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15th Romsey (North Baddesley) Scout Group

May 2006

Andy is a Diamond Geezer

Andy T has just completed his Diamond Chief Scout's Award - the first to be awarded in our Unit. The award was presented by the District Commissioner, Darren Reed at the Unit meeting on 5^th May.

To achieve the award Andy had to complete the Silver Duke of Edinburgh Award plus a number of additional challenges, which included attending camps, helping with conservation work on Baddesley Common with the Hampshire Wildlife Trust, and making a presentation to the Explorer Unit on work he has undertaken to raise awareness of the need for International Fair trade.

Andy is an experienced camper, and is going to Switzerland this August with the District Explorer Expedition. He is also a keen sailor having just gained his Water Activities Badge in sailing.

Pete’s Silver Acorns

Pete Bourne, our Group Scout Leader, was awarded the Silver Acorn at the Romsey St George’s Day parade in April. This is a major achievement and much deserved by Pete after more than 20 years distinguished service. We all value the time and effort Pete gives freely to the Group.

Farewell to Mel

At the end of last term the Cub Pack said goodbye to Melanie Pringle, who has been Akela for the past 3½ years. The Cub Pack had a special farewell party at which they presented her with an engraved vase and flowers.

Karen Doherty has taken over as Cub Leader and is seeking willing helpers to assist her.

Maintenance Day 2006

Can you spare a couple of hours on Sunday 21st May to help with a bit of maintenance work at the Scout ‘HQ’? Your help would be greatly appreciated from 10 am onwards. 

If you can help, please would you call John Evans on 07770 385881 to discuss how you can help or simply turn up on the day if you are unexpectedly free!

We are certain to be able to find a job to make full use of your maintenance talents! It is good fun and really makes a difference. See you soon!

Water Activities

With the warmer weather (hopefully) approaching plans are well under way for a number of water activities.

Trailer

Our new canoe trailer has just been delivered and is ready for the new season. Thanks go to the Ford Britain Trust who gave us £2,000 towards it.

WAFTS

We have teamed up with 21^st Nursling and Rownhams, and 4^th New Forest North (Eling) Sea Scouts to run WAFTS- Water Activities Fun/Taster Session on Sunday 7^th May. This is an opportunity for Scouts and Explorers to come and have a go at canoeing, sailing and pulling. (That's “rowing” to us landlubbers- although it could well be a chance to meet members of the opposite sex as well!)

BCU 1-star and 2 star canoe courses 

BCU 1 star and 2 star canoe courses for Scouts/Explorers will be held at Lakeside during May and June. There are still some places available on these courses.

Other events coming up

Details to be circulated shortly

Short River Paddles Sat 3^rd June

Romsey Scout “Diggers Day” Sun 2^nd July

Explorer Scout Canoeing/Rafting Fri 16^th June

Hamble River Trip Sun 9th July

Beaulieu River Trip Sun 10 Sept

Canoe Fun Day  Sat 16^th Sept

Basingstoke Canal Challenge Sun 24 Sept

Scout Summer Camp

The Troop are planning to camp at Broadstone Warren, near Ashdown Forest in East Sussex from 29^th July to 5^th August.

The site is one of the largest scout campsites in the country - over 600 acres, much of which is untouched woodland. On site there is an outdoor swimming pool, simulated pot holing, archery, rifle shooting, grass sledging and push ball. 

Nearby we also plan to include canoeing, climbing and cyclo-cross in the programme.

We will be using altar fires and camp ovens to cook meals. All Scouts and any Explorers not going
to Switzerland are welcome.

Focus on….Cubs

The Cubs are in for a busy time. A Summer camp is planned for the weekend starting 21st July. This will be held at Lockerley with other Cub packs in the area. Before that there is Sixers' Day on the 13th of May which will be a day of fun and cooking. A district fun day is being held at Gilwell Park on the 18th of June. Cubs will also be finishing their Science badge this term. Akela will be organising the following planned evenings:

• Ready, Steady, Cook
• Skittles and Chips
• Tracking night
• Cycling safety
• End of term Water Games night - prepare to get soaked!

Beavers News

Last term the Beavers all completed their Discovery Challenge. They found out
 about Surface tension, ellipses, hovercrafts, chocolate making and growing
cress. They also covered the Health and fitness part of the badge through indoor athletics and learning about their teeth.

This term they will be doing their outdoor challenge now that the weather is better.

Several of the older Beavers have “swum up to Cubs” and we have welcomed six new Beavers: Alex Billingham, Robert Sills, Izaak Murray, Ryan Blake, Thomas Parker and Jamie Morten .

Membership

Do you know someone who would like to join our group. If you do, tell them to contact Pat Leggett on 023 8041 0946 or by email to:
waitinglist@northbaddesleyscouts.org.uk.

Badgesplash 2006

Congratulations to the 21 people who took part in this years Badgesplash. Everyone enjoyed the afternoon at Oaklands Community Pool which we shared for the afternoon with the Nursling Group. Sharing the session was a great success and we hope this will lead to future mergers with other groups. 17 badges were awarded to Baddesley group members as follows:

Level 5

• Andrew T, Explorer 

Level 4

• Jack W, Scout 

Level 3

• Andrew T, Cub 
• Ben E, Scout 
• Murray A, Cub 
• Richard S, Scout 
• Simon E, Scout 

Level 2  

• Daniel C, Cub
• Conor P, Scout
• Kate O, Scout
• James O, Cub
• Tim E, Scout

Level 1

• Ben W, Cub
• Robert D, Beaver
• Andrew U, Cub
• Christopher D, Cub
• Jack W, Beaver

Well done all! Let’s look forward to the next stage badges next year.

St George's Day Parade

Thank you to all those who turned out looking smart for the annual St George's Day Parade in Romsey on the day itself - 23rd April.The attendance was generally good - although the Scout Troop was thin on the grounds, with only 4 - which by the time we took out the flag-bearer and escort, left only one to follow!

Every year we plead that parents try to keep the days clear for St George's day Parade and Remembrance Day Service, so that the youngsters can attend. These are the only two parades we have - one in Romsey, and one in Baddesley - and both are witnessed by people who we rely on for our support. If they think our Group is failing, they may not be willing to support us.

Please please, keep the Sunday morning of 12th November clear for Remembrance day Parade. We understand that moves are afoot to make sure there are no football matches on that morning.

New Rules

Scouting is a game - and like all games, it is more enjoyable if we stick to the rules. Rules have recently been revised in the interests of safety. They affect the numbers of adults that need to be present for outdoor activities.

For Beaver events, there needs to be at least one adult for every 6 Beavers - plus the activity Leader.

For Cubs, the ratio is at least 1 per 8 Cubs, plus the Leader.

For indoor meetings the absolute minimum is 2 adults - but Leaders are advised to seek sufficient help depending on the programme being planned.

Given that we only have one warranted Leader in both Beavers and Cubs, we rely very heavily of parental support for both sections - just to meet indoors. If the youngsters are to go out - we need more help!

Mailing List

Have we got your email address? If not send us an email to webmaster@northbaddesleyscouts.org.uk to be added to the mailing list. You will receive information of up and coming events as soon as the details are available. Don’t miss out….

Subs

Don’t forget, to obtain your discount on the subs, you need to pay by Saturday 13th May.

Quiz Night 2006

What an enjoyable evening! Well done to Pete and his helpers for putting together such a great quiz. Many of the animal based questions had us foxed and some teams seemed to be getting the lion’s share of the points, but a little mouse told me everyone enjoyed themselves.

Thank you to the 70 adults and children who came along in support of the group for this event.

Our next group events will be the Circus Skills afternoon and AGM on Sat 1st July . Please come along and enjoy learning some new tricks to show your friends. This is also an excellent opportunity for parents to come along and speak to the leaders and find out how you can help them. Please don’t forget that we also have the HQ Maintenance Day on Sunday 21st May (see separate article)

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Next Issue

Don’t forget, content for the next newsletter is due by 15 September. Please mail your contributions including pictures to ruth.evans@ampfieldelectrical.co.uk no later than that date.