Time Machines save the World (except for the rising sea level)
A Scout HQ on stilts surrounded by a raised road and houses and lots of water was how Somersham Beaver Scouts see our community in 2057. Their vivid imagination and careful work won them the Colony Entry Prize in the annual Cromwell Beaver Scout Handicraft Competition held in the Free Church, St Ives on Saturday 15th March 2008.
Starting after the Christmas break, Beaver Scouts from all around Cromwell Scout District have been working hard on this year's entries which included the design of a new Beaver Scout badge, a drawing of a leader modelling a new uniform for 2057 and writing an illustrated story of a Beaver Scout adventure in the future.
Climate change, rising sea levels and time travel featured heavily in all sections. The Hemingfords second prize winning entry in the 3D model Colony entry was a map of the shrinking planet and Ramsey came in third with the guided bus and 7 recycling bins in their 2057 community.
New Beaver badges were for 'Respect', the Earth and Animals produced by Hugo Chambers of Hemingfords, Jade Daniels of Wyton (RAF) and Kyle Lanham of Fenstanton and Hilton. The illustrated stories really allowed the imagination of the Beavers to run wild with Sam Hardwick of the Hemingfords telling us about his Beaver Scout who was late for his meeting because his time machine took him to an animal beaver lodge instead. Joel Young, also from Hemingfords and also in a time machine saved the Titanic's passengers by travelling back in time. Ciaran Tuohy of Gateway told the story of a visitor from Jupiter. All exciting stuff!
The leaders' uniforms of 2057 included rocket shoes by Devon Graham of 1st Wyton (RAF), a glow in the dark outfit by Dale Hollingworth of Ramsey (complete with a picture of the face of his current leader!) and space Beavers by Dan Sarath of Gateway.
After judging the room was opened to Beaver Scouts, their parents and supporters and the general public. A good crowd admired the entries, enjoyed tea and cakes provided by Somersham and took part in craft activities including dressing the cut-out doll, passports, face painting, paper folding, and baking foil models provided by Houghton, Gateway, 5th St Ives and the District Fellowship.
After an hour of fun the Certificates were awarded and all the entries packed away at the end of another successful event in the annual Beaver Scout calendar.
