GScouts December 2015

gscouts News and Views for Scouting in Gloucestershire December 2015

Dragon Boat Racing

Badge Courses: Paddy Langham

paddydj.langham@btopenworld.com

County Administrator: Louise Little

admin@gloucestershire-scouts.org.uk 0930 am-1.30 pm

01452 814256

County Public Relations Adviser: Cindy Fowler

media@gloucestershire-scouts.org.uk

Cranham Scout Centre: Mary Large

info@scoutcentre.org.uk 1.00 pm-4.00 pm

H.Q. Information Centre

01452 812309

info.centre@scouts.org.uk Monday to Friday 8.00 am—7.00 pm 0845 300 1818

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gscouts December 2015 Contents From the County Commissioner ………………………………………..………………………….…4 Editorial …………………………………………………………………………………………….…….5 DBS Renewal Session …………………………………………………………………………………5 Chief Scout’s Award evenings …………………………………………………………………….…..6 County Youth Commissioner …………………………………………………………….……………6 23rd World Scout Jamboree—Jacob Greenwood and Erin Linwood ………………………….….7 Forest of Dean District……………………………………………………………………………...…..8 Stroud & Tetbury District Report ………………………………………………………...…………....8 Module A—Prepare for Take Off Report ……………………………………………………….........9 Air Activities Weekend Report …………………………………………………………………….…..9 Canal Weekend …………………………………………………………………………….………......9 Scuba Open Water Weekend …………………………………………………………………….….10 Climber Badge …………………………………………………………………………………….......11 Jamboree-on-the-Internet (JOTI) Weekend…………………………...………………..……….….12 Cranham Courses booklet 2016 …………………………………………………….…………..…..13 Narrowboat Steerer’s Course ………………………………………………………...……………..13 2nd Annual County Linking Monopoly Run ………………………………………………………...13 County Scout Cooking Competition .……………………………………………………..………....13 County Quiz ………………………………………………...……………………………………….…14 Dragon Boating 2015 ………………………………………………………………...….………..…..16 What’s the date today? ……………………………………………………………...………………..17 Talks on Animal Care to Scout Groups …………………………………………………………......18 Give As You************************* Live ………………………………………………………………...……………….…...19 Safer Internet Day ………………………………………………………...………………….……..…20

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From the County Commissioner Moving On and Making Way As I start to write this in early December, it is incredible to think that this is probably the last time I will have the privilege of writing such a piece as County Commissioner for Gloucestershire, since, as most people will by now be aware, I will be standing down at the end of February 2016. County and District Commissioners are effectively contracted to serve for a five-year term, which as you will realise can be extended, but in this case I have decided it is time to hand over to someone else. So I am moving on and making way for others to have a go at this job.

The search has already begun for my successor, so if you or anyone you know would be interested in being considered for the role, then the details are on the County web site.

It is tempting therefore to undertake a review of all the things I have tried to do and all the things I have failed to achieve during my tenure. I know the list of things I would like to have done and haven’t feels a lot longer than the list of the things I have managed to achieve, but I guess that is inevitable. It was encouraging recently, when we reviewed the County Development Plan and found that, almost without realising it, we had completed many of the actions we had set some time ago, as we sought to make the County more efficient and effective. There remain, of course, many other things to do and challenges to meet, but that will now be for others to review and take forward.

I have been asked, more than once recently, whether I have enjoyed my time as CC, and I really have, especially when I have been able to see young people enjoying opportunities they would not otherwise have had and learning and developing skills that they will be sure to take into their adult lives, and I am sure that this is the prime motivation for all of us, as we undertake our various roles in Scouting. There have undoubtedly been challenges, particularly around getting adults to work together towards a common goal, rather than as it sometimes feels in opposite directions, but that is always the challenge of leadership and management, an issue that many of us face whether at home, at work or in Scouting.

There are undoubtedly challenges ahead for Scouting, not least how much time and money it is going to spend on technology, and how it maintains its distinctive brand when economic pressures will require it to find cheaper ways of running the Association, probably by working more closely with other similar bodies, both within the UK and overseas. Similarly, there are challenges for Gloucestershire, not least around recruiting more people to lead critical parts of the organisation – how do we inspire more people with talent and enthusiasm to take on key roles around the County? I suspect it will come down to how much talent and enthusiasm we can generate from among our existing members – no one is going to come and sort this out for us. As is so often remarked, the answers to most of our problems invariably lie within.

In my remaining three months there are still some important things to do. I still have DCs to appoint (and DCCs for that matter); we also need to find a County Treasurer, we will shortly be conducting the annual census once again and we anxiously await the phased return of Compass, hopefully commencing in late January. We have the County Quizzes for all sections in January, Beast Camp for Explorer Scouts at the end of January, and District and County Cooking Competitions, and of course we have all the fun and games of Christmas and New Year before then. So there is plenty to be getting on with and I am confident that Scouting will go on, whoever is persuaded to take on this particular role.

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Thank you for all your encouragement, support and advice. It has been a privilege to be your leader for the last five years and I hope that the County is at least in no worse place than it was when I took over. May I wish you and your families a Merry Christmas, a relaxing break and an inspiring New Year and I look forward to hearing more about you and your Scouting achievements over the coming weeks and months.

Paul D. Trott County Commissioner

Editorial I hope you find this edition interesting. I cannot help feeling that it could have been a great deal better, if I had received more copy. In spite of several reminders, I received very little, considering the wide range of activities provided by the County. I want to include items that have generally not been published elsewhere — what’s going on in your District, for example. In this edition I have only one article written by a younger member of the Association. How about a Cub Scout — or even a Beaver — telling me of some of the the things he or she has been doing? Will some of the Leaders encourage the young people to get involved, please? I’m also open to criticism, so get writing! Copy date for the next edition of gscouts will be Sunday March 13.

For any of you interested in collecting Scout badges — District, National, Promise, Proficiency or Event — the International Badgers Club will be holding a meeting across the entire Easter weekend (March 25—28, 2016) at Woodhouse Park. Thousands of badges will be available for swop or sale. Visitors (non-members) will be most welcome.

Don’t forget — if you prefer it that way, this magazine can be printed out as an A5 booklet.

I wish all of you a Happy Christmas and an exciting Scouting New Year.

John Morton

STOP PRESS — DBS Renewals If your DBS has recently expired or is about to expire, and you have some free time on either December 20th or January 10th, you can come along to a County ‘drop-in’ DBS session. Steve Powell and Mark Morton will be in Cranham on December 20 th from 10 am to 4 pm, with laptops at the ready, to get you through the DBS process in one sitting. They will repeat the exercise at Stroud and Tetbury District HQ, Leonard Stanley, on January 10 th.

In order to take you through the DBS process in one pass, you will need to ensure you have the right documentation with you. By far the best combination is a passport, a current photo driving licence and a birth certificate.. If you can’t produce all of these, then two of those plus a recent Council Tax statement in your name (less than 12 months old) or a recent bank statement (less than three months old and NOT a print from your on-line banking app, but a genuine statement posted to you) are a valid combination. Another good substitute document is a current firearms certificate.

If you want to discuss renewing your DBS with Mark or Steve, you can email them at markgmorton@btinternet.com or chairman@stscouts.org.uk You can also call Steve on 07785 335566 for a chat.

If you’re not sure if you need a renewal DBS check, you can contact your DC or Appointments Secretary, who will be able to tell you if you are due for a renewal.

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Chief Scout Award Evenings Gloucestershire Scouts, Explorers and Network members celebrated success at the Bacon Theatre on 4th November, when 59 Chief Scout Gold Award certificates and on 11 th November when 45 Platinum, Diamond, Young Leader Belt Buckle, DoE Bronze and Silver certificates were presented. A Jamboree presentation was made by Erin Linwood and Joe Hall and a QSA presentation made by Ben Klinkenberg. Guest speakers included Martin Surl, Gloucestershire’s Police and Crime Commissioner, and Keith Jennings, the Deputy UK Commissioner for Programme (14-25)..

Thank you to the Young People who helped to host the event, Louise for the hours of administration, Colin Steward for the technical input and programme formatting, Rish Steward and her team of photographers, Lauren and the ACC’s who supported the young people, Paul Trott for closing the presentation part of the evenings, Bruce Warden and Gareth Edwards for car parking and to Mary Large and Dave Purser for the long hours of food preparation and service on the evenings. Feedback from the evenings will go to planning future events.

Meanwhile it would be really helpful if Leaders can pass the names (correctly spelt) of young people who have completed their awards to Louise Little at Cranham, as soon as they have completed the award, so they can be added to the list that runs year round. We will in future likely provide closing dates by which time names will have to be submitted for awards. This is to prevent disappointment to young people when we have reached capacity for seating and timelines for certificate and programme printing.

Liz Hodge DCC Programme

County Youth Commissioner Hello! For those of you who don't know me, I am Lauren Greening and I have recently been appointed as County Youth Commissioner. My role is to ensure that Scouting is shaped by young people in partnership with adults.

Over the next few months, you will hopefully get to see my face more at events, talking to your young people to get their opinions on matters relevant to them and also to you to see how I can support you to make the Scouting that you run more youthshaped.

If you would like me to come to an event or section, or to just chat to me about things, please contact me at youth.commissioner@gloucestershire-scouts.org.uk.

I look forward to working with you all.

Lauren *************************

David Bowie’s first musical performance was at a Scout camp on the Isle of Wight in 1958.

David accompanied his friend, George underwood, on the ukulele, while George played washboard, bass and sang.

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23rd World Scout Jamboree An article by Jacob Greenwood and Erin Linwood - Meyer ESU and The Woolly Pirates This summer, we travelled with 40 other Explorer Scouts from Gloucestershire, halfway around the world to attend the 2015 World Scout Jamboree in Japan. We spent 10 days camping in Yamaguchi alongside 33,000 Scouts and Guides from 152 different countries. To attend, all of us had to raise ÂŁ3,000 which not only paid for our place on this once-in-a-lifetime experience but also helped fund the trip for young people from other countries that could not afford to travel to Japan. After an incredible 18 months of fundraising and preparation - building up to the event, we flew to Japan.

On arrival, we travelled to Tokyo where we were staying for the first four days. We promptly dropped our bags and set off to explore the vast city laid out before us. We travelled around in groups, experiencing the culture that we had quickly become immersed in. Visiting temples, eating weird and wonderful food, climbing the Skytree and tandeming around the Imperial Palace were some of the activities we enjoyed. Everything was different to what we could ever have expected; everywhere we went we were welcomed and invited to partake in activities that helped us to understand and contextualise the culture, both the differences and similarities.

We then travelled across Japan, from Tokyo to the Jamboree, on a 'Skinkansen' or bullet train, especially chartered for the 3000 Scouts in the United Kingdom Contingent.

The site was unimaginably large and in the 10 days we spent there we couldn’t have explored any more than about a half of the overall camp. During our time on Jamboree we partook in many activities such as a water sports day, that took us down to a small onsite beach and allowed us a relaxing break from the heat. We also enjoyed a cultural exchange day, where we presented British culture to Scouts from all over the world (teaching them to dunk biscuits in tea) and travelled around the other campsites to enjoy the hospitality put forward by the other contingents. As well as this, we took part in a trip to Hiroshima, as it was the 70th anniversary of the atomic bomb blast; we joined with Scouts from around the world in a conference discussing our thoughts on Hiroshima and how peace can be promoted in our world. Visiting Hiroshima was an incredibly thought-provoking and moving experience which helped us to develop and share our own thoughts and ideas on what happen there.

After the Jamboree itself we had a long bus journey to our home-hospitality which allowed us to spend time with Japanese families to see how the people of Japan lived. My own experience was eye-opening to me and showed me that despite the obvious cultural differences, much of home life is the same and not massively different to life back in the U.K.

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Forest of Dean District

Forest of Dean was one of the few Districts which had its own distinctive badge before the Advance Party Report of 1966. Early badges were on felt, initially rectangular (1947) and later round (1959), depicting acorns and an oak leaf, superimposed by an axe and a pick, representing forestry and mining. The whole had a blue surround, reminding us that the Rivers Severn and Wye form much of its boundary. The current badge (now part of a double one) has similar symbolism, with a wavy blue line representing the rivers.

Forest of Dean District has 11 Groups, well spread across the large area of the Forest, plus two Explorer Units, one for the north and one for the south. It has its own campsite in a corner of Lydney Deerpark. The District is blessed with excellent facilities for canoeing, climbing and abseiling and miles of footpaths and dedicated cycle routes across delightful countryside.

Stroud & Tetbury District The District held a very successful night incident hike (Stomp event). 129 Scouts and Explorers walked 8½ miles, climbing some 500 m along the way in gale-force gusts and driving rain.

A real test for the participants!

The Group were invited to attend Forest Green Rovers Football Club’s Remembrance Day match against Altringham FC. They volunteered to help Gloucestershire’s County Community Projects at their Gift Wrapping Station at Regents Arcade, Cheltenham. They also took part in Stroud Rotary Club’s Santa Fun Run to raise money for the Group and for Longfield Home, a charity providing specialised services for people living with a life-limiting illness.

Some of the Beavers took part in the County Beaver Scrabble Challenge, involving discovering letters hidden around the centre of Gloucester. ************************ It is with deep regret that we announce the passing of Harry Laprise, the first choreographer of the Hokey-Cokey.

His funeral proceeded well until it came to putting him in his coffin — they put his left leg in — and that’s when the trouble started.

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Module A - Prepared for Take off A total of twenty eight Explorers met on a Monday evening at Cranham for two hours of fairly intensive work. The evening started with a couple of warming-up games to get everyone into the right mood. To overcome any shyness in talking up, the team toss sweets for those who answer. This was the first time using the new syllabus and it was difficult to fit everything into the time. The Young Leaders will now be able to go on to their sections ready to support their leaders.

Air Activities Weekend The weekend camp gave Scouts the opportunity to camp on an airfield, with five troops in Gloucestershire. present; Minchinhampton, 48th Gloucester, Innsworth, Swindon Village and Chipping Campden We arrived at Croft Farm Airfield (near Defford in Worcestershire) on the Friday evening and set up our tents just before the rain started. The rain continued throughout the night, but Saturday dawned with improving weather and by 10:30, the rain had cleared away. After a hearty cooked breakfast, the Scouts spent the morning learning all about meteorology and how this affects aircraft in flight, how to navigate when you’re up in the air and all about the instruments that a pilot needs to use and understand. While all this was going on, nine light aircraft had landed on the airstrip behind the tents. Then one by one - armed with their maps and route plans - the Scouts took to the skies and navigated the pilots around the course they had planned:- over the Malverns to Ledbury and then north to Bransford Bridge (West of Worcester) before heading back south to Defford again. They even got to take the controls and fly the plane for part of their flight. The smiles on the Scouts faces as they climbed out of the cockpits were huge and there was no doubting how much everyone had enjoyed their flight. By mid afternoon - all the Scouts had flown, which gave an opportunity for some of the Leaders to take to the air - I didn’t need asking twice! Needless to say - we all enjoyed this weekend and can’t wait for another opportunity to fly again. At the end of the camp, all the Scouts were complimented on their excellent behaviour and enthusiasm throughout the weekend. They were then presented with three badges: the Aeronautics Activity badge, Meteorologist badge and Navigator badge and a certificate..

Sos Smith

Canal Weekend This weekend saw a total of twenty-four Scouts, Explorers and Leaders on the Grand Union Canal boating on two narrowboats - Pisces and Merlin. We arrived at the canal base at Harefield on the Friday evening, found our bunks and settled in. We were told about the course and the safety rules for the boats. After supper it was time for bed.

On Saturday morning we made an early start, put on our life jackets and started up the canal. At the first locks everyone got off and was shown the right way to work a lock - 'walk, don't run or shout and NEVER leave the windlass on'. It was a beautiful sunny day, so when not working the boat it was possible just to sunbathe. Everyone took it in turns to steer the boats - "The boat is just like the average Scout. It takes 10 seconds to do what you want it to and then does the opposite of what you expect".

Below deck there was also much activity baking cakes and preparing the meals. Nobody went hungry. All the Scouts got the chance to help with the cooking AND the washing up.

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We travelled north along the canal through Rickmansworth reaching Hemel Hempstead, where we moored for the night. This meant we had worked through about two dozen locks. We even had to moor up a barge that was loose in the middle of the canal.

On Sunday we retraced our journey on another sunny day. In the early morning this meant we had the sun directly in our eyes. Another favourite activity was using the sea-search magnets to see what could be fished out of the canal. Apart from numerous shopping trolleys, a number of windlasses, some bolt-cutters and a penknife were found. Finally we moored up the boats and returned to Gloucestershire.

Scuba Open Water Weekend The last big scuba event of the year run for the county by the Octopus ESU proved to be one of the best and most successful for a long time. Scuba courses are highly specialised and so are usually quite small – demand this year meant an extra course had to be run. So, the first weekend in September saw seven new participants embark on the practical side of their PADI Open Water Scuba Diver course. An early start was needed and they all arrived at our Fairford Scout HQ base in time to pile in to the minibus at 7pm and head off for the first Enclosed Water training session – not bad considering that we had participants from Worcester, for the first time, who also had to contend with Friday peak time on the M5! Arrival back at Fairford was also on time – 11pm……

Saturday saw them in the classroom in Swindon going through the first three theory modules – oh and another visit to a swimming pool for more Enclosed Water training. This time it was the endurance swim – 8 lengths of the pool non-stop followed by 15minutes treading water.

Just to make sure they did get some fresh air that day after sitting in the classroom, they had to walk from the Fairford HQ into the town centre for their evening meal. Given the nice weather it was very pleasant sitting by the river eating our fish and chips.

Sunday saw an early start as we said goodbye to Fairford and made the run to Cromhall for the first two Open Water training dives. The weather was perfect – the dive school said it was the best diving weather they had had all year (well I do try and arrange these things with the powers above!). The group all handled their training with ease and by the end of the first weekend were well ahead of plan, meaning the second weekend was looking really straightforward.

For the Open Water second weekend, held in the first weekend of October, the group welcomed three more divers – two doing their Advanced Open Water course and one doing his Wreck Diver course. This also resulted in the first ever occurrence of THREE brothers together on a scuba weekend. Friday night was a repeat of the first weekend with everybody in the pool at Highworth. On Saturday the Open Water group were again in the classroom to finish their theory modules and do another Enclosed Water training session at Wroughton. But this time they also had to sit two theory exams, with each paper requiring a minimum 75% pass mark (they all passed). Whilst they were spending the day embroiled in their classroom work, the other more experienced divers spent the day at Vobster Quay in Somerset doing their practical dive training, returning to Swindon to meet up with the Open Water crew and return to Fairford for the evening.

Sunday again saw all three courses at Cromhall for their final qualification dives. A foggy start gave way to a dry and warm, but cloudy day – not as good as the first weekend but at least I 10

stayed dry on shore. The biggest problem we had was that the dive school instructors had all been in Egypt between the two course weekends and had picked up a bug and we were down on minimum instructor numbers. The original plan on dive sites had been reversed as Cromhall puts less demands on the instructors than Vobster. Had we carried on with the original plan to use Cromhall on the Saturday and Vobster on the Sunday the courses would not have completed. The dive school are well attuned to Scouting methods – if there is a problem we can work round it as long as we maintain the required safety controls.

By the end of Sunday we had seven newly qualified Open Water divers, two new Advanced Open Water divers and another Wreck Diver. Congratulations to them all and thanks to the JC Scuba team, especially the instructors (all of them old friends of ours) called up at short notice to ensure the courses ran to plan.

PADI Open Water Scuba Diver Kate McGrath Jon Edgson Joseph Weiss Tom Hislop Saul Fonseka Bob Edgson Ewan Bell

Deer Park Kemble 3rd Worcester Ruardean 3rd Worcester Octopus ESU Worcestershire Activate SAS Deer Park Kemble

PADI Advanced Open Water Scuba Diver Samuel Weiss Ruardean Kieron Milsom Churn Valley ESU PADI Wreck Diver Thomas Weiss

Freeminers ESU

Derek Newman Cheltenham (UK) Scouts: Explorer Scout Leader Octopus (Scuba) Unit

Climber Badge A total of ten Scouts completed their badge at the Warehouse Climbing Centre near Gloucester Docks. They made full use of the extensive facilities available and were looked after by the Warehouse's expert instructors.

Those passing the course were: Laureen Fearn Staunton & Corse Thomas Fearn Staunton & Corse Jacob Greenwood Meyer ESU Thomas Greenwood 1st Dursley James Jenkins 1st Dursley Monty Kelly Staunton & Corse Anna Kennard 1st Warden Hill Mary Porter 1st Upton St Leonards Brendan Scurfield 1st Woodmancote Finbar van't Hoff 1st Dursley ************************* On a beautiful summer’s day, two English tourists were driving through Anglesey.

At Llanfairpwllgwyngyllgogerychwyrndrobwyllllantysiliogogogoch they stopped for lunch and one of the tourists asked the waitress: “Before we order, I wonder if you could settle an argument for us. Can you pronounce where we are very, very, slowly?”

The girl leaned over and said: “Burrr… gurrr… King.”

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Jamboree-on-the-Internet (JOTI) Weekend A total of twenty Scouts and Explorers met at Shurdington Scout HQ for this international event over the third weekend in October.

The course was run by Jordan Mussi and Joe Hingley from Devil’s Chimney Explorers, ably assisted by Luke Packham from 1st Prestbury and John Cummins from 15th Cheltenham. The hall was set up with over twenty computers, so that every Scout had their own to use for the weekend. They were given a talk on internet safety and then spent time contacting as many Scouts as they could from around the world.

They also worked on two new activity badges, the Digital Citizen and Digital Maker as well as the Communicator Badge.

Excellent food was provided by Wendy Binks from 1 st Warden Hill and Paul Calleja-Gera, GSL of 15th Cheltenham, looked after everyone’s needs.

Those completing the weekend were George Barrell 1st Woodmancote Alex Cahill Tewkesbury ESU James Claridge 1st Warden Hill Henry Cornish 1st Dursley Anna Coxson Devil’s Chimney ESU Catherine Dann Stuffed penguins ESU Ben Day Churn Valley ESU Ben Harwood 1st Chipping Campden Tom Hill 1st Chipping Campden James Jenkins 1st Dursley Martha Peace 1st Warden Hill Joe Roberts 1st Swindon Village Dylan Schmidt 48th Cheltenham Jacob Schmidt 48th Cheltenham Callum Smith 1st Warden Hill Emily Smith 1st Warden Hill Oliver Sullivan Bob’s Dinosaurs ESU Timothy Tarling No Name ESU Finbar van’t Hoff 1st Dursley Daniel Vizor 1st Upton St Leonards Rowan Ward 1st Dursley Jordan Mussi *************************

Baden-Powell’s Scouting for Boys has sold 150 million copies since 1908, making it the fourth bestselling book of all time after The Bible, The Koran, and Chairman Mao’s Little Red Book.

There are only five countries in the World that do not have Scouting — (Mainland) China, Cuba, Laos, North Korea and Andorra (once did).

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Cranham Courses for Beavers, Cubs, Scouts, Explorers & adults.

Service opportunities for young people and adults: Go to Cranham events for details and booking forms. Cranham Scout Centre has just released it's courses booklet for 2016. There's something for everyone with Beaver Sleepovers, Young Leader Training and Campfire Cooking. The 2016 booklet is available to view on the Cranham website..

Courses for Adults Narrowboat Steerer’s Course 2016 Dates: Friday 26 to Sunday 28 February AND Friday 11 to Sunday 13 March 2016.

Course Fee: £160.

This two-weekend course is for adults and will cover narrowboat steering, operation of locks, basic maintenance and safety requirements, and crew management.

Leaders on Badge courses Leaders may apply to attend any Scout or Explorer courses as a participant, to learn the skills involved - please e-mail if you are interested in this option.

The 2nd Annual County Linking Monopoly Run Who? Open to older Scouts, Explorers and Network members.

Where and When? Saturday December 12th 2015, in Gloucester Open to all Scouts over 12½, Explorer Scouts and Network Members. Everyone who came last time had a great time despite the snow, so we’re repeating the experience with a new venue and some different challenges for you!

This fun challenge is for mixed Scout/Explorer/Network teams.

Don’t worry if you don’t have a team – we are happy to accept individual entries and we will link you with Scouts/Explorers from your local area. The day will start with a briefing at Gloucester Cathedral, giving you and your team-mates a chance to meet up and plan your strategy for the day.

County Scout Cooking Competition Sunday 28th February Shurdington. 10am onwards.

This is open to teams of four Scouts - limited to two per District because of space.

Please liaise with your District team if you want to enter - many Districts will hold their own event to select their two entries.

This event is held indoors, so is a chance to show just how well you can cook, but on a fixed budget and using just a two-ring stove!

Teams have two hours to produce a three-course meal for four people, with a budget this year of £17. The meal and table setting should reflect this year’s theme – "Best of British".

The theme is mainly about using British-sourced main ingredients, and meals reflecting food that is frequently eaten in this country. It is not intended to be prescriptive of the style of cooking.

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Your County needs you!!

County Quiz th

Sunday 17 January 2016 Shurdington Social Centre Shurdington, Cheltenham

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Rules for County Quiz Sunday 17th January 2016, Shurdington Social Centre, Bishop Road, Cheltenham, GL51 4TB 1. Timings: Beavers and Cubs County Quiz AM: Arrival and registration 09.45hrs Quizzes commence 10.00hrs Break 15 mins Quiz end time 12.00hrs approx.

Scouts, Explorers and Network County Quiz PM: Arrival and registration 13.30hrs Quizzes commence 13.45hrs Break 15mins Quiz end time 16.00hrs approx.

2. There will be a small charge for entry per team of £7.00 to cover the costs. Cheques payable to “Gloucestershire County Scout Council” can be sent to Louise Little at Cranham, but please add a separate note acknowledging it is for the County Quiz. Thank you.

Two teams from each section in a District can be put forward, e.g. two Beaver Scout teams from a District, two Cub Scout teams from a District, two Scout Troop teams from a District and two Explorer Unit teams from a District. Network can submit District groups or combine to make a larger team.

Please can you forward names of Groups/teams, together with their District, to Liz Hodge by Friday 8 th January 2016 please. Trophies to be returned to Liz or to Cranham before the event.

3. Teams to consist of 4 members.

4. Please can Leaders ensure that any Young Persons attending have a photo consent for the event, as we’d like to take photos at the Quiz which may be used in print or media to publicise or promote Scouting in the County. If any parents do not wish their children to be photographed at this event, please can Leaders ensure that sectional ACC’s or Liz Hodge are given the names of such persons, so we can ensure those young people are excluded from such photographs. Thank you.

5. All emergency contact details of parents/guardians of young people attending must be recorded at the registration point.

6. Results will be scored after each round by adults.

7. Uniform to be worn by Young People. Adults helping should wear activity uniform.

8. Leaders/parents can stay in the central area of the Social Centre, where refreshments will be available. Parents and Section Leaders will not be allowed to stay in the hall while the quiz rounds are running.

9. Questions will be available on PowerPoint or called out. A quiz master will also read out the questions to assist those who may have difficulty reading.

10. Spelling of words will not be required to be 100% accurate, so long as it is legible.

11. One sheet of paper per team will be provided for the answers. Team members can pass the sheet around or nominate one person to write answers and can quietly confer amongst themselves.

12. All quiz participants’ phones to be switched off. All adults helping to have phones on discreet or silent.

13. Winning teams to be awarded plaque and medals. Runner up/second team winners to be awarded medals.

14. All participants will receive a certificate post event.

16. All Young People are invited to enjoy themselves!!!

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Dragon Boating 2015 South Cerney Waterpark on a sunny September day!

Picture this… a calm… still, warm September day… the sun is shining….the sky is blue… only a few white clouds scuttling along… 11:30 arrives and the first Scouts turn up to see what is in store for the day…

Before they could take more than a few steps after checking in… they were all topped out with a lovely pink cowboy hat!

There were a few dissenters; one said she would never be seen dead in pink!... but she did!

Nineteen Scouts attended which meant we had enough to power one whole dragon boat with yours truly being the drummer (hmmm… it needed to be someone gobby… I think that was achieved!!) We had Scouts and Explorers from all around Gloucestershire, ranging from new Scouts at10½ to 15.

Gloucestershire Scouts were one of four youth teams entered, but our group were still the youngest by miles, and it turned out we were up against Team GB!!! That’s right…. We were racing against a team that represented our country in Canada recently! Wow! What competition!

There were six other adult teams on the water too.

Undaunted, our valiant crew mustered for the first race of the day… against the Team GB group!

We started in the Blue dragon boat...and paddled more or less together to the start point across the lake… pink cowboy hats bobbing in the sun! We get the “at the ready!” and we are off!

Our team got off to a steady start… and we were more or less all paddling at the same time… and although we came in third… big smiles were on everyone. We had some time to wait for our second race, so we were able to watch Team GB do an exhibition paddle across the lake at a blistering speed! (not surprising when they were all mostly 18!).

We were the first race after lunch...and we got geared up and had a practice on the land, utilizing a lovely metal BBQ stand as a drum! We practised all paddling in time with the beat, and taking it faster and faster! Now to put into practice! On the water we got...and again we were up against one of the mixed Team GB teams… and we took off in a fabulous pace! We were in time… we were paddling as one…. For about half the course! But we still shaved 15 seconds off our first time! Our third race was even better, as we smashed through the two-minute mark to come in at 1:54.99… a whole 10 seconds faster than the race before! Our team was improving at every turn! AND...we were not that far away from the scores from the other adult or youth teams!

There were a few that seemed quite intent on getting their drummer wet (ME!), as they almost tipped me in at the end! You know who you are… I will get you back next time!! He-he.

All of our Scouts were awarded their Dragon Boating activity badge and certificate in our own award ceremony, as well as every member being awarded a medal from the Race Organizers.

Well done to all who took part on behalf of Gloucestershire Scouts… and I look forward to taking another team through to this Annual event next year!

Sharon English ************************* Time flies like an arrow. Fruit flies like a banana.

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What's the date today?

When Julius Caesar introduced a new calendar in 46 BC, he could hardly have imagined that it would survive almost unchanged for more than 2000 years.

The Romans began their 365-day year in March, and had Leap Years every fourth year and in every centenary year. In 1582, Pope Gregory XIII decreed some small modifications to take account of slightly more accurate astronomical observations. The Gregorian Calendar changed only the start of the year to January 1st, and deleted the 29th February in centenary years not divisible by 400. Otherwise the pattern we have today remains as Caesar defined it - an amazing reflection on the knowledge of the early astronomers. The only further modification in recent years has been to retard the world's clocks by one second on July 1st, to keep in line with astronomical time.

The Kalendae was the name of the first day of the month in the ancient Roman year, the word deriving from calare, to proclaim. It was then that interest on debts became due, and the medieval Latin word kalendarium, meaning an accounts book, is the origin of our calendar.

The first month of the Roman year, Martius, takes its name from Mars, the God of War, whilst Aprilis is thought to be of Etruscan origin. The goddess Maia was the daughter of Atlas, the eldest and fairest of the Pleiades and the mother of Hermes.

A Roman aristocratic family called Junius gave their name to the next month, and July honoured Gaius Julius Caesar. The Emperor Augustus was remembered in their sixth month, and the next four derive directly from the Latin numbers seven to ten, septem, octo, novem and decem.

Januarius was the month of Janus, the Roman god of doorways and passages. He is usually depicted with two heads, facing opposite ways. The Romans had a festival of purification, which they called Februa, meaning purifications. This was held on the Ides, or 15th day, of their twelfth month, and we still use their word for what is our second one.

Our word month derives from the old Norse manathr. A month is defined as the period taken by the Moon to make one complete revolution round the Earth, but the actual length varies according to what you measure it against. Modern timings show that the Solar Month, that is the time taken for the Moon to return to the same longitude, is 27 days, 7 hours, 43 minutes and 4Ű°5 seconds. The time between conjunctions with a particular star (called the Sidereal Month) is 6Ű°5 seconds longer, and the Lunar Month, that is the period between New Moons, is 53 hours and 52 seconds longer than that.

So next time you find there is too much month left at the end of the money, remember that our calendar has been around a lot longer than we have!

John Morton 17

Talks on animal care to Scout Groups Blue Cross, the charity dedicated to helping sick, injured and homeless pets has offered a national free education service to children aged 5-12 since 2005. Using our network of fully-trained and DBS-checked volunteers, we have seen over 4,000,000 children. Our talks are not a fundraising initiative but are part of our programme of information and education, however fundraising opportunities are available on our website if required.

Talks can be to large groups or made age-appropriate for smaller groups of children. The programme is particularly appropriate to areas such as animal-related activity badges. Talks can be given on subjects such as; Responsible Pet care Being safe around dogs The history and work of the Blue Cross Pet charity.

Some of our volunteers have temperament-assessed dogs with them, and all carry a number of resources to help make the message of the Blue Cross a fun and interesting experience.

Availability of talks is dependent upon the availability of our volunteers, so Leaders please contact Sue Malin direct to make a booking during term-time. More information on responsible pet care can be found at www.bluecross.org.uk/education Sue Malin Education Team - Blue Cross Telephone: 0300 777 1995 e-mail: education@bluecross.org.uk www.bluecross.org.uk

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How would Gloucestershire Scouts like a percentage of the whopping £17۰7 billion that is expected to be spent on line this Christmas?

When your supporters use Give as you Live to shop on line with over 4000 leading online retailers — including Amazon, eBay, John Lewis and M & S — then they can raise FREE donations for you. If you would like to get involved — please register your charity with Give as you Live — it’s completely free to join and once signed up, we’ll send you free marketing materials to help spread the word.

Contact Annabelle Rodon, Head of Charity Support, on 01386 764923

FAQs Who are Give as you Live? We're an award-winning online fundraising website for UK charities, helping people raise money through their everyday online shopping. Powered by Everyclick Ltd, we've helped raise over £6.5 million so far.

Why have we contacted you? fundraise.

We want all UK charities to know about this brilliant and easy way to

Who do we work with? We work with thousands of charities from multinationals to local volunteer-run causes. We've won awards from the Institute of Fundraising and are members of the Fundraising Standards Board.

What's the cost? It's completely free - there's no sign-up fee, monthly subscription or payment fee. It's also free for your supporters.

So where do the donations come from? As a "thank you" for sending sales to them, the retailers give us a reward - we pass this on to the charity of the user's choice - which could be you!

What's next? If you're ready to get involved, please register your charity. Alternatively, if you would like to find out more - either reply to this email or give our Charity Team a call on 0800 883 8450.

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Safer Internet Day 2016 Play your part for a better internet!

Join the global celebration on 9th February!

Safer Internet Day 2016 will take place on the 9th February with the theme Play your part for a better internet!

Coordinated in the UK by the UK Safer Internet Centre the celebration sees hundreds of organisations get involved to help promote the safe, responsible and positive use of digital technology for children and young people.

Globally, Safer Internet Day is celebrated in over a hundred countries, coordinated by the joint Insafe/INHOPE network, with the support of the European Commission, and national Safer Internet Centres across Europe.

The day offers the opportunity to highlight positive uses of technology and to explore the role we all play in helping to create a better and safer online community. It calls upon young people, parents, carers, teachers, social workers, law enforcement, companies, policymakers, and wider, to join together in helping to create a better internet. Get involved to play your part!

Get involved in Safer Internet Day 2016:

www.saferinternetday.org.uk *************************

gscouts is edited by John Morton editor@gscouts.org.uk 01453 452159

Please send contributions, news and pictures to: magazine@gscouts.org.uk

For information visit gscouts.org.uk or phone the County Office 01452 812309

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