Hampshire Scouts Annual Review 2015

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Our Review 2015

Welcome to our 2015 review of Hampshire Scouts We’ve had a busy year!

04 Fun & Adventures - Chairmans Report 05 What’s Our Next Challenge? - County Commissioner Report 06 Beaver Scouts 08 Cub Scouts 10 Scouts

Contents

12 Explorer Scouts 14 Scout Network 16 Youth Council 18 Hampshire Scouts in Hospitals 20 Hampshire Scout Expeditions 22 Queen’s Scout Award and Duke of Edinburgh’s Award 24 Our 2015 Queen’s Scouts 25 St George’s day awards 2015 26 Our Meritorious Conduct & Gallantry Award Recipients 28 Development & Community Involvement 30 Ferny Crofts 32 Adult Training 33 Scout Active Support 34 Hampshire Scout Heritage 35 Our Accounts

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Our Review | 2015

About Us

Hampshire Scouts provides adventurous activities and personal development opportunities for over 17,500 young people aged 6-25, promoting the physical, intellectual, social and spiritual well-being of the individual, helping them achieve their full potential.

In Scouting, we believe that young people develop most when they are ‘learning by doing,’ when they are given responsibility, work in teams, take acceptable risks and think for themselves.

Get Involved

To join the adventure of Scouting whether as an Adult or Young person then contact us at: www.scouts.org.uk/join e: county.office@scouts-hants.org.uk or t: 023 8084 7847 Photography Acknowledgements Where we can, we strive to acknowledge the owner or source of pictures used in this publication. We use them under the terms ‘for Scouting use only’.

www.hampshirescouts.org.uk

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Fun and Adventure!

Thank you once again to everyone who has helped support the young people of Hampshire having “fun and adventure’. You will see this from the many great photographs in this report.

Trustees are important to any Charity or Organisation, and Scouting is no different, and over the last 12 months Hampshire Scouting has increased our emphasis on supporting new and existing Trustees to better understand this important role. In turn this has been supported by Scout Headquarters, who have produced literature and provided help where it’s needed.

One of the ways we have helped, is through the continuance of

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Executive and Trustee Training across the County. This is still very popular, and includes specialist Chair and Treasurer Sessions.

The County Executive Committee members are the Charity Trustees, and a key part of managing the County, and thanks to all the members for their support over the last 12 months. Attendance over the last year by our young people and youth reps, including my deputy Chair Tom, have been great and very encouraging helping us to become more Youth Shaped The elected representatives on the County Executive Committee, are representatives of the District Clusters, ensuring the views of the Districts are being heard. Finding replacement representatives from the Clusters is becoming difficult,

Our Review | 2015

and we now have vacancies. Do ask your current rep or ACC District support what the role entails.

A big personal Thank you to the County Executive members, and County Management Team, for all their help and support over the last twelve months.

Thanks also to Lucie, Linda and Jon in the County Office for their help, support and continued commitment. Over the last year developing new systems, and bringing Projects “in House” traditionally carried out by others.

Peter Moody

County Chairman

What’s Our Next Challenge?

If you’ve ever walked in the mountains, you’ll know that on reaching the summit you may be rewarded with an amazing view. Not always of course – sometimes the mist comes down and you can see very little. But on a sunny summer’s day or a crisp winter’s afternoon you can see forever.

In the distance you can see other mountains and valleys waiting to be explored. And it’s at this stage, when you achieve your goal, that you start thinking about your next challenge.

We’ve achieved a lot in Hampshire Scouting during 2015: • Our membership grew by 4% our eleventh straight year of growth – and we opened 15 new Sections and 3 new Scout Groups • Over 600 young people and leaders travelled abroad with Scouting – including more than 100 at the 23rd World Scout Jamboree in Japan • Scouting started in Southampton General Hospital on a regular basis, offering activities to the children’s wards ranging from crafts to ballistas in the corridors • Our Explorer expeditions to Tanzania and Uganda raised tens of thousands of pounds to help build a new medical centre, repaint schools

and install water wells

Scout Association.

• Scouting took part in Portsmouth Pride, showing our inclusiveness and support for the LGBT community

So now as we reach the top of one mountain, it’s time for us to take on new challenges and set a vision for the future to 2020. We’ll be building our strategy around nine key topics in three areas – so hopefully it’s easy to remember

• 43 young people gained the Queen’s Scout Award, the DofE Gold Award, or both – the highest number for many years • Our Youth Council continued to break new ground on youth-shaped Scouting – including electing an Explorer Scout as one of our representatives to the UK AGM

• Quality - of youth programme, of adventurous activities, and of adult leadership • Growth - opening new groups, retaining young people, and revitalising sections

In 2016 we also celebrate a number of Scouting birthdays and reflect on their achievements

• Values - inclusion and diversity, community engagement, and youth participation

•

1 year of Hospital Scouting

•

5 years of Youth Council

You’ll see and hear more about all of these over the coming year.

And as with mountain walking, we didn’t linger long on the summit but have already started preparing for our next journeys – to Malawi, Cambodia, the Iceland Moot, Tanzania, Patagonia, and Antarctica. And also of course for the Beaver’s first night sleeping in a tent, the Cub’s first climb, the Scout’s first expedition, and the Explorer’s first Jamboree.

• 30 years of Hampshire Scout Expeditions (HSX) •

30 years of Beaver Scouting

•

40 years of Ferny Crofts

•

60 years of DofE

• 90 years of the Emlyn patrol camping competition • 100 years of Cub Scouting and of course the 90th birthday of HM The Queen, Patron of The

#Scouting4All

Adam Jollans

County Commissioner

www.hampshirescouts.org.uk

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Beaver Scouts

2015 started with plans for a Countywide Beaver picnic. This ran on the 4th July and was our first attempt at running 3 Beaver Picnics simultaneously across the County.

Picnics were held at Itchen Valley Country Park, Denmead Scout HQ and The Vyne School (Basingstoke).

Around 250 Beavers attended and Chip the Beaver managed to visit all three arriving at each one in style!

In November Hampshire Beavers went to Paultons Park, another roaring success, with the Beavers enjoying the newly opened Critters Creek attraction, and of course an early visit to Santa in his Grotto.

The year ended with many Christmas Beaver parties.

We are now looking forward to an action packed 2016 being 30 years of Beaver Scouting!

Wendy Turner

Assistant County Commissioner Beaver Scouts

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Our Review | 2015

Amanda Thompson

Assistant County Commissioner Cub Scouts

www.hampshirescouts.org.uk

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Cub Scouts

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Our Review | 2015

The main Competitions held this year were; County Cub Six-a-side Football and the brand new County Cub Brain box Challenge. The County Cub Football was once again amazingly organised by Ivan Sparks and his team and was well supported by districts. The main competition was won by Odiham with Petersfield as runners up. The plate was won by New Forest North with Silchester as runners up; well done to all the participants.

County Brain box Challenge was a new event in 2015 and replaced the old Mastermind Competition, comprising of logic questions and brain teasers, many thanks to Catherine Miller and

her team for organising this very successful event.

2015 was the warm up year for our big centenary, so the Cubs were challenged to have an adventure. Across the county packs; went kayaking, climbing, camping and enjoyed days out hiking and sleepovers in many places including a submarine and the Spinnaker Tower...

Frank O’Callaghan. The weekend was finished off with a Cub Forum led by our Young Leaders and the youth shaped forum helped us to understand changes that could be made in the future.

In December we held a launch for our Centenary Year with Cubs from Gosport district helping to let Hampshire know about our birthday year.

Survival camp held in October last year was a great success and teams from across Hampshire were set challenges and tasks which gained them points. The fine weather and able team of leaders led to a highly successful weekend which is always a very successful weekend run by

Looking forward our big centenary year in 2016 promises to be full of exciting events and opportunities.

Amanda Thompson

Assistant County Commissioner Cub Scouts

www.hampshirescouts.org.uk

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Our Review | 2015

Scouts A Fantastic Year!

A busy year for the Scout Section with a range of activities and initiatives to support Scouts.

The County planned activities have two purposes, firstly in providing opportunities for Scouts to take part activities they may not have experienced otherwise and also for leaders to join in and help run the events and learn from each other.

Over 800 Scouts through the year took part in County events from Survival Skills, Expedition Challenge, Emlyn Camping Competition, Winter Camp, Summer Camp, Gold Award Presentation Evening and Patrol Leaders & Assistant Patrol Leaders Training Courses.

Workshops have also been held on key aspects of running the Troop and working closely with Ash (Assistant County Commissioner Explorers) looking at the move from Scouts to Explorers.

My big thanks to all those who have dedicated themselves to helping run activities over the year and to all Scout Leaders and Young Leaders who put on a fantastic programme for Scouts each week.

Dom Howell

Assistant County Commissioner Scouts

www.hampshirescouts.org.uk

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Explorer Scouts

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Our Review | 2015

Explorer Scouts are young people, aged between 14 and 18 years old. Due to the nature of the Unit structure, they get the chance to regularly work with other units in the District. By doing this, they will get the chance to do many more and varied activities.

There are a range of awards for the Explorer Scouts to aim for: The Chief Scout’s Platinum and Diamond Awards; the Duke of Edinburgh’s Awards; Explorer Belt; on top of all of the Explorer unit’s usual programmes.

Kudu Trophy The Kudu Night Hike took place in February over the Valentine’s Day evening near Andover. We had an amazing 26 teams take part in a range of bases testing teamwork and Scouting Skills including tacking up a Horse and dealing with a First Aid scenario. There were two different levels on offer this year - Bronze & Silver, 8 and 12 miles in length. The last team returned in at 4am before heading to bed for a few hours’ sleep!

The Bronze course was won by Relentless ESU (New Forest North) and the Silver level and Kudu trophy by Hoboes ESU (Waterlooville). Thank-you to Julian Sore who coordinated the event and all the adults who assisted on bases and made the event possible.

Trek Cart Races Trek Cart race day, again took place at Manor Farm Country Park and involved a range of different races including an assault course and the main race around the Country Park. Well done to the Hoboes ESU (Waterlooville) who won the overall Explorer Scout Trophy, 5th New Forest North Garland Troop for winning the Scout Cup and Pinnacle for winning the Volleyball.

Thank-you to Gus Angus who organised the event, and was also presented with a County Commissioner’s Commendation, and Clare

Webb, with the rest of the leaders who made the weekend possible.

Zombie Camp Over 50 Explorers attended this action packed weekend that included tomahawks, the mad Dr’s ‘chop shop, bush tucker trials, shelter building, archery and they even carried their very own ‘dead body’ around an assault course in a trek cart! All of this before a couple of dozen zombies got involved jumping out of the woods whilst the Explorer where on a night hike, ambushing the campsite in the middle of the night and generally just causing chaos. Once again a huge thank you to all leaders involved in the organisation of the event especially Gus Angus, Clare Webb, Ali Ross and all of the team at Cricket campsite.

Around the County Gosport Explorers and Network held their annual Kelly Warner Climbing competition. This year’s winner was Jack Hazzard, a Gosport Explorer. Ocean Explorers entered two teams into the Portsmouth Dragon Boat Festival held at Lakeside North Harbour, with one of their teams Boxtrolls, made up of Explorers and older Scouts, winning the final.

I have had a great nine months or so in the role of ACC Explorers and I am thoroughly enjoying getting round and meeting everyone which in itself is a huge task as we are such a big county but keep those invites coming and we will get to you all. I need to say a big personal thank you to my team and especially Mike Baxter who did a great job of overseeing things before I was appointed.

Ash Wilson

Assistant County Commissioner Explorer Scouts

www.hampshirescouts.org.uk

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Scout Network Network has grown in size by a staggering 67% with the changes to adult subscriptions encouraging growth.

The third successful Future Leadership course bought in another 19 leaders and network members ages 18+ for a weekend of leadership training and exercises, leading hopefully to further developmental experiences supported by mentors.

We have had 25 Queen Scout’s since last year in Hampshire, with 32 Hampshire Scouts in attendance at the National St George’s Day events at Windsor Castle. The largest contingent for many years.

Many Network members have also achieved The Gold Duke of Edinburgh Award after completing expeditions and challenges far and wide.

Network groups have also attended national events, such as the annual Easter Network gathering at Great Tower in The Lake District, Mad in Essex and Intense in Bristol.

Finally we have had Network members across the county take on leadership roles, from Deputy County Chairman, County Youth Representatives as well as international expedition leaders to Switzerland, Cambodia, Patagonia and Tanzania.

Hopefully 2016 will be just as great!

Tilly Griffiths

County Scout Network Member

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Our Review | 2015

www.hampshirescouts.org.uk

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Our Review | 2015

2015 has been another busy and exciting year for Hampshire Scout Youth Council. We were pleased to send a number of young people to the first national YouShape event in London, as well as hosting two conferences ourselves here in Hampshire where we invited the national Youth Commissioners to come and find out about how we operate in Hampshire. We elected our youth reps for 2015 in March – and were delighted to welcome Sophie as our first under 18 representative to the national council, as well as Tom to becoming Deputy Chair of the County Executive at just 20 years old. We welcomed HSX to visit both of our conferences, hearing about their upcoming trips and supporting them to develop their work. We worked with Marwell Zoo in hosting and running a special day out for scouts – seeing 700 attendees at this event.

We also purchased a Zany Zebra which we will be seeing out on display in Southampton in 2016. In October 2015, we celebrated 5 years of Youth Council, with a special black tie dinner and awards evening – where we recognised and congratulated projects and individuals who had made a difference to youth involvement in Hampshire Scouting, with 10 awards categories. We set up a Youth Commissioner Team, and are pleased with the progress of their work so far in bringing together representatives and enthusiasm for driving youth involvement forwards into our next 5 years of progress.

Fi Durrant

Assistant County Commissioner Youth Participation

www.hampshirescouts.org.uk

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Our Review | 2015

Hampshire Scouts in Hospitals Meeting are held bi-weekly at Southampton General and 4 times a year at Naomi House with challenges including pioneering, tracking, code breaking, crafts and navigation. Those who cannot make it to the play areas receive a visit to their bedside to ensure that everyone can take part.

Southampton Hospital play leader, Joyce Stebbing, expressed her thanks at the difference it has made to Wednesday evenings in the hospital.

This year we plan to expand to provide Scouting in other Hampshire hospitals.

Scout Volunteer, Rosemary Harrison, said: “I know first-hand what it’s like being a young person in hospital and so am especially happy to volunteer here. We are very flexible about when Leaders can help and have to be flexible with our activities, as you never know who will be in at the time as the ages can range from 4 to 16”.

Sara Sullivan

Scouting in Hospitals Scout Active Support Manager

www.hampshirescouts.org.uk

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HSX Hampshire Scout Expeditions

Well, what a year for HSX, a lot has happened in the last 12 months, but possibly our most notable landmark is turning 30 this year! I am proud to say that I have been involved with HSX for 17 of those 30 years; during those 3 decades, we have successfully run over 20 international expeditions for Hampshire Scouts to over 10 countries in all but one continent (this will no doubt change soon, but I will come to that), and let’s not forget the first Scout-led expedition to summit Everest. Carrying on the successes of and celebrating 30 years of exploration, we have an expedition heading off to Cambodia at Christmas time, those involved will be spending 4 weeks in country and taking part in a community project, adventurous activities, and exploration, including visiting the UNESCO site of Angkor Wat; the movie buffs among you will recognise it from the ‘classic’ Tomb Raider, starring Angelina Jolie!

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Our Review | 2015

I alluded to the fact that we have, so far, left just one continent untouched by Scout boots. This will change come 2018 with an expedition following in the footsteps of Amundson and Sir Ranulph Fiennes, trekking to the South Pole.

Their preparation continues for this massive undertaking, as I type they will be putting away their ice axes and dusting off trainers to complete 3 consecutive marathons on Dorset’s Jurassic Coast, joining only a handful of ‘unique’ people having completed this challenge.

Adventure can be found anywhere, and we don’t have to travel very far to enjoy it. Our regular diary of events started in January with a trip up to Mid-Wales to walk in a blustery Snowdonia. Despite the wind, all 30-something walkers summited Cadair Idris, a 893m peak and wild camped that night lower down on the side of the mountain.

February saw us return to the Cairngorms, treating us to what can only be described as perfect conditions, with a good covering of snow and predominantly clear blue skies. This gave us the opportunity to practice our winter mountaineering as well as practice the new skill of cross country skiing.

Unfortunately, Mother Nature can be very fickle and we clearly had upset her in March, travelling to the Lake District to be greeted by Storm Katie! The inclement weather did not stop us from making the most of our 4 days there.

The rest of the year will see us visit the Peak District for climbing in June, the New Forest for core skills in September, North Wales in October and the Annual Adventure Race and Christmas meal at Ferny Crofts in December.

I would like to take this opportunity to thank all of those who have been involved with HSX over the last 30 years, without you, none of our successes would have been possible. Finally, here’s to the next 30 years of adventure!

Jamie Kelly

Assistant County Commissioner HSX

www.hampshirescouts.org.uk

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The Ultimate Scouting Achievement

Queen’s Scout Award and Duke of Edinburgh’s Award

Our Review | 2015

From the Lake District to the Lochs of Scotland and from Snowdonia to Switzerland, 25 Hampshire Scouts have hiked, paddled, climbed and sailed hundreds of miles to complete the expedition phase of their Queen’s Scout Award, Scouting’s highest achievement. They have developed new skills ranging from dancing to ice climbing, and from campanology to scuba diving. On the way they have provided hours of voluntary service; helping in out Scouting Groups, in Care Homes and working on environmental improvements. Their final projects included antiquities in Dartmoor, the effects of tourism

in the Lake District and piloting an expedition aim of completing 60 challenges in preparation of the 60th year of DofE in 2016.

Recognition of young people’s achievements is important and the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award is one of the most widely recognised, valued by educational establishments and employers alike. The three levels (Bronze, Silver and Gold) and the balanced programme (Volunteering, Skill, Physical, Expedition and Residential) make it a challenge, allowing young people to spend time in new places, meet new people and learn new skills, along with developing their communication,

organisational and teamworking skills. And they get memories that will last a lifetime!

The Scout Association awards, cumulating in the highest award in Scouting, the Queen’s Scout Award are closely linked to the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award, with additional challenges of participation in the Scouting programme, camping, environmental awareness, thinking about values and Scouting’s international dimension.

This year has seen several people achieve their Queen’s Scout Award – an amazing 25 people. In addition, we have

had nearly 600 people register for the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award and 153 Bronze, 71 Silver and 21 Gold Awards presented.

In September 2015, 32 Queen’s Scouts were presented with their certificates by Nigel Atkinson, Lord-Lieutentant of Hampshire. The venue was the HMS Warrior 1860 which produced a excellent backdrop for the presentations, followed by a talk by the young adventurer, Ash Wilson. After the presentation Queen’s Scouts and guests were able to wonder around the ship and enjoy a buffet. Thanks to everyone who assisted with

evening and Box It for their kind sponsorship.

Thanks must go to all the Explorer Scout Leaders, District Advisers, County Advisers, Assessors and others who support this important part of our work and we look forward to an even more exciting year next year.

Mike Baxter

Assistant County Commissioner Duke of Edinburgh’s Award and Queen’s Scout Award

www.hampshirescouts.org.uk

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Our 2015 Queen’s Scouts

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Our Review | 2015

Joshua Smith Catherine Redgrave Matthew Mather Kaj Carter Mark James Alexander James Laura Betteridge Luke Gavin Lizzie Harvey Alix Nichols Elliott Galvin Jamie Bennett Rhia Wilton Matthew Jordan Alistair Hammond Philip Jarczyk Rachel Duffy James Humby David Stewart Jennifer Smith Oliver Bills Gemma Shaw Peter Dalrymple Greg Humphries Keith Edwards

Silver Wolf Brian O’Neill

Group Occasional Helper for the 4th Eastleigh and District Appointments Advisory Committee Member in Eastleigh

Chris Adams

Cub Scout Leader for the 54th Portsmouth, District Cub Scout Leader & District Scout Active Support Member in the City of Portsmouth.

Peter Bourne Explorer Scout Leader in Romsey & Training Adviser for Hampshire.

Les Sutton

District Vice President & District Scout Active Support Member in Meon Valley.

Joan Veal Assistant District Commissioner for Activities for Itchen South, County Power Boating & Pulling Assessor & County Scout Active Support Member.

Silver Acorn Eileen Britton

Assistant Cub Scout Leader for the 1st Stubbington in Fareham West.

Jane Clark District Scout Leader & District Scout Active Support Member in the City of Portsmouth.

Denise Edwards Assistant District Commissioner Development & District Scout Active Support Member in the City of Portsmouth.

Kevin Gillkerson District Appointments Advisory Committee Members, former District Commissioner for Itchen South & Training Adviser & County Comms Manager.

Angela Harwood

Group Scout Leader for the 1st Denmead in Waterlooville & a Training Adviser.

St George’s Day Awards 2015

Bar To The Silver Acorn

Mark Hughes

District Commissioner for Rotherfield & a Training Adviser.

Ian Sims

Group Scout Leader for the 6th New Forest North & a Training Adviser.

Carol Sleath Assistant District Commissioner Special Needs in Basingstoke West & Assistant County Commissioner for Special Needs.

www.hampshirescouts.org.uk

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Our Meritorious Conduct & Gallantry Award Recipients Jacob Tate st

Scout 1 Basingstoke, Basingstoke East Medal for Meritorious Conduct

Benjamin Collins Explorer Scout, Sea Dragon ESU, Fareham East Chief Scout’s Commendation for Meritorious Conduct

Mitchell McCracken Explorer Scout, Sea Dragon ESU, Fareham East Chief Scout’s Commendation for Meritorious Conduct

Daniel West st

Cub Scout, 1 Fordingbridge, New Forest West Medal for Meritorious Conduct

Mark Nash Scout, 1st Stubbington, Fareham West Chief Scout’s Commendation for Meritorious Conduct

Ashley Wilson ACC Explorer Scouts, Hampshire Chief Scout’s Commendation for Meritorious Conduct

Sophie Shute Beaver Scout, 14th Aldershot, Blackwater Valley Chief Scout’s Personal Award

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Our Review | 2015

Gone Home

Daniel West a Cub Scout with 1st Fordingbridge Scout Group

It is with great sadness that we have to inform you of the passing of Daniel West aged 9 – Cub Scout with 1st Fordingbridge Scout Group. Daniel lost his battle with cancer on Friday 20th November 2015. He passed away peacefully at home, surrounded by his family.

On 18th April 2015, Daniel was awarded the Scout Medal for Meritorious Conduct, for the brave and inspiring way that he had coped with his illness. This medal was presented by James Ketchell, Ash Wilson and Adam Jollans. It was a memorable day that filled Daniel with pride.

Daniel was a Beaver, and Cub Scout with the Group and is well remembered for his energy for life and enthusiasm for Scouting.

His beaming smile warmed us all.

Our thoughts are with Daniel’s parents – Kayte and Mark, and brother David, at this very difficult time.

www.hampshirescouts.org.uk

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Development & Community Involvement On target!

I write this as the new ACC Development & Community Involvement, a role created to merge the already established National Community Impact strategy with the Development strategy in Hampshire, this having been handed on to me by Gordon Brakewell who has done so much towards this very important aspect of our County aspirations.

I think at this point I should say without hesitation that both Gordon and Vanessa (our County Development Officer) have

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continued to achieve great things in 2015 both in terms of growth, reduction of joining lists and the establishment of new groups and recruitment of leaders.

We are delighted that although in its final year of the funding given through the Development Grant Board the project continues to grow and reach a greater number of members across the County.

The fact that waiting lists are still growing despite us creating many more places is a testament to the growing popularity of Scouting and what we offer.

Our Review | 2015

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A further 14 new sections opened last year with assistance from the development project and 246 young people have been allocated a place.

• Waiting lists in the County stand at over 2000.

Adults continue to volunteer – many taking the flexible opportunities we offer and working as part of leadership teams. Support for new adults includes a ‘Beginners Guide to Running a Section’ type workshop where they pick up

valuable resources and information to get them through the first few months.

•

A total of 129 adults have been recruited over the year through various means including opening new sections and groups, recruitment events like Car Fest, and the online volunteering websites.

We are making make progress with housing developers and Councils across the County to facilitate new Scout buildings or reassignment of existing ones. This gives us opportunity to provide new scouting provision for residents who have yet to establish their community.

Scouting can be the catalyst for making this happen. With the large number of houses to be built in the future across County it is important we are part of any plans at an early stage.

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New scouting provision is planned for areas including Basingstoke and Deane, Test Valley (Andover and Romsey), Eastleigh, Odiham, Winchester and Fareham.

In 2014 the project was expanded to specifically target diversity and inclusion – a key objective of the Scout Association 2014-18 strategy.

In Hampshire we have been working with SO18 along with the PCSO’s and Neighbourhood team from Portswood Police station to run taster session for local families and created ‘Scouting in a Shop’. We have an exciting project on going in Somers Town, Portsmouth with a new Scout group for the local community and we are exploring the opportunities to offer Scouting to children on the autistic spectrum and their siblings at Cricket Camp in Itchen South.

• Our aim is to create 75 places for adults and young people to enjoy scouting by the end of the project in 2017 within this area of the strategy.

Recruitment skills are regularly

being shared with adults who promote Scouting at their local events to engage with people through Effective Recruitment workshops and also the County Development Officer providing direct support. None more so than the BBC Car Fest South event held near Overton in August each year. Over 60 Hampshire leaders and Network members spend the weekend supporting the Children in Need event run by Chris Evans (who is also a Scouting Ambassador) and speaking to the 25,000 participants about scouting.

Community Impact/Involvement: This is a relatively new role for Hampshire Scouting (April 2015) and brings with it the challenges of any new role. Clearly most of the community contact and involvement is at Group level where the Scout Group is or can be at the heart of any community. This role as it develops will try and embrace all the ‘good practice’ we know is out there in our Districts and Groups.

Our own Community Impact objectives for Scouting in 2018 are to: • Making a positive impact in our Hampshire communities.

• Preparing our Hampshire young people to be active citizens.

• Supporting young people to embrace and contribute to social change.

• Every District to have a ‘Community Lead’ to work with local partners/organisations.

reduced pressure on DC’s, and the local knowledge of this team would support local/county initiatives i.e.

Making a Difference Together Week with our Guiding colleagues.

One of the tests relating to just how involved we are in our community is asking these questions: • Would they notice if we were not there?

• Would community fight for us?

• What do they say about our impact/involvement?

The future: Although this is the final year of the second three year DGB - funded project, Hampshire has already made provision to continue the Development role. We are already looking at how we should build on the clear focus and successes of the past 5 years and continue the great work of our CDO. We do need to scope our County priorities although a continued focus on increased growth of membership both young people and adults is a given.

The challenge ahead is to continue to offer more scouting opportunities to more young people. We believe Scouting changes lives, which is why it is important to for every young person in Hampshire to have this opportunity. Scouting in Hampshire has grown year on year for the last 10 years and we want it to continue.

• County to have established regular contact and working with five National/Local Charities.

Ideas that have been floated are that perhaps we want to look at combining ‘Development roles’ already in place in districts to include Community Involvement.

The advantages of this would be a small Team focusing on one of the main Scouting strategy strands,

Martin Rudd

Assistant County Commissioner Development & Community Involvement

Vanessa Slawson

County Development Officer

www.hampshirescouts.org.uk

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Ferny Crofts The 2015 season has been another record-breaker at Ferny Crofts, with more bookings, more Activity sessions, and therefore more young people than ever having fun and learning in the great outdoors!

• Between January 2014 and January 2015, over 41,000 participants took part in activity sessions.

• This equates to just under 3,600 hours of Activity sessions delivered this year!

Another record was broken too, as Ferny Crofts income passed £500,000 for the first time, reflecting our continued growth in business year on year.

This growth has enabled us to continue our investment in improvements to the Centre’s facilities and the range of activities we offer. Ahead of the busy Summer 2016 season we have just completed a full refurbishment of our Toilet Block, installed additional shower and toilet facilities across the site, expanded the car park, and made improvements to the campfire circle.

And that’s not all! We have also introduced a brand new selfled activity, Aeroball - a cross between basketball, volleyball and trampolining. It’s a great fun, low-cost activity which will be a fantastic addition to your summer activity programme.

Don’t forget that all Hampshire Scout groups are welcome to use the site camping fields free of charge on weekday evenings, so why not visit us one evening for a campfire and maybe try a session of Aeroball?

As always, we would like to thank all of our staff, volunteers and supporters for their hard work and dedication in supporting the success of Ferny Crofts Scout Activity Centre.

We look forward to welcoming you to Ferny Crofts soon for more fun and outdoor adventure!

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Our Review | 2015

Ferny Crofts is 40!

The year 2016 marks the start of Ferny Crofts Scout Activity Centre’s 40th year as the home of Hampshire Scouting.

To celebrate we are planning a range of events and activities throughout the year, culminating in a celebration event in May 2017.

As part of this you may have seen our competition to design part of our new 40th anniversary Crazy Golf Course. Stay tuned for news of winners and when you can join us for a round of golf!

We are also collecting stories and images of memories of Ferny Crofts, and are encouraging Hampshire Scout Groups to look through archives for anything that could help tell the story of 40 years of Ferny Crofts.

We look forward to seeing you at our 40th birthday party in May 2017.

James Redfearn

Ferny Crofts Operations Manager

www.hampshirescouts.org.uk

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Adult Training In March 2015 Martin Rudd stood down as County Training Manager.

He had held the role (and its predecessor role) since March 2003 - one of the longest serving CTMs in the country. He saw the county through a national shake up in training. In 2004 the structure and delivery of wood badge training changed dramatically and was not without its challenges. Hampshire, being the largest county, had particular challenges. Hampshire Scouting has much to thank Martin for and we wish him well in his new post.

We ran our Future Leaders Weekend in February. This was well attended and 17 more young leaders are now better prepared and informed, for future management positions. Hampshire continues

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to lead the way in supporting our youth.

In November we ran our Leadership and Management training for GSLs and DCs, reasonably new to post.

This will be repeated in 2016 but as in 2017 we will see the launch of the national Leadership and Management training, based on our work in Hampshire, this 2016 may be the last in this format.

Residential weekends continue to be the most popular form of training.

The weekends at Ferny Crofts, are always full well in advance. We have now made bookings through to 2018!

A drop in wood badge numbers is probably down more to the recording of them, due to the Compass problems, and 2016 has

Our Review | 2015

already seen a surge.

A big thank you to all the Training Advisers (TA) who are fulfilling an essential and worthwhile role, taking our leaders through the support and training to deliver Safe, good quality scouting to our young people. A thank you, also, to our Local Training Managers (LTM) who are doing a magnificent job supporting the TAs. And another thank you to the Deputy County Training Managers (DCTM) and Administrators, who are supporting the LTMs! And a big thank you to our growing Training Team.

Donna Kerrigan

County Training Manager

Scout Active Support The Active Support Quiz this year was hosted by Basingstoke West and was won by a team from Gosport called Three Girls and a Derek. I will leave you to work out why. The team coming second and only two points behind was from Hampshire Scout Heritage and due to the way it was worked out, they will be hosting the quiz next year. It was sad that only seven teams took part from 5 areas. Despite the lack of numbers, those who participate still wish it to go ahead.

We now only have two County meetings per year, so our first for 2016 was in February hosted by New Forest West and the second is scheduled for May 8th. Because County have rearranged the diary, our annual service for 2016 has been moved to the month of May from the October as it has been in the past. Our last service held in October 2015 saw the largest number of members names entered into the Roll of Remembrance book.

In all, thirty seven names were

entered. These being; David Aldred, Heather Armitage, Peter Baker, Roy Bartlett, Marilyn Bedford, Harry Bennett, Valerie Berry, Derek Bradnam, Nick Brisland, Michael Chant, Joyce Cleif, Rosa Collins, Arthur Cusswell.

Terry Edwards, David Foulis, John Goble, Les Hayley, Ian Harley, Ray Hawkins, Mike Kerrigan, Audrey McKenna, Harry Meadowcroft, Tony Morwood-Leyland, Peggy Palmer, Pat Rea, Ivy Robertson, Keith Rowe, Les Scollick, Peter Sellars, Colin Stewart, Mick Thatcher, Margaret Tickner, Tony Trigg, Julia Urry, Jill Walden, Tom Webb and Sheila Woodman.

Our thoughts go with the families and friends of those who have served Hampshire Scouting. 2017 will see the 25th Service held by Active Support, formerly Scout Fellowship, and so we are looking to make it a little bit special for those attending and it should be remembered that anyone from

Hampshire Scouting and friends are welcome to attend.

Looking at the local reports coming to me from the various District Units, they are obviously working hard and doing what they are supposed to do namely, providing Active Support to their districts and this takes the pressure off the Leaders of the various sections and saves them having to provide the man-power to run events like Super Cub, Chess, Draughts, Football, Cross Country, Swimming Galas, Collecting for Poppy Day, Camping Competitions and all the other activities run in the district by the units.

My thanks go to all members of District Active Support Teams and for the service they give to Scouting in Hampshire.

Richard Spearing

Assistant County Commissioner Scout Active Support

www.hampshirescouts.org.uk

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Hampshire Scout Heritage

Protecting the Past & Informing the Present

Scouting in Hampshire has a remarkable rich and diverse heritage reflecting over one hundred and nine years of historic records.

The purpose of Hampshire Scout Heritage is to provide a framework and context for how we preserve, prioritise, encourage participation in and promote this county’s heritage.

2015 saw the beginning of a new strategy in identifying the main issues facing the Heritage Team in the current economic climate and to ensure the future care and management of this legacy.

In October 2015 we were successful in obtaining the lease for three bays (free of charge) on the 2nd floor at Dukes Keep, an empty unfurnished office building in Southampton. We have since then installed library shelving from HHC, cabinets, tables and shelving from Southampton City Council, display cases donated by a Fordingbridge stationers, cupboard and shelving from St. Annes by Judith James all of which have been donated free.

The memorabilia and artefacts collected and stored in various places over an eight-year period has now been transported to our new centre where our small team

34

Our Review | 2015

of volunteers meet weekly carrying out the following tasks, examining, repairing, cataloguing, photographing together with the sorting out a library of some thousand or so books.

We are grateful to the County Scouts for giving us a budget to cover the day to day running expenses and we now have a small sub-committee formed with a view to obtaining grants for funding our project.

To arrange visits to Dukes Keep please contact Mr Ron Dear: ron@hampshirescoutheritage.co.uk Like the Scouting Movement we cannot stand still and plans are already in hand to improve our displays at Dukes Keep and to upgrade our equipment for our Road Show displays Cub 100 In preparation for this event seven large A2 posters depicting Cubing through the ages have been produced for displays and personalised ‘Souvenir Mugs have been on sale since September 2015. Order forms can still be downloaded on the County Web-site.

Ron Preston Hampshire Scout Heritage

Our Accounts Year to 31st December 2015

2014 2015 Incoming

resources

Membership 170,038 Fees 172,673 Activities

and Events 368,484 748,209 Ferny

Crofts Activity Centre 490,199 503,197 Grants, 105,366 donations and legacies 27,162 Interest

3,546 5,318 Total

1,456,559 1,137,633

Expended

Resources

Activities 332,502 and Events 724,720 Ferny

Crofts Activity Centre 434,839 442,535 Administration,

Support & Development 159,678 179,653 Grants 11,131

8,175 Total

938,150 1,355,083

Total

Funds Fixed

Assets 1,209,991 1,197,321 Restricted

Funds 24,936 12,141 General 152,358 Funds 180,466 Designated

Funds:- - Legacies 89,485 81,050 - Ferny Crofts Development 119,370 190,594 - 138,168 Sections & Activities 148,474 - Development

Officer 98,773 80,042 - 20,000 International Support 14,468 - 10,000 Inclusion in Scouting 10,000 - IT Development 11,309 11,309 - 50,000 Additional Activity Provision 100,000 - 10,000 Future Activity Leader Development 10,000

Total

1,934,390 2,035,865

www.hampshirescouts.org.uk

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Contact us Registered Charity Number: 1015788

Hampshire Scouts, The County Office, Ferny Crofts, Beaulieu Road, Beaulieu, Brockenhurst. SO42 7YQ t: 023 8084 7847 e: county.office@scouts-hants.org.uk fb: www.facebook.com/hampshirescouts tw: @hampshirescouts w: www.hampshirescouts.org.uk