Gloucestershire County Scouts€¦ · - Supporting training courses and validations y districts. ... Hiking around Holland with this lot! (Whilst at Haarlem) Having fun at Strategy

Gloucestershire Scouts annual review 2019

Inspiring Programmes x Amazing Adults = Skills for life (and growing Scouting) 1

Gloucestershire County Scouts Review of the year 2018 – 19





Note from the editor (CC) Last year, we wanted to show to you a progress report that supplemented the discussions held at the County AGM. We received a large amount of positive feedback and therefore felt compelled to do another one for this year. We hope you enjoy it and really encourage you to share it with as many people as you can. There is so much great news across our County that to keep it to yourself I want to start with a huge thank you to all of the people who have contributed to this bumper edition.

Mark CC Update In my second full year as County Commissioner, I have found the year to be very different to the first. The first year was very much about understanding as much as I can about this County and starting to shape and make progress with our plans to achieve our challenging Vision. This past 12 months has been full of all different types of challenge including bringing the teams around us to full strength and where there are vacancies stepping into some of those roles.

I want to say a huge THANK YOU to the amazing team that I am privileged to work alongside. I feel regularly inspired by Callum, Chris, Kat, Lauren, Liz and Stephen. Of course I cannot possibly say thanks to anyone without ensuring I say a thank you to Louise, with out who I would be far less organised, far less efficient and far, far less on top of things.

I get some amazing opportunities as County Commissioner some of which include having the great opportunity to meet many of you at AGMs and when I am presenting awards. There is too much for me to list, but some highlights for the past 12 months have included;

- Supporting the county Haarlem Jamborette expedition.

- Running a Scouts Own at District Cub Camp.

- Investing a whole new Explorer unit. - Supporting training courses and validations

across many districts. - Watching amazing talent in Gang Shows. - Supporting the Jamboree Unit with training

and saying “Farewell” to them at Heathrow. - Visiting and helping in some very small way

at the Strategy & Evolution events. - Attending 5 St. George’s Day parades in one

(very tiring) day, and getting to play a dead dragon at the last one!

On the next page you can see some of the photos that have been taken during the year A huge thanks too to the District Commissioners who have been so very supportive in helping us make continued progress towards our vision and helping ensure our key objectives have been achieved.

I particularly want to thank Tony Dale who has for most of 2019, been leading two districts and making progress in both. Godfrey has supported us by representing our interests at growth development meetings with the Pears Foundation.

Mark



Delivering the Skills of Management Training Course

Working with the training team to develop our plans for the

future

Training new Training Advisors

Judging at County Cooking Competition

Seeing the inaugural Beaver Bounce at Stroud and

Tetbury

Some of my very supportive family all set to take part in St.

George’s day Parades. (1 of 5 for me!)

Privileged to spend time with the Jamboree participants on

multiple chances

Saying ‘Goodbye’ to the Severn Boars at Heathrow T3 before

they head off on their life-changing adventure

Hiking around Holland with this lot! (Whilst at Haarlem)

Having fun at Strategy & Evolution

Visiting the Air Activities Weekend



Progress to vision 2020 As part of the strategy to achieve our County Vision, we have asked DCC team members to lead a team in a work-stream. These work-streams will each encompass a number of projects focussing on one key area of our vision in line with the Scout Association vision and Skills For Life Strategy. Recognising the value in aligning our own plans with that of The Scout Association, we have started to shape the County DCC team around this and as a result, asked Lauren to take on the new role of DCC for Perception. You can see a short summary of each, it’s key aims and the people involved over the next few pages. Read more in each of the reports over the coming pages. Contents

Progress to Vision 2020 o Perception o Projects and more o Programme (Chris’ Chatter) o Youth Involvement

Programme o Inspiring programme award o Top awards o International o Beaver sports date o Badge courses o Water activities o Archery

Around the Districts Other important initiatives

o Cranham Scout Centre o Strategy & Evolution o County Magazine & Comms o Adult Awards & training

Our report card

Perception progression I came into the role of DCC Perception at the end of 2018, and since this point have been working to grow and develop the great work that we do in the county through enhancing the perception of Scouting to those outside of the movement and, indeed, those within Scouting in Gloucestershire. I have developed links with Gloucestershire Wildlife Trust to support their ’30 Days Wild’ campaign which has led to other smaller projects in the county whereby Scouts can engage even more with their communities.

I have been exploring the possibility of Scout Ambassadors; similar to the UK but with a Gloucestershire stance! The purpose of these Ambassadors will be to help raise the profile of the amazing work that Scouting achieves for our young people, extend reach and also gain influence and additional support. I hope these individuals will be role models to our young people and to support the work that is already being undertaken by our amazing volunteers. Recently I have started to work at looking how we can achieve the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) and how we can incorporate these into the programmes that we deliver with young people. We will lead a project based around period poverty in order to raise awareness, and also to help eradicate it through the Scouting that takes place in the county. Further information about SDGs can be found at: https://sustainabledevelopment.un.org/?menu=1300 Many thanks for the support this year and I look forward to working with you all again over the upcoming year.

Lauren Greening – DCC Perception

https://sustainabledevelopment.un.org/?menu=1300

https://sustainabledevelopment.un.org/?menu=1300



Projects and more… Young Adults are clearly focusing where we have concentrated our Amazing Adults Projects this year. From seedling meetings with Tony Dale at the helm, Kat Holter, Kat Turner and Jordan Randall have considered what would help a person new to scouting or already in our county which would help them to find information, feel supported and have the opportunity to catch up with other leaders in their sections. They are presently working on 3 projects that will meet those needs to help develop and support adults in Scouting in Gloucestershire: The “Virtual Pub” is to be a platform on the county website where adults can ask questions and have them responded to. There will be FAQ’s added as well. Watch the space on county website.

We are looking to pilot a Buddy System in its first stage, by a process of linking a new adult as

they follow through the appointment meeting, to be linked to an adult in scouting in a similar role, that will suit times to meet or be in touch to support that person as they start their role and help them alongside their Training Advisor as they undertake their training.

Revival is an event where the aim is to bring together sections leaders i.e.; all Beaver

leaders get together, all Cub leaders get together etc. to discuss and share ideas, badges, programmes and activities or to review skills to be a support to each other. This would link to the ACC’s for sections too.

An opportunity to test this will likely be a leader’s day in a District of which Jordan is linking with the DC for Tewkesbury – Chris Lodwig to pilot this project. Once these projects have been tried and reviewed, the intention will be to take them countywide so look out Gloucestershire!! Aside to this and supporting many adults with their training around the county, I worked with Louise Little to create another Poppy Badge to commemorate the end of the First World War. Meetings with the Royal British Legion’s Nicole Mayall, enabled us to understand where we wanted the badge criteria to focus on and we developed it with approval of the ACC’s for each section. The badge design work was sent to several skilled people in our county to make a bright and appealing badge for the Young People that also was representative of our unique county. The final product, which Alex Bingle patiently amended, was to be worn by over 1,500 young people and adults once the criteria had been achieved. It further enabled us to raise £1,000 for the Royal British Legion which was presented by cheque to Nicole in Gloucester Cathedral at the Gloucester District St George’s Day Parade. So many humble thanks to everyone who worked so hard to help the young people achieve this special badge.

Liz Hodge – DCC Projects



Chris’ Chatter What’s going on in Programme?

2020 should be an exciting year myself and our programme team are working towards some amazing opportunities for young people and adults to have a fantastic time in scouting.

Participants at Cotswold Marathon 2019

Some headlines to look out for in the coming months: • Inspiring Programme Roadshow coming to

an area near you • Talks by young people that have returned

from the adventure of World Jamboree • Fundraising activities by young people

looking to take part Eurojam 2020 • Providing more international experiences for

even more Young People. • Amazing programmes developed on the new

Digital Programme planning tool. • Even more opportunities for young people to

get out and have an adventure. Chris, hard at work at North Cotswold’s St. George’s Day

There are so many great things happening in Gloucestershire and I am looking forward to working with leaders and district team to provide even more exciting and adventurous scouting in 2020.

Chris Meadows – DCC Programme

Don’t forget that the new programme planning tools for Beavers and Cubs has now been launched. Go to: www.beta.scouts.org.uk/volunteers/planning-your-programme/ to try them out! Growing Youth Involvement This year has been one of growth for the Gloucestershire Youth Commissioner Team, we have Youth Commissioners in 7 of the 8 Districts and two Deputy District Youth Commissioners as well! We have been working on our vision for the future of Youth Shaped Scouting in our county and are starting work on a few projects that we think will benefit the youth members of our county.

Some highlights of the last year include: meeting other County Youth Commissioners at the regional conference, visiting groups across the county and starting the youth involvement work stream. In the next few months we are planning on starting initial trials on our mock exec project with Explorer Units from across the county. We are hoping this will make the transition from young person to adult in scouting easier and inspire the next generation of leaders and trustees. We are hoping that 2019-20 will be a year of youth involvement and learning for everyone across the county and have high aspirations that we hope we can achieve!

Kat Holter & Callum Johnston – County Youth Commissioners

http://www.beta.scouts.org.uk/volunteers/planning-your-programme/

http://www.beta.scouts.org.uk/volunteers/planning-your-programme/



Programme 1st Inspiring programme awards given out

In order to recognise those adults, we created a special County scarf that can be worn at any time and recognises that the wearer is a true programme hero and is instrumental in delivering inspiring quality programmes to young people.

Those Leaders who have been nominated by their peers and awarded the Inspiring Programme award are:

Ang Healy - ADC Cubs and Cub Leader 1st Royal Forest Group - Forest of Dean

Nicky Fendt - Cub Leader 3rd Tewkesbury Group - Tewkesbury

Tracy Barrell - Beaver Leader 1st Woodmancote Group - Tewkesbury

Selsley Scout Troop Leadership Team – Stroud and Tetbury

Ruth Garner – Cub Leader 1st Fairford Group - Cotswold

I would encourage everyone to look out for Leaders wearing this necker and ask them what they did last week in their section meeting.

Lauren presenting Ang Healy with one of the first

ever Inspiring Programme awards Congratulations to all who have been awarded at the beginning of 2019. Nominations for the 2nd half of 2019 have closed and we hope to announce the names of those that have been award in GScouts and on the county website soon.

Top awards

We continue to go from strength to strength with one of the other recognised measures of a High Quality programme. Above you can see the awardees of the Queen Scout Award at The Queens Scouts Award presentation Windsor Castle, earlier this year. The table below shows the progress we have made in awarding the Top Awards and we are particularly proud of the progress we have made in the younger sections, seeing some huge increases.

Award Awarded 2018/19

% of YP Difference Vs 17/18

Bronze (Beavers) 315 38% +59

Silver (Cubs) 278 41% -9

Gold (Scouts) 117 34% +39

Platinum (Explorers / Network)

26 7% +1

Diamond (Explorers / Network)

3 1% -2

Young Leader Belt (Explorer) 19

+2

Explorer Belt (Explorer / Network)

2 -2

Gold DoE 6 -6

Queens Scout Award 7 +2

Thank you to all of you for your work in help Young People achieve their very best.



International There is a lot to celebrate this year with over 200 young people travelling to faraway lands to experience the very best adventure that Scouting can offer. We couldn’t squeeze this into just one page, so we hope you like this 4 ½ page special!

World Jamboree 2019 – 50 experience the

USA & Canada! WOW! What an experience! 2 years in the making and now it’s all over. We’ve completed so much fundraising, so many practice camps and worked hard on our own personal development. We planned our own camps, big city experiences and compiled a list of activities that we would love to take part in. The 20th of July was the culmination of all of our planning. Today was the day we flew to America. We were greeted by the UK Jamboree Media team and our county commissioner before we checked in and were on our way. After a short (7 hour) flight we landed in JFK and started our American adventure. New York: Our first YouShape activity… a boat trip on ‘The Beast’ a high energy fast speed boat tour of the river showing us some of the many sites including the statue of Liberty and the New York skyline.

The tour promised fun, speed and it was guaranteed that we would get soaked. It was brilliant considering that we were in New York on the hottest day of the year! We also completed a short walking tour through Times Square to the Empire State Building where we scaled the many floors and experienced the amazing panoramic views. Our trip to the city was short and sweet (6 hours) and then we continued our journey to the Jamboree.

The Jamboree: After many hours of driving and plenty of time to work out how to sleep on a coach, we arrived at the Summit Bechtel Reserve. We arrived in gloomy skies with hope that the weather would hold out. We were directed to our site. The first hiccup – some scouts had started to set up camp thinking it was their site! Whilst this was incredibly useful for us, it wasn’t so useful for the group who had to pitch over 400 tents. We sent some of the unit off to help put up the other units’ tents. Unfortunately, the heavens opened, and we had to continue setting up our site in the rain with some help from some of the Gloucestershire IST members.

Once we finished setting up, it was time to enjoy the jamboree, the activities and the culture that we had all prepared for. We experienced three fabulous shows and 2 incredible light displays – one with drones and one with fireworks and lasers. We even appeared on BBC Breakfast and Radio

Gloucestershire! We met people from all over the world and often had other scouts sharing our site.



The explorers took part in many activities and swapped many badges. We even manage to escape the medical tent until the end of the jamboree – nothing too major thankfully!

Washington: The next leg of our trip took us to Washington DC – another big city to explore. During our time in Washington, the explorers had free reign to explore in their patrols. There were many sites to see including the Washington Monument, the WW2 Memorial, The Lincoln Memorial and the Vietnam Memorial.

A must see for all of the explorers was the White House. The adults visited the aviation and space museum and then it was a journey on the Metro back to the university for dinner. The following day marked our sporting journey – all of the young people across the UK had suggested that they would like to experience some true American sport. We visited a baseball game and became the ‘Anthony Santander fan club’ all 4,000 scouts bounced off of the enthusiasm and enjoyed Santander’s performance. Our final night in Washington was celebrated with a tri-nation event featuring activities and entertainment from the three host countries of the jamboree – Mexico, Canada and America. The unit all got involved with most of them dying their hair (not permanently) to celebrate.

Canada: Our final leg of the journey sent us to Canada to share experiences with some Canadian scouts. We were paired with 1st Stroud Scout Group, Ontario which was a bit weird as 13 of us were from Stroud. We visited the Midland Lakes and explored them on a boat – many of us fell asleep under the sun before we visited a different lake for dinner and then all went paddling. The next day was our final big surprise for the unit. When planning what we wanted to do on HoHo (Home Hospitality). The unit all suggested that they would love the chance to visit one place- Niagara.

Niagra Falls

Our ideas relied solely on our coach driver Joe; it was his decision on if it would be possible. Thankfully he agreed! We woke early and prepared for our 3-hour coach trip. We bought tickets to fully experience the force of the waterfall. In the morning, we all went into the cliff face and walked behind the horseshoe falls (the Canadian part) we were given thoroughly fetching yellow ponchos that were thoroughly needed – we were soaked as we stood below the falls taking numerous selfies! For our final part of Niagara, we took a boat trip right up to the falls, we were soaked by the mist and could feel the full force of the water as the boat bounced around. Niagara Falls was definitely an experience that won’t be forgotten. This brought the end of our American/ Canadian experience and whilst we were sad that the 3 weeks were over, we were definitely glad to be back in our own beds!

Alex Hawkins

Editor – As CC, I often got to meet and or work with the Young People and leaders involved in making this trip a reality. I could not be prouder of what we enabled 50 people to experience and I want to say thank you to everyone who made it possible; families, leaders, executives and supporters. I also would like to extend a special Thank You to the 5 leaders who gave up so much of their time and energy to make this all happen – Alex, Ali, Chris, Gareth & Matt.

Haarlem Jamborette 2019



I closed my eyes; and woke in Haarlem on the 13th Haarlem Jamborette, with 4,000 Young people supported by 1,000 adults from all over the world.

Drew back the curtain (you needed a mosquito net for the sand flies)

To see for certain, what I thought I knew; we had arrived, 47 young people and 15 adults were going to get 10 days of fun, adventure and community spirit with people from 48 countries.

At the front of the whole camp showing everyone how to dance!

Far, far away, someone was weeping; Green sub-camp found out it was Cheese and Ham for Breakfast, and Ham and Cheese for Lunch. (A common meal).

But the camp was sleeping; well at least from the point the party finished at 23:00 until the first planes into Schipol Airport; 2 miles away, flew over at 06:12.

Any dream will do; in my dreams I saw all the adventures awaiting us, the opening ceremony Sunday evening, quickly followed by big hike Monday.

18 explorers and 6 leaders went on the Punisher Hike (42km) some didn’t quite make it to the end but all had an amazing team experience. A large group went on the Escape Hike and achieved over 20km this was based on an escape room theme and the remainder of the contingent went on the City Hike to Leiden where they explored the old City before having some free time in the town.

Site activity days, trail, sport, aqua and art & craft were interspersed with days out, one arranged by ourselves was to laser tag and bowling in Amsterdam or high ropes again near Amsterdam. 12 youngsters took to bikes and

rode along the Dutch cycle tracks either to or from the high ropes whilst getting drenched in a typical Netherlands downpour.

The culmination of the day out was the camp leaders preparing dinner for everyone with the County Commissioner doing the washing up single handed, thank you Dominos.

I wore my coat, with golden lining, bright colours shining; well “Steam punk” style for the party night, 4,000+ partying on the edge of the lake with lights flashing and music reverberating around the site.

And in the east, the dawn was breaking and the world was waking; to reflection day and a treat, pancakes for breakfast with no cheese or ham. The sand art performed at reflection was amazing and a great hit with everyone and during open afternoon we had plenty of Dutch visitors to taste our bacon butties and take the Marmite vs Appelstroop test. Sadly marmite didn’t win.

A crash of drums, a flash of light, my golden coat, flew out of sight; well it’s not surprising we were at Walibi World Theme Park and the rollercoasters certainly took a hammering, we even managed an investiture on “Blast” whilst being rotated through 360 degrees.

“Blast” at Walibi World



May I return, to the beginning, the light is dimming and the dream is too; time to climb on the coach and head homeward.

The world and I, we are still waiting, still hesitating; waiting to hear what the adventure will be in four years’ time… Will you be a part of it?

Any dream will do; The dream was to provide our youngsters with the time of their lives and from what we were advised by one parent the bar was set very high in 2015 and we well overachieved in 2019.

A huge thanks to all the leaders and adults who helped make this such a wonderful experience for so many young people.

Why the Song? ask Mark, CC (Camp Crooner)

Jean Buxton – Expedition Leader

“If you want to touch the past, touch a rock.

If you want to touch the present, touch a flower.

If you want to touch the future, touch a life.”

Author unknown

Bounce, carry and run; Beaver County Fun We ran our County Beaver Sports Day at The Crypt School in July.

The event went really well with fifty eight Beaver Scouts from 7 colonies taking part and enjoying the fun, the sun was shining, lots of fun was had and the feedback so far has been fantastic.

Activities included the Egg & Spoon, Space Hoppers, Sack Racing, Running, ‘Horse’ racing, Hula Hoops and Skipping to name just a few of the races.

Thank you to everyone who supported, and here’s to the next one. Can we get 21 colonies from across the county taking part?

Roy Stoves – ACC Beaver Scouts



County badge courses

Many of you will know how lucky we are as a County to have such an excellent badge programme. Paddy and the team do a brilliant job of promoting and running a range of varied activities, all focused around achieving badges, many of them staged. The team is always looking to grow, so if you would like to get involved, let Paddy know at [email protected]. Below is an excerpt of a report from Paddy. You will find the full report at our website.

Scuba in 2018/19

The wandering Octopus parked its eight legs in a number of area across the counting and beyond with Scuba events taking place in Somerset, Lydney, Wroughton and Cromhall. With a range of activities happening both in the pool and in open water

This year we are extremely pleased and proud to announce that, subject to confirmation from PADI, we have the first Master Scuba Diver to achieve that award whilst still a Youth Member with the Octopus Unit. Our congratulations go to one young person who had to log over 50 dives and

qualify as an Open Water Diver, Advanced Open Water Diver, Rescue Diver and obtain 5 other technical diver qualifications to be recognised as a Master Scuba Diver.

Thanks go to Derek Newman and the team Octopus (Scuba) Unit for all their efforts to provide awesome activities for young people.

JOTI & Communicator Badge Weekend October 18

Jamboree on the Air (JOTA) and Jamboree on the Internet (JOTI) is the largest annual jamboree on the planet. It is an official event of the World Organisation of the Scout Movement. Every year Scouts, Guides and Girl Scouts are invited to enable and encourage young people to communicate with one another by the means of amateur radio and the internet, providing a fun and educational Scouting experience and promoting their sense of belonging to a worldwide Scout and Guide Movement.

In October 2018, we had 7 young people joined us for a weekend’s course which as well as taking part in JOTA-JOTI they would also earn their Communicator badge. We ran a number of activities on Internet safety, how radios work, effective communication and various games and challenges.

We made contacts around the world during the weekend including as far as Australia via the internet, and Paris using the radio. As well as playing the very popular games of werewolf on Scoutlink. At the end of the weekend all the young people were presented with their communicator badges as well as their 2018 JOTA-JOTI badge.

The map shows all the contacts made over the weekend.

JOTA/JOTI is an amazing Jamboree that any young person from Beavers to Network can take part it. It is a real opportunity to explore the international side of scouting and see we are part of a 50 million strong organisation.

If you want to get involved with JOTA-JOTI please get in touch with Chris Langham.

mailto:[email protected]



Outdoor Climbing Twelve young people and four leaders had a busy day at Symonds Yat, climbing on New Orleans Buttress.

Everyone tried at least four different climbs, completed an abseil, and learned some additional climbing skills. All the Scouts and Explorers earned their activity or activity plus badges.

County Cooking Competition February 19 - Seven teams took part in the competition with the theme this year being “Jamborees Past, Present and Future”. The Overall winners were 41st Cheltenham ‘B’ team.

Other activities which you can read more about in the full report include;

Expedition challenge Canal boating Caving Air activities Survival skills Many other badges – Electronics, Mechanics,

Geocaching, Pioneer and Naturalist

During the last year a total of 467 Cubs, Scouts and Explorers have attended County courses and completed 1,122 Nights Away.

I would like to thank the many leaders who have run or helped on these events. Their input has been excellent and is very much appreciated.

Paddy Langham

The view of a DC! Scouting changes lives. Be in no doubt! As District Commissioner it is my tremendous privilege to visit Groups, attend events and present awards and not one week goes by when Scouting fails to move me.

Carole with Bear Grylls (Chief Scout) at Windsor celebrating her

Silver Acorn Achievement earlier this year.

With the greatest of pleasure I watch a Beaver Scout, aged 6, camp in a tent for the first time or a Cub Scout undertake their first Farriers Challenge, demonstrating team work and potential leadership skills – or a Scout who has realised, by attending an international event, that Scouting is far bigger than they could possible imagine and that they are one of 32 million members worldwide – or the Explorer Scout, who, despite the pressures of school, helps to organise an event for the first time. I watch a Young Leader running their first game at a section night and it’s a huge success. For me, it’s also about the Leaders and adult volunteers, the friendship, support and teamwork. Scouting is special and Scouting in Cotswold Vale is even more so.

Carole O’Donnell

https://gloucestershire-scouts.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/Badges-EOY-Report.pdf

https://gloucestershire-scouts.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/Badges-EOY-Report.pdf



Water Activities

2019 – Water year! - Every District in our County increasing Water Activities for Young People This year included; year-round training trips for our leaders and young people, with June/July fully launching County Water weekends for 400+ Beavers & Cubs for Cheltenham, Cotswold, North Cotswold & Cotswold Vale using new junior kayaks, along with Fladbury Paddle Clubs “Bell Boats”, whilst Spade with Forest of Dean held the 40th year of Water Activities day at Mallards Pike for 400 Beavers, Cubs, Scouts & Explorers. Stroud & Tetbury complete all eight Districts now having their own kayaks, and have been fully active since April with Theresa Mansbridge who looks forward to more permitted leaders joining her, as well as gaining canoes in 2020.

DofE Water Expeditions with Explorers & Network from around the County took place this Spring / Summer with Cheltenham Bob’s Dinosaurs ESU; 2 Silver & 1 Gold on the River Wye & River Severn. As to Assessing new & renewal permits, well the pace simply increases each year, so it’s great that Spade & myself are joined by Paul Rothwell. 15th Gloucester Sea Scouts Sailing flotilla grow each year with their amazing small team, and have achieved our first 3 adult plus 2 Scout “Pulling” Permits this Summer. With the addition of Explorer Sea Scouts, our Dinghy permits could double.

Looking forward to 2020. Let’s see the launch of our 8th water activity; “Pulling” and after the 7th annual Water Weekend this month gain more Beaver & Cub Leaders to use the soon to be purchased Box Trailer, fully equipped containing the new junior rebel kayaks, as well as seeing the arrival of our own Bell Boat and trailer.

Shelley Wright – County Water Activities Advisor

Archery

We ran an Archery Leader course in January and welcomed 10 new coaches after a weekend course at Cranham scout HQ led by Archery G.B. County coach & level 2 coach which will help towards our theme for 2019 “Growth and improvement “. Cranham archery sessions have been very busy from Mar through to September with (Cubs, Scouts, Young People with additional needs and schools activity days). Now there is one little item for the county is we have just got a City archery assessor 'Peter Aylott”..Well done!

Plans for 2019/2020 We want to host a "County Archery Shoot” with an aim to have a team from each district throughout the County? A Cub section and a Scout section — Leader Course Recd - and an Assessor course?? Thank you to everyone who has supported in any way in in the past 12 months

Ted Hughes – Archery Advisor



Districts It is in our 8 districts across the County where the work of Scouting happens most often. It is here that Inspiring programmes are delivered by Amazing Adults in sections, groups and units. COTSWOLD District Uniform Leaders meetings are now being held regularly and effective communications have been established with GSL and DESC groups across the District. A New District Chairman: Barbara Bridges was recruited in March and Leaders training opportunities have been expanded significantly in 2019 with a skills day on 5th May and a popular Water activities day on 1st / 2nd June 2019 leading to a number of Water Permits issued. Several Nights Away permits have also been signed off with kind support from the District TA and DESC, Paul Gowen.

1st Fairford Scouts at the end of their Expedition Challenge

Josh Foye is acting as Explorer Scout Leader having re-formed them in 2019 and working with Paul Gowen as DESC has created a great “Escape Room in a box” to take around Scout Groups during Autumn to recruit new 14yr+ Scouts into Explorers. We look forward to re-growing the Explorer team in Cotswold.

Cotswold Explorers at the Farm!

Our plans for 2019 / 20 include: 1) Grow Lechlade following a successful AGM

in June 2) To Develop Explorers with DESC

Tony Dale – Acting District Commissioner

COTSWOLD VALE It is with great pleasure that I can report that Cotswold Vale Scout District increased its young people by 12% (47 new young people across all sections) and its adults by 8% (13 new adults across all sections). In the last five years, when the Scout Association strategic plan asked for 5% growth year on year, we have grown by an amazing 34%. This has only been possible with the support of our amazing adults and the hard work of each Group’s Executive Committee. This year we welcomed several of our Young Leaders as they became Section Leaders / Assistants. We have nurtured them through their scouting to this point remembering that they are the future of our District and Scouting in general.

I am proud of the programme we deliver to and shaped by young people, these programmes continually evolve and include; Archery, Water Activities, Climbing, Walking / Hiking, Wild Camping and many Nights Away; to name just a few!

We are a movement and in Cotswold Vale our programmes move with the times and continue to inspire our young people throughout their time with us.

Our future planning With the new Scout Association strategic plan now in place, looking at how Scouting can grow towards 2023, we have looked at Cotswold Vale District and produced a development plan to site alongside the Movements own plans. We look forward to the coming year and the challenges ahead.

Carole O’Donnell – District Commissioner



FOREST OF DEAN Growing from strength to strength.

During the last year the District has been very active joining in with District and County Activities and Camps. We have had teams taking part in Beast, Cotswold Marathon, JOTI/JOTA weekend, County cooking competition, County shooting competition, St. George’s Day parade, S & E, CubJam, Farriers on tour, Haarlem, World Scout Jamboree and many more.

The hundreds of young people at St.

George’s day parade.

Activities run in the District are strong and well supported. District Cub camp is one of the biggest camps run locally. Approx. 140 Cubs and 40 Adults takeover a local campsite and each Group attending provides an activity for the Cubs to do. It’s a fun packed weekend everyone enjoys. Scouts took part in a Backwoods camp competition and District cooking competition. Another firm favourite is the Water Activities Day - where all sections come together sharing various activities that ensure you get wet!!

Growth in the District. September 2018 saw the opening of another Explorer Unit. Severn Steel ESU now runs alongside Freeminers and Inferno ESU’s. Forest of Dean now has 3 Explorer Groups plus a strong Young Leader Unit. Our brief for this year has been to encourage new adults into scouting. The challenge was set for Sections to run a Kids v’s Adults night. Embracing the #YouShaped scouting initiative, Kids challenged their adults to various activities.

It has been great fun and something that we will no doubt continue into the future.

Ang Healy – ADC (Cubs) / PR

NORTH COTSWOLD Over the last 2 years, the administration of North Cotswold has been substantially upgraded. COMPASS is now largely accurate; AAC panel is working effectively, training and TA’s have been introduced and more on-line training is happening. A new group has been opened at Stow and “Scouting” has a wider audience within the communities at Stow, Moreton, Bourton and Northleach. Chipping Campden, Bourton and Sevenhampton have strong GSL’s in post, with new GSL appointments pending at Northleach and Moreton. The new ACC Beavers is visiting Stow in September to kick-start a Beaver Section there so that the District has a full complement of sections.

Activities at St. George’s day

In 2019, or goal has been to secure more adult scout resource, something North Cotswold has always lacked. A simple target of 1 new uniformed leader per month was set and would transform the District. As of July 2019, we have 21 adults in the pipeline, unprecedented in 10 years of North Cotswold District. The district team have been working actively on this target, whilst also encouraging existing Leaders to complete their Wood Badges. 2019/2020 Our plans include

3) To open another Scout Group: near Upper Rissington or Chedworth

4) Support and grow: Moreton, Stow Tony Dale – District Commissioner



STROUD & TETBURY New team, new lease of life

The last 12 months has witnessed some significant changes in S&T District, most notably the appointment of permanent DCs in the District for the first time in over 5 years. Alex Chestnutt and Steve Jackson sharing the DC role, with support from new DYCs Keelan Tootell and Eloise Mei. A new District Development Plan was published in January 2019 with a focus on adult support, high quality programmes and growing the numbers of young people and adults experiencing scouting. Key successes for the District have included: a significant improvement in access to adult training, particularly the mandatory modules; growth in the number of TAs and NAAs; greater recognition for adults volunteering in scouting; an increase in the number of Sections and YP experiencing nights away; an increase in the number and quality of District led activities and events; and finally, improvements in communications, particularly the District website. Particular highlights were: the St George’s Day Parade and disability awareness event at St Roses School with over 200 people in attendance and most of the District Groups represented; and the Beaver Bounce, a new activity hike for our youngest Section, with over 90 young people participating.

Beaver Bounce in Stroud & Tetbury in May

Priorities for 2019/20 will be: supporting all Groups but particularly those with challenges around adult recruitment and retention; greater involvement of young people in running the District; growing the numbers of NA permit holders; and finally, a particular focus on YL training and development.

Steve and Alex – District Commissioners

TEWKESBURY Tewkesbury District is showing signs of growth across all sections this as always as the result of all the hard work and efforts of the leaders. An Example of would be Twyning cubs which sadly had to shut down for a term as there were no leaders to run the section this has reopened thanks go to a new CSL and support receives from the group the Numbers of young people are now happily increasing and in addition to this Woodmancote will be starting a third scout troop in September this year.

Extreme explorers on Expedition in Guernsey

Highlight for the Year has to be St Georges day run as a fun day organised by Lynsey Platt, What an event we had, a fantastic day with Beavers, Cubs and Scouts having a fun with some of the biggest Inflatables, smooth bikes, laser tag, armpit fudge, a

monkey bridge archery Large scale Table football and the Scouts making coracles out of sheet plastic, plastic water piping, cable ties and duct tape, which they then attempted to paddle across a swimming pool

Our plans for the new school year, are to keep moving forward more effective leader training, Wood Badges, Night away permits and activity permits.

Chris Lodwig – District Commissioner



Other important initiatives Cranham Scout Centre thrives and grows!

Cranham Scout Centre has had a very positive 2018/19. The 1st season for us as permanent centre managers. The year was very much focussed on bringing the site back up to standard. This has included – weeding, fencing, grounds clearance, painting, repairs, and electric supply repairs – amongst many, many other things.

We are extremely grateful to our regular volunteers Dave Purser and Dave Herbert for all the work they do, along with support from a range of volunteer teams from GCHQ. We also had a very busy year from a usage point of view seeing an increase in usage from In-County Scouting, which we were most pleased with. We also saw a very diverse range of organisations using us from out of County Scouts and Guides, Schools and Youth groups to international visits and more corporate groups such as Police and Health.

All of this has been about growth and improvement and we are pleased to report the biggest impact has been on the operating budget, which came in at year end looking much more positive than the projections from the previous year. With regards 2019/20 – this for us is a year of consolidation, ensuring that we stabilise the operating budget, continue to improve the site and buildings and ensure positive experiences for all our site and centre users.

Most importantly for us has been the opportunity to see Cranham Scout Centre once again become the natural home for Gloucestershire County Scouts and feeling like we are a part of a very special ‘family’ who have been both welcoming and supportive in equal measure.

Ruth & Cal – Cranham Management team



Strategy & Evolution 5 years, 10,000 young people, 20,000 nights of fun, challenge and adventure! The Strategy & Evolution Team celebrated their 5th birthday this year by delivering an even bigger and better set of events than ever before, with over 2,300 young people taking part over the two weekends. This year was our 3rd new site (still within Cirencester Park) and this brought the usual challenges one would expect with some interesting weather conditions – from torrential rain to 30+ degrees temperatures - chucked into the mix. The new site is significantly bigger and allows us to put everything in one accessible area, and gives us space to continue to grow. The planning and execution cycle for each event takes around 15 months – from setting the date to shutting the container door on the Monday evening following Evolution.

One of the key milestones for the team is the post event review weekend where we raise all the issues and ideas we’ve spotted and pour through the 300+ responses to our annual survey. This gives the team a real opportunity to relentlessly drive for incremental improvements with insights from all parts of the event – from the Refuse team to the First Aid providers, and most importantly from the participants and leaders.

Every year we look to make targeted improvements in 10-15 focus areas, each of which has a designated lead.

This focus on continual improvement allows us to increase the overall quality of the event for participants, leaders and helpers; which in turn has given us the opportunity grow organically over the last 5 years from 1,250 at the first Strategy to just under 1,750 this year!

One of the highlights for me this year was hosting a ‘Thank You’ evening midweek between Strategy & Evolution for all those people who’ve supported the event and helped make it the success that it is. It was a great opportunity to thank people and remind each other that despite the blood, sweat, tears and mud we are all friends and are delivery amazing opportunities for young people! I would like to again thank all those involved in supporting the events over the last 5 years!

Lewis Dangerfield – S&E Director



County Magazine & Updates

Some of you will know of our County Magazine and our occasional updates that come out via email. In putting this review of the year together, I recognise that gathering stories, writing them up and getting others to read it is not an easy task.

I want to take this brief opportunity to say a huge thank you to John Morton the editor for the GScouts magazine for the work he has put in for so long.

I also encourage as many of you as possible to share your stories with John so that he can include them.

Just email [email protected]

My ask of all of you is to share this with others, inside and outside of Scouting to help them see the amazing things taking place across the County.

Also a huge thanks goes to Colin Steward who helps distribute information across the County via our occasional update emails, sometimes with very little notice.

Adult awards

In 2019, the processes for the Adult Awards Nomination changed with responsibility being given to local teams to make more decisions for themselves as to who is to be awarded some of the awards. In Gloucestershire we have seen a 25% year on year increase in the awarding of Good Service awards. In total there has been a total of 50 good service awards given. This includes the following awards that have been given for an extended period of exceptional service:

Carole O’Donnell – Silver Acorn Stephen Lake – Silver Acorn Ricky Campbell – Bar to the Silver Acorn

It always amazes me how long people are willing to commit their time to Scouting for. This year a number of very long service awards have been given. The following adults have done an amazing feat of giving 40 years (and more) to Scouting:

Brian Finch (40 yrs) Gerald Grant (40 yrs) Peter Aldridge (40 yrs) William Glover (40 yrs)

County Appointments

It’s easy to forget the wonderful work of our Appointments panels and in particular I would like to recognise the Appointments Advisory Committee that has brilliantly led for so long by the Chair of the committee – David Goldsmith. Thanks for all you have done to all of the members of the County Appointments Advisory Committee, and a special thanks to David for your great leadership.

David has decided to take a step back from this role and I am very pleased to announce that Tom Harding has agreed to continue this work.

mailto:[email protected]



Report card Our Vision is made up of 3 core focus areas; Youth Involvement, Programme and People. These over-arching themes will help us grow. Youth Involvement Our vision is to ensure that Young people are regularly invited to influence all aspects of Scouting. This is partly through ensuring we have Youth Commissioners and enabling Young People to help engage others at public occasions.

Youth Commissioners being jolly at the Explorer & Network

Christmas Ball

We have seen some further progress in this area with a new Youth Commissioner appointed in Cotswold district (welcome Lucy!). This means we only have one district where there is no District Youth Commissioner in place (yet!). The County Executive Committee now has got 3 people under the age of 30 as a part of the committee and we have challenged Districts to achieve the same. Our Appointments Advisory committee has two members under the age of 25, with at least one taking part in each appointments panel. Further progress will be made with this, with initiatives being developed and implemented by our County Youth Commissioners including the County Youth Forum and Mock executives.

People Our vision is to have adults feeling supported, engaged and able to undertake their roles.

Vetting & appointments process completed within 5 months in role.

Getting started training complete in 5 months

Year on year increase on Wood Badges Adults are recognised for their

contribution to Scouting Y/N Recognition of our implementation of the

Adult Training Scheme. Not yet This year has been a mixed set of results. Earlier this year we review, revamped and launched our new curriculum of Core training, making more training available to more adults, more flexibly and in more locations. Although we are pleased we have done this, it is yet to take off so further work to promote and engage with adults across the County is important to continue. We have seen a slight decrease on the number of Wood Badges completed in 2018/19 by comparison to the last year. (54 vs 61)

Our observations of Getting Started and Appointments is that things have been improving thanks to the work being completed within districts by the LTMs, LTAs and AAC teams. More Adults are being recognised for the great and outstanding service that they are giving to Scouting.



Programme It’s been another year of growth for the Programme team. We have been looking to ensure that all the roles that are needed to best support you are all in place and active. We welcome to the team this year

Liz Orchard: ACC Top Awards Andy Holter: DoE Advisor Roy Stoves: ACC Beavers

But sadly, we have seen our ACC Cubs (Sarah Berryman) move to another area of the country, so look to fill this vacancy soon. Our vision on this area is focused around achieving:

More nights away More International experiences More Top Awards Evidence of quality programme in every

section (Quality Programme Conversations) Not yet

Activity Permits continue to grow across the County, a quick look at Compass shows 420 water-based permits (across 114 adults) and 183 land-based (107 adults). We also have a 308 adults with a nights away permit which enables a huge number of young people to take part in residential experiences. This has been enabled in some part by identifying and utilising more Nights Away Assessors. All of which of course gives more young people more opportunity to get out and experience Scouting at its best. One thing to note is that IF every adult that feels competent and able to undertake a Risk Assessment and mitigate any risks; ANY youth member could take part in activities in T0 Hills or Class C Waters, giving young people access to even more adventurous activities. As Chris has mentioned earlier on, we will be taking a pro-active approach to supporting adults with continue to deliver inspiring programmes through delivery of Programme roadshows and the continued promotion of the Inspiring Programme Award.

Growth Our census for 2018/19 has remained fairly stable with a very slight increase in Youth Membership. That’s over 5 years of continued growth in a row! Also for the 3rd year in a row we have achieved our Adult growth targets. Well done and thank you everyone.

The new Severn Steel Explorer unit opened and invested last

autumn

We have continued to work with the Pears foundation in our last year with this project and they have supported us not only in helping to grow new sections, but also to help us find ways to prevent sections from closing. We are extremely grateful to Coralie and the team of Development Team Assistants that we have had supporting us.

2019 into 2020 looks really exciting already with a new group in Stow (North Cotswold), new sections being planned in many districts and potential Explorer Units in Cotswold and Forest Of Dean.

Let’s smash our targets and keep providing this amazing thing known as Scouting to more and more young people, so that they too can develop Skills For Life.

Thank you for reading this. I’d like to leave you with one last thought in recognition of all we are doing in Scouting:

“Act as if what you do makes a difference.

It does” – Williams James

Thank you for all of your support in 2018/19 Mark & Team



The Gloucestershire (Severn Boars) unit

The Gloucestershire / Shropshire (Double Blue) unit

Gloucestershire Jamboree participants on top of Gloucester Cathedral

Inspiring Programmes x Amazing Adults = Skills for life (and growing Scouting)

Documents

Gloucestershire County Scouts€¦ · - Supporting training courses and validations y districts. ... Hiking around Holland with this lot! (Whilst at Haarlem) Having fun at Strategy