CROMWELL SCOUT DISTRICT ANNUAL REPORT 2008
DISTRICT COMMISSIONER'S REPORT
Cromwell District youth membership continues to grow but adult numbers continue to fall, giving us a net loss of 3 over last year - the only District in Cambridgeshire not to have increased our membership.
Centenary events were all very well supported with every Beaver, Cub, Scout and Explorer Scout being given the opportunity to attend suitable events.
- Centenary Camp attracted over 400 young people, which was a bit tight on the camp site but great fun for all despite the poor weather on the Saturday
- The BIG sleepover was attended by every Colony in the District
- Scouting's Sunrise and the Big Gig were very well attended considering it was held on a Wednesday in August. We filled the town centre to remake our promises and then paraded to Nobles field for a morning of fun activities. Half a dozen new leaders made their promise for the first time as the rest of us renewed ours and were invested exactly 100 years after B-P opened the first Scout camp.
- We hosted a Troop of 40 Dutch Scouts for a few days before they went to the World Jamboree. Somersham and EBC Scouts joined with some of the Explorers to meet the Dutch and share activities and a campfire with them. Thanks are due to the County Executive who made a substantial donation to assist us financially with this project.
- One Scout from EBC took part in the Live07 event (The Festival of Scouting) at the O2 arena while two Groups organised buses to go and watch the show.
Thank you to the organising teams for making all of these events such a success - for the many months of planning and hard work.
We had hoped to hold St George's day parade and service in Ramsey this year but were unable to find a suitable venue and so we returned to a traditional church service in St Ives where once again we filled the church almost to bursting point.
Congratulations to Pat Tyler and John Hayward who each received a Silver Acorn in the St George's day honours.
The District surgery continues to be successful with Leaders coming to validate training, discuss 'nights away', program ideas, administration and countless other topics. Most Districts in the County now have similar drop-in sessions.
Copley now has a 'management committee' (as a sub-committee of the District Executive Committee) to take on much of the routine scheduling and project planning. Volunteers are still being sought to join this sub-committee - in particular, a building maintenance representative and at least one other. The Copley Service Crew (a band of both regular and occasional volunteers) under the direction of Ed Sowells is keeping the campsite in very good condition. They have almost cleared the backlog of jobs following a few years of minimal maintenance and are about to embark on some larger development projects. A small number of the 'crew' also assist Ed on Tuesday evenings with weekly site maintenance to keep the place looking spic and span and the envy of the County. More volunteers will, of course, be made very welcome!
We are currently without a Local Training Manager and Administrator and so volunteers are urgently required to fill both roles.
Once again, thank you all for your time and enthusiasm in providing first rate opportunities for the development of our youth members in line with the aim and method of the Association. Thanks also to the District Fellowship, CWAC, CMC, District executive committee and Appointments Advisory Committee for their continued support.
Tony Best
District Commissioner
May 08
ASSISTANT DISTRICT COMMISSIONER (ACTIVITIES) REPORT
The new adventurous activity permit scheme is now in full use and as old-style 'Form M', 'Form W', etc. authorisations expire they must be renewed/replaced by the new permits.
We have three assessors for the new permits based in this district:
- Peter Popham - Hill Walking up to T2 winter.
- Jonathan Canham - Single Pitch Climbing.
- John Taylor - Canoeing.
I can provide contact details for these and others outside the district as necessary.
John Hayward
ADC (Activities)
May 2008
EXPLORER SCOUT AND YOUNG LEADER REPORT
Cromwell Explorer Scout Unit
The Unit has had an active year with it's own events and as well as the Centenary Calendar Events. As part of their programme the Explorer Scouts have been helping throughout the year with the District Centenary camps, Sunrise and Disco. But greater to that, the unit members that are Young Leaders have been very supportive to their local groups. Well Done.
One of the highlights this past year was a day trip to the World Jamboree. This was fantastic, especially being part of atmosphere and meeting so many people from different countries.
This year the unit has kept a steady membership of 25 to 30 youngsters, this is without the Young Leaders that don't attend the unit, furthermore we have been having a regular attendance of 18 - 20 Explorers each week and this is a credit to the youth of today showing their commitment.
Our trips are still a big part of the units programme, the last of which was Isle of Wight Christmas trip, and to give you an idea of the forthcoming trips:
- May - Back to Basics
- June - Parascending
- Juy - Gilwell 24
- and many more.
The Leaders have also been busy, they are strongly working towards bringing better links to Scouts and Scout Leaders making sure information is getting to them. Moreover they have implemented the 'Mentor' scheme so they can get the Explorers to progress further with their achievements and gain recognition within the awards scheme.
The Cromwell Explorer Scout Unit is looking toward the future with a SMILE!
Peter Graham
Explorer Scout Leader
May 2008
Cromwell Young Leader Unit
Young Leader training is progressing well in Cromwell. All but one known Young Leaders have completed the compulsory 'Module A', which deals with Child Protection and other important safety and organisation related topics. We aim to present this module three times a year (once each term) so that all Young Leaders have the opportunity to do it within a few months of starting. The remaining modules we aim to present over a cycle of about two years.
Our main problem is getting to know about new Young Leaders when they begin helping with a Group. We rely on the section leaders to keep us informed.
The Young Leader training team now consists of Jenny Best and Bronwen Rayner (both professional teachers) ably supported by the DC and with me doing the contacting of YLs, record keeping, etc. Our thanks also to Tony Rogers and to John Moores, who act as consultants, dealing with certain specialist training.
John Hayward
Explorer Scout Leader (Young Leaders)
May 2008
ACTIVITIES & DEVELOPMENT COORDINATOR (SENIOR SECTIONS) REPORT
The Scout Section in Cromwell District has experienced a year of change but is in a strong position to move forward.
Several Troops have had leadership changes with Leaders moving from Cub and Beaver Scout Sections to take over, and some are full with waiting lists of young people waiting to join. Fenstanton & Hilton's Troop leadership team is being built up with the aim of opening a second Troop, supported by a strong Group Exec. At the northern end of the District, Warboys Troop is full, taking in Cub Scouts from three Packs (Warboys, Ramsey and Bury & Upwood), as well as Scouts bringing their friends to join - the best recommendation of all.
Scouting's Centenary celebrations in 2007 included the District all-Sections camp, the Big Gig and Sunrise day, with the whole District renewing the Promise in St Ives town centre. Day visits to the World Jamboree gave a taste of International Scouting and Live '07 at the O2 Arena rounded off the year with a spectacular show.
F&H enjoyed the full International experience with an invitation to Oslo District Scouts' annual camp, having hosted Norwegian Rangers and Rovers at CamJam 2006. A contingent of 38 (27 Scouts, 5 Young Leaders and 6 Leaders) spent a week on an island in the Oslo Fjord - amazingly topped off with a showing of the latest Harry Potter film in a camp cinema on the day of its international release! This was followed by three days Home Hospitality including a walking tour of Oslo and a day at the Group's idyllic log cabin on a lake in the pine forests.
This year, fifteen Patrols from eight Troops competed in the District Night Hike based at Bluntisham village hall. Heavy rain spoiled the night for the later teams out but just three points separated the top five teams at the end of activity bases. Extra points for good turns put Gateway at the top followed by EBC Bulldogs, Warboys, the joint Warboys/Hemingfords team and F&H Group 3.
The revived Patrol Camping Competition at Copley was contested by seven teams from five Troops, with Warboys narrowly beating EBC in the end. All the Scouts worked hard at activity bases and went away with new skills as well as brushing up on traditional Patrol camping and cooking.
We have lots to look forward to in the coming year, including District swimming gala and Cromwell Mountain Club trips and County-led fishing competition, white-water kayaking day and County Camp. Various inter-Troop camps are also planned, which help to provide different experiences for Scouts as well as assisting their new leaders.
I would like to thank everyone who has helped the Scout Section in the last year, especially Gavin Roberts for keeping Warboys Troop meetings going and Dave Hudson for setting up the Patrol Camping Competition. I hope our new leaders settle into their Troops and all leaders continue to enjoy volunteering for Scouting.
Josie Ratcliffe
Activities & Development Co-ordinator (Senior Sections)
May 2008
ASSISTANT DISTRICT COMMISSIONER (BEAVERS SCOUTS) REPORT
The determination and dedication of the Colony leaders has facilitated an excellent year for Beaver Scouting in Cromwell.
It has been another year of growth for Beaver Scouting. Membership of the young people has risen by 10% from 224 recorded on the census in 2007 to 248 in 2008. Most Colonies are now running at capacity, (set by venue, leadership and HQ guidelines) and unfortunately we currently have a few 6-year olds on our waiting lists.
Ed Sowells retired after 5 years as DBSL in March, though he continues to support the section in his role of Fellowship member. Sue Baldock has taken on the challenge of DBSL and has begun a programme of Colony visits. Termly leader meetings, visits to the District surgery and time together at District events has given the leaders regular opportunities to network with each other. This has resulted in a strong 'family' of Beaver Leaders within the District.
District events continue to flourish. The Treasure Hunt in the autumn, Puppet workshop and show just before Christmas and Handicraft Competition in the spring continue to be well attended. Especially for 2007, with the support of Westfield school and leaders from every Colony in the District plus many of our friends from other sections, The BIG sleepover in June saw 150 Beavers coming together for a night away to remember. Our popular sausage sizzles brought in record numbers with 200 attending over the two evenings, even the flooded site couldn't dampen our enthusiasm. As the water rose rapidly we rescued the wood from the campfire circle, and had our campfire in a couple of spare BBQ's under the flag pole, with many of the young people unaware of the reason for the change.
Following each event we evaluate carefully and plan for the future in order to ensure that the young people continue to get the challenge and adventure that brought them into the Section. Looking ahead we are currently planning a venture for 2008 with a Junior Sections Event in July. With a Colony currently in every Group we shall seek to strengthen their leadership and eventually eliminate our waiting lists.
As is customary, I would like to thank all those who have supported the Beaver Scouts over the past year. Those on the front line, running regular weekly meetings and those who work behind the scenes planning our programme of District events…many of our leaders are doing both!
Sue Best
ADC (Beaver Scouts)
May 2008
