Some really good news items to share with you all. Hopefully we will be back to ‘normal’ soon, although normal seems such a very long time ago. Thank you for ‘hanging in there’, you have all delivered some fantastic virtual section sessions, training & validation. Thank You!
Silver Acorn
We are extremely pleased to share the news that Paul Stubbington, Assistant Explorer Scout Leader with Magellan Unit, has been awarded a Silver Acorn for distinguished service to Scouting, both in New Forest North, at County international level and for community engagement.
I am sure you will join us in congratulating Paul on this prestigious award, Paul will be liaising with Team DC on a suitable presentation date, as we are so close to face-2-face Scouting we are looking forward to doing this in person.
Long Service Awards and Wood Badges
We were so pleased to receive Long Service Awards for Tim Le Bas (Lyndhurst – 15 years), Flic Wright (Eling – 10 years) and Barry Spiers (Ashurst & Colbury – 5 years).
We also received a bumper number of Wood Badge certificates, some of these a first certificate with Beads and some an additional Wood Badge certificate for additional/change of roles.
- Lisa Szymanski, Testwood
- Dale Francis – Netley Marsh
- Cassie Northcott – Magellan ESU
- Julie Robbins – Testwood
- Donna Ovenden – Eling
- Pauline Homans – Ashurst & Colbury
- Sarah Challis – Testwood
A huge thank you to you all, for your commitment to Scouting in New Forest North, it really is appreciated by your Groups and the District for all you have done and continue to do.
New members to Team DC
As many of you know Lynn has been acting DC for New Forest West since last year and we are also working on a merger of New Forest North and New Forest West. As a result of this we are really pleased to be able to tell you that our County Commissioner has appointed two new DCs to join Team DC:
Kevin Harmer, Explorer Scout Leader (Young Leaders) & Cub Scout Leader with Dyak Cub Pack and Ryan Parry, District Youth Commissioner in New Forest West and Cub Scout Leader with 2nd Southampton will be joining Team DC.
Both Kevin & Ryan are excited to take up their new roles, we welcome them to the new Team DC, and we are looking forward to working with them; I hope you will join us in congratulating them both.
An official start date for Kevin & Ryan is not yet known. As soon as this is known, and for the duration of the merger project, we will be named Team DC New Forest North & West.
Please note, this doesn’t prejudge what the merged District name might be, that will be decided as part of the project; we had to call ourselves something to show we are currently supporting 2 separate Districts as a single team.
Readiness Level: Amber
We have seen some Risk Assessment already coming through, it’s good to see so many are eager to return to face-2-face Scouting, please check out the guidance on the Scout website. Please review any risk assessments you have previously submitted, to ensure they are still fit for purpose.
District Appointments Secretary
Tim Evans has been our AAC Secretary since 2007 and been a constant support to the District, both in this role and as a District Scouts Active Support Member, organising many elements of District events, like the Stags Head Trophy, road closures for St George’s Day and the swimming gala to name just a few. Plus, add into this over 50 years’ service.
Tim has made the decision that he will step back from the AAC Secretary role with effect from the 1st April 2021, we are grateful for the many years of service Tim has committed to us and that he will remain as an active member of the DSASU.
We must now look for someone to fill this role, I am sure Tim would be happy to talk through what the role involves if anyone is interested in knowing more. Find out more on our vacancies page.
District Executive Committee Chair
We are still actively trying to recruit into this pivotal District role, if you can recommend anyone that we can approach to discuss this role please let us know, maybe a former Group Executive Committee member, or someone in your circle of friends, family or community. This is an important role that we need to fill. Find out more on the vacancies page.