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County of Greater London South West
Annual Reports and Accounts 2002

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Venture Scout Report

This is my, and probably the last full report for the Venture Scout Section in Greater London South West.

Change

The clarion call to initiate change started at the 14 - 25 Workshop in Manchester, at the end of June, when the new structures were presented to, perhaps one of the most successful National Conferences held in recent times. Greater London South West sent its full delegation, comprised of two Venture Scouts, two Leaders under twenty-five and myself. This was followed up by a presentation to District Commissioners and Assistant District Commissioners on the 12th July.

At the Greater London South West Venture Scout Conference on the 18th November, it was the general feeling that only the timing of the new programme material was delaying work on the more formalised transfer from Venture Scouting to the two new sections. The declining appetite for Venture Scouting, in the face of such changes, can also be witnessed by the fact that between the two weekends of Leadership One Training, numbers had dropped by an unprecedented 50%.

Although Venture Scouting will disappear, the stages of anguished arguments have gone and the simple matter is that most people are now eager to get on and do 'the job'. To that end, I am extremely delighted that the County has seen fit to appoint Christopher Dean as County Scout Network Commissioner and Caroline O'Hagen as Assistant County Commissioner Explorer Scouts.

Queens Scouts Awards

In the last twelve months, the number dropped from the expected twenty, or so, to eleven. One can point to the extension of the upper age limit, therefore taking away some of the previous urgency to have the Award completed. However, we must also remember that 2001 saw the effective closure of Britain's countryside for the vast majority of the 'walking year'. Given that the expedition is sometimes left as the last task to complete, this will obviously have had a great impact.

State Duties

The State Opening of Parliament on the 20th June provided a superb opportunity for ten of our Queens Scouts to participate in this event, which culminated with forming a 'Parade' outside the Peer's Entrance at the Houses of Parliament.

In November as is tradition; Queens Scouts formed the Guard of Honour for Her Majesty the Queen and other dignitaries, from the Foreign Office Building into Whitehall for the National Remembrance Service at the Cenotaph.

Perhaps the most testing of all was the death of Her Majesty the Queen Mother, on Saturday 30th March. From the time of the announcement in the early evening, Greater London South West was asked to provide a contingent (complete with names and addresses etc) by lunchtime the following day. That following day was, in fact Easter Sunday. With many being away, or due to be away in the coming week, this presented a challenge. The requirement was to undertake a six-day residential 'State Duty'. Despite the demands, Greater London South West provided six people made up of Queens Scouts, recent Queens Scouts plus younger members of the Section.

Finally

I am a very privileged person. I could write a book about the fantastic achievements that I have witnessed, some simple, some of International standing. Furthermore, for the support given by the County Team and the County Executive, for the work of the Section, as well as the numerous Leaders and Venture Scouts that have invited me to participate in events. Thank you.

Alex Minajew
Assistant County Commissioner Venture Scouts