Flysheet

The Sutton District Scouting Newsletter – May 2006

Contents

  1. Contents
  2. Awards
  3. Chairman’s Notes
  4. Notes from the District Commissioner
  5. Beavers
  6. Cubs
  7. Scouts
  8. 1st Wallington (Sutton District) Band Annual Inspection
  9. Flysheet
  10. District AGM
  11. Diary 2006–2007

Awards

Congratulations to David Sweetland, Assistant Group Scout Leader of 4th Worcester Park, who was awarded the Bar to the Silver Acorn in the St George’s Day Awards.

Chairman’s Notes

The Group Lay Officer’s Workshop on 16th March 2006 was a success with 34 people attending representing sixteen Groups. Everyone had the opportunity to talk with other Groups and generally it appeared that all concerns were similar throughout the District. Communication and Information from the District to Lay Officers was asked to be improved and the shortage of Adult Leaders / Helpers / Parent Support and Fund Raising were major worries. These must be taken seriously and have priority in Development programmes. Thanks to long serving Lay People was mentioned and it should be noted that these people can be considered for awards through their Group Scout Leader in the usual way as warranted leaders.

The District Band (1st Wallington) was inspected by County Band Advisor and the Assistant County Commissioner (Activities) on the 24th March 2006. This was their fifth Annual Inspection and as well as looking very smart they put on an excellent display of marching and music .They well deserved the certificate presented. It was good to be present and good to see people from across the District in the audience. Congratulations to the Band and to all their support team.

This year’s census has shown a drop in numbers which appears to be due to the consolidation of the “new” District and in some areas insufficient leaders. We have recently had a recruitment day with some interest from the public but please try the direct approach asking for help. Do we promote ourselves in a way that the general population see how Scouting applies to them or how they can get involved?

We are very pleased that David Sweetland Assistant Group Scout Leader of the 4th Worcester Park has been awarded the “Bar to the Silver Acorn” in this year’s St George’s Day Awards in recognition of his further distinguished service. Congratulations David and thanks for all that you are doing in our District.

[Picture of the St George's Day Parade]
Councillor Lesley O’Connell, the Mayor of Sutton, accompanied by Paul Richardson, District Chairman, at the St George’s Day Parade

Although the weather was as a little unkind the District promoted itself well on St George’s Day with a good number at the Parade and Scout’s Own. The District Band led the Parade and helped to attract many outside of Scouting. We thank The Worshipful Mayor of the London Borough of Sutton, Councillor Lesley O’Connell, for attending and reviewing the march past and thanks to all those that took part.

Paul Richardson, District Chairman

Notes from the District Commissioner

[Picture of the St George's Day Parade]
The St George’s Day Parade stretches the length of Sutton High Street

I was very pleased with the turn out for St George’s Day, over 900 people attended despite the poor weather. Although I was in the Park most of the time my spies told me that the parade was very impressive as it filled the whole of Sutton High Street. The Scout’s Own went well and the singing and responses to the Promises were very good. Many thanks to everybody for making our first St George’s Day a success, especially all those who helped with the planning and on the day.

Our District is now one year old (it does not seem like 12 months since we had the launch Camp at Blackland Farm) and has done well to progress as well as it has. The Sections are putting on good programmes for the Colonies, Packs, Troops and Units and despite some reluctance to mix in with unfamiliar events the barriers are breaking down and we are becoming a single District. Our census figures are slightly down on last year which is a disappointment but the enthusiasm and commitment of all the Leaders should easily reverse this for next year.

After one year of settling in it is time to take the District forward and a Development Committee is being formed to look at the way we deliver Scouting in all parts of the District and to see how it can be improved. If anyone has a good idea or suggestion please let either me or Paul Richardson know so it can be discussed and put into the plan if suitable.

We are coming up to the camping season and I would remind all camp leaders that a Nights Away Notification must be sent to the appropriate Assistant District Commissioner in good time. Also if there are any Nights Away Permits required please contact the Assistant District Commissioner as soon as possible to avoid last minute panics.

The District will be running stalls at Carshalton and Cheam Fairs as part of the recruitment drive and help is needed to staff them.

John Perkins, District Commissioner

Beavers

The section is moving forward slowly. It was good to see such a large number of Beavers on St George’s Day Parade, despite the weather. If you were unable to be there please book the date for next year because it is the one event everyone should make the effort to attend.

We held a very successful Experiment Badge morning at the District Headquarters on Sunday 14th May 2006. Six out of the seven groups who originally entered arrived and put on eight excellent bases. A grand total of 52 Beavers were awarded their Experiment Badge, presented by John Perkins, our District Commissioner.

I must comment on the good behaviour and excellent manners of all the Beavers. My thanks also to the leaders of 1st Belmont, 3rd Cheam, 3rd Carshalton, 8th Sutton, 9th Carshalton & 11th Wallington.

[Picture of the District Beaver Experiment Badge Day]

[Picture of the District Beaver Experiment Badge Day]
Beaver Scouts at the Experiment Badge Morning

We look forward now to the birthday celebrations for Beavers and Cubs on Saturday 1st July 2006 at Walton Firs.

Pauline Pattison, Assistant District Commissioner Beavers

Cubs

Over the last month Cubs around the District have been celebrating the fact that the section is 90 years old. Several packs have held birthday parties and themed sleepovers in honour of this. Others have them still to look forward to.

Over 100 Cubs from the District took part in the District Cub Camp at the beginning of May. We had a super weekend involving a very muddy adventure course, getting lost in the maze, making lots of birthday badges, gaining the naturalist badge and a large campfire. The camp culminated in a giant birthday party. Cubs played party games such as popping balloons and getting a smartie out of a bowl of flour with their teeth, before having a fantastic party lunch.

We were very pleased that the Mayor of Sutton and the Mayor and Mayoress of Elmbridge were able to join us for the party. It was even visited by Lady Baden-Powell too! Many thanks to all the leaders and helpers involved in making the weekend such a success. I think both Cubs and leaders had a brilliant weekend and are looking forward to the next birthday celebration – the County Funday in July.

Catherine Keen, Assistant District Commissioner Cubs

Scouts

Chief Scout’s Gold Award

Four Scouts, Daniel Cole, Daniel Needes, Tom Barney and Lee Trewhitt from 1st Wallington Troop have gained the Chief Scout’s Gold Award. When asked where and when they would like the award made, they decided they would like the presentation carried out at their last Scout meeting on 31st March 2006 before moving up to Explorers, at Oaks Park, around a camp fire. The evening went as planned and was very successful with exception of the rain shower which occurred during the actual presentation ceremony. Unfortunately, Lee Trewhitt was unable to attend this evening, and his presentation was undertaken by John Perkins, the District Commissioner, at the 1st Wallington (Sutton District) Band Inspection the week before.

Ian King, 1st Wallington Scout Leader

1st Wallington (Sutton District) Band Annual Inspection

On Friday 24th March 2006, the 1st Wallington (Sutton District) Band undertook its fifth annual band inspection. This inspection is a Scout Association requirement for all Scout Bands, to allow them to perform in public.

[Picture of the 1st Wallington (Sutton District) Band playing]
The band part-way through its routine

The inspection was carried out by Robin Corti, Assistant County Commissioner (Activities) on behalf of the County Commissioner, Dave Gould (County Band Adviser) and our own District Commissioner, John Perkins.

[Picture of the 1st Wallington (Sutton District) Band being inspected]
Dave Gould, County Band Adviser, takes a close look at one of the drums

The band was very smart, played well and passed the inspection with flying colours.

St George’s Day

As last year, the 1st Wallington (Sutton District) Band helped out Wimbledon & Wandle Scout & Guide Band with their District St George’s Day Parade as they have a number of new members and asked us for our assistance. In the afternoon, their band reciprocated by joining us for the first Sutton District St George’s Day Parade.

[Picture of the 1st Wallington (Sutton District) Band at the St George’s Day Parade]
The band playing as the St George’s Day Parade entered Manor Park

Unfortunately, the weather for both parades was ‘damp’. However, with over 30 members, the combined band looked, and sounded very impressive, and in Sutton, with the huge following parade of District Beavers, Cubs, Scouts, Explorers and Leaders, it was an excellent advert for Scouting in the borough.

Do you play a brass or woodwind instrument?

As mentioned in a previous issue, the band is always looking for new members from Scout Groups throughout the District, and as you may have noticed from the different scarves worn by players at St George’s Day, we already have several members from outside the 1st Wallington Group.

[Picture of the 1st Wallington (Sutton District) Band at the St George’s Day Parade]
The band leading the St George’s Day Parade out of Manor Park

There must be many Cubs, Scouts and Explorers in the District who can play or are learning to play a brass or woodwind instrument and who would enjoy playing with us. If you would like to come and see what it’s like, please contact me on 020 8647 6216.

Ian King, Bandmaster

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 July issue should be sent to reach the editor by 30th June 2006.

District AGM

The Annual General Meeting of the
Sutton District Scout Council
will take place at
7:45pm on Thursday 8th June 2006
in the Sutton District Scout Headquarters
72b Woodcote Road
Wallington
Surrey

Diary 2006–2007

May 2006
19th–21st
Fri–Sun		 District Scout Water Activities Weekend
29th–2nd Jun
Mon–Fri		 Sutton LEA Half-Term
June 2006
7th Wed County AGM – 19:30 for 20:00 at Whitton School
8th Thu District AGM – 19:45 at DHQ
10th Sat Carshalton Carnival with Scout Association Mobile Display Unit
17th Sat District Cub Mat Ball Competition
18th Sun District Canoe Club River Trip to River Wey
30th–2nd Jul
Fri–Sun		 District Scout How Cup Camping Competition
July 2006
TBA District Cub Sports Day
1st Sat County Beaver/Cub Fun Day at Walton Firs
1st–2nd
Sat–Sun		 District Canoe Club Symonds Yat Weekend
County Scout Network Conference at Walton Firs
18th Tue District Cub Leaders Meeting – 20:30 at DHQ
23rd Sun District Canoe Club River Trip
25th Tue Sutton LEA Summer Term ends
August 2006
13th Sun District Canoe Club River Trip
September 2006
4th Mon Sutton LEA Autumn Term starts
17th Sun District Canoe Club Pool Session
26th Tue District Beaver Leaders Meeting – 19:45 at DHQ
29th–1st Oct
Fri–Sun		 County Scout Mission Improbable
October 2006
8th Sun District Beaver Sports Afternoon
County Scout/Explorer/Network Cyclo-Cross
15th Sun District Canoe Club Pool Session
23rd–27th
Mon–Fri		 Sutton LEA Half-Term
November 2006
19th Sun District Canoe Club Pool Session
26th Sun County Scout/Explorer/Network Orienteering Competition (book by 20th November)
December 2006
17th Sun District Canoe Club Pool Session
19th Tue Sutton LEA Autumn Term ends
January 2007
3rd Wed Sutton LEA Spring Term starts
21st Sun District Beaver Pantomime