metre own rifle)
- 25th Purley
- Walton Firs Jubilee Cup
YPS Tutor Diploma Course
There will be a YPS Tutor Diploma Course on 14th January 2007. Please contact me by e-mail at jean.jenkins@glswscouts.org.uk or ‘phone 020 8942 8352.
[The National Small-bore Rifle Association (NSRA) Youth Proficiency Scheme (YPS) Instructors’ Diploma is a minimum requirement of the Scout Association for Scout Leaders to conduct air gun shooting with Scouts.]
Jamboree Sponsored Hike
Looking for a way of helping the jamboree attendees to raise money, and wanting something that potential sponsors would associate with Scouting, Croydon District ran a sponsored hike open to all the GLSW contingent members.
The route was about 14 miles, with 2200 feet of ascent, largely avoiding roads and yet entirely within the London Borough of Croydon (I don’t think most people thought that was possible!). Teams had to navigate themselves, unlike a typical sponsored walk. The circular route started at Pinewood Scout Centre and also passed through Bears Wood. It included “Theresa’s Walk” where teams were met by our DC, Theresa. Our thanks to the Scout Network for help with checkpoints, and the Scout Fellowship for refreshments at strategic points. As yet we do not know the final sum raised.
World Scout Jamboree 1957
Did you attend the 1957 World Scout Jamboree at Sutton Park? 50 years on, The Scout Association is inviting all participants – Scouts, their Leaders and day visitors – the chance to reunite during our Centenary year.
The Reunion ‘57 tour will take place at the end of July 2007 for three days (two nights) and will include visits to Gilwell Park, the 21st World Scout Jamboree site at Hylands Park, Essex, as well as Sutton Park.
One of the organisers, Dave Andrews (himself a veteran of the 1957 event) said: “It will be an emotional time for all those who were lucky enough to attend. To meet with friends you haven’t seen for half a century is extraordinary enough. To say that you were there when they celebrated both 50 and 100 years of Scouting is something really special.” For more information, go to www.scouting2007.org/reunion57 or call the Scout Information Centre on 0845 300 1818.
County Gang Show
This time last year in Focus our Producer, Andrew Hayward, said that we always promise the cast, especially the young ones, that we would give them the best week of their lives… and we didn’t disappoint them again this year.
We, again, put on a very varied show, full of fun and laughter, song and dance… and did it very professionally.
I can do little more than include the review that appeared in ‘The Guide’ (Croydon Advertiser Group of Newspapers) written by Peter Steptoe who gave us a 4-star rating:
Gang show: Souwest ‘06, ‘The Guide’ Nov 3 2006 Secombe Theatre, Sutton
I SUPPOSE I had thought that gang shows were things of the past, but here I discovered they still are brimming over with verve and vitality.
Under producer Andrew Hayward, this one ran to time, no item was too long and the costumes were superb. I loved the Can-Can, and if I hadn’t been banned by age I would have felt like joining in.
The chorus singing was excellent and the result of many rehearsal hours, so plaudits for music director Jason Edge.
The singing and costumes in the item Black and White moved me greatly and I was amused by the Rules of the Pool and the lovely lady in the itsy-bitsy bikini.
A Tale of Two Cities was cleverly done and the scenery effectively indicated London and Paris. To nit-pick I would say that the dialogue should have been sharper with better groupings for the cast. Some sound amplification would also help for young voices which could not always be heard. But on the whole, it was a great evening.
In 2007 we will not only be celebrating 100 years of Scouting but 75 years of Gang Show and 25 years of the South West London Gang Show. We promise you a great show. Work has already started on it and if you wish to be part of it then send me, Terry Mitchell, 18 Wren Court, 85 Coombe Road, Croydon, CR0 5SP, your details. Your name, address, telephone number, date of birth (you must be 9 years old by 1st October 2007), your group and an A5 stamped addressed envelope and details of the auditions will be sent to you when published early in the New Year.
[Audition details are also available in the Gang Show section of the County web site.]
Jamboree Unit Badges – Have you got yours yet?
GLSW Unit Badges are now available from your local Jamboree Unit member. If you need assistance in locating one, please e-mail nelsonleaders@glswscouts.org.uk or victoryleaders@glswscouts.org.uk. The badges cost £1.50 each.
Jamboree 2007 – Update
FREE MONEY – Yes there really is Free Money for the Jamboree Units.
If anybody is going to be shopping online for Christmas, we would love you to sign up and link through these two sites. Each company offers us a percentage that will help towards our Unit costs. Both Units have agreed to go on an international trip and are busy fundraising for this.
www.easyfundraising.org.uk/uk/glswvictory or www.easyfundraising.org.uk/uk/glswnelson
Just sign up (it’s free) shop as normal via the link on the site (no additional costs over the web site direct) and wait for the confirmation e-mail that you have helped the Units. Every Penny Counts!
We’re off Bag packing at Sainsbury’s on 23rd and 24th December, more camps in 2007 and the rumour mill has started that all of the UK contingent will have a party on the site on the day of arrival, 24 hours before everyone else.
Oh and 1st January 2007, the first event in the centenary year, will be to join the other London units on the New Year’s Day Parade through London. A great way to start the year with over two hours of international TV Coverage signed up already.
GLSW & Surrey Scout Paragliding Club
We have the following course dates for next year:
- Over 14s course dates 2007
- 17th 31st March, 28th 29th April, 12th 19th 20th May 2nd 16th 17th June, 14th 15th July, 8th 9th 22nd 23rd September
- Under 14s days 2007
- 18th March, 1st April, 13th May, 3rd June
If you require a booking form you can get it by e-mailing Simon Sykes on sykeso.paff@virgin.net or by ringing our booking secretary Dot Short on 020 8684 4421.
We are also looking to recruit up to 10 new members who are Over 14 (no upper age limit) as of April 2007, they will receive free training during the year and help with courses, we will be running two dedicated weekends next year to training of these new members. To join this group of 10 please e-mail Simon Sykes on sykeso.paff@virgin.net with membership in the subject line, for more details.
Awards
| Chief Scout’s Diamond Award | |
|---|---|
| Alex Dorling | Magellan ESU |
| Lucy Abel | Magellan ESU |
| Nick Wood | Shackelton ESU |
| Chief Scout’s Platinum Award | |
| Charlotte Brooks | Magellan ESU |
| Sally Dutson | Magellan ESU |
| Sarah Barker | Marco Polo ESU |
| Tim Scholtes | Marco Polo ESU |
| James Breaks | Shackleton ESU |
| Robert Moat | Shackleton ESU |
| Simon Petrou | Shackleton ESU |
| Chief Scout’s Gold Award | |
| Alison Mander | 24th Purley |
| 100 Nights Away Woggle | |
| Alex Dorling | Magellan ESU |
| Lucy Abel | Magellan ESU |
| Ben Miles | Magellan ESU |
| Andy Williamson | Hampton ESU |
Chairman’s Notes
This issue of Focus comes at a very exciting time for Scouting and particularly in GLSW with the launch of the centenary celebrations in 2007. The celebration of the Centenary of Scouting worldwide, with some of the biggest events that Scouting has ever seen, will be enjoyed by more than 28 million Scouts in nearly every country in the world. {At a recent quiz evening the one question than I could answer was which major country does not have Scouting? Answer China} Can you imagine on 1st August 2007 at 08:00 local time 28 million Scout Promises being renewed in public. So no excuses where ever you are please renew your promise on the 1st August 2007.
The 21st World Scout Jamboree will be hosted by the UK at Hylands Park Essex with 40,000 Scouts attending from all over the world including almost 150 from GLSW. Please read our Unit reports elsewhere in this Focus issue. Many Districts have completed their programmes and I thank them for the details. The centenary has given us enormous opportunities to provide fun and excitement for our young members. The centenary camps with their main theme,” Scouting through time – Past, Present and Future” will give anyone the opportunity to camp. Isn’t that what Scouting is about!? I must not and will not forget to applaud and thank all our leaders, lay helpers, parents, supporters and sponsors for their contribution to the centenary celebrations for without them all Scouting would not survive. Sincere thanks to you all.
Another exciting item is to welcome our new editor of Focus, Graham Macaulay. He is a member of our Nelson Jamboree Unit and a Young Leader in the Croydon District. What thrills me about Graham’s appointment is that we have a young member editing Focus, which is used to communicate effectively with our young members via their Groups and Units. Please give Graham your support by sending him articles and pictures via e-mail to: focus@glswscouts.org.uk or by post to Graham Macaulay, 46 Oakwood Avenue, Purley, Surrey, CR8 1AQ. Special thanks to our retiring editor Chris Feltham who over the past five years has published Focus on time and has managed to reduce the production costs. He has kindly agreed to support Graham with his initial issues.
It is with pleasure I can confirm that the HQ Development Grants Board has applauded our Development Project achievements recorded in the year two report [Copy available from Jo Launchbury] and has agreed the £8,000 funding for 2007. The County will need to call on the Districts in 2007 to make up the shortfall subject to GLSW obtaining charitable grants.
Finally I would share with you my optimism and enthusiasm for 2007 but above everything else I should like to thank you for your contribution in helping young people get the most out of Scouting over the past year
Happy Christmas and a healthy and successful New Year
Special thanks go to all the Leaders, helpers and supporters of the Cub Packs and Beaver Colonies that attended this summer’s County Beaver and Cub Funday at Walton Firs. You helped so many children have a great day and a great outdoor experience.
I hope you enjoy these reminders of the day.
Development Update
As you may already be aware, there are a number of web sites which provide details of local volunteering opportunities for adults such as ‘do-it.org.uk’ and ‘reach’. Although these web sites now help place many thousands of volunteers, very few Scouting vacancies (in GLSW) are advertised in this way at present.
I know DCs and District teams already have a large work load and it has been suggested that the County take on some of the work of following up new adult leads. So, as a trial period (provisionally until the end of 2007) the County Development Project will post a variety of vacant roles within Districts on web sites such as ‘do-it.org.uk’, we’ll keep the information updated, monitor the response, and undertake the initial follow-up of potential new volunteer leads.
Using the District directories I have compiled a list of what we will call ‘priority vacancies’ within the Districts. These comprise of Group based vacant executive roles: Chairperson, Secretary or Treasurer, Group Scout Leaders and section leaders where there are no section-specific leaders in the Group (for example a Group runs Beavers, Cubs and Scouts but Scouts is run by adults from the other sections).
As before, individual Groups and Districts will still be able to advertise other vacant roles on the various web sites but to keep the administration to a manageable level the County Development Project will concentrate on posting ‘priority vacancies’ only for the time being.
If you have any questions regarding this project please do not hesitate to contact me. A provisional list of ‘priority vacancies’ has been sent to each DC for checking. Once that information is returned I will begin placing vacancy adverts on the web sites.
Nelson and Victory Units
World Jamboree Dinner Dance
Friday 2nd March 2007 7:30pm
To raise funds for both units to go on international experiences before the Jamboree, practice camps and participate in unit activities
Black Tie
The Hotel Antoinette, Beaufort Road, Kingston Upon Thames, Surrey, KT1 2TQ
£30 per person
Please make cheques payable to: ‘GLSW Victory Unit’ and send to Karl Bromley, GLSW Victory Unit, 5 Westfield Road, Walton On Thames, Surrey, KT12 3RJ.*
Menu
Starter: Home Made Soup (Leek and Potato)
Main: Roast Loin of Pork served with Apricot Sauce, Potatoes and Vegetables
Dessert and Coffee
A vegetarian alternative for the main course is available – please advise.
No under 16’s unless a Jamboree Unit member
ID may be required if there is any doubt
*Tickets are sold on a first come first served basis
Firstly, congratulations to Tim Falkner (Romans) and Phil Price (Merlins) who have gained the Queen’s Scout Award. Tim was one of seven Queen’s Scouts from GLSW in the Guard of Honour at the Cenotaph on 12th November.
Over the past three months Network members have taken part in ‘new’ activities as well as some old favourites like the Gilwell Reunion. For the first time a crew of six competed in the annual Great River Race from Richmond to Greenwich, a distance of 22 miles. Out of almost 300 entries ‘Dorney’, kindly loaned by Petersham & Ham Sea Scouts, came 247th on handicap. Several hundred pounds were raised through sponsorship for the Sutton & Croydon MS Therapy Centre. Next year we aim to do some serious training to improve our chances. ' Not so strictly come’ Salsa dancing seems to have taken off big time, especially with the Saxons Network. However, all Networks are invited to join in the fun – contact Christine Budhan for details.
At the end of September an Investiture ceremony was held at the top of Box Hill. This involved crossing the River Mole via the stepping stones in the dark and with the aid of only one torch, then climbing steeply to the viewpoint. The descent was even more treacherous. Plans are afoot for another Investiture at 00:01 on New Year’s Day. If you are interested in this please register on www.glswscouts.org.uk/network. In October we offered our assistance at the Downsman Hike, organised by West Sussex Scout Council, the County Explorer Scout Night Hike, and the GLSW Jamboree Units’ sponsored walk. My thanks to all those who made themselves available.
The GLSW Scout Network is eagerly anticipating the Centenary, and the programme of events for 2007 will be circulated with the membership registration and subs notice in early December.
From January there will be one or two changes to the section. Membership will no longer be automatic – you must opt in – and if you are aged 18–25 the only way you can gain your Queen’s Scout Award is by being an active Network member.
Finally, don’t forget the meeting for the proposed County Expedition to Nepal in 2008 or 2009 at Bow Lane on 13th December. Ed Hackett will be unveiling the plans for this trip of a lifetime.
Seasons greetings!
| 21 January 2007 | a.m. | Module 12 | Providing a Balanced Programme |
| p.m. | Module 18 | Practical Skills | |
| 4 February 2007 | a.m. | Module 14 | Young People Today |
| p.m. | Module 15 | Challenging Behaviour | |
| 11 February 2007 | all day | Module 25 | GSLs/Commissioners |
| 4 March 2007 | a.m. | Module 08 | Skills of Leadership |
| Module 09 | Working with Adults | ||
| p.m. | Module 13 | Growing the Movement |
All workshops at Bow Lane Scout Centre, Morden (unless stated).
For all details of workshops contact: Mrs. Joan Condon, 34 Arundel Avenue, Morden, SM4 4DX telephone 020 8540 5115 e-mail training@glswscouts.org.uk or contact your District Training Manager.
Good Service Awards
| Bar to the Medal of Merit | |
|---|---|
| Julie Honey | Croydon |
| Medal of Merit | |
| Pamela Dixon | Richmond Upon Thames |
| Sam Dyer | Richmond Upon Thames |
| Paul Fitchett | Richmond Upon Thames |
| Ian Hardy | Richmond Upon Thames |
| Sheila Marett | Kingston |
| Richard Moody | Richmond Upon Thames |
| Ian Schofield | GLSW |
| Chief Scout’s Commendation | |
| Jane Pringle | Royal Kingston |
| Ron Dowling | Croydon |
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