Guest Editor
Page 2
YP Awards
Page 7
Congratulations
Page 2
JOTA
Page 8
County Events
Page 11
District Diary
Page 3
Bears Grill
Page 9
Social Media News
Page 12
DC’s Ramblings
Page 4-6
Group News
Page 10
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Hello one and all, welcome to Contact—October edition. Mark is a little busy at the moment (something about a commitment???) and so I have stepped in to try and fill his shoes … but just for this edition (don’t be having any ideas Mark!). I have given Contact a new look this month, mainly because Mark forgot to leave me the original template, but I quite like it. Let us know if you do too using social media or the regular email address! A wise man once said ‘Good things do not come to those who wait, they come to those who get up of their backsides and go and get them’ and so, with that in mind, as articles are a little thin on the ground (at least they are whilst I type my piece 2 days after the submission deadline) I have taken a leaf out of Mark’s book and trawled social media sites to bring you news from Groups and Sections. I will also take this opportunity to send my congratulations to Mark and Samantha Easdown on their recent nuptials. I wish you many happy years together and look forward to you being back in charge of editing Contact very soon. That’s it from me, remember that all items for Contact that arrive on or before the submission deadline make Mark a very happy boy, so get them in to SMO-MediaTeam@birkenheadscouts.org.uk before 24th of October please. Have a great October
The Mystery Guest Editor
Many Congratulations to Mark and Samantha Easdown on their recent marriage. Birkenhead District Scouts wish you both well for the future.
Contact is published by Birkenhead District Scout Council 15 Balls Road, Oxton, Wirral CH43 5RF All content is to be supplied by 24th of the previous month Compiled by: Mark Easdown - Tel: 07739 832 324 Email: SMO-MediaTeam@birkenheadscouts.org.uk
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Date
Event / Activity
Venue
Time
7th Oct
Explorer Belt Info Meeting
Holiday Inn, Lime St, Liverpool
1900
8th Oct
GSLs Meeting
District Headquarters (Coughtrie)
1930
8th Oct
Special Needs Seminar
District Headquarters (Dudleston)
2015
9th Oct
Scout Sleep Out
Tawd Vale
1830
9th - 11th Oct
Feast of Lanterns
Tawd Vale
-
10th Oct
Cub Skills Day
1st Frankby Greasby Scout HQ
17th Oct
Scouting Around the World
St Margarets CE Academy, Liverpool
-
17th Oct
Scout Golf Competition
TBA
-
12th Nov
Scout 10 Pin Bowling
TBA
-
14th Nov
County Ball 2015
Athenaeum Club, Liverpool
-
21st Nov
Young People’s Awards Day
St Peter & Paul Church, Crosby
27th Nov
Scout Leaders Meeting & Social
Basset Hound, Thingwall
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0945 -1715
1030 -
I feel I must start this month’s message with a hearty congratulations to our Editor, Mark Easdown on his recent marriage to Samantha. As the happy couple are currently enjoying their honeymoon in Mexico, this month we have a mystery stand in editor, however, if he does a good job, Mark may well be spending more time away!
I attended part of Septembers Beaver challenge day at the 10th in Tranmere, it was great to see so many of our Beavers working hard, gaining more challenge badges and hopefully, their Bronze Chief Scouts Awards.
Here is some news from County,
Saturday 14th November, 7pm onwards at The Athenaeum in Liverpool City Centre Don't miss out on this great event! For the third year running, this special event is open to all adult members and their guests. Tickets cost ÂŁ36 per person which includes drinks on arrival, three course dinner including wine, followed by coffee and entertainment!
Click here to book your tickets!
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Calling all GSL's!! Saturday 17th October 2015 9.30am-12.30pm Why not come along to our GSL Support event. We will be looking at how the recent Programme Refresh introduction needs your support, Social Media Management, #Scouting4All and you will get exclusive access to the County Team for a Q&A. Book your place now! GSL Support Event 17th October - Book My Place
Don’t forget this year the Young Peoples Awards Day is on Saturday 21st November at St Peter and St Pauls Church in Crosby. Further details including how to register can be found in the advert on page 7
I would also like to bring your attention to the following advert, which you may or may not have seen already‌ DID YOU KNOW you could earn money actively supporting the growth of Merseyside Scouts? Merseyside Scouts are currently part way through a series of growth projects, the latest of which is being funded through 'Youth are United' and involves a locally based development officer and also incorporates a role for locally paid volunteers! These are existing and experienced Scout Volunteers working with a new group or section encouraging and supporting new and existing leaders and ensuring the long term success of our projects. We have used 'Project Supporters' in the formation of a number of new sections and two such volunteers have been actively engaged in the creation of Merseyside Counties newest group, the 1st Leasowe, in Wallasey District. Jane Richards, Project Supporter said, "Whether you've been in scouting for years or decades, the opportunity to be a Project Supporter is something you should definitely consider. It is the chance to do something amazing - bringing Scouting to areas where it is in short supply or does not exist at all. I've been working with 1st Leasowe starting up a brand new group on the Leasowe estate. It has been a very varied role; teaching all ages how to put up a tent or tie a reef knot, recruiting leaders, talking to community centres about potential venues, talking to parents about how scouting works. Of course there have been challenges along the way - both for the group and for me as a Project Supporter but being part of the investiture of 45 young people and 8 leaders in front of their family and friends was a great reward. It has been an absolute privilege to have been a small part of bringing Scouting to the area. I can honestly say it has been one of the most worthwhile things I have done in Scouting." We can all see the value of Scouting to the lives of the young people who are currently members, we can improve the lives of even more young people by opening more sections and groups in areas we have already identified as being ready for Scouting! HOW does it work? We are looking for Scout Leaders, volunteers, who are willing to support and help a new section or group. You would be required to attend meetings, work with new and existing leaders and support them, imparting your own knowledge and experience to them. You will, of course, be supported through this role by local managers, District Commissioners and District Teams as well as the local development officer.
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WHY are we doing this? It is an approach which has been trialled in a number of areas around the country and has found to be a really successful way of ensuring experience and support is given where it is needed and has created longterm success in a number of projects. Here in Merseyside, we have used this approach with great success, with projects in Birkenhead, Wallasey and St Helens. The cost is built in to the funding which has been granted to the County for this project. WHAT'S in it for me? Firstly, payment - ÂŁ1000 per project. Secondly, the satisfaction of playing a vital part in the growth of our County and also being able to pass on some of your knowledge and experience to other leaders as they start their Scouting Journey. WHERE is this happening? We have a number of projects ready to start, they are right across the County, there will be a project near you, or within relatively easy travel. WHAT do I have to do? Commit at least 12 weeks to a project, which may be the formation of a new group or section. If you are interested, or require more information, send your Scouting CV with an email to, paul.coleman@merseysidescouts.com
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JAMBOREE ON THE AIR 2015 What is Jamboree On The Air (J.O.T.A.)? It is the only Annual International Scouting event and is open for any member to take part from the youngest Beaver to the oldest Leader. On the third weekend in October every year, for the last 57 years scout have taken part in Jamboree On The Air. It involves setting up a radio transmitting station somewhere and then using it to contact members of the Scout movement around the World. In the past we have been successful in exchanging contacts with places such as: South Africa, U.S.A., Canada, Gambia, French Guyana, Chile, The Falkland Islands, as well as across the U.K. and Europe – I could go on and on but I won’t.
We have used a variety of locations in the last few years but this year we have been invited back to Wirral And District Amateur Radio Club’s meeting place at IRBY CRICKET CLUB, MILL HILL ROAD, IRBY. We will be operating from 10 A.M. till 8 P.M. on Saturday 17th October and 10 A.M. till 2 P.M. on Sunday 18th October. Anyone from any unit can come along and visit but…. If you want to come as a group, please get in touch so that I can co-ordinate not having too many people there at once.
No-one has to go on air and speak, you can just come along to watch and listen but, if you want to, we will put you in front of a microphone and let you have a go. Come along and see that Scouting really does go on all over the world, not just locally.
Simon M. RICHARDS Assistant District Commissioner District Communications Adviser Simon.Richards982@o2.co.uk
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225g/8oz fine oatmeal
825ml/1 pint 9¾fl oz water
100g/3½oz wholemeal flour
1 tbsp baking powder
100g/3½oz plain flour
12 tsp vegetable oil
1 tsp quick-action yeast
24 rashers streaky bacon
pinch salt
1 tbsp olive oil
150g/5¼oz chestnut mushrooms, halved 300g/10½oz mature cheddar cheese, grated
Mix together the oatmeal, wholemeal flour, plain flour, yeast and salt in a bowl until well combined. Make a well in the centre of the mixture, then gradually add the water in a thin stream, stirring well with a wooden spoon, until the batter is well combined and the consistency of thick double cream. (NB: You may not need to use all of the water.) Cover the batter with a damp, clean tea towel and set aside for 3-4 hours (or up to 8 hours), to allow the gluten in the batter to develop. Once ready to cook the batter, whisk in the baking powder until well combined. Heat one teaspoon of the vegetable oil in a frying pan over a medium heat. When the oil is hot, add a ladleful of the batter mixture and swirl the pan to coat the bottom of it in a thin layer of the batter. Fry the oatcake for 1-2 minutes, or until golden-brown on one side. Flip the oatcake and fry for a further minute, or until golden-brown on both sides. Set the oatcake aside on a warm plate and cover with a sheet of greaseproof paper. Repeat the process with the remaining batter mixture, to make about 12 oatcakes. Stack them on top of each other, separated by greaseproof paper, and keep warm. Meanwhile, preheat the grill to its highest setting. When the grill is hot, arrange the streaky bacon onto a grill tray and grill for 3-4 minutes on each side, or until crisp and golden-brown on both sides. Set aside and keep warm. Meanwhile, heat the olive oil in a separate frying pan over a medium heat. Add the mushrooms and fry for 3-4 minutes, or until golden-brown and cooked through. Set aside and keep warm. Meanwhile, heat a frying pan over a medium heat until hot. Return one of the cooked oatcakes to the hot pan and sprinkle grated cheese over one half of it. Continue to cook for 3-4 minutes, or until the cheese starts to melt, then place two grilled rashers of bacon on top of the melted cheese and sprinkle over a spoonful of the mushrooms. Fold the other half of the oatcake over and continue to heat for a further minute, or until the cheese has fully melted. Repeat the process with the remaining vegetable oil, oatcakes, bacon, mushrooms and cheese. Serve immediately. NB If you don't have a grill on your camp stove, fry the bacon in a frying pan with little oil.
Will Redfearn
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We recently went on a group camp to 1st Frankby Greasby Scout HQ in July. This was the first time the Group has camped together for several years and even the Beavers came out and spent a night. The young people were spilt up into mixed patrols of Scouts, Cubs and Beavers and took part in a number of activities including shelter building, hikes, obstacle courses, pioneering, backwards cooking, fire building, axe and knife safety and other traditional Scouting skills. We also built a large rope bridge for the obstacle course which was a huge success! The Scouts went out on their first ever night hike setting off at midnight to Irby Quarry.
The Scout Troop recently went climbing at Barnstondale Activity Centre which was very kindly organised by Paul Beard, Karen Milnes and the Paxton Explorers to which we would like to say a massive thank you as the Scouts had an absolutely brilliant time!
Our Scouts have started working on knife skills and spent a night soap carving.
The Group have been working hard at the hall. We are in the process of redecorating and refurbishing the Scout hut, with new windows and a new kitchen in the pipeline. Please take a look at our new Group website www.2ndthingwallscouts.org.uk and keep checking back for updates!
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WIRRAL & GUIDE SHOP 15 Balls Road, Birkenhead CH43 5RF Tel: 0151 670 1329
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15 Balls Road, Birkenhead CH43 5RF
Monday, Wednesday & Thursday 6:30 - 8:30pm
Tel: 0151 670 1329
Saturday 10:00am to 2:00pm (Closed Easter, August and Christmas)
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