What’s been happening?
Fordingbridge Scouts take on the Mud Run
By Helen Christian, Assistant Scout Leader, 1st Fordingbridge.
1st Fordingbridge Scout Group entered two teams on Saturday 25th February to the Ferny Crofts Mud Run. T hese included Beavers, Cubs, Scouts, Explorers and Leaders for a fantastically muddy and colourful run.
We’re aware of plenty of other teams from across the district taking part too. We hope you all had a fab time showing those endurance skills!
Top Awards
By Helen Christian, Assistant Scout Leader, 1st Fordingbridge.
Congratulations to Luca Rayner who was awarded his Chief Scout’s Gold Award in February. Luca has been a dedicated member of 1st Fordingbridge Scout Group since his days in our Beaver Colony. Luca has taken on leadership roles in all sections, setting a brilliant example of Scouting values to younger members. Luca can always be found on camps, out on hikes and is the first to lead others in wide games or tasks with his calm and confident manner. We will miss having Luca in the Troop and wish him every success as he moves into the Explorer Unit.
Huge congratulations to Dale Francis and Jake Beach who have been completed their Gold DofE Award and Queen’s Scout Awards. Well done to you both on this fantastic achievement.
Return of the Eagle Trophy
By Kerie Wallace, Explorer Scout Leader, Cerberus ESU.
It was dark, windy, a bit rainy and a bit cold, OK, very cold, but that could only mean one thing, the Eagle Trophy was back. After three years of, no don’t mention it, it was back, with a bang, and with Troops who didn’t know what they had let themselves in for.
The day of the 25th January came, and the organising team assembled at Ferny Crofts, ensuring they did not get mixed up with the mud run, they needed all their energy for the event ahead. HQ for the night was The Roundhouse, it provided a shelter for the teams whilst they plotted the routes, but the cold and wind were still able to give them a taste of what was ahead.
Teams arrived at half hourly intervals at the HQ, to plot their route, receive an essential briefing and be checked that they had all the correct gear, we won’t mention the team that turned up without any maps. As an ‘eggtra’ challenge, they were presented with two ‘whole’ eggs in a sealed box, which needed to be transported with them around the route, the eggs were supposed to be returned intact, but guess what!
They had a 6-mile route to navigate, we won’t mention the team that took 20 minutes to reach the pond in Ferny Crofts, along which they had to find some key points to answer some devious questions, and test some of their Scouting and teamwork skills. The incident bases consisted of; rafting across the pond to score baskets (there is a basketball net in the middle of Ferny Crofts Pond), build a tall tower using pioneering poles and ropes, endure a genius string trail set by the Network and test their micro-navigation to find some well needed emergency rations (sweets). When they arrived back at the HQ, the eggs were inspected, oh, what a mess, but still, the final challenge was ahead, could they produce something edible with them on a Trangia stove, the answer was yes. We had scrambled, obviously, eggs, almost fried eggs, egg sandwiches and the most popular, eggy bread, nothing wasted and all topped up with egg shell.
The night finished with a mug of hot soup or chocolate and off to their tents they went, everyone exhausted, but still exhilarated by the night’s events. For some unearthly reason, some Scouts were up at 6, I know, because I could hear them from inside my double sleeping bag, why?
The Trophy presentation was eagerly awaited, and without exaggeration, every Scout turned up with a smiling face, although could have been because they had just had their cooked breakfast. The winners, 1st Burley, their first ever time at the Eagle Trophy, were over the moon at their achievement, well done. Thank you to the Leaders and Teams of the 1st Burley, 1st Lyndhurst, 1st Poulner, 1st Sandleheath, 2nd Copythorne (Everett), 3rd Ashurst & Colbury, 4th Eling and 5th Testwood for competing, I hope you all enjoyed it, and thank you to all my Scouting friends who braved the cold and ran the bases. See you next year, Kerie Wallace
Busy term for Sandleheath Scouts
By Martine Coatham, Group Scout Leader, 1st Sandleheath.
It’s been a busy term at Sandleheath, Beavers have been learning about animals to complete their Animal Friend badge, they have been taking photographs, aided by the Camera Club, and have visited the local ski slope for some wintery fun.
Cubs made pancakes, built some towers and made boats out of junk – with a competition to see which would float the best with scores for design, complexity and ability to hold the most cutlery (!) – and visited the local swimming pool to achieve their Stage 2 swim badges.
Scouts have been navigating and cycling around the forest, taking part in an incident hike, learning how to prepare partridge and pheasants (into tasty goujons, with flat bread and tomato sauce) – with Diana Green (Green Nutrition) and preparing to go back on the water after Easter with a safety talk from the RNLI.
Three of our leaders also completed their training and were awarded their Wood Badge by our District Commissioner, Kevin. We also held our annual Spring Clean – so the hut is prepared for the camping season. A big thank you to all the people who help to provide Scouting to our young people.
By Kathryn Flint, Assistant Beaver Scout Leader, 1st Sandleheath.
Congratulations to Nathan Hawtin, Fergus Houliston and Theo Johnston for achieving their Bronze Chief Scout Awards. We wish them all, together with Megan Oakley and Freda Flint the best of luck at Cubs.
This term the highlight for the beavers was doing a taster ski session at Snowtrax. A few of the beavers were apprehensive to begin with but they all managed to give it a go and really enjoyed themselves. Lots of smiles all round!
Scout Active Support Update
By Roger Newland, Scout Active Support Unit Co-ordinator.
Founders Day Event Copythorne.
This was well attended with 26 taking part from both sides of the forest. A good supply of cake and scones were consumed washed down with tea and coffee, while taking part in various quizzes. Thank you to the cake makers, quiz setter and refreshment team.
Annual Meal 9th March
Twenty-one of us sat down to a lunch at The Horse and Groom Woodgreen, we had a lovely meal with good food and service. We usually have a festive meal in January but had to delay it this year.
Bill Edwards Funeral 20th March
There was a very good attendance at Bills funeral in Salisbury. Scouting was represented by members from: New Forest ASU, Hampshire Scout Heritage and Brownsea Island ASU. They joined Family and Friends to celebrate Bills life and see him go home, afterwards the wake was at the Hampton Inn. There is a Memorial Day for Bill at Fordingbridge Scout HQ on 1st April from 11am till 4pm. Donations to his memory may be made to The Ghurka Welfare Trust or c/o Shergold Funeral Directors, 7-11 Brown Street, Salisbury, Wilts, SP1 1HE
Long Service Award
Huge congratulations to Graham Chiari, Deputy Group Scout Leader & Section Leader – Scouts at Poulner. Here is Robin, of Team DC, presenting Graham with his 30 years long service award.
Thank you, Graham, for all you do for Scouting in Poulner and the New Forest District, it really is appreciated.
What’s coming up?
Scouting the Zoo at Marwell
Marwell Zoo are excited to be hosting their Scouting the Zoo event this coming 13th and 14th May. Back for another year with lots of exciting new activities, we are looking forward to welcoming all scouting and guiding groups of all ages. To book now please click on the link. Zoo membership doesn’t apply to this special event, prices for scouting and guiding groups are discounted for this event with so much to do.
Reminders, opportunities and notices.
Activities on Forestry England land
By Emma Hanslip, Assistant District Commissioner – Beaver Scouts.
Emma was recently organising a Beaver egg rolling activity at Bolton’s Bench, she came across a link which guides you through whether you need a Permission or Permit from Forestry England.
Robin said, if you are running a section-based event, from my base line understanding, if it is less than 25 members and you are not using animals or equipment you do not need to apply. I suppose eggs qualify as equipment.
Gone home
It is with great sadness to hear that Pam Osman Passed away peacefully on Tuesday 10th January 2023 at Brook view Nursing Home aged 91 years. Pam (retired Poulner postmistress) the beloved Wife of the late Brian was a caring Mother, Grandmother & Great Grandmother. Pam’s children Kevin, Lynda and family will fondly remember all the good times and value greatly the support she gave them all. A Service to celebrate Pam’s life was held at Bournemouth Crematorium on Monday 6th February 2023. Generous donations were made in Pam’s memory, to go towards the support of Harry’s Island Scout Camp.