The Cross-Country Event is a district-wide fun sport challenge event open to all sections, including Beavers, Cubs, Scouts, Explorers and Network.
The event will be held at the Southampton Sport Centre on the 1st of March 2015, with the race starting at 10:00am, so please arrive in advance with competitors booking in with their groups on arrival. Competitors should bring along a drink and their necker for the competition.
What a start, with the entrance to the car park blocked off and then when the temporary entrance was found due to building work many parking spaces were missing and most of the others were in use.
Despite this we saw the biggest involvement in the gala since the District was formed with 29 Beavers, 7 Cub packs and 8 Scout Troops. It meant that we had to run heats for all the races and with me increasing the number of events for Cubs, bringing them to the same level as the Scouts, we ran out of time to carry out a presentation. I was under strict rules from the pool booking officer that we had to be clear the pool by 9.30. I am in the process of visiting Packs and Troops to hand out the medals, certificates and Trophies.
May I thank all the officials, helpers and the adult support team for all the assistance on the night.
Our District has been invited by The Mayor of Southampton to attend the Remembrance Day Service, at The Cenotaph, on Sunday 9th.November 2014.
It is hoped that we can make up a contingent comprising, a Beaver, a Cub and a Scout and Explorer and a Scouter from every group in the district. Also all Active
Support and Network members are invited.
Our aim is to have a good smart contingent for the remembrance parade at the Cenotaph in West Park Southampton for this years Remembrance Service. Last year was a lovely event and it gave our young people a chance to show their respect and remembrance and it was particularly mentioned by those attending, including the Mayor, that it was lovely to see our youngsters taking part.
Of course if your group has already arranged to go to your local church that is fine I am just pleased that they are doing that. But for those groups that do not go to a local church we would like you to join us at the main Southampton Cenotaph.
If we have the groups bring one beaver one cub and one scout and a number of Leaders, Explorers Network Members and Active Support we believe we will have at least 50 people attending. Even though i have said only one please do bring more if you wish to.
We will meet at 9.45am at Guildhall Square i will be there earlier, so please look out for me. You can park for free up to 12 noon on a Sunday at the West Park Car park.
Please do make sure you are all in smart uniform please, polished shoes etc. I will have poppies to give you if you have not already purchased some.
The parade will be marching from Guildhall Square to the cenotaph and back to Guildhall square after the service so Parents please come and see the parade and pick up your children from guildhall square just before 12 noon.
If you could all please send me an email to say if you are coming or not I would be grateful.
Colin Floyd
District Commissioner
07770364711 or colin.floyd@ntlworld.com
Pro-badge training weekends for cubs and scouts are run at Lyons Copse (where we had District Camp this year) throughout the winter. You might like to take a group of cubs or scouts there for a weekend to cover some of the badge work that can’t be done so easily at the usual meetings. Here are all the details: http://www.pro-badge.org.uk/.
On the eve of our very successful District Camp in May I received the news that Fred had died. I was able to say a few words in his memory at the Campfire. Some of the older members of the District would have known him and many of his old scouts and scouting friends were at the funeral. I should, before now, have put something in the Left Handshake. Some of you might have seen the two items in the Echo: one about his Scouting career and the other about his extraordinary wartime experience when his minesweeper was sandwiched between the British invasion fleet and the German defences on D Day. All these things are in the past like the” 8th” and “West District” but we do need to remember them as they have influenced our lives.
In 1970 I moved into my present house and so into West District. Meeting a fellow Scouter at work I revealed that I had no post in Scouting at that time. He must have put the word around because several days later there was a knock on my door. The guy standing there was middle aged, my height and quite a stocky build, he was wearing a khaki shirt, navy blue breeches and a silly grin. “You Geoff Johnson?” he said, “I hears you’ve been in Scouting and you aren’t doing anything moment at.”
10 years later I certainly knew that I’d been in Scouting, Fred was a human dynamo and made sure that the 8th Scouts did everything they possibly could. I became Scout Leader while Fred was GSL. Fred worked in British Telecom and I don’t know if he had a special concession but my phone never stopped ringing. Ideas and schemes came shooting down the Line. The 8th prospered building up to 40 scouts at one time and with two Cub Packs.
He promoted Canoeing in the Troop also Climbing, Mountaineering and Caving. From his enthusiasm came the District Canoe Club and Summit Weekends.
One year three scouts from the 8th were chosen to represent Hampshire in the National Scout Regatta. They had never been in racing canoes before and for the two weeks beforehand Fred took them canoeing every night until they learnt to handle them. They didn’t win but they did well in the heats and got through to the finals where they competed with the National Youth Champions.
The 8th owned a wartime building on the old Beaulieu Airfield known as “Chorley Lodge” which at that time was one of the few places where Scouts could stay in the Forest. Fred’s wife Dorrie controlled the bookings and, as GSL Fred, made sure the hut was maintained and improved. It was a great venue and used by Groups from far and wide.
Throughout this time the 8th was his real love and he and Dorrie nursed it through so many years. Came the time when he had to stand down. Fred was made an Honorary Scouter in 1986. After that the 8th unfortunately went downhill. The hut was set on fire by vandals and while it was under repair they struck again and it was burnt to the ground. It must have hurt them both when this happened
Chorley Lodge was on the edge of what is now the Round Hill Campsite which the Council wanted to develop and it was in the way. When the Hampshire Scouting managed to acquire Fern Crofts and, at the same time, West District took Wilverley something had to go. It was Chorley Lodge and the old hut was removed.
Dorrie and Fred carried on in the Scout Fellowship for many years until Life and their age caught up with them. What they gave still lives on in many good things in our District and they should not be forgotten.
Memories from Geoff Johnson, May 2014
You can find a copy of the Daily Echo cover on this story at www.dailyecho.co.uk
National Express is delighted to be working in partnership with The Scout Association to support the Cub Scout Outdoor Plus Badge.
As part of their new Youth Promise, National Express is promoting active lifestyles and adventure as a way of enjoying life. Through sponsorship of the badge and the accompanying activity pack, their aim is to widen young people’s scope for travel, adventure and mobility. This includes a 10% travel discount on standard fares booked through the Scouts Association web site. Travel is a great way of having new experiences, gaining confidence and growing independence. As the UK’s largest scheduled coach operator, National Express is seeking to promote this important life skill.
Discounted coach fares for Scout members
National Express is pleased to offer Scouts Association members a 10% discount off standard fares – click here to plan your journey and buy your tickets!
Discount on coach hire for Scout Groups
If you’re planning a day trip or something longer for your pack, view our handy hints and tips on booking the right coach (or minibus) for your journey.
Get three free, no obligation quotes here.
The Chancellor today announced a share of £10 million funding will be awarded to The Scout Association to increase the opportunities available to young people, particularly in disadvantaged areas.
We are delighted that the work we’ve undertaken over the past 18 months in disadvantaged parts of the UK, recruiting 267 new volunteers and over 1,300 new young members, has been recognised and prioritised by the government.
We look forward to continuing to work closely with the Youth United Foundation – to whom the funding has been awarded – to improve the life chances of even more young people from some of the UK’s most challenged communities.
Investment from the Youth United Foundation previously has given Scouting the opportunity to extend its reach into six of England’s toughest neighbourhoods. Young people in these areas really benefit from Scouting as it gives them focus, drive and life skills.
83rd Oldham Cub Pack was one of the first Groups in England to receive a start up grant to help bring it back to the community, which has little offering for young people, after it folded in 1998. The money helped go towards uniforms, camping and sport kit.
Cub Scout Leader Gail Smith says ‘I love seeing their faces light up. Some of them have never gone on a holiday, never stayed away from home or been away from the estate. Scouting is broadening their horizons. They are really blossoming; increasing in confidence; becoming more outgoing and assertive.’
The Youth United Network is The Scout Association, Girlguiding, St John Ambulance, the Army Cadet Force, Sea Cadets, the Boys’ Brigade, the Girls’ Brigade, the Volunteer Police Cadets, the Fire Cadets and the RAF Air Cadets.
THIS EVENT IS SUPPORTED BY SOUTHAMPTON SOLENT UNIVERSITY
Southampton City Scout District Cub and Scout Six a Side Football Competition
(Photo 2012 CUB SIX-A-SIDE WINNERS 14th CUB SCOUTS)
Test Park Sports Ground,
Lower Brownhill Road, Southampton, SO16 9BP
Saturday 15th March 2014 Starting at 1.30pm
We do not permit use of full metal studs or tipped and blade boots. We also strongly advise all users to wear shin pads to help avoid injuries. The emphasis is on the customer to ensure these are worn for their own safety.
EVENT PAPER WORK DOWNLOADS
Cub and Scout Six a Side Football Competition Venue Info
Cub and Scout Six a Side Football Competition Rules
Scouts of all ages celebrate the anniversary.
FOR six decades they have been teaching children to be prepared.
Now, the 9th Southampton City Scout Group has celebrated its 60-year anniversary in style at their headquarters in Shirley Warren.
More than 60 people, including both past members and the current generation, enjoyed the anniversary held at the Scout hut in Bindon Road.
It was in 1953, that Reverend Milne of St Jude’s church in Shirley Warren recognised the need for a Cub pack in the area.
They were officially recognised by the Scout Association a year later and moved to its current base in Bindon Road in 1967.
Since then hundreds of children have been taught the Scout values, learnt survival skills away on camping trips and earned various badges.
Group Leader Neil Webb, said: “There has been huge amount of hard work from the leaders.
“It is fantastic to have people that have come through the Scouts here today. We would not be here now if they had not done their bit.”
He added: “A lot of the young people have games and things that keep them inside, but our group gives them the chance to do more adventures and take part in activities like camping.”
Among those celebrating was Myrna Russell, 71, retired from Merryoak, a leader of the 60’s. She said: “I like the friendly co-operation and how well structured it is and how we learn useful things.”
Also there was Gordon Bailey, 70, from Dibden Purlieu who was leader from 1961 to 1965. He said: “I think the best thing about the Scouts is the character building.
“There’s a saying, once a Scout always a Scout.”
A very big thank you to Shaun Cassidy for an extremely well organised and successful Cub Survival camp. It was really great fun for me to pop bye and visit you all. It was encouraging to see all the groups attending this event and seeing the young people have such a great time. Thanks to the all The Leaders that made the camp happen and please pass on thanks to all the Parents who came along and helped you.
Well done to the Scout section for a successful Raft Race which on a lovely summer’s day was great fun. Thank you to Stuart Ganney ADC Scouts who helped and supported the 7th to go to the County Camp at Lyons Copse that proved to be a real success. It was also great to see the 25th Scouts at the camp ably overseen by the group’s young leaders.
Well done goes to the Beaver section for a successful Loggerhead competition. They had a great day at Wilverley.
Congratulations to Simon Pickering on gaining his Young Leader belt it is great to have these young people in our scouting. Well done and thank you to him and all our young leaders.
Well done to the 9th Shirley Warren who had a very successful 75th Birthday camp at Wilverley that was a great way to celebrate the history of this great group.
Well done and thank you to all the Leaders and Sarah Milstead for the first response training it is so important that we all keep our knowledge up to date.
A big thank you to everyone who came to the Wilverley Maintenance Weekend at the end of August. It was great to have such a good response from you all and we got such a lot done. Wilverley is now setting up a reward system for groups that help with Maintenance so you can still earn yourself points by coming out and doing some more of the jobs that we still have in hand.
The replacement generator project is on course to start very soon. With the plan of it being completed by the end of November. It will be great to just flick a switch!!
Japan We had four of our scouts and explorers put themselves forward to go to the 2015 Jamboree in Japan. They are Owen Budd, Rozy Toomer, Abi Bacon, and Kieran Brackley. The selection weekend has taken place and we are now waiting to hear if any of them have been selected. We all have our fingers crossed.
The arrangements for the District Swimming Gala are in hand. It is being held on Saturday 23rd November at 5.30pm.
Further details to follow
Please rember to tell everyone about your good news, if you have been to camp recently or are planning a event SHOUT LOUD about it. The web site is a great way to promote our district and tell everyone how good we are. Everyone loves a good news story. Please send all your articles to Tony and Val Kench by the 25th of every month.
Have you now all got your vacancy boards up in the entrances of your HQ? If not I take it you have every post in your group filled!!
It is so important that we SHOUT Load about how we need to grow and offer Scouting to anyone who wishes to join. We can do that if we start now to recruit more adults and get them working in our groups. That could be in the uniformed leadership teams or just as importantly in the Group Exec Committees. The more the merrier!!
A big Thank You to the 1st – 2nd – 7th – 29th who came along to the first grow your own group meeting. These meetings are being run by Thelma our ADC group Support and it proved a good opportunity for those groups to reflect where they are and what the long term plan is to be for the group to grow. I would ask that all the other groups contact The 9th, 11th and 14th and the 26th have confirmed that they will be coming to a further meeting on 2nd Oct.
The remaining groups (we now who you are!!) must attend on the 17th October, please arrange that with Thelma it will save her chasing you. Don’t forget we need to ask anyone and everyone that you meet in your groups or outside scouting to get involved. Scouting has a job for most people.
On a final note: when I was a cub many years ago we used to play a game called Chinese whispers. That involved the cubs sitting in a circle and the leader whispered a short message to the first cub and then the cubs passed that message to the person on their right until everyone had been passed the message. It was great fun but I have to say the message that came out in the end was nothing like what was said at the beginning. Surely as Adults we don’t still play that game.
If anyone wishes to talk to me and clarify anything, I am always pleased for you to contact me by email or by phone or in person just ask away.
Yours in Scouting,
Colin Floyd, District Commissioner,