NEWS & VIEWS Summer Term 2019, Volume 11.2

Editorial As a new Scouting year begins, we look back on a fantastic summer with the help

of this edition of News and Views. We have articles written by our young people on topics including our cub hike, summer camp and a Wilford Sea Scout who made it to the World Jamboree! You also have opportunity to read about our Anniversary Challenges and how we improved our community. We also welcome a piece from Tim Kirby, our new District Chairman, and there’s a training and event summary from Fiona. There’s sadness as we bid farewell to John Barry Hallsworth, although a few laughs are also in order with jokes supplied by Jock. Finally, congratulations to all those who received awards this summer. Thank you to all those who submitted articles during the Summer term. The copy date for the Winter edition is Christmas Eve! Becky & Colin Howard – Editors newsandviews@rushcliffescouts.org.uk Rushcliffe Scout Council Registered as a Charity, Number 522469

Website: www.rushcliffescouts.org.uk

Facebook: @RushcliffeScout

Twitter: @RushcliffeScout

YouTube: Rushcliffe Scouts

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The DC’s Spot I am writing this from the beach in North Devon, with some glorious weather and the company of oystercatchers, ringed plovers and seagulls, whilst watching the highly competitive annual beach kwik cricket competition! It has been a busy first few months as DC, recruiting a new District Team, meeting GSLs and attending group exec meetings. More of this is planned over the next few months. If you are having an exec meeting both Tim Kirby, our new District Chair, and I are keen to join you, although not necessarily together at the same meeting. As a district we are continuing to target leader training and are also looking at how we can support the development of scouting across the area, supporting groups to recruit new leaders and looking at some of the waiting lists to see if we can create new sections where there is need.

Over the last few years there has been a lot of focus on completing training across the district; great progress has been made and we are in a good position with the majority of leaders. Many thanks to all those involved in continuing to support this effort, particularly to Pat Shepherd. If you require additional support please get in touch. Lee Redmile and Christine Sheard ran a session for the new management training for those new members of the District team and also newer GSLs. We have a new trainer for First Aid sessions so future courses could be run either by Pothead or Mark Chapman which gives us a lot more flexibility on dates. Please check if you need to complete online GDPR training as we need to get existing leaders signed off for this module. Young Leaders are not being forgotten and we have recently run Module A and will be running a full YL training course during October.

We have been lucky to have Stuart Howells run some Exec training for us and most groups in the district have now had GSLs and exec members attend these sessions. They have been extremely informative with great support for those who have attended and some very positive feedback. We are hoping to run at least one more session in the autumn and need to ensure all exec members carry out this training which covers Module 1E.

There are several different leader training needs which we are working on. Firstly, ensuring new leaders are supported to complete Getting Started in their first 3 months. The next key area is to look at those who have been involved as leaders for more than 2 years and need to complete modules to gain their wood badge before they reach the 3-year deadline. Finally, there are those who have been a leader for over three years and who have not completed their training.

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The latter group of people are those we will continue to chase. They MUST contact myself or Lee to discuss how they intend to complete their training / validation and to agree a date for this to be completed. Failure to meet either of these deadlines will mean their role is reverted back to sectional assistant. If you require additional support to complete your training there are several training advisors who are able to help.

I know some of you may think this is harsh but as with any role you undertake, training is mandatory. This is to protect you and the young people in your care. When adults take on the role, they agree to complete the relevant training and there can be no exceptions to this. Please support any leaders in your group who are undertaking training.

On a nicer note, many congratulations to all those who have received awards so far this year but particularly to Pete Shepherd and Margaret Walker for gaining their Bar to the Silver Acorn and Susanne Youngson, Tig and Margaret Nurse who were awarded the Silver Acorn.

This summer saw the second Cub Incident Hike on probably the hottest day of the year! The cubs were fantastic under the challenging conditions and successfully navigated round the route completing a number of challenges to gain their Communicator badge. Many thanks to all those who supported this event whether running a base or hiking the route with the cubs. It is highly likely we will be holding this event next year if your cub pack would like to join the fun. To celebrate our 10th Anniversary as a District all groups were set the challenge of improving a local space. There have been some fantastic projects on this - many congratulations to all the groups and sections who took part with some impressive results! Keep posting details of activities you are undertaking on the Rushcliffe District Scouter Facebook page. It is great to see some of the activities you have completed!

Thank you for all you do for Scouting in Rushcliffe!

Fiona Burrows, District Commissioner

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From T’ Chair It was during the afternoon of 1st May when our new DC rang me to ask if I would consider taking the role of District Chairman and my first thought was, “Heavens… I must be getting old!” However, this was the day following the abdication of Emperor Akihito of Japan, and that event had made me think a great deal about my Scouting, and my age! In 1971, as a16 year old (and yes, I know you are all doing the maths!), I was privileged to represent Rossendale District at the 13th World Scout Jamboree in Japan and there, after camping through 4 days of Typhoon Olive, in the foothills of sacred Mount Fuji, we were told we had 30 minutes to tidy up ourselves and our sodden campsite ready to be presented to Crown Prince Akihito and Crown Princess Michiko. On 30th April 2019, he abdicated to make way for new ideas and fresh leadership, but against a sound and stable history. I feel we, as Rushcliffe District, are in a very similar position as Fiona takes the role of DC from Kathryn and I follow on from Phil. Both have done excellent work to continue the strong tradition of Scouting, keeping fundamental and core values but changing aspects to adapt to current times. I hope that the same will be able to be said of Fiona and me in due course!

Scouting has a major influence on the lives of young people and we must never underestimate that. Most remember the great fun, the camps, the climbing, the canoeing…..and their Leaders! Most are proud to say they were in Scouting and are grateful for the experiences they had along the way – long may that continue.

Embrace change, don’t be frightened of it, but remember our roots, traditional skills and values. Looking back at photos from my Jamboree, I now realise that Scouting as an adult may keep you young at heart, but the years don’t half take their toll on the bodywork! I promise I will “Do My Best” to lead the Executive Committee with vigour and enthusiasm, and always with the best interests of our Young People and their Leadership teams at the centre of our discussions and decisions. - Tim Kirby (PS. 64 if your Maths is correct)

Crown Pince Akihito and Crown Princess Michiko returning

to their car after inspecting our Troop. Japan July 1971

Your new Chairman with Japanese home

hospitality host family – they spoke no

English, I spoke no Japanese!

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Off We Go Again Are we already for the new Scouting year?

Preparations were well under way during the Summer with our new DC, Fiona, and Chairman, Tim, getting into the swing of running the District following the excellent work of Kathryn and Phil.

All are back from camp including the Jamboree and Kanderstag.

We look forward to the Leaders’ Get Together in October and the Scout Incident Hike in November.

Stonepit has had a mixed Summer; the grass was cut by Martin Howick (thanks Martin) and is again growing well. Butterflies and Dragonflies were very much down in numbers compared with previous years, although I managed to photograph a Banded Demoiselle in July for my records.

We found the fence strainers had been stolen from the fence between the woods; a temporary repair has now been made.

Use Hollygate and Stonepit to put the OUT in ScOUTing.

Dave H.

1st2ndwbscouts.org.uk We’re back on the web!

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Rushcliffe Scouts 10th Anniversary Challenge

In celebration of our 10th Birthday all Rushcliffe Scout Groups were challenged to take on an unloved piece of land and to improve it. Explorers, Scouts, Cubs and Beavers across Rushcliffe have risen to the challenge with some exciting projects being undertaken. “Our young people have carried out some fabulous work around the District with some inspiring results!” says Fiona Burrows Rushcliffe District Commissioner.

1st/2nd West Bridgford Scouts and 1st Kinoulton Scouts began our endeavours with tidying and planting gardens for elderly residents. We have had 1st Gotham Cubs planting flower bombs ready to explode into wildflowers, 1st Keyworth Beavers, 2nd East Leake Beavers, 1st Shelford and East Bridgford, 1st/2nd, 4th and 9th West Bridgford Cubs have been litter picking or plogging. In 9th West Bridgford the Beavers helped out at Ashlea and the Scouts carried out beautification. 1st Ruddington Scouts cleared the vicinity around their scout hut and 1st Keyworth Cubs built bee homes. This is just the beginning: other groups around the District are completing their projects over the next few days. Our amazing leaders help build #Skillsforlife in young people around Rushcliffe. If you would like to get involved and join one of our teams please get in touch. Well done everyone! (newsdesk@westbridgfordwire.com)

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1st / 2nd West Bridgford Scouts 10th Anniversary Challenge

To celebrate the 10th anniversary of Rushcliffe Scouts each group was asked to undertake a community improvement project.

The Scouts at 1st/2nd West Bridgford Scouts thought it would be a wonderful idea to work with the neighbouring Metropolitan Homes Church Croft sheltered housing complex on Stratford Road, West Bridgford, to identify what they could do to improve the grounds for the residents.

The Scouts approached Denise Walls, Manager of Church Croft who advised that residents had recently requested that an overgrown flowerbed be transformed into a wildflower bed to attract wildlife such as bees and butterflies. However, they needed someone to do this for them. It was agreed that the Scouts would undertake this project and would seek donations to turn the bed into something special!

The idea was shared with residents who were delighted that the Scouts would undertake such a challenging project.

The Scouts got to work and approached Streetwise to request their support in preparing the plot. Streetwise kindly cleared the weeds and nettles and dug the soil over in preparation for the planting.

1st/2nd West Bridgford Scout group contacted local businesses, charities and residents to request donations and were overwhelmed with the response. Brook Farm, Moores Garden Centre and East Bridgford Garden Centre generously donated lots of plants and bulbs. Nottinghamshire Wildlife Trust donated wildflower seeds and local residents donated lots of plants following a campaign for donations on social media. The Scouts researched wildflower plants and made a plant donation each too.

On Monday 8th July, the Scouts arrived a Church Croft armed with lots of energy, spades, trowels, watering cans and a huge amount of beautiful plants. The Scouts worked incredibly hard in teams to plan the layout of the flowerbed. The Scouts began working away and carefully planted all of the wonderful plants and bulbs. Once the plants were in place the Scouts all got involved in watering the flowerbed and tidying the area.

The finished result was truly amazing and the residents and Scouts were incredibly pleased with what had been achieved

Rachel Taylor – Scout Sectional Assistant

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Jock’s Delights… How many times have we left, then driven back to the house, because we’ve forgotten something? Have many times have we started to prepare the first meal at camp and realised we have not brought one of the main ingredients? How many times have you needed a trip to the loo in the middle of the night at camp and realised you’ve left in a rush and not packed your torch?!! We’ve all done these things at some time but as Leaders we have one hundred and one things to think about and sometimes it happens! One thing we can’t rush or forget is our Programme. We have just seen off the Summer Break, and will start MAYBE? Start without planning for this term. Ask yourself; Have all the Leaders of your Section met during the holiday to plan? Is the Programme ready to start from day one? If so, have all the Leaders got a copy? OR, are you just making it up as you go along? Does everyone know what they are doing on day one? If you have said, a knotting session or a cooking with gas night:

• Who’s collecting the gas bottles and burners? • When are you picking them up? (If you leave it till the night before, they may be empty!) • Are the burners compatible to the gas bottles? • Have you enough rope suitable for purpose or are you winging it with a ball of string?! • Who’s picking up the food to cook? • Do we need plates etc...?

And that’s only the start of preparation ahead of your meeting night. PLANNING IN ADVANCE is the key. INVOLVING ALL LEADERS is essential, EVERY Leader needs a copy of the Programme. KEEP IT SIMPLE, ensure the Programme is FUN but achieves AWARDS as you go. YOU MAKE IT HAPPEN - without a Programme, it does not happen. And no-one can fool me otherwise that it does. Think outside the box; don’t just repeat the same old thing. Just a couple of hours in the local pub or your HQ you can, by keeping it SIMPLE, plan for a term. All will then achieve and you will get the satisfaction that the two hours together was worth it! Now just so you don’t miss out, there is still time to spend a fun day with Leaders from District and County at the Get Together in October. Just ring the office to book in (see my other article). There are five new offers of fun and challenge for your section and a long hot lunch to give everyone time to meet and change experiences. Yes, I know it’s the start of Bank Holiday but I’m guessing not all are off on holiday. So, if you’re not, then come along with your leaders, helpers and Young Leaders from you section. It’s all free! Just a way of saying Thank You for all you do! Enjoy! I’m off to Camp How about you? “Jock” Shaw DCC Programme.

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LEADERS, ASSISTANT LEADERS, HELPERS & YOUNG LEADERS ALL SECTIONS!!

What if I said...a narrow boat day out for your section at £3.50/head/day...

You’d probably laugh, but that’s only one of several opportunities going on the day!!

IT’S NOT TOO LATE TO HAVE A DAY OF FUN, LEARN OLD & NEW SKILLS AND GREAT OFFERS

AND MEET AND CHAT TO FELLOW LEADERS OVER A HOT LUNCH.

SO, IF NOT ALREADY DONE, BOOK YOUR PLACE NOW!!

“FREE” HOT LUNCH, “FREE” PARKING, PRIZES, GIVE-AWAYS, GUESTS AND A CHANCE TO TALK TO OTHER LEADERS FROM ACCROSS THE COUNTY

Book now!!! IT’s EASY!!

LEADERS GET TOGETHER: SUNDAY OCTOBER 20TH 9.30 FOR 9:45am start -3:45pm

AT: THE GRANGE, RADCLIFFE ON TRENT, NOTTINGHAM

You should have received booking forms by mail otherwise just ring the Scout Office on

01159 523617

YOU GOTTA LAUGH!! (With Jock Shaw) What’s the difference between a Hippo and a Zippo? One’s heavy. The other is a little lighter.

I asked to borrow Alan Hubbers hoover yesterday. He said “That’s ok Jock; it’s only upstairs gathering dust”.

How does Moses make coffee? Hebrews it.

Yesterday a clown opened the door for me. I thought that was a nice jester.

David Howard pioneered me a belt made from watches. I thought what a waste of time.

I had a dream at camp last week. Thought I was swimming in an ocean of orange and soda. But it just a Fanta-sea.

Colin told me there was a kidnapping at his school last week. I said “What happened?” He said “Oh nothing much... he woke up!”

I’m happy now. I used to be addicted to the HokeyCokey, but I turned myself around.

You needing cheering up even more... then just book your place at the Leaders Get Together!!

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JAMBO! My Name is Tom Chapman, I’m 15 years old and from 1st Wilford sea scouts in Nottingham. From the dates of the 20th July to 9th August of 2019 I got to be a part of an extraordinary experience, I was chosen with 39 other scouts from Nottinghamshire to go to the 24th World Jamboree in West Virginia, USA with 45 thousand other scouts and to travel to many amazing places like NYC, Washington DC and Canada.

Most of my experience of Scouting was of the little group of teens in Wilford but since I took the leap of going on the Jamboree and witnessed its magic, scouting will no longer be one of my hobbies, but it will influence my life forever.

At the Jamboree there was an abundance of activities (more than any

scout could ever do in the two weeks we had) but every single one was incredible, such as shooting, white water rafting, zip lining, Canopy tours, paddle boarding, kayaking, axe throwing, fly fishing, scuba diving, leap of faith, climbing, BMX, Mountain biking and many others. Even though there were monstrous lines, it allowed us time to talk with the people in the queue and make bonds. The jamboree had a modern approach to this. We could cement new friendships through a gadget called a Novus, when two people clicked theirs together it would flash purple and their personal profile would come up on the World Scout Jamboree app. When I wasn’t doing activates, I was trading badges and other collectibles which was an illustrious business at the jamboree.

But before we did this, we had to go to the opening ceremony, which was held by the host countries; Canada, Mexico and the USA. These were the most surreal memories of my time at the Jamboree and my fondest. There were surprise bands and guest like Bear Grylls. At the closing ceremony was the secretary general of the

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United Nations, Ban Ki-moon, whose message was to encourage us to become global citizens. My whole trip was not spent at the event, as I got to visit places like Washington DC, where I visited the Natural History museums and the Lincoln memorial. I also went to New York City and saw Time Square and the Statue of Liberty. I was also invited with 500 other UK contingent members to the ‘hosted hospitality’ in Ontario, Canada, where I visited the famous Niagara Falls.

The experiences I had at the jamboree I will cherish forever. I gained the knowledge of hundreds of different cultures, I created memories, made foreign friends, became a Global Citizen and made a second family.

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Cub Hike 2019 A joint report by the cubs who took part in the hike. Our Cub Leader told us about the event and it sounded good. Our group has only a team of six Cubs as the others were not available. We have been looking forward to it because we will meet new friends and learn how to communicate better. Also, we will gain another badge. We are going to camp in a tent, have marshmallows and fun.

We had to have walking boots, a sleeping bag and a pillow. Also, we needed food, a sun hat and water with us.

On one of the bases we had to write what we were excited about and what we were looking forward to.

We found the map reading was quite easy but a bit confusing until we got used to it. Reading map co-ordinates make map reading easier. The instructions are good as they tell you exactly where you are.

The weather has been very, very hot and sunny. We have been sweating.

On the ‘secret message base’ we had to decode a message. We had a picture of a keyboard and to decode from English we looked one letter to the left of the one we had. Then to code to English we looked to the right. It was easier to unscramble the message if you followed the instructions.

Some of the paths are obvious because of the signs. However, some of the paths were hidden as there were no signs and then we had to use maps and compasses.

At the ‘Butty base’ we had Hot Dogs with ketchup. Some were vegetarian which was good. To drink we had a choice of water, blackcurrant or orange. Orange was our favourite. The food was served in a serviette and the drink was in a reusable plastic cup. I would have liked some mustard on my Hot Dog! It was hard to memorise the message we were given as we had other things to do in between like eating! Then we had to repeat the message to another person. They were very strange messages.

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I future we could write some reports on camping, exploring, activities, teamwork and collaboration. One group have been recycling and built an igloo out of milk bottles which took several weeks. One team were lucky enough to have two badgers cross their path.

Towards the end of the hike the temperature has cooled down. It was 32 degrees and now its 25 degrees. It was baking hot when we started. I was very sweaty.

When I get back to camp I will sit down and congratulate myself and the others. Then take a rest, drink lots of water and lie down.

I will remember the odd messages, forgetting the message because of the Hot Dogs and the heat, fun and laughing,

Summer Camp with 9th West Bridgford On the 27th of July the 9th WB scout troop left the comfort of their own beds and the warmth of their homes, to travel to Wilersly camp site and partake in a truly wet, and wonderfully adventurous week.

A highlight of the week for me was stoning the cherries as a group on the Monday. It was such a fun activity to do as a group. And it was especially enjoyable when we had finished and the kitchen looked like a crime scene.

Another highlight was the high zip wire. For me this was a highlight because of how fun zooming down was.

So over all it was a jam packed and amazing week. As well as doing fun activities we had time to strengthen our bonds of friendship over social time and cooking. I feel like the week was a wonderful experience and I would regret not going very much. A massive thanks to Chiron and all the other leaders who gave up their week for us.

Matthew

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Awards

Bar to the Silver Acorn Peter Shepherd & Margaret Walker

Silver Acorn Margaret Nurse, Nigel Nurse & Susanne Youngson

Bar to the Award for Merit Tim Kirby

Award of Merit Christopher Hammond, Alexandra Hudson, Paul Mason, Benjamin Robertson, Korina Smith, Paul Stanley & Trevor Turney

Chief Scout’s Commendation

Karen Allaway, Robert Barrett, David Chalmers, Ann Dean,

Helen Godfrey, Alison Hayes, Gayle Keast,

Katherine McPherson, Marie Milnes, Eleni Spoors-Smith,

Annette Symes, Lisa Wakefield & Mike Wilson

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Chief Scout’s Long Service Awards

30 Years - Josephine Henson 25 Years - Simon Gillespie 20 Years - Alexandra Hudson & Neil Wilkes 15 Years - Thomas Godfrey, Jeremy Green & James Milnes 10 Years - Katie Fielding, Sheila Turner & Rebecca Walker 5 Years - Peter Aldridge, Karen Allaway, Nicola Harbourne, Andrew Peters, David Rennie & Stephen Thorne

Wood Badges

Cub Scout Emma Goodman, Michelle Law, Adam Dearnley, Lucy Bidgood & Justin Ashmore

Scout Neill Clingen

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John Barry Hallsworth July 1927 - May 2019

Barry was a Scout with 2nd West Bridgford. He then he went on to be an ADC with West Bridgford District. He organised events including Gliding for Scout Fellowship which he was a member. He was also involved with Stonepit Wood Campsite from before it opened in 1954 until the late 1980s.

Our thoughts are with his family and friends.