![[The Scouts logo]](/images/scouts150.png)
Focus on GLSW
Scouting in Greater London South West February 2007
County Commissioner’s Message
So finally it’s arrived and by the time you read this we are all well into the second month of Scouting’s Centenary year. How’s it going so far for everyone?
For me I have been surprised at the interest in the media and how well it’s being brought to the public’s attention. Long may it continue. The wearing of the centenary scarf has also been much in evidence amongst leaders and younger members alike. The TV programme on the 2nd January obviously helped to start off the year well and as other events unfold it will help to keep us in the public eye. However we all need to remember that we can all do our bit to raise the profile of local Scouting and make sure that others can join in the fun of Scouting. Don’t miss the opportunity to always shout for Scouting. At the time of writing this piece for Focus it was too early to report on a full picture of how the County’s census figures were going. There are however, some very favourable improvements across the County according to some early indications, which is encouraging. I’m optimistic that this trend will continue and throughout the Centenary year, if we continue to retain and recruit.
At the beginning of our Centenary year there have been a few changes to our County Support Team. Alex Minajew’s appointment as National Commissioner for Activities has now finished and Alex has now taken on an appointment as ACC General Duties in GLSW. Welcome back Alex, not that you really left us! Pat Askey has stepped into the role of ACC Beavers from being CTM. Sadly Mark Patrick ACC Scouts, due to job promotion and travelling requirements, has indicated that he will soon be standing down from this role. Many thanks for your hard work in the Scout section Mark and good luck in the new job.
Lastly a plea for some help. If you are able to offer some home hospitality (HoHo) to some members of a unit coming to the Jamboree or know of someone else who might be, please get in touch with Roy Bromley or myself. Enjoy your Centenary Scouting!
Barn Dance
Croham Valley Explorer Scouts and Ranger Guides are holding their annual Barn Dance in conjunction with the Scout Network at St Paul’s Church Hall, Croham Park Avenue, South Croydon on Saturday 14th April at 7.30 PM.
The Explorers and Ranger have been meeting at the 1st Selsdon and Addington Scout HQ in Upper Selsdon Road during the refurbishment of the hall premises at St Paul’s and this will be their first major activity there since returning ‘home’!
All are welcome to the Barn Dance which is primarily a social event, and tickers are now available priced at £7.50 for adults and £6 for children under 14. Special discounts apply to purchases of 4 or more tickets. The price included dancing to the fantastic Bonabrill Band, whose members include Jim Pitts and John Randall of Brett Marvin & The Thunderbolts; and a buffet supper. The Bonabrill Band first played for the Croham Valley Joint unit on the occasion of the Queen’s Silver Jubilee in 1977. This year the event coincides with the Centenary of Scouting, and former members of the Unit are invited to join the celebration.
For ticket bookings please phone Chris on 01883 723081 or Sarah on 07811 367219.
Development Update
Doesn’t time fly, suddenly it’s 2007 already... The project has now entered its sixth and final year of external funding (from the HQ Development Grants Board). The DGB provided approximately 50% of funds needed to support the project between 2005 and 2007 with the County making up the remainder and each District contributing £2K towards the running costs.
So, 2007 plans for the project. Basically we will continue with the remit agreed with the external funding body (the DGB) until the end of this year. That includes work to support the Scout Network (things like Fresher Fayres) and promoting Explorer Scouts, particularly the tie-in with Duke of Edinburgh Award. We’re also keen to promote the use of volunteer web-sites for adult recruitment and a variety of ‘priority’ vacancies from two of our Districts are now available to view on the do-it.org web-site. Other Districts are free to use this resource and the Development Project will maintain the information and do the initial follow up of the leads.
The first meeting of the new County Development Team was held on the 15th January and three of the five Districts were represented. The information and feed back from this event was extremely useful and this team will continue to meet periodically, hopefully with all Districts represented, to share best development practice and help focus and formulate District and County wide recruitment and development initiatives. We’ve got some great ideas for this year and beyond so please look out for information in the coming months from your District development teams.
Come the end of 2007 all external funding of the County Development Project will cease, which means we can set our own agenda for 2008 and beyond. So, what areas of work would you like the County Development Project to support? Is there a housing estate in your District crying out for a Saturday Scout Club, or a local temple interested in running Scouting within their community, or a company you know of that would like to set up an employee volunteering scheme... In the coming months a team will be put together to consider the focus of the project work beyond 2007 and we would like to hear views and comments from the membership on what areas of work you think the Development Project should focus on. Send your thoughts, comments and suggestions direct to me (jo.launchbury@glswscouts.org.uk) or to Project Manager, Ian Newbery (ian.newbery@glswscouts.org.uk).
Happy Centenary!
Kingston and Malden Band
For several years I have been unable to attend the annual Kingston and Malden Scout and Guide Band concert as it always seemed that I had to be somewhere else. But this year was to be different. Despite clashing with the first half of a Gang Show Christmas party I managed to finally get to hear the band for its concert and presentation evening.
And what a night it was!! The theme of the evening was “The Oscars” and presentations made by 2005 winners, were to those young people from both movements who had been chosen as winners in their own band section for performance, effort and attendance. Continuity between the presentations was entertainingly provided by Tim Eggitt who acted as Master of Ceremonies and the music, brilliantly chosen to reflect the band’s strengths, was spread over the evening.
To give the evening a “Hollywood” feel we were shown slides, projected on to the stage set of the band’s activities, including their triumphant visit to Windsor Castle earlier in the year. The Mayor of Kingston presented the top awards and congratulated all those involved in the band for being such excellent ambassadors for Scouting and Guiding as well as providing such an excellent evening for all of those lucky enough to be present.
For me, hearing the Band for the first time was a great joy and a tremendous example of what our movement can offer young people in addition to their “normal” Scouting activity. The band was a great credit to those that support it. Congratulations are especially due to Alison Eggitt, the Bandmaster, and her team who whilst taking justified credit for the band should also be very proud of what they have achieved under their leadership.
| 2007 | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| 11 February | all day | Module 25 | GSLs / Commissioners |
| 4 March | a.m. | Module 8 | Skills of Leadership |
| Module 9 | 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 at training@glswscouts.org.uk or contact your District Training Manager.
Kingston and Malden Band: Awards
The Mayor of the Royal Borough of Kingston upon Thames, Cllr. Mary Reid, was guest of honour at the Kingston and Malden Scout and Guide Band’s annual concert and prize-giving this Saturday, 2 December. The Mayor’s Consort, Cllr. Ian Reid, also accompanied her and they were treated to a glittering evening’s prize-giving in the form of an Oscar style ceremony.
During the concert, held to a packed house of over 200 parents, friends, supporters, Scouts and Guides at Tolworth Girls School, the Band’s annual awards, to recognise the young people’s commitment, service and development in the 60 strong band, were announced and presented in the famous Oscars format. The winners and runners up in each individual category were announced by last year’s winner – in traditional style, with the golden envelope! The Mayor was herself invited to open the envelopes and announce the winners for the top two awards of the evening.
The Mayor commented on how blessed the Royal Borough was to have such a top-class band, not only within Scout and Guide circles, but across the whole of the youth band movement.
Assistant County Commissioner for Scouts in Greater London South West, Robin Corti, again confirmed the Band’s top “A” grade as a Scout Band, recognising the Band’s invites during 2006 to perform at the National St. George’s Day Parade at Windsor Castle and Lord Mayor’s Show.
The main award winners were:
- Band Member of the Year (Leaders’ Choice)
- Beth Yuill
- Band Member of the Year (Band’s choice)
- Claire Hammond
- The Geoff Mynott Memorial Award for Endeavour
- Aidan O’Neill
- The Bandmaster’s Award
- Jemma Hughes
In addition to the Oscar ceremony, the Band played nearly 20 numbers, ranging from marches and swing band pieces to well-known tunes from the stage and screen – e.g., Mack and Mabel, Beauty and the Beast, Phantom of the Opera. An entirely original piece, called “The Mynott March”, was played for the first time in public. This had been commissioned by the Band in memory of its past Bandmaster and was composed by Ray Bridger, a good friend of the Band.
As part of the Royal Kingston Scout District as an additional District activity, the Band meets weekly in Tolworth and actively recruits Scouts and Guides from groups in the Kingston, New Malden and Old Malden areas. Further details from the District Scout Recruitment Hotline: 020 8287 2743.
GLSW Nelson Jamboree Unit
34 Nelson Unit members, plus 4 Unit Leaders, and 1 IST member descended on Belgium for an action packed weekend; lead by the gorgeous Joe Rogerson and accompanied by his ‘not-so-gorgeous’ assistants.
After meeting under the clock at Waterloo around 6pm, the unit hustled and bustled their way onto the 19. 13 Eurostar bound for Brussels. Some managed to talk their way into a tour of the driving controls of the Eurostar – it’s amazing what you get, if you just ask!! In a true Scouting style, karaoke was heard during the coach journey to our home for the next couple of days – De Kluis. Unfortunately the coach had issues driving down the narrow track to the site. Nevertheless, after a short while, we soon had the luxury of taking off our rucksacks and having a well earned rest.
After an hour or so (or longer!) of talking to each other, and getting to know our fellow unit members better [I think, they call it chilling out], we all plodded off to bed... or the Scouts did! Obviously all the Scouts went to sleep straight away....
Saturday started with a pleasant awakening from those delightful Unit Leaders. Soon it was time to prepare ourselves for Saturday’s activities. Forgetting how far it was to the local village, some fools (namely me and 3 other mugs) volunteered to go and buy the food for our packed lunches. It was fine going there (downhill), with no bags... but coming back wasn’t so much fun. After the continental breakfast and a short introduction into the day, it was soon time to head off to the “local” railway station; 20 minutes later there we were in Leuven (and yes, that is where Stella Artois is brewed). A quick safety talk, and advice that it would be sensible to wear a coat in the rain; we all split up into our own little groups to explore the town. Unfortunately we kept bumping in to these English folk – oh, they must have been our Unit Leaders! The original plan was to get the 14:33 train, but as the majority of us were helping the leaders buy our evening meal, we got back to the station at 14:35 (yes, THAT close), the plan soon changed. There was only one option – get the next train. This time, we all ensured we returned to the train station at the correct time.
On arrival back at the village and yet again a walk up the hill—with the food, we welcomed the rest, had a drink and took it easy... until, there was mention of washing up needing to be done, when most people decided they needed to tidy up their rooms! After an enjoyable evening meal cooked by some of the unit, the washing up did eventually get done. A majority vote by unit members determined a wide game would be more fun than having to suffer hearing our Unit Leaders [trying to] sing again. Having ran around outside for a while, most came in shattered and just wanted to sleep. Soon enough, everyone was in bed and all that could be heard was a leader snoring... I wonder who that was... entries on a postcard!
Sunday’s agenda included the high ropes course, which unfortunately had to be cancelled, due to the weather. For some reason, we still got woken up early; eventually we forgave the Leaders—we all make mistakes! Once breakfast—cooked by the leaders, had been cleared up, everyone chipped in doing the clearing up to ensure we were ready to get the coach at mid day. The unit badge was designed during this break. A pleasant 45 minute coach journey soon dropped us in the centre of Brussels. As we were on our way home, everyone had all their rucksacks and whatever else they brought, so 3 euros spent putting them into the storage lockers seemed money well spent!
Once all 39 of us flooded them, we eventually got our money to buy our lunch and headed off into the streets of Brussels in our small groups. Having wandered round the shops and had lunch – it wasn’t long before we headed back to the train station, for our return journey to London time soon flies when you’re having fun. After most of the Scouts had been searched at the station (the Scout belts set off the metal detectors), and some luggage had been left unattended (including chocolates!!!!), we eventually were allowed to board the Eurostar. A pleasant 2 and a half hours later saw us back at Waterloo where our journey had begun!
Just to repeat, a HUGE thank you to the 5 leaders that made this weekend possible, and for giving up yet another weekend for us. Three cheers for the leaders... hip hip....
GLSW Jamboree Units in New Year’s Day Parade
Over 50 Scouts and Explorers from the 3 GLSW Jamboree units, represented Greater London Scouting in the New Year’s Day parade in London. With 2007 being the year of the centenary of Scouting, there was a particularly large Scouting contribution with over 400 Scouts. The usual Scouting “melodies” were heard, including “oggy oggy oggy” and other less well known chants!
With a crowd of over 20,000 people, it was an excellent chance to show the general public, that Scouting is alive and kicking. Every member of the Scouting parade, had at least one flag if not more, as well as banners, flags as well as anything else that promoted Scouting.
A particular well done, and congratulations to all those who attended for managing to get up to London at such an early hour.
GLSW Victory and Discovery Unit Camp
We arrived at 8 in the morning – early enough?? After lumping all our kit up the path to Bow Lane, we expected to smell the welcoming waft of bacon; instead, we were greeted by Andrew, Karl, Jo, Jade and Leslie. Discovery’s Unit Scarves had arrived and if you weren’t awake once you had seen the Yellow you were wide awake!
After a quick re-cap session of getting to know people’s names we were split into our patrols and made off for London; each patrol also had their assigned leader with them. The task, should we have chosen to accept it (we didn’t really have much choice) was to find landmarks and sightseeing spots around London with the A–Z list we were given.
Each Unit was to utilise their travel card as much as possible being sent from Bow Lane to Central London on a BANGING route designed by the Unit leaders. They had to visit Trafalgar Square, BP House, Scotland Yard but were allowed dramatic licence to amend the answers.
My patrol had a very exciting day out – we managed to bother numerous members of the police-force – asking “Where is Downing Street?” and “Can you point in the direction of Platform 9¾?” – they were, however very helpful. I very nearly dropped my phone into the Thames whilst sitting on a big cat (don’t ask!) and Karl managed to persuade another member of the police-force to let us into Downing Street to have our photo taken. Zoë tried to get us into Scotland Yard but it seemed that our luck had run out!
The Leaders had discussed about going on the London Eye, but we found out that this was closed for annual maintenance. Some of the Units still managed to visit this as it’s part of our Unit badge. Ice Skating followed at about 4:00; naturally, there were many that fell over – any many that didn’t want to skate! Some had the excuse that their “skates were too narrow” – I won’t name names!! This ended with a joint Unit photo where we all were snapped by the photographer without blinking!
Later in the evening we had our scrumptious Christmas dinner cooked by “The Fairies” and watched a film; finally getting to sleep at about 2 in the morning.
But the fun didn’t stop there; it was an early start for “Karl’s Escorts” who were on breakfast duty. A quick coffee and a shower jolted them awake and they were soon cooking a huge number of sausages! We had a look at the various activities on World Jamboree and found out about the early starts. The County Commissioner joined us in the afternoon to talk through some basic first aid and to present Jo with a certificate for her work within Scouting – well done Jo!
All in all, a good practice camp all round, which consisted of various activities that kept us all enthralled and enthused. Thanks once again go to the leaders who made it possible.
Greater London South West Explorer Scout Caving Trip
Peak District, 13th–15th April 2007
Spooky, eerie and great fun!
This trip will introduce you to the fascinating underground world of caving!
‘I wish that I tried this years ago’ said two separate leaders after their first caving trip.
So, here is your opportunity as an Explorer Scout to have a go at one of the least used adventurous activities in one of the UK’s notable caving areas and under the instruction of local professional instructors.
Cost £75 to include:
- Transport to the Peak District
- Accommodation
- All meals on Saturday
- Breakfast/lunch Sunday
- Instruction on Saturday
- Caving equipment ( e.g. helmet, caving head-torch/belt, overalls, wellies)
- Saturday evening outdoor activities
- Visit to public show cave on Sunday morning
The maximum we can cater for is 24 people—so get your applications in as soon as possible.
Outline Programme
- Friday night
- Departure from a central point in GLSW at 7pm – Travel to the Peak District
- Saturday
- General introduction, geology, formations, equipment, safety, cave conservation etc.
- Practical underground trip followed by debrief
- Evening—Outdoor activities at Thornbridge Activity Centre
- Sunday
- Visit to public Show Cave on Sunday morning
- Depart Peak District at lunchtime for arrival back in GLSW at approximately 6pm
- Accommodation
- Using a Scout HQ at Whaley Bridge—need to bring sleeping bag/sleep mat
- Instruction
- This will be provided by Thornbridge Outdoors www.thornbridgeoutdoors.co.uk
This programme may be subject to change.
To apply
- Send an e-mail to Alex Minajew at alex.minajew@glswscouts.org.uk indicating the likely numbers, and to ask any questions
- Deposit of £20 per person is required by 25th February 2007
- Full payment and completed application forms by 15th March 2007
- Cheques payable to GLSW Scouts
- Final details e.g. pick-up points, home contact, changes to kit list etc. out by end March 2007
Congratulations to the following who have recently completed their Queen’s Scout Award:
- Christopher Allen
- Madeleine Corrigan
- Jessica Flood
- James Gordon
- Marie Killerby
- Catherine Morgan
- Jonathan Nassar
- Dominic Travers
- Lucy Walsh
They will receive an invitation to the Windsor Parade in April, and I am sure will enjoy a memorable day. Later in the year, on September 30 to be precise, all our Queen’s Scouts past and present and some King’s Scouts too, will muster at KCS Wimbledon for an act of rededication followed by some refreshments and a fair amount of reminiscing no doubt. It would be most helpful if either Hannah Watts or myself could be advised of names and addresses for the formal invitations which will be sent out in March.
The first activity of 2007 was a new venture for the Scout Network, namely an over-18s Volleyball Competition held at Overton Grange School in Sutton on January 12th. Six teams competed and four of our five Local Networks were represented. However, the final was contested by the 2nd Whitton and 7th Malden Groups with the latter emerging overall winners. The trophy was a present from the Seychelles Scouts, and had been handed over by Jean East at the Explorer Belt Reunion just before Christmas. Somehow, I think volleyball will be an annual fixture. Many thanks to David Gilbert for officiating as well as playing!
Planning has already commenced for our Queen’s Scout and Duke of Edinburgh’s Gold Award Expedition to the Peak District at Easter. At the time of writing there are a couple of spare places available—apply to the undersigned if you are interested in undertaking either a ‘practice’ or qualifying expedition. Subject to demand there will be another expedition in August, most probably to the Lake District. Watch out for further details on the County web-site. And, talking of web-sites, our own GLSW Scout Network web-site is about to go ‘live’. This and the excellent dvd produced by Christine Budhan, Charlotte Oliver and others will increase our visibility particularly with the County Explorer Scout section for whom Merlins Network (Richmond) is organising a day of water and land-based ‘fun’ at Petersham & Ham on June 30th.
Our next Investiture ceremony will take place on Brownsea Island over the weekend of May 12/13. Among the proposed activities are a visit to Royal Marines Poole and some sailing in the harbour as well as an opportunity to camp on BP’s original 1907 campsite. All Network members, old hands as well as new chums, are welcome.
Headquarters Awards
| Silver Wolf | |
|---|---|
| Mary White | Wimbledon and Wandle |
| Bar to the Medal of Merit | |
| Peter Runacres | GLSW |
| Medal of Merit | |
| Richard Bradshaw | Croydon |
| Agnes Brodie | Croydon |
| Georgette Clarke | Croydon |
| Tony Ellis | Croydon |
| Gina Gilbert | Croydon |
| Jenny Handley | Croydon |
| Philippe Hunt | Richmond Upon Thames |
| Debbie Jeffries | Croydon |
| Peter Pearce | Croydon |
| Maureen Seaward | Croydon |
| Iain Young | Croydon |
| Chief Scout’s Commendation | |
| Lynne Baker | Croydon |
| Malcolm Beaney | Croydon |
| Penny Bloss | Croydon |
| Kathleen Bradshaw | Croydon |
| Steve Carter | Croydon |
| Ron Dowling | Croydon |
| Lynn Howell | Croydon |
| Helen Jeffrey | Royal Kingston |
| Brian Lamont | Croydon |
| Yvonne Lamont | Croydon |
| Jo Launchbury | GLSW |
| Leslie Parmenter | Croydon |
| Amanda Paskell | Croydon |
| Jermy Peters | Croydon |
| David Seaward | Croydon |
| Keith Spencer | Croydon |
| Margaret Walker | Croydon |
| Chief Scout’s Long Service Decoration | |
| Rodney Newman | Croydon |
| Bar to the Long Service Decoration | |
| Georgette Clarke | Richmond Upon Thames |
| Nicholas Devine | Sutton |
| Kevin Moore | Sutton |
| Andrew Seedhouse | Richmond Upon Thames |
| Long Service Decoration | |
| Jane Ginty | Wimbledon and Wandle |
| Rachel Harrison | Richmond Upon Thames |
| Leslie Hayzelden | Croydon |
| Simon Hill | Wimbledon and Wandle |
| Peter Watts | Croydon |
| Paul Wilkins | Wimbledon and Wandle |
| Fiona Witham | Sutton |
| Richard Young | Richmond Upon Thames |
Focus on GLSW
Items for the April issue should be submitted by 14th March 2007 to the editor: focus@glswscouts.org.uk
E-mail to webmaster