March 2010
T he
In this Issue >County Cooking Competition >Epilepsy What is it? >Ethical Scouts awarded >Flexible adult Training >County Chess competition winners
N e ws
letter
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ty Oxfordshire Coun
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CC Ramblings
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ith the start of a new year it gives us the opportunity to look back at past achievements and to plan for the future. January is traditionally the time when we review our programmes both at Group, District and County level and ensure that they are appropriate to the needs of the young people involved. I hope you have had the opportunity to do this and that the Scouting you provide is relevant, challenging and exciting. I have previously mentioned that as a County we are reviewing boundaries and structures that best support Scouting in Oxfordshire. Firstly we need to decide why change is necessary and what advantages it provides to give better Scouting to more young people in the County. Two Groups have been set up, one to review District boundaries and the other to review support structures at Group, District and County level. These groups started their work during January and if you have any ideas/thoughts about either topic please let me know and I’ll ensure that your input is included in discussions.
All this work came out of the County Team and Executive joint meeting, Oxfordshire Scouting – The Future Part 4. Once the working groups have considered the different options these will presented to the County for consultation, watch this space!
I would like to thank Martin Strong, Jeanette Neller and Steve Marris for the contribution they have made to Scouting in the County. Martin has just resigned as District Commissioner in South Chiltern District and Jeanette and Steve as joint ACC (Explorer Scouts).
Other thoughts on how we could support Scouting in the County, which also came out of this meeting can be found elsewhere in this copy of the Ox. Again if you have any comments on them please let me know.
The new District Commissioner for South Chiltern District is Jeremy Brett and we welcome him to the County Team. I hope to be able to announce the appointment of the new ACC (ES) shortly, after the appointment process has been completed.
We are currently in the process of employing a Local Development Officer for the County. This will be a fulltime paid post for three years, starting in April, to help us develop Oxfordshire Scouting. We have managed to secure 50% of the funding from the Scout Association Development Grants Board and the County will fund the remaining 50%. A Development Committee is being formed and they will be looking at projects submitted from Groups and Districts to develop Scouting in their area. More information will be circulated in the near future but this is a very exciting opportunity for us to really make a difference to the provision of Scouting across the County.
The re-launched County website. www.oxonscouting.co.uk has been very successful and is now up to date and publishing events, activities and the County Diary. Make sure that you visit it regularly and if you have any content then please forward to the relevant ACC or directly to Shaun Kendall, County Media Development Manager. I look forward to meeting you at one of the many activities planned for 2010. Have a great Scouting year Tarquin May County Commissioner
Oxfordshire Scouting
7 teams of 4 scouts from across the county, having won their district competitions, set up 2-ring burners and billies in the luxurious setting of the Oxford Belfry’s College Suite on Sunday November 22nd. With the carpet well covered, fire alarm switched off and under the chandeliers, the boys and girls chopped and fried, diced and steamed to produce a two course meal from a set list of ingredients. They were challenged to use steak and mushrooms, swede and tomatoes, apples and dates, yoghurt and coconut, but trickiest of all was the suet! We tasted amazing apple dumplings, fantastic fusions of Greek yoghurt and dried fruits, even pan-fried pastry. Such inventiveness!
along an astonishing array of seasonal vegetables, and Savona of Oxford delivered pudding ingredients and pantry items. The difficult task of judging the meals fell to Carl Newberry and Katie Best from our sponsors, Le Manoir, aided and abetted by Jeanette Barrington and Nicole Fitzgerald with Tommy Muzzacca representing our host, Q Hotels. Whilst all marks were being collated by the County Commissioner and his assistant on the laptop, Carl took left over ingredients, a large frying pan and chopping board to ably demonstrate how throwing bits of steak, herbs and vegetables into hot fat, produced not only flames, but a stroganoff to die for. Following that feat he then took the odd egg, flour and fruits to give the audience a taste of French crepe. The winners, from Stoke Row, and two runner up teams, each received prizes from Le Manoir of Raymond Blanc’s book and a day in their training kitchen on December 20th. All the mums turned green at that announcement, but otherwise a good day was had by all, especially when we were invited to take home all those wonderful vegetables!
Scout’s Cookin One team found an African stew to include the dates, another an Hungarian combination of beef and swede. How clever they all were! Table settings and written menus were works of art and their teamwork terrific, even their washing up technique was judged.
Newitts of Thame provided best sirloin steak, mash of London sent
ng Competition
Epilepsy What is it?
a fit before my maths exam. I was made to go into a different classroom with people who had other special needs who were given extra time for the exam. This made me feel as if I had been segregated when in fact, I was OK and recovered after my fit”. Although her friends were first of all scared, they coped well with the situation “Friends from school and college knew what to do if I had a fit”, Vikki says “my best friend cried but I was so pleased that they were there for me and it gave me confidence that it was out in the open and they had seen a seizure happening in front of them”
Epilepsy is rather like an electrical short circuit in the brain. It is not infectious and cannot be caught by contact or association and it is not a mental illness. Individuals with epilepsy often control the symptoms with tablets that can reduce or eliminate the experience of fits or seizures.
“Once my teacher over reacted and called an ambulance and I came round to find a paramedic at my side. I immediately thought that something terrible had happened to me as after having a fit you often don’t remember anything of what just happened”.
You cannot tell a person has epilepsy by looking at them, “it’s a bit like being deaf or hard of hearing,” says Vikki Farr an Explorer Scout in King Alfred District, “it’s not an obvious thing and can present some issues for people seeing a seizure for the first time”.
“many times in year ten and eleven, my tutor made me sit in a wheelchair and I was wheeled through the school to the medical room. Everyone could see me through the classroom windows and that made me feel a freak”.
“I suppose I was about 10 when I realised that I had epilepsy “, says Vikki, “although I knew that I had something before that but didn’t quite understand exactly what it was”. “Once I had a fit in my sleep as I came to and found both my parents with me. I remember thinking that “I don’t want to have epilepsy, it scares me and makes me upset that I am different”. Primary School was quite small and welcomed full integration of all pupils, this enabled the staff and teachers to be aware and make sure that enough adult help was available if needed. Vikki says “My parents had explained to everyone what happened but it was still frightening for other children when I had a fit. It was fine and I did feel looked after especially by my school friends “. Quite naturally, Secondary School means you need to look after yourself more and this can make pupils independent and less certain about discussing conditions or personal issues. Vikki continues” I was uncertain whether to tell people and also what I should tell them”. In the end she told everyone in the class so that they would know what to do or how to react if they say a seizure taking place. “I found that other pupils especially those from other years, gave me strange looks and I didn’t realise why”. Those who had found out by word of mouth were heard saying ...“is she weird or what?” and as a 12 year old it is difficult to ignore and more importantly Vikki found a mountain to climb “to accept me as they thought I was different”. “The medication I was on made me put on weight and I was bullied as a result. However in Year 10 and 11 they changed my medication again and this made my epilepsy worse and what with stress about exams I had
Some people have a trigger that can bring on a seizure, commonly flashing lights or sunlight flickering through the trees, although seizures can occur without any warning or symptoms. If someone is having a fit then you need to • make sure that they can breathe • put them into the recovery position • if possible make sure there is nothing in their mouth. Vikki says
“After a fit I feel incredibly thirsty and very tired. Sometimes I feel a bit dizzy and not quite with it and can’t remember what happened. I just need to be left alone to come around properly”. Vikki has not had a seizure for over eighteen months and when Grove Sea Scouts were arranging a summer camp to Switzerland there was a decision to be made. “I was a bit nervous about going to Switzerland with my Explorer Unit but I had a good time. So there is nothing to stop you from doing anything that you want to do” To find out more about support and information, contact Jo Hawtin, ACC Special Needs or visit the following websites: www.scoutbase.org.uk/epilepsy http://www.epilepsy.org.uk/youngpeople/index.html
Longridge Activity Adventure Centre The Longridge Activity Adventure Centre’s website has been updated with information regarding 2010 activities and courses and will be regularly updated with details of new courses, events and activities. In November Lonridge started to build their rather fabulous giant 13m team swing, as well as constructing a Go-Kart track and now have giant spheres for use on our large paddling pool. Building has started of the new changing room and lavatory block and should be complete by June of this year, giving beautiful
and spacious changing rooms, showers and toilets on the ground floor and training rooms above. Information about the grand opening in 2010 will be out soon! Longridge has also been granted planning permission to improve the carpark layout and the building of a new visitor centre and club rooms - fundraising for these projects is underway and when they have raised the £500,000 necessary building will commence, hopefully over the winter. The website will be updated regularly with news of progress, if you have any fundraising ideas or any time to give to the campaign, they will as always be grateful of the help.
The best support you can give to Longridge is by using the centre the team there hope to see you in 2010 and as always if you don’t see exactly what you are looking for in the brochure or on the website, get in touch and they will do their very best to make what you want happen. To find out more about activities and to make a booking go to: www.longridge-uk.org/home
Ethical scouts positively clean up at the BACAs Scouts in Didcot (Didcot and District, South Oxfordshire) recently excelled themselves in the Business and Community Awards run by local organisation Didcot First Ltd. The Awards were designed to recognise and reward Businesses and Community Groups who ‘go the extra mile’ in areas such as Ethical Approach, Positive Promotion, Customer Service and Community Involvement. Scouts in Didcot were delighted to win the Positive Promotion category and to be runners up in the Ethical Stance category. Rob Vaines, District Commissioner said ‘ we are absolutely gob smacked to have done so well. We were the only organisation to receive awards in 2 categories. It really reflects all the effort that the district
groups have made in promoting scouting in the local area’. The judges were impressed by the professional image portrayed by the group websites, their ability to create their own group look by designing t-shirts, posters, banners etc and by the way the young people really took pride in belonging to scouting – always putting themselves in a good light whether they were standing on parade, picking up litter or delivering the Christmas Post. When it came to an ethical approach, the judges commented on the balanced programmes which included introducing topics such as Fairtrade, recycling and climate change as well as their approach to open recruitment. The judges recognised that working with children on ethical issues
was also a big factor in influencing parents, thus engaging more people in the important, modern day topics of carbon reduction and sustainability. See www.scoutsindidcot.org.uk and www.didcotfirst.org.uk for more information.
Flexible Learning for your Scout Role The County Training Team offers many methods of learning within the Scout Association’s Adult Training Scheme to the 1300 appointed adults in Oxfordshire, including weekend or evening courses, on-line learning, one-to-one training, workbooks, up-date meetings, drop-in days, etc We now offer ‘on demand’ tailored learning for individuals, Groups or Districts
Here are some examples • We can arrange “modules at home” at a convenient time to you. • If you’re a group of people that has a training need we’ll come to your HQ • If you find that you have a need that’s not met by the modular training scheme we’ll provide some suitable training • We can tailor Nights Away training that fits in with your camping/ residential event programme including, permit assessment & a camp leader if necessary • If you’re a GSL, DC or any manager that has identified a local training need, or wants some help with assessing training needs we’ll help, & organise the appropriate training Contact John Dickin (dctm_jd@oxonscouting.org.uk) for details or to arrange any of the above or talk to any member of the County Training Team Contact details are on the County Website: www.oxonscouting.org.uk Or leave a message on 07775-760367
Interested in Joining the Adult Training Team? Oxfordshire Scouting is growing and there’s always the need for more people in the Adult Training Team. If you think you might enjoy a training role and are interested in applying for, or want some more information about any of the roles listed below please contact Pat Farr County Training Manager or a member of his team There is a brief description of these roles on the county website http:// oxonscouting.org.uk/ and full role descriptions are available on request Training Adviser (TA) Local Training Manager (LTM) Trainer First Aid Trainer Tutor Training Assistant Skills Instructor Course Director Course Staff Manager Marketing Manager (Adult Training) Catering Team Member
Scouting continues to grow Banbury Scout District welcomes a new Scout Group. A Cub Pack and two Explorer Units (male and female) have been established and have started meeting. The new Group – 12th Banbury (Olive Tree) draws in leaders and members from the Muslim community in the town. Plans are already in place to grow the Group and already a Scout Troop for girls is planned to start soon. For more information on how the Group are getting on or to invite them to one of your events, get in touch with Brian, the District Commissioner for Banbury District Scouts. Contact details can be found on the County Website: www.oxonscouting.org.uk
Oxfordshire County Scout’s Website Oxfordshire Scout County hosts a large amount of information, events and contact details on its central website:
www.oxonscouting.org.uk
Please pay the site a visit to find out what each section is up to and how to find out more about your favourite Scouting events and News reports.
County Chess Competition Saturday, 30th January, saw six Districts enter teams for the annual chess competition. The Cubs were excellently behaved and followed the chess adjudicators’ instructions to the letter – just like every Cub Scout event that is organised. The concentration was amazing. Parents were banished and leaders were locked away to make sure there were no distractions. After two hours Wallingford District emerged as the winners with Oxford Spires as runners up. Many thanks to all those who took part and especially to our judges. Next year will see the event taking place in Cholsey HQ on Saturday 29th January.
Diary
Oxfordshire Scouting 2010 Diary March
27 - Tuesday
July
3 - Wednesday
Evening Course - Module 7 Valuing Diversity - see ...adult training ...evening training courses ...
14 - Wednesday
ADC Beaver Scouts Meeting - Time: 7.30pm. Venue: Youlbury
County Annual General Meeting - County Annual General Meeting, 7.30pm
9 - Tuesday to 13 - Saturday
May
Oxfordshire Gangshow - Oxfordshire Scout and Guide Gangshow For more information, visit the Cub and Scout pages or go to the Gangshow website.
5 - Wednesday
September
ADC Beaver Scouts Meeting - Time: 7.30pm Venue: Youlbury Contact: ACC BS.
8 - Wednesday
11 - Thursday County Executive Meeting - Venue: Unipart Conference Centre, 7.30pm
Evening Course - Module 13 Growing the Movement (Section Leaders) - see ...adult training ...evening training courses ...
12 - Friday to 14 Sunday
11 - Tuesday
Jamboree Contingent selection weekend - Jamboree Contingent selection w/e
Evening Course - Module 8 Skills of Leadership - see ...adult training ...evening training courses ...
13 - Saturday
14 - Friday
Cub Scout’s County Scrap Heap Challenge - 33rd Oxford HQ - 10am, ACC CS
Nights Away Course - see ...adult training ...weekend courses ...
15 - Monday
15 - Saturday
Training Collective meeting - at Blewbury ... contact Pat Farr ...
Cub Scout 6ers MAY DAY - 24th Abingdon HQ Contact: ACC Cub Scouts.
Evening Course - Module 5 Fundamental Values of Scouting - see ...adult training ...evening training courses ...
Nights Away Course - see ...adult training ...weekend courses ...
16 - Tuesday
Scoutcraft Day - Practical skills that would be useful to adults involved in Scouting
ADC Scouts meeting - ADC Scouts meeting Venue: Unipart confcentre.
16 - Sunday
17 - Wednesday
Cub Scout 6ers MAY DAY - 24th Abingdon HQ Contact: Janet Duxbury, ACC CS
Evening Course - Module 11 Admin (Section Leaders) - see ...adult training ...evening training courses ...
Nights Away Course - see ...adult training ...weekend courses ...
20 - Saturday 1st Response Course - Module 10 - see ...adult training ...first aid courses ... Chief Scouts Gold Award & Queen Scout Award presentations - Venue: Bartholomew’s School, Eynsham Contact: Ben Matthews, ACC Scouts. Download nomination form here ... 24 - Wednesday
18 - Tuesday 1st Response Refresher Course - see ...adult training ...first aid courses ... June 5 - Saturday First Response Course - see ...adult training ...first aid courses ...
Didcot TA/LTM meeting - Harwell Scout HQ (Church Hall) 7.30pm - John Dickin ...
8 - Tuesday
April
16 - Wednesday
11 - Sunday
Evening Course - Module 15 Challenging Behaviour see ...adult training ...evening training courses ...
Nights Away Adviser Workshop - To help the Nights Away Advisers in their role 14 - Wednesday Evening Course - Module 12 Providing a Balanced Programme - see ...adult training ...evening training courses ... 19 - Monday ADC Cub Scout’s meeting - TV Police HQ, Kidlington - 7.30pm 25 - Sunday St George’s Day - ...
Evening Course - Module 9 Working with Adults see ...adult training ...evening training courses ...
17 - Thursday County Executive Meeting - Venue: Unipart Conference Centre, 7.30pm 18 - Friday to 20 - Sunday Aqua Camp - Aqua Camp 2010 Aqua Camp 2010 is underway and it is now time for Troops to start booking places for the weekend.
ADC Beaver Scouts Meeting - Time: 7.30pm Venue: Youlbury Contact: ACC BS 10 - Friday to 12 - Sunday Nights Away Course - see ...adult training ...weekend courses ... 15 - Wednesday ADC Cub Scout’s meeting - TV Police HQ, Kidlington - 7.30pm Contact: ACC CS 19 - Sunday Getting Started Modules 1 (Essential Information) & 3 (Tools for the Job - Sections) - see ...adult training ...getting started ... October 1 - Friday to 3 - Sunday County Patrol Camping Weekend - CPCW 2010 9 - Saturday Bonner Trophy - Cubs - Bonner Trophy Contact: ACC Cub Scouts Cub Scout Bonner Trophy - Venue: Wallingford? Contact: ACC Cub Scouts Regional Development, Advice and Support day - All County Team members 10 - Sunday DC & GSL Region Conference - To: All Oxfordshire DC’s 16 - Saturday to 17 - Sunday JOTA / JOTI - Jamboree on the Air / Jamboree on the Internet Contact: ACC CS. November 6 - Saturday Chief Scout’s Silver Award Presentations - Contact: ACC Cub Scouts DC & GSL Region Conference - All Oxfordshire DC’s 10 - Wednesday ADC Beaver Scouts Meeting - Venue: Youlbury Contact: ACC Beaver Scouts ... 19 - Friday to 21 - Sunday Cub Scout Leaders weekend - Bracken Challenge Contact: ACC Cub Scouts ...
20 - Sunday
December
Activities Day - Modules 17 & 18 - see ...adult training ...weekend courses ...
4 - Saturday Beaver Scout Singalong with Santa - Youlbury ...