East Lancashire Gazette - January 2009

The County Commissioners Bit

County Commissioner Search Group

To move forward the process of finding a new County Commissioner I have appointed a Search Group under the Chairmanship of the Deputy County Chairman, Roger Flitcroft.

Their role will be to circulate information and application forms widely, seeking nominations for the role and this will happen in the very near future.

This process is designed to give everyone in the County the opportunity to nominate anyone they feel has the correct qualities to do this very important role. It also allows people to nominate themselves, if they wish and to consider people who are not at the moment actively involved in Scouting.

Please ensure that you take the opportunity to assist in this important process. All communications are confidential to the Search Group and myself.

Leaving us

Janet Wilmot ACC Beaver Scouts stepped down on the 1st of January and a Search Group for her successor will be set up in due course. Janet's enthusiasm for Beaver Scouting is well known and I'm glad that Rossendale will continue to have her services and we wish her well with thanks for her contribution.

After 5 years as County Appointments Secretary, following many years as County Secretary, Simon Nanson has decided that it's now time that he stepped down from the role.

Simons quiet dedication has served this County well over many years and our grateful thanks go to him for all his efforts at County level over many years in various roles.

This Gazette and the County Website have been a tremendous resource to East Lancashire and the responsibility for this lies with Mark Clegg our County Webmaster.

Unfortunately Mark has decided that he must look to standing down from the role due to health reasons. Mark has my sincere thanks for taking and developing the role of Webmaster when I asked him, 6 years ago, to "help out ".

2018

It seems a long way away doesn't it ? but it's not.

Where do we want this Movement to be in 2018?

As an Association we set out a Strategy and Vision to take us to 2012 following extensive consultation with the Membership and many of you were involved in that process.

It is now time to start that process again and, at the Regional District Commissioners Forum next month there will be a Presentation and the opportunity for District Commissioners to engage with this process. I am pleased to say that nearly all DC's and some Deputies from EastLancashire are attending.

On the same weekend ACC's from each County accompanied by 2 or 3 Sectional Leaders will have their opportunity to begin this process, as well as deal with their own sectional specific matters, with members of the Headquarters Team at the Regional Development Advice and Support Day.

Youth Forums

I am pleased to see that Youth Forums are progressing in the County and I would ask all Leaders to support these.It is important that as a Movement the voice of young people is heard and taken note of.

Working in partnership with older heads it has proved an unstoppable combination in the past and there is no reason to believe that this will not continue in the future.

Census time

It's here again folks, please try and ensure that returns are sent in on time and are accurate. For the past few years the Headquarters Membership subscription has remained the same due to the increase in numbers recorded.

Please don't forget - just because the weather is damp it doesn't mean that your Scouting Spirit has to be.

Enjoy your Scouting and help others to do the same.

Calling all budding reporters and photographers!

In May, at the Jungle 09 camp we need YOUR help to keep the presses rolling, We're looking for a team of 4 or 5 reporters to put together the camps newspaper, whether your good at writing, taking photos or just want to help out, let me know!

If you don't want to be a 'full time' reporter you can still help by sending in the odd article, poem or great photo, general helpers will be extra welcome.

If your free 1st-3rd May 09 and want to experience the world of journalism then the Jungle 09 newspaper is the place to be!

Anyone welcome to take part

Please contact Matt Paiton - Newspaper Editor at mpaiton@gmail.com

Accrington St Pauls Barnfield Cubs and Scouts Camp

From 7th to 9th November Accrington St Pauls Barnfield Cubs and Scouts attended a local scout camp site for a weekend of bonfire fun. The wet weather did not dampen their spirits with them completing a range of activities including making bonfire pictures, eating bonfire toffee and building Guy Fawkes. The weekend culminated in a spectacular firework display and bonfire.

This was the Scouts first ever scout camp, and it was in celebration of their first birthday. Despite the weather the scouts enjoyed themselves and took part in a range of activities including Archery, raft building and camp gadgets.

Scouts debate in the House of Commons

Three Blackburn Explorer Scouts travelled to the House of Commons in December to take part in a debate with 50 Scouts from around the UK. The aim was to discuss issues that concern them most with around 20 MPs who also attended the event. The event was organised by Gilwell and saw the launch of the "Hoodies, binge drinkers, future leaders" report.

The Scouts involved voted on the questions they would most like to discuss, at present their choices are:

• It would improve the image of teenagers if…
• It would tackle anti-social behaviour in my community if…
• I would use public transport more if…
• It would help me get the job I want if…

Sam, one the the Blackburn Explorer Scouts at the event said " It was good to see other peoples opinions on issues important to us. It gave us an opportunity to give your views to people who can actually do something about it! We enjoyed the day in London and hope we helped in some way to develop effective plans for young people for the future.

Blackburn Districts new Explorer Scout Leaders

Blackburn District has made the following new appointments in it's Explorer Scout Leadership team

Callum Woods will take on responsibility for training and development of Young Leaders in the District. Callum himself came through the Young Leader scheme whilst being an Explorer Scout in Blackburn. When he reached 18 he then became an ACSL with St. Aidens in Mill Hill as well as an active member of the the County Scout Network.

Greg Duckworth becomes AESL at Blackburn North Unit. Greg was a member Blackburn Explorers and completed his Explorer Belt in New Zealand as well as attending internationals in Switzerland and Iceland. Greg is an active member of the County Scout Network. 

Craig Slater joins Blackburn West Unit as AESL. Craig does not have a Scouting background but is really enjoying his time with the Unit and brings excellent organisational skills to the Unit. 

Stuart Parker, Explorer Commissioner for Blackburn explained "It is very exciting to welcome new Leaders into the District Team. I am sure they will bring new skills and experiences which will help the section continue to grow and develop. The existing team put in a tremendous amount of time and effort into ensuring the young people get a fantastic range of opportunities and the addition of three new Leaders will help to strengthen the Units for the future."

Just Think...

As Scouts we are all members of a worldwide family and at times this becomes particularly apparent. I have been in contact with Jamal, a Palestinian Scout, for several months now and a couple of his emails about the difficult situation in his homeland have particularly upset me. However this has come to a peak with the recent Israeli bombings in the Gaza strip.

Fortunately Jamal is currently in Denmark, but his family and his fellow Scouts remain in Gaza. I’ve been speaking to him online tonight while he has been frantically trying to get news from home. He knew his Scout group had been in a school while it was bombed and heard that his Scout leader could not be found, but then he got disconnected. Jamal presumed his Scout leader to be dead. A while later Jamal messaged me again to tell me that his Scout leader had been found alive, I said that was really good news and at least there was something positive. However he then replied again to say that although his Leader was alive, several Rover Scouts had died trying to help at the bombed school.

These are our fellow Scouts and I am just asking you to hold all the Palestinian Scouts, their friends and families in your thoughts. If you’re religious, then please pray for them.

Thank you and all the best.

Make-A-Wish

Make-A-Wish grants magical wishes to children and young people fighting life-threatening illnesses. The charity was founded in 1986 and has granted over 5,300 wishes to children aged 3-17 from all over the UK. They are all living with conditions that significantly reduce their life expectancy and that involve extensive and often painful medical treatments.

The wishes granted by Make-a-Wish are varied, often funny and unusual. They range from swimming with dolphins, being a princess for the day, owning the latest computer or music equipment to meeting a favourite celebrity. One that particularly comes to mind is: "Having my mummy rescued by Spiderman"! Our role is to make the wish, whatever it is, as magical as possible for both the child and their family.

In 2009 Make-A-Wish hopes to grant and fund around 860 magical wishes across the UK. In this region alone we hope to grant 150 wishes over the forthcoming months.

This year we have put together a Wish Challenge which we hope your group would like to become part of in order to help us raise funds to grant many of these magical wishes in the region.

We have had a fantastic response to it so far, so many thanks if you are already taking part. It is still possible to take part and register if you haven't done so already. The Wish challenge will particularly appealing toýyour group because of the nature of it and relates directly to your group developing a new skill and been awarded a Make-A-Wish limited edition Cloth Badge to add to their achievements.

Please do not hesitate to contact me should you require any additional information but hopefully you will find all you need in the attached information pack.

Francesca.Towson@makeawish.org.uk

Awards Ceremony 23rd November 2008

At the recent Awards Ceremony at Westholme School some 23 Scouts and Explorers and 2 Network members received recognition of their hard work and persistence in gaining the tops awards of their respective sections. TheMayor of Blackburn, Councillor Khan, kindly presented certificate and accompanying badges to the award recipients, with the Regional Commissioner, Chris Creelman, giving a very interesting and amusing talk. We were alsodelighted that all nine Mayors of the County and family and friends of the recipients were present to witness the event.

The award recipients were:

Chief Scout's Award - Gold standard

• Chris Smith
• Ryan Haworth
• James Austin
• Shameel Khan
• Christopher Craine
• Sarah Wicks
• Johanna Lund
• Oliver Cooper
• Emma Cooper
• Alec Tomlinson
• Daniel Fendall
• Oliver Burton
• Robin Holland
• Katie Parker
• Aidan Parker
• Nathanael Fisher

Chief Scout's Award - Platinum standard

• Joe Lee
• Christopher Walker
• Rachael Moodie

Chief Scout's Award - Diamond standard

• David Goddard
• James Forrest

Queen's Scout Award

The highest award within the Scout Association, whichrequires immense commitment

• James Ruddock
• Steven Fish

Congratulations to all the recipients and especially to the 2 Queen's Scout Award recipients. Their commitment and dedication to the Scout movement is to be admired and we look forward to seeing the Chief Scout's Award recipients gaining their Queen's Scout Award in later years. We also hope that all will remain within the Scout Association for years to come, as they obviously enjoy what they do in Scouting!

Scout TV - Everyday Adventure

Over the past few months work has been going ahead on the first series of Scout TV, called Everyday Adventure. This is a series of 6 episodes to be shown and episode a month on the Community Channel starting on Monday 19th January.

This brand new TV series is the first time The Scout Association has used the Community Channel to help it communicate directly with current adult volunteers and the parents of its youth Members.

With inspiring stories about Scouting's work in our communities and clear explanations of its purpose and structure, the series explains everything you've wanted to know about Scouting but were afraid to ask.

The first episode, Everyday Adventures - What Scouting means today, is a fast-paced introduction to what Scouting is and how it works, showing how the movement can help make life an Everyday Adventure. This includes some things to you might know about Scouting, and some you might not.

Please visit the link below to learn a bit more about the series including a trailer, and also to find out when you can watch it. This first episode is a great opportunity to publicise what Scouting is and does to new Members and parents of current Members.

http://www.communitychannel.org/content/view/2590/75/

Bowley Needs You!

The Trader and TCs need you!

We are short of volunteers to help serve young people.

Can you spare a couple of hours at the weekend or in the summer eveings?

Do you like having lots of fun? Would you like more information?

Contact Lynda Lloyd, weekdays 01942 820001 or home after 7pm on 01254 209851 or you can email lynda.lloyd@alliancepiling.co.uk

You must have patience and understanding, enjoy dealing with young people and have a sense of the ridiculous !

We will provide you with all the tea and coffee you can drink.

Cub Events

Happy New Year to everyone - I trust you all celebrated the Christmas period and New Year suitably? I saw and met some of you during the Christmas Experience - which was excellent, as always - and it was good to chat withthose that keep the Cub Section going and growing. My thanks to you all and I hope the year 2009 is a good one for you all.

Some dates, which you will want to put in your diaries, for Cub events County wise:

• Cub Section Football competition on 7th March at Burnley again, same venue as last year. 2 teams from each District can enter - do speak with your ADC/DC if you want to know who is representing your District this year. You never know, it might be your Pack!
• County Cub Skills Competition at Bowley on 16th May 09. You can obtain more details from your ADC/DC about this event. Can I remind everyone that it is a competition and, as such, competition rules will apply. That said I know everyone taking part will learn something(s!) throughout the day. Just pray for good weather and we will have a cracking day.
• Cub Adventure Day over the weekend 13/14 June 09. This year the ADCs have decided to have our Adventure away from Bowley and to that end we are arranging for all Cub Scouts in the County to take part in our trip to the Leeds Armouries. I am reliably informed that it is a cracking day out - and we are in cahoots with the Armouries to provide further things to do on the day. I can't wait to go! More details available from your ADC/DC.

That's all for now, folks

East Lancashire Railway Scout Nightrider Train

Sleep Over with a difference

The East Lancashire (Heritage) Railway operates steam and diesel services at weekends and bank holidays through out the year. Each year the railway also hosts a number of events. One such event is our Diesel Scout Nightrider event 14th - 15th of March 2009.

One of our heritage diesel loco's runs throughout the night from Heywood to Rawtenstall up the picturesque East Lancashire Line.

Last year members of 3rd Padiham, St Johns (Burnley District) took part with a unique sleepover on the train. Following the success of that sleepover we now openly invite all the scout groups of East Lancashire to participate. The event normally commences at 1800hrs on the Saturday and normally concludes around 0845 on the Sunday.

Those taking part in the sleepover will received a Certificate and have the opportunity to order a sleepover badge!

If this is something that may appeal to your group then please complete the Provisional booking form and send it to Denise Gill at admin@east-lancs-rly.co.uk Denise will then work out the group booking fee and send you an email with the costings. At this early stage the booking cost looks likely to be around the £10 per person range.

Please can I also ask that you copy Simon Morley in on the above booking e-mail and if you would like to order a sleepover badge please send the badge booking form to Simon Morley so that they can be ordered and given out to your group on the Sunday. EMail: simon@padihamscouting.org.uk    

Various activities will be organised through out the night specially for the participating Scout groups, activities may include a night walk along the River Irwell, Campfire at Heywood Station, Scouts own (led by the Scout Associations Faith and Beliefs Team), Various quizzes and competitions.

Should you also have any enquiries on last years event please also speak to Simon.

Provisional booking forms and badge order forms are available for download from the county website.

http://eastlancashirescouts.org.uk/page.php/0/399

10th World Jamboree held in the Philippines in 1959.

Please can you help us to trace some "Scouts who attended the above Jamboree"

We are a small group of "Old Scouts" aged between 64yrs and 67yrs who attended the above Jamboree in July 1959,

We are trying to trace all the scouts who attended this Jamboree would it be possible to circulate this request via email, word of mouth etc.as we are planning a reunion sometime in July this year to mark the 50 years anniversary of this very special Jamboree those who attended would neverforget the wonderful occasion.

The Jamboree contingent consisted on 7 HQ Staff, 3 Scoutmasters, 8 ASM's and 94 scouts. The Scouts and Leaders were divided into 3 Troops, A B & C.

We have the names and address's (now 50 years old) of everybody who attended this Jamboree and to date we have traced 12 people.

Any help you can give us would be greatly appreciated as we are having difficulty in tracing these "Old Scouts"

Please contact myself or the gentlemen below as we all attended this Jamboree.

Roger Norman
Member of the Scout Association
14th Hackney Scout Group
Capt Oates Rover Crew.
Fairmead Scout Fellowship- Treasurer
East London District Scout Council
Tel : 01268 743 065
Fax :01268 743 353
Mobile : 07860 294 749
E-mail roger.norman1066@btinternet.com

Or John Harris at harrisjohn5@sky.com
Or Mike Philips at msphillips@btinternet.com

Dates for your Diary