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Welcome to Edition 49 of Tails of the New Forest. Oh boy have so many of our young people returned with force to the summer term and there’s been plenty going on. It was amazing to see so many of our young people and volunteers back in one place at the recent St. George’s Day celebration – hopefully with many more to see next year. Don’t forget to let us know your stories, details of upcoming events, and notices for the district by emailing [email protected].
What’s coming up?
Harry’s Island Maintenance Day
Help us look after our District campsite and get it looking its finest for the summer season!
We do lots to look after our much-used and loved campsite, but what about those jobs that are a little bigger to tackle? Grab your tools and join us to complete the jobs from our list ready for more adventures to come!
Find the full list, a poster to promote and more on this post on our website.
It’s Donkey Derby Eve!
The Donkey Derby is a mere fortnight away, being held in partnership between 4th Eling Sea Scouts and 5th Testwood Scouts. It all kicks off on Saturday 16th May at Eling Recreation Ground in Totton, you can join their Facebook event, follow their page for updates and volunteer to help by emailing the team.
Young people and volunteers from both groups are out selling programmes every weekend in the run up to the event, so grab your tickets for the event ahead of the event to get early access at a cheaper rate.
Ferny Crofts Squirrels and Beavers Fun Days
Ferny Croft’s fun days for Squirrels and Beavers return in September, find the details below on when to book:
Looking further ahead:
- Fawn Trophy for Beavers, 9th May
- Donkey Derby, 16th May
- Stanley’s Own Band ‘Music from the Movies’ concert, 16th May
- Harry’s Island Maintenance Day, 17th May
- District Team Meeting, 20th May
- Scouts Expedition Challenge, May TBC
- GLV and Group Chair support days, 9th May, 6th June and 13th June
- Young Leader B-K weekend at Lyndhurst, 19th-20th September
Reminders, opportunities and notices
St. George’s Day feedback
It was lovely to see so many of the District at the St. George’s Day celebration in Lyndhurst, it was our first as the New Forest district, and the first event back in Lyndhurst in seven years. We’re looking for feedback about the event – what went well, and what we could build upon for next year.
This feedback form is open to everyone – including those who missed out this year but have thoughts anyway – and will close on Sunday 10th May. If you are interested in helping to run and organise the event next year, you can also add your details to the final question on the form too.
Thank you Kevin
It is with a certain amount of regret and sadness that we learned that Kevin is standing down as a member of Team DLV. Following some ill health within his family, he feels he needs to dedicate more time to them, than he can at present whilst being one of the District Lead Volunteers.
Kevin’s support, motivation and enthusiasm has been much appreciated over the last four and a half years when he joined New Forest in September 2021 having been the Lead Volunteer in New Forest West for the previous 6 months.
Kevin does not wish to step away from being involved with the District completely and has offered to join the Programme team to help both the Cub and Beaver section run their District events. We look forward to catching up with Kevin at District events and around 2nd Copythorne ” Stanley’s Own” Scout Group in the coming months.
Please be aware that all queries, request for assistance and support moving forward will need to be directed to Robin. Thank you Kevin for all you’ve done for the district.
Youth Instructor award for Archery
The Archery GB Young Instructor Award is designed specifically for young people aged 14-16 who are passionate about archery and interested in becoming instructors. It covers how to deliver engaging and safe introductory archery sessions including:
- Selecting appropriate equipment for beginners
- How to set up and manage an archery range safely
- Teach basic archery techniques
The course is delivered over two days and includes both theoretical and practical components, with delivery methods tailored to young learners. It is ideal for young people who are interested in becoming qualified archery instructors and have little or no prior experience in archery. Participants will be assessed on their ability to deliver a safe and engaging archery session and their understanding of archery principles through a multiple-choice question paper. Successful participants will receive the Archery GB Young Instructor Award certificate.
Location: 1st Chandlers Ford Scouts Hall, Brickfield Lane. Chandlers Ford. EASTLEIGH, Hampshire SO53 4DP
Date/Time(s): Day 1: Sunday, 12th July 2026 – 9am-5pm; Day 2: Sunday, 19th July 2026 – 9am-5pm
Registration Details: Please contact the following to book a place.
Contact: Martin Oakley
Email: [email protected]
Telephone: 07557 100982
Course is delivered over 2 days at a cost of £180pp
Spring 2026 POR
The Scouts’ Policy Organisation and Rules is getting their regular updates soon. You can find out the changes on scouts.org.uk. It includes information about Trustees, suspensions, data protection and disclosures in Scotland.
What’s been happening?
Celebrating Bravery and the spirit of Scouting at St. George’s Day
A huge thank you to everyone who joined the parade and celebrations of Scouting at St. George’s Day, our first as a District after many false starts and opportunities that fell through. We finally found the formula that seemed to work for the size of District that we now are. A big thank you to the team who helped organise the event, and providing us with the strong foundations to build upon for next year.
We’ve included the photos we received below, feel free to send any more you have to us!
Awards and a new chapter at 5th Testwood
5th Testwood held their AGM on Wednesday rounding out the year. You can catch up on their year on their website, but it was also a moment of celebration and thankfulness to the group’s volunteers. At the event, the Group’s Chair Hayley stepped back from her role after 4 years, Steven handed the baton of Group Lead Volunteer to Max Simes and Sarah Challis again after 4 years, and recruitment efforts came to fruition for their Trustee and Chair vacancies.
And it was an evening of celebration too. Kat Seddon received her 5 years Length of Service Award, and both Craig and Sarah Challis received their Awards for Merit from Robin for their efforts as volunteers within the group, the Cubs, and leading the incredibly successful fundraising events Totton Santa Run and Donkey Derby. Huge congratulations to them both! (Thanks to Kat Seddon for the photos)
Ashurst and Colbury Squirrels get behind the scenes at ASDA
The still fresh team at Ashurst and Colbury Squirrels drey have been out and about peeking behind the scenes at ASDA in Totton:
Eling back on the water
Not that they really left it, but it’s always good to see the young people at 4th Eling Sea Scouts out on the water:
Momentum building for Eling’s recruitment drive
And after a great showing at the St. George’s Day and several events in the community too, momentum is building for Eling and their target to fill lots of valuable roles at the group. Can you help? Find out more below:
Fordingbridge Scouts getting into nature
The Scout troop at 1st Fordingbridge spent their first session back after Easter out in the forest making new memories:
Support 1st Fordingbridge at Waitrose
Plus if you’re local to Fordingbridge and shop at Waitrose, you can support the group as they feature in the green tokens!
And going out with a song!
And returning to round this edition of Tails out, we go to Stanley’s Own band and this of their many songs from St. George’s Day. They led the parade through the streets of Lyndhurst both up and back, and performed in the church too where the Cubs, Scouts, Explorers and dignitaries held their celebration service:
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.
Send your news and items for the next edition of Tails at the end of May before the end of the 25th to [email protected].