PITSFORD SCOUT GROUP

2016-2017 ANNUAL REPORT

Annual General Meeting

11th May 2017

AGENDA

1. Welcome

2. Apologies

3. Minutes of 2016 AGM

4. Approval of Group Scout Leader Report

5. Approval of reports from Beaver, Cub, Scout and Explorer Scout Leaders

6. Approval of Treasurer’s Report and Accounts

7. Approval of Group Scout Leader’s nomination of Group Chairman

8. Approval of Group Scout Leader’s nomination of the Group Executive Committee

9. Election of Officers:

a. Group Secretary

b. Group Treasurer

10. Appoint a Group Auditor

11. Election of the Group Executive Committee as members of the Group Council

12. Presentation of Chief Scout Silver Awards

13. Presentation on the trip to Kandersteg and Expedition to Uganda

14. District Commissioners remarks

15. Group Scout Leaders remarks

16. Chairman’s closing remarks

17. Date of next AGM - 17th May 2018

Chairman’sReport

ThePitsfordScoutGroupcelebratesits10thYearthisyearandcontinuestodeliveradventure,excitement,newchallengesandhavingfun.

GeorginaandherteamofLeaderscontinuetoworkhardindeliveringinterestingandvariedactivitiesinallsections.OrganisingtheseeventssafelyinvolvesconsiderableeffortandIwouldonceagainaskyoutosupportyourLeaderswheneverasked.ThehighlightoftheyearformewastheRemembranceDayParade/Service.ThiswasprobablythebestattendedRemembranceDayeventIcanrememberandIwasveryproudoftheGroupsinvolvementwiththeBritishLegioninmakingthisdayspecial.Itisimportantweallrememberthesacrificesmadebyothersforthefreedomweenjoytoday.ThisismylastChairman’sreportasIamnowsteppingdownandIwouldthanktheGroupforallowingmetobeinvolvedasIgowithsomeveryspecialmemories.Thankyou

Phil Wintle

GroupScoutLeadersReport

Itisalwaysrewardingtoreportonhighlightsofthepastyear.

WehavehadfantasticsupportatourtwoChurchparadesandallthecamps,thankyou

AhighlightformewastakingsixmembersfromourGroup,fiveofthemunder21yearsofage,alongwithfiveothers,onanexpeditiontoUgandainJuly.ThesesixhadneverexperiencedAfricabeforeletaloneUganda.Anenormousamountofpreparationandfundraisinghadgoneonbeforethiscouldhappen.Thetripwaswonderfulandthankyoutoallthosewhosupportedanyofthefundraisingevents.Theslideshowwilltellyouwhatawonderfultimewehadandaboveallalifechangingexperienceforeveryone.Idohopetheyreturnoneday.ItwasalsolovelytohavetwootherExplorersgooffontheDistrictTriptoKangerdsteginAugust.TheseopportunitiesgiveyoungpeopleawideroutlookonlifeandarealisationofwhatthefamilyofScoutingisallabout.

InAugustwehadannualvisittoNorthamptonSailingClubwhichisalwayspopularwiththeCubsandScouts.OursummertimesaresoshortthatScoutingshouldbeaboutbeingoutsideasmuchaspossible.WeareluckywiththefacilitywehaveattheSportsfield,theQuarryandReservoironourdoorstep.IamdelightedthattheScoutsarehavingacampinAugustitissuchawastetolosethatsummermonthwithoutscoutingactivitiesbutwemustrememberthattheLeadersaregivinguptheirtimetoputtheseeventsonsoabigthankyouthem.

Anotherhighlightwascelebratingour10thAnniversary.Itishardtobelievethatwearenow10yearsoldandanestablishedgroupwithinthecounty.OursectionsapartfromExplorersarefullandwillremainsoforacoupleofyears.IhavebrilliantteamofLeadersbehindmeandsomededicatedyoungLeaderstoo.TheyoungLeaderscomeeveryweektoassistuseventhoughtheyhaveimportantexamscomingupatcertaintimesofyeartheyhardlyevermissaweek.

IamdelightedthatNicolaCebakhasbecometheBeaverScoutLeaderandshealsohascompletedquiteabitofhertrainingalready.HavingaBeaverleaderhascertainlytakensomepressureoffmesincelastSeptember.ThankyouNicola.

IamalsodelightedthatAbiBiggshadnowbecomeaColonyassistantassheis18yearsoldandwilldosomeLeaderTrainingforthatrole

InFebruaryTonyandIreturnedtoUgandathistimeforaprivatevisitasSteventheyoungmanwhoseeducationwehavebeensponsoringfor17yearswasgraduatingfromMakerereUniversityinKampala.StevenhasaB.Sc.inEthnobotany,thestudyofplantsforuseindrugsandfood.ItwasaveryspecialvisitaswefeltwereallygottoknowStevenandhewillbeamemberofourfamilyforevermore.IfanyofyouareinterestedinsponsoringachildatOutspanNurseryandPrimarySchoolitcostsaround£350ayearandisveryrewarding.Youwouldreceivereports,lettersandphotosregularly.

MythanksgoasalwaystoallthecommittedLeaders,Assistants,YoungleadersandExecutivemembersoftheGroupwithoutwhosesupportIcouldnotdowhatIdo.Thankyoutoyouall.

AbigthankyougoestoPhilWintlewhohasbeenmyChairmanfor5years.Philhasbeenagreatsupportandusuallyattendsthemanyfunctionswehold.SallyalsoisalwaysbehindhimandthankyouSallyforyoursupporttoo.IwelcomeAdrianPalmertotherole.

InJulywearelookingforwardtoanothercelebrationofour10thBirthdaywithanoutingtoWicksteedPark.

AbigthankyoutoBlueSkiesHoldingsandPitsfordBranchoftheRoyalBritishlegionwhogivetheGroupanenormousamountofsupport,andespeciallySimonDerrickwhohashelpedenormouslyinthepreparationofthisreportandslideshow.

Georgina Miles GSL

IwasoverseeingtheBeaverScoutColonyuntilNicolaJoinedusinSeptember.WehaveafullcolonyoflovelyenergeticBeaverswhokeepusonourtoes!

OurStGeorgessDayParadeatthestartoftermwaswellsupportedthankyou.InMaywecompletedtheExperimentbadgebygrowingcressinaneggbox.DiditworkIask?ThenweheldaBeaverSleepoverintheWillSmithChaletatOverstoneScoutActivityCentre,itwasgreatfunforeveryonewhotookpart.TheBeaversgainedtheircampcraftbadge,partoftheOutdoorChallengeandAdventureChallengebadges.IsoenjoybeingoutandaboutinthesummertermandwearefortunatetobeabletousetheSportsfield.WehadafitnesseveningrunbyChrisPlowmanfromPacesetterSports.NeilBlissettfromGlendonDistrictcametoteachtheBeaverssomecircusskills.OllietaughttheBeaverssomeKnotsandwefinishedthetermwithaVERYwetandwildeveningontheSportsfield.

CongratulationstoJoshuaCarley,PipCorbett,AliceMackaness,OliverStanbridge,TomFarebrother,MasonGray,HarryKnights,andRowenMylesongainingtheirChiefScoutsBronzeAwardthisyear

AbigthankyoutoPenny(Hedgehog)whoisalwaystheretosupportmeandtotheparenthelperswhohavebeensosupportiveoverthelast2½yearsandtotheYoungLeaders.

Georgina Miles GSL

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ReportcontinuedfromNicolaCebakBSL

WestartedtheAutumntermwhenItookontheroleofBeaverLeader.WehadanexcellenttalkfromKarenAtherton,whoturnedthepavilionintoanairplaneandtheBeaversgainedtheirairactivitybadge.ThefollowingweekwehadavisitfromthefiredogsandhadafabulousworkingdisplayfromWillowtheLabradorwhoshowedushowshedetectedanaccelerantontheSportsfield.ThistalkandthetalkthefollowingweekfromNABenabledtheBeaverstogaintheirdisabilitybadge.

WehadagreatdayoutatTwinLakes,joining300otherBeaverfromthecountyonSat15thOctober.

TheBeaversalsoworkedhardtogethertomake2scarecrowsthatwereenteredintothevillagescarecrowcompetitionheldattheVillagechurch.

WestartedthetermwelcomingHarveywhoisdoinghisservicewiththeDukeofEdinburghAwardScheme.Wehadasparklersandsmoreseveningwithsomefabulouscampfiresinging.TherewasanexcellentturnoutfortheRemembranceParadeandthepracticingofhymnsandtheNationalAnthemreallypaidoffastheBeaverscouldbeheardallroundthechurch.Weendedthetermwithacoupleofcraftnightsmakingsnowmen,reindeersandChristmascardsandthenanexcellentChristmaspartywithavisitfromSANTA!

OneofourBeaversswitchedontheChristmastreelightsonthevillagegreen.

WehavestaredtheJanuarytermbygainingourInternationalbadges,withBeaverslearningagreetingfromanothercountryandavisitorteachingthemaFrenchsong.Theyalsomadeflags,ChineselanternsandsampledChinesefoods.WehadaWelshvisitorwhotaughtusaboutWalesandtheWelshflagemblemsandalphabet

WejoinedtheCubsforabeetledriveon2ndFebandallunitsforourAnniversarypartyon9thFeb.

WehadanamazingtriptoPinnacleclimbingwall,theBeaversdidsowellandArchiewasinvestedhalfwayuptheclimbingwallwhichissomethingIhopehewon’tforget.TheBeaversgainedtheirphotographersbadgebytakingphotographsofobjectsthatlookedlikeletterstomakethewordPitsford.Aprofessionalphotographerthencameinandcritiquedthephotos.Weendedthetermbymakingdaffodilmother’sdaycardsandanEasteregghuntroundthequarry.

AbigthankyoutoPenny(Hedgehog)andGeorginafortheirsupportandtotheYoungLeadersAbi,JackandHarvey.WeappreciateyourhelpsomuchandaresopleasedthatAbihasstayedonafterher18thinaLeaderroleasaColonyassistant

Nicola Cebak,BeaverScoutLeader

WehaveafullCubPackthisyearandIhavebeenhelpedandsupportedbyRebecca(Rama),ourAssistantCubScoutLeaderaswellasSally(Hathi)andJasmyne(Raksha)whoarebothPackAssistants.ThisyearwehavealsobeenjoinedbyEvan,aformerCubwhoisdoinghisD.O.Ewithusasayoungleader.

Onceagainthecubsenjoyedanotherbusyandfunfilledyear.

InApril,wecelebratedStGeorge’sDaywithourannualparadearoundPitsford,followedbyaserviceatthechurch,

Wehaveworkedonweatherforourscientistbadgeandcompassdirectionsandstringtomakepictures,gainedpartoftheOurSkillsbadgebydoingcircuittrainingallbeforeenjoyingourSouthAmericanthemedcampinMayatOverstoneScoutActivityCentre.

InJunewebuiltdensinaidofSavetheChildrenandthenenjoyed100thBirthdayofCubScoutingbyjoiningwithotherpacksfromtheCountyataJungleBookthemedCubCamp.WecompletedahikearoundPitsfordandBoughtonandendedabusysummertermwithafunwaternight.DuringthesummerweenjoyedawateractivitydayatNorthamptonSailingclub,wheretheCubsandScoutsbuiltraftsandsailed.

TheAutumntermstartedwiththeannualSixercampatOverstoneandwehadavisitfromDaveofRaptorXotics,whobroughtinvariousbirdsofpreysuchasowlsandeagles,whichwasallveryinteresting.

InOctoberwedidourEmergencyFirstAidbadge,aswellascelebrating950yearsoftheBattleofHastingsbybuildingourownfortressesandcastles.

BonfireNightcameinNovemberatOverstoneScoutActivityCentrewhichwasfun,Rebeccaplannedanundertheseathemednight.WethenjoinedtheScoutGroupforourannualRemembranceParade.WealsoexperiencedfoodfromUganda,whenGeorginaandTonyhostedaUgandanthemednight.

WefinishedofftheyearwithaScandinaviancraftnightandhadourChristmasPartyatTenPinBowling.

AtthestartoftheNewYearwedidsomemapreadingandstartedourknottingboards.WealsohadanAustraliaandNewZealandthemednightwherewelearnedthehakaandhadaboomerangrace.

InFebruarywecelebratedPitsfordScoutGroup’s10thBirthdaybyhavingabigpartywithallsectionsandweenjoyedseeingsomeoldfaces.Wealsocompletedourroadsafetybadge.

InMarchweperfectedourpancakemakingskillsaswellasbeginningtheDisabilityAwarenessbadgebylearningsignlanguageandbraille,wealsoplayedsitdownvolleyball.WefinishedtheSpringtermbyhavinganEasteregghuntaroundtheQuarry

CongratulationstoGeorgeDarlington,ArchieCorbett,FinleyMyles,EmmaBuckingham,CameronAult,JackFarebrother,JemimaHawkins,EdwardMackaness,CharlieO’Neill,andJamesWilkinsonachievingtheirChiefScoutSilverAwardandmovinguptoScouts.AsusualIwouldliketosayabigTHANKYOUtoalltheCubsforcomingalongeveryweekandtoalltheparentsfortheirsupport.AnotherthankyouneedstogotoSally,Rebecca,JasandnowEvanforallyoursupportandcommitment,Icouldn’tdoitwithoutyou,andtoGeorginaforallyourmuchappreciatedhelpandsupport.

VIcky TooneCubScoutLeader

TheScoutSectionhasnowreached20innumber.

WeheldanightwheretheScoutshadtosetupacampsiteusingapaperitem,whichwasagoodtaskandinterestinganswersastowherethingswereput.

WehikedaroundHanningtonvillagewhichwasgoodandScoutspracticedtheircompassskills.

WehadafuneveningatOverstonemakingaverylargeswingusingpioneeringpolesandrope,butweranoutoftime.

InMaytheScoutshadafunnightbackwoodscookinginafieldinPitsford,joininguswere2ratherlargehorses,theScoutsmadefires,thencookedcamptwistsandpopcorn.Funhadbyall!

InJunewetook12ScoutscampingatJohnLeecampsiteinLeicestershire,wehadachallengingcamp,enjoyingdaysoutatConkersandBradgatecountrypark.

TheScoutsallfinishedtheircircusskillsbadgewiththehelpfromLeadersfromthecountybringingdifferentskillsandequipment.

Wefinishedthesummertermwithawetandwildnightwithwaterslideroundersandtheyallenjoyedgettingwet.

WestartedinSeptemberwithsortingouttheircodeofconductandalsoathreestrikerule,alltheScoutswereinvolvedinthechoosingofthecodeandthreestrikerule.Wehavesofaronlyusedthe3strikeruleonce.

TheScoutsenjoyedthevisitofIanandhisfireinvestigationdog,demonstratingvariousthingstheydowiththefireservice.

WehadanightatOverstonebackwoodscookingmakingcakeinoranges,somelikeditsomedidnot,andtoastedsandwicheswhichwereenjoyedbyall.

WetooktheScoutsonawalkroundSywellCountryParkfortheGeocachingbadgeandattheendoftheeveningweinvestedaScoutontheropebridgeintheplayarea,whichwasachallengeinitself.

ScoutshadabrillianttimeatBoostTrampolineCentreandtheywouldliketogoagain.

WehadagoodturnoutfortheRemembranceParadewith2scoutsreadingapoeminChurchwhichresultedintheirreceivingthePersonalChallengebadge.

WealsoparticipatedintheChristmascarolsonthevillagegreenwithagoodturnoutinthecoldfortheChristmasTreelightswitchon.

FortheScouts’endoftermtreattheywenttenpinbowlingwhichtheyallenjoyed.

InJanuarywetook6scoutsonBrassMonkeycamp,intheverycold,allenjoyingactivitiesbasedaroundtheWinterOlympics.

WehadavisitatthePavilionfromTonyareptilekeeperwhogaveaninterestingtalkonthecareofhisreptileswhichheclearlylovesandtheScoutshadfunbeingabletotoucheverythingfromsnakestomeerkats.

TheScoutshaveallbeenworkinghardtowardstheirSkillsChallengebadgewithvariouschallengesalongthewaytoincludechangingalightbulb,wiringaplug,cleaningandmopping,ironingtheirneckersandfoldingthem.Thebestnightwastheirsupperchallengeroundthevillagewheretheyhad4differentvenuestogoto,ateachonetheyhadtodoatasktowinpartofasupper,theyallenjoyeddoingitandabigthankyougoesouttothehelpersthatnight.

TheScoutsalsocompletedtheirPhysicalRecreationbadgewithalltheexercisetheydid.

WeallhadafunfillednightinFebruarycelebratingPitsfordScoutGroup’s10thbirthday.AveryinterestingquizwassetbyaChilbyandalltookpart.Wealsoenjoyedseeingphotosfromthelast10years.AbigthankyougoestoEvonne,JulieAssistantScoutLeadersandOliie,andtoGeorginaforallthesupport.

Brenda FaulknerScoutLeader

WhilstitseemslikeonlyyesterdaythatwestartedthePitsfordExplorerUnit,itwasfouryearsagowhenwefirstmet.SincethenwehavewelcomednewExplorerseveryyear.

Anumberofyoungpeoplewhocameintotheunitat14yearsofagehaverecentlyleftorwillbeleavingthisyear.

AsLeaderswehopetheyenjoyedtheirExplorerexperienceandthatinsomesmallwaywewereableto‘mentor’themfromchildhoodintoadulthood.

Wehavetriedtogivethemnewexperiencesthatbothentertainandeducatethem.

Justsomeofthememorableevents:

AguidedtourofWestminsterPalace,byourMPChrisHeatonHarris.

AtouroftheF1ForceIndiafacility.

AholidaytotheInternationalScoutCentreinKandersteginSwitzerland.

AhumanitariantripwithGeorginaandTonytotheOutspanSchoolprojectinUganda.

Fundraisingforourcommunity.

AninspirationaltalkfromChrisPlowmanonhistrekstoEverestBaseCampandanExpeditiontotheArctic.

CampingatOverstoneScoutActivityCentreandaresidentialatWhitemoorLakes.

Karting,wallclimbing,iceskating,scubadiving,swimming,andhiking.

Wewillcontinuewithprogrammesdesignedtoexciteandengageouryoungpeople.

Ourunithasdepletedslightlywiththelossofsomany‘founders’oftheExplorerunitbutwelookforwardtowelcomingnewfaceseveryterm.

WhilstExplorersupholdsthevaluesandtraditionsofscoutingitismorerelaxedandinformal,allowingyoungpeopletodevelopandexpressthemselves.

Ifyouare14to18yearsold,maleorfemale,andyouhavenotexperiencedbeinganExplorerpleasedonothesitatetocontactgeoffyoewart@btinternet.comtofindoutmore.

TheunitisopentoyoungpeoplefromsurroundingvillagesnotjustPitsford.

AbigthankyoutoJessunitassistantandEvonnewhocoveredformewhilstIwasunwellintheNewYear.

Geoff YeowartExplorerScoutLeader

GROUPTREASURER’SREPORT

MylastreportreferredtoallthefundraisingthathadgoneoninthelastfinancialyeartowardstheExplorertripstoUgandaandKanderstegandtheOutspanprojecttobuildanewgirls’dormitoryatOutspanSecondarySchool.SincethelastAGMbothtripshavetakenplaceandthenewdormitoryhasbeenfinished,paintedbythoseExplorerswhowenttoUgandaandformallyopenedbythem.

AsaresultthisfinancialyearhasbeenalittlequieterfortheTreasureralthoughtheroutineincomingsandoutgoingsgivemeplentytodo.TheGiftAidclaimfortheyearto31/3/16hasbeenmadeandtotherevenue’screditthesumofaround£1000appearedintheGroup’sbankaccountwithindaysoftheclaimbeingsubmitted.TheamountweareabletoclaimunderlinestheimportanceandbenefittotheGroupofallwhoareabletodosocompletingaGiftAidform.Ithashelpedusenormouslytobeablekeepsubscriptionsatthesamelevelsincethegroupopened.

OnceagainJamesBellamyhasbeenkindenoughtoundertakethescrutinyofthebooksandpreparationoftheAccountsandmythankstohim.Andathankyoutoalltheparentswhopaythesubscriptions,mostlyontime,andthushelpkeeptheGroup’sfinancesingoodshape.

Tony Miles

GroupTreasurer

Above:thenewdormitoryblockatOutspanSecondarySchool(left)andthesomeoftheOutspanScoutsinnewuniformsdonatedbyaScoutGroupmember(right).

CHIEF SCOUT AWARD ROLL OF HONOUR 2016-2017

Bronze Award Silver Award Gold Award

Beaver section Joshua Carley

Pip Corbett Tom Farebrother

Mason Gray Harry Knights

Alice Mackaness Rowen Myles

Oliver Stanbridge

Cub Section Cameron Ault

Emma Buckingham Archie Corbett

George Darlington Jack Farebrother Jemima Hawkins

Edward Mackaness Finley Myles

Charlie O’Neill James Wilkins

Scout Section

Our10YearBirthdayCake

www.pitsfordscouts.com