Awards
Congratulations to Jake Beach, on Friday evening Robin presented him with his 5 year long service award and his Assistant Scout Leader Wood Beads. These were earned in March last year but went astray after leaving Gilwell, well done Jake.
50 Years Long Service Award
On New Year’s Day, Kerie Wallace presented Bill Littlecott with his 50 Year Long Service Certificate. Bill joined Scouting as a consequence of realising how much fun his wife, Sheila, was having, and he wanted some of that. For 15 years Bill was the Venture Scout Leader at what was then the 2nd Copythorne Romsey District Venture Scout Unit, one of only two Units in the District. It was an extremely successful Unit, drawing members from all over the District and ensuring that the Venture Unit took part all that was going on. Under his Leadership the Unit won the County Kudu and the Trek Race, as well as countless Kudu Eliminators and District Six-a-Side football competitions.
Bill was also presented an engraved plaque and an oil painting of Striding Edge. Bill is very fond of the Lake District and was very active in taking his Venture Scouts there for mountain training, walking and great outdoor experiences. Kerie and Bill enjoyed lunch during thier annual New Year’s Day Walk, attended by several ex Venture Scout who Bill helped introduce to Mountain Walking.
Bill was also an important part of the Team that ensured that Venture Scouts progressed through to gaining their Form M (the original Mountain Leadership Certificate) and that they took an active part in the County Lakeland Egg Expeditions. For three years Bill was also ADC Venture Scouts. For the past twenty-four years Bill has been an ever present member of the Districts Appointments Advisory Committee, so most of the Leaders in the District have met him in one guise or another over the years.
Thank you Bill for all that you have done for Scouting in Romsey in the early days and of course now New Forest North.
Young Leader Module A
Friday evening saw Kevin Harmer run his first Module A Young Leader training course, along with Steven Osborn, Brenda Knight from New Forest East and Lynn from Team DC.
There were a total of 15 Young Leaders there, 7 from New Forest North, 4 from New Forest East and 4 from around the county. Good luck to these leaders of the future!
Founder’s Day Get Together
New Forest North Active Support are preparing for the district’s annual Founder’s Day event to celebrate the birthday of the Scout’s founder Robert Baden-Powell.
This year it has been decided to try something different with a skittles afternoon and ploughman’s meal. Hopefully this will appeal to the young people too as everyone likes a bit of bowling.
The invitation is open to everyone so spread the invite far and wide please.
Nights Away Permits and training
Every scout should have the chance to camp. It’s part of what we do and teaches so many skills for life. Adults of course need a permit to lead these activities. If you don’t have a permit yet, maybe make 2020 the year to make it happen!
Anyone who is interested in gaining a Nights Away Permit, please contact Simon Down who has kindly taken this over from Robin. If you want to contact Simon, send us a message and we’ll pass it on.
There is a Module 38 ‘Skills for Residential Experiences’ being run 4th-5th April at Ferny Crofts. There is a requirement to have completed Module 16 ‘Residential Experiences’ before attending and therefore a Module 16 is being run on the evening of 3rd April at Ferny Crofts. Booking is via this link.
GSL Retirement
At the end of 2019 Cyril Allen, Group Scout Leader at 3rd Ashurst & Colbury, notified us his intention to retire at the end of 2019. Cyril joined Scouts on 14th October 1987 and he was originally a Venture Scout Leader at the 7th Calmore Group and then became a GSL there. When the group closed several years ago, it merged with Ashurst & Colbury, where Cyril continued as GSL.
We would all like to wish Cyril a long and happy retirement and with our sincere thanks for his long service to Scouting in New Forest North.
In Hampshire Scouts Update:
This week’s update has information on:
- County Kudu challenge for Explorer Scouts and Scout Network
- Adult training for 2020
- Pro badge training
- Ferny Crofts Gardening service team