Flysheet

The Sutton District Scouting Newsletter – March 2008

Contents

  1. Contents
  2. Chairman’s Notes
  3. Notes from the District Commissioner
  4. Beavers
  5. Cubs
  6. Scouts
  7. Explorers
  8. Network
  9. Jack Petchey Awards
  10. 3rd Cheam Scout Group Commemorate 2007
  11. 100 years of Scouting at 1st Wallington
  12. SOUWEST Gang Show 2008 Auditions
  13. New and Updated Fact Sheets
  14. PAGGS Fund-raising Quiz Night
  15. Diary 2008
  16. Flysheet

Chairman’s Notes

We have now reached April 2008 and on the first of the month Chris Williams takes on the appointment as our District Commissioner. There is much to do in the district and to forward its development plans so that the quality and quantity of Scouting goes from strength to strength. The last census showed a membership of 2,016 which is 66 less than the previous year, but with the amount of interest evident during the centenary celebrations and enquiries to join the movement being made this loss should easily be recovered. Groups are considering their own development plans and with giving Chris as much support as possible it is anticipated that the year 2008 should see much further progress in Scouting in our Sutton District.

Although recorded in the last edition of Flysheet, repeated thanks to John Perkins for all that he has done to consolidate the former districts of Sutton & Cheam and Wallington & Carshalton into the Sutton Scout District and laying down the foundations to build on.

Very best wishes to Chris and an assurance of full support for the tasks he has ahead as District Commissioner.

The District Annual General Meeting is to be held on Thursday 19th June 2008 at the District Headquarters in Wallington at 7:30pm (reception) for 8:00pm (meeting) followed by a report made by those that attended the World Jamboree. Refreshments will also be served. Please give full support for this important meeting.

Paul Richardson, District Chairman

Notes from the District Commissioner

From John Perkins

Well here it is, my last contribution as District Commissioner to the Flysheet.

It would be easy to devote this piece to looking back over the past few years and all the changes that have happened to Scouting in General and our District in particular but I would prefer to look forward. Therefore I will not dwell on the changes to the Training Programme, start up of Explorer Scouts or the Nights Away Permit scheme among many others which at the time caused some consternation but which have become an accepted part of our Scouting.

I will however make special reference to the merger of Sutton & Cheam and Wallington & Carshalton Districts to form Sutton District. I have received many compliments on how well the merger went and this is due to all of us getting together and making it work. It has been difficult at times as there has been of necessity the need for all of us to get to know each other and adapt the best working practices. There is still much to do but I am confident that in the end Sutton will be a strong District providing good support to the Groups and their members.

Although the responsibility for getting Sutton District up and running has been mine, I could not have done it without the support and help of very many people. There are too many to mention individually so, my heartfelt thanks go to all of the District Team, the District Executive and to every adult and youth member of Sutton District who have helped to make the merger work and who have supported me and made my job easier. All the successes are due to all of you.

I would like to end by wishing Chris Williams the best of luck as he takes on the role of District Commissioner and I am sure he can count on the support of all the District in his new role.

John Perkins, District Commissioner until 31st March 2008

From Chris Williams

As I write this article, I have but a few days before I venture into, what is for me, the unknown territory of District Commissioner. There will be many of you in the District who will be unfamiliar with me and my previous Scouting history so I will, briefly, describe my background. I entered in to Scouting in 1984 as the Treasurer of the 3rd Beddington (St. Michael’s) Scout Group and was encouraged to take out a Scout Section warrant in 1989. Shortly afterwards, I took on the role as Scout Leader and have been running the Troop ever since until I stood down in the summer of 2006 to allow a younger Leader to take charge.

Whilst my appointment as District Commissioner came very much as a surprise, I have now warmed to task and I look forward to guiding and supporting the District for the immediate future. Changes will not and can not be made overnight but I am confident that, together, we can rise to the challenges that we will inevitably face. Although this year’s census figures were somewhat disappointing in the fact that our numbers showed a slight decline in both young members and Leaders, I am optimistic that we can continue to grow and to strengthen the popularity of Scouting in Sutton.

May I extend my warmest thanks to my predecessor, John Perkins, for all his hard work not only as the District Commissioner of the former Sutton & Cheam District but also in his similar role for the united Sutton District. On behalf of everyone, may I wish him well in his new role as a Group Scout Leader and I hope that he will continue to act as my mentor when I need his advice.

The St George’s Day Parade and Service is now nearly upon us. It will, obviously, be the first time that I have attended in an official capacity and I sincerely hope that this year will be every bit as successful as previous years and that the weather will be kind to us. Due to the school holidays, I know that the timing has presented Section Leaders with some difficulties in communicating the details to their young members but I hope that these can be overcome and I look forward to seeing as many of you there as possible.

In addition, the AGM season is fast approaching and I look forward to attending as many as I can. Could the Group Scout Leaders please let me know their dates as soon as possible as my appointments diary for May & June is already filling up. May I also point out that, before an AGM can be held, the Group accounts must have been prepared and audited.

By now, you should be familiar with my contact details, but, for the record, my e-mail address is willychris@gmail.com. If you have any comments or questions relating to Scouting issues, please feel free to get in touch and I will do my best to help.

Finally, I would like to thank everyone for all their efforts during our centenary year and to extend my best wishes for an enjoyable and successful 2008.

Chris Williams, District Commissioner from 1st April 2008

Beavers

Since the last report the Beaver section has been very active.

It was good to see several Groups swimming in the Gala which was duly won by 14th Wallington.

November heralded our 100th Birthday Magic Party celebration at the Phoenix Centre, Roundshaw when over 250 Beavers, leaders and the Mayor & Mayoress of Sutton were entertained with magic and balloon modelling followed by afternoon tea and, of course, a 100 Birthday Cake.

On the 6th December we held a St Nicholas carol service at St Nicholas Church, Sutton when we asked each Beaver to bring £1 towards the Scout Holiday Homes Trust. We were able to send a cheque for £125 to the Trust and received a very grateful letter from them as they are trying to replace their older caravans.

After this service the leaders stayed behind to enjoy a pleasant social evening with wine and an excellent supper, thanks to Gill Hutton.

We started the new year with a very noisy ‘look behind you’ experience, when we watched the pantomime ‘Frosty the Snowman’. Over 200 Beavers and leaders from 11 groups gathered at 4th Worcester Park HQ.

The first of the year’s District Leaders meetings was not as well attended as the previous meeting but the enthusiasm was obvious and we had the chance to meet our District Commissioner Designate, Chris Williams. From this meeting we decided to organise a Fun Sports Afternoon towards the end of the Summer term.

Leaders eagerly awaited the new Beaver Training system and are coming to terms with yet another change, which will bring us into line with the Cubs and Scouts.

In March, on a reasonably dry day at Walton Firs, we joined the County at their Skills Day. Thanks to leaders from 3rd Carshalton, 5th Carshalton, 11th Wallington, 3rd Cheam and 4th Worcester Park we displayed the new Global Challenge, complete with Trade Craft raffle and sample chocolates.

Our latest adventure was on March 29th when over 280 Beavers with nearly 60 leaders joined in a camp fire on Park Farm camp site in Banstead. Despite the horrible weather, non stop rain, we managed to raise our voices and sing our hearts out with the excellent leadership of Paul Goldsmith and also to demolish 350 hot dogs and hot chocolate – courtesy of Linda Burton. Our thanks must also go to the Mellows Explorers who braved the conditions to build the fire and help lead the singing. Mud was the order of the day, just ideal for young Beavers.

Pauline Pattison, Assistant District Commissioner Beavers

Cubs

District Chess Competition

The Sutton District Chess Competition took place on Saturday 9th February 2008 at the District Headquarters in Wallington. Seventeen Cubs from ten Cub Packs in Sutton took part. The competition was aimed at teams of two Cubs but this year three Packs were represented by single Cubs.

[Cub Chess Competition Picture]
The four highest ranked players

The Cubs who finished the competition ranked the highest were Alex D of 3rd Carshalton, Joshua L of 14th Wallington, Peter M of 1st Belmont Ryde and Fraser D of 14th Wallington. As they finished with equal points, joint 1st place was awarded to Alex and Joshua and joint 3rd place was awarded to Peter and Fraser. In the team competition, 14th Wallington finished with the highest score followed by 1st Belmont Ryde in second place and 3rd Carshalton with 5th Sutton jointly in third place.

Scouts

County Cooking Competition

One team from Sutton District, a team from 5th Carshalton, competed against 18 teams from the other districts in Greater London South West in this year’s County Cooking Competition at 1st Hook Scout Headquarters on Sunday 17th February 2008. Each team had to prepare and cook a three course meal for four people within two hours, and with ingredients costing less than £12.50 in total. The theme this year was “Food for the Future” – what will we be eating in 2020? Using your imagination, but thinking responsibly – only using ingredients sourced in the UK (limiting carbon footprint).

The menus were extremely varied and the standard of the meals prepared was very high. This year’s winners were the 19th Wimbledon team with 62 points but the 5th Carshalton team (along with the 9th Purley A team) followed closely behind in second place with 60 points.

A full table of the results is available on the Greater London South West county web site.

District Handball Competition

1st North Sutton took both trophies at the District Handball Competition, held on the evening of Friday 22nd February 2008. Their mixed team narrowly beat Trinity Ben Nevis in the Seniors final whilst the Gurkha Troop emerged from a hot contest with 5th Sutton to win the Juniors final.

Congratulations to all the teams taking part, from 5th Worcester Park, 5th Carshalton and 5th Sutton, for an evening of very closely fought matches, some moments of excellent sportsmanship and good humour. Thank you also to all the leaders who helped with goal judging, refereeing and generally supervising the Scouts all evening!

Simon Keen, District Scout Leader

District 5-a-Side Football Competition

Eight teams braved the cold and wet for the District 5-a-Side Football Competition, held in North Cheam on Sunday 16th March 2008. It was good to see a lot of sportsmanship and some very closely fought matches!

As usual, we ran a league and then took the top four teams into semi-finals and a final. Trinity A and B, 5th Worcester Park Bisons and 3rd Carshalton Casuals all played well and came joint 5th in the league, scoring 2 points a piece, and so didn’t quite make it into the semi-finals. 5th Carshalton and 5th Sutton both narrowly missed out on a place in the final to 5th Worcester Park Warriors and 1st Belmont respectively, and in a very closely fought final 1st Belmont just beat 5th Worcester Park 3–2. Congratulations to 1st Belmont.

A big thank you is due to our referees, Paul Bagshaw and Glenda Banks, for giving up the option of spending a Sunday afternoon in the warm and dry for the cold and damp of North Cheam. We are very grateful for your help and time.

Simon Keen, District Scout Leader

District Ski Trip

Over February half-term Mark Sherry and I, both Scout Leaders from Sutton District, took 10 Scouts on a District Ski Trip to Prato Nevoso in Italy. We flew from Gatwick on a short hour-and-a-half flight to Turin where we had a two hour coach ride to the Alps.

Accommodation was in a very nice hotel with en-suite facilities, television and telephone in every room – a little different to camp!!! We spent six days on the slopes under the expert tuition of Renzo, our Italian ski instructor. By the end of the week we had all mastered the basics and were able to ski down from the very top of the mountain on the red runs.

[District Ski Trip Picture]
Action on the slopes

We had the emergency service out so that one of our Scouts could be stretchered off the mountain, but in the end it turned out to be a false alarm and he was fine. It was quite a memorable experience for him, as they ski the stretcher down head first!!!! Evening entertainment included a quiz night, bingo, a Michael Jackson concert and a ride in a caterpillar tractor up to the top of the mountain for a meal.

[District Ski Trip Picture]
The Scouts with their skiing medals

At the end of the week the Scouts were presented with their skiing awards by the instructor. They all received a ski school bronze award, a Scout “Snow Sports Enthusiast” badge and the Union Flag badge to signify they have travelled abroad with Scouting. Not forgetting that they can tell their Scout Leaders to increase their nights away by seven nights!!!!!

Ian Mellor, Assistant Scout Leader, 1st North Wallington Scout Troop

Explorers

Operation Red Flare 2008

This year’s ‘Operation Red Flare’, held over the weekend 1st–2nd March 2008 and organised by Croydon District Scout Council, was won by a team from Belmont Explorer Scout Unit.

The event, now in its 44th year, is a 12-mile hike at night with activities (incidents) at checkpoints along the way. A new route is devised each year and teams have no idea of where they are going until they check in at the start, which this year was at Polyapes Scout Campsite near Cobham.

[Operation Red Flare Picture]
The winning team from Belmont Explorer Scout Unit with the trophy

Altogether there were 25 teams of 4–7 Explorer Scouts, Ranger Guides, and Scout Network members, seven of whom were from the Sutton District area.

Activities included climbing over suspended tyres, finding 20 things to put in a matchbox, shear-lashing canes together to remotely trigger a mouse trap, constructing an A-frame to cross a stream, throwing a weighted line to rescue a person from a body of water and getting the whole team over a rickety fence without touching it. The route was 12½ miles long and circular, starting and finishing at Polyapes Scout Campsite.

Points were awarded for navigation, speed, the activities and a pre-start kit check. Twenty-three teams completed the challenge; the other two teams retired before the finish.

The table below shows a summary of the scores for the teams from the Sutton District area. Full details are available on the Greater London South West web site.

Place Team Time Points Bases Tasks Total
1st Belmont ESU ‘B’ 4:58 252 150 129 531
3rd Double Dragon ESU 5:26 224 150 124 498
4th Sutton ESU 5:31 219 150 115 484
9th Ruskin ESU 6:42 148 150 121 419
12th Belmont ESU ‘A’ 7:29 101 150 117 368
13th Cheam ESU 7:45 85 150 131 366
20th South Wallington RGU 8:56 14 150 116 280

Network

Network has had another busy term. We started the term with volleyball practice for the County Volleyball Competition at the end of January where we competed against Croydon Network and 2nd Whitton at Overton Grange School. 2nd Whitton were the eventual winners but we improved on last year winning one or two games!

[Network Picture]
Sutton Network play volleyball

There have been various food evenings including pancakes for Pancake Day with varying degrees of success, a chocolate evening with chocolate fondue for Valentines Day and iced biscuits as part of our Beaver and Rainbow evening.

One Thursday night was spent at 1st North Sutton’s air rifle range where we were taught how to use different air rifles and pistols and had a shooting competition. We all improved our aim throughout the evening and everyone had a great time.

[Network Picture]
Sutton Network at the air rifle range

We joined up with a few members of Brighton Young Fellowship at the beginning of March to go and see We Will Rock You at the Dominion Theatre in London which was fantastic and thoroughly enjoyed by everyone who went along.

Before the end of term we are going bowling and climbing and six members of Sutton Network are off to the PAGGS YLC in the Czech Republic. The weekend will include cross country skiing, tobogganing, laser guns, archery and Czech Easter traditions to name a few things we will be taking part in with other Networkers and Senior Section Guides from the Twin-Towns of Sutton.

Next term should see even more exciting activities with the late Summer evenings allowing us to spend more time outdoors doing water sports and trips. We will be taking part in the GLSW Network Camp to Brownsea Island at the end of May and other camps and trips throughout the term.

For further information on Sutton Network please contact Claire Dunne: claire.dunne@glswscouts.org.uk.

Claire Dunne, Sutton Scout Network Leader

Jack Petchey Awards

As most of you will be aware, the Jack Petchey Award Scheme has been running in Sutton District since September 2007 and, up until now, has been solely for our young people on a monthly basis. Now it is the turn for Leaders to get involved. There are 3 annual Leader Awards and nominations are now required for suitable candidates. Anyone over the age of 21 who has been actively involved in local Scouting with either the Scout Section or the Explorer Scout Section for a minimum of two years is eligible to be nominated. He/she does not have to be a warranted Leader so parents and young volunteers will be considered.

The Leader Award winners will receive:

The award will be presented at the annual presentation but, if the Leader does not attend, then the award will be lost.

Nominations should be made on the Leader Award Internal Nomination Form which can be down-loaded from the Jack Petchey website:- jackpetcheyfoundation.org.uk and should be sent to the Sutton District Commissioner. The completed nomination forms have to be with the County Administrator by the end of May and so will need to be received by myself by no later than Friday 16th May 2008.

If anyone has any questions relating to the Awards or is unable to access the correct form, please contact me as soon as possible.

Chris Williams, District Commissioner

3rd Cheam Scout Group Commemorate 2007

To commemorate the Centenary of Scouting in 2007, 3rd Cheam Scout Group unveiled a park bench in Sutton Common Recreation Ground on Saturday 23rd February 2008. The bench has been inscribed with the words “Centenary of Scouting 2007”.

[3rd Cheam Picture]
The Deputy Mayor and Deputy Mayoress sitting on the bench with two 3rd Cheam Beavers

The money for the bench was part raised at a Centenary Fair the Group organised in the park last year and by a donation from Sutton Scout District. Both the District Commissioner Designate, Chris Williams, and the District Chairman, Paul Richardson, were present at the unveiling. The unveiling was carried out by the Deputy Mayor, Dr Brendon Hudson, and two of the Group’s Beavers. According to the District Chairman this is the only permanent reminder of the Centenary within the District.

[3rd Cheam Picture]
The Deputy Mayor, Deputy Mayoress and District Commissioner Designate Chris Williams with members of 3rd Cheam Scout Group

Philip Tree, Vice President, 3rd Cheam Scout Group

100 years of Scouting at 1st Wallington

On Saturday 29th March 2008 1st Wallington celebrated 100 years of Scouting at their hall in Ruskin Road by holding an open day to which current and past members, parents, County, District and friends were invited.

The Deputy Mayor and Deputy Mayoress of the London Borough of Sutton, Councillor Dr Brendon Hudson and Mrs Jane Hudson were the guests of honour.

[1st Wallington Picture]
The Deputy Mayor with Group Scout Leader Jeff Gregory after unveiling the plaque

[1st Wallington Picture]
The Deputy Mayor and Deputy Mayoress sign the visitors book

The Deputy Mayor unveiled a London Borough of Sutton Heritage Plaque to commemorate the first 100 years of Scouting at 1st Wallington. They then visited all the events and activities in the Scout hall before signing the visitors book.

Jeff Gregory, Group Scout Leader, 1st Wallington Scout Group

SOUWEST Gang Show 2008 Auditions

Would you like to join the gang of over 100 other Scouts and Guides having fun and performing in a great show at the Secombe Theatre in Sutton?

The Gang Show is open to anyone in Scouting or Guiding from 9 years old (you have to be 9 years old on 1st October 2008). Come along to auditions for the Gang on:

both at St Phillips Church, Ruskin Drive, Worcester Park, or for the dance group on:

at 22nd Wimbledon HQ, Arthur Road, Motspur Park.

Worried about auditions?

Don’t be – this is not the X-Factor and Simon Cowell certainly will not be there. You do not need to prepare – just turn up with a smile.

For the Gang audition you will be taught a song with movement to perform in a group and asked to read out loud (we like loud voices)! At the dance group auditions, you will be taught an easy dance and asked to perform in a group.

Here are the important bits

Here is some information you will need about the show

Gang Show is a variety show comprising of 14 items such as sketches, songs or short musical plays. You will be in between 6–8 items. Rehearsals start from Sunday 1st June:

Sundays – Worcester Park
Main rehearsal 1:30pm–4:30pm
Additional calls from 12:45pm or until 5:15pm
Junior Dance Group 4.30pm–5.15pm
Wednesdays – 22nd Wimbledon
Senior Dance Group 8pm–10pm
Show Week – Secombe Theatre
Sunday 26th October – Sunday rehearsal at the Theatre (12–6pm)
Monday 27th October – Full Dress Rehearsal – 6pm–10pm
Tuesday 28th October – Saturday 1st November 6pm–10pm (Curtain up at 7.30pm)
Saturday 1st November – Matinee performance from 12.30pm (curtain up 2pm)

Be prepared for some serious fun and hard work. So all that’s left to do is audition!

Want to know more?

See the SOUWEST Gang Show web page at www.glswscouts.org.uk/gangshow.

New and Updated Fact Sheets

FS330092 Adult Training: Change of Roles (Mar/08 [1] 77KBytes)
FS330091 Registering a Scout Fellowship (Mar/08 [1] 54KBytes)
FS185095 Diversity Guidelines for Event Organisers (Nov/07 [1] 46KBytes)
FS295414 St. George (Feb/08 [1] 15KBytes)
FS295304 How Scouting Grew (Feb/08 [2] 22KBytes)
FS295309 Scout V.C.s of Two World Wars (Feb/08 [2] 22KBytes)
FS452038 Building My Success – A guide for Explorer Scout Leaders (Jan/08 [1] 86KBytes)
FS120160 Material written by Ralph Reader Esq. CBE (Feb/08 [1] 78KBytes)
FS452037 Meetings and Forums in the Explorer Scout Section (Feb/08 [1] 122KBytes)

PAGGS Fund-raising Quiz Night

[PAGGS Fund-raising Quiz Night Flyer]

Diary 2008

April 2008
1st Tue District Cub Leaders’ Meeting
4th Fri Sutton LEA Spring Term ends
5th–6th
Sat–Sun		 County Scout Night Exercise
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
20th Sun Canoe Club River Trip
21st Mon Sutton LEA Summer Term starts
30th Wed District Scout Leaders’ Meeting
30th Wed County Souwest Gang Show Dance Audition
May 2008
4th Sun County Souwest Gang Show Audition
9th–11th
Fri–Sun		 County 16+ Explorer/Leader Mountain Skills Weekend
11th Sun County Souwest Gang Show Audition
18th Sun Canoe Club River Trip
26th–30th
Mon–Fri		 Sutton LEA Half-Term
June 2008
5th Thu District Beaver Leaders’ Meeting
5th Thu District Explorer Leaders’ Meeting
11th Wed County Annual General Meeting
13th–15th
Fri–Sun		 District Scout Water Activities Camp
19th Thu District Annual General Meeting
20th–22nd
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
3rd–5th
Fri–Sun		 County Remote Camping Weekend
5th Sun District Scout Cooking Competition
28th–1st
Tue–Sat		 County Souwest Gang Show at the Secombe Theatre
31st–2nd
Fri–Sun		 County Explorer Mountain Skills Weekend
November 2008
15th Sat District Scout Tate Shield Competition
22nd Sat District Cub Challenge Trophy Competition (provisional date)
30th Sun County Scout/Explorer/Leader Orienteering Competition

Flysheet

Flysheet is the Sutton District Scouting newsletter. Please send articles for the June issue to flysheet@suttonscouts.org.uk by 24th May 2008.