Petersham and Ham Sea Scouts newsletter

Autumn 2016

SCOUTING is all about helping those less fortunate than ourselves - and here’s a chance to help some of the world’s most needy. Along with Crusader Travel in Twickenham, I am organising a collection for the Calais Refugee Camp and we need your help.We are looking for donations of sleeping bags, mats, blankets and tents. We also need food including cartons of UHT milk, 1kg bags of rice, sugar or lentils, cooking oil, tinned chickpeas, fruit, veg or kidney beans plus tea, coffee and dried fruit and nuts.Please bring your donation to Crusader Travel 57-58 Church Street, Twickenham TW1 3NR by Friday October 14.

We also need Cubs and Scouts to volunteer to sort the donations on a rota basis up to October 14, and helpers to drive to Calais with the collection on October 20 and 21.

If you can help, please contact: Shona on 020 8744 0474 or email: shona@crusadertravel.com or email maggie.boden@btinternet.com.

Finally, we need to raise £150 to cover the travel and ferry costs, so please donate at:

https://www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/shona-lyons

Newsletter Editor

the ‘Fundraising’ section as we urgently need to bank the money before planning permission runs out in April next year. Even if you can only spare a pound or two, it all helps, so please dig deep and read on to see if you can contribute and get the New Scout Hut built.

Finally, thank you to everyone who sent stories and photos for the newsletter. If you’d like your article or activity to be featured in the Spring edition, please email me at pandhnewsletter@gmail.com - and I look forward to hearing from you. Many thanks and I’ll see you at the Scout Hut.

A VERY warm welcome to our Autumn newsletter, just as the days and nights are getting chillier. In this edition we take a look back at what the Troop was up to over the long, hot summer - and we take a look forward to all the wonderful events coming up this winter.

Now on the run up to Christmas it’s also time to think of those less fortunate than ourselves, so please support our efforts to help others, including Maggie Perrin’s Calais Refugee Trip with donations needed this week!

Meanwhile closer to home there’s still quite a way to go to raise the money we need for New Phoenix - and time is of the essence. Please read Karin’s update in Jane Hamilton

TROOP NEWS

CALAIS REFUGEE DONATIONS by MAGGIE PERRIN

I’M A CELEBRITY, GET ME INTO THE SCOUT HUT by KARIN NOBLE

IBN BATTUTA CUB CAMP by KARIN NOBLE

THANK YOU AND GOODBYE from SARAH ELVISS

EACH year the Troop comes together to say a special thank you to the people who put in extra effort and make it possible for our members to enjoy such an amazing range of activities. This year our annual Celebrity Dinners were held on Tuesday May 3 and Friday May 6, with the Scouts cooking up a delicious feast at the Scout Hut.Four patrols cooked a three-course meal for up to five guests each, and a wonderful time was had by all.

SCOUTING is for everyone so we are proud of our links with the Ibn Battuta Scout Group. Based in Whitton, this branch of 3rd Whitton Scout Group caters for young people from the local Muslim community and introduces them to all that Scouting has to offer.

Each year we host an event with Ibn Battuta and this year their Cub Pack camped in

Douglas House Meadow. They had a great time visiting Ham House garden and canoeing on the Thames. Next year we hope to hold a joint camp with them, so watch this space!

MONDAY Cubs leader Sarah Elviss is moving to Germany as her husband has been posted there for Military service. So as we say Auf Wiedersehn but not Goodbye, here’s Sar-ah’s farewell message.

Dear Monday Cubs & Parents,Thank you so much for your generous gifts, which I will enjoy and have very fond memories of my time at P&H Sea Scouts. I have thoroughly enjoyed working with both the Beavers and Cubs and it has been great fun getting to know your children!It is a real pleasure to see them learn, grow and enjoythemselves every week! A massive “thank you” though to Andy, Paul, Richard and Matthew, your fantastic Lead-ers, who run the show every week! I am also extremely grateful to Karin, who welcomed me and the boys so warmly over two years ago when we moved to the area. I hope that you all have a fantastic year and that all the children con-tinue to enjoy Scouting - wherever that may be!

Kind regards, Sarah

A NEW LITTER IN THE MONDAY CUB PACK

CUBJAM

DESPITE Sarah’s sad departure Monday Beavers and Cubs continues to go from strength to strength. Please join us in congratulating all our newest members - pic-tured here at their investiture - and all the Cubs who gained so many badgers over the Summer Term.

If you’re new to the pack, here’s the Cub Scout Promise, Law and Motto for you to print, learn and keep.

The Cub Scout Promise:I promise that I will do my best. To do my duty to God and to the Queen.

To help other people. And to keep the Cub Scout Law.

The Cub Scout Law:Cub Scouts always do their best. Think of others before themselves.

And do a good turn every day.

The Cub Scout Motto:Be Prepared

DEADLY 60 star Steve Backshall helped unveil a giant Lego birthday cake to mark 100 years of the Scouting Movement. The TV adventurer joined over 1,200 young Cub Scouts from across England and Wales at the CubJam event in Gilwell Park Activity Centre in East London over the Summer.

The mega cake was built by the UK’s only LEGO Certified Professional builder, Duncan Titmarsh, and constructed of a whopping 22,000 LEGO bricks.The tricky creation was topped with 100 Lego candles by Cubs from across the country

Rachel Jardine aged 10, Cub Scout from Fenstanton, Cambs, said: “CubJam is brilliant. I have made friends with other Cubs from all over the place. I have done so manyactivities and had I loved taking part in all the campingactivities.”

Louise Clover, an adult who has helped to organise the event, said: “Most people don’t realise how much fun it is being a volunteer with Scouting. It’s great to put my spare time into something that makes such a difference to so many boys and girls. It helps them to believe they can do anything. I love being part of a team with a like-minded bunch of people running events like this. You can’t beat the feeling when you see the young people having so much fun.”

Want to volunteer yourself? See our Helping Hands section below.

WE KNOW P&H is special, but it’s always lovely whenothers recognise our efforts too. So please join with us in congratulation Devin Cleta who was presented with his Chief Scout Gold Award by District Commissioner, Mike Pain.

Other awards over the last few months include Chris Wright who was presented with a long service certificate, also by District Commissioner, Mike Pain.

LOTS of our helpers have been working hard to earn their pulling (rowing) permits to take our boats out onto the Thames. Our photo shows the members of P&H who gained their attendance certificate for the weekend course at the District Scout Boating Centre in April. From left to right: Russell Holroyd, Marie Stefan, Robin Corti centre (Assessor for permits) Him Huggett and Christine Taylor.

DID you know St George is the patron saint of Scouts? In ‘Scouting for Boys’, Baden-Powell said that St George was typical of what a Scout should be. When St George faced danger he did not avoid it but went at it with all the power he could, and that is exactly the way a Scout should face a difficulty no matter how great or terrifying it may appear. He should go at it boldly and confidently, using every power that he can, and the probability is that he will succeed.So, the Sunday nearest to St. George’s Day has become an annual occasion for UK Scouts to hold ceremonies tore-affirm their Promise and acknowledge the Scout Law.On April 17th the Scouts and Cubs and Beavers did just that, in Richmond College Hall and on the streets of Twick-enham. A big thank you to everyone who attended for P&H.

THE Jack Petchey award allowed us to go horseriding recently with the lovely team at Ham House Stables. You couldn’t ask for a nicer way to spend a Friday evening.

AWARDS & PRIZES

VISITS & ACTIVITIES

AMAZING AWARDS!

ON THE PULL THANK YOU JACK by CON O’BRIEN

BY GEORGE! by CON O’BRIEN

MATCH OF THE DAY by SARAH ELVISS

SCOUTS BOARD HMS DUNCAN by CON O’BRIEN

OUR WORLD OF ADVENTURES AT CHESSINGTON by ANNABEL HOBLEY

HE SHOOTS, he scores and he raises a magnificent £320.70! That was the fantastic result from the Six-a-Side football tour-nament at the Kew and Ham grounds in Riverside Drive, Ham.Held in the glorious early summer Sunshine on May, 30 junior members took part in the tournament

As well as entry fees to the tournament, we raised £73 from the raffle and £37 from the barbecue. Thank you all for your support, and the grounds are booked for an even larger event for next year.

THE Saturday Cubs had a real adventure when they spent the day at Chessington World of Adventures in September.

Russell Holroyd (Special Activities Co-ordinator) was desig-nate the job of measuring up our Cubs for the rides’ height restrictions! The photos were taken by Charlotte Krag, profes-sional photographer & Cubs mum, as a memory of the special day and all the fun we had.

ALL aboard, me hearties! Petersham & Ham Sea Scouts were lucky enough to spend a Sunday morning on HMS Duncan while she was moored at Canary Wharf. HMS Duncan is one of the Royal Navy’s newest ships, a type 45 Destroyer. The Scouts received complimentary tickets to visit the ship from our RN sponsors.While on board, we took a look into the operations room where the crew monitored threats to the ship from the air, the surface and sub-surface. We saw the big gun on deck, and tried to

lift the heavy 35 kg rounds. The crew told us they can lift and load one of these every four seconds - a truly impressive feat!

The Royal Marines showed us some of their weapons which we even got to handle (unloaded of course!), and we got to try out the firefighting gear. At the end of the visit we stood on the helicopter deck and invested our new Scout Oliver. A great day out.

CUBS CENTENARY CAMP AT WALTON FIRS by CHRIS WRIGHT

SCOUTS WALTON FIRS CAMP by CON O’BRIEN

HOWZAT by ALEC HAMILTON

WHAT do you get when you mix 280 Cubs plus 60 helpers and leaders? The answers - a weekend filled with fun!

The Cubs Centenary Camp at Walton Firs was a fantastic opportunity for Cubs from across the local area to get to-gether, learn new skills and enjoy the great outdoors.

Amongst the activities on offer were climbing, crate stacking, caving and having a water fight. Every spare moment was used to kick a football round the field. A highlight was the £3 token for the tuck shop, which our Cubs exchanged for a great variety of souvenirs - bracelets, woggles and shiny sand filled animals and as many sweets as possible to make up exactly £3.

When Sunday morning dawned the boys were up at 5.30am who naturally then woke up the girls - but who needs sleep at camp anyway. The children went home tired but happy, which is exactly as it should be on a successful camp!

EVERY year we join other Scouts groups from Richmond Upon Thames borough, for a weekend camp at Walton Firs campsite at Cobham. 2016 was a camp of sudden downpours, muddy adventure courses, a solid perfor-mance on the tug-of-war, and a campfire only slightly distracted by real-time updates from the Euro finals!

THE Monday Cubs were bowled over to have a cricket training sessions with Monday dad Geoff Bond. We met on Ham Common - some of us in cricket whites andothers in their sports gear.

Whether you’d played cricket before or were a totalbeginner, Geoff made it fun for everyone. The sun shone, the stumps fell and we all enjoyed our evening session.

You could say it was wicket, not wicked!

THE JUNE ‘SCUBS’ CAMP by RUSSELL HOLYROYD

SWIMMING - OR ROWING! - AGAINST THE TIDE by CON O’BRIEN

THE Cubs gathered on a gloomy but dry afternoon in mid-June and with some welcome help from parents we pitched the camp in good time. We had a range of participants, some new Cubs on their first camp, some old Cubs transitioning to Scouts, newly named the Scubs, and even some visitors from the other groups.

Dinner was provided by the Cubs with help from Rebecca, lighting some stubbornly damp wood from the forest and cooking full backwoods flat bread, sausage and beans, with chocolate banana dessert.

In the evening we walked off our dinner by visiting Pem-broke Lodge and King Henry VIII mound, learning the gruesome reason that it was built. King Henry who was resident in Hampton Court Palace wanted to know im-mediately when his “divorce” to Anne Boleyn was com-plete. A signal man with a red flag on top of St Pauls let a messenger posted on top of the mound know when the deed was done, so avoiding a lengthy wait on a messen-ger travelling from London.

After cocoa and marshmallows the cubs settled down to a quiet night, all this before midnight - but only just.

The leaders were once more grateful to be awoken with the dawn chorus of cubs up at 6am and pleased to find Karin, the Bear Grylls of P&H, untouched by wild animals or cold temperatures after sleeping under the stars in her fortress of fold away tables.

Pancakes were provided for breakfast by the Cubs with a little help from Annabel. A game of Kwik Kick Crick-et, while the tents dried in the glorious sun, then camp was cleared away as if we were never there. Once again helped by the parents we achieved this in record time, many thanks all help is greatly appreciated!

ALL P&H Scout troops had a chance to pull on the eight-oared Royal Shallop ‘Jubilant’ out of Richmond Pier over the summer. It’s a large vessel, and took some work to get upstream against an outbound tide. It took an hour of hard work to reach Petersham Meadow - and then about five minutes to come back downstream!

Many thanks to Dick Byswater for getting us safely out and back home.

ON A glorious sunny evening in September the Cubs from Seawolves had a fantastic time paddle boarding at Thames Young Mariners. None of them had done this before so they arrived with a mixture of apprehension and excitement, but it wasn’t long before they were all up and standing on their boards. There was much shrieking and laughter and as they wobbled and fell in - nobody minded getting soaked as that was half the fun!

SATURDAY Cubs set sail on the Jubilant on May 21 and had fantastic fun out on the river.

We had to hold up some really heavy oars while the leaders pushed the boat away from the dock. We also had to be careful when going under Richmond Bridge because we didn’t want to crash against the sides of the bridge - and luckily we didn’t.It was quite hard rowing because it was very windy and there were other rowers on the water. Rowing back towards Richmond Bridge was easier because the wind wasn’t against us, it was helping us.The girls had to row longer than the boys, but it was harder for the boys because the wind was against them. But on the way back the boys seemed happy being in the cabin while the girls rowed, as they got a break after all the effort they put rowing against the wind!

All our Jubilant Cub rowers did fantastically: first time rowers, huge great oars and - most challengingly - a strong headwind. It was deeply impressive and we can’t wait to get out again.

THE Saturday Scouts took going underground to new depths after exploring an ancient chalk mine. The Scouts teamed up with 89th Reading Scouts who are qualified mine explorers, to delve into the pit which dates back to the 15th century.

The Reading Troop took us 25m under their HQ to tour this massive complex, which included a WWII bunker. A big thank you to all who helped organise this amazing day.

SEAWOLVES PADDLE BOARDING by KATE RHODES

MINE CRAFT! By THE SATURDAY SCOUTS TEAM

SATURDAY CUBS OUT ON THE JUBILANT by TANJA

FUNDRAISING - WHAT WE’VE RAISED

First, the

THE GREAT P&H BAKE OFF by ANNABEL BARNETT

MOVE over Mary Berry! May 15 saw P&H host our very first ‘Bake Off’ competition. It was a resounding success and raised over £200 within a couple of hours.All ages and abilities rose to the challenge and produced some delicious bakes ranging from sumptuous cupcakes to delightful and moreish traditional cakes.

All the tempting treats were well received by those out for a Sunday stroll on the towpath. Bakes were judged by two passers-by who eagerly agreed to adjudicate. Med-als were awarded as prizes and among with winners were George Noble winning ‘Best in Show’ for his carrot cake, beautifully decorated with delicate edible pansies. Josh Cavanagh (Wednesday Cubs) won ‘Most original cup cakes’ with his toffee popcorn offerings.

Many thanks to everyone who participated; it was a real-ly enjoyable afternoon and great to raise some funds for P&H Sea Scouts in the process. Same time next year?

ALL THE FUN OF THE FAIR by ALEC HAMILTON

GREAT RIVER RACE by KARIN NOBLE

ACTIVE KIDS by KARIN NOBLE

RUNNING TOTAL by KARIN NOBLE

ROLL up, roll up! The crowds enjoyed all the fun of Ham Fair on June 10 as the Troop pocketed an impressive £444.82.

Many thanks to everyone who baked up the cookies and brownies which sold, well like hot cakes! Our tombola was popular too with fantastic prizes including hampers, Disney gifts and pampering sets.

Lots of Cubs and Scouts helped out on the rota whileothers spent their pocket money at the stall. It was a greatafternoon and all in a good cause for the New Phoenix project.

A RIVAL supermarket may claim ‘Every Little Helps’ but thanks to everyone who gave P&H their Sainsbury’s Active Kids vouchers, we now have a lot more equipment for the Troop. Thanks to you generosity, we’ve been able to exchange the tokens for compasses, first aid kits, holdall bags for our equipment, a ball carrying net, fuel for our expeditions, trangia cookers and vegetable peelers for cooking activities. We really appreciate the kindness of everyone who donated, so thank you.

OVER 5,000 runners flocked to Richmond on Sunday 18th September for the annual Richmond Running Festival - and P&H were on hand to hand out the drinks.

We teamed up with the Runfest organisers to man six mar-shalling stations and had 49 helpers on the water station. Everyone volunteering was part of the annual Family Camp so we appreciate you giving up your time to help out.

As a result of our efforts, we received a donation of £1,330 with Runfest Director Tom Bedford saying: “You are all stars!”

Runfest have booked the Scout Hut again for next year so get on your marks to help out again!

THERE was no messing about on the River at this year’s annual Great River Race. Instead everyone worked extra hard to raise a tremendous £507.44 manning the riverbank refreshment stall.

Our keen Cubs and Scouts roped in customers and upped the total by waving collection buckets in aid of our building fund for our new hut.

FUNDRAISING - HOW YOU CAN HELP

BUT there’s more to be done …. NEW PHOENIX UPDATE by KARIN NOBLE

BE A BRICK AND BUY A BRICK

TAKE TEN by GABRIEL MATEI

AS LEADER of the local Petersham & Ham Sea Scouts troop, I’m often asked how Sea Scouts differ from Land Scouts.

While much of what we seek to instil into the youngster is the same - including resourcefulness, resilience, teamwork, understanding and empathy - the simple truth is we do it both on water and the land.The Sea Scout programme puts considerable emphasis on water activities and also incorporates many aspects of naval and nautical traditions, and I like to think that makes us rather special. Living so close to the Thames and in an area rich in nautical history, it’s also wonderful to know we’re passing down a love of the waves to the next generations.

Now teaching these sea skills and making wonderful childhood memories comes at a cost, and we are urgently in need to a new boathouse to store the Troop’s precious equipment. Although planning permission has been granted for the project, known as the ‘New Phoenix’ hut, it runs out in August 2017.

Costs have risen from an estimated £600,000 to £700,000 and we still need to raise a huge £325,000.

So I’m calling on the local community to help us pull out all the stops so our new project can set sail. Every donation counts - so even if you can only afford a pound or two to secure the site for our future Sea Scouts - please let us know.

And if you can manage a larger donation or an interest-free loan, we will be forever grateful.

For more information please see our website at www.pandh.org.uk or email me directly at karinnoble@blueyonder.co.uk

WOULD you like you or your child’s name carved into the new Scout Hut for future generations to see?For just £25, you can Buy a Brick which will have the name of your choice etched into it. The money will be used to help build the New Phoenix and ensure every P&H member has the most modern facilities to enjoy.

To find out more or sign up, please email karinnoble@blueyonder.co.uk

DO YOU have a job which needs fixing in your home or garden? Then call on me.

I’m Gabriel Matei, a P&H parent and your local handyman. For every booking I get for other P&H families, I will donate ten per cent of the labour costs to the Troop and the New Phoenix project.

I cover all sorts of work from fencing and landscaping, flooring, painting and decorating to furniture assembly and silicone sealing.I have lots of local references and would be delighted to provide you with a free, no obligation quote.

So, please get in touch on 07768 935767 or email me on yourhandyman.london@yahoo.com

HELPING HANDS - VOLUNTEER POSTS - DO YOUR BIT!

WHAT makes the Scouting Movement so special? YOU do! We need the help of our volunteers to keep P&H running, so please sign up to help with one of the posts below.

FRIDAY December 2 sees our annual Auction of Promises at the Scout Hut, to raise much-needed funds for the Troop. We’re seeking donations for the auction, so please let us know what you can promise? It can be a gift, a prize or a donation of your time such as babysitting, car washing or gardening.

Please send your promise by email 5pm on Thursday December 1, copying in karinnoble@blueyonder.co.uk and mrsjjhamilton@gmail.com

Thank you!

HERE are our current P&H volunteer vacancies. Please email karinnoble@blueyonder.co.uk if you can help.

1) TREASURER: Wanted! Treasurer to keep the account for uniforms, badges, camp fees and sections’ expenses. The post involves keeping financial records, issuing cheques for expenses and paying in cheques and cash at a main post office to our Santander account.

2) FUNDRAISER: Can you volunteer to approach local businesses to support our fundraising? We have a handy guide from Richmond Council to make it easy for you and template letters, so all you need to do is send them out and follow up to help raise money for New Phoenix.

3) FINANICAL ADVISER: Are you on the money? We need a financial adviser to talk to the P&H Group Executive on the responsibilities of taking out a loan for the new building. If you or a family member work in the profession, please spare us an hour to two of your time - it would be a priceless gift to P&H.

4) BUGLE TEACHER: Sound a note of happiness for our Scouts. Several of them are learning to play and would like a teacher to help them improve further.

5) HANDBELL ORGANISER: Here’s an a-peal-ing position. We need a parent or helper who would be willing to form a team of six hand bell ringers to perform tunes or changes at our Celebration of Scouting on Friday 02 December at St Peter’s Church, Petersham

PROMISES, PROMISES!

VOLUNTEER POSTS

SUNDAY NOVEMBER 13Remembrance Sunday, St Peter’s Church, Petersham.

SATURDAY NOVEMBER 5Bonfire Night at the Scout Hut / Douglas Meadow. Tickets on the gate are £8 for adults and £4 for children. Gates open at 5.30pm, the bonfire is lit at 5.45 and fireworks start at 6.30pm. Refreshments available - and glow sticks! Please email Karin if you can help man the gates or volunteer to serve refreshments.

SATURDAY NOVEMBER 19Jumble Sale Saturday at Grey Court School, entrance into hall from Sandy Lane. Please deliver your jumble to 13 Sandy Lane or better still during the morning of the sale directly to Grey Court. We will be asking for volunteers to work on a rota from 9am to 5pm closer to the time.

THURSDAY DECEMBER 1Carol Singing at the Petersham Nurseries. All P&H Beavers, Cubs and Scouts invited. Meet at 5.45pm for a 6pm start, to finish at 7pm. Mince pies and a burning brazier will make for a magical Christmas event. The collection will be to raise money for the new Scout Hut.

FRIDAY DECEMBER 2 Celebration of Scouting 6.30pm at St Peter’s Church, followed by the Auction of Promises at the Scout Hut. The Mayor of Richmond will be present and we would like all our parents, friends, supporters and the Junior Uniformed Membership to join us.

DATES FOR YOUR DIARY

PHOTO GALLERY

HERE’S a snapshot of what we’ve been up to. To see your picture in the frame for the next edition, please email it to pandhnewsletter@gmail.com with a short article telling us who’s in it and what you’re doing!

OUR Seawolves came up trumps supplying four members to present our colours at the special service commemorating Captain George Vancouver who is buried in the St Peter’s church, Petersham churchyard.

THE Seawolves spent a September evening constructing a special Bug Hotel on Douglas Meadow, to help the wildlife thrive. Hopefully it will provide a cosy winter home for lots of little creatures.

SOUND the alarm! The Saturday Cubs had a brilliant day out at Kingston Fire Station on May 14 and were even shown how to use the station hoses.

THE Cubs got tied up in knots - in a good way - when Mat-thew held a knot tying demonstration. Here he is demonstrat-ing the Clove Hitch - a knot to tie up fenders on a boat.

SEAWOLVES AT THE GEORGE VANCOUVER SERVICE

JUST BUGGIN’!

FINDING CREEPY CRAWLIES AT THE BEAVER MEETING

SATURDAY CUBS FIRE STATION VISIT

CUBS KNOT TYING DEMO

SCOUTS AT THAMES YOUNG MARINERS

Seawolves practising fire lighting using flint and steel

ON THE last meeting of Summer Term, Monday Beavers and Monday Cubs held a tug of war - and Beavers won!

WE WELCOMED new Monday Beavers Samuel, Ewan, and Dylan at an investiture ceremony on the Summer Solstice on June 20 in in Douglas House Meadow.

SOLSTICE INVESTITUREFLINT AND STEEL

TUG OF WAR!