CRAIGALMOND DISTRICT SCOUT COUNCIL ANNUAL REVIEW 12TH JUNE 2019 Page 1

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Annual Review 2018 - 2019

CRAIGALMOND DISTRICT SCOUT COUNCIL ANNUAL REVIEW 12TH JUNE 2019 Page 2

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Chairman’s Report Team for 3 years and has competed in all and thanks for your unending time and Regional competitions and at the support. Welcome to everyone attending our AGM National Summer Games in Sheffield in and Annual Review. Unfortunately, I am 2017 winning a Silver Medal in the Numbers remain good as shown in the unable to attend this year as I am away Doubles. Well done Michael. recent census, with nearly 1,500 young at the moment. Craigalmond has had I personally would like to see young adult people and 500 adults involved in the another fantastic year, we have members (under 25) on both group and District. Waiting lists remain very high but continued to grow as a district in both district executives to help drive forward will be only be reduced by finding more numbers and capabilities. the empowerment of section leaders to leaders. The district held our annual training deliver amazing programmes for our weekend for leaders. This annual training young people. By doing so we will With changes to the awards process, I weekend is an excellent opportunity for improve the scouting experience for am very pleased to see so many of our leaders to complete their on-going everyone. If you feel that you could leaders being recognised for the hard learning or progression towards their contribute (or you know someone who work and efforts they make above and Wood Badge. A dinner was held on the could) at either group or district level beyond their “day role” in scouting. We Saturday evening where Graham please put your name forward. have set up a Local Awards Advisory Sharkey, our Chief Commissioner for Group to ensure we continue this My thanks go to Chris Whytock, our recognition in the years to come. See the was our guest speaker. He outgoing treasurer, for his excellent work gave an excellent talk on his experiences separate section in the annual report on over the last three years. He has certainly the awards gained. in scouting and his vision for the future. left our finances in healthy state. Congratulations to the 2nd Friday Cubs Everyone has been working hard on who won this years District Cub football training and we once again held a very competition and to the runners up, 21st successful training weekend at in and done to all of the February. Attended by over 70 leaders, it 80 cubs that took part in the competition. was positively received.

We welcomed Kenny Scott to the District team as in the role of ADC Scouts, a role not filled for many years. I hope this will give support to the troops across the District much in the same way as the Beavers, Cubs and Explorers currently receive. The evening was thoroughly enjoyed by all, including our guests Mary Dick ARC, Following last year’s District camping Adult Training and Margery Naylor, our completion the winners from the 71st Regional Commissioner. My thanks must went onto represent us at the Scottish go to the organisers of the weekend and finals. They did a fantastic job and while the module trainers for pulling together not winning on this occasion were a credit the informative training programme. to themselves and the District. Congratulations go to Michael Stevenson an Assistant Beaver Leader at the International engagements are growing 26th (Craigsbank) Scout Group, who with District teams at the World Scout returned from the Special Olympics Jamboree (WSJ) in the USA and the World Games held in Abu Dhabi as a Madagascar Expedition. All are working member of the Special Olympics Great hard, training for the events and raising Britain team. funds. Next year we have Blair Atholl again and EuroJam in Poland – well done We are planning a Really Big Camp for to all those selected; come along to the the whole district next year. It will be held AGM and hear more about these exciting th at Fordell Firs from 1st – 3rd May 2020. It opportunities. I went to the 15 WSJ in is hoped that every section from every 1979 (showing my age a bit) and created group, explorer units, ASUs and Network some life long memories. will support the event. It would be This year we also continued the wonderful if we had over 1000 in expansion of the DofE Explorer Unit with attendance. the Gold level expedition being offered Russell Shoulder, Chair. for the first time. Explorers are now able to gain support for Bronze, Silver and Gold through the unit.

District Commissioner’s I would be unable to sustain my role Report without the hard work and commitment of the District team. To DDCs (Graeme /Martin/ Diane), ADC (AT) (Brian), ADC As always, without the hard work and Youth Involvement (Katie), Adults dedication of all the young people and Appointment Committee (Aileen and Michael competed in the Ten Pin Bowling adult support in the District, we would not team), Appointments Secretary competition winning a Silver medal in the be delivering the great SCOUTING that (John),SASU (Diane / Robert), Singles competition, finishing 7th in the we do in the District. It always amazes Network(Lisa), Explorers(David/Aileen), Team event and 8th in the me the number of different and new Scouts (Kenny), Cubs (Iain/Kath), Doubles. Michael has been a member of activities the Groups come up with, to Beavers (Sue/Fiona/Clare), the Group the Special Olympics Lothian Bowling deliver our programme. Well done to you GSLs and the District Exec team, a very

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big thank you. Special thanks go to Chris 82nd Sarah Gordon Apart from observing that the annual our treasurer who is standing down at the 82nd Paul Rodgers surplus has risen to £8578 in comparison AGM having carefully managed our 82nd Michael Treanor with £2243 the year before, the most funds over the past few years. 87th Caroline Bush notable features are the substantially larger numbers attributed to the 88th Clare Stevens Looking forward, we have planned a Explorer’s section. Two sub accounts 122nd Ian Skinner “Really Big Camp” at Fordell in May 2020 are now in operation to cater for their and for the first time we hope to get as 122nd Stephen Brown specific needs with a healthy balance as many as possible in the District together 122nd Emma Little at the year end to cover planned at weekend event. Plans are advancing 122nd Catriona Scrimgeour expenditure during the forthcoming rapidly, so keep logging into the event 150th Kieran Crosby year. In terms of non-Explorer activity, website for more details. 71st Craig Coomber the District events ran a small surplus FULL CIRCLE – Diane Ross with grants also made available to Mark Hesketh, District Commissioner What made you join the Scouts? Asked support attendance at international Scouting events abroad. The Executive the Princess Royal as she presented me with the MBE on the 17th October 2018. I committee’s wish to support training in the District continues, reflected in Awards 2018 – 19 had a crush on the Cub Leader was my honest answer! sadly the romance didn’t increased expenditure. Capitation last but my romance with Scouting did! payments made net of the expected rebate were once again successfully rd 1963 I joined the 23 (as it processed easing administration for all was then) as a Pack leader moving on as involved. To allow the processing of the years passed to become the Akela. direct entries required for the planned Training as a nurse meant commitment Really Big Camp in 2020, another sub couldn’t be on a regular basis but I bank account is to be opened with the continued with the 23rd until I moved to balances incorporated into next year’s the 82nd where I spent many enjoyable District figures. years before becoming ADC Cubs, Assistant District Commissioner and then Whilst there is a desire to see a gradual District Commissioner of . reduction in the District’s bank balance to Many Area and District Events plus support Scouting in general within twenty years of Gang Show have given Craigalmond there is a need to maintain me wonderful memories. our reserves at a sufficient level to cater for unexpected expenditure. I would Please find below a list of awards given I have retired a couple of times but have hope that there is overall support for this to members of the District over the past always been lured back by some exciting prudent policy. 12 months. Well done to you all. venture! MBE Having just completed a spell back at the Chris Whytock, Treasurer. District Diane Ross 23rd I feel that the circle is now complete. Medal of Merit District Ian Kernohan District Alistair Elliot Obituaries District Russell Shoulder District Martin Elliot District David Newton District Janet Paterson 10th Iain Grant 16th Jackie Gibson 21st David Brown 26th Graham Watt 82nd Graham Cullen 82nd John Adlington John MacKay 82nd Emma Cunningham 87th Isobel Logan John was a Sea Scout Leader with the 122nd Graham Scrimgeour 82nd Inverleith/Craigalmond for around 125th Martin Gray 10 years and in that time he had a big Chief Scouts Commendation impact on the Troop. His infectious District Donald Black enthusiasm and boundless energy District Steven McIntyre shone through and his skill as a sailor Diane Ross MBE from his years in the merchant navy and District John Naylor DDC. GSL 23rd youth spent pottering around Poole District Kathleen Pullen Harbour (did he realise being so close to 1st Peter Hancock Treasurer’s Report Brownsea Island would have a such an 10th Linda McIntyre effect) was evident and he greatly It can be rather dull and boring to read my 10th Nichola Taylor enjoyed passing on his knowledge to the Treasurer’s report so let me cut to the 16th Mark Petrie Scouts and leaders. John loved the chase and report that the District’s camps with the 82nd and he spent 30th Dylan Lynch finances are in sound health. The several years as a half of the catering 30th Fiona Priestley accounts for the last financial year are team with his belief in the liberal use of 82nd James Kistruck attached to this report for those keen to Chinese 5-spice and of course every 82nd Hector Black interpret the numbers. meal being Chicken Surprise – the

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surprise being if it was chicken or not. within their group are up to date with their Halloween parties, first aid nights, clip John will be greatly missed by all and leader training & mandatory ongoing and climb, meeting Owls, 10 pin bowling, his mischievous nature and delight in training, camps, virtual reality, walking on stupid jokes as well as his great joie de Please see the attached sheet that gives Hadrian’s wall, parkour, gang show, nerf vivre will ensure he will not be forgotten. the statistics of attendances at these night, they’ve built bird boxes and not to Bon Voyage John. training courses. I am sure that you will mention all the usual skills nights! Busy, agree that this situation needs to busy, busy… Helen Liddle improve. The Scouts have been partaking in many It is with great sadness the 88th th varied activities too! They have hiked, Craigalmond Scout Group announced Finally, I would like to thank the 88 & 71st Groups for the use of their halls to had various camps, chased elephants the passing of Helen Liddle, one of the round Estate (don’t ask!), played longest-serving Leaders, on Tuesday the run these courses, Iain MacBride & Clare Stevens for running the module 1 & 3 curling in the scout hall, skinned animals, 23rd of January. made ice sculptures, made pizzas and The 88th Haymarket was formed by courses, Jackie Gibson, Aileen Thomson and their team for running the district pasta from scratch, done some Helen’s father, John Liddle, back in 1937 geocaching, burns night, great scouting and our Scout Hall in is training weekend & the Regional trainers that run the Safeguarding Workshops & bake-off and many many more! named after him. Helen joined the Group in 1965 as Assistant Cub Scout Leader First Response courses. and over the years held many different Brian Donoghue ADC AT roles – Cub Leader, Scout Leader & Group Scout Leader. In 1980 Helen was 10th Craigalmond awarded the Medal of Merit, followed by the Bar to the Medal of Merit in 1991, and Our sections have excelled themselves she was humbled to receive her Silver this year and have managed to undertake Acorn Award in 2007. a lot of activities. We had our group camp at the end of Training & Development June last year and this was well attended

and enjoyed by all. The weather was Craigalmond District Training pretty nice which always helps and we Over the past year I have been took part in climbing, abseiling, archery, Our Executive Committee are doing a concentrating on the Leaders that still caving and of course had our amazing fantastic job of keeping our affairs in have roles that are either Pre/Provisional water slide! order – they have even managed to get or Provisional appointments, in order for us money back from banks and power these appointments to be made Full, the companies! Most of our non-uniformed following Mandatory training modules members are quite new to the Exec and must be completed & validated: are settling in really well and their help • Getting Started (1, 2 & 3) and support is greatly appreciated. • GDPR. Lots of fun had by all! Gillian Grant, I have also been concentrating on the GSL 10th mandatory ongoing training modules: • Safety 16th • Safeguarding • First Response. We’ve had lots of fun at the 16th in the Safety must be renewed every 5 years past year! Our numbers remain fairly and First Response every 3 years. South constant with all three sections now at East Scotland Region recommend that, near capacity. We have a small but in order to keep up to date with current The Beavers have been busy completing perfectly formed (!) leader team who practice, the Safeguarding module lots of badges including 9 Chief Scout continue to offer great opportunities and should also be renewed every 3 years. Bronze Awards (over 300 badges have experiences in all sections. We had a very successful Training been awarded in total!). In gaining all We continue to embrace Youth these badges the Beavers have been Weekend that was well attended and involvement at the 16th with the young trying out new activities from rugby to enjoyed by all the participants. people helping to shape the programmes tennis, meeting some owls and reptiles, We have also run the following courses in each section. Two Cubs recently climbing, doing experiments and of over the last year carried out some fundraising and course a few sleepovers! • 6 Module 1 & 3 training courses donated the funds to the group; the Cubs • 3 – First Response courses • 3 Safeguarding workshops The attendances at these courses however have been quite poor. The leaders who did attend were very keen & the general feedback was that they found the modules very useful. However, there is a large number of leaders in the district who still require to complete some or all of these modules. I have started emailing individual leaders who need to attend these courses to let The Cubs have also been very busy were asked how they would like to spend them know when the courses are being completing badges (including some Chief the money and decided to buy some new held, but we really need the help of GSLs Scout Silver Awards). The cubs have games equipment!As a group we have to continually check that the leaders taken part in fundraisers, pitch and putt, enjoyed a camp at Crook of Devon, a trip

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to stadium, our annual been lots of outdoor activities and trips them to stay on after two years will be a Haggis Drive and a Christmas leader’s too including orienteering on problem I imagine. sleepover at Weymss Firs which was Hill, a night hike over the A sleep over was held at Dulguise with great fun! We are currently recruiting Forth Road Bridge and visits to The the Monday colony spending Friday members for an Active Support Unit and Scottish parliament, and The Gangshow. night, joined on Saturday morning by the looking forward to a group visit to The Scouts have been working on the Friday colony for a whole day of fun. The Beamish in June. electronics, photography and mechanics Monday beavers departed before badge over the past year. bedtime. Another successful camp took Beavers place in March. Jackie Gibson, GSL 16th This year the Beavers have been doing lots of badge work; with a favourite activity being making marble runs for the 21st South Queensferry new builder badge! They have also been doing their bit for the community by This has been an exciting year for the decorating, filling and delivering plant Group with an increase in the number of pots to local sheltered housing. At children we support and a number of new Christmas time the Beavers invited their Leaders starting out on their Scouting parents along to the Christmas party careers. We have Two Beaver Colonies, where they played games together and Two Cub Packs, a Scout Troop, with two the Beavers performed some Christmas groups meeting alternate weeks, at full carols (this was definitely not their capacity with the number of Leaders we The Cub Packs are flourishing with the favourite activity!!) They have had lot of have in each Section and the Explorers leader situation always to the fore both adventures too – attending group camp nearly at their maximum. We also have a the Friday leaders are leaving in June so at Crook of Devon, having a joint large waiting list for Beavers, Cubs and recruitment of replacements is sleepover, going on nature walks and Scouts. The challenge has been to get imperative. star gazing. more Leaders to help run these sections and we had an opportunity at the recent Both packs attended the District Camp at Cubs Port Edgar Open Weekend where we ran Bonaly and the Monday pack have also visited Dulguise. A joint team entered the There have been lots of outdoor a Fun Fair type stalls and games but did District football. With the good summer adventures in Cub section this year! They struggle to get any new Leaders for weather, a lot of meetings were held out have attended many camps - the district various reasons. of doors. cub camp, survival camp at Fordell, group camp at Crook of Devon, winter Over this last year, the Group have Our new Scout troop opened in October games camp at Bonaly and a beach continued to support sections with having been closed for eighteen months party camp at Canty Bay. They have also funding to help with their term the initial numbers were twenty this soon visited the apple store, Blair Atholl programme and replacement and dropped to ten! The new Scout Leaders International Jamborette, Long Craig’s, renewal of scouting equipment, to have worked hard to give the remaining the risk factory, Foxfalls and increase the scope of outdoor activities in scouts a varied programme. Numbers the UK and abroad. We have had a are now back to twenty -five they have number of very successful camps, had a fencing evening, been bouldering Beavers have had an overnight camp at and camp at Lochgoilhead was a great the Scout Hall and are going to Bonaly in success. Good news! Unheard of before late June, while the Cubs are going to the 23rd have a girl scout. Muiravonside next week for their camp. We have young Leaders in all sections Scouts took part in the District Camp and along with three students completing are going to summer camp in Aberdeen their Duke of award. in July. All sections took part in a fundraising event for St Columba’s Hospice. We The Group Executive have a new Chair presented a cheque for £1.500 at the and Treasurer and we have a second Youth service in March. Gangshow… They’re rarely in the hall but AGSL in Catherine Aitchison, one of our when they were they had a very Beaver Leaders. We have just bought a Our big challenge was our equipment enjoyable visit from the Tweed Valley new box trailer and had not only our clear out to enable the church building Mountain rescue team and put on a mini name and design but a positive Scouting work to take place. Without the help of gangshow for their parents. The Cubs message wrapped around it, catching leaders from the District we should not enjoy learning Scouting skills and design. have been able to carry out the enormous problem solving and have been working task of moving all the equipment. Over two weekends leaders and explorers on the Thistle award too. David Brown, GSL 21st from the 88th and Pink panthers were 23rd Blackhall tremendous the kit was taken from under the church (hard hats supplied!) as we Scouts It has been a very busy year for the 23rd had a few of the older leaders hitting their heads on the roof!! Accident forms all Numbers in the Scout section have Both Beaver Colonies are at full capacity filled in!! A huge thank you to all the rocketed over this past year and they with a long waiting list. For the first time leaders who gave up their time to support rd continue to be busy. There have been in the history of the 23 I am pleased to their Brother Scouts! say that we have girl beavers. some interesting camps with a sleepover Hopefully the 23rd is moving forward at Jump station and a city visit to Dundee, The difficulty is as in most groups getting again after suffering a difficult time and as well as camps at Bonaly, Fordell Firs and retaining leaders. This year we have will be seen to take part in District events and Crook of Devon. We also had some recruited ten beaver leaders all parents of in the future. Scouts join the 88th on their trip to Italy course and I have to admit bribery was and France in the summer! There have used to get them on board. Encouraging

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My personal thanks goes to the DC,DDC Corstorphine Hill, Golf evening and a Monday and Thursday of each week. The and all the GSl’s and leaders who have walk around Cramond. The highlight for Beavers have had an exciting year of fun supported the 23rd during the last the Cubs was attending the District Cub activities, including many trips away from eighteen months without your help we Camp last September with this being the the hall. would be still toiling. first camp for many of the Cubs. They Diane Ross GSL held their annual Christmas Craft The Beavers have completed many evening, visit to the Risk Factory, cooking badges including My World Challenge, 26th Craigsbank evening, cycling activities and learning Creative, Builder, Cyclist, Camp Craft, new skills in preparation for the Cub Disability Awareness, Explore and the The 26th Group has had a successful Camp. During the year we lost two Cub Faith badge. A number of our Beavers session 2018/2019 with our numbers Leaders and the pack has only been able also achieved their Chief Scout’s Bronze remaining fairly constant at around the 50 to continue due to assistance provided by Award before moving up to the Cub mark throughout the year. All Sections the District Cub Team and a parent rota. section. have been busy this year with badge As well as completing a number of work and 6 Bronze Chief Scout Awards & The Scouts have had a busy year with badges in and around the Scout hall, the 5 Silver Chief Scout Awards have been camps to Crainlarich, Arran, Bonaly & Beavers had many trips away including to presented during the period 1 April 2018 The Craigs being held. They also took the RNLI at South Queensferry, the fire to 31 March 2019. These top awards part in the District camping competition in station and the Royal Observatory which would not have been achieved without 2018. Hikes in the Pentlands, were thoroughly enjoyed by all. the young people being prepared to put a orienteering, bike maintenance, cycle to lot of hard work both on a Friday night South Queensferry, Street Hike, 5 aside and at home with encouragement from football, held a Scottish Night for their their parents. The commitment of all parents and a musical evening. Evenings members is very good with the majority have been held in the hall brushing up on willing to put in the effort and time to their Scouting skills – knotting, first aid, attend regularly and take an active part in map reading, tents, pioneering, fire the programme and activities organised building and meal planning. at Section, Group and District levels. The Group as a whole took part in Parent help in the Beaver Section is Operation Christmas Child Shoebox appeal organising it for all members of greatly appreciated and has allowed the Beavers to attend the District visit to the the youth organisations and members of Museum of Flight, Christingle Service, Craigsbank and East Craigs. 116 A particular highlight for the Beaver Adventure Golf, Crispy Kreme, Pets at Shoeboxes went from Craigsbank to section was a Beaver Camp at Bonaly in Home & Gang Show despite the lack of Estonia. In appreciation of the assistance September 2018 where Beavers took the Rev Stewart McPherson gave the part in grass-sledging, a zip-line, a short leaders in the section. Our first Beaver th th sleepover was held in March when 5 26 and 16 Scout Groups during his hike and lots of fun games! older Beavers were able to join the 16th time at Craigsbank Church the Scouting Thanks Badge was presented to him at The Beavers are looking forward to Beavers at a sleepover in the 88th Scout th Hall. The majority of the Beavers his final service in June 2018. 26 joining the Cubs and Scouts at the Group obtained their My Skills, Teamwork and Scouting was well represented at the Camp in June 2019 and to visiting the part of the Outdoor Challenge badge Craigsbank Youth Service in November. Water of visitor centre in a couple of during the year. Several activity badges Group activities taking place during the weeks’ time. were also obtained including Gardener, year included Bowling Party at World of Cubs Cyclist, Book Reader, Cook, Healthy Bowling, an activity which we find is very Eating, International, Navigator stage 1, suitable for all ages from the youngest Beaver to the oldest Leader, Group There are two Cub Packs, with Scottish Thistle Award, Faith and approximately 25 Cubs in each, that run Disability Awareness. The Beaver Barbecue & Awards Night at Almondell, Beaver & Cub Bingo Night and a visit to the same programme on both Tuesdays Colony gained their Youth Foundation and Thursdays. Award during the year. The Beavers were the Gang Show last November. We look keen to following their leader, Michael forward to celebrating 80 years of Scouting at the 26th during 2019/2020. Many badges have been completed over Stevenson at the Special Olympics World the course of the year including the World Games held in Abu Dhabi in March 2019. Susan Ross, GSL 26th Challenge, Skills Challenge, DIY, Michael competed in the Ten Pin Bowling Emergency Aid and Air Activities to name competition winning a Silver medal in the 30th Davidson’s Mains a few. Singles, 7th in the Team event and 8th in the Doubles. Our congratulations go to 30th Craigalmond (Davidson’s Mains) The Cubs have also been helping out in Michael on this achievement. Scout Group has had another excellent the local community by making and then year with just under 150 young people installing bird boxes in Davidson’s Mains enjoying a full and diverse programme of Park during National Nest Week in activities. None of this would be possible February. As well as this, the Cubs without our dedicated volunteers who helped with the set-up of the Davidson’s take the time to run the programme for Mains Christmas Lights switch-on event our young people and to assist with the in December and took part in a beach behind-the-scenes operations, so a clean at Cramond. The Cubs even massive thank you, as always, to each of managed to squeeze in some carol- them! singing for the shoppers at our local Tesco! Beavers There has been a real focus in the Cub The Cubs have had a very hectic year There are two Beaver Colonies, with section to implement the views of the having gone on hikes in the Pentlands & approximately 20 Beavers in each, that young people in relation to their ideas for run the same programme on both

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the programme. With this in mind, the Marketing Activity and the Quartermaster The Group is about to enter a busy period Cub section ran a “gaming” themed camp badge. with Group Camp, our Gala Day and where the Cubs took part in an escape annual Sausage Sizzle all in the month of room, laser-tag, tomahawk throwing, In October, the Scouts took part at in a June, so while we look forward to all of archery and lots of other exciting games “timeless” camp where everyone this, I am sure all our volunteers will also and activities that the Cubs had (including leaders) had to hand in their be looking forward to a well-deserved requested. watches and turn off their phones to rest in the summer holidays! enjoy the activities unaware of what time it was, which was very fun indeed! Dylan Lynch, GSL 30th The Scouts also took part in the Young 71st St Anne’s Church Placemakers’ initiative, in association with Greenspace Scotland, where they The 71st Craigalmond is continuing to camped at Castle and grow with both Beavers and Cubs at full surveyed the local area to suggest ways capacity and the Scout section growing that it could be improved. The Scouts with a steady flow of Cubs moving up as hope to apply for some grant funding to well as having brand new members make their ideas a reality over the next joining us. The group exec are continuing few months. with the hall improvement plans and we hope to have a new floor put in this year As well as exciting trips away from the along with some much needed work Further, the Cubs also took part in the hall to the Royal Observatory, the Royal being done on our bathrooms. District Camp at Bonaly, went on faith Yacht Britannia, and Eden Rock, the Beavers walk around Edinburgh City Centre and Scouts also spent the night at joined the Remembrance Day Parade on JumpStation in Livingston where, after The Beavers have had a year packed Main Street with the Beavers and Scouts. three hours of jumping, they slept on the with activities, including cleaning up the trampolines for the night. area in and around Cramond Beach, Scouts building dens, highland games, had Meet While we were sad to say goodbye to The Creatures visit them and leaning There are two Scout Troops, with some of our Scouts, we are delighted that about marine conservation and Fair approximately 30 Scouts in each, that run all of them have continued Scouting and Trade. This along with loads more has the same programme on both Mondays have moved on to local Explorer Units in meant the Beavers have been working and Wednesdays. the District. hard on lots of Activity Badges and working there way through the Challenge The Scout section held its first Group Awards. They have also just come back international camp in many years with a from Camp and plans are underway to trip to JamboRi in Ireland! A massive The Executive Committee continues to hold a fundraiser where the money raised amount of work went into the fundraising, make progress in the work that it does in will be going to a local charity. planning and running of this camp, so a supporting the sections and the running

special thank you to all the volunteers of the Group. Recent work has included who assisted with this. The Scouts and discussions around renovating the leaders who attended had an amazing outside space, moving to online banking time and preparations are already and continuing to make improvements to the hall.

The Active Support Unit (ASU) is now fully up-and-running! The ASU has been such a great help with a number of camps and events to date and the number of members continues to grow which is excellent.

The Fundraising Sub-Committee has Cubs also made great progress in terms of The Cub Section has been growing in securing grant funding, arranging bag- numbers this year putting us to capacity underway for another international trip! packs and other fundraising initiatives. A and the programme has been full of particular highlight this year was the activities. With a camp at Canty Bay, Group Coffee Morning, which was held visits to both Leith Police Station and on a glorious day in May 2019, raising a Sighthill Fire Station, back woods total of £1,400! cooking, the Cyclist Activity Badge and lots more. The Cubs this year have had a huge input on the programme putting in their ideas in what they want to be doing.

A few of the badges that have been completed over the last year include the Teamwork Challenge, Librarian, Astronomy, Cyclist, Media Relations and

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Scouts Scout Section numbers have Friday Cubs an both Beaver colonies to continued to grow with a steady flow from Bonaly. Cubs but also with brand new members including some siblings of our existing The summer term is packed full of our Scouts. The Scouts programme has favourite meetings including football been varied with a creative challenge training in advance of the District Cubs using recycling waste, DIY, learning Football Tournament and our annual about constellations and telescopes and Bike & Chips night. We have been very cooking. The Scouts have been more lucky to have a consistent leadership recently focusing on the importance of team and grateful to our weekly parent team work and the role of the PL and volunteers. After the summer break we look forward to 10 Beavers swimming up.

Friday Cubs goes from strength to strength, with 36 Cubs now attending on a Friday night. The Cubs have enjoyed completing their Science badge by taking part in experiments and making bristle bots. They have been working on their Personal Challenge badge at home, which contributes to their Silver Award and we also held a bring your own badge night, where the Cubs could complete activity badges at home and then show everyone what they had APL. achieved in the meeting. We have also Mark Annison, GSL focussed on life skills, with many of the Cubs achieving home help, road safety Craig Coomber AGSL Friday Beavers have had an action- and personal safety badges. We packed year. Our Beavers have been recently held a highly successful one- 82nd Cramond orienteering, learnt knots, learned about night camp at Bonaly with the Beaver water, road and home safety to mention packs and are looking forward to a 2- The Group continues to thrive with over a few activities. We’ve hiked across to night camp at Fordell in September. A 200 youngsters on the books, across 2 and cooked sausages very successful year, with over 250 Beaver Colonies, 2 Cub Packs, Scouts, on an open fire, completed bike badges and 8 Silver Awards gained Sea Scouts and Explorers, with challenges, learnt teamwork, leadership during the year. increasing female representation in every and trust through new games, completed

section. These sections are supported by emergency aid, competed in a Highland games and learnt about Health & Fitness. Scouts It’s been a very successful year over 30 talented, enthusiastic and for our 70 or so Scouts with some great committed leaders and helpers, who Badge work has focused around World, highlights including an excellent camp weekly give generously of their time as Personal Challenge, Teamwork, Skills, programme with Scout camps at Culzean well as through training and at camps. Communicator and Emergency Aid with a number of beavers completing their (Summer), Douglaswood, Dundee (Easter) as well as our annual overnight Monday Beavers this year have had lots Bronze Scout Award. Highlight was our of fun. With two new leaders and brilliant overnight camp at Bonally in May, where camp and beach tidy at Estate. young leaders, lots of fun has been had we played lots of games, completed a learning new skills and plenty of games. ‘blind trail’ in the rain and enjoyed a really tasty 75th Anniversary cake, baked by We have focused on badges to help Sarah – thank you! those nearing the end of Beavers achieve their bronze award, successfully awarding 2 recently, with a few more very soon. We've looked at teamwork through space badges, animal care with Pets at Home (Beavers holding the snakes but none of the leaders!), learnt about each other and other Beavers internationally,

climbed at , learning compass and map skills and then tested them at our very successful Beaver and Cub camp. Very proud of the Beavers who showed great spirit and helped each other on the ‘blind trail’, in the lashing rain, all while still with big smiles.

Monday Cubs have been hard at work earning their Challenge Badges including supporting the Cramond Heritage Association cleaning the local signs, plus a great night away on camp at Bonaly. We also had a varied Friday evening We managed two great camps this year, programme, all designed to facilitate the first last September at Fordell, “skills for life”, including a disability and followed by an excellent joint camp with inclusion night, problem solving and

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creative challenges, backwoods cooking, pretty much being at capacity in terms of We ended last summer session with and lots of wide games. We also young people in all sections, which really water games and sausage sizzle at the celebrated Burns Night and Guy Fawkes goes to show how any adult help to grow hut. This proved to be really popular, wet Night and did a beach clean at Dalmeny. our sections could go a long way. and fun day! Cubs v Leaders and Cubs We had a number of offsites, including Beavers definitely won! Adventure golf, swimming and diving, trampolining and a Parkour session as We have 21 enthusiastic Beavers at the well as cycling to Dalmeny. We also moment. As always, the Beavers have supported the Kirk Youth Service where had a very varied programme since last we focused on the WWI anniversary, August. Beavers get to choose the which our Scouts really got engaged in. programme themes at the start of each term. Their ideas included science, We did a range of fundraising including potatoes, mini-beasts, Lego, chocolate, the Santa Sleigh in December, Plant Sale emergency services, pirates and various in May, with the Duck Race planned for animal themes. We rehearsed and June. The culmination of all of this is that performed the “Emperor’s New Clothes” As always, we have had a busy varied in 2018 we awarded the Chief Scout Gold which was great fun. In January, we programme with Cubs being involved in Award to 7 Scouts. learned about Tam O’Shanter at our planning for each term. Cubs have Sea Scouts continues to thrive and is Burns night including a game to catch worked hard achieving various badges greatly in demand with the Sea Scouts Meg’s tail. Magic Gareth entertained us including Fire Safety which involved a having enjoyed many sessions of Sailing, for an hour with various tricks and balloon visit to the local Fire station, we got to see Kayaking, Windsurfing and Power modelling. The Beavers loved it – and the all the different equipment, inside of the Boating. It is pleasing to see the Leaders were a bit bemused as to how fire engines and their very heavy uniform! progression in skill levels and he did some of the tricks. In February, we Whilst we were there the firemen had a confidence, which culminated at the started a series of nights relating to the call out which was exciting for us to see. Scottish Sea Scout Regatta. Cramond senses. That allowed us to do various Scout leaders kindly took the Cubs out on Sea Scouts took a clean sweep of sailing smelling, tasting, touching, seeing and the safety boat in Granton Harbour – the trophies, and with our Explorers finishing hearing activities. We have done our little Cubs had as great time out on the water as overall winners. The annual trip to the bit for the environment with a recycling and even had a shot at driving the boat! National Sport Centre at Cumbrae is theme followed by an upcycling night. We have learned about the Beaver animal Some other themes covered were Home always the highpoint of the Sea Scouts Skills, Halloween, Team work, Problem year as the facilities and staff always and we have all made or renewed our Beaver Scout Promise. solving, archery, climbing Pancake deliver a fabulous weekend of water making, pioneering, pitching tents, sports. I’m very pleased to say that we also have Cubs who have achieved their Chief Silver Award, this is the top award in Cubs and a massive achievement, gaining all 7 Challenge badges! We continue to receive support from other leaders within the group which allows us to do more with the Cubs. Last year we successfully trialled a parent rota and this may be something we will use again to help with our growing pack. Scouts Graham Cullen, GSL 82nd With the lighter nights and a perfectly We've had another very successful year 87th Granton timed low tide, we stomped out to with the Troop almost doubling in size Cramond Island for our wellie walk. We from 15 members at last AGM to a We're pleased to report that 2018-2019 had a snack on the beach after looking at staggering 29 currently enrolled with us! has been a brilliant year for Granton the ruined buildings then we all had a We had our usual Summer Camp at Scouts. shot of the emergency shelter tent – that Sandy Island last year and had a PL we had taken just in case ! At the end of camp at the start of this year - which the We are delighted to welcome Tia May, we will head to North Berwick by Anderson and Dylan Hogg as new Patrol Leaders planned themselves - train for our annual picnic. We will spend really demonstrating the skills for life that Assistants in the Beaver and Cub some time in the playpark and then head sections, and Denise Manson and Alan they have learned over the last few years to the beach. We will end the year with in the troop. Williamson as Secretary and Treasurer. our sports night and BBQ in our grounds. One of our highlights was our sponsored DIY event. In one hour, each Beaver successfully had a shot at 10 different DIY skills ranging from putting in nails to drilling, sawing, wallpapering, plumbing, painting and tiling. They all had a great time. We spoke last year about the hard work Cubs that had been done by David, one of our At the moment we have 23 Cubs, 3 who ASLs, on social media in an attempt to will be moving on to Scouts after the publicise the great work we do and to get Summer and we will be welcoming 6 from new members - and this has obviously Beavers. We will then have a full pack Our programme has been filled with worked wonders. We're now at a stage of and have already started a waiting list. Youth Led ideas including outdoor

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activities both on and off the water. We've We are very much looking forward to Archie Johnston, GSL 88th also been working on navigation and first Group Camp in June and the Really Big aid badges recently which is going really Camp next year as the Cubs have really 102nd well. enjoyed mixing with other Cubs at the previous District events. In the past year the Group has been Chas MacIntosh, Leader 87th involved in the Clermiston and Childrens Gala in which we made our 88th Carrick Knowe theme Science to help us gain the Science/Experiment Badge. As we look to the upcoming Summer We have been helping out in the local holiday it is time to reflect upon the community with Litter picks organised by previous year with the 88th. In the usual one of our Local Councillors and fashion the Group have been busying managed to make it a family afternoon in themselves with many activities that have one of the litter picks. been co-constructed with the leaders. I would like to thank the Young Leaders/Explorers who have supported the Group over the past year, without Scouts these guys lots of events wouldn’t have We have had a busy twelve months with happened. the Scout section. It all started back in Fraser River Beavers August 2018 when we joined up with the th The Beavers attended the District Beaver 16 Craigalmond and the Graeme Allan Christingle service at Craigsbank Explorer unit to head to France & Italy on Church, many thanks to all who our International trip. We spent two days organised this. The week after we had a canoeing down the Ardeche River in Christmas themed Beaver sleepover in France, sleeping under the stars on our December in our hall. Over the past overnight stop over. While we were in twelve months we have been working on Italy we gorge walked, squeezed and Beavers attend the District event at the CREST Award which is a new award climbed our way round the Aosta Valley Craigsbank Church in December. Cubs to Scouting. Beavers had to complete before having a day white water rafting. attended the District Camp at Bonally in eight different science and technology Back in the UK we have continued the September and our Scouts have been on experiments over two terms to complete networking by joining up with the 16th & joint Camps with 88th. nd their certificate and badge. These 102 Craigalmond to have a joint zodiac In October the group went to East included sourcing the best material to night at Jump station in Livingston. Fortune and fun was had by all along with make tea bags, designing houses which The Scouts have been working on a gaining their staged badge. would keep heat in and exploring how number of badges this term which have All sections had representative at plants grow. Well done to all the Beavers involved visits to the Temple in Leith as involved. Remembrance Service and the part of the Faith badge, we have visited Community Carol Service at St Andrews their local MSP at the Scottish Parliament Church. where Brexit was mentioned at least ten times! Beavers and Scouts have been to Fire Station for a visit and the Cubs We have had four Scouts take part in had a visit from the Community Police. District Camping Competition this year, a huge congratulations as they managed to secure third in the competition. An excellent effort from them as the PL had no voice from the start of the weekend. Our focus this term is all about Community this has led us to visit the One Stop Community Foodbank in Broomhouse. The Scouts found out how Cubs the service works and have set themselves some targets to meet over Cubs have had a busy year working on the course of 2019, meeting these targets various badges in and out of the hall. We will enable them to, hopefully, make a have been making planets and solar large donation to the Foodbank at the nd systems before we visited the Cath Jackson, GSL 102 end of the year. Observatory to learn more about Space. The Cubs wanted to get wet last term so we took them swimming and completed nd their swimming badge. 122 As part of learning more about our Our Group has had another strong year, Community the Cubs have been to with over 120 Beavers, Cubs and Scouts, Corstorphine Police station where the and a further 50 young people across all learned about what do. age ranges waiting for spaces to become We are also heading to Sighthill Fire available Station to find out more about what the Scottish Fire Service do. Taking advantage of the good weather we have been out in the sun completing our Athletics badge.

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Colonies, but may need to find alternative premises for our Tuesday Colony.

As I wrote this last year, we were looking forward to our first Group Camp in living memory, which was a thoroughly enjoyable experience for around 100 Young People. All the Sections made the most of the facilities at Bonaly Scout Centre, and the Beavers had a particularly enjoyable start to the camp, hiking in to Bonaly from Hunter’s Tryst (with much-appreciated help from the Lennox attends Scouts whenever District Active Support Unit)! As a Group, we have again supported the possible, and participates in all the local community, getting involved in activities he can as his recovery various activities with Flora Stevenson’s continues; he is a shining example of not Primary School, and we were once again just the 5th Scout Law (a Scout has fortunate to have the chance to courage in all difficulties), but of all seven participate in the Round Table’s annual Scout Laws - a true inspiration to us all! Christmas collection with Santa and his sleigh. Our Young People also formed a Beavers I’m delighted to see Beavers guard of honour at the Remembrance continuing to work toward – and achieve – their Chief Scout’s Bronze Awards this Service at St Stephen’s Comely Bank Church. year.

Although the Beavers are busy with a huge range of activities at the halls each week, it’s getting out and about which makes memories for them, with trips to the Gang Show, the District Christingle Service and the local Fire Station being particularly well received.

Our strong relationship with Dean Bowling Club continues, where we held the first of what we hope to be an annual It has been my pleasure to present a Quiz Night to follow our Group AGM. We number of our volunteers with awards are currently in the final stages of recently: planning the purchase of two new storage sheds which will be sited at the

• Award for Merit – Graham Bowling Club, which will at last solve our Scrimgeour long-running challenge of equipment The winter sleepover at FetLor Youth • CS Commendation for Good Service storage. Club was a very popular event, and we’re – Stephen Brown, Emma Little, currently looking forward to a summer Catriona Scrimgeour, Ian Skinner. One of the highlights of my Scouting sleepover next month. year, and indeed of my 3 decades in the movement, was the investiture of Scouts at the top of Corstorphine Hill in October. One of the new Scouts invested was Lennox, who was struck down with a brain tumour before he was able to complete his time with the Cub section.

Lennox retained his enthusiasm for Scouting throughout his gruelling programme of treatment, and it was a pleasure and a privilege to see his

beaming smile as he was presented with his Chief Scout's Silver Award in a truly Cubs Again, nights away are a very memorable ceremony in the light of a As a result of ongoing shortage of adult popular part of the Cub programme, and roaring campfire at the foot of volunteers, as well as some challenges as well as the super Craigactiv18 District Corstorphine Tower - just days before he with our hall rental terms, we are camp at Bonaly Scout Centre, the Cubs returned to hospital for another course of currently in the process of reviewing our enjoyed another overnight stay at the chemotherapy. midweek provision, and it is likely that we Nelson Hall in South Queensferry – after will condense our two Cub Packs into one an enjoyable visit to the Sea Life Centre, larger Pack with a bigger leader team. when their planned hike across the Forth We plan to retain two small Beaver Bridge was thwarted by appalling

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weather, the unexpected train journey to 2018/19 has been a relatively quiet year Dalmeny proved a welcome relief! for 125th Beavers. Our Beaver numbers have significantly decreased, due to a large number moving onto Cubs, which has made programming for last term trickier. Our Beaver numbers, as it stands, are set to remain around 8 Beavers through to the early part of 2020 without further recruitment which we aim to begin following the summer break.

Some highlights of our year include a trip to the Fire Station, attending the District Christingle Service, a pizza party, and some fun experiments & even making our own board games! With a few of our newer Beavers Some of the Cubs enjoyed a visit to being ‘out of catchment’, we decided to Edinburgh Castle, and a trip to Gravity make our Annual Trail Quiz around Old trampolining centre was a big hit. One of Corstorphine bigger, to introduce them to the highlights for the leaders and the our area – a great time was had by all older Cubs was a Sixers and Seconders including the parents who learnt things as weekend away at The Craigs – a great well! chance for the Cubs to grow as individuals and as a team. Our Beavers have earned over 200 badges, with the majority of Our team did very well as runners-up in those moving up to Cubs earning their the recent District Camping competition, Bronze Award Chief Scout Award with some members of the team then through their own hard work. We now away the following weekend to undertake share a Leader with another Colony, so an expedition in the Pentland Hills with are looking forward to having some joint other senior Scouts – as a result of which events in the future! we should once again be presenting a Cubs – number of Scouts with their Chief Scout’s Gold Award before moving on to Our Cub programme this year has been Explorers later this year. diverse and we welcomed a number of new young people to Cubs who have moved up from our Beavers. Scouts The Troop has now effectively We started our year with a back to basics reached full capacity, with 59 Scouts session talking a little of our scout history currently on the register, and what feels and how scouting has changed over the like a permanent waiting list. years. Followed by having fun with maps, compasses and tracking One of the highlights of the year, as ever, signs. The young people chose the was the Summer Camp at Cladich in Children with Cancer charity to raise Argyll, which we again shared with the money for and we were able to raise and Pink Panthers Explorers, with a herd of donate £120 through a 26 minute highland cows, and with much better sponsored silence – yes Cubs can be weather than we have previously Thank You None of this would be quiet for that long!! To celebrate their experienced there! possible without the hard work and dedication of our volunteer Leaders, of achievement we went bowling. our crew of Young Leaders from the Pink At the Cubs request we have held our Panthers Explorers, of our Executive Burns night again, but with a twist. Committee and of our occasional parent Making haggis Bon Bon’s and reading helpers. I’d also like to acknowledge the some poems, we also learnt some Gaelic two churches where we meet (St songs and games, as we work towards Stephen’s Comely Bank and Bristo our Scottish Thistle Award. Baptist Church), and Dean Bowling Club, We celebrated Chinese New Year with who kindly allow us to hold meetings in some food and crafts, as well as their clubrooms. We’re also grateful to addressing energy saving and the District Teams who organise events environmental issues and how we will all such as Craigactiv18, the Camping make changes to improve things. Competition and the Christingle Service, All this fun (and work!) was worth it as our and to the District Active Support Unit Scouts continue to enjoy a huge variety young people were awarded badges who are there when we need them. of both indoor and outdoor programmes, including navigator 2, global issues and Many, many thanks to all those who help including another thoroughly enjoyable science as well as our adventure, to make Scouting in Comely Bank the visit to Longcraig Sailing Centre. And the outdoors, skills and teamwork challenge success that it is! teenage fascination for cutting, chopping badges. and burning things remains a regular nd feature – who would have realised how Graeme Robertson, GSL 122 Scouts - much fun you can have with axes and Scout numbers have remained relatively 125th St Ninian’s saws in a church hall!!! steady this year. With only a few moving Beavers – on and a number joining us from Cubs. Our patrols have grown to four, with the

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patrols selecting their own names and was set as home work for over the Easter for the 100 anniversary of the armistice. creating their logo from wood for break, the rest of the term was geared we attended the gang show to support 3 inclusion in the patrol competition plague. more to words the summer camp with of our cubs and leader Graham who Our Scouts, through their Troop forums nights amid towards packing rucksacks appeared briefly in the second act. We and feedback sessions, have fed into an and pitching tents. did your Xmas camp fire at Bonaly agene exciting programme of climbing, night The cub section is currently sitting at 22 this year to huge numbers of parents, hikes and map work in the Pentlands, children with 7 leaders 4 of them are new children, and siblings. Unfortunately, the learning how to look after themselves and and have brought new ideas in to the rain forced us in to the Baronial Hall (it is cook a two course meal (excellent food group. Kieran is taking more of a back Scotland and December) but once the as tested by the leader team!), Halloween seat to concentrate on the GSL role and gareth started singing and the execs activities, Nerf battles, baking countless tom stepping back and concentrating handed out hot dogs no one rely minded traybake/muffins, fundraising through more on the badge work so the new excepted Kieran who had to sing a song bag packs for new tents, Laser tag, leaders can find their feet and start because there was no fire for him to look building rockets and launching them planning nights themselves with support after. at the end of May we will be having while learning about the solar system, from Alison. our group camp with leaders from all sections and the exec lending a hand to amongst many other games and Beavers activities. make the weekend the best it can be. The 150th beavers had a quieter year this All of this work and fun has allowed our With the appointment of a new GSL and year but still managed to go to Blair soon a AGSL as well as new blood in all Scouts to earn their Astronauts, Atholl, Remembrance service, Gang Fundraising and Chefs badges, as well sections we have more motivation and show, Group campfire, District enthusiasm. the 150th has a plan for the as working towards sections of various Christingle, and we are going to Bonaly Challenge badges including Leadership direction it will take in the next couple of for pond dipping and grass sledging, years and we hope to have more of a and Personal. Cramond for the marine conservation th presence at district events and maybe Martin Gray GSL 125 society beach clean, going to even win some of them. Corstorphine hill to continue clearing 'our' 150th Murrayfield area of Japanese knotweed, visiting the Scottish Parliament and joining the group Kieran, GSL(Acting) Scouts camp. In the last year the scouts have done a Badges: District Beaver Section number of camps mostly at Bonaly. Will 2 of the 4 Beavers that recently 'swam In the last year we have held two district on camp they have worked on skill that up" to Cubs achieved the Chief Scouts events for Beavers. Both are summarised we can’t done on a normal night in the Bronze award. We're anticipating that below; hall such as pioneering and fire lighting most of the next group due to go to Cubs as well as doing activities such as will also attain the Bronze award. The District Magic Show climbing and caving. Beavers who moved up without attaining The scouts have done several hikes up the Bronze award only missed out In the last year the Leaders have run a Corstorphine hill and the Pentlands partly because time was against us - they were varied programme with a focus on to help teach navigation and bring a late starts into badgework with the Beavers, aiming to practical element in to map reading. a Beavers are currently sitting at 25 with 4 encourage their creativity and improve group of 12 scouts completed expiation leaders and 1 OH. We have one new their knowledge. challenge along the fife costal trail. The leader Alexandra who has started last At the start of the Autumn term the hike was a grate success thanks to the term. Beavers started work on their Faith hard work of Gareth, Barry and Michele Young leaders Badge. This began with the creation of a put in planning and sorting out the Promise Tree where the Beavers were logistics of getting 12 scouts on a train to We currently have 4 young leaders one is each given a paper leaf on which to write fife and meting them at the other end as in the scout section he moved to help with of a time where they have “done their well as teaching them the skills so they the scouts after spending 2 years in the best” in keeping with the Beaver Promise. can be safe will hiking. cubs, he has also achieved his silver This year saw the Beavers partake in a The scout section is currently sitting at 15 duke of Edinburgh and is going to be Christingle Event at Craigsbank Church children and 3 leaders with a fourth doing his gold and queen scout award. in Corstorphine. Roughly 150 Beavers, starting at the end of May. This means The other three are in the cub section and along with Leaders, parent helpers, and the section is going to be able to do more they are doing well with one about to get Sectional Assistants attended. At the activity’s out of the hall and means we his bronze duke of Edinburgh. event the Beavers created a Christingle – can have a more fluid movement from Exec committee an orange, with a candle placed in the cubs up to scouts. We have a good group of parents and top, a ribbon tied around, and sweets Cubs volunteers from outside the group attached – this is to represent the world, the four seasons, and the Light of the This year the cubs have worked on the helping to do the jobs needed to keep the hall and the group running so the leaders World. At the event they also played challenge award sticking to toms ami to games, sang Christmas songs, and get every cub their Chief Scout's Silver can focus on the children and run activities. joined in a non-denominational prayer. Award before moving up to scouts. The This was also where the paper leaves We are unfortunately are going to lose cubs have worked on their first aid badge were attached to the Promise Tree. and have also worked on their chefs Issy at the end of next year, she has badge some groups made some very helped run the hall booking matiness and good meals and there’s did some very a million other jobs for the last 10 years. interesting things. The winter term saw but we have found a new member to help the cubs working on the scientist badge take over some of the many jobs Issy as well as their home safety and personal dose for the group. safety badges. The group in the summer term the cubs started their This year we have done many activity’s photography badge the second part of it as a group, we attended the local church

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threw some very interesting shapes on District Scout Section the dance floor! Having stepped into the role of ADC (Scouts) late on in the year I have had only a few short months to get to know what is happening with Scouts across the district. As with last year the District Camping Competition has been the sole district event for the Scout section. The plans for next year however have started, with ideas shared at the first District

As well as being our District Beaver An expanded district team (including Scout meeting on 19 May. These include group event for Christmas, this Graeme, Archie and Kathleen) toiled the Really Big Camp, district wide games Christingle Event also helped those tirelessly behind and in front of the and a return of the cooking competition. I Beavers who attended work towards their scenes, and leaders and volunteers with will also be getting around to as many Beaver Faith badge. the packs worked hard not only to groups a possible and understanding the transport equipment, supervise the sub support I can provide to scouts. camps and provide meals, but also run activities too. Thanks to Mark Petrie as DCC Camp site. There were eight teams “The Voice” of the campfire, DJ at the District Camping Competition this extraordinaire Fraser Dunsmore for all year, and the weekend was enjoyed by the “bangin’ tunes” on camp radio, young people and adults alike, the Russell coped with catering supplies weather was cold but kind, and the seemingly effortlessly, and Diane for behaviour of the Craigalmond Scouts harnessing the heritage leaders. A was exemplary, highlighted by some of terrific team of Young Leaders /Explorers the less admirable actions of scouts from put the “Active” into Craigactiv-18 and other districts on site at the same time. It was a close run thing, with positions 2 to were a huge help. A truly impressive December also saw the Beavers raise team effort – thank you everyone. 5 covered by only 30 points. The clear winners however were the 16th who, I am over £400 by “Doing A Good Deed”, a Football The ever popular football sure, will go onto represent Craigalmond fundraising event. The money went to the tournament (hosted by Russell) is District well in the Zonal at the end of Children’s Society, who supplied some of scheduled for 4th June this year. Last June. I look forward to more of the same the materials for the Christingle Event year the closely contested competition th next year. As ever special thanks must go and are celebrating their 50 was won by a talented team from 21st to Jackie for leading and co-ordinating anniversary. South Queensferry, and looking forward the event on top of her GSL Sue Sibbald, ADC Beavers to seeing them defend the trophy with the responsibilities, along with Archie, Mark packs taking part (at time of going to and countless others, a real team effort. District Cub Section press) Good luck everyone! Overview -What a great year its been for Cub Scouting in Craigalmond! Numbers are strong, lots of new and exciting activities delivered by leaders and enjoyed by Cubs, and packs going from strength to strength. It is encouraging to see Youth Shaped Scouting embedded into everything we do, keeping Scouting fresh and vibrant, and all the better for our young people. Support The prime function of the District Cub team is to support packs and it is Updating our image keeps us in the heartening to see a steady flow of new public eye, the new strapline “Skills for talent into the pack teams. Where there are gaps, however, help has been Many Thanks to all the Scouts and their Life” (something we’ve always done) is leaders for the great things they are attracting new young people and adults offered to keep sections from suspension or closure until additional doing, and look forward to creating a fun too and we feel those positive effects in and collaborative calendar for next year. our district. leaders are recruited. Two packs have been assisted this year, one ongoing. I will also be working with the Explorer Craigactiv -18 Many packs looked Please let us know if we can help. Section to influence and sustain an forward to the second District Cub Camp increase in Scouts staying within the “Craigactiv-18” held in September and Future plans the main event in the diary movement by having both sections we had a fantastic time, with 185 Cub is the Really Big Camp at Fordell in 2020 working more closely together. scouts and their leaders gathering for all sections in Craigalmond. The together at Bonaly. Without doubt, the District Cubs team looks forward to highlight of the Craigalmond Cubs welcoming packs (especially those who calendar – the theme was Superheroes, haven’t been to a large district camp and Cubs rose to the challenge of a before) - the Really Big Camp takes the thrilling range of activities from high ropes place of district cub camp next year. to rocket-making, from hiking to Finally, it is great to see the groups superskills. An innovation saw camp reporting positive pack stories and Radio Craigactiv broadcasting music live successes in 2018/19 – see you all soon. during the day and not only a traditional Iain MacBride, ADC Cubs, evening campfire but also a disco where Cubs (and some of the district team) Kathleen Pullen, DCSL Kenny Scott ADC Scouts

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Explorer Scouts length of the West Highland Way last Training Advisors for the candidates Summer. which I know the District is working on. Explorer Scouting continues to grow in the District, with increases in our My thanks go to the small team of membership of 7% over the year, with fourteen who sit on the AAC and a 155 Explorers active across our six special thanks to John Lyall who process Explorer Units and the Young Leader all the paperwork through Compass and Unit, supported by 33 adult volunteers Gilwell and keeps me right. across 6 Explorer Scout Units. Aileen Thomson, Chair AAC Behind those positive numbers lie the excellent, active and varied programmes Contacts each Unit provides – ranging from camps, Zodiac events, fundraising to website: www.craigalmond.org.uk support Scouting and other charities, international trips and fun activities The District is fortunate to have a very • Chair Russell Shoulder including ever popular chip shop committed group of adult volunteers, as [email protected] challenges. In addition, many of the Leaders, Administrators, and Skills • Secretary Alastair Elliot Explorers in the District are very Instructors, who make Explorers such a committed and involved as Young fantastic experience for all our young [email protected] Leaders who play a tremendous role in people, and I’d like to express my great • Treasurer Chris Whytock volunteering to help in the many Groups thanks and appreciation for everyone in [email protected] across the District and in large events like the District Explorer team for their • DC Mark Hesketh the District Cub Camp. energy, imagination and enthusiasm. It’s also a particular pleasure to congratulate [email protected] Janet Patterson ( ESL – Duke of • DDC Trg & Dev Martin Elliot Edinburgh Unit ) on the recent award of [email protected] the Medal of Merit, and Donald Black .uk (ESL - Cramond ESU) and Steven • DDC Prog Graeme Robertson McIntyre ( ESL – Douglas Brown ESU ) [email protected] on receipt of the Commendation for Good • ADC Youth Involvement Katie Service in recognition of their very valued Goudie contributions over many years. [email protected] • Chair appointments Committee Interest in international Scouting Aileen Thomson continues to grow over the last few years, [email protected] with much of the enthusiasm generated • ASU Manager Robert Young from our two Patrols who took part in the [email protected] Blair Athol Jamborette in 2018 carrying • Elected members forward to those from the District who are o John Naylor part of the South East Scotland o Al Reid contingent going to the World Jamboree o Diane Ross in West Virginia this year, with 17 young o Susan Ross people recently selected to go to Eurojam in Gdansk in 2020, and selection for Blair Atholl Jamborette imminent. It is great to David Newton, DESC see such a high level of participation, as well as recognising the effort by leaders and parents in training and fundraising that lies behind it.

Adult Appointments

As usual the AAC have been a busy group of people meeting at least once a month, adult members are an important part of the Scout Association to ensure the young people have a safe, adventurous programme. An increasing number of leaders have been successful in completing training The AAC has had 78 candidates and assessments to lead Hillwalking for attending, 14 groups have had members Explorers -and this has greatly helped in represented, all sections, GSL/AGSL, running an expanding range of Duke of Exc. Members and ASU managers have Edinburgh expeditions across Bronze, been represented. Silver and Gold within the District Unit and the Douglas Brown and Graeme Candidates have been of a high standard Allen Explorer Units, and the very and for this I thank the GSL’s for their successful expedition the Douglas Brown diligence in recruiting process. The only Explorers completed by walking the issue we have had is in the lack of

1

Appendix 1: Receipts and Payments