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Focus on GLSW
Scouting in Greater London South West December 2007
County Commissioner’s Message
My thanks go to Croydon District for hosting the County AGM where I formally took up the reins from Roger Hurrion. I would like to take this opportunity to record my thanks to Roger for all his hard work over the last 10 years.
The occasion also saw the instillation of a new County Chair. Andrew Harris re-joins the County after an absence of 3 years living in Essex and promises to offer an exciting new perspective on County affairs. However he will be the first to recognise the immense contribution that Tony Edwards made in this role and we both thank him for his prudence and foresight as Chairman particularly with Development issues.
As you read this the frantic and spectacular Centenary events will have all but come to an end. For most there will be a welcome rest over the Christmas period but thoughts must surely be turning to how we are going to live up to the exciting image that we have been able to project through the media and the subsequent influx of new people wanting to join.
To help refocus our efforts we will be holding a Conference in February at the Hilton Hotel in Croydon. Entitled “Back to the Future” the 2 day event is designed for GSLs and Executive members along with sectional ADCs and DESCs. Join us from Saturday lunchtime where we will be looking at the roles and a number of other key issues that block our progress towards better and more Scouting. Application forms have already been circulated and early reply is recommended.
Before I sign off on my first FOCUS report as CC, I wish you a restful and enjoyable Christmas holidays along with my thanks for all the hard work that you have given Scouting in 2007.
GLSW Nelson Unit: Say goodbye!
They prepared for the jamboree, with some superb activities, they went to the jamboree and had a truly life changing experience, surely that’s it?! But NO! The GLSW Nelson Jamboree Unit finished the Jamboree experience with a trip to see the Festival of Scouting: Live 07 at the O2 area [the old Millennium Dome!].
Having met bright and early [11 o’clock seemed plenty early enough for me], we eventually left the station for destination Greenwich. Being the exciting unit we are, we boarded the Thames Clipper river bus from Embankment, and flowed [?] downstream to the O2 arena.
Having successfully reached dry land, we soon headed for the wonders of the O2 arena! Greeted by queues pretty much everywhere, we soon queued and got through the security searches... well... most people did... except for one unit member – a true “there’s always one” moment.
Once the show got underway, the GLSW Nelson Unit soon got into the swing of things and started enjoying in the latter songs. The people in the row in front certainly realised this! Having watched a buzzing show, an awesome way to wrap up the unit’s activities, we all departed for a [MORE!] civilised meal in Zizi’s. Using the skills the Nelson Unit learnt, we managed to even get the waiter to wear an Explorer uniform for the night!!!
Graham Macaulay, GLSW Nelson Unit Member
The Mitcham Unit go up and up and up...
We [17 Explorers and 3 leaders from Mitcham & Raynes Park] went to the Brecon Beacons for the weekend. We got up at like five in the morning and got in the van for a 4-hour drive. When we arrived, we got out and got ready for the hike straight away. We got our rucksacks ready and shared out the three groups’ stuff and there was no time to waste, straight on with the hike. The other two groups had done this before, but this was our first time so after 5 minutes we were all already moaning about the heaviness of our bags and how our legs hurt, which was pathetic compared to what we had ahead of us.
We walked up [to 810 metres which is 2,600 feet!], down and sideways and when we finally got to where we were camping and we were all ready to just fall on the ground, we had to put up our tents [which were actually really easy to put up] and cook our meal! So then, after we’d invested two Scouts at the top of the mountain by torch-light, we all relaxed and finally got to sleep thinking the way back was going to be all downhill. The next morning we found out we were going another route, and it ended up being harder and longer than the way there. When we finally got through the stinging nettles and the head high ferns, we all got in the van, got changed and went home having had a great time.
Chiara Nunzet, Explorer Scout, The Mitcham Unit
GLSW Mountain Weekend Snowdonia
We [15 Explorers and 4 leaders from Mitcham and Raynes Park] got to our HQ on Friday and loaded our stuff in the two vans and off we went, this time it was six hours in the van. We sang along to music and then by the last two hours most of us were sleeping.
When we finally got there it was dark and when we got into the hut we were staying at the other van was already there. We pretty much went straight to bed (or that’s what the leaders thought) and the next thing we knew it was time to wake up (7 AM!), have breakfast and then get ready for the hike. We got into our groups and checked we had all the right stuff and off we went. This hike was more challenging than the Brecon Beacons one reason being because the closer we got to the top, the windier it got. We went up and up until we were at the top [this time 999m or 3,250ft!!] and we had lunch under a tent-like thing (that’s a Bothy Bag – Ed) that you pull over you and sit on. And with no time wasted, we made our way back down and I think it’s safe to say we all tripped over or got pushed by the wind at least twice. We then drove back to our hut and had nice warm showers. After dinner we had a slideshow about the Jamboree of the summer just gone, and then we had some games/challenges and got ready for bed. The next day, before making our way back, we went rock climbing which provided many funny pictures. So we then got in our vans and went home and slept and slept and slept and slept and slept.
Chiara Nunzet, Explorer Scout, The Mitcham Unit
A message from Roger Hurrion
Thank you to everyone who kindly contributed to the gifts and messages of goodwill that I received from the County at my presentation afternoon.
It was great to see so many people there and recall some of the memories of the past ten years. The gifts of the digital camera and accessories, the inscribed miniature English walnut chest, followed by the bottle of whiskey at the AGM are all greatly appreciated. They will serve as a constant reminder of the enjoyable time that I had serving as your County Commissioner of GLSW and of all the support that was given to me over the years.
I hope that Ian, as my successor, is able to have the same enjoyment and wish him all the best for the future.
It is not a complete farewell as far as GLSW is concerned as I have stepped into the role of County Training Manager and will be around for a while.
Best wishes, Roger Hurrion, County Training Manager
Air Rifle Activities—National Air Rifle Championships 2007
Another glorious weekend weather-wise was spent at Bisley, the national ‘home’ of shooting, where some 700 Scouts from as far afield as Derby, Devon, Ken and South Wales and of all ages from 10 – 100, took part in the 31st Championships. (Well, not quite 100 year old competitors – that is what adults were put down as by the computer!) There were classes for six yard air rifle and air pistol, field target, reactive target ‘knock-out’, advanced field target, biathlon (a mix of running and shooting), three position air rifle, 10 metre air rifle, small-bore and full-bore firearms and archery. Apart from all this activity was the chance to explore the unique atmosphere of Bisley, with its many Club pavilions set among acres of lawns and trees. It is like a village, even having its own red telephone box and post box.
The main events took place in the Lord Robert’s Centre of the National Small-bore Rifle Association, built to house the shooting events of the Commonwealth Games of 2002. Small-bore, full-bore and advanced field target took place in the outdoor ranges.
Groups from GLSW taking part were 1st Old Malden, 1st Tolworth, 1st North Sutton, 2nd Malden, 3rd Hampton Hill, 7th Malden, 14th Wimbledon, 25th Purley, Merton Park ESU, Royal Kingston Explorers and Royal Kingston leaders.
3rd Hampton Hill came 2nd in Team pistol, with SL Paul Fitchett taking the Gold medal for Senior main event pistol, with an astonishing 98 ex 100. Sam Hill won Silver in the ‘own pistol’ event. Jade Lefevre, of 1st Tolworth won Bronze in the small-bore, brother Sam just missed out on a bronze in the 6 yard rifle, finishing a close 4th. Gareth Davies won the Killay shield for the most improved Scout in his age group. Subsequently Jade was invited to train with the National Scout squad. Tom Hinkley in the Royal Kingston Explorers won Silver in the full bore (shot over 350 metres); he also was invited to train with the National Scout squad. Mike Bamsey won the Tyro Trophy for 10 metres AND as a result of 1st place in the Welsh Open Competition last month has been invited to join the Great Britain Junior Squad. An R.K. Explorer team came 6th in the Junior Connaught class (for combined air pistol, air rifle and field target). The Gold medal for small-bore was won by Martin Stevens of R.K. Leaders.
Picking out the best results of other GLSW groups taking part (and bear in mind there were some 80 Groups taking part), 1st Old Malden came 17th in Team pistol; 1st North Sutton were 11th in Team pistol and 7th in rifle; 2nd Malden 29th in rifle; 7th Malden’s sole competitor, Alex Stead, came 7th in U12 rifle and 8th in U14 pistol; 14th Wimbledon’s team were 41st in rifle; 25th Purley were 8th in Team pistol and 6th in the Junior Connaught; Merton Park came 9th in the Senior Connaught.
Note there have been some changes in the Law. You have to be 18+ to buy air-guns and have to do so ‘face to face’.
Provisionally, there is a course planned in February for the YPS Tutor Diploma (for leaders/helpers wanting to supervise Scouts in air rifle shooting); it depends on getting enough people – do let me know if interested a.s.a.p.
Jean Jenkins, County Advisor Shooting & Archery
Jack Petchey Fund
We are now into the third month of Jack Petchey achievement awards. GSLs and Unit leaders should know which month in which they are eligible for an award for one of their young people, and so have plenty of time to nominate them The system is now running fairly smoothly – all you have to do is return the form electronically to your District Administrator for his/her records and they will forward it to me for mine. It is very simple but we are struggling sometimes to get them. It seems we cannot even give away money to some Groups/Units!
If you do not get your names to your administrator by the end of the month the award will be passed on to another Group and you will lose it. You only have one award to sort but I have 14 so really need these names well before the end of the month. Late arrivals delays sending cheques to everyone. You can send your form in early in fact the earlier the better because if there is a missing application yours can be the one slotted in!
If you do not have a copy of the form then please contact your District Administrator or me.
Janet Drinkall, Assistant County Commissioner
Bands United for the Centenary of Scouting
Three local Scout and Guide Bands played together for the first time ever last Saturday, 6 October, in a special band concert to celebrate the Centenary of Scouting.
Royal Kingston Scout District is the envy of many, being the only District in the whole of the UK to boast three Scout and Guide Bands. The 1st Hook, 2nd Hook and Kingston & Malden Scout & Guide Bands performed in “Bands United” at the Kings Centre, Coppard Gardens, Chessington. After individual band performances, the highlight at the end of the concert was a massed band performance when over 100 young people combined from each band to perform as a “united band”.
Guest of Honour was the Mayor of the Royal Borough of Kingston upon Thames, Cllr. Shiraz Mirza. Being a keen follower of all three bands, he said how enthralled he was with the whole evening. Just after the massed band climax, he told the audience of some 400 parents, friends, supporters and people from the world of Scouting and Guiding: “You just don’t want it to end, do you? It’s been a really special evening and we, in Royal Kingston, are so lucky to have so many young and talented musicians”. He recalled how he supported the bands during his first term as Mayor seven years ago and remembered presenting the trophies at the last ever Kingston Youth Band Contest, at which all three bands took part in 2000. Music from stage and screen, the big band sound, some pop or rock all sat alongside a few more traditional military pieces while each band played its own, distinctively different repertoire.
The three bands will also be joining together again when they help form a Massed Greater London South West County Scout and Guide Band at this year’s Lord Mayor’s Show in the City of London on Saturday 10 November.
Massed Scout and Guide Band flies the flag for Scouting in the Lord Mayor’s Show
Over 120 talented young musicians from Scout and Guide Bands in South West London joined together for the first time in 25 years to form a Massed Band in this year’s Lord Mayor’s Show in the City of London on Saturday 10 November.
With Scouting’s Centenary catching the world’s attention, the Scout Association took the world famous annual parade as another opportunity to celebrate 100 years of Scouting by entering two massed bands and one float.
Billed by the Association as the “Adventure Centenary Scout Band”, Scouts and Guides from across Greater London South West Scout County’s five Scout and Guide Bands – 1st Hook, 2nd Hook, Kingston and Malden, 1st Wallington and Wimbledon and Wandle – were asked to represent Scouting in the historic procession from Mansion House to the Law Courts in the City of London, where the new Lord Mayor traditionally swears allegiance to the Monarch. The Greater London Scout West Massed Scout and Guide Band last mustered in 1982 and getting the five bands which made it up to create the imposing sight and sounds as it did, marching through the city streets, was no easy task. Bandmasters from the five bands organised several extra rehearsals and marching practices so that, on the day, everything ran like clockwork.
County Band Adviser Dave Gould, who co-ordinated the project, said “I was so proud of the young people, the bandmasters and their assistants who worked so hard as a team to pull this off. I’m sure that every Scout and Guide who lined the streets of London, or watched us on the television, will agree that we did Scouting and Guiding proud with a smart and polished performance all the way”. Greater London South West is the only Scout County in the UK to have five Scout and Guide Bands meeting across its patch, providing an extra Scout or Guide activity for young people aged 9 through to 25. The 1st Hook and Kingston and Malden bands both carry the Scout Association’s top “A” grading – no wonder the County was asked to form the massed band for the Lord Mayor’s Show!
King’s Scout and Queen’s Scout Muster
Almost 200 King’s Scouts and Queen’s Scouts from Greater London SW gathered in the Great Hall of King’s College School, Wimbledon on Sunday 30 September for a ‘Muster’ to celebrate the Centenary of Scouting. This followed a year of wading through lists of names to ensure that as many as 800 could receive invitations to the event. The age span of those present was a staggering 18 to 94 years.
The Award holders started to arrive from 2:30pm onwards – some had travelled a great distance to attend – and were entertained by the Kingston & Malden Scout and Guide Band.
At 3:15pm everyone was upstanding for the entrance of our Special Guests, the Mayors of the 5 London Boroughs. The Union Flag and the County Scout Network Standard were then paraded. This was followed by an Act of Worship and Re-dedication led by Simon Keen and members of the Scout Network. After Roger Hurrion guided us all in renewing the Scout Promise, John Beresford and James Lyons spoke eloquently of their experiences in gaining the King’s Scout and Queen’s Scout Awards, with more than 60 years separating the two! Queen’s Scout badges were then presented to Claire Dunne, James Gordon, James Lyons, and Gemma McNair – BRAVO!
The formal part of the afternoon concluded with a speech from the Mayor of Merton, who seemed to be very well informed about the history and requirements of the Award, and indeed Scouting in general! It was then time to enjoy some excellent refreshments, including a specially iced cake to mark the occasion. and to meet old friends and reminisce about past adventures and mischief no doubt! And so it continued until 5:30pm when the Muster ended. A retiring collection raised more than £250 for the Scout Holiday Homes Trust.
Many thanks to all who helped make this event possible – the Headmaster and staff of KCS, Bob Prescott and colleagues from Wimbledon & Wandle District, the Kingston and Malden Scout & Guide Band, Simon Keen and the various readers, our VIP guests for attending, and by no means least all of our brother Scouts who made the journey to be with us. And do I hear you ask when the next Muster will be? Any suggestions?
Headquarters Awards
| Medal of Merit | |
|---|---|
| Tom Michael O’Leary | Sutton |
| Mark Sherry | Sutton |
| Chief Scout’s Commendation | |
| Stuart McKendrick | Royal Kingston |
| Doreen Ward | Royal Kingston |
| Chief Scout’s Long Service Decoration | |
| Alan Kemp | GLSW |
| Bar to the Long Service Decoration | |
| Robert Attridge | Richmond |
| Keith Davis | Richmond |
| Peter Fowler | Royal Kingston |
| Robert Wheeler | Richmond |
| Long Service Decoration | |
| Valerie Chapman | Croydon |
| Susan Devine | Sutton |
| Kathleen Rose Smith | Croydon |
| Paula Thompson | Royal Kingston |
| Beverley Waller | Sutton |
Focus on GLSW
Items for the next issue should be submitted by 14th February 2008 to the editor: focus@glswscouts.org.uk
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