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Welcome to Edition 38 of Tails of the New Forest. It’s the end of another fantastic term and lots has happened, keep and eye here on what’s coming up with County events, the District expedition, opportunities and latest updates.
What’s coming up?
County Memorial Service
The Hampshire Scouts Memorial Service is open to all members of Scouts, as well as relatives and friends, to remember those who have ‘Gone Home’ in the past 18 months.
The 2025 event is being held on Sunday 6th April 2025, starting at 2.30pm and finishing around 4.30pm. It is taking place this year at Pinsent Campsite, Clarendon Way, Winchester, SO22 5QL.
Details and RSVP contacts on the Hampshire Scouts website.
District Expedition will launch soon!
Read all about it! The launch of District Expedition for Scouts and Explorers is right around the corner.
The poster and link to pictures from last time have been circulated to all Scout and Explorer leaders in the district – if you haven’t received it, email [email protected].
Booking form opens at Noon on 14th April. Limited spaces are available, so book early to avoid disappointment. If the event is over subscribed, there will be a filtering process.
Great Tower Lake District 2025
October half term
Saturday 25th October – Saturday 1st November 2025
A week of walking, activities, exploring and fun, staying at Great Tower lodges on Lake Windermere. Open to Scouts and Explorers.
Cost £325, covering transport, indoor accommodation, food and activities during the week including caving.
Everyone will require suitable equipment for hill walking in the Lake District. The three training days leading up to the expedition need to be attended; Saturday 28th June, Sunday 21st September and Sunday 5th October.
Reminders, opportunities and notices
Harry’s Island: Meet-and-greeters wanted
As has been previously mentioned, Tony Parker has decided to step back from being Campsite Warden at Harry’s Island at the end of this season. We are fortunate to already have a couple of adults who have volunteered to assist with all the admin.
We are now looking to build of small team of enthusiastic volunteers who can help deal with the welcoming of users and then check the premises afterwards.
The more members we have on the “Meet and greet” team, the less pressure there will be on individuals to attend regularly. We will develop further both initial access & completion of use check sheets to help.
Are you interested?
Do you have some spare time every so often?
Would you like to meet other users to welcome to the New Forest and the use of the site?
Please contact Robin Mair through the email [email protected].
Commander Bruce Awards
Do you know a young person who inspires and encourages others within their Scout community? Do they stand ahead of the crowd in their Drey, Colony, Pack, Troop or Unit?
Recognise them with the Commander Bruce Awards, back for 2025. Hampshire Scouts want people who have inspired, encouraged others, or stood out to be nominated. This could have been over a period of time, or through a one-off event.
There are different categories for Squirrel Scouts, Beaver Scouts, Cub Scouts, Scouts and Explorer Scouts and any adult member (or associate member if you want to be technical) can nominate before Friday 2nd May 2025. Nominate at the Hampshire Scouts website.
A new face for Young Leaders
We’ll be honest, we have struggled to keep on top of the Young Leader (YL) Scheme the past couple of year as we haven’t had a dedicated Young Leaders lead in place for some time.
I would like to take the opportunity to introduce Toby Floyd, who will now be a front person for the YL Scheme, while Kevin and Andy Chatwin will remain in the background helping with the admin side of things.
Toby will be visiting sections, presenting any awards and talking through missions with the Young Leaders. We are also hoping to be holding some Module A courses in the district in the very near future, more details to be released in the near future.
There is some information on our District website and on the Scouts.org.uk website. We also have a new dedicated email for YLs, which you can find on the YL page on the website.
Interested in Kayaking and Canoeing permits?
Interested in becoming a kayaking or canoeing permit holder? Already got a permit but want to improve your skills or build your contacts? Maybe you’re an assessor who wants to help others get their permit?
You’re in luck! There’s a meet up of these permit holders this month:
Where: 25th Southampton Sea Scouts, SO14 5GZ (Crosshouse road car park)
When: 09:00 to 14:00 on Saturday 26th April
What to bring: Your normal paddling equipment and clothing (Canoe, Kayak, Paddle board), Lunch and drink, Dry clothes
Cost: Free
Please let the organiser know if you intend to come: Steve Preston [email protected]
What’s been happening?
For a quiet month, we’ve still managed to fit a few events in. Check out what we’ve heard from around the district below, and do let us know your news by email.
Rotary raise thousands for Harry’s Island
We’ve mentioned before that a fundraising event took place earlier this year by Rotary for the benefit of Harry’s Island. Well this month, we found out how much!
District Squirrels Sleepover a huge success
Squirrel Dreys from across the District met up at Sandleheath HQ for the first District sleepover with 3rd Ringwood’s Squirrel Drey capturing some of the magic:
It was a fantastic event with campfires, activities, a presentation of a Chief Scout’s Acorn award by Kevin. Plus, with dreys from Copythorne, Ringwood, Fordingbridge, Lyndhurst, Testwood all attending, it was great to see such a range from the District there. Read more about it from a Fordingbridge parent here!
Pancake Restaurant raises £170 for No Limits
The 5th Testwood Cubs hosted a Pancake Restaurant for their parents and carers, choosing what options should be on the menu and making them for their parents as they ordered them. Proceeds from the events went to youth support charity No Limits with £170 raised:
Model making with a difference for Ringwood
The Scouts at 3rd Ringwood visited a Warhammer store recently to take part in some model making and creativity with a difference:
Sandleheath on Toad Patrol
Sandleheath had a visit this month to learn about their amphibian friends who often go unnoticed in our communities:
Harry’s Island work party tackle some big jobs
Latest news from Harry’s Island with the early March working party addressing some wobbly decking, an uneven entrance stone trip hazard, and protecting some picnic benches for outdoor use:
Have you heard about the Scouts’ petition?
The Scouts are petitioning the government to help employers offer volunteering hours to their employees so they can help volunteer in their community. Be that flexibly for weekly sessions, or the odd day here or there for events and camps. Why not check it out?
New Explorers Space badge
There’s been some updates to the various space badges for all sections, including a new Space badge for Explorers!
A Poulner litter pick
We noticed Poulner got involved with a great community litter pick this month, hope them managed to get loads of litter from out of our environment.
Remember you can stay up to date with what’s going on on our Facebook page (/newforestscouts) or Instagram (@newforestscouts). Plus if you’re a volunteer you can be part of the Facebook group for members too. Do remember to share your stories with us throughout the month so we can share them directly and keep having great Scouting adventures.
Robin and Kevin.
Send your news and items for the next edition of Tails at the end of April before the 25th to [email protected].