It’s AGM time!!!

AGMs are an opportunity to review the last 12 months and thank our volunteers – but it is also an opportunity to look forward. So far, I have attended 3 District AGMs (all in the same week!) and just a reminder of the County’s AGM to be held on Tuesday 15th July at British Energy, Barnwood, Gloucester, commencing at 7.30 p.m. Refreshments will be available.

The County’s Development Project continues to be successful with new Beaver Colonies opening at Prestbury and Fairford. Anna King, Local Development Officer, has also continued to support Cranham Scout Group and Fairford Cub Scout Pack. Initial work has been undertaken at Westbury on Severn and research has started at Ashchurch, to open a new Group and at Springbank in Cheltenham, to open a new Cub Scout Pack. Anna has also attended various promotional events e.g. Aylburton and Lydney Show, Stroud Show, and a number of others. Members of the County Executive, at their last meeting, discussed the extension of the Development Project for a further 3 years from 1st April 2010. 

In June, I attended my first Group Centenary Celebration: congratulations to 1st Cheltenham (Highbury) who held a memorable day at Cranham. You will recall, last month I mentioned I was about to go on Cub Camp! It’s really good to get a ‘thank you’ and this e-mail, sent from a parent to Guy Carter, the Cub Camp Leader, really made me smile – "Please pass on my thanks to your team for all your energy and time that went into the Cub Camp. Although completely exhausted and in the same socks, Cameron had a great time"!!

Group Scout Leader Forums – all GSLs and Group contacts should be receiving a direct communication via the management services database, in the near future. The nearest Forum to Gloucestershire is Bristol (Cribbs Causeway) on 29th November 2008. If this date is inconvenient, there are two further Forums taking place in our Region on 28th September at Poole and 31st January 2009 at Plymouth.GSL Forums were last held a couple of years ago and proved to be most successful.

And finally – to those of you who are packing your cases and heading for the sun (and even if you are not), have a good break and recharge your ‘batteries’ for the ‘new’ Scouting year from September.

Tom Harding, County Commissioner

COUNTY AGM

Date for Your Diary: The County AGM will be held on 15 July 2008, at British Energy, Barnwood, Gloucester, commencing at 7.30 for 7.45 p.m.

AROUND THE COUNTY

SIXTY FOUR CUB SCOUTS AND SCOUTS ON THE RIVER!

Cub Scouts and Scouts from Stroud and Tetbury District took to the Water at the Scout Water Activities Centre at Longridge for three days of activities during the May school holidays.

Although the river was very high (and still rising) due to the heavy rains that had fallen, the group was still able to enjoy a range of water and land based activities including kayaking and raft-building, river launches, the new climbing wall and high ropes activities and many more.

TO THE HILLS !

Scouts from Nailsworth took to the hills to complete either training or accessed expeditions for the Scout Expedition Challenge Badge. During the weekend they experienced all sorts of weather from heavy rain and strong winds to glorious sun-shine. While walking to the North end of the Malvern Hills they stood on 24 of the 26 summits of the range. The environmentally away Scouts used public transport to get to/from the start/finish of their backpacking adventure. They set off by train on Friday night from Stroud and then caught a bus to the South end of the Malvern Hills. Returning by train from Malvern on Sunday afternoon.

SCOUTS FROM ACROSS THE UK ACCEPT THE MALVERN CHALLENGE

Over 3000 Scouts from across the UK accepted took part in the Malvern Challenge event organised by Cheltenham District at the end of June. From the time the young people arrived they enjoyed a non-stop programme of activities - starting with a huge party on Friday night, including live bands, guest DJ’s and a disco. On Saturday a challenge hike of seven miles will included many stops along the way to take part in a variety of activities including abseiling a rock face, timed obstacle course, team-puzzles, a climbing wall, sports,laser clay pigeon shooting and many more. Sunday morning presents the young people with another huge choice of activities to take part in and these will include crafts, juggling workshops; go-kart driving; gladiator games; skill tests, t-shirt printing, shows and arena events and music throughout the morning to keep everyone entertained. The Cotswold Challenge, for 15 to 18-year-olds, was won by the Cotswold Vale Explorer Scouts and the Orcas Explorer Scouts from Dorset walked off with the Malvern Challenge title for younger Scouts.

CUB SCOUTS MAKE A SPLASH!

This year 7th Cheltenham, Charlton Kings, Cub Scouts' Camp was held at Viney Hill in the Royal Forest of Dean. About 45 Cubs enjoyed a weekend packed full if activities which included kayaking, canoeing, raft building, climbing, cooking, sweet making, games, floating boats.............and much more!