Flysheet

The Sutton District Scouting Newsletter – July 2005

Contents

  1. Contents
  2. Awards
  3. Notes from the District Commissioner
  4. Beavers
  5. Cubs
  6. Scouts
  7. Chief Scout’s Awards
  8. District Camp
  9. EuroJam
  10. Great BT Sleepover
  11. PAGGS
  12. Sutton District Canoe Club
  13. New edition of POR
  14. Sutton Play Network
  15. Badges
  16. Diary 2005
  17. Flysheet

Awards

Bar to the Medal of Merit

In recognition of further outstanding services to Scouting

John Riches – Double Dragon ESU

Medal of Merit

In recognition of outstanding services to Scouting

Diane King – 3rd Cheam
Ted Sawyer – 6th Carshalton

Chief Scouts Commendation for Good Service

In recognition of good services to Scouting

Hector Claugher – 2nd Carshalton
Julie Cox – 6th Carshalton
Gemma Cresswell – 3rd Beddington
Debbie Lasrado – 3rd Carshalton
Anne Nelson – 3rd Carshalton
Caroline Phillips – 15th Wallington
Chris Sowden – 14th Wallington
Jan Vaghela – 5th Carshalton

Notes from the District Commissioner

I am very pleased that several members of the District have been given awards in respect of their services to Scouting over many years. Congratulations and thanks to all of them.

Well, we have managed the merger of the two former Districts and I was very pleased at the friendly atmosphere on the 26th. I am sure that the good start is an excellent omen for the future.

The District Launch Camp at Blackland Farm was a great success. Over 1,000 people were at the Launch Ceremony and more than 500 camped over the whole weekend. The balloon launch was spectacular if somewhat misdirected but I am sure we are the only District with its own Balloon Tree (arboreus latex entrappus, a species new to science).

On a more serious note, there has been comment in parts of the press that Scouting will admit atheists. These comments are based on articles in some newspapers and the Association has contacted them to point out that their facts are wrong. Scouting has since the beginning been a movement based on religious beliefs, not necessarily those of Christianity. In fact Baden-Powell had approached the Boys Brigade with the idea of Scouting but they said it was to be only for Christians. There have been for many years different versions of the Promise to cater for members of different faiths or living in a country where they are not citizens and where it would not be appropriate to swear allegiance to the country concerned. The Laws are not affected by a multi-faith approach.

Scouting has always welcomed people of different faiths and cultures and this is clearly laid down in POR, including the suggested wording for those of different faiths.

We are approaching the main camping season and I would like to wish you all very happy camps. To those of you going on holiday do enjoy yourselves and I hope you come back refreshed and looking forward to providing more good Scouting.

John Perkins, District Commissioner

Beavers

The District Beavers are beginning to know each other. The District camp was well attended and apart from a few exceptions everyone had an excellent time.

Our next venture is to take place on 16th July in Rosehill Park. We are holding a picnic from 2.30–4.30pm. This will enable Colonies and leaders to mix and get to know each other. So far only eight Colonies have responded so I hope after reading this that other leaders will contact me to be included.

At our District meeting last week we had a training talk about the new system from Pat Askey. It was very informative and for the many that were unable to attend you have a second chance at the Cub meeting on 30th June.

Beaver events in the pipeline are a trip to cinema in November and a pantomime in January.

Beaver Scouting is officially 20 years old next year and Cub Scouting is 90 years old. The County are organising a joint Birthday Party, on a large campsite, sometime in June for everyone to celebrate.

Beaver Scouting in Sutton is on the move and I hope all the groups will want to join in the fun.

Pauline Pattison, Assistant District Commissioner Beavers

Cubs

Since the last issue of Flysheet the Cubs have held their District Matball Competition. Congratulations to 8th Cheam for winning and also to 5th Sutton, who came second and to 9th Cheam and 5th Worcester Park who came equal third. I think every team that took part had great fun. Many thanks to Sue Randall and Jon Wood for organising that and also to Nigel Binns for helping to sort out the leagues.

Several Packs have been away on camp to places such as Bentley Copse, Boidier Hurst and Park Farm. 1st/16th Sutton Cubs and Beavers became record breakers recently when they took part in the World’s Biggest Simultaneous Sleepover.

We are now preparing for the District Sports Day and of course gearing up for the summer camps.

Catherine Keen, Assistant District Commissioner Cubs

Scouts

The Scout section has been busy putting the “out” in Scouting recently. Half term saw some Troops away for their “Summer Camps”, with one shared adventure on a canal boat. We had Scouts going underground, across fields (trying to decide between cows and bulls) and climbing a rock face. Our programmes are in full swing now that summer is here: trips to the park; archery; orienteering to name but a few. By the time that this is published we will have been to our water activities weekend at Thames Young Mariners and heading towards the camping competition.

With many summer camps still to come, a very busy end to another busy year in the Scout section.

Ray Shaw, Assistant District Commissioner Scouts

Chief Scout’s Awards

Chief Scout’s Gold Award

Mairead McGuirk – 3rd Cheam
Adam Hardcastle – 3rd Cheam

District Camp

Imagine if you will, 1,014 people (young and old alike) stood together in a field. Well, that was the scene at the opening ceremony of our recent District camp, held to celebrate the start of our new District. Our guests included the then Mayor and Mayoress of Sutton, the Lady Mayor and Consort of East Grinstead and Father John Seddon. Along with many speeches we took the opportunity to invest Beavers, Cubs, Scouts and a Beaver Leader – the important point was that these were all new members of the District. The song said “99 red balloons”, but we released hundreds of black and yellow balloons. Some only made it as far as the tree line, but others went up, up away – the furthest reaching the Czech Republic*.

In the morning, we sent twelve coach-loads of Beavers, Cubs and their leaders to play trains on the Sutton Scout Special on the Bluebell Railway before coming to camp to join up with their Groups. The afternoon continued with people going off in all directions to do lots of different activities. The weekend passed by at a rate of knots, until suddenly it was Monday lunchtime and it was time to say thank you and goodbye, but the weather was kind, as it had been all weekend, and we all went home with dry tents – a great plus.

This camp owed its great success to everyone who took part, and while not everything went exactly according to plan, we feel that we gave a pretty good delivery. Finally, I would like to say thank you once again to my team who all worked extremely hard to put together this camp in just four months.

Ray Shaw, Camp Leader

*The winning balloon travelled 838.7 miles and was allocated to Jack Fenner, a 14th Wallington Cub Scout.

EuroJam

On the 29th July a group of 22 young Scouts and Guides with their leaders will be leaving Sutton to attend EuroJam, the European Scout and Guide Jamboree. This event is taking place at Hylands Park, Chelmsford, Essex and has attracted some 10,000 young people from 40 countries who will be coming together to share one vision. We will be camping for 12 nights, during which time the young people will get the opportunity to try many different activities, get to visit the national home of Scouting, help out in the local community, find out about other peoples’ beliefs and cultures and make new friends.

There will be evening activities to entertain the young people, with sound systems that would not be out of place at “Live 8”. We expect to see the Chief Scout there.

I feel certain that all the young people and leaders alike will come away from EuroJam with a lifetime of memories. I look forward to being able to report back along with the young participants about our adventures.

Ray Shaw, Sutton District Contingent Leader

Great BT Sleepover

Members of the 1st/16th Sutton Scout Group had fun taking part in the Great BT Sleepover and helped to set a new world record. 14 Beavers and 23 Cubs were involved as well as 11 leaders/helpers. Some even managed to get a little sleep!

[Picture of 1st/16th Sutton Cubs and Beavers]

PAGGS

PAGGS Reunion

The PAGGS reunion will mark 35 years since the first meeting in Sutton of Scout, Guide and Brigade Leaders from the twin-towns of Paisley (Scotland), Apeldoorn (Netherlands), Gagny (France), Gladsaxe (Denmark) and Sutton (hence the name P-A-G-G-S). The twin-town conference (TWI-TO-CO) was organised on the initiative of Ron Kinton, then Sutton Assistant District Commissioner Scouts and now Sutton District President. Regular conferences and camps have followed, and PAGGS has grown to include Minden and Wilmersdorf (Germany) and Pardubice (Czech Republic) – see www.paggs.org.

The Jubilee Team urgently need volunteers who would be willing to host leaders from these twin-towns who are travelling here for the reunion (to be held over the last weekend of October 2005). If you can help, please contact the team at paggs@suttonscouts.org.uk.

PAGGS Camp and PAGGS Activity Badge

The next PAGGS camp (for young people aged 11–21 and leaders) will be held in Holland from the 1st to the 9th August 2006. In preparation for this camp, activities have been organised to enable participants to learn about the other PAGGS towns, countries and people. There will be a quiz as the last activity and a badge for those who complete all the activities.

If you would like your section members to take part in these activities (ideal as part of the Global or International programme zones) then please register with the Activities Team at paggs@suttonscouts.org.uk by 1st August 2005.

Sutton District Canoe Club

There is one further river trip planned before the summer holidays: an all-day trip on the River Thames near Reading on the 10th July. The cost will be £8/head. Booking beforehand is essential (consult a leader if you haven’t been before). Contact Pete Treagust on 020 8395 7869 or treagustpt@aol.com or Howard Parr on 020 8651 6146 for details.

Pool sessions will recommence in the autumn on Sundays 18th September, 16th October, 20th November and 18th December 2005 and 15th January, 19th February and 19th March 2006, all at the pool at Wimbledon College. The sessions run from 2:00pm until 3:00pm and cost £4/head. Group/Unit Leaders are welcome but need not attend. Groups/Units may book exclusive sessions for their members from 3:00pm until 4:00pm at £60 for pool and boat use. Contact Shirley Quemby on 020 8642 3720 or cquemby@cix.compulink.co.uk or Howard Parr on 020 8651 6146 for details.

The club is introducing annual membership at £10/head. Members will pay reduced costs for pool sessions, river trips and BCU Star Award training and testing. Membership forms are available from club leaders.

Club leaders are willing to arrange pool or outdoor training/fun/testing sessions for Groups/Units. They would much appreciate the opportunity to talk to Groups/Units and enthuse young people. There is a wide range of activities on offer, including paddling on a pool, on a river or on the sea, rescues, rolling, Duke of Edinburgh expeditions, competitions in slalom, racing and on white water. Group/Unit leaders are always welcome but are not required to attend the Club’s pool or outdoor activities. For more information, contact Pete Treagust on 020 8395 7869 or treagustpt@aol.com.

New edition of POR

A new edition of POR was published in May. Recent changes include:

Rule Description of change
3.6, 4.6, 5.6 Mixed Membership: Amended due to changes in rules on mixed membership.
3.23 The Constitution of the Scout Group: Change in definition of Scout Council
3.35, 4.33, 5.28 The Appointment of...: New guidelines for the appointment of Presidents
3.36, 4.34, 5.29 Warrant and Appointments Reviews: Amended to reflect changes in renewal date and process of warrants
5.35 Responsibilities of Appointments in the Scout County: Removed Adult Training from list of ACCs
6.1 National Scout Fellowships: Added
9.2 [Activity] Preparations: Expanded to clarify rule
9.4 Risk Assessment: Expanded to clarify rule
9.25 Theatrical Performances: Amended
10.37 Badges of Other Organisations: Queen’s Guide Award included
11.5 Awards for Good Service: Amended to correct colour of ribbon
12.7 Parades: Amended to change ‘church’ to ‘place of worship’

Sutton Play Network

Sutton Play Service and Sutton Play Network are organising a “Sutton Playday” on Wednesday 3rd August 2005 at the Grange Play Centre, Beddington Park from 10am until 3pm. The organisers would welcome participation by Sutton Scout Groups.

Groups attending with children (maximum of 15 aged between 5 and 13 years old) will be expected to provide an activity for the day (suitable Scouting activities might include putting up tents, running games, singing camp fire songs etc.). Alternatively, Leaders may attend to publicise Scouting in Sutton (there will be a display area there) and/or to provide activities.

If you are interested, please contact Bob Mann (11th Wallington GSL) who is liaising for the District at romann@mann332.fsnet.co.uk or Jenny Kelly (Sutton Play Service Manager) at jkelly1@suttonlea.org.uk.

Badges

Badges are available on Tuesdays from 7:30pm onwards from Maureen Taylor, the Sutton District Badge Secretary and on Wednesdays between 5:00pm and 8:15pm from the Epsom & Ewell Scout Shop, 4th Ewell Scout HQ, Bluegates, London Road, Ewell.

Diary 2005

Friday 8th – Sunday 10th July District Scout How Cup
Saturday 9th July District Cub Sports Day
Saturday 16th July District Beaver Picnic
Tuesday 20th September District Scout Leaders Meeting
Saturday 17th or 24th September District Cub Scientist Badge
Tuesday 27th September District Cub Leaders Meeting
Saturday/Sunday 1st/2nd October County Scout Mission Improbable
Sunday 9th October County Scout/Explorer Cyclo-Cross Competition
Saturday/Sunday 15th/16th October County Explorer Night Hike
Saturday 12th November District Scout Tate Shield
Saturday 19th November District Cub Challenge Trophy
Saturday 19th November County Cub Swimming Gala
Sunday 27th November County Scout/Explorer Orienteering Competition

Flysheet

Flysheet is the Sutton District Scouting newsletter. Please send material to the editor, Chris Sowden, preferably by e-mail to flysheet@suttonscouts.org.uk.

Submissions for the September issue should be sent to reach the editor by 29th August 2005.