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Focus on GLSW
Scouting in Greater London South West December 2008
Souwest ’08
Once again October half term week saw the Souwest Gang take up residency at the Secombe Theatre in Sutton. With a large cast of over one hundred members, audiences were treated to a fun-filled two hours of songs, sketches and dances.
Highlights of this year’s show included such diverse scenes as Las Vegas to Venice ballrooms, outer space to the ocean deep and ancient Egypt to the Wild West. Yet it wasn’t just the items scenes that showed the range on offer, as the array of talent from the Gang was also evident. From solos and speaking parts to the entire Gang on stage singing their hearts out, every moment was impressive and more importantly entertaining! Of particular note were the large cast singing numbers, such as the Out on the Range’s ‘Footloose’ to Making Waves’ ‘Joy to the World’. The mixture of dances from Showgirls and Belly dancers to spooky ghouls in Thriller was at a remarkable high standard.
Producing a show of this quality is certainly no mean feat, so congratulations must be given to new director Jo Davey and all those involved. Under new direction this year, one thing that was evident was that it was not only the audience that were enjoying themselves. The entire Gang were enthusiastic and full of smiles. With a large portion of the Gang new members, this was a real pleasure to see, showing that the Gang Show experience had touched more people this year and in particular a lot more young people. This is certainly encouraging for the future of the Show, and can only be a good thing was those waiting to be entertained by what comes next. Roll on Souwest ‘09!
Adult Training
Module 10 – British Red Cross First Aid Training: Refresher Course: 3rd Dec. 2008, County Base. (Available for those who have British Red Cross Basic 1st Aid or equivalent only. 1st Response is not sufficient).
Other courses 2009:
- 25th Jan. venue tba
- 15th Feb. Kerswell Hall, Twickenham
- 29th Mar. Richmond (Young Leaders)
- 2nd May Pinewood, Croydon
For further details and an application form please go the the adult training page on the county website archive.glswscouts.org.uk.
Regenerate
Three Scout Network members from GLSW attended the first ‘Regenerate’ event organised by the London Scout Region at Gilwell Park over the weekend of June 28/29. Each of the six London counties was invited to send up to 5 representatives to this ‘youth engagement’ workshop. From GLSW there were Patrick Dunne (Royal Kingston), Donald Lewis (Croydon), and Joanna Miles (Richmond).
The purpose of the weekend was to give young adults in Scouting a voice on a number of key issues relating to Scouting in general or London in particular. Among the subjects tackled were improving our image as a Movement, meeting the needs of the 18-25 age group, and promoting Scouting as a co-educational uniformed youth organisation. London life topics included improving social cohesion, dealing with teenage crime, and lowering the voting age to 16.
The highlight of the weekend was a visit from Jack Petchey OBE who joined in the discussions and listened intently to the various points of view. And the event ended with a Scout’s Own service led by Laura Spafford from the Diversity team at Headquarters, and a commitment to take action on some of the key issues.
Duke of Edinburgh Award
The Approved Activity Providers Scheme is now moving forward and we (DofE) are licensing the pilot organisations. This includes ‘World Challenge’. We have not however licensed all of their work.
We have agreed with World Challenge that they will be licensed to deliver UK expeditions for DofE only. Their overseas expeditions will no longer be recognised by us as adventurous projects due mainly to the levels of supervision used; or residential due to the school trip setup. Please note that we have agreed to recognise all expeditions sold by them prior to the new variations system coming into force 1st September this year on the old OAP system. As World Challenge expeditions are sold a year in advance we do not want to turn away from trips sold in good faith for DofE expeditions as this will only frustrate our participants.
Peak District Expedition
During the autumn half-term holiday a team of Explorer Scouts and Senior Section Guides from GLSW travelled to the Derbyshire Peak District for a week of hands-on training to prepare them for their Queen’s Scout, Queen’s Guide and Duke of Edinburgh’s Gold Award expeditions next year.
Within 20 minutes of arriving at the base near Hathersage it started to snow, and everyone was glad to be inside rather than camping although it must be said that Bell’s Box , though comfortable, was not a 5-star hotel—there was no electricity, the toilet facilities were somewhat rudimentary, and ten bunk beds were packed into a space 15 feet by 9 feet. However, it did boast running cold water and a gas stove on which to cook such delights as porridge, jacket potatoes, tinned puddings, and all kinds of fry-ups. Eat your heart out Jamie Oliver!
Three day walks were accomplished in every kind of weather, rain, hail and snow and blue sky: Stannage Moor, Win Hill and the Kinder plateau. Accompanying the team were Andy Bailey and Kate Fuller from the Scout Network, and Chris Dean, Deputy CC.
A further day was spent inspecting an extensive range of equipment, practising lightweight tent pitching and defying the blustery conditions, cooking meals on stoves, and engaging in some team building exercises.
The team is now planning a ‘practice’ expedition in the Lake District in April, to be followed with a ‘qualifying’ expedition next summer. For those working towards Bronze and Silver DofE Awards , expedition training has been arranged over the third weekend in January—the course will be held at Blackland Farm East Grinstead. Anyone wishing to attend should contact Chris Dean for an application form.
Great River Race 2008... the last Viking invasion?
GLSW teams from the Scout Network and Richmond Leaders in a Viking long boat (complete with Viking head gear) battle it out with hundred of boats on the gruelling 22 mile annual Thames river race. Want to get your Group, Unit or adults out on the water? Contact County Water Adviser, Vic Griffiths, for further details vicgriffiths@btconnect.com
Beaver Report
This is my first and also my final section report in FOCUS as we are delighted to announce that Karl Bromley has agreed to become ACC (Beavers) with effect from January.
I have enjoyed my brief spell at the helm, and it has been a privilege to support such a good bunch of ADC’s. In October I thoroughly enjoyed visiting a ‘sleepover’ organised by Croydon District at Bears Wood although must confess not to have the essential quality of a Beaver Scout Leader—eyes in the back of my head!
More recently, Jennie Blake and Kevin Quigley joined me at the Regional Development Advice and Support Day at Gilwell, and all three of us came away totally motivated and better informed about what should be done to move the Beaver Scout section forward.
In the months ahead I shall be working with Karl and Caroline Dyer (ACC Cub Scouts) to see how we can improve co-ordination and reduce leakage between the sections. However, two other matters require everyone’s attention, Firstly, only a minority of Colonies organise residential experiences, which means that relatively few Beavers enjoy this important and exciting part of the programme. Secondly, there are still far too many young people on waiting lists. Please do not restrict numbers unnecessarily, and if you are full why not signpost to a neighbouring Colony which has spare capacity. I wish you all good hunting!
200 years service to Scouting
Beavers, Cubs, Scouts and their families together with friends and supporters of the 25th Purley Scout Group turned out in force recently to celebrate the achievements of 12 adult volunteers who have given over 200 years service to Scouting in Purley and Coulsdon.
The celebrations took place at St. Mark’s Church Hall and Mike Turner, Scout Group President and Kerr and Barbara McKinnon presented the Awards.
Collectively the adults have 2 Medals of Merit, a Chief Scout’s Commendation, 4 Chief Scout’s 5 Year Service Awards, 1 Chief Scout’s 10 Year Service Award, 1 Chief Scout’s 15 Year Service Award, 2 Chief Scout’s 20 Year Service Awards, 1 Chief Scout’s 25 Year Service Award, and 3 Chief Scout’s 30 Year Service Award.
Profile... Assistant County Commissioner (Beaver Scouts) Karl Bromley
Karl will be taking over from Chris Dean on 1st Jan 2009. Karl and Chris will be doing a handover for a smooth transition when Karl starts his new role.
Karl has spent the last eleven years as a Cub Scout Leader with the 7th Malden (St. James) Scout Group in Royal Kingston District, a role he has recently stepped down from. He still maintains links with the Group however, acting as a treasurer for the pack and helping at other occasional events.
He was part of the Victory Unit leadership team who took 36 GLSW Explorer Scouts to the World Jamboree in Essex last year. And in his ‘free time’(!) he is training for the London Marathon and can be seen running around Bushy Park on a Saturday morning in all types of weather! He also supports Milton Keynes Dons and was a cast member of Souwest for fifteen years, before joining the backstage crew for the last two years.
Jack Petchey Award Evening
On Tuesday 23rd September GLSW gathered to celebrate their Jack Petchey Achievement Award winners at the Ashcroft Theatre in Croydon. The event was funded by the Jack Petchey Foundation and brought together Leaders, VIPS, Achievement Award winners, Leader Award winners and their friends and families with a fast moving lively show with the presentation of awards and performances from the Kingston and Malden Scout & Guide Band and highlights from Souwest ’08, the South West London Gang Show. Our thanks to all our guests and VIPS and congratulations to all our award winners. View the pictures at www.jackpetcheyfoundation.org.uk/photos.
National Scout Air Rifle Championships
Some 750 Scouts of all ages and Leaders attended the 32nd Scout Championships, held at Bisley—the National ‘home’ of shooting.
It was a superb weekend and much enjoyed by all. GLSW was represented by 1st Old Malden, 1st North Sutton, 2nd Malden, 3rd Hampton Hill, 7th Malden, 2nd Hook, 6th Tolworth, 25th Purley, Merton Park E.S.U., Discovery E.S.U. and Leaders from the Royal Kingston Air Rifle Club.
With 750 competitors taking part, medals were very hard to come by. However, GLSW came away with a good haul of awards!
In no particular order, the awards included:- Gold in Junior Small-bore, and Full-bore. Gold for Biathlon and Bronze in Field Target. Shield for Senior Field Target, Gold in Senior Full-bore. Bronze in the Junior 6 yard main event pistol. Gold and E.S.U. shield in 6 yard main rifle. Gold 6 yard pistol, Gold 10 metre Own Rifle and Trophy. N.S.R.A. Cup for the best Over 14 shooter, Silver Medals in 6 yard rifle and pistol and in the Biathlon. Bronze in 6 yard rifle. Bronze in the Senior ‘Knock Out’- as did Tate Coles in the Junior event and Pistol Team Trophy ‘Blue Riband’ Junior Connaught Shield for combined scores in rifle, Pistol and field target of a pre-nominated Team
Alistair Exworthy (Royal Kingston District) won the new Shield for 10 metre Own Pistol in an exciting Olympic style final. The shield was presented by the Commonwealth pistol shooting medallist Mick Gault O.B.E.
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