Getting Scientific in Ringwood

By Dave Gillam, Group Scout Leader for Ringwood.

Despite some very heavy downpours, 3rd Ringwood Scouts ignored getting wet and had great fun outdoors carrying out a variety of experiments towards their ‘Scientist’ activity badges.

Rotating around several bases set up by Leaders and parent helpers in our HQ compound, the Scouts were able to produce enough electricity from a stack of 2p coins, cardboard and vinegar to light a flashing LED. They also learned how a magnet worked and queued up to receive mild electric jolts from it!

Powering a hovercraft (CD with bottle cap stuck to it) by an inflated balloon was great fun, and constructing rockets powered by a rather chemically sounding NaHCO3 (actually sodium bicarb) resulted in much hilarity. The use of different products to remove stubborn stains were investigated, colourful lava lamps produced, and fire steels were constructed and tried out.

Despite the poor weather, and the grass resembling a mud bath by 9.00pm, all of the Scouts and Leaders thoroughly enjoyed the activities and went home damp, but happy.

Online Pancakes

By Dave Gillam, Group Scout Leader for Ringwood.

Twenty 3rd Ringwood Scouts spent a rare Friday night meeting indoors recently, when they were joined in their own home kitchens – via Zoom direct from her South Wales university – by chef extraordinaire – Bill, who coached them through some very inventive pancake cooking!

With the addition of a variety of food colourings mixed with their batches of batter, each Scout was inspired to produce some very artistic designs in their pancakes – before devouring them. All shared WhatsApp pictures of their creations – a small selection are shown here and even Scout Leader Paddy couldn’t resist having a go!

Many of the Scouts had a go at ‘flipping’ their pancakes – and I believe that there may still be one or two pancakes stuck to kitchen ceilings.

Planting Trees for the Jubilee

By Neil Winter, Assistant Scout Leader at Lyndhurst.

On the 26th March, 15 members of Lyndhurst Scout Group (Beavers, Cubs & Scouts) had a great time planting approximately 400 trees within Pondhead Inclosure, near Lyndhurst. This was done as part of the Queens Green Canopy initiative to celebrate the Platinum Jubilee Celebration.

The trees, which included Oak, Crab Apple, Cherry, Rowan and Blackthorn, will leave a legacy for future generations and provide an opportunity for those who took part in the planting to see them grow over the years to come.

Going Wild!

By Martine Coatham, Group Scout Leader for Sandleheath.

Sandleheath Cubs helped our local community group in the village scarify and plant seeds to re-wild the area. 13 Cubs were able to attend with their parents. Everything went really well, both areas raked and seeded and snowdrops dug up and moved to new locations. We are looking forward to seeing the results over the year.

Woggles Fundraiser

By William Cooper, Explorer Scout at Lyndhurst ESU and Young Leader.

I am selling paracord woggles to raise money for my world scout Jamboree. I take orders of any quantity for £1.50 each in all colours and in a selection of patterns too.

I am very flexible with how I make them them, so if you wanted a different type of weave or any other specifications, I am more than happy to do so and arrange a price alteration. If you are interested, please let me know by emailing [email protected] (Lyndhurst leaders have access to this mailbox too)

Changes to Team DC

Those of you who were at the recent All Leaders meeting will have heard from Ryan that he will be leaving us at Easter.

For those not there, Ryan has been offered a lecturer’s position at Yeovil College so will be relocating to Yeovil. Fantastic news for Ryan but not so good for us. After consulting with the County Commissioner, he has approved that the remaining members of the team will absorb Ryan’s portfolio. The new breakdown of the DCs allocation from Easter can be found on the Who we are pages.

Say Hi to our New District Youth Commissioner

We are really please to announce that Michael Doncom has agreed to be our new District Youth Commissioner. Michael originates from Itchen South, currently a member of our Pegasus Network, is the British Overseas Communications Manager and is also part of the Media and Communications team in Hampshire. Some of you will already know Michael as he works at Ferny Crofts as an outdoor activity instructor.

Our thanks from Team DC and the District go to Jake Beach who was our DYC from when Team DC started, a difficult time for Jake to take on the role as we were plunged into lockdown. Thank you Jake, we know you will still be heavily involved in the District and 4th Eling Sea Scouts. We will let everyone know when the changeover is made, however we envisage mid-April.

Youth Projects with the NHS

Attached is a brochure with details of a variety of projects the NHS Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service in Hampshire have this year. Helen is keen that our young people have all the opportunities. She thinks it would be great in particular if they could engage with the “This is Me” books and the coat of arms project, there are prizes for this one. Let Helen know as she has the books ready to pass on, [email protected]

Help our Young Leaders

We really need to appoint a new leader for Young Leaders. This is in no way a full-time role, the majority is an administrative role, keeping OSM updated with completed modules and missions, arranging the issuing of mission badges and organising someone from Team DC to present Young Leader buckles.

Lynn, Kevin and Steven are happy to remain involved to assist and the majority of the training for Young Leaders is now completed as eLearning and organised centrally by our county support. Please contact any one of us if you would like more information and how you can support our Young Leaders, who are the next potential district section leaders.

Last Chance to join Suisse Adventure!

From the Suisse Adventure team.

A few places for young people and adults have become available on this trip due to last minute cancellations and transport changes. We have 4 spaces for young people to attend the trip. You must be between 14 and 24 years old on the 1st August 2022 to attend.

When: 6th – 21st August 2022
Where: Staying in Kandersteg International Scout Centre in Switzerland, this will be an Adventure you will never forget.
Cost: £875 plus food and activities. This includes a preparation day, transport by coach and ferry to/from Kandersteg, International BBQ, white water rafting, mountain hikes, swimming in lakes and pools, a day trip to Bern, to shop plus see the world-famous bears, event clothing and neckerchief, International camp fire and a whole host of exciting site activities.

Additional activities range from £10 up to several hundred, can be selected from a list of over 40 activities that includes: Glacier hike and high mountain pass hikes / some with overnight stops, a cheese & chocolate trip, Via Ferrata (iron path/ mountaineering on ladders), high wires & zip lines, downhill mountain biking; and much, much more.
Food is envisaged to be an additional £150 – £200

We also need 2 or 3 more leaders to be drivers for our people movers and 7.5T lorries, if you are interested and aged over 25, please email at the address above and get in touch. Please email [email protected] if you are interested in attending.

Updated District Diary

Latest version of the district diary attached, please note the next District All Leaders Meeting has been added for Thursday 20th October.

Tails of the New Forest – 02 April 2022
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