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District Scout Council
  


 
 


DISTRICT NEWS ARCHIVE 2008

Our Search for a New DC for South East Berkshire.

South East Berkshire’s District Commissioner, Mrs Carolyne Brambley has indicated that she proposes to stand down as South East Berkshire's District Commissioner at the District AGM in June 2009 and so we need to begin the process of finding a successor.

The procedure has changed over recent years and it is now very much an open process.   A small search group has been set up to identify the names of suitable candidates and these will be submitted to the County Commissioner for consideration as South East Berkshire’s new District Commissioner at the end of January.

I recently wrote to all the leaders in the District  inviting them to contribute to this search. In order to ensure the widest possible consultation can I ask you talk about suitable candidates within your circle of friends, both in and outside of Scouting.  However, please note that in order to ensure confidentiality, and prevent building up any false hopes, it is very important not to tell the individual concerned that they have been nominated. Remember also that self-nomination is quite acceptable but please be aware that unsuccessful candidates will not be contacted to inform them of outcomes.

Should you not have received my letter and nomination form you can find a copy HERE. Please get involved in the search. It is not inconceivable that the next DC may not even be a member of the Scout Movement at the present time!

Chris Nagle, Regional Development Officer, Chairman of the DC Search Committee

 

PARENT & CHILD CAMP,   EARLEYWOOD  -   3 - 5TH October 2008

This year the 41st Annual camp was attended by parents and children from three groups:  
Ascot, Sunningdale and 6th Bracknell.
Everyone had a wonderful time, despite the rain on Sunday. There where a lot of different challenges to over come and prizes to be won.  The theme for the weekend was Medieval Mayhem and included:.


Ye Olde Trading Post
Ye Olde Castle construction
Crew Challenge
River Crossing:
King's Messengers
King's Bath
Knock Down Knight:
Medieval Games
Table Layout

The photographs show just a few of the superb challenges.

The event was organised by Stewart, Alison and Paul Sinclair and assisted by a great “Crew”

Carolyne Brambley, District Commissioner said “ It had been a super camp. It was just a pity about the weather on Sunday, but that did not dampen their spirits. Hopefully we shall have more support for the camp next year as it really is an exciting challenging weekend of fun.

Slide show

SOUTH EAST DISTRICT CUB SCOUT CHESS TOURNAMENT

On Thursday 16 October at the 1st Ascot HQ, cubs from various packs in the District played very close and hard fought games in the Annual Chess Tournament.
 
A very close competition played by all taking part in a very friendly although determined spirit.  Once again the cubs taking part were a credit to cub scouting in their pack and District.
 
Eventually after the fifth and final match the District Champion was crowned - Andrew Condon (1st Sunningdale) with the runner up - Michael Coppins (2nd Bracknell) and in third place - Oliver Brassington (1st Sunningdale).
 
Allen Davis, Assistant District Commissioner for Cubs said "We very much hope that all three Cub Scouts will be able to represent the District at the County Final where I know for sure, win nor loose, they will still make us very proud of them"! 

 

Earleywood Working Weekend

 

Once again many thanks to everyone who turned up to assist with the Earleywood working weekend.  At the end of the main camping season there are a number of jobs which always require to be done to prepare the site for the winter.  These include clearing all of the gutters around the buildings, tidying up any excess wood around the camp sites and returning it to the woodpile, clearing the autumn leaves from the grass and paths and generally tidying the site up.  In addition the team clipped back a number of the holly bushes around the site to prevent them encroaching further onto the camping areas and paths.
 
Over 22 people turned up at some time over the weekend with around 12+ of them coming from the 6th Bracknell.  Thanks also to Gerald Hill and Stewart Sinclair for organising/supervising everything and to Alison Sinclair and her helpers for keeping everyone fed and watered.
 
Thanks
 
Alan

 

 

Earleywood Campsite working weekend

There will be a working weekend at Earleywood Campsite on 17 to 19th October, for more details Click Here.

 

Football

Beaver and Cub results and photo's have been added to the Beaver News and Cub News pages.

 

A 4 week course for any Scout or Guide Leader with an interest in learning practical camp management skills including camp safety. More details Here

 

 

Message from Alan Foster on behalf of the Earleywood Management Committee

 

 Working Weekend 30 May-1 June 2008

Slide show

Over 30  Explorers, Young Leaders, Network, Fellowship Members and Leaders from both South and South East Berkshire Districts took part in the working weekend. What a tremendous job they did from clearing up ditches, to digging new ones, from tree cutting (dead and dangerous ones only!) to tidying up the camp fire circle.  Everyone got very dirty but seemed to be enjoying themselves and making new friends in the process and working together as teams.

 

Some came for only part of the time but around 20 were there for the whole weekend, but however much time was given it is all very much appreciated by the Management Committee.

 

Thanks also to Gerald Hill and Stewart Sinclair for organising everything and of course we can't forget Alison Sinclair who kept everyone fed and watered.

 

MANY THANKS TO EVERYONE WHO PARTICIPATED FOR A JOB WELL DONE

 

Click Here for the latest Earleywood News Letter

 

Record numbers turn out for Scouting’s St. George’s Day Parade

 

Over 400 local Beavers, Cubs, Scouts and Leaders from Binfield, Bracknell, Ascot, South Ascot and Sunningdale were joined by members from Girlguiding Berkshire to march up the High Street in Bracknell on Sunday (27th April) to pass the Bandstand where the Mayor of Bracknell Forest Borough Council Cllr. Gill Birch, her Consort Cllr. Dale Birch, and the Town Mayor Mrs Adrienne Jones took the salute. Other Guests on the Bandstand included the Scout Deputy County Commissioner Mick Stocks and the Scout District Commissioner Carolyne Brambley and representatives from Girlguiding Berkshire.

The parade was followed by a Service of Thanksgiving and Re-dedication in the Bracknell Family Church, the Kerith Centre, Bracknell. The members were joined by 200 parents as well as the Bracknell Forest Borough and Town Mayor and other Guests from Scouting and Girlguiding in the County of Berkshire.

District Commissioner, Carolyne Brambley said “We were delighted the weather held for the Parade, and the excellent Service in the Bracknell Family Church, the Kerith Centre, was led by Lee Layton-Matthews and members of the ‘Ethos’ Youth Music Group from Bracknell Family Church.   It was also good to have members from our Sister organisation Girlguiding Berkshire join us”,  

The collection during the Service raised of £388.00. This will be donated to Children with Leukaemia – a charity fighting Britain’s biggest childhood cancer.

Youngsters joining the Movement are on the increase in the District, but due to lack of Leaders not all who want to join can be found places.  If anyone is interested in helping out or becoming a leader contact should be made with the District Commissioner Carolyne Brambley on 01344 450409

Some 28 million young people worldwide in 216 countries now enjoy taking part in the adventure of Scouting

St Georges Day 2007

Working Weekend at Earleywood Scout & Guide Campsite, Ascot

There will be a working weekend at Earleywood on 30th May / 1st June 2008, clearing ditches and a general tidy up.

For the full details Click Here.

 

ST GEORGE’S DAY  
Scout weekend –  WINDSOR 2008


The annual Scout weekend in Windsor this year started with a superb Brass Band Concert by the 2nd Rossendale Scout Group Band on Saturday evening (19th April) in the Parish Church of John the Baptist. The event was presented by the South East Berkshire District Scout Fellowship.

The Church was packed with Scouting families, many having travelled from all over the UK including Scotland and Northern Ireland. Award holders who had been honoured in the St George’s Day Awards for their outstanding Service to Scouting were amongst the audience of over 300.

The Band from Bacup in Lancashire were in top form under the Direction of Graham Helm, their Musical Director, playing a wide range of well know Brass Band music -  Blaydon Races, Boogie, Woogie Bugle Boy, Grandfather’s Clock, and a truly home town arrangement of “Hetty Wainthropp Investigates”. Many pieces featured young soloists who rose to the occasion with superb performances and a guest soloist sang songs from famous Musicals with great feeling.

A topical work was “The Great Adventure” by Rodney Newton – a symphony commissioned by the Band and the National Scout & Guide Symphony Orchestra to mark 100 years of Scouting in Music. The world Premiere performance was given in Manchester in October 2007. The symphony includes music written for Scouting, some by famous composers, and the final movement, a selection of Ralph Reader Gang Show songs includes a powerful arrangement of the his famous “Crest of a Wave”. The composer conducted two movements from the symphony.

The 2nd. Rossendale Scout Group Band had the honour of leading the Queen Scout’s Parade around the Quadrangle of Windsor Castle on Sunday afternoon where the salute was taken by the President of the Scout Association, HRH The Duke of Kent. Many of the Award holders will be attending a Service in St George’s Chapel.

A truly wonderful Scouting weekend in Windsor. 

Derek Jackson, Event Organiser for SE Berks District Scout Fellowship

 

New Trolleys for Earlywood camp site

2nd Bracknell cubs the first to use the new trolleys at Earlywood
The cubs had camped for the weekend and were carrying their kit up to the car park on Sunday afternoon when the new trolleys were delivered. 

photo courtesy of Julian  Crofton

The South East Berkshire District Cub Quiz was held at Earlywood on Saturday 15th of March, ten teams took part and the winners were 1St South Ascot who will be representing the South East District Scouts next month in the County Quiz.

Thank you to all the Cubs that entered and congratulations to the 1st South Ascot winners.

Cub quiz 08

Photo courtesy of Tony Fulford

 

Leader Training and Assessment for Climbing.
To facilitate the usage of the Andrew Coleman Memorial Climbing Tower at Earleywood and to help give more Scouts more opportunity to climb, we will be running an instructor course to train leaders for their climbing permits.
If you are interested in taking Scouts climbing but are not yet permitted to do so this may be ideal for you. The course will be run at Earleywood on Tuesday evenings from 7-9pm starting on the 11th of March. This course is initially set to run for eight weeks but depending on prior experience, individuals may be pronounced ready for assessment in a shorter period.

There will be a meeting on the 4th March for all those interested in
getting, extending or renewing their climbing permit or authorisation. This initial meeting will be mostly aimed at a two way exchange of information where we can explain the flavours of permit available and where we can find out which sets of people want to do what and where they are at. Explorer scouts with climbing experience will also be welcome to attend this meeting.
There might be an opportunity to climb during the evening weather permitting though the main emphasis will be information exchange.
We will be meeting from 6:30pm for a 7pm start.

There will be a cost involved to cover the wall and equipment of £5 per evening. There is likely to be some measure of funding assistance from County as this would be come under adult training. More details on Tuesday.

Any prior question email/phone me otherwise Tuesday is intended for questions and answers.

Ian

Please contact Ian via the Contacts page and mark FAO Peter Scurry

 

Gangshow 2008

Photo's courtesy of Bob Tunbridge

 


Jan 08

At the recent Leaders meetings it was suggested that we compile a "Skills Register"  for use only within the District.

 
It may be that a Leader may require some advice on a particular subject  eg. Building regulations, Legal, or even what requirements might be needed for a specific adventurous activity.
 
Do you have a skill and prepared to go on a local register. It may not involve more time, it may only be a quick phone call or e-mail for advice. 
 
If you have a skill and would be willing to be listed, please let me have contact details and the skill offered.  
 
Derek

 

 

 
 


 



QUICK REFERENCE

BEAVERS

6 TO 8 YEARS

CUBS

8 TO 10.5 YEARS

SCOUTS

10.5 TO 14 YEARS

EXPLORERS

14 TO 18 YEARS

Fellowship

OVER 18 YEARS