THE PENYCAE
SPRING/SUMMER 2014
EDITION 31
FIND OUT MORE INSIDE: What have all of the sections been up to? Where do subs go? Can you tie the knotting challenge?
CONTENTS: Introduction Gerry’s Gossip Beavers Cubs Well Done Sion Where Do Subs Go? GSL Challenge Scouts Explorers Parking Policy AGM Invite Forthcoming Events More Girls Required
GSL News Welcome to the Penycae Woggle Welcome again to the occasional magazine of Penycae Scout Group the Penycae Woggle. This is not the first attempt - but number 31 since the very first one I produced in September 1985 (was it really that long ago?) For your interest, or maybe not, I repeat below my introduction to that very first edition of the Penycae Woggle: “There are many reasons why a Scout Group is not as successful as it should be. Probably, the two most significant are, firstly, the lack of a ‘family atmosphere’ within the Group and, secondly, poor communication between Leaders and boys and even between boys and parents relating to Group activities. In order to attempt to overcome this, at least to some degree, is to produce a Group magazine. This is the first experiment and no doubt there will be many changes in the format. But basically, the magazine should contain at least two defined sections - one for scouts and another for Cubs, together with other Group information.” Of course, we have long since had girls as well as boys and also Beaver scouts and Explorer Scouts. I don’t think anything else has changed over the years – the above sentiments are still very true. But we must be doing something right as we have increased numbers in the Group from 29 in 1985, the year of the first edition, to an average of around 80 which has been pretty much constant since the mid 1990’s; quite a large Scout Group compared to many. My hope is that the Penycae Woggle will become not just an occasional magazine but a regular quarterly magazine with interesting information for everyone concerned with scouting in Penycae making sure that the members of the Scout Group [young and older] have the best possible experiences. I hope that you enjoy it? Happy reading. Gerry Penycae Group Scout Leader
Last summer the Beavers suffered a great loss when Steve ‘retired’ as some of the Beavers aptly put it. From all the Beavers past and present a big big thank you Steve for all that you have done to help us!! p.s. Steve you are always welcome back especially to help with hikes!!
We had a Native Indian Themed Sleepover. Six Beavers joined us in Chirk for a district sleepover. This was a great opportunity for the Beavers to meet other Beavers from different groups in the district. For three Beavers this was their first sleepover!! A great night had by all and Beavers all sleeping by 2am-Thankfully!!
Over the last term the Beavers have been busy ‘visiting’ five countries with their own passport travelling via ‘tunnels’ to China, Canada, Wales, India and America. The Beavers were involved in many activities including: Making Chinese dragons and lanterns and tasting a healthy chicken and vegetable fried rice, Tasting pancakes with maple syrup, playing icehockey and learning about lake and river safety. Making and eating welsh cakes, learning to playing rugby and beaver art. Discovering Indian costumes and dancing ‘Bollywood Style’, Beaver Cinema- The Rescuers and of course popcorn.
A big thank you is needed for Seth and Evan (now a Scout and Cub) who came along with their ‘Tackle Bag’ and ‘Rugby Balls’ to give the Beavers a fun filled session of rugby. It is great to see that even when our young people leave Beavers they can still be involved!!
New badges - the Beavers have ten new badges to work towards and we will be working on at least three of these next term-camp craft activity badge, sports activity badge and time on the water staged activity badge. Exciting times ahead as the Beavers love working towards gaining badges!
In March, 10 Cubs joined with the Scouts for an activity weekend in Kibblestone, Stone. The Cubs took part in many activities including Crate stacking, Falconry, Climbing, Backwoods cooking over open fires & indoor caving. On Sunday we were joined by 80+ Cubs from the Llangollen District. This was a great opportunity for the Cubs to integrate with all of the local Cubs in preparation for our District Summer Camp in August.
We took a trip to Rhos library where the Cubs learned how to use encyclopaedias, atlases & dictionaries. They were all enrolled as members and took books home to read. If they haven’t had their badges yet then they probably still need to bring in a list of six books that they’ve read.
The Cubs had a few messy weeks completing st
their DIY badge – a 1 for Penycae - making bird boxes & key racks.
A big well done to our football team who took first place in the District Cub 6-aside competition.
Sion has achieved both his Gold Duke of Edinburgh Award and Queen’s Scout Award. The Queen’s Scout Award is the highest honour in Scouting and is awarded for outstanding personal achievement. This honour is achieved by young people aged between 16 and 25 who have completed a range of challenges, which includes service to their community, completing an expedition in wild country, undertaking a fiveday residential project in an unfamiliar environment and learning a new skill or developing an existing talent. Sion has said, “The most enjoyable experience would have to be completing my Explorer Belt in Russia. We spent a whole 17 days out there accompanied by Network Russia Fellowship, completing many tasks and visited many places.”
Sion being presented with his Explorer belt in Red Square, Moscow by Bill Turnbull head of UK Scouts Network Russia
Subs for Penycae Scout Group are due each term. The cost is £35 – but it is reduced to £30 for younger siblings and £30 for Beaver Scouts. This gives a total of up to £105 per year. From this, £37.00 is paid per year directly to the Scout Association for the membership fee which includes insurance and development costs. A Further £5 per term (£15 per year) is paid to the group to help towards the general upkeep & running of the building as well as leadership training costs and equipment. This leaves a grand total of £1.02 per week (0.73p for siblings & Beavers) towards running the weekly meetings and purchasing the resources & badges (from 56p each badge) required to run an exciting, balanced programme. Cubs would eat their way through that in biscuits each week given half a chance!!
Please note that if subscriptions are outstanding for too long, you will not be covered by the Scout Association Insurance which could lead to your child not being able to attend an activity or camp.
COMMON KNOTS Working knots, as opposed to decorative knots, are usually one of the following types: Stopper knots, which are tied in the end of a line. Loops and nooses, such as a bowline or figure of eight. Bends, used to tie one rope to another. Hitches, used to fasten a rope to another object. Hitches rely on the rope being pulled under tension to hold fast.
Or Reef Knot
This knot is used to tie together two working ends of the same material and size. It is often remembered by the phrase, ‘left over right and under, then right over left and under’.
This knot is used to tie together two ropes of different types or unequal thicknesses.
This hitch is another way to fasten a rope to a post. It is not as secure as the round turn and two half-hitches, but is often used to begin other hitches and lashings.
This stopper knot is unlikely to jam or pull loose. When doubled, it is also used to tie a loop in a rope.
(PRONOUNCED ‘BO-LIN’) This vital knot is used to make a non-slip loop in the end of a rope. It is invaluable in rescue situations – learn it so that you can tie it with your eyes closed, or even with one hand. It is often remembered by the phrase, ‘the rabbit comes out of its hole, round the tree and down the hole again!’
This knot has a long name but is actually a simple hitch. It is a composite knot, meaning it is formed from two simple knots, and is used to attach a rope to a post or an eyelet.
http://www.animatedknots.com/indexscouting.php?LogoImage=LogoGrog.jpg&Website=www.animatedknots.com
The Scouts were challenged to cook for two guests. They had to plan their menus which had to be at least two courses and within a given budget. While some of each group prepared the tables and cooking areas, the rest of the group went to the supermarket to buy their ingredients. On their return the hard work began and the guests began to arrive. Each group were marked on taste, difficulty, originality & presentation. The standard was exceptionally high but in the end after a lot of debating between the judges, the winners were the Panthers patrol.
First Aid Last weekend was amazing (it was the first aid camp) it was really good learning first aid especially the fake cuts and bones sticking out it was really good. Also well done to those who got level 3, 4 or five! I’d like to thank all of the leaders and helpers who worked really hard to make the camp possible. Rhiannon Jones
*Scout editor wanted for this page for future issues – please see Ben or Nick.*
Well done to Penycae – 1st Place in the District Quiz & Orienteering Competitions.
Penycae EXPLORERS took part in an overnight Event back in March. Escape & Evasion 2014 was organised by a new network section, Diamond Network. Over 50 Explorers were divided into 12 groups. The challenge consisted of 9 base challenges that were situated all over Penycae and Ruabon Mountain and one Quiz which all had to be completed within 6 hours whilst being hunted by Leaders. It was no easy challenge that they were presented with & it had many twists and turns throughout the event. Penycae came in a very respectful 2nd place. Sion Davies
We joined forces with the ‘Llannies’ (Llangollen Explorers) and had a good time bonding with them at this district social event. Special offer – 2 games + a food platter for each lane – which was ‘dece’. The District competition was won by Daf W – he is the curly one seen here with Dewi in Gerry’s challenge to us - sleep 1 meter above ground level outside in the winter at the Scout HQ.
For the ‘oldies’: URBAN DICTIONARY – Dece. Short for decent!
We had a great time climbing and bouldering at Awesome Walls in Liverpool. It is a 150 year old church now converted to a indoor climbing facility with hundreds of routes over 1,000 square metres of climbing.
Looking forward to our summer visit to Ireland and taking Gerry back to his homeland which would be ‘dece’ for him. We’re going for a week – 9th to 16th August Travelling from Penycae to get to the camp site in Ireland will be one of a number of special challenges by the Leaders. Some of the planned activities include:─ Paintballing ─ Go Karting ─ Meeting local Irish Scouts ─ Submerging’ ourselves in rich Irish culture ─ Overnight stay in Dublin ─ Kayaking through the city (see photo) Looking forward to the best time ever – which will be ‘dece’.
After a break Catrin Davies has re-joined the Scout Group to be an Ass ESL. With 14 years of experience she is ‘buzzin’ to get back into Scouting – which is ‘dece’.
Woggle Explorer Scout Editor – Iwan
1st Penycae Scout Group The Scout Group has now a published Car Parking Policy for circulation to all parents / other users of the Scout Group car park
Car Parking Policy Parents, Leaders and other drivers who use the Scout Group’s car park must adhere to the following safety measures:─ ─ ─ ─ ─
Enter and leave the car park using the utmost care Only reverse into a parking space [this ensures that all drivers have a clear vision on manoeuvring to exit the car park] Park only using side lights or none at all All Beaver Scouts and Cub Scouts to be accompanied inside the headquarters for the start of their respective meeting All Beaver Scouts and Cub Scouts to be collected from inside the headquarters at the close of their respective meeting
References:
Penycae Scout Group Headquarters’ Risk assessment
THERE'S ALWAYS ROOM FOR ONE MORE Providing adventure for 6-25yrs (and above!) We need more GIRLS - especially in the Beaver & Cub Sections Do you know of any who'd be interested? You can email Gerry: gsl@penycae-scouts.org.uk PENYCAE SCOUT GROUP Bryn-y-Barcut Penycae Wrexham, LL14 2TR www.penycae-scouts.org.uk