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The District Sports Day was held today at The Grange School and was attended by many Beavers, Cubs and Scouts from all over the District. Details of winners can be found the Sports Day pages by clicking on the following link - http://www.christchurchscouts.org.uk/archive/sports.htm
At a ceremony held today, the 65th Mayor's Scout was presented with the sash of office. Andrew Rooke, an Explorer Scout from the Mudeford Explorers took over from Burton Scout George Worden.
Andrew is 15 years old and goes to Highcliffe School. He lists his hobbies as singing with the New Forest Youth Choir, being a Young Leader with Highcliffe Beavers and a young language leader at Highcliffe School. Andrew is looking forward to studying for a career in travel and tourism and also plans to be a helper at the Kandersteg International Scout Centre in Switzerland.
The January 2008 edition of Christchurch Capers is available now. Follow the link to get your electronic colour edition. Click here for Capers
At a special ceremony held at his home on 12th November, Ted Terry, a member of the Fellowship was presented with the Silver Acorn by the County Commissioner James Morton. Congratulations Ted.
In September 2007 updates to the Nights Away Permit Scheme were announced following a review of how successfully the scheme had been implemented. Changes include the addition of a new category - Lightweight Expedition; the requirement for a first aid holder to be present; clarification on the renewal process; service teams and much more. For more information please contact the District Nights Away Advisers or visit the website at http://www.scoutbase.org.uk/ps/nightsaway/naps.htm
I am delighted to advise you that Mike Parkes will take over as County Commissioner with effect from the 1st January 2008 when James’ steps down from the post. Mike has been District Commissioner for East Dorset for the last three years. The contact details for Mike are as follows:
Mike Parkes 330 Ringwood Road, Ferndown, Dorset. BH22 9AT Home - 01202 861858 Mobile - 07973 235525 Email - mike @mrp1972.com
I would like to thank James for his outstanding contribution to the County over the past eight years. There have been many changes in Dorset over the past eight years and it is fitting that James steps down after such a fantastic centenary year. I am sure that you will all make Mike welcome in his new role and give him all the support required over the coming months.
Yours sincerely
Gordon Weston - Regional Commissioner - South West England
At a special ceremony on 30th October George Worden from Burton became the 64th Mayor’s Scout of Christchurch. George took over from James Mainwaring from Bransgore. George was then given the honour of representing the District at the Live 07 National Festival of Scouting at the o2 Arena in London on 24th November. George proudly waved the special District Banner and did us all proud during both performances as a member of a 3000 strong cast infront of over 20,000 people! The banner design was based on the winning flowerbed design by James Kay from Mudeford.
I have just returned from Brownsea Island where I represented the Highcliffe Scouts at the Patrol Leaders camp that officially started the Brownsea Centenary Celebrations. The objective of the event was to gain participation from each county and area in the UK with some international guests to give a truly international experience. We all travelled across to brownsea on the ferry from Poole Quay on 26th July. We travelled in two boats and they were very low in the water with all our rucksacks! We were split into four sub camps on arrival and I was in the Ravens Patrol. We had red t-shirts, light blue Brownsea nerckerchiefs and blue hats that made us all very distinctive! We were kept busy through the three days and enjoyed making new friends and earning the Brownsea Island friendship badge. We made coracles and sailed in them, we did archery; we discovered new skills in the World Tents and took part in music, craft and dance workshops. We had two fantastic nights of entertainment “World Carnival” and “This is Your Scouting Life” with live bands and entertainers. We had a tour round the Dorset Wildlife nature reserve and we helped to clear rhododendrons as our contribution to Brownsea conservation work. It was a fantastic experience and we all ate together and enjoyed food from all over the globe!
The April 2008 edition of Christchurch Capers is available now. Follow the link to get your electronic colour edition. Click here for Capers
The District Annual review and AGM is to be held on Friday 13th June commencing at7.30pm at Royal British Legion, Bargates, Christchurch
As part of our “Caring challenge”, Jumpers cubs had a “cardboard city sleepover” at the hut. All the cubs and leaders slept in cardboard boxes. We thought about the homeless people and children less fortunate than ourselves. Being on the “street” we played street games and coloured the boxes in graffiti. …. It was a long cold night, with not a great deal of sleep had by some of the cubs. However we had a good time and gave the cubs a something to think about. And of course we sent them home after a full cooked breakfast!! But this was for children in need and we were all sponsored – We raise over £800 – not bad for a nights work!!
This year’s annual census recorded a encouraging increase of 6 members overall - despite an overall loss of 2 young people. The biggest fall was again in the Beaver Section whose membership fell by another 11 from last year. Four Groups recorded an increase in members this year. The number of cubs increased by 15. Scout youth membership dropped by 10 despite gaining an additional 3 adults working in the section. Explorers are doing well with another increase in youth membership this year by 4. This is very encouraging. County returns show an overal increase in membership of 2.12% against the National picture of around +3.4%. Keep up the excellent work and dont be scared to try something different to make your lives earlier and to get more young people and adults enjoying what we have to offer. Weekend sectional meetings, after school clubs and monthly sunday morning meetings for those of eligible age stuck on waiting lists are just a few ideas worth trying perhaps? Who said you have to meet every Tuesday at 7pm, some parents work shifts and may only be able to help at weekends..... Food for thought?
A number of key positions have been identified within the District Team that are needed to continue to develop and move the District forward into more successes in the future.
More information including role descriptions can be found on the District website at www.christchurchscouts.org.uk/jobs
District Secretary
To assist the District Chairperson in the effective administration of the Scout
District
District Explorer Scout
Commissioner
To ensure the effective operation of the Explorer Scout Section and the
development of Explorer Scouting within the District
District Explorer Scout
Administrator
Maintaining a free flow of information across the District to ensure that every
Explorer Scout has access to the full District Explorer Scout Programme.
District Media Development
Manager
To ensure effective internal and external communications within the District and
improve the public image of Scouting by providing information and facts about
Scouting to appropriate media
District IT Adviser
To maintain the District websites and promote the effective use of IT across the
District
Should you be interested in any of the positions and would like to discuss further, please contact the District Commissioner either by e-mail mflexman@christchurchscouts.org.uk or by telephone on 01202 471952
You may have read articles in the Scouting Magazine about the new Mencap course available for youth organisation leaders and helpers, to make their organisation more inclusive for young people aged 5-16 years old that have a learning disability.
The Get Together course is funded by the Blue Peter Appeal, and is designed to help children and young people with a learning disability go to their local out-of-school club. The Get Together training provides the opportunity for leadership teams to develop their knowledge and abilities in supporting young people with learning disabilities. This course is available for current leaders and helpers and potential new adult helpers.
The Scout Association has partnered up with Mencap to ensure that all Leaders have the opportunity to undertake the Get Together Training to enable Leaders to be more confident to have young people with Special Needs within their Scout Groups. The Scout Association have trained local Leaders to become trainers for Get Together courses to deliver the training within their local areas.
This year's St. George’s Day Parade and Service to be held on Sunday 20th April 2008.
The rehearsal (for flag bearers only) will be held in the Priory Church on Thursday 17th April at 6.00pm. No uniform is required.
All members are requested to form up and be ready for the parade at the Quomps, Queen’s Avenue, Christchurch by 14:10hrs. Only uniformed members will be permitted in the parade area. It is requested that all others keep the parade area clear. Clearly identifiable marshals will be on hand to give directions/advice.
Would all Group Leaders please ensure that all members on Parade wear full and correct uniform.
Union Flag bearers will require 1 (one) escort only apart from the District Colours which require 2 (two) escorts per flag.
The Mayor will arrive at 14:15hrs and carry out a formal inspection of those on Parade starting at 14:20hrs.
The parade will formally start after the inspection and the parade master says ‘General Salute’. At this moment, the whole Parade should stand at ‘alert’, Leaders only salute and the flag bearers allow their flags to fly. After the band has finished playing, the flags should be retrieved.
Everyone will be asked to ‘Form Up’. At this point ADCs and Guiders should ensure that all members of their Section turn to the right and take up their positions. Flag Bearers and their Escorts take up positions at the front of their respective sections.
The Parade will then begin and follow the route shown. All members will march in the following order Band; District Colours; Beaver Section; Cub Section; Girlduiding Twynham Contingent; Scout Section; Explorer Section and then the District Team.
The Mayor will this year take the Salute in Church Street (exact location is shown on the route plan). ADCs are asked to give the following command, for example, just before reaching the Mayor – “Christchurch Cub Scouts, eyes right”. At this point, everyone should face right all Leaders should salute and flag bearers allow their flags to fly.
Once the whole Section has passed the Mayor, ADCs should give the command “eyes front”. Everyone faces front and continues to make their way towards the Priory. Flag Bearers should NOT retrieve their flags.
On arrival at the Priory, Flag Bearers, Scouts, Guides and Explorers should make their way to the West Door. Beavers, Cubs and Brownies enter the Church through the main North Door entrance to take their seats as directed.
The handing over of the District Colours from Jumpers Group to Highcliffe Group will take place at the end of the service itself.
After the service, all attendees will leave the Church through the South Cloister Door and make their way to the Priory House Gardens where an informal picnic tea (and hopefully some entertainment) will be provided. If wet, the picnic will be served in the church.
Please pass on this information to all your Leaders.
Should you have any questions regarding the details outlines here please get in touch with the District Commissioner as soon as possible.