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Focus on GLSW
Scouting in Greater London South West October 2007
Regional Commissioner’s Message
Thank you Greater London Scout Region!
As we approach the end of 2007, we can reflect on the last twelve months. One thing’s for certain, it’s been extremely busy for everyone, we’ve had some excellent publicity and more people than ever want to join us!
I had the privilege to visit a number of County Centenary events during the year and what I saw was a number of very proud people, thoroughly enjoying Scouting in a number of very different ways, celebrating our 100th birthday in true Scouting style.
We enter the next 100 years of Scouting healthier, buoyant and more robust than we have been for a number of years. We’ve laid the foundations from which we can continue to grow and develop Scouting in Greater London and I look forward to working with you all to achieve this.
It just leaves me to say, thank you most sincerely for all you have done this year, working so hard to deliver quality, enjoyable Scouting each week and at the same time, celebrate our Centenary and show the world just what Scouting has to offer everyone.
I would like to wish you all a very enjoyable holiday and a very Happy New Year.
Best wishes for 2008 and Happy Scouting.
GLSW Victory: The Final Countdown....
With just weeks to go to the start of the World Scout Jamboree, Victory and Discovery Unit attended their final practice camp at Polyapes Camp Site.
The Friday night was relaxed with a small supper and Discovery Unit met Jean Pearson, a fellow Discovery Unit Leader from Fife. Then the fun began on Saturday morning – we ran the times as per the WSJ timings, which meant breakfast had to be served at 0800. Jo’s Fairies had the pleasure of a 0630 start with it all coming to the table bang on 0800.
After tidying up, we set about building the gate: 10 pioneering poles and some rope. After quickly discussing the design, we built two A-frames and lashed a pole across the top. To this we cable tied the Victory Banner and, viola, a gate was made. Not being one to stop, we still had three poles, which we lashed (using a clove hitch and square lashing!) to the A frames and this became a bench.
With the weather being completely different to earlier in the week, we were caught out and had to swap some of the activities for rest in the shade. This allowed us to discuss out Unit entertainment, which will be the 12 days of the Jamboree. This will be shown one night on stage in front of the other Beach participants. If we’re really good, we get to do it again at the closing ceremony!!
The evening meal was Chilli Con Carne with the Escorts on duty. Garlic is good for you in moderation unless your name is Tom Newman, who miss-understood two cloves for two bulbs, and when a leader asks you to stir, ensure you get to the bottom of the pan otherwise it gets stuck and the cleaning team ain’t happy! (We’ve all been there before).
The Scout’s Own was different, with Leslie being the bank manager and topping everyone’s bank account up with 1440 every day for 13 days. This is the number of minutes per day and 13 nights at the Jamboree. He reminded us that we should live life to the full, spend every minute we can as once it’s gone, we may never get to do it again... it’s a once in a lifetime event. Bring it on.... Hylands Park, Chelmsford, Essex here we come! 21st World Scout Jamboree.
21st World Jamboree: Hylands Park, Essex
I have just return from a truly memorable trip. I was privileged to be an assistant leader to GLSW Nelson Jamboree Unit. Before we left for the jamboree we had been telling the unit it would be a ‘trip of a lifetime’ for them, I think as a leader you are so busy preparing for camps etc., that you forget that this can be as much fun yourself as it can be for the young people you are leading.
Although we had been told, we set off not quite realising just what we were going to and how big it was going to be. The first indication was when we saw the AA signs directing ‘WSJ’ traffic to North Weald Aerodrome, where we checked in. Then it was onwards to Hylands Park with more road signs getting closer together, where we were met by very enthusiastic members of the International Service Team (IST).
The walk from the coach to our site was quite long, oh how the unit had wished they had not packed so much gear they had to carry it all the way. However we pressed on – pass Beach site where Victory Unit were camping, pass Globus’s past, Sainsbury’s onto ‘Lagoon’ site, this was to be our home for the next 12 days.
The Jamboree site was enormous – anyone who visited knows what I am saying. From our site it took 25 minutes to walk to the centre, the Plaza, and then a further 25 – 20 minutes to walk across to the World Villages.
The opening ceremony really brought it home to me just how many people were actually on site. As we were situated near the front of the arena we watched as more and more people joined us. From the day of the opening ceremony the weather decided to pick up, and from then on it was fun all the way.
I could write pages on what we did, but there was just so much I am not sure where to start. So I have decided to write about the two most memorable things for me. Having got over the opening ceremony and just how many people where attending, the Sunrise ceremony was the next big milestone.
In our unit, before we left for the Jamboree, we had agreed a rota for the leaders – one was in charge for the day, a second was in charge of cooking for the day, the other two leaders had the day off. Sunrise day happened to be my day for cooking – up at 5am to collect the food, meet at the entrance to the sub-camp at 6am and we made it!! However by 7am we were settled in our place for the ceremony with most of our unit asleep again. Still 8am came and we were linked to Brownsea Island, a spectacular show followed, where doves of peace were released and spontaneously everyone taking off the sunrise scarves we had all been given and waving them in the air. This was truly something to be seen, a sea of 40,000 yellow scarves, which we were later charged with getting 100 signatures on. Many of the GLSW members – participants, leaders and IST gathered to see Leslie Button – Unit leader of GLSW Discovery Unit be presented with his Medal of Merit, following the ceremony.
It was then back to our site to prepare for the International food fayre. Being truly English we decided to do Cucumber Sandwiches and Party Hedgehogs of cheese, pineapple and onions. We tasted food from Iceland, made Chinese lanterns to name just a couple of the activities. The day finished off with a party in the main arena. It truly was a day to remember.
There were three offsite activities Starburst, a community based activity, Splash a water based activity and Gilwell Park – a day of fun at the home of Scouting. For this the unit was split into groups, for the four main activities. While we were there we ‘burnt ‘ our names on fence posts that will be used around the campfire circle, we were shown incredible wood turning, we watched trek cart racing, learnt about the history of Gilwell park, and the final activity for my group was ‘Challenge Valley’. Not knowing quite where we were supposed to be going I followed the crowd – big mistake. I was actually queuing up to take part in an assault course. Which I hasten to add two member of our unit would not let me get out of.
On activities like this I am the leader who looks after the bags etc. – well someone has to do this important job; I have not done anything like this for quite a number of years.
I have to say I have not had so much fun for such a long time – walking balance beams, climbing walls (I found another way round), climbing scramble nets, sliding down chutes – just to name a few. It only takes about 4 minutes they said – I was passed by some of our unit doing for the second and third time when I was only half way round – but it was fun.
The Jamboree was a ‘trip of a lifetime’ for me, with so many memories that will last with me. It certainly was an a privilege to work with and build a unit that has given so much pleasure to us as leadership team and a credit to the Districts and Units that they came from.
If the opportunity to apply to become a leader of a Jamboree unit ever comes up, the one thing I will say to anyone is go for it, you are never too old to have fun and take part in such an activity, the rewards are priceless
Development Update
Adult Recruitment – Revisiting ‘Six steps’ to success...
Over the years we’ve learned that recruiting adults is easy... Unfortunately we’ve also learned that most of us are not very good at it.
We know we just need to ask the right person the right questions and they are in! But so often we don’t do it, and far too late in the day we realise we’ve run out of leaders!
Refresh your memory and revisit the most successful direct adult recruitment process we have, ‘Six Steps’.
Headquarters have produced this fantastic guide to adult recruitment which you can download for free from ScoutBaseUK or follow the link below to take you directly to the resource.
www.scoutbase.org.uk/support/recruit/resources/recruitmentwhole.pdf
Hardcopies are also available to purchase from the Information Centre. (Tel 0845 300 1818)
And don’t for get ‘Challenge 24’, the GLSW adult recruitment initiative to help you get those reluctant parents to give your Groups and Units 24 hours of their free time. A simple resource, easy to use and something that reduces the fear of volunteering for those we are focussing on.
Check out the resources and many others on the Development pages of the County website www.glswscouts.org.uk/development
Happy recruiting!
The summer has been a particularly busy one for the Explorer Scout section. Over 80 of the Counties Explorer Scouts have been away at the Jamboree and from what I can gather had the time of their lives. There are more extensive reports elsewhere in this edition. I hope that they will share some of what they have learned by influencing their Unit programmes and perhaps running some of the activities they took part in.
However this did not disrupt usual Unit programmes and for those who were not in Essex there were many Unit expeditions and trips in the summer weeks. This month sees the launch of the “Super 12 Challenge”.
The challenge, which is available to all Explorer Scouts and Explorer Scout Leaders in GLSW, is simply to spend one night in each of the 12 calendar months under canvas. The months do not have to be consecutive as long as 1 night is spent in each month. i.e. if you miss December in 2007 you could do December 2008 instead. The challenge starts in October 2007 and will be ongoing for the foreseeable future.
It can also be completed more than once. Remember to use the Nights Away Passport scheme if Explorer Scouts are away on their own and a form NAN should be used each time. Flexibility and imagination should be encouraged, so putting your hike tent up inside a hall in January is quite acceptable!
As soon as you have done in all 12 months let the ACC (ES) know and arrangements can be made to present the “Super 12” award.
As I write these words plans are going ahead to hold our annual County Explorer Scout Night Hike. However we are well aware that the Foot & Mouth outbreak is escalating and that we need to take a view nearer the time as to whether to go ahead or not.
As most of you are aware this will be my last report as ACC (ES). I am grateful for all the support that you have given me over the last 4 years. I would also like to think that we now have a stronger and better organised section and that it will continue to grow. My thanks go to all who lead or support the section and in particular to the DESCs who have worked so hard in recent years.
1st Lower Morden Visit To 10 Downing Street
On Sunday 19 August the Scouts travelled to London on a special trip to the capital. After spending lunch and scaring the pigeons in Trafalgar Square we walked the short distance to Downing Street. After walking past several bemused tourists, we successfully negotiated security and headed towards Number 10. Two armed guards and our guide were waiting for us. They then opened the door to let us in...
We congregated in the foyer and our guide gave us a short talk on the history of the building and we were able to look down the corridors where we were standing. Security protocol and redecoration prevented us from a complete tour but we still managed to see more than the general public would ever be able to.
After our talk, our guide asked if we had any questions these ranged from the Gordon Brown’s working hours and the number of toilets in the building! The scouts also managed to grab a few words with the armed policemen. We were then permitted to have our pictures taken outside. The policemen joined in too!
Thanks go to Lisa who cut her holiday short to make the day, Nicky and parent helper Kerri for giving up their Sunday to keep us all in order on a very busy day.
Special thanks also go to those at 10 Downing Street for clearing the day with the Prime Minister and arranging for this rare opportunity to visit such a historic building and to have our photographs taken outside the most famous door in the World.
Chairman’s Notes
Warmest congratulations to Ian Newbery who has been appointed our new County Commissioner. He will be inaugurated by Dean Milton, Regional Commissioner (Greater London) at the AGM on Wednesday 10th October 2007, which is to be held in the Music Room, Whitgift School, Hayling Park Road, South Croydon. Please come along to give Roger a great send off and Ian a warm welcome.
What a year this has been and it’s not over yet! I think we were all slightly worried that this, our Centenary year, would not live up to expectations but I feel that it has far exceeded mine.
You can read in detail all that has been achieved in the County Annual Report and Accounts to be tabled at our AGM. A synopsis of the report will be available on the County Website – www.glswscouts.org.uk
This is my last contribution to Focus as I complete my ten-year stint as Roger Hurrion’s Chairman at the AGM. I have thoroughly enjoyed the role but it has in no way been a one-man band. My sincere thanks go to all those who have been members of the Executive with me and thank you Graham for your efforts to produce Focus, bearing in mind the difficulties in collecting the text to meet the publication date!
I have been lucky enough to visit all District Centenary Camps. No two camps were alike yet all worked with a common aim – to give their members a feast of memories to carry them into the next century of Scouting. I think top honours must go to Richmond for obviously having influence in high places when it comes to weather forecasting. Croydon, Kingston and Sutton share the top accolade of showing how to enjoy oneself in camp when monsoons are raging and Wimbledon and Wandle get a special award for providing the biggest marquee I have ever seen in a Scout Camp!
I have been delighted at the high profile of publicity in the press and on television for the Sunrise Ceremonies and the Jamboree. I was fortunate enough to go to Hylands Park and found the atmosphere electrifying. I met members of our two jamboree units and the all-important International Support Team [IST]. Whilst it was a very tiring experience the memories will never be forgotten. This was clearly illustrated at the report back given by each member of the Nelson Jamboree unit. Presentations by the Jamboree contingents and Sunrise Malawi 2007 expedition will also be given at the AGM. When I think that Scouts from all the trouble spots in the world coexisted in harmony at the Jamboree it makes me despair over the conflict in their home countries that the adults seem hell bent on perpetuating.
Finally, although this is not good-bye to Roger Hurrion it is the end of his decade as County Commissioner. I have found our partnership to be inspirational. His ready humour and ability to communicate with young people is legend. He is a great team leader and when called upon to speak at a moment’s notice always manages to find the right words for the occasion. Without the total commitment from him and his team the County would not be in the strong position it is today. At this point I would pay tribute to Lynn, Roger’s wife. Her support and understanding has been paramount and the County is indebted to her.
As for myself I will continue to support scouting in various roles. I would take this opportunity to express the hope that Focus goes from strength to strength to ensure an efficient and effective form of communication within the County
The Great River Race
![[Picture of crew in Dorney]](images/focus-2007-10-p11.jpg)
Photograph by John Cooper
Here is the GLSW Scout Network Crew rowing in the 2007 Great River Race from Richmond to Greenwich last weekend (Saturday 8 September). This annual event over 22 miles, now in its 20th year, attracted 300 craft, both traditional and modern.
Dorney, a Thames Rosalind Skiff owned by Petersham & Ham Sea Scouts, was among them. The Dorney powered by GLSW Scout Network finished 241st in a time of 3 hours 36 minutes 47 seconds!
This photo was taken in one of the calmer stretches of the Thames and features Sean Weston (Romans Network, Croydon) – bow; Vici Beaton (Unattached or so she says!); Tim Scholtes (Merlin Network, Richmond); Kevin Park (Merlin Network) – stroke; Duncan Walker (formerly Saxons Network, Kingston) – passenger; and Gary Poolman (Merlin Network) – helm. Chris Dean (not shown, and probably just as well!) was boatswain and supporter-in-chief.
The Race was started by Sting who then departed to Twickenham where he allegedly had a singing engagement later in the day!
There were several Scout crews in the Race this year, but there could be more – next year perhaps?
ALL SET FOR CURTAIN UP! THE GANG’S BACK IN TOWN!!
Members of the Scouting and Guiding Movement from all across the County are putting the final touches together in rehearsals for the week long run of the ‘Souwest 2007’ at the Secombe Theatre, Sutton this October half term. The cast is made up of over 100 members ranging from the ages of 9 to 65, for this variety show of songs, dances and sketches based on the original material of Gang Shows by Ralph Reader CBE.
As the Scouting movement celebrates 100 years this year, the cast and crew of the show are also celebrating the 70th Anniversary of Gang Shows and the 25th Show of ‘Souwest’. Many Gang Shows across the world hold the honour of wearing the ‘red scarf’ in recognition of the high standard of performance and for continuing the work of Ralph Reader. Souwest is proud to wear the red scarf and we are celebrating our achievements this year with a special ‘Jubilee red scarf.’
The cast have been rehearsing every Sunday and Wednesday since June to bring you the energy, talent and enthusiasm that this show is known for. Each cast member has approximately 8 – 10 full costume changes and learns an average of 35 songs for the items that they are each in.
If you haven’t seen or heard of a Gang Show before, do not miss the opportunity to see such an extravaganza this October (23rd – 27th). Join us for an evening of entertainment and see the Pirates trying to capture their treasure, James Bond and his spies, an Australian outback adventure and much much more as we ‘Ride Along on the Crest of a Wave!’
For tickets please call the Secombe Theatre Box Office on 020 8770 6990
Performance Tuesday – Sat @ 7:30pm and Sat Matinee @ 2pm. Price: £8/ £7 concessions.
ALL TICKETS £5 ON TUESDAY 23RD!
GLSW Victory & Discovery Jamboree Units
Invite you to join them for their presentation evening on
Saturday 17th November, 7.30pm (for an 8pm start)
at Sutton DHQ (rear of Shotfield car park, Wallington)
All welcome, please RSVP to: victoryleaders@glswscouts.org.uk
My Brownsea Time Warp
On the 1st of August I went to Brownsea Island to become an Edwardian girl.
Twenty of us from all over the UK were replicating the first ever scout camp in 1907 and we were going to live on the original campsite on Brownsea Island. We met up on the island and were introduced to the Edwardian life style. We found out our patrols (Ravens, Curlews, Bulls and Wolves) and who were patrol leaders (I was the PL of Ravens, the girls patrol). Once we had settled in and changed into our Edwardian clothes we moved into our tents.
Our outfits consisted of a white shirt, black tights or stockings, a pair of black leather shoes, a white apron and a long black/grey floor length skirt. These skirts became very annoying and inconvenient later on in the camp but to start off with we where more worried about how we looked than how easy it was to do tug of war in them! We had to become Edwardians in the day AND at night! This meant that we had to have straw pillows and blankets for carry mats. We got comfortable in our white bell tents – they are a bit like tepees, but not quite the same.
On the first day we just did our jobs which where on a rota so that all four patrols had to do all the jobs. These included washing up, serving, doing flag break, cleaning the site and fetching water from the taps (up the hill). We got to know each other and the campsite. After dinner we had free time till 10pm. I relaxed with my mates, and there was a show on in the main arena. When we got back at 10pm we hung out in the mess tent for about half an hour until we were sent to bed. Everyone went to bed except for the four patrol leaders (actually only three of the patrol leaders stayed up for patrol leaders meeting because one was already asleep).
We got woken up very early at six am and told that we had to be up and ready in half an hour for exercises. So we got up and got dressed into our normal clothes and had some hot chocolate. Then we went out and did about 15 minutes of healthy exercise and we did this every morning. After this we had flag break and found out what activities we were doing. The activities we did were really fun and ranged from first aid to tracking, and from archery to canoeing. This routine happened for the next two days.
On the last day we got up at six as normal and did the same routine, but then we had a talk about peace and all the child soldiers out there. Some of the things I was told really shocked me. There was a story about a ten year old child who could put together and take apart a gun in less than a minute. There was also a lot about children who have been affected by war. Some of the things really made you think about how good your life is and how lucky you are to have people that love you and people that take care of you, that you have both your parents.
We then had lunch and had sports day. We did many things like “tin can alley”. This is a game where you had a ball and you had to knock down a pile of cans. We also did tug of war. This is when to floor length skirts became really annoying! You would pull but then you would trip over the skirts and lose the battle. We also had a race to see who could stuff straw into sacks. We Ravens didn’t win everything, but we did come second over all. Then we packed up, did the long walk back up the hill to the ferry, and when we reached the other side of or ferry ride our Edwardian adventure was completely over.
I will never forget some of the things I did or the people I met and it was an all round great experience (except for the mosquitoes who seemed to like to bite me). It was the best time I have had in a very long time and I would gladly do it again. I can see why the original camp was such a success!
Firstly, congratulations to Rob King and Lucy McLauchlan who have been awarded the Explorer Belt following the completion of a successful independent Explorer Belt expedition in The Netherlands during September.
As a County we have had an incredibly busy summer. The highlights were a fantastic weekend in Snowdonia at the beginning of July, when we scaled Tryfan, completed the annual MS Challenge, and created some car parking space for the County Base at Bethesda; a massive contribution to the IST at the 21st World Jamboree; and our own Centenary Camp at Charborough Park in Dorset during which we held a Sunrise Ceremony at Poole before spending the day on Brownsea Island. In September we have taken part in the Great River Race on the Thames from Richmond to Greenwich raising sponsorship for the Trust for Chernobyl Children, and enjoyed the camaraderie and bonhomie of the Gilwell Reunion, where I presented warrants to Claire Dunne and Gemma McNair as County Scout Network Leaders. Unfortunately, we were unable to form a joint Explorer/Network team for the National Dragonboat Races at Longridge, and the Network Rugby 7’s were postponed until March due to ‘event overload’.
Some of our Local Scout Networks have been busy too – Saturn (Sutton) and Saxons (Royal Kingston) have found themselves each a home base, and we are currently formalising this with hosting agreements. Their programmes have been circulated and are also posted along with County events on the website – www.glswscouts.org.uk/network.
Looking ahead we are running a Queen’s Scout and Duke of Edinburgh’s Gold Award Expedition in the Lake District during October half-term. Then in December we have the Greater London Scout Network Ball at BP House, and finally our own Network ‘Bash’ at Walton Firs on New Year’s Eve. Details of how to purchase tickets will be on the website shortly. The first activity of 2008 will be a Volleyball tournament at Overton Grange School, Sutton, on Friday 25 January.
Finally, I have a few remaining GLSW Scout Network polo shirts available at the deeply discounted price of £5 each. Ask me now before we run out of stock!
Headquarters Awards
| Bar to the Medal of Merit | |
|---|---|
| Carol Atkinson | Royal Kingston |
| Geoffrey Morris | Sutton |
| Ronald Pennington | Sutton |
| Michael Smith | Sutton |
| Medal of Merit | |
| Robin Burr | Royal Kingston |
| Valerie Chapman | Croydon |
| Iris Clatworth | Wimbledon & Wandle |
| Maureen Crabb | Sutton |
| Peter Fowler | Royal Kingston |
| Roy Smith | Croydon |
| Chief Scout’s Commendation | |
| Elaine Carson | Croydon |
| Susan Devine | Sutton |
| Una Greenwood | Croydon |
| Kathleen Smith | Croydon |
| Paula Thompson | Royal Kingston |
| David Willis | Croydon |
| Chief Scout’s Long Service Decoration | |
| Peter Pocknell | Croydon |
| Henry Savill | Richmond Upon Thames |
| Bar to the Long Service Decoration | |
| Alan Brewer | Richmond Upon Thames |
| Richard Golding | Royal Kingston |
| Elizabeth Saunders | Royal Kingston |
| Michael Smith | Sutton |
| Margaret Tyler | Croydon |
| Long Service Decoration | |
| John Cort | Sutton |
| Janet Johnston | Royal Kingston |
| Maralyn Martin | Wimbledon & Wandle |
| Angela Sailing | GLSW |
| Frank Varney | Richmond Upon Thames |
Air Rifle Diploma
For any one wanting to supervise Scouts in air rifle shooting – as under P.O.R., there will be a course on Sunday October 14th – all day at 1st Malden Scout H.Q. Tadworth Avenue, New Malden. Cost £29. Those with little experience of shooting may need to attend an extra half day or evening, as mutually convenient. The course is run by Peter Dobson and Jean Jenkins – qualified Trainers approved by the N.S.R.A.
Please contact Jean Jenkins for more details, or to register an interest / book a place.
Focus on GLSW
Items for the next issue should be submitted by 14th December 2007 to the editor: focus@glswscouts.org.uk
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