February 2011
SEE YOU AT THE GANG SHOW! CUB SCOUT CRAFT COMPETITION
Many congratulations to more Leaders in the District whose service has been recognised by the Chief Scout: Award for Merit
Alan Reay, GSL, 1st Ashton and Manley Chief Scout’s Commendation for Good Service
Our annual Cub District Craft Competition was held at St Michaels Church Centre; thanks to Cormac Bowell and the 48th Chester for organising the venue. All participants gained their Artist activity badge. There were 6 packs represented forming 5 teams • 1st Place - 1st Malpas • Joint 2nd Place - Tarporley Portal • Joint 2nd Place - Tarporley Arderne & 48th Chester • Joint 3rd Place - 18th Chester Maclaren • Joint 3rd Place - 1st Saltney
Reza Rahmani-Torkaman, GSL 1st Guilden Sutton
AWARD PRESENTATIONS AT STANLEY PALACE
Congratulations to Malpas who will be representing the District at the County Competition on 12 March in Handforth.
David Mullock's photographs of the presentations at the Stanley Palace are now available. Those who received awards and would like a copy of their presentation and the group picture, please email mail@davidbull.net. The pictures will be emailed to you.
Thanks to the judges, the Cub Scout team and the Leaders and parents for bringing the Cubs and thank you to all the Cubs for being so well behaved and doing their best with the challenges presented to them.
BRITISH YOUTH COUNCIL Luke Thornton (Dewa ESU and 40th Chester) has been appointed as one of ten delegates who The Scout Association sends to The British Youth Council. He will be working as part of a close team to represent the views of the Association’s young people, in a term that lasts for two years. Good luck to Luke in this important work!
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 W: www.chesterscouts.org.uk/ Facebook: http://groups.to/chesterscouts2011/ Twitter: http://twitter.com/@ChesterScouts Registered charity no. 511406
BEAVER SCOUT IT WEEKEND Fifty-eight Beavers from across the District earned their IT Stage 1 activity badge at an event where the Beavers had to design a poster and draw a work of art using a computer programme, for painting. They also had to save their work, and know various key parts of the computer. The sessions finished with refreshments, a group photo and the badge for their hard work.
In other updates, rules have been updated for caving and mine exploration, snow-sports, the appointment of adults, length of service awards, and the appointment process. Go to http://www.scouts.org.uk/supportresources/71 to download the new POR.
ACTIVE KIDS Active Kids 2011 is up and running. You can collect vouchers from 9 February to 31 May 2011 when you shop with Sainsbury’s – see the website for full details. If your Group isn’t registered yet call 0844 415 8440 or visit the Active Kids website: http://www2.sainsburys.co.uk/activekids/. BT customers will pay no more than 5p per minute. Call costs from other providers may vary.
PRESENTATION TO THE DISTRICT PRESIDENT Representatives of the District visited Eaton Hall to make the formal presentation to the Duke of Westminster and to discuss with the District President our plans for the future.
Grateful thanks to all who helped, and the five Groups who attended. We hope to repeat the event next year.
POR A new version of Policy, Organisation and Rules – the guidance document by which Scouting in the UK is managed and operated – is available now. Dated January 2011, the updated document contains 27 substantive amendments. One of the main changes relate to the residential experiences of Beaver Scouts. Changes to rules for Beaver Scouts
40th CHESTER
The Operations Sub-Committee agreed to changes to the rules for Beaver Scout residential, which include a relaxation of the time restriction of residential experiences so that they are to be for one night only, rather than the more restrictive 24 hours. Beaver Scouts will also be allowed to camp, and the minimum standards for the Colony are updated to reflect the expectation that each Beaver Scout should now be offered the opportunity to go on a residential experience each year (3.7).
The 40th now have their own phone number – the number will be visible at their headquarters so that they can be contacted if need be. The number is 07806 572464.
CONGRATULATIONS Congratulations to Sharon (Renegades ESU) and Simon Johnson on the birth of Abigail on 21 December.
GET WELL International trips The other change for Beaver Scouts is that they are now included in the rules for visits abroad. Beaver Scouts are now allowed to go overseas, but only with a nominated adult (9.64).
NEWS FOR CHESTER SCOUTING
Jenny Challinor (8th Chester) is still not very well. We all send her best wishes for a speedy recovery.
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BEESTON HIKE
Why is this change being made?
Initial information on this great event for Beaver Scouts has been sent out, initially asking for indications of interest. We hope that a good number will take part, enjoying the good weather together!
The Scout water sports centre based at Tatton Park is a significant part of the County's activities strategy. Increasing the utilisation of our facilities and equipment is paramount and it is felt that the camp site management is better-placed to manage the equipment and will be better able to coordinate a camping/water sport weekend camp .
Many thanks to the 1st Sandstone for this invitation!
HILLWALKING The next hillwalking course is being held at Yr Hafod in Snowdonia from 8pm Friday 1 -3 April 2011. There will be different levels of training available: T1 training, T1 Assessment, T2 training and T2 assessment. The cost of the course is £50 covering accommodation, food, training etc. If you need any further details then please feel free to contact Andrew Wood on 07801 450792 or 01606 860798. For information, the next course will be 21 – 31 October 2011.
WATER ACTIVITIES IN CHESHIRE Over the last twelve months a review of the provision of water activities within Cheshire has been conducted as part of the wider review of activities provision. The County Commissioner has made the provision of activities a key objective as part of the wider development of scouting within Cheshire. Cheshire Scouts has invested heavily in equipment for water activities over a number of years but the use of some of this is very low. It is also clear that some Scout Groups within the County have active water activity programmes, while others offer little if any. There appear to be a number of significant challenges in broadening access to water activities within the County. Key amongst these is the lack of qualified instructors. Additionally, feedback from a number of Scouters indicates confusion and difficulty in coordinating equipment and qualified instructors.
Development of the Tatton Park Camp Site as an activity centre is a key initiative for the County. To achieve this, there needs to be a closer integration of camping facilities and activities, including waters ports. A single point of contact for booking camping and activities is seen as a key to achieving this objective. What is happening to CWAC? CWAC? • CWAC has been disbanded, with grateful thanks for its great contribution over many years. • Tatton Park Camp Site management will assume responsibility for equipment and assets. This will include maintenance, availability and bookings. • Water sports activities elsewhere in the County are not affected by these changes at the moment. How will I book water sports at Tatton Park? •
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Therefore as part of the County plan to support water activities it has been decided to make some significant changes to the organisation of water activities. What is changing? • •
Tatton Park Camp Site is taking over responsibility for water sports equipment based there Cheshire Water Activities Committee (CWAC) is being disbanded
NEWS FOR CHESTER SCOUTING
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A catalogue containing details of the equipment available for hire will be published by the campsite over the coming months Water sports equipment may be booked via the camp site bookings system in conjunction with a camping or day visitor booking. Contact tattonbookings@cheshirescouts.org.uk for further information. Should you experience any difficulties then you can contact the County Office on 01925 750 223 which is staffed Mon, Tues and Thurs between 9am and 4pm with a 24 hours answering machine. Group Leaders remain solely responsible for ensuring that permit holders and safety cover (as appropriate to the activity) are in place prior to the activity commencing. Assistance will be given to leaders who require details of permit holders, instructors etc. Contact Graham Shaw, ACC Activities, graham.shaw@cheshirescouts.org.uk In due course, it is hoped that a directory of permit holders, instructors and other suitably-qualified personnel can be made available.
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GAMES ADVICE A recent judgement on a Scouting accident which occurred in 2001 relates to a game run in the dark and has led to enquiries from leaders. Group Scout Leaders in Chester have already discussed the case and were advised that The Scout Association would be issuing some guidance. The advice has now been received (in Scouting Plus) and is as follows. Please make sure that this message is shared as widely as possible: The Judge in the case acknowledged the value that Scouting brings to young people and the wider community. It is important to appreciate that the judgement related to a specific case with specific circumstances where a game was intended to be played in the light and was simply transferred to dark conditions, indoors, without sufficient consideration given for the increased risk involved in the view of the Judge. This judgement does not mean the end of games in the dark. Assess risk The key message continues to be that you remember to assess the risk for your activity and consider whether it is suitable to take place in the dark and, if it is, what additional controls might need to be in place to keep it safe. Some games are best played outside only, where there is much more space. Additionally, after a spate of Dodgeball incidents, please follow the same principles; assess the risks and consider the surface of the activity area, and whether it is free of slip and trip hazards. Some games are played standing on chairs or benches. Be sure this is suitable for the age and ability of those playing. Considerations In summary, when planning all games – consider:
1. The space and environment in which your game is taking place Explain boundaries or potential hazards that perhaps can’t be removed such as walls (lots of injuries are caused by running into walls to stop – broken wrists, bumped heads, for example), polished wooden floors, tables and chairs around the edge of the room.
2. The age and ability of those taking part
3. Do they know the rules? It is good to remind them in case of new joiners or if they have not played it for a while.
4. Ensure adequate supervision Remember, those games, locations and activities we use most often are assumed the safest and may be forgotten as having potential for an accident when assessing the risk.
NEWS FOR CHESTER SCOUTING
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CONGRATULATIONS Emma Ewins, a member of Garrison Explorer Scout Unit is the first person in Cheshire Scouts to complete the Silver Duke of Edinburgh’s Award using the new electronic system - a little piece of history!
Congratulations to Emma and the best of luck as she works towards her Gold Award and hopefully the Queen’s Scout Award too.
DISTRICT DIARY 2011 3 February – District Leaders’ Meeting (General) 5 February - GSLs and DCs Day, Ribby Hall 20 February - Media Development Workshop, Weston Grove 22-26 February - Gang Show, Catholic High School 3 March – District Leaders’ Meeting (Sectional and GSLs) 12 March - County Cub Scout Craft Competition 12 March – Network Spring Ball, Widnes 16 March - Young Leaders Module A, Weston Grove 19 March – First Response 20 March - District Award Presentations, Chester Guildhall 17 March - Scouts District Bowling Competition 24 March – Validation sessions for GSLs/District Team, Weston Grove 24 March – Safeguarding Training, Weston Grove 26 March – Beaver trip to Science Museum, Manchester 7 April – District Leaders’ Meeting (General) 9/10 April – Cheshire Hike 16 April – St George’s Day celebration 16 April - County Dinner 22/24 April – Network Gathering, Great Tower 30 April/1 May - Duke of Edinburgh's Award expedition training
Weston Grove 17/19 June - Duke of Edinburgh's Award expedition assessment 25 June - Beeston Hike for Beavers 30 June – Safeguarding Training 7 July – District Leaders’ Meeting (Sectional and GSLs) 30 July/12 August - KISC 2011, Kandersteg International Scout Centre 1 September – District Leaders’ Meeting (General) 17 September – First Response 22 September - Validation sessions for GSLs/District Team, Weston Grove 6 October – District Leaders’ Meeting (Sectional and GSLs) 9 October – Sponsored Walk - prov provisional 14/16 October – Jamboree on the Air/Jamboree on the Internet 3 November – District Leaders’ Meeting (General) 13 November – Remembrance Day 17 November – Safeguarding Training 1 December – District Leaders’ Meeting (Sectional and GSLs) 3 December – First Response
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 August) District Executive Committee: third Thursday in each month (except August) District Appointments Approval Meeting: last Thursday in 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
ANNUAL COUNTY DINNER
5 May – District Leaders’ Meeting (Sectional and GSLs) 7 May - Beaver Barbie Bash, Huntington 14 May – Jamboree on the Trail 21 May - District Cub Scout Totem Pole Competition
The County Chairman and County Commissioner invite you and your partner and/or guests to the dinner at Cranage Hall Hotel, Holmes Chapel, CW4 8EW on Saturday 16 April, 7.00 for 7.30 pm (till 11.30 pm). The 2011 St. George’s Day Awards will be presented by Sir William A. Bromley-Davenport KCVO FCA JP.
2 June – District Leaders’ Meeting (General) 7 June – County AGM, Chester Town Hall 9 June – District AGM, Chester Guildhall 11 June – First Response 16 June - Validation sessions for GSLs/District Team,
The cost is £23.00 for a three course dinner – details have been circulated. Contact the DC for more information.
NEWS FOR CHESTER SCOUTING
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