FOCUS

GLSW County Council WINTER 2010

Newly appointed Chairman looks forward to exciting times ahead

HELLO TO you all, I’m pleased to be able to introduce myself as the incoming County Chairman. I’m quickly learning that much of the Chairperson’s job is thanking people for the good work that they do and I must immediately thank Ian Newbery and Andy Harris , outgoing chairman, for the hand-over that they have given me, and for the work that has been done by them and the County team in making me feel welcome.

Scouting has developed significantly since I was first invested as a cub back in 1994 in the 1st Littlebourne, in my home county of Kent. Like many of you I’ve experienced

“The changes to the organisation as a youth member, leader and as a member of New County Chairman the public. It’s great to be back involved and I am looking forward to helping Sam Allan construction support and shape Scouting in our County as it continues to develop. of a purpose Scouts continue to offer services to society and individuals going far beyond simply childcare or built county education. I’ve always found the values at the core of Scouting a sound starting point in whatever circumstance. The fact that these values remain at the heart of what we do means I feel more than headquarters confident championing the work that the County does, and the benefits that Scouts bring to our communities; it is a privilege to be able to do so. at Cannon Hill Lane is Practically speaking, I am in the enviable position of coming into a County with an executive who are dedicated, passionate (at times vocally so!) and between them bring many years of truly a once experience to the table. I’m looking forward to working with them, especially in what is set to be an exciting year; we hope to be able to report on a number of projects as they take shape in a generation The construction of a purpose built County headquarters, at Cannon Hill Lane, is one such project which currently looms large and is truly a ‘once in a generation’ opportunity to provide a purpose opportunity” built central base for scouting in the County, watch this space!

My own immediate aim is to visit every district executive before Christmas, so hopefully I will get the chance to meet many more of you face to face. I look forward to doing so.

Yours in Scouting - Sam Allan

COUNTY WORKSHOP 26th/27th February 2011 “Helping Others to Help Us” --- The Hilton Hotel, Croydon

Who is representing your Section? --- check with your GSL

FUNDRAISING

THE SCOUT fundraising team are available around the clock to offer advice on raising money for your local Scout Group. For information on fundraising call 020 8433 7100 or e-mail [email protected] Find out exactly what Chief Scout was For information on grants and loans call 0208 433 7121 demonstrating during his flying visit to Ashtead Woods

Join the adventure Published by Greater London South West Scouts www.glswscouts.org.uk email [email protected] Registered Charity No.303884 Chief Scout Bear Grylls CuBeaver Jambo 2011 leads survival camp at GET READY to celebrate the Cub’s 95 th Ashtead Wood and Beaver’s 25 th Birthday at this summer’s hottest event- The CuBeaver SCOUTS FROM the Wimbledon & Jambo 2011! Wandle District were pleasantly surprised when Chief Scout and Born Survivor Bear Grylls arrived to assist them The County team have organised a day of unmissable at their survival camp at Ashtead Wood on 2nd October. adventure, superb activities and fun for both Cubs and to enjoy. Over 60 young adventurers gathered excitedly as Bear demonstrated how to skin a rabbit, with the help of one Caving, archery and giant games will be on offer brave volunteer. He also talked to them about his alongside more activities. As well as experiences in the wild and gave them survival tips. much, much more!

The Chief Scout arrived by helicopter on his tour around The event will be held on 11th June 2011 at Walton Firs the movement’s London regions and also signed Activity Centre and is sure to sell out, so be sure to autographs for those in attendance. book your tickets quickly to avoid disappointment.

The Wimbledon & Wandle Scouts were working towards Time - 9:00 am – 5:30 pm their Survival Badge at the weekend camp and were delighted that Bear was able to make an appearance. Cost - £25 per Beaver/Cub, £12 per Explorer YL and £10 per Leader. The Scouts also cooked meals over an open fire and built shelters using material from the surrounding area. Despite A non-returnable deposit should be given to your District the rain, the weekend was a huge success enjoyed by all. by November, with the whole balance due by 1st March .

However the highlight was undoubtedly the appearance of Any queries contact your ADC or the Chief Scout along with his culinary delights. e-mail- [email protected]

Bear Grylls joins Scouts from the Wimbledon & Wandle District at Ashtead Wood GLSW appoints new Assistant County Scout Bands Play at The Lord Commissioner Mayor’s Show (Again)

AS YOUR new ACC (Scouts) here is a bit of background Both the Kingston & Malden Scout & Guide Band and the about myself. I started my scouting in the Clitheroe Royal 1st Hook Scout Band were again invited to take part in Grammar School troop in deepest rural Lancashire, a the Lord Mayor’s Show this year. The two Bands had very traditional troop where we really learnt the basics of separate places within the parade. Congratulations to all being a Scout - lots of patrol camping and hiking. Then the members whose high standard of performance came Senior Scouts (Wingate Patrol - great days) with enables them to take part in such high profile public most weekends spent caving, kayaking, climbing in the events and thanks also to all parents, carers and Lake District or working at Great Tower Camp Site. supporters of both bands who raise funds, provide transport and generally encourage the playing members. Then going to Birmingham College of Art and Design and working in film and television production took me away from scouting until about 1994 when my son moved up from Cubs to Scouts at Leander (Kingston) Sea Scouts. GLSW Award Expedition Opportunity After going along to help at summer camp in the Isle of Wight, I became an ASL and have been SL of the troop THE COUNTY is mounting an ‘on foot’ since 1996. As ADC (Scouts) In the old Kingston and expedition for older Explorer Scouts and Malden District, joint activities were started with Surbiton Scout Network members wishing to District and I continued in this role in the new Royal undertake an unaccompanied ‘practice’ Kingston District. or ‘qualifying’ expedition over four days (three nights camping) for the Queen’s One of the areas that I have been most pleased with is Scout or Duke of Edinburgh’s Gold that I decided to throw out the old repetitive district Award . events programme and replace it with something more flexible and challenging. Since Royal Kingston District The minimum age is 16 and the maximum age is 25. started it has run different events each year, so that a Expedition training should have been completed prior to Scout progressing through the section will be able to an unaccompanied ‘practice’ expedition. participate in different premier activities every year. Details are as follows: What sort of activities? Each year there is a well organised first class activity - a District Water Activities The trip costs £100 (includes transport, base Weekend at Longridge, 24-7, at which each group HQ accommodation, meals at base, assessment fees). This ran a different activity over two days, culminating in a does not include campsite fees and food whilst actually rodeo party and giant sleepover. MAD day, a multi on the four-day expedition. activity day at which cyclocross, chess, archery, field Dates - 9–15 April 2011 inclusive target shooting, five a side football and a cooking competition were held on one day was so successful that Location - Derbyshire Peak District (Dark Peak) it was then put on last year, with more activities, as MAD weekend. For 2010, a Survival Camp is being held at Base - Broadstone Warren, sleeping in shelters and cooking Bell’s Box, North Lees Farm, Hathersage, Derbyshire without utensils. Transport - Car/Minibus None of these would have been possible without a strong District activities team, who are now very skilled at A non-returnable deposit of £30 is required to be paid no delivering a quality product that Scouts really enjoy and later than 31 January 2011 with the balance due before learn from. the expedition. Cheques should be made payable to GLSW Scout Council , and sent to Chris Dean 13 East Thinking about my new role, there is a lot more to being Hill Road, Oxted, Surrey, RH8 9HZ . ACC than just activities, for the next month or two I will be listening and talking to people, as I really want to find There is also be a meeting planned for Sunday 2 out what Leaders think about County and what it should January 2011 , although this has yet to be confirmed. be doing. Supporting those troops who need some help is vital, developing links and joint activities between The County has a pool of expedition equipment available troops, making sure that every Scout gets the opportunity to borrow. to participate in nights away and go to camp. Participants must be at least 16 years old and have I will be putting together a development plan for the registered at Gold level. Training must have been Scout section, which will contain realistic targets that completed, but we are also offering training to new hopefully can be attained; with the current interest that participants. the Movement is attracting, scouting needs to be stronger, more dynamic and really deliver what it For further information contact- promises. I look forward to helping reach that goal. [email protected] or call 01883 723081 . Robin Burr

ACC (Scouts) IF YOU have any material you would like published in Awards Recognise the efforts, skills the next edition of FOCUS. Please e-mail the editor Mark Molloy at [email protected] and commitment of Scouts and their by 21st January at the latest. Leaders

Two recent events provided the opportunity to celebrate the impact on Scouting that the commitment and 25th Purley Group attend the House enthusiasm of Scouts and their leaders have produced. of Commons for Speaker’s Reception In October members of Croydon District met at Trinity th SCOUTS FROM the 25 Purley Scout Group made their School for their second annual Awards Night. The way to the House of Commons on 18th October in a bid evening started with a reception and addresses from the to help raise Scouting awareness and discuss with MPs Mayor of Croydon, Cllr Avril Slipper, and the Croydon the current challenges facing the movement, such as a County Girl Guiding Commissioner, Lesley Ellery. lack of adult volunteers. Following presentation of Awards for Development (2nd

Croydon MPs Richard Ottaway and Gavin Barwell joined Croydon), Achievement (Pinewood Seahorses ESU) over 150 Scouts from across the UK at the event hosted and Best Practice (28th Croydon) the UK Chief by the All Party Parliamentary Scout Group. Commissioner, Wayne Bulpitt presented, for the first time, the Chief Commissioner’s Award to Pat and Liam Laurel Ayers, one of five Scouts from Croydon who was Campbell, of the 2nd Croydon. given the opportunity to attend the reception said: In November 80 Scouts and 14 Leaders received “It’s been an incredible experience to come and meet Awards from the Jack Petchey Foundation at the my local MPs at the Houses of Parliament and to Ashcroft Theatre in the Fairfield Halls, Croydon. The have the privilege of being entertained in the evening was opened with music by the Kingston & Speaker’s apartments. Malden Scout and Guide Band and during the evening members of the Souwest Gang Show cast provided “Discussing how they can help and support us, was further entertainment. very important to me .” We are grateful to the Mayors of Croydon and Sutton together with the Deputy Mayor of Kingston for their support in making the presentations as well as our Regional Commissioner and County President who also took part in the awards ceremony.

The event was recorded by The Jack Petchey Foundation which has donated over £60 million to young people’s organisations during it’s ten years of activity, photographs of the event can be viewed at: www.jackpetcheyfoundation.org.uk

25th Purley at the House of Commons

Adult Training (First Aid)

Module 10 - British Red Cross First Aid Training

For further details regarding First Aid courses please contact Janet Drinkall:

Telephone: 0208 669 4774 or Email: [email protected] www.glswscouts.org.uk

MANY THANKS TO MARTIN WHITING , SAM ALLAN , ROBIN Scouts and Leaders from Wimbldeon & Wandle District BURR & CHRIS DEAN FOR THEIR CONTRIBUTIONS TO with the County President Tony Edwards THIS EDITION OF FOCUS .

Join the adventure Published by Greater London South West Scouts www. glswscouts.org.uk email [email protected] Registered Charity No.303884