July/August 10
HAVE A GREAT SUMMER!
CENTENARY TREE PLANTED Just before the District meeting on 1 July, our District Chair, Jo Turner, ceremonially planted a copper beech tree at the District Scout Centre and buried a time capsule (this is due to be re-opened in fifty years’ time!).
Saturday 26 June was Armed Forces Day, when all of us showed our recognition of the devotion to duty of members of our forces as they carry out their difficult and dangerous tasks around the world. We're proud of them all.
Our centenary celebrations continue with the dinner dance on 18 September – details appear elsewhere in this issue of News for Chester Scouting.
DISTRICT ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING Thanks to all those who came to our well attended Annual General Meeting at Chester Guildhall on 15 June. The trustee members of the District Executive for the coming year are: Elected: Ron Jackson Pam Jones Sandra Taker Gary Warburton Michael Hillier Jayne Maloney
Nominated: Wayne Challinor Jonathan Ducker John Lambert John Wolfendale Richard Clarke David M Evans
Ex officio: Joanne Turner David Bull Simon Ashton
We are sad to report that Eric Heath, a long time member of the Movement and a District Team member in Chester for many years, has passed away. The funeral is at 1.15 pm on Monday 12 July at All Saints Church, Hoole. We send our condolences to Yvonne and the rest of Eric's family and friends. He was a great Scout and will be sorely missed.
GALLANTRY AWARDS Congratulations to three exceptional young people in Macclesfield and Congleton District on receiving gallantry awards: Gilt Cross to Daniel Jones The Medal for Meritorious Conduct to Sophie Haward The Chief Scout’s Commendation for Meritorious Conduct to Sam Smith
JOIN THE ADVENTURE THE SCOUT ASSOCIATION CHESTER AND DISTRICT SCOUT COUNCIL District Centre: adjacent Westlea County Primary School Weston Grove Chester CH2 1QJ E: enquiries@chesterscouts.org.uk T: 01244 398635 Registered charity no. 511406
FELLOWSHIP CANAL TRIP We have one place left on the Fellowship canal trip on Sunday 11 July. We will be leaving from Preston Brook steering the boat ourselves and going as far as Grappenhall for either a pub lunch or you can take a packed lunch. Tea and coffee is available on board, free. Anybody interested please contact Rex and Jean Wilson on 01829 781716.
CHIEF SCOUT’S ADVENTURE CAMP You may be aware that the Chief Scout decided to invite a number of Chief Scout’s Gold Award holders to join him on his private island off the North Wales Coast for an adventure camp. A young Scout from Mobberley, Charlie Parker, has been selected to attend. This is a fantastic opportunity and Charlie and his Leaders are to be congratulated on the achievement.
COUNTY SCOUT NETWORK LEADER Richard Clarke has taken on the appointment of County Scout Network Leader (Chester and District) to help support and improve the provision of the existing Scout Network (Hollyoaks) in the District. Richard will be working closely with the District Commissioner, District Explorer Scout Commissioner and Explorer Scout Leaders to help retain members in Scouting as they approach 18 years of age, whilst also supporting existing members with their programme and awards. Chester Network can be contacted via chester@cheshirenetwork.org.uk and Richard direct via binman65@btinternet.com.
IDENTIFYING NEEDS Over the next few months, The Scout Association will be carrying out some research to identify your needs in terms of how you as an individual interact with Scouting (ie the services you access, the support your require, the way you communicate with us and vice versa), as well as how we can better support you with the tasks that you carry out in your role. This research will be carried out in a number of ways: User engagement workshops These will take place alongside the support that is being provided for eCRB in England & Wales throughout July (in Cheshire, Northampton, Gloucester and Hertfordshire). For more information, go to: www.scouts.org.uk/yourneed
either due to location or availability. More information will follow on www.scouts.org.uk/yourneed A survey for those involved in running Sections Sections This is aimed at those involved in running Sections – specifically Group Scout Leaders, Section Leaders, Assistant Section Leaders and Section Assistants, as well as Group Chairmen, Secretaries, Treasurers and Administrators and focuses on your needs in relation to the membership database. NB: The survey will go live on 2 July, so do encourage the section leaders you support to visit www.scouts.org.uk/yourneed and share their views. Outcomes The initial findings from this research will help us to identify what your needs really are, and will inform a number of key pieces of work. This includes, but is not limited to, the future direction of the membership system. Please note that at this stage, this is purely a requirements and knowledge gathering exercise; the intended outcome is to use the results of the analysis to inform the future direction of the above pieces of work. Alongside this work, we will of course be continuing to improve the functionality of the current systems (including the member tools and the website) in line with existing plans. Findings from the survey for those involved in running sections will be communicated to the Movement in late 2010/early 2011 through Scouting magazine.
SCOUT DISCOUNT SUNDAYS Every Sunday in July (11am-5pm), Millets at 15-17 Northgate Street, Chester are offering 20 per cent discount to Scouts.
HELP AT OUR CAMP SITES Help is still needed at the County camp sites and activity centres at Forest Camp and Tatton Park. It's not too late in the season to help this year. There are still a couple of weekends free so if anyone is interested, get in touch. Anyone able to offer a couple of weekends a year will be very welcome but the team is grateful for any help offered, no matter what time commitment. The contacts are: Tatton Park Scout Campsite Lesley Ross: tattonwardentl@cheshirescouts.org.uk
User engagement live online forums Forest Camp Activity Centre These will cover the same content as the above for those who want to engage, but are unable to make a workshop
NEWS FOR CHESTER SCOUTING
Martin Formstone: forestwardentl@cheshirescouts.org.uk
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MESSAGE FROM THE CHIEF SCOUT
On Sunday morning we were given breakfast by Tomek and Agnieszka and enjoyed the excellent food and hospitality. We then went for a meeting with the team in Garwolin. We agreed to progress relations between Garwolin and Chester and we are hoping to send a few Scouts to Poland later this year and to follow this up by arranging an exchange next year with a possible trip to "Drop into Poland" in 2012. We then had our farewell dinner which was a really good meal with an opportunity to get to know our hosts even better. We finally left Warsaw at 0600 on Monday morning bound for Liverpool.
This who see the Scouting Plus emails will know about it but please have a look at this message from Bear and pass the word to others: https://scouts.org.uk/news/305/chief-scout-bear-gryllsthanks-all-scouting-volunteers
In summary, we had a very enjoyable and productive visit to Garwolin and are very hopeful that we will be able to continue and improve our relationship with Garwolin. John Riley, Chairman, Chester and District Scout Fellowship
NEW SYSTEM FOR CRBs VISIT TO GARWOLIN, POLAND On Friday 4 June I flew to Poland with David Bull and Alan Wilding representing Chester and District Scouts to visit members of Garwolin District Scouts. We were met at the airport by Zbigniew Winiarek who took us on a walk around Warsaw old town including St John's Cathedral and then, after lunch, on to the grounds of the Royal Palace. I was very impressed with the way in which the old town has been rebuilt after being almost totally flattened in the war. Then it was on to the campsite at Wilga where we were given a tasty barbecue meal prepared by the leaders camping there following which we joined in the campfire. After breakfast at the campsite on Saturday we were picked up by Tomek and Agnieszka Kowalski who took us to see the town of Kazimierz by the River Wisla (Vistula). We climbed up to the old castle and the tower before walking back to the car by the river. The views and scenery were really spectacular. Then, after a good meal, we went back to the campsite for another campfire.
The existing CRB Form is being taken out of use and replaced by revised versions of either the AA form or the OH form. The timetable is: 9 July 2010 - is the last date that Gilwell Park will accept the current CRB Forms. Any current forms that have not been processed by this date will have to be returned and the new forms used instead 26 July 2010 - from this date the District will be able to start processing CRB applications on-line using the new AA /OH Forms This means that there will be a two week period during which CRB applications will not be processed either nationally or locally. The dates are not flexible! Supplies of the new form will be available soon to GSLs and for collection at the District Centre.
THE FUNDAMENTALS OF SCOUTING - YOUR VIEWS WANTED The Fundamentals are the core aspects that underpin Scouting. Have a look at the current full version of The Fundamentals. We now want your view on how we can best express these in a way that is easily understood by and is relevant to those taking part in the Movement today. Some work has already taken place to develop the wording of the Fundamentals to make them easier to understand. These developments are now available for your feedback through the questionnaire at https://members.scouts.org.uk/noticeboard/195/thefundamentals-of-scouting-your-views-wanted
NEWS FOR CHESTER SCOUTING
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VETTING AND BARRING SCHEME CAMPING SEASON WELL UNDER WAY You may have seen the recent announcement by the Government that the further implementation of the Vetting and Barring Scheme (VBS) in England, Wales and Northern Ireland will not now go ahead as planned. It should however be noted that the requirement for Criminal Records Bureau (CRB) disclosure remains in place. Further information will be published as soon as it is available from Headquarters.
KANDERSTEG VIDEO Go to http://www.viddler.com/explore/KISCpr/videos/1/ and see the new promotional video for Kandersteg International Scout Centre. Great stuff! Form NAN has been slightly modified (to allow for the new InTouch arrangements) and is available for download from http://tinyurl.com/33yvc55 (or from the Activities section of the Members' area on www.chesterscouts.org.uk). We have been receiving a lot of Forms NAN so clearly there's a lot of camping going on, which is great (it's the main reason why young people join us). Please remember that you need to send in a Form NAN for each activity involving nights away.
HELP US MAKE YOUNG PEOPLE’S VIEWS HEARD This autumn we hope to repeat the success of last year’s Scouts Speak Up events at the Conservative, Liberal Democrat and Labour Party Conferences. These seminars give Explorer Scouts, Scout Network members and their leaders from across the UK the chance to meet elected representatives and offer their perspective on issues that affect their communities. The details are:
Our picture shows Scouts from the 1st Tarporley at their centenary camp at Forest Camp at the end of June – more than 100 members in camp over the weekend!
• Liverpool: Liberal Democrat, 19 September, 1pm – 3pm, Liverpool Hilton, 3 Thomas Steers Way, Liverpool, L1 8LW
At the same weekend, 1st Saltney (St Mark’s) continued their successful run of Family Camps – this was their third.
• Manchester: Labour, 26 September, 5pm – 7pm, Arora International, 18 – 24 Princess Street, Manchester, M1 4LY
CHIEF SCOUT’S SERVICE AWARDS
• Birmingham: Conservative, 3 October, 5.30pm – 7.30pm, Malmaison, 1 Wharfside Street, Birmingham, B1 1RD
Congratulations to the most recent recipients of Service Awards: 25 years: years: Robin Ford, 1st Tarporley 20 years Rachel Harding, Cestrian 10 years Vicky Taker, 8th Chester 5 years Angela Hardwell, 1st Farndon
There will be refreshments and a light buffet and a travel bursary of up to £40 per person is also available. Full uniform is not compulsory. It is vital that the views of youth members of Scouting are considered by public policy makers so we would welcome your help in ensuring that at least three young people from your group attend. Leaders or parents are also very welcome. If you can help out please email citizen@scouts.org.uk, expressing your interest and indicating whether you wish to go to the event(s) in Liverpool, Manchester or Birmingham. Please include your postcode and how many people from your Group plan to attend. Final details will be confirmed in the next few weeks.
Catherine Evison, District Instructor Mark Davies, District Instructor
NEWS FOR CHESTER SCOUTING
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DISTRICT DIARY 2010 – CENTENARY OF SCOUTING IN CHESTER 1 July - Time Capsule/tree planting and Safeguarding training, Weston Grove 31 July/7 August – Chamboree 2010, Tabley
each month (except August and December) Chester Scout Fellowship Active Support Unit: first Tuesday of each month (for further details email activesupport@chesterscouts.org.uk) Adult Training Modules: check the separate listing and registration form
KANDERSTEG 2011 15 September – Platinum and Diamond Chief Scout’s Awards and Queen’s Scout Awards presentations, Runcorn 18 September - Centenary Dinner Dance, Chester Golf Club 25 September – Practical Skills Day for Leaders, Tatton Park 26 September – Pioneering Skills Day for Scout and Explorer Scout Leaders, Tatton Park 15/17 October – Jamboree on the Air/Jamboree on the Internet 23 October – Alton Towers trip for Scouts and Explorer Scouts 29/31 October – Scout Network/Explorer Scout Halloween Camp, Forest Camp 6 November – District Beaver Challenge, Hoole 12/14 November – Leaders’ Weekend, Great Tower 20 November – County Patrol Leaders’ Forum 21 November – Gold Chief Scout’s Award presentations 27 November – County Swimming Gala for Cubs and Scouts 2, 3, 4 December - Christmas at Tatton for Beavers and Cubs 9 December - Centenary Carol Service, Chester Cathedral 2011 15/16 January – Beaver Scout IT Activity Badge Stage 1, Weston Grove 5 March – Beaver trip to Science Museum, Manchester 7 May - Beaver Barbie Bash, Huntington 25 June - Beeston Hike for Beavers District Leaders’ Meetings: first Thursday in each month (except August) 8 pm (Section meetings alternate with general meetings) District Core Team (DC, District Chair, ADCs, DESC and Active Support Manager; also attended by the Local Training Manager): second Thursday in each month (except July and August) District Executive Committee: third Thursday in each month (except August) District Appointments Approval Meeting: last Thursday in
NEWS FOR CHESTER SCOUTING
Our District Explorer Scout trip to Kanderst6eg International Scout Centre next year is filling up fast. We now have 49 places booked with Kandersteg and 34 places already taken and deposit paid, from all over the District, with two members from Ellesmere Post and Neston. Our programme is being worked out so that we all can maximise our use of the fine alpine countryside. At the minute, the planned two day ice and snow glacier workshop is very much on the cards. For those without a head for heights, we aim to take the train to the top of the Niesen and help ourselves to some fine ice creams at the top, whilst enjoying the magnificent views of Switzerland. If you thinking of going, or have a requirement that you want us to consider that would make it easier for you to go, please contact the leader team for the trip. We are also keen for some more adult support. Contact Simon Ashton (District Explorer Scout Commissioner): simonrenegades@googlemail.com
COUNTY SCOUT SUNDAY Congratulations to all who took part on 13 June the weather was not much cop but we counted just over 100 Chester members on parade or in the Cathedral. Well done all - and a special well done to Alan Wilding and Richard Johnson for their work on the order of service, the readers, the bearers and escorts for the County and District colours, the stewards, the Gang Show choir and Colin Parfitt and the band - and everyone else who worked to make the afternoon a success. NEWS FOR CHESTER SCOUTING To make our communications quicker and to reduce paper use, we only send our monthly News for Chester Scouting electronically. Please pass on the information to those who do not have Internet access. You can always download the latest (and some earlier) versions from: • •
the News and Events pages of www.chesterscouts.org.uk or from: http://issuu.com/chesterscouts
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? E C N A D E W SHALL Chester’s Centenary Dinner Dance 18 September 2010 7.45 pm to 11.30 pm Come and help continue the celebrations of Chester District Scouts’ centenary! Good food, good music and good company: welcome drink, three course dinner and disco, with the Club’s bar
Chester Golf Club Curzon Park North, Chester CH4 8AR Tickets £20 per person: Call David Bull on 01244 676059 dc@chesterscouts.org.uk Chester and District Scout Council Registered Charity Number 511406