What’s been happening?
Tom Hall Memorial Garden Unveiled
By Donna Ovenden, Group Scout Leader at 4th Eling Sea Scouts.
The Tom Hall Memorial Garden was formally opened on Saturday 25 June, with a lovely gathering of Toms’ family, friends and supporters.
Tom was a dedicated member of 4th Eling Sea Scouts, despite being diagnosed with leukaemia at the age of 6 and battling with his health. He joined the Group as a Cub and lived his life as a true Scout should, becoming a source of inspiration to all those around him. He demonstrated that determination and hard work allowed you to realise your dreams, whilst putting a huge amount of effort and time in helping other people at the same time. His sense of humour was second to none, his laugh was infectious and best of all he had the largest maglite on Earth.
Tom went on to become one of the first Young Leaders in the Cub Pack in 2001. He was a participant at the 20th World Scout Jamboree in Thailand in 2002-3. At the age of 18 he became an Assistant Cub Scout Leader and completed his Wood Badge.
In addition to being active in his Scout groups, Tom was also involved in his local community with the Totton and Eling Carnival Committee and in fundraising for cancer charities. He was a regular helper at the Group’s Donkey Derby events and was responsible for the site security for a few years. Together with his family they were instrumental in the building of the Group’s new HQ, which opened in June 2013.
Tom Hall died on 16th August 2014 after a short illness. His family kindly donated funds raised in his memory to our Group. Together with generous grants from other donors, the Tom Hall Garden has been created for all our members and other users of our HQ to enjoy in his memory.
24 Hour Paddle Event is a Go!
By Donna Ovenden, Group Scout Leader at 4th Eling Sea Scouts.
Friday 24 June at 6.30pm, on the dot, the start of the 24-hour paddle event started. Sadly, it was a wet night for the Eling Sea Scouts on the water to start with, but they took their shifts and worked through the night.
Saturday they were joined by Cubs and Beavers along with Explorer Scout leaders from Relentless to get through the challenge. The Day also saw the group hold their AGM and officially open Tom’s Garden. Plus there were fundraising efforts from some of our Scouts and Explorers attending WSJ and P23. Later in the afternoon you could even watch one of the newest leaders become invested into the group stood (mostly) on board a raft! Welcome officially to Paul Fredericks.
It was a great day to see so many youths out on the lakes enjoying everything from rafting, kayaking, canoeing, sailing, and rowing. Fantastic to see all the section come together as a group again!
Beavers out on the water
By Kathryn Flint, Assistant Beaver Scout Leader at 1st Sandleheath Sea Scouts.
This term saw the first of three water sessions for our Beavers. They were very excited to take to the water in either a kayak or a canoe. For some it was their first experience on the water but that certainly didn’t hold them back. The instructors had them chasing duck, standing up and even walking the plank (climbing across the front of the kayaks)! Fingers crossed for more sunshine and lots more fun in our future sessions. Thank you also to our Explorers for sharing their skills with the younger ones.
Earlier in the term the Beavers took to the streets of Fordingbridge to take part in a litter pick. A community activity towards their World Challenge Badges. Despite the neighbourhood looking relatively tidy it was amazing to see how much litter the Beavers managed to find. They were all very enthusiastic and enjoyed the walk, finishing at the recreational ground. I’m sure we will plan another one soon as it was a huge success.
At the end of term we are all very much looking forward to our first sleepover.
Summer Camp for Lyndhurst’s Scouts
By Robin Mair, Scout Leader at 1st Lyndhurst.
Well, it has happened at last. The last time we ran a Summer Camp was in 2019. We have managed to process all the paperwork and the risk assessments and take the Cubs and Scouts away on Camp.
The Scouts started the week by walking into camp along a hike route from Win Green back to Tollards Royal and then Sixpenny Handley. The Cubs joined them at lunchtime to hike back to site.
The theme for the week was Flight so we made water rockets, balsa wood planes and various other types of flight. The Scouts built the A frame for the purpose of flying themselves over the top.
For one of the days out all the participants went to the Royal Navy Fleet Air Arm Museum at Yeovilton. They had to complete a series of questionnaires to manage to be awarded their Air Activities badge level 2. Everyone had a superb time at Camp and all went home very tired but pleased with what we had achieved.
Beavers and Bees of Woodlands Apiary
By Alison McGrath, Beaver Scout Leader at 1st Fordingbridge.
Fordingbridge Beavers had a lovely time meeting the St Leonards and St Ives Beaver Colony. They learned about different types of hive, tasted honey to see if they could tell the difference between local and supermarket products (they could!) and made candles out of beeswax.
Netley Marsh Carnival and Summer Fete a success!
By Ian Sims, Group Scout Leader at 6th Netley Marsh.
Saturday 25th June saw the return of the Netley Marsh Carnival & Summer Fete which is run by Netley Marsh Scouts & Guides along with St Matthew’s Church
After a 2 year gap the sun shone, the crowds lined the mile long route from the Gamekeeper Public House and made its way to St Matthew’s Church Hall where many people gathered and spent a family fun afternoon of some 20 different stalls of traditional games and bargains to be had. The Hop On Inn Beer Bus was there and the Lockerley Brass Band played to the crowds during the afternoon. There were 8 carnival entries which were a combination of 3 floats and 5 walking groups. The local pre-school also took part. It was great to be back amongst the community with this ever-popular event which is in its 31st year. Some of the stalls included the coconut shy, smash a crockery, dart football, inflatable nerf gun stall, home grown plants, bottle tombola and a grand raffle where some 30 prizes had been donated with the first prize £100.00 cash. All profits raised will be split equally between Netley Marsh Group and the Church.
Hillwalking in Snowdonia
By John Hayes, District Explorer Scout Leader.
Recently Explorers from Viper ESU enjoyed a weekend hillwalking in Snowdonia. We arrived after dark on Friday evening and found our stone hut in the woods, carrying all supplies for the weekend as the hut has no vehicle access.
We set off bright and early Saturday for Idwal Cottage where our walk commenced. Our route took us around the northern shore of Llyn Idwal, where stone skimming skills were practiced, and along the Devil’s Kitchen path, past Llyn Cwn and up the scree path to the summit of Glyder Fawr (1001m) for lunch. Then we walked along the ridge to Glyder Fach and the nearby famous Cantilever Stone for some obligatory photos.
Our descent route followed the Miner’s Track over Bwlch Tryfan, past Loch Bochlwyd and back to the carpark park, tired but happy. Sunday was necessarily a short day. Starting from Cwm Penmachno we looked at the ruined buildings of Rhiw Bach quarry and found some nature interest on the way. We arrived back at Fordingbridge at 8pm.
On yer bike!
By Robin Mair, Scout Leader at 1st Lyndhurst.
So after one of the hottest weeks so far this year it was time for Lyndhurst Scout Troop’s annual ride around sone of the New Forest approved cycle tracks.
As the Scouts started gathering so did the rain clouds and yes, you guessed it started to rain as we left the HQ in Lyndhurst and it did not stop until after out return. Some really wet and dirty scouts who had had a fantastic ride with friends. I had best ask upstairs for better weather next year.
Cubs getting out and about in Fordingbridge
By Martine Coatham, Group Scout Leader at 1st Fordingbridge.
Fordingbridge Cubs have been enjoying some adventures away from the Scout Hut recently – with some pond dipping, den building and learning about some local archaeology prior to a housing development in the town.
What’s coming up?
New Forest District’s 1st Birthday Party
With our first birthday due on the 1st October, it has been suggested that we hold a social event of some kind. Please give this some thought on what we could do, any suggestions to Kevin Harmer please. Due to a very busy Summer on the horizon and a few events already in the diary for September and October, a date of early to mid-November has been put forward.
Young Leader Training Weekend – We need your help!
By Julie Mair, Local Training Manager.
Exciting news, we are running a Young Leader Training weekend at Lyndhurst HQ from 9.00am Saturday 24th September to either 1.30pm, if not doing module K, or 3.30pm on Sunday 25th September, if doing module K.
We are anticipating 20 to 24 YLs.
We will be covering modules B to K. Module K is First Response and this is optional. Completing the e-learning prior to attending is essential if a YL wants to do module K.
For this weekend to run successfully we are looking for a number of people to help deliver the modules to the young people. No previous experience is necessary just lots of enthusiasm and availability on the weekend. Full support is available to help prepare for delivering any of the modules. You can join us for the whole weekend or for just one module, approximately 90/120 minutes per module.
Without additional help this weekend will not be able to run. To chat about what is involved or to get more details contact Julie at [email protected]
Project23 – Hampshire Scouts’ Marvellous European Road Trip
By Mike Baxter, Hampshire Scouts’ lead for Top Awards.
We now have a few places left for young people and leaders to join Project 23.
This International Expedition is for three weeks at the start of the Summer 2023 School Holidays. We are taking 232 Explorers and Leaders on an amazing expedition, staying at campsites in Austria, Czech Republic and Germany (where we will be staying in a Castle).
The expedition has a Marvel theme, and the 232 people are split down into 6 teams of 38, and a 4-member core team.
We will be travelling on 4 coaches, and have a few seats left. We are looking for 2 additional leaders (to join the existing 31 leaders), and 5 more young people.
Young people can be Scout / Explorers / Young Leaders, but need to be born between 22nd July 2005 and 31st July 2009.
Leaders need to be at least 18 as of 1st Jan 2022.
Cost is expected to be between £1,800 and £2,200.
For more information, and how to apply, please visit the County Website at https://international.hampshirescouts.org.uk/2021/10/30/project-23-information/?fbclid=IwAR20z_E0X-kHO8GfJOZ1OmmvrAa4WFz1M2vYVVzkpOwcySTD0ZsDgkgQ490
Reminders and Notices
Sign up to Compass and keep your details up to date
A reminder that all members need to register for Compass and keep their details up to date. Registering is simple to do via this link: https://compass.scouts.org.uk/login/User/Login
There is a simple online form to complete, you will need your membership number, so if you have forgotten that please contact us and we can update you.
If you are already registered and have forgotten your password there is link, as above, where you can retrieve it. You will need the information you entered when you first registered, if any of that information has changed, like your email address, you may need to contact the Scout Information centre on 020 8433 7100 or 0345 300 1818, they are really helpful in getting your access restored. On sending out the AGM invite, 12 email addresses bounced back and a further12+ had no email address listed.
Training requirements and reminders
Each month all GSL’s are sent a training compliance report which highlights where Mandatory Ongoing Learning has either expired or is due to expire, GSLs then make contact with leaders to remind them of expired/expiring modules and ask them to complete the eLearning.
Each month the Compliance Team at Scout HQs send reminder emails to leaders that have expired Safety and/or safeguarding, asking them to complete the eLearning, a good reason to keep your email address accurate in Compass.
If the eLearning is not complete after 3 email requests, a list of non-compliant leaders is sent to the County Commissioner, the instruction with this is to task the District Commissioner to ask for the training to be completed within 7 days and if not done to suspend the role, meaning the member is not permitted to take part in any Scouting activities. If the training is not completed within another 7 days the role has to be closed. This would require a completely new recruitment process to re-join. Of course, this action is not something anyone wants to do!
Please note that these notifications do not apply to mandatory First Aid renewal, that remains the responsibility of the individual leader to know when it is due to expire or GSLs acting on the monthly compliance report. Reminders are also not sent about expired permits, so more reasons for regularly accessing your Compass record to keep an eye on those expiry dates.
Dates for your Diary
District AGM – Tuesday 12th July, 19:30hrs at Harry’s Island Camp Site. BBQ before at 19:000hrs.
Soap Box Derby – 25th September, get those amazing carts built during the summer.
We would like to thank everyone for everything you have done and continue to do for Scouting in the New Forest District and we hope you all have a wonderful, and hopefully, sunny Summer. For those heading off to camps, have a fantastic time and take some photos and writeups for Tails of the New Forest.
Also, at last, after 2 years of cancellations, it’s bon voyage to all those across the district heading off to Suisse Adventure in August.
For those of you taking a break from Scouting, enjoy your well-deserved rest and time with family & friends.
There will be no Tails of the New Forest published in August, please keep your articles coming in for the September edition.