What’s been happening?
Scout of the year for Alfie!
Now in its tenth year, the Commander Bruce Award may have changed in that time but has always focused on celebrating those who inspire others.
Hampshire volunteers are asked to nominate people from every area across the county across 5 categories: Fundraising or Campaigning Champion, Adventurer, Local hero, Leadership and Best Team or section or group.
Finally, the judges pick an overall Scout of the Year from the nominees entered in the above categories.
This year Alfie Hanslip, of 6th Netley Marsh, was nominated for the Local Hero Award, for his volunteer work with ‘Team Totton’. This team work tirelessly to clean up Totton and the surrounding area.
Alfie works with them to reclaim footpaths, cut back overgrown areas, clean street signs, remove graffiti and clear huge amounts of litter. Alfie also helped with the Eling Church Project to clean up Eling Cemetery.
We are super pleased to announce that Alfie actually won the Scout of the Year Award! The award was presented to Alfie at the County AGM at Ferny Crofts Activity Centre on Sunday 25 June. Well done Alfie! Keep up the good work.
Canoes and Cycles for Sandleheath Beavers
By Kathryn Flint, Assistant Beaver Scout Leader at 1st Sandleheath Sea Scouts
1st Sandleheath Beavers had a great first session of the year on the water. Half of the group got to experience Kayaking while the other half took to the Canoes. For some of our younger Beavers it was their first time. They all bravely overcame any fears and worries and were soon having a wonderful time, standing up in their crafts, balancing and jumping in – all under the close supervision of our wonderful leaders and water permit holders.
The previous week our Beavers enjoyed ‘Bike Night’ and learnt lots of useful information and practical advice about their bikes and how to stay safe. They had a lot of fun zooming up and down our field.
Camping Out for Testwood Beavers
By Faye Osmond, Beaver Scout Leader, 5th Testwood
5th Testwood Beavers had a full packed sleepover, weekend 17th-18th June.
We held a “Camp Out” at the Garland Lodge. Beavers could choose to sleep inside or in a tent. Everyone helped erect tents including a dining shelter that they did first try!
They engaged in camp craft activities which included, knots, rock painting, bug hotel fixing and bannock making. We learnt all about building a fire and how to be safe around it including fetching the wood from our store.
Beavers encountered a first aid scenario when one of our leaders had an “accident”. They were able to assess for danger and look at how best to provide them with treatment, get help and provide reassurance.
We ended the day with a hike to Testwood Lakes where we left some special rocks for others to find. Then had a camp fire with songs, s’mores and hot chocolate.
Everyone then snuggled down for a film before hitting their beds. Everyone had a great time and we couldn’t have done it without the support of our other sections.
Crafty Carnival for Netley Marsh Beavers
By Emma Hanslip, Beaver Scout Leader, 6th Netley Marsh
At Netley Marsh we are currently full with 26 Beavers and a full waiting list. We have been doing lots of arty things this month, making gifts for our daddy’s and also colouring crayons for our carnival float. The theme this year was children’s books and we were ‘The Day The Crayons Quit‘ we came 3rd for the float entries but were still pleased and all had lots of fun.
We have also hosted Eling Beavers so we could finish our Explorer badge where we told Eling Beavers about all the places we have visited and which was our favourite. We set lots of games out on the field and we had fun playing with our friends.
What’s coming up?
Beaver Picnic – 4th July
By Emma Hanslip, Assistant District Commissioner for Beaver Scouts
We have our District Beaver Picnic coming up on 4th July at Bolderwood, where we have invited the Squirrels to join us too. If any beaver groups in the District haven’t had any information about the picnic and you would like to join us please can you get in touch with me and I will give you details, it will be lovely to see you there.
Stanley’s Own Band Summer Concert – 1st July
By Gary Hargreaves, Band master
Reminders, opportunities and notices.
April 2023 NAN Form
Please note, the Nights Away Notification form has a new version available via this link, please do not use older, locally stored versions. NAN Form April 2023 This is following some updates to POR Chapter 9.
Scouts in Hospitals
By John Stevens, Acting Hampshire Scouts in Hospitals manager
Scouts in Hospitals is back on the wards at Southampton General Hospital. This Hampshire scouting active support group was set up in 2015 to take Scouting activities to young people in Hospital.
However the visiting came to a halt in early 2020 because of COVID, and now a lot of the adult leaders have stood down and we are in the process of recruiting new people so we can see more young people and visit weekly; currently we meet every other week.
It’s not a regular commitment – people sign up for the sessions they want to do and the rolling programme is planned well in advance and the uniform and materials are provided. Parking at hospitals is usually provided free of charge or reimbursed.
For more information about us please see the leaflet and our page on the county web site Hampshire Scouts in Hospitals
British Motor Show opportunity
By Jenni Day, Corporate Partnerships, Scouts HQ
Through our partnership with The British Army, we’ve been given the opportunity for Scout Groups to attend The British Motor Show with their leaders for free and complete their Scouts Mechanics Badge (taught by members of the British Army Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers.
More about The British Motor Show on their website.
The British Motor Show 17th – 20th August 2023, Farnborough
- 4 Scout Groups (max 16 Scouts and 4 adult leaders) – 1 group per day to take part in
- half a day of mechanics badge activities (8 x Scouts AM, 8 x Scouts PM) and the other
- half of the day to enjoy the Motor Show
- Free entry to the Motor Show for Scouts and Leaders
- Badge awarded on the day
- Packed lunch and travel to be arranged by Group leaders
If you’d like to take part, please let me know along with any questions you have. [email protected]
Ellingham Show
By Mandy Peters, Beaver Scout Leader, 1st Burley
We are looking for someone to run some activities / bases at Ellingham Show.
Ellingham Show is on Saturday 12th August 2023 at Somerley Park, Ringwood, BH24 3PL. Ellingham Show is run totally by volunteers and each year any profit made is given away to local groups and charities in return for their help. We have about 8,000 people through the gate.
We have a Childrens Zone and are looking for activities for the children to do, we do not charge the children to take part in these activities but are happy to make donations to the groups to run these activities.
Please contact Mandy directly. [email protected] Tel: 07717 886 867
Regain Cycling Festival
By Calum Frampton, Regain Sports Charity
Regain Sports Charity to invite your Scouts to a new and exciting event we are organising at Thruxton Circuit on the 15-16th September 2023.
We support sportsmen and women that are paralysed in a sporting accident and help them to get back into sport after their rehabilitation.
Regain are organising a Cycling Festival at Thruxton, which will include a chance for newly injured tetraplegics to try out hand cycles and a fundraising challenge.
We were approached by a Scout group in Wokingham to see if their Scouts could take part with a view to them earning their Disability Awareness, Cycling and Fundraising Activity badges.
As a result, we are now offering a Scouts package for the event, which includes camping on the Friday night, breakfast on the Saturday morning, entry into the cycling challenge, snacks and water whilst cycling and a medal.
The cost is £25 plus the Scouts are asked to fundraise as much as they can for the charity. More info see the attached PDF or contact Calum directly: [email protected]
Lynn, Kevin & Robin
Team DC – New Forest