Flysheet

The Sutton District Scouting Newsletter – September 2007

Contents

  1. Contents
  2. Awards
  3. Chairman’s Notes
  4. Notes from the District Commissioner
  5. Beavers
  6. Scouts
  7. Network
  8. 21st World Scout Jamboree, Hylands Park, Essex
  9. New and Updated Fact Sheets
  10. Gang Show Souwest 2007
  11. Appointment Cards
  12. Diary 2007–2008
  13. Flysheet

Awards

Congratulations to the following members of our District:

Bar to the Medal of Merit

In recognition of further outstanding service to Scouting:
Tom Pennington – 4th Worcester Park
Geoff Morris – 4th Worcester Park
Mike Smith – 3rd Cheam

Medal of Merit

In recognition of outstanding service to Scouting:
Maureen Crabb – Trinity Scout and Guide Group

Chairman’s Notes

We are now over one month into the second century of the Scout Movement and most of the special events to celebrate the first 100 years are becoming great memories. The media coverage of the Jamboree, the Sunrise Promise, together with our own local publicity and activities have resulted in more people taking an interest in Scouting and becoming much more aware of the work carried out by our voluntary leadership for the good of young people. The Government is concerned about the level of behaviour and crime with young people being involved and would like to see them being encouraged to join clubs and activities that would help them become better citizens.

The number of enquiries received from parents about their children joining Scouting has increased and we have the problem of having space or the sufficient leadership to accept them into our Scout Groups. The development of Scouting is very much in mind across the whole country and the challenge is that the Sutton District will be able to overcome all problems to give the opportunity for more young people to join.

It was good to see the Beavers also members of the 8th Sutton Trinity Scout and Guide Group at the Sutton Town Centre renewing their Promise on the 1st August attended by the Sutton Mayor and Mayoress. Others joined this important occasion including the District Commissioner making the total present in the region of 150. It is being seen in public that helps to promote the Scout Movement and many thanks to Pauline Pattison and to Joan Robson for making the arrangements.

Visiting the Jamboree with all the countries in the world that have Scouts being represented was a great experience and one felt very proud to be a member of such a worldwide movement. All those taking part had an experience that will last them all their lives.

Paul Richardson, District Chairman

Notes from the District Commissioner

I hope you all had a good summer break and are raring to go for the new Scouting Year. For those of you who held summer camps I hope the weather was better than the District Centennial Camp! The various District Teams have met or are due to meet shortly to plan the sectional District Programme and there should be plenty for your Colony, Pack or Troop to join in with.

Nine Scouts from our District plus several Leaders attended the Jamboree at Hylands Park. From what I have heard they all enjoyed the experience and made many new friends from around the world. Several Groups arranged their own day visits and also found the Jamboree inspiring.

Jack Petchy Fund

I have learnt that the first awards for our County have been delayed by two months due to administrative problems (not of Sutton’s making!). This means that all the awards will be pushed back by two months. No-one will lose out, just that expected money will be delayed.

County Development Conference

The County will be holding a Conference on 9th–10th February 2008 at the Hilton Hotel, Croydon. The cost will be £30 and will cover meals and accommodation.

The Conference is aimed at District Teams, GSLs and a member of the Group Executive Committee. It will cover future development in the County and focus on the needs of Groups and Districts. The updated County Development Plan will be based on the results of the Conference.

Sunrise Ceremony

Many Groups took part in the Sunrise Ceremony, either as part of the District Event or their own ceremonies.

The following Groups took part in the District Event:

The following Groups held their own ceremonies:

Well done to all.

Nights Away Permits

On Thursday 4th October from 7:30pm onwards members of the District Team will be available at the District Headquarters to renew Nights Away permits. Please arrive armed with your old permit, a passport-sized photo and knowledge of your recent camps.

John Perkins, District Commissioner

Beavers

Welcome back everyone to another busy term. I hope you all had a brilliant break despite the weather.

The only event that took place in August was the Sunrise Ceremony on August 1st. Luckily the weather was perfect and the sun shone as we gathered in the Millennium Gardens in Sutton High Street at 7:45am.

The Mayor and Mayoress attended along with approximately 150 assorted members of our District, from the youngest Beaver to the oldest Leader. We learnt why we were celebrating a sunrise, renewed our Promises and listened to a short reflection based on Baden Powell’s last message before the Mayor kindly presented Sunrise Badges to all the Beavers, Cubs & Scouts present.

Afterwards we all headed down to McDonald’s for breakfast. We even managed to get a mention with photo in the Guardian newspaper.

There are a lot of events this term and I hope that as many Groups as possible will make every effort to join in.

Pauline Pattison, Assistant District Commissioner Beavers

Scouts

Well, what an exiting summer that was. The last term ended on a high note for the Scout Section with lots of exciting activities taking place, including a trip to the football centre in North Cheam, trips out to the park, night hikes and of course cooking and much more.

Then it was time to head off to summer camp for many Troops – various locations, some near, some far. Many of the early summer camps had one thing in common this year – “what?” I hear you ask – well, they all took part in the Sunrise Ceremony on 1st August at the unsociable hour of 8:00am, and I’m sure there are many Scouts quite disgruntled at being dragged out of bed so early. Some were at big organised camps, others just round the flag pole on a field, still others taking part in Group events, and one Troop I know renewed their promise down on the beach.

I was taking part in the ceremony at the World Scout Jamboree. It was quite amazing to be part of such an event with over 40,000 like minded people from around the world.

September was soon upon us and it was time to get the tents out again along with the wet-suits. Over the first full weekend of September it was off to Longridge Water Activities Centre. The weather was fine and the sun was shining and nearly 70 Scouts and quite a few leaders enjoyed two days of messing about on the water, sailing, canoeing, paddling and sometimes letting the engine take the strain. After a busy day on the water, Chris Williams set out to take his Scouts for a walk into Marlow, but as he walked into Marlow he looked more like the Pied Piper with loads of Scouts and leaders following him. The weekend finished on a high note as I was given the opportunity to present a Chief Scout’s Gold Award to a 3rd Beddington Scout – this is the highest award that a Scout can achieve so it is always an honour to present these.

Often, as I write these reports, I wonder “did we really achieve all of that?”, and the answer is “yes!”. So very well done and thank you to all the adults out there who make this possible, and let’s keep things rolling!

Ray Shaw, Assistant District Commissioner Scouts

Chief Scout’s Gold Award

Congratulations to Katie Smith Langridge and Jason Dunbar of the 9th Carshalton Scout Troop who were awarded the Chief Scout’s Gold Award in July.

Network

It’s all change for Sutton Network...

Sutton Network is changing from September after the decision was made to appoint County Scout Network Leaders for each district. Network is open to all 18–25-year-olds and will meet every other week during term time at Sutton District Headquarters. A copy of the programme with the list of dates can be found on the Network page of the County website.

[Picture of Network members]
International Service Team Network members at the Jamboree

Sutton Network is part of Greater London South West (GLSW) Network and has had a busy summer with lots of Network members attending the World Scout Jamboree as International Service Team (IST) where they had an amazing time. Some Networkers were on camp at Charborough where they visited Brownsea Island on Sunrise day and some members of Sutton Network went to Iceland. Network has recently been practising for the Great River Race in September which was started by Sting and Network took part in the National Dragon Boat championships at Longridge, attended the Gilwell Reunion and hosted the Network Rugby Sevens Tournament to name a few events.

For more information on Network please contact me at claire.dunne@glswscouts.org.uk.

Claire Dunne, County Scout Network Leader Sutton

21st World Scout Jamboree, Hylands Park, Essex

At 7:30am on Thursday 26th July 2007 the time had finally arrived: WE WERE OFF TO THE JAMBOREE!!!! All 2¼ GLSW Units consisting of 81 Explorers and 9 leaders met at Morden Pool Car Park ready to meet the coaches and experience the trip of a lifetime – and the trip of a lifetime it certainly was!

After a quick photo shoot and a quick message from Nigel Steward we were off. We waved good-bye and set off to Chelmsford and Hylands Park, which would be our home for the next two weeks. On arrival at Hylands we were met by the International Service Team (IST) and taken to our campsites. Victory was on Beech sub-camp, Nelson on Lagoon sub-camp and Discovery on Canyon sub-camp.

We got to our site and collected all our equipment and put up our tents, fighting against the elements. How many leaders does it take to put up a tent in the pouring rain?!?!?! The first evening was a barbecue followed by a party for the UK Contingent in the Tropical Hub. The party was hosted by Peter Duncan and Anne Foy (from CBBC television) with performances from DJ JK, Liberty X and Lemar. Everyone had a fantastic time. From midnight the rest of the world started to arrive and for the next 24 hours the site continued to fill up and it was huge!

[Picture of Nelson Unit]
The Nelson Unit ready for the opening ceremony

On the Saturday it was the opening ceremony: full uniform including lovely new shorts was the order of the day for Nelson unit and each unit was picked up carnival style as the sub camp mascot came past and led us to the sub camp stage. We were then led to the arena by St George on horseback. Once in the arena we knew why we had practised waiting but then the ceremony started with singing and dancing from the Jamboree cast, the arrival of Prince William and the Duke of Kent, the raising of all the different countries flags and the Jamboree song to which we now know all the words! In the evening it was the opening night party where we danced the night away in the arena.

Sunday was the start of the activities. Throughout the two weeks we learnt about the elements, visited Aquaville and Terraville where me made woggles, tasted food from different countries, dressed up in 1930’s bathing costumes, took part in wife carrying, painted clogs and watched jousting to name a few things, took part in water sports at Splash, cleared a pathway at Hatfield Forest, cleaned up Scout halls and laid car parks while on Starburst, took part in the Gilwell Adventure, learnt about Global Development issues and Trash. A favourite place to go was the Plaza with its different national pavilions and eating places and the infamous German Black Magic tents.

On 1st August we were up at 5:30am as the sun was rising and we were all given sunrise scarves. We then headed to the arena for an amazing ceremony with brass bands, singing, dancing, doves being released and at the end we were asked to get 100 signatures on our sunrise scarves. After the ceremony the whole of Greater London South West (GLSW) including the International Service Team members met at the back of the arena where Roger Hurrion presented Leslie Button (Discovery Unit Leader) with his Medal of Merit.

[Picture of Santa Claus]
Christmas comes early for the Nelson Unit

At the Nelson Unit camp where the theme was Christmas (why not?) we had Christmas Day and Joe, our unit leader, dressed up as Santa and while Christmas music played he gave out everyone’s Christmas presents; Nelson unit Lagoon Sub-camp T-shirts. They were a hit. No time to sit around, it was International Day so Nelson Unit made cheese and pineapple on sticks and cucumber sandwiches for what felt like the whole of Lagoon sub camp. Everyone took their food to the sub camp area and went and tried specialities from around the world. These included haggis, Danish rice pudding, Dutch pancakes, Belgian chocolate fondue and Ecuadorian chicken to name a few. There were things to make including Chinese lanterns. In the evening it was time to party again with the Gifts for Peace concert in the arena with some questionable dancing from some leaders!

[Picture of international day]
Cheese and pineapple on sticks and cucumber sandwiches

After Sunrise Day it was back to the programme again and meal times became an international affair with American visitors most nights and one night Nelson unit had dinner with the Nepalese Unit and presented them all with Jamboree mugs to take home.

[Picture of international Scouts]
International Day at the Jamboree

As the Jamboree was coming to an end it was time to start to pack up and go to the closing ceremony with a presentation by Sweden who will host the next Jamboree and party a bit more before saying good-bye to those we had met from around the world. Mid-afternoon on 8th August it was time to leave after what had been an amazing two weeks that we will never forget! Thank you to everyone who made it possible for us to go.

Claire Dunne, Assistant Unit Leader Nelson Unit

The Band Plays at the Jamboree

The 1st Wallington (Sutton District) Band were among many bands invited to the World Scout Jamboree on the 7th August to play at the closing ceremony. The combined bands rehearsed for the whole day on a sunny and dry campsite, but at 6:00pm it began to rain.

[Picture of the band]
The 1st Wallington (Sutton District) Band rehearsing in the arena

In the evening each band picked up a sub camp and led it to the arena for the closing ceremony. Hundreds of people with flags followed the bands. The closing ceremony started at 9:00pm by which time everybody was completely wet. Waiting and waiting. And then each band got to play for just one minute during the ceremony itself in the middle of 40,000 participants. But it was a fantastic experience to be there and participate.

Theo Wetselaar

New and Updated Fact Sheets

BP260006 Fundraising for Visits Abroad (Aug/07 [4] 64KBytes)
FS260020 Camping in France (Aug/07 [2] 65KBytes)
FS260015 Passports (Aug/07 [3] 50KBytes)
FS295415 The Scout Holiday Homes Trust (Jul/07 [6] 37KBytes)
FS260002 International Links (Aug/07 [1] 67KBytes)
The Criminal Records Bureau (CRB) Continuation Sheet (376KBytes)
The Criminal Records Bureau (CRB) Frequently Asked Questions (105KBytes)
FS322100 Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD or ADD) (Jul/07 [4] 55KBytes)
FS250009 Diabetes (Jul/07 [5] 64KBytes)
FS250011 Epilepsy (Jul/07 [6] 135KBytes)
FS250012 Dyslexia (Jul/07 [4] 40KBytes)
FS250018 Asthma (Jul/07 [5] 33KBytes)
FS250027 Cerebral Palsy (Jul/07 [5] 64KBytes)

Gang Show Souwest 2007

[Souwest 2007 Gangshow Flyer]
Tuesday 23rd to Saturday 27th October 2007
Secombe Theatre, Cheam Road, Sutton
7:30pm Evenings and 2:00pm Saturday Matinée
Box Office 020 8770 6990
Opening Night Special Offer – all tickets £5
Wed–Sat Ticket Prices £8 Adults, £7 Concessions Party Rate Available
www.glswscouts.org.uk/gangshow

Appointment Cards

The age of the Warrant is over. All adults in Scouting will now be issued with an appointment card, regardless of whether their appointment is Warranted or not. Your card will be sent to you along with the October/November issue of Scouting magazine – so don’t throw your address sheet away! You will find your card attached to the reverse of the address sheet, along with details of where to find out further information. If you don’t receive your magazine in October/November then please let the Information Centre know.

Cards will only be sent to adults holding a Full Appointment. If you have not yet completed the appointment process and hold a Provisional (or Pre-Provisional) Appointment, you will not receive a card with your magazine. Your card will be sent to you when your Full Appointment is confirmed. If you hold a Full Appointment, but the card is not inside your magazine then please contact the Adult Support office at Gilwell Park.

Diary 2007–2008

September 2007
22nd Sat District Cub Sports Day
27th Thu District Scout Leaders’ Meeting
October 2007
6th Sat District Swimming Gala
7th Sun District Scout Cooking Competition
10th Wed County Annual General Meeting
13th Sat District Cub Challenge Trophy Competition
13th–14th
Sat–Sun		 County Explorer Night Hike
20th–21st
Sat–Sun		 Centenary Jamboree-on-the-Internet (JOTI) and Jamboree-on-the-Air (JOTA)
22nd–26th
Mon–Fri		 Sutton LEA Half-Term
23rd–27th
Tue–Sat		 County 2007 SOUWEST Gang Show at the Secombe Theatre
28th Sun District Beaver Sports Afternoon at Westcroft
November 2007
17th Sat District Scout Tate Shield Competition has been cancelled as site is unavailable
24th Sat Centenary Festival of Scouting in the O2 Arena
25th Sun District Beaver 100th Celebration Birthday Party, Phoenix Centre, Roundshaw, 3:30pm–5:30pm
29th Thu District Scout Patrol Leaders’ Forum
December 2007
2nd Sun County Scout/Explorer/Network/Leader Orienteering Competition
6th Thu District Beaver St Nicholas Service
19th Wed Sutton LEA Autumn Term ends
January 2008
3rd Thu Sutton LEA Spring Term starts
11th–13th
Fri–Sun		 Gilwell Scout/Guide/Ranger/Explorer Winter Camp
13th Sun District Beaver Pantomime – Frosty the Snowman
17th Thu District Cub Leaders’ Meeting
22nd Tue District Scout Leaders’ Meeting
26th Sat District Scout Climbing Day
February 2008
2nd Sat District Cub Chess Competition (provisional date)
17th–24th
Sun–Sun		 District Ski Trip, Prato Nevosa, Italy
18th–22nd
Mon–Fri		 Sutton LEA Half-Term
22nd Fri District Scout Handball Competition
March 2008
16th Sun District Scout 5-a-side Football Competition
April 2008
4th Fri Sutton LEA Spring Term ends
5th Sat District Cub Peggy Charman First Aid Competition (provisional date)
12th Sat District Scout Leaders’ Camping Skills Training Day
13th Sun District Scout Camping Skills Training Day
20th Sun District St George’s Day Parade
21st Mon Sutton LEA Summer Term starts
30th Wed District Scout Leaders’ Meeting
May 2008
26th–30th
Mon–Fri		 Sutton LEA Half-Term
June 2008
13th–15th
Fri–Sun		 District Scout Water Activities Camp
27th–29th
Fri–Sun		 District Scout How Cup Camping Competition
28th Sat District Cub Sports Day (provisional date)
July 2008
11th Fri District Scout Athletics Badge Evening
23rd Wed Sutton LEA Summer Term ends
September 2008
3rd Wed Sutton LEA Autumn Term starts
20th Sat District Cub Mat Ball Competition (provisional date)
25th Thu District Scout Leaders’ Meeting
October 2008
5th Sun District Scout Cooking Competition
November 2008
15th Sat District Scout Tate Shield Competition
22nd Sat District Cub Challenge Trophy Competition (provisional date)

Flysheet

Flysheet is the Sutton District Scouting newsletter. Please send items/pictures to the editor, Chris Sowden, at flysheet@suttonscouts.org.uk (almost any format would be acceptable). Articles for the November issue should be sent by 26th October 2007.