As the County welcomes Tom Harding as Gloucestershire’s new County Commissioner Gazette Editor, Kevin Brewer, caught up with Tom to find out more …A lot of Scouting Experience ….

Tom joined the 45th Cheltenham (Bethesda) Wolf Cubs at the age of ten after an A5 sized flyer promoting the group dropped through his letterbox at home. Having thoroughly enjoyed Wolf Cubs, Tom quickly moved on to Scouts and remembers his first Scout Camp at Whitsun in the Grove at Cranham. "There were Scouts from all over the County. It was a wonderful experience, I loved being outdoors, hiking, cooking, and camping with my Patrol. I remember the older Scouts really looking after me. Looking back on it this was my first big Scouting Adventure, and I have had a love of Cranham and the opportunities and adventures that it offers ever since."

Later, having progressed through the sections of Scouting at 45th Cheltenham, Tom joined the Cub Scout Section again as an Assistant Cub Scout Leader, and later as a Cub Scout Leader, and in 1973 took on the role of District Cub Scout Leader, before becoming Assistant District Commissioner in 1976. While continuing to actively working in the Cub Scout Section (becoming Assistant County Commissioner for Cub Scouts in 1996), Tom also joined the County Adult Leader Training Team in 1983. He completed his Adult Trainer training at Gilwell and since then has helped hundreds of adults to gain the skills they need to bring the adventures of Scouting to literally thousands of young people. Most recently Tom accepted the challenge of implementing the new Adult Training Scheme, taking on the role of County Training Manager.

Everyone is going to have their own special memories of the Centenary, Tom particular values the memories from the Sunrise Ceremony at Gilwell Park, and a Day Visit to the World Jamboree. "It was a very special feeling to be among 52,000 members of Scouting from nearly every country in the world, all of them having a great time, making new friends from around the world, understanding more about the challenges that face the world today, and enjoying a once in a lifetime adventure". Tom added "It was a similar feeling at the O2 Dome when I saw the festival of Scouting. Watching the big displays in the arena you could not help but be impressed with what young people can achieve, I was proud to be part of an organisation that has as its aim a desire to support young people as they strive to do the best that they can".

Tom is looking forward to the years ahead. "I enjoy a challenge, and I like trying new things; I guess that’s something I share with our Beaver Scouts, Cub Scouts, Scouts and Explorer Scouts. But I also enjoy working with other people, hearing their ideas and opinions, and having a clear plan of what is actually needed before starting to change anything. Then I like getting things done!"Over the coming months Tom aims to:

Build upon the sound work of Joan Goldsmith, and Michael Baston before her, that has set down a sound foundation for Scouting in the County.

Listen to leaders at grass roots level in every district to hear about their successes, challenges, concerns and aspirations for Scouting in Gloucestershire.

Build an enhanced ‘County Team’ – "I want everyone who has any role in Scouting within Gloucestershire to feel part of the County".Formulate a new County Development Plan to guide the direction of Scouting in Gloucestershire over the coming months and years.

Most of all to support the provision of high quality Scouting to as many young people as possible, getting young people off waiting lists and into sections, and supporting leaders old and new in the delivery of enjoyable balanced programmes that really give young people a head start in life.

"It’s a privilege and an honour to be asked to serve as your County Commissioner. I am really looking forward to working with you all to give young people Scouting that they will want to remember for the rest of their life" - Tom Harding.

Garry Law has accepted the role of Deputy County Commissioner - Youth Programme.

Rob Rowles stands down at the end of his term as Assistant County Commissioner (Cub Scouts). Rob says ..."I have had a wonderful time over the last few years meeting all the young people and adults in Gloucestershire. I shall have fond memories of all the events and presentations I have been so lucky to have taken part in. Yes even the wet ones. I wish each and every one of you all the best in the future, because I know that you all are the best.

Please carry on doing what you do so well week after week giving the young people of Gloucestershire the chance to do great things.

I shall still be working with my own Cub Pack in Gloucester, and hopefully still meeting with as many as I can around the county from time to time.

As well as this I have been asked by Graeme Hamilton to join him on the National Cub scout team for a time looking at some more areas where we can still improve Cub Scouting - so I shall still be around to annoy you all.

Many thanks to everyone who has supported me over the last 6 years it has been "FUN""

Don’t miss out on an opportunity to have the County Recruitment Stand at an event near you!

During 2007 Anna King, Scouting’s Local Development Officer for Gloucestershire, and the County Scouting Promotion Stand have been out on the road across the county promoting Scouting and recruiting adults and young people to join Groups and Districts.

In 2008 you can book Anna and the Promotion Stand to visit your local event in your own town or village (such as a Village Fete, County Fair, Town Festival, Supermarket Foyer, town or village centre – in fact just about anywhere that there are members of the public to recruit!)

The banners and displays can be tailored to focus on your own objectives for the promotion. It maybe that you want to aim to recruit mainly adults, or perhaps focus on recruitment for a particular youth section, or simply grow all aspects of Scouting in your area. What ever your aim, Anna is able to advise you, and share with you the experiences of what has been found to work well.

For more information about booking Anna and the Promotion Stand for your event, or to find out more about strategies for effective recruitment in your group talk to Anna .

Tel: 0845 3880 871 or

E-mail: annaking@gloucestershire-scouts.org.uk

Having tried it myself at my own Cub Pack from pictures only which is hard, the videos will hopefully be used widely.

Other useful Links include:

www.british-sign.co.uk/scouting_guiding_signing.php

www.deafcouncil.org.uk/daw/eventids.htm

Laura Spafford, Programme and Development Adviser

(Development and Diversity), Gilwell Park

Have you discovered MYBACKPACK, the Scout Associations new Membership Database? If not follow the link at the top of the screen on www.scouts.org.uk

However .... the UK Scouting Interactive Database (SID) is soon to be no longer available. SID has been removed in response to the following issues raised by Members, primarily e-mail address and contact information is out of date and creates confusion (especially where Members have left the organisation).

So for those needing contact information the following is available:

Enhanced 'Want to Join' process for potential Members (young people and adults) is available at scouts.org.uk/join. All membership enquiries should be directed to this website address.

Members can choose to receive ScoutingPlus (the weekly e-newsletter from The Scout Association). Mailing preferences and email addresses can be updated through My Backpack at scouts.org.uk/mybackpack.

Non-Members can sign up to receive The Scout Association's free monthly e-newsletter Adventure News. Sign up is available at www.scouts.org.uk/subscribe.

Members wishing to obtain the details of a District Commissioner in order to complete the required Nights Away notification (or details of another appointment for other Scouting purposes) can do so by e-mailing the Scout Information Centre

Thank you to those who have supplied update information and for your support over the last four years.

Brian Wingfield

SID Administrator for Gloucestershire

Details of many Scouting events and opportunities run by the county or by neighbouring counties are advertised on the County Web Site's notice board page. Please be sure to check the page frequently to see what new opportunities are on offer. Some other opportunities are detailed below

The Malvern Challenge is billed as: "The ultimate event for all Scouts, Younger Explorer Scouts Girlguides and Younger Senior Section aged under 16 years old"

Where as the Sun Run claims to be the coolest midsummer weekend for all older members of Scouting at the hotest event of the year.

- BANDS 

- TALENT SHOW 

- FIRE WORKS 

- CRAFTS 

- ARENA EVENTS 

- EURO BUNGEE 

- FOOTBALL 

- COMPETITION 

- CLIMBING WALL 

- FAIR GROUND RIDES 

- SPORTS

- MUCH MORE

Swindon Gang Show 2008 "Crest of a Wave"

5-8 March 2008 Wyvern Theatre Swindon

The Gang are currently in rehearsals for our next show "Crest of a Wave". The Show will take place from 5th-8th March 2008 at the Wyvern Theatre Swindon. Show times are 7:30 pm with an additional 2.30 pm matinee on Saturday 8th March.

Tickets are priced at £9.50

For the Saturday Matinee only, concessions for under 16s or over 60s are available at £8

In addition groups (8 or above) of people who would be entitled to concessionary rates at the matinee e.g. Scout or Guide Groups, or pensioners groups may obtain a £1.50 refund on their full price tickets purchased for another performance. Refunds should be obtained by sending a copy of the proof of purchase to Chris Pope 13 Cairndow Way, Stratton, SN2 6TQ together with details of whom the refund should be payable to and a stamped self addressed envelope.

Tickets are available from the Wyvern Theatre Box Office

Tel 01793 524481

In January over 120 Cub Scouts from Stroud and Tetbury District and Cotswold Vale District took part in a local knowledge badge day organised by The Museum in the Park, in Stratford Park, Stroud.

During the day the Cub Scouts learnt about local historical figures through interpretive actors, enjoyed craft activities based on local history, went on a history walk, explorer the museum, learnt about the towns coat of arms, and found out about the textile industry in the Stroud Valleys.

Beaver Scouts from across the Stroud Area enjoyed a New Year party with games and entertainers, and of course, lots of food. With so many parties before Christmas the Beaver Scouts decided to wait until the new year for their get-together, which was a huge success.