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Summit Weekend, North Wales, October 2014

“Summit” has become a bit of a hidden asset. Perhaps most of the District does not know that City District has a very strong team of experienced and qualified mountain leaders who take Explorers and older Scouts to the rugged Mountains of Snowdonia every autumn. It is a tradition that has continued since 1970 and one that we should be very proud of. The usual venue is Hafod a Welsh Scout Council Hostel in the Ogwen Valley. Last year through a booking problem we had to go to a hostel near Cadair Idris but this October we were back in our old haunt.

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Ogwen Valley and the Glyders from Pen Yr Olwen

Numbers were down a bit, still enough for three good teams on the hill. We met at the 22nd HQ for the hardest part of the weekend – the 250 mile minibus trip, soon after the end of school, with arrival close to midnight. On arrival one thing became apparent; the Wind. This was nothing to do with excess of burgers at the Service Station. They, after a hot drink slipped off to their bunks. The leaders adapted their routes to suit the warnings of high wind. Morning broke, breakfast and the hustle to get ready for the day. Flasks had been put out the night before and had been filled according to their wishes.  The troops were checked to see they had the right kit and necessary adjustments made.

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The view down onto Llyn Ogwen

I  must mention team Rutherford – apart from organising the whole thing and making sure everyone had got away safely, our leader and his wife Kirsty took their two young children onto Pen Yr Ole Wen the high mountain opposite the hostel. It was a very windy day radio reports said that the wind speed on the tops was 60mph.

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In Safe Hands

Leaders left their route cards for Harold and me–we were two of the original Summiteers and stayed down to act as Basemen. Some went directly from the Hostel but at least one group were transported to a start point several miles away. For all Parties it was an act of commitment to hard mountains and high wind.

One Party had started from the North. It was a great route but unfortunately the route southwards was directly into the wind along a rising ridge line two big mountains lay ahead and the party were beginning to tire. Sensibly their leaders decide to come off early into the town of Bethesda. They phoned ahead to ask for collection. Harold and I haven’t got insurance for the minibus and he was thinking of making two journeys in his car. Just then the first party arrived back tired but happy. Their leader Paul immediately volunteered. We showed him the pick-up point on the map and off he went. The Rutherford Family walked in, fresh and happy and the children got back to their drawing books. Then the final Party arrived having walked in from the hill. Hot drinks were consumed and everyone got busy: wet stuff in the Drying Room; boots in the Boot Rack; and rucksacks unpacked. They all enjoyed the rest and the warmth of Hafod while dinner was cooking. A hearty meal and we broke into two groups: the Leaders relaxing and talking together and the Scouts talking about the day and playing cards. (Well, there was another group, Harold and me talking quietly together about Summits past and how pleased we were to see it all happening still.)

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What 60mph Wind?

The next day offered the chance to do real rock climbing and the group drove off to Capel Curig with the intention of trying the Pinnacles. Unfortunately the heavy rain didn’t stop and climbing on wet rock is almost as bad as sitting waiting to climb in the wet. Walking isn’t too bad and the party had a low level walk back to Hafod. Meanwhile the non- climbers went up to Y Garn and the Glyders at the back of the Hostel. All arrived back early and after another good meal everyone tucked into packing and putting the Hostel to rights. By three o’clock we were ready for the off and the long drive home with a group of young people who had: got over their fears; tested themselves in a harsh environment; and had memories that will last a lifetime.

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The Personel:

 Scouts and Explorers: Sam, James, Owen, Zak, Olivia, Nick, Greg, Dan, Matt, Patrick, Chris, Kyle.

Leaders: Ian R, Ian B, Paul R, Rob, Dave Mac: Sam T2, Kahryn.

Ex Officio’s, Kirsty: Fran: Rory: Geoff, Harold and Glyn the Sheep Dog.

 

Geoff Johnson

Active Support

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Remembrance Service – 9th November

remember.pngOur 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  

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Roll of Honour: October 2014

Wood Badge

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Awarded to Members on completion of their leadership training

Congratulations to Rob Wayman on receiving his wood badge.

Chief Scout’s 20 Years Service Award 

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 Congratulations to Darren Russell

Chief Scout’s 10 Years Service Award

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 Congratulations to Iain Redmill

Explorer Belt

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Well done to Heather Porter, Josh Smith and Alex Manning on completing their Explorer Belt. 

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Explorer Belt: Our Trip to France

In September Alex Manning, Heather Porter and Josh Smith, members of Southampton City Network, spent 11 days in France and Belgium completing the Explorer Belt. The trip involved cycling 440 km, complete with fully laden panniers, along the World War 1 Western Front and aimed to investigate the effect of WW1 on the people and landscapes 100 years on.

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Our trip started in Nieuwpoort, Belgium, which was the coastal end of the front. Nieuwpoort and the surrounding canals were flooded during the war to prevent German flanking so we took a look at where this started. After a night spent in a somewhat dubious, closed campsite near Diksmuide we headed to Ieper (Ypres) to visit the city and attend the Last Post Ceremony at the Menin Gate.

Our third day continued in Ieper at the ‘In Flanders Fields’ museum before heading off to Hill 62 which is home to the Sanctuary Wood Cemetery, a museum with preserved British front line trenches, and the Hill 62 Canadian memorial. We also visited Hill 60 where lots of mining and explosives were used. On day four, fuelled by vast amounts of Haribo, we made our way to Le Touret memorial where we were able to find one of Josh’s relatives amongst the 13,400 British soldiers who are remembered there.

The fifth day of the trip started with a puncture. After sorting that out we headed to Notre Dame de Lorette which is the largest French military cemetery in the World and houses over 40,000 French soldiers. The crosses in the cemetery stretched as far as the eye could see and was truly sobering. We then cycled up the second hill of the day to get to the Vimy Ridge where a memorial to Canadian soldiers sits proud at the top to remember their tunnelling attack on the German front line.

After the long day before we had a more relaxed day and headed to Arras to explore some tunnels which were used by miners from New Zealand. For day seven we headed to Albert via the Newfoundland Memorial park which was a piece of land which had been left after the war and kept as a park to memorialise soldiers from Newfoundland. We moved further into the Somme region as we reached Albert and there was a noticeable increase in the number of cemeteries we saw.

Day eight was spent exploring Albert and the surrounding area. This included a trip to the Thiepval Memorial where we found one of Alex’s relatives, and a visit to a German cemetery. Back in Albert we visited a museum which was in a tunnel under the town and used during both wars as an air raid shelter. On day nine we cycled to Amiens which was the last stop on our trip. The rest of day 9 and 10 were spent exploring Amiens including visits to a library (complete with a very lovely and interesting librarian), the cathedral, Museum de Picardy, and a general wander around the city. The next day we returned back to Southampton feeling tired but successful.

 

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Endeavour Explorers: Summer Camp 2014

The Triumph of the Few

In January 12 explorers said they wanted to go and the Site was booked. Various reminders were sent out and deadlines were set, but with weeks to go there was little response. It seemed that late booked holidays and other organised activities had scuppered us. To go or not to go – well, we had paid a deposit which we would lose – and the few still wanted to go.

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In the event: 4 explorers; Rozy, Kieran, Faye and Joe; Jake, just about to become a trainee Leader at Ferny Crofts and Amanda, Matt, Geoff and Lin together with Corbin a Beaver Scout, were the ten that went along to Bowling Green Wood in Dorset from the 9th to the 16th August.

The Saturday load up needed some changes in our equipment as we had just heard that the fringes of hurricane Bertha would hit the South Coast that night. The heavy mess tent was preferred.

Lin and I had been there before but everyone else was impressed by the fact that this great campsite would be ours for a week. Thought was given to the layout of the tents given the high westerly winds that were forecast. The site is bounded by woodland which would give shelter but there was evidence that the trees could be blown down in the wind.

Sitting round the fire after a good supper the wind picked up as forecast and we went off to our Tents. It was a wet and windy night but we had good tents well pitched and we didn’t lose any sleep. 

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The morning was windy and rainy but a visit from the resident peacock put us in a good mood. We decided immediately to put the bad weather fall back into action and went to Splashdown at Poole, “fluming” marvellous for the young, but two hours sipping indifferent coffee for the old and responsible. On the way back over Whiteway Hill we stopped at the high view point and saw the Jurassic coast spread before us all the way to Portland Bill. Amanda and Rozy did aerobics on stumps and Joe sat and contemplated.

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Monday was better. Lin and Corbin were arriving and we arranged to meet them at Worth Matravers. I hadn’t said much about where we were going but the reaction when the others saw the big quarry caves cut into the cliff face was amazing. It was a time and a place to explore and they all did. Sitting above a sea still under the influence of hurricane Bertha was awesome. The hunt for ammonite fossils as big as car tyres was great as they clambered over the cliffs and rocky shelves. 

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Tuesday we split: The Macho Brigade went to the Tank Museum while the Primeval went to Monkey World. Both Parties enjoyed their days but it was good to get back to our home at Bowling Green and compare notes whilst we prepared Dinner.

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On Wednesday it was time to hit the beach at Lulworth Cove where most went swimming and all sunbathed. To live up to the English tradition the clouds came over, it started to rain and we became part of the mass exodus from the beach. After lunch some of us returned to visit the Fossil Forest to the east of the Cove.

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That evening we cooked Pizzas on our own recently invented Camp Pizza Oven.

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Thursday and Climbing was on the bill: We chose Hedbury Quarry as it was above the sea which was still a bit frisky. All the climbs there are bolted and most of a high grade but luckily our spot was available right on the edge overlooking the sea and the right grade for our novices. Matt and Jake have recently passed their Walls and Towers and this was a chance for them to extend their experience under my M form. Everyone had a go and some good climbing was done. It was good weather and a good place to be. After the long uphill path back to the Cars we decided everyone needed a treat and headed off to Swanage for a group meal in a Fish and Chip Restaurant.

 

 

Friday, our last full day and it had to be done – Durdle D’or and the swim through the Arch:

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With Kieran our lifeguard in attendance the unit made a Unit swim through and around the arch and then enjoyed a laze and mud bath! on the beach. Meanwhile Joe made friends with a homing pigeon and gave it something to eat and drink.

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That night Jake suggested we cook Hobo style – We prepared our own mix of meat and chopped vegetables seasoned and sauced, wrapped in foil and cooked in the embers. It was delicious.

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The next morning we broke Camp and loaded the cars and trailer. Tidied the site and at a final parade were presented with the Campsite badge by the Warden, our flags were lowered and we left. What a memory!

From the Four: Rozi, Faye, Kieran and Joe: also Jake, Amanda, Matt, Geoff, Lin and “I just can’t wait to be an Explorer” Corbin.

One of the successes of the Camp were the Swedish Candles which Amanda had brought along as prepared logs with slots cut down into them. With a few embers dropped on the top they caught light and burnt down into the log for an hour or two. We cooked on them and also boiled a few Kettles. Thanks to Scouting Magazines Get Active Booklet.

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Volunteers Needed – 12th October

On Sunday the 12th of October, Graham Meering is coordinating a County event at Ferny Crofts for approximately 80 young carers from thoughout Hampshire. He is looking for leaders to run planned bases, people to help as greeters/guides and young leaders/Network or explorers to act as mentors working with the youngsters on the activities.

Are you free on the day and willing to help? He is looking for leaders to run planned bases, people to help as greeters/guides, young Leaders/Network or explorers to act as mentors working with the youngsters on the activities.

The day will run 10 am to 3.30 pm but it would be helpful to be there at 9.30. If you are interested, please contact g.meering@sky.com.

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How Scouts Can Help You Find a Job

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Applying for university, taking a gap year, looking for your first job or changing career? Becoming a Scout volunteer can boost your CV, your UCAS statement, your prospects and give you the edge at job interviews.

In a recent independent study, 41% of employers said that if an applicant was a Scout volunteer it would positively influence a decision to employ them.

The job market is competitive. Latest figures show that 2.51 million people in the UK are currently unemployed; while the number of 16 to 24-year-olds not in education, employment or training (known as ‘Neets’) is approaching 1 million.

Scout volunteers can work towards nationally-recognised qualifications that employers value – like first aid and health and hygiene. You can also be trained to deliver adventurous activities like archery, climbing, caving and abseiling – or become a qualified mountain leader.

The training modules the Scouts offer can get you qualifications that are recognised by the Institute of Leadership and Management (ILM) and the Institute of Training and Occupational Learning (ITOL).

Volunteering with Scouts can also give you lots of transferable skills. Here are just a few:

  • Motivation
    Attending regular meetings, completing training modules, planning activities for your Scout section, managing volunteers or Scout finances all demonstrate that you are conscientious.
  • Leadership
    Scouting is about spreading positivity and a can-do attitude among young people in order to help them to develop.
  • Communication skills
    Scout volunteers deal with people of all ages and backgrounds and develop excellent interpersonal skills.
  • Time-management
    Our volunteers are excellent at juggling demands at Scout meetings and balancing their lives with their volunteer work.
  • Problem-solving 
    Scouts are creative and resourceful. As a volunteer you’ll develop practical problem-solving skills that translate to everyday life.
  • Teamwork
    From running a Scout Group to swinging through a high ropes course, Scouts is all about teamwork.
  • Confidence
    Working with young people or other volunteers is all about inspiring others. Being a Scout volunteer gives you opportunities to try new things and test your own abilities.
  • Experience
    Scouting offers unique opportunities that will expand your horizons and help you grow both personally and professionally.
  • Flexibility 
    The Scouting programme is varied and diverse, so volunteers continually have to adapt.
  • Crisis management
    Scouts are trained to respond quickly and sensibly in adversity.

Find out more about the transferable skills of Scout volunteers by downloading our free Get Ahead resources, which have been produced to help adult volunteers (18+) or Explorers and Network members (aged 14 to 25).

How to volunteer

Volunteering with us is easy, fun and flexible – how much time you give is up to you. Whether you help out once a fortnight, month or term or just at special events, there is bound to be a role you can play, and no matter how you get involved, you’ll be trained and supported.

Many different volunteer roles are available too – you don’t have to work with young people and for instance, could take up a finance, media or management role. Search for your scouting role on our Voulnteer page 

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Scout Wings Presentation

 

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Back row: Amanda AESL, Keiron, Joe, Chantelle, Jake, Tony ESL & Air Activities Advisor, Dave DESC, Geoff ESL.  Front: Andy SL, Rozy, Abi, Faye, Ellie, Amy.

The Endeavour Explorer Unit of Southampton was joined by members of Odium District Air Explorers for the presentation of the Scout Wings to Jake at the Solent Sky Museum in Southampton.     Jake has been gliding at Lasham for the past 2 years and has completed many hours of training on the airfield and in a K13 glider; he flew his third successful solo glider flight in March 2014 to gain The Scout Wings.   Jake hope to continue gliding and increasing the distances he can travel and the time that he can stay in the sky by using the lift from thermals.

The presentation was made by Tony in the cockpit of The Sandringham flying boat followed by celebration cake and a full tour of the museum and all its aircrafts.   Everyone had a wonderful evening hosted by the manager, Steven, who welcomes bookings from all scouting sections to the museum on a Thursday night, www.solentskymuseum.org

 

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Rozy’s Jamboree Adventure

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The World Scout Jamboree is a gathering of tens of thousands of Scouts and Guides from almost every country in the world who, for ten days  live together, experience each others cultures, take part in exciting activities and have an amazing adventure.

Southampton City Scout District are pleased to be have Rozy Toomer who has been selected by UK Contingent Committee to attend the 23rd World Scout Jambore held in Japan,

In the past Rozy has attended Scouts at the 9th and to date is a Young Leader and Explorer Scout within the District.

She will also join her brother Jake Toomer and Jason Ledwich who have been selected on to the Jamboree’s service team.

The Jamboree costs £2,995 to attend and Rozy has already started her fundraising and she has created a Blog for us to keep upto date with

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From Colin

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.

Wilverley District Camp Site

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!!

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Jamboree 2015

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.

Swimming Gala

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

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District Web Site

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.

Grow your Own Scout Group, Offer the Big Adventure.

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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,