October 2009
T he
In this Issue >Scouter honoured >Events to look out for >World record attempt >Cub Carousel >County appointments
N ews
letter
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ty Oxfordshire Coun
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CC Ramblings
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hope that you have managed to enjoy the summer and perhaps a break from Scouting to recharge the batteries. I have heard of many successful Beaver Sleepovers, Pack and Troop Camps and Explorer Expeditions. I hope yours was a great experience for the young people involved and that the weather was kind to you. The summer break gives us the opportunity to take stock and think about our future Scouting plans. As I have previously mentioned, we as a County are looking at the future development of Scouting within Oxfordshire. There are tremendous opportunities to develop and grow Scouting in the County which we must not miss. Our aim must be to give good Scouting to more young
people. I am sure for those lucky enough to be involved in a period of time away with young people it does emphasise what a difference Scouting can make and that it is often a life changing experience. The District Commissioners, County Team and County Executive Committee are holding a development day, ‘Oxfordshire Scouting – The Future Part 4’ in October, so any suggestions that you have will be warmly received. How can we improve, recruit more adults, alleviate waiting lists, provide Scouting in new areas etc. If you have any thoughts or suggestions on any of these topics or others that you think are important please contact me. There have been two new appointments to the County Team. I am pleased to welcome Row Martin, as ACC (Beaver Scouts) and Cliff Shears as ACC (Scout Fellowship). We have many activities to look forward to in the coming months, please see the County diary for
details. Please contact the relevant contact to find out more details. The Jamboree on the Air and internet (JOTA/JOTI) is a new addition to the County calendar and promises to be an excellent opportunity for contacting other Scouts around the world. It is also good to see the County Scout Cooking Competition return after a break of several years. We also embark on the Jamboree selection process both for adults and young people within the County. In Oxfordshire anyone is eligible to attend the selection activities and therefore attend the Jamboree which is being held in Sweden. Attendance is not dependant on your ability to pay but on who will get the most out of the experience of attending. Make sure that you give the young people in your Group, who are eligible and who want to go the support and encouragement to attend. I look forward to seeing you at one of the many future activities. Tarquin May County Commissioner
Oxfordshire Scouting
Silver Wolf - the unrestricted gift of the Chief Scout, awarded for service of the most exceptional nature. In July Angela Cousins received the highest award for service in Scouting, the Silver Wolf, an event in Wantage brought together friends and family from the past 33 years of Scouting in Oxfordshire, but not all guests were that local. Angela’s family alone brought together three generations of Scouting spanning more than one continent: all in their respective uniform – a Beaver Scout, a Cub Scout, a Scout, a Webelo Cub,(Texas) a Bear Cub, also Texas, a Brownie Guide, an Assistant Scout Leader a Den Leader and Angela herself. A true Scouting family. Angela’s Scouting record has covered many roles including District Commissioner, Training Adviser and Deputy County Commissioner, but still deems herself as a Cub Scout Leader at heart. The Award was presented by Tim Kidd, National Commissioner for Adult Support together with Tarquin May, County Commissioner.
Queens Scout Award
On Saturday 15th August 2009, Andrew Brogden, a member of Oxfordshire Scout Network and the service crew of Horley Scout Camp received the Queen’s Scout Award from Tarquin May, County Commissioner . The presentation of the award took place on the Peace Bridge that was originally erected on Brownsea Island as part of the World Jamboree celebrations in 2007 and now has pride of place at Horley.
To achieve the award Andrew had to complete a number of tasks including a service to the community and an expedition. The presentation took place in the presence of members of the 15th Farnham cub scouts who were camping at the site over the weekend.
Tour de Trigs Walking Competition Banbury and District Scout Council invite you to take part in the 42nd Annual Walking Competition on 5th / 6th December 2009. This is a demanding non-stop navigation exercise for teams of 3 on Public Rights of Way and rough tracks, visiting Trig Points in North Oxon, South Northants and South Works, covering about 50 miles within 24 hours for Seniors and 30 miles for Juniors. The Tour de Trigs Walking Competition was originally conceived by local Rover Scouts, based on the famous cycle race. Over the last 43 years has become one of the toughest overnight hikes in the country. The countryside is attractive, rolling farmland and woodland in daylight, but after dark (4pm) when the temperature drops rapidly, the glutinous, ploughed fields and little used footpaths make this walk a real challenge. The number of teams completing has never been higher than 20%. The route is divulged only 30 minutes before each team starts. Are you up to the challenge? For more information and to download a registration form visit www.tourdetrigs.org.uk
JOTA/JOTI 2009 16th – 18th October 2009, Horley Scout Camp Site, Banbury. Your chance to communicate with Scouts from all around the world as well as taking part in lots of fun activities over the weekend. Come and camp with your Group and make use of the internet and radio waves to find out what Scouts are up to in other countries as well as taking part in other activities such as The other activities that are arranged are “cycling” to Sweden to the next Jamboree – only 1,100 miles or 1770 kms approx; Sample food from other countries; build a JOTA/ JOTI woggle wall; Sign language & semaphore. At only £10 per Beaver/Cub/ Scout/Explorer/ Network for all JOTA/JOTI activities, plus camping fees of £ 2 per person per night camping, it’s an inexpensive way to have a lot of fun and possibly makes contacts that can last a lifetime. Another great programme idea. For more information and the registrations forms email Janet at jota@oxonscouting.org.uk or call her on 01608 737959 To find out more about what Jamboree on the Internet has to offer visit: http://www.joti. org/ For Jamboree on the Air information and how to fit it into other programme ideas visit: http://www.scout.org/ jota
County Patrol Camping Weekend – CPCW Oxfordshire’s County Patrol Camping Weekend is a fun weekend camp where your Troop leaders will not camp with you, but there will be plenty of adults around to make sure you are OK. You will also get to try out a wide range of activities and the chance to meet other Scouts from all over Oxfordshire. You will camp as a Patrol and cook your own food over altar fires. If not every member of your normal Troop patrol can come, then you can make up a Patrol from your Troop, but you should try to make sure it is as near as possible to a normal Troop Patrol, i.e. 4 to 7 Scouts, including one PL, one APL and a range of ages. The camp is at Youlbury Scout Activity Centre from Friday 2 October to Sunday 4 October 2009. It costs £25 per Scout, but ALL of your activities are included. The only additional costs are for you to buy your own food and arrange your own transport. Back by popular demand is the Saturday evening cooking competition. The theme for this meal is international so you need to design a menu to this theme which uses fresh ingredients. Your zone staff will be tasting and marking this meal so start practising! You can dress up and decorate your table to an international theme as well. It all stacks up to be a great weekend. We hope to see you there.
County Explorer Scout Activity Weekend – CESAW Oxfordshire’s County Explorer Scout Activity Weekend is a fun weekend camp where your Unit leaders do not camp with you, but there will be plenty of adults around to make sure you are OK. You will also get to try out a wide range of activities and the chance to meet other Explorer Scouts from all over the County. You will camp as a Unit and cook your own food. This year you will not be able to cook on wood so you must bring alternative cooking equipment, e.g. a gas stove. Communal camp fires will be provided. The camp is at Youlbury Scout Activity Centre from Friday 2 October to Sunday 4 October 2009. It costs £25 per Explorer Scout, but ALL of your activities are included as well as your dinner on Saturday night. For more information on both events visit HYPERLINK “http://www.scoutsoxon.org.uk/”http://www.scoutsoxon. org.uk/
Calling all Explorer Scouts and Network members
Gang Show 2010
The RaidOx Trophy 20 – 22 November 2009.
Following on from yet another amazing year of performances from the Oxfordshire Gang Show Cast and crew it is time once again for the auditions.
50 Questions, one weekend to answer them. Prepare to scavenge, borrow, make, film and tread the streets of Oxford!
The cast audition will give you an opportunity to show your skills in Singing, Dancing and Acting
The object of the RaidOx Trophy is to answer as many questions as possible, from collection (Friday 7-8PM) to submission (Sunday 2PM).
Senior Gang Auditions (Over 11yrs old*)
The questions come in many formats; some simple logic based, some that involve a bit of research. Many more will involve making, finding, acting and at all times, plenty of creative thinking! Activities at a recent London Raid event included, make a jelly chess board, ride the Tube dressed as a Cyber man, collect a McDonalds receipt, video someone singing whilst running around Trafalgar square and many more challenges.
Sunday 13th September 2009 10th Oxford Scout HQ, William St, off Marston Road, Oxford 14.00hrs - Scouts and Guides 16.00hrs - Explorer Scouts, Rangers, 17.00hrs Scout Network, and Leaders * Senior Gang Audtions are open to those born on or before 7th March 1999 Uniform is to be worn to the audition.
The event is open to Explorers; who may enter as units or districts, and Network.
Junior Gang Auditions - 8 to 12yrs old**
It is expected that the teams will choose to set up a base at their Scout hut and individuals can drop in and out of the event.
10th Oxford Scout HQ, William St, off Marston Road, Oxford
To confirm your interest, or for further information, please contact Mike Suggate 01235 532815 07734 928720 miketetralone@hotmail.com
County Scouts Cooking competition OXFORD BELFRY HOTEL, MILTON COMMON, SUNDAY 22nd NOVEMBER 2009 The County is holding the annual Scout section Cooking Competition. Each District is invited to enter one team of four Scouts to the competition. Districts are encouraged, whenever possible, to hold their own competition prior to this event. It is recommended that a similar menu format be used in order to give the District finalists a high level of skills. This year the competition has been revised and the teams are required to prepare and cook a two course meal and additional store cupboard items have been selected. If you feel you are up to the challenge of turning 600g of the best chuck steak into something amazing contact: Ben Matthews, Assistant County Commissioner Scouts: ben.matthews.accscouts@live.co.uk
Saturday 31st October 2009 13.00hrs – Scouts, Guides, Cubs & Brownies ** Junior Gang Auditions are open to those born on or between 14th March 1997 and 7th March 2002 Uniform is to be worn to the audition.
Commitment to being in the Cast If you are successful at your audition then the commitment you need to make needs to be strong, below is what is expected of you. Senior Gang – 7pm - 9pm Monday’s until show week, plus most Sunday afternoons from Jan to show week. If you want to be a member of the dance team and are chosen to join the team then this adds Sunday mornings 10-12:30(ish) from October. The first Senior Gang Monday rehearsal will be Monday 14th September 2009 Junior Gang – 2pm - 4:30pm Saturday’s from November until March The first Junior Gang rehearsal will be Saturday 7th November 2009 If you require any further information about the auditions please contact – Auditions@oxfordgangshow.org.uk or visit the show website at www. Oxfordgangshow.org.uk
Cub Carousel Be part of a world record attempt... An Explorer Scout Unit based in Eastbourne, East Sussex will next year, together with their District celebrate their District centenary. The District has just opened its second Explorer Unit in May this year, and have gone from 15 members in 2007 to over 50 in 2009, and are still growing strong. To celebrate this, they have many fun and exciting events planned, both by District and the Explorer Units. One of these activities is to try to beat the world record for the biggest Scout Scarf in the world. The current record stands at 549 scarves, totalling in being 21 metres wide, from Campdowne in 2008. Their aim is to get 600 scarves so that the record can remain for a few years. They are hoping nearer the time to get sponsored for a camp to sew all of the scarves together. The Explorer unit is contacting all districts and counties to ask whether they would be so kind as to support us in this exciting challenge and put a small advert in every newsletter, to ask each Group if they would be kind enough to donate one scarf and one nametag (so that we can give recognition to the groups that help us) to help to achieve this huge target. The scarves do not need to be new and can be old scarves which are lying around gathering dust. The camp will be early 2010 so they are hoping to start early and get as many as possible. The Unit also have a facebook page which is ‘Eastbourne ESUs Record Breaking Attempt’ which they will happily link adverts of group websites and campsites on to help out and give recognition. If you can help please get in touch directly. The Unit can be contacted on either 07514398581 or at sachatith@aol.com
Well here we are in the middle of what the papers call the “silly season” due to a lack of “real” news. However in Scouting we can say we carry on regardless. Who said any one season had to be “silly” we can apply it to all of them to ensure we give all those young people in our sections as much fun as possible. Plus there are lots of activities that Scouting does throughout the summer to ensure the best opportunities are available to everyone. For some this may be planning for the term/year ahead for others it may be still meeting maybe on a weekly basis or maybe a whole day out to go to places that are beyond our reach in an evening. It seems a long time ago but since the last copy of The Ox I have been to a variety of District events. These included the St George’s day parade and service held in Henley by South Chilterns District. It was a really uplifting event and the young people joined in with enthusiasm. Thank you so much for letting me be part of your celebrations. I went to the Karty Rally held by Abingdon District at Dry Sandford and was amazed at the gem of a site hidden behind the houses. The 2 karts that were used survived the whole afternoon of great enthusiasm and the Cubs looked thoroughly exhausted by the end. I have also been to South Chilterns Go Kart competition which was equally surprising. This time I was near Shiplake and the event is held in an old quarry area that is at the back of the Scout hut. As opposed to the Abingdon flat circuit this follows the contours of the quarry and the Cubs have to both push uphill through a small wood and then plummet down the other side. I don’t know what would be worst pushing or sitting knowing that you have an enormous drop to face. Again the enthusiasm of both the Cubs and their leaders and parents was fantastic to see and everyone appeared to have a great time. I have been to Youlbury twice. Once to see the Sixers and Seconders from Bicester on their activity day which involved archery, go-karts and eating donuts and secondly with a double mission. I went to see the
43rd and 10th Oxford Cubs and Beavers who had a joint camp and also to meet the new leaders and some of the children who are about to start a new group in Oxford. Listening to them it did make me think of the excitement and slight trepidation when the Akela of the Pack my oldest son went to turned round and said she wasn’t going to carry on, two weeks before we were due back after the summer. And so began my Scouting life. I do hope the new Group has as much fun as I have had and I wish them well for the future. The last event I attended was the Swimming Gala at Witney held by West Oxon. Next year I shall remember my costume so that I can take part in the leaders’ race which gave the Cubs lots to cheer about. In between I know that Districts have held many other activities including camps, athletics days, activity days, football, incident hikes and cross country events. And of course many of us spent a fabulous weekend at Thame for Zodiac ’09. The photos of South Chilterns District camp show the theme of Britain through the ages or at least South Chilterns interpretation. Bases went from Romans through to Tudors to WW2. There were 80 cubs, the weather was really good. The activities apart from the bases were Backwoods cooking, Tug of war competition, wide games etc etc. Those of 43rd and 10th Oxford show activities at Youlbury. The County Cub programme is bursting at the seams with future events including the Bonner Trophy, Bracken challenge, May Day, Scrap Heap, Chess a leaders’ weekend and much more. I will report on these and other events in the next issue of The Ox. Until then whatever you have been doing in the “silly” season I want to thank you for your commitment to the Cub section. Janet Duxbury Assistant County Commissioner Cub Scouts.
OXFORDSHIRE COUNTY SCOUT APPOINTMENTS October 2009
District Commissioners: Abingdon (Acting) Banbury
Liz Farr (acting) 25 Grahame Close, Blewbury OX11 9QE
01235 850362 liz.farr1@btinternet.com
Brian Sargent 74 Hereford Way, Banbury OX16 1UD
01295 273687 Mob 07777 663855 brian@bsargent.me.uk
Bicester (Acting)
Brian Sargent 74 Hereford Way, Banbury OX16 1UD
01295 273687 Mob 07777 663855 brian@bsargent.me.uk
Didcot King Alfred
Rob Vaines 5 Mereland Road, Didcot OX11 8AP
01235 819742 Mob 07981 808783 dc@scoutsindidcot.org.uk
Gillian Sharpe (Gill) 10 Colton Road, Shrivenham SN6 8AZ
01793 782178 07803 184306 dc@kascouts.org.uk
Oxford Spires
Val Butcher 39 Brasenose Drive, Kidlington, OX5 2EQ
01865 841817 Mob 07711 677514 Butcher898@btinternet.com
South Chiltern
Martin Strong 20a Rosehill Park, Emmer Green, Reading RG4 8XE
01189 479848 tma.strong@btinternet.com
Wallingford
Richard Booys The Rectory, Manor Farm Road, Dorchester-on-Thames OX10 7HZ
01865 343232 dc@wallingford.oxonscouting.org.uk
West Oxon
Chris Mutlow 28 Walkers Close, Freeland, Witney OX29 8AY
01993 881727 chrismutlow@dsl.pipex.com
Assistant County Commissioners: Activities Beaver Scouts
Chris Burnell 01491 833251 Mob 07775 628740 7 Monks Mead, Brightwell cum Sotwell, chrisburnell@openfields.demon.co.uk Wallingford OX10 ORL Row Martin 60 Blakes Avenue, Witney, OX29 3SY
01993 768169 simbabeavers@yahoo.co.uk
Cub Scouts Janet Duxbury Maycroft, Bourne Lane, Hook Norton, Banbury OX15 5PF Scouts Ben Matthews
01608 737959 janet.duxbury@talk21.com
Explorer Scouts (joint appointment)
Jeanette Neller and Steve Marris 3 Ypres Way, Abingdon OX14 1NG
07779 011908 Acc.explorer_scouts@oxonscouting.org.uk
International
Steve Greening 13 Browns Close, Botley OX2 9DB
01865 863152 Steve.greening@ntlworld.com
Special Needs & Duke of Edinburgh Scout Fellowship
Jo Hawtin 11a Vicarage Road, Kidlingdon OX5 2EL
01865 373907 Jo.hawtin@ntlworld.com
Cliff Shears 85 Briar Road, Shepperton, Middlesex TW17 0JB
cliffshears@btinternet.com
07964 745842 ben.matthews.accscouts@live.co.uk
County Scouters: Activity Support
Ben Smith The Old Cottage, Bicester Road, Kingswood HP18 0RA
01296 770030 Benjy.Smith@btinternet.com
Assistant County Sec. (Database) Assistant County Sec. (Census)
Richard Wharton 211 Manor Road, Witney OX28 3UG
07732 626371 scouts.database@richardwharton.co.uk
Ray Applegate Applegarth, 9 Townsend, Abingdon, OX14 5LG
01235 523753 r.applegate2@ntlworld.com
County Advisor (Catering)
Sue Shattock Mullions Castle St, Deddington OX15 0TE
01869 338880
County Appointments Gill Attree Chairman 5 Godfrey Close, Abingdon, OX14 5RA County Appointments Judith Penrose Brown Secretary 16 Quakers court, Abingdon, OX14 3PY
01235 529555 gillattree@aol.com
County Water Activities Advisor
Lane Redgwell Mapledurham Lock, Mapledurham Drive, Purley on Thames, Reading RG8 8BE
0118 9417776 Day time, 0118 9423039 PM mob. 07775922134 l.redgwell@btinternet.com
Gang Show
Anthony Morris 71 Bagley Close, Kennington, Oxford OX1 5LT
01865 321081 Anthony@oxfordgangshow.org.uk
Mountain Training Activities
David Burton 01491 839445 Mob 07776 202377 180 Crowmarsh Hill, Crowmarsh Gifford, dave@theburtons.org.uk Wallingford, OX10 8BG
01235 522837 jpb@penbrown.me.uk
Other appointments: County Scouter - County Team Development
Angela Cousins Carters Close, Main Street, West Hanney, Wantage OX12 0LH
01235 868274 angela.c.cousins@btinternet.com
Deputy County Commissioner Deputy County Commissioner
Liz Farr 25 Grahame Close, Blewbury OX11 9QE
01235 850362 mob 07879 897353 liz.farr1@btinternet.com
Sarah Joyner 48 Abelwood Road, Long Hanborough, Witney OX8 8DD
01993 882369 Sarah.joyner@tiscali.co.uk
Child Protection Coordinator
Alison Matthews 51 Nethercote Road, Tackley, Kidlington OX5 3AT
01869 331310 Mob 07854 646137 ali@creativedesign.uk.com
County Commissioner County Training Manager
Tarquin May 34 Priory Orchard, Wantage OX12 9EL
01235 760141 mob. 07866 699616 tarquin.may@sky.com
Pat Farr 25 Grahame Close, Blewbury OX11 9QE
01235 850362 Mob 07771778365 pat.farr@btinternet.com
Scout Network Commissioner
Jo Scott 6 Oakland Road, Banbury OX16 9DT
01295 251741 josscott@hotmail.com
County Scouter - Equipment
Phil Earl 31 Chiltern Crescent, Wallingford, OX10 0PG
01491 201636 mob. 07808 298746 phil@zodiac09.org.uk
County Media Manager
Shaun Kendall 127 Bicester Road, Kidlington OX5 2PX
01865 422483 Mob 07982 639150 Development Shaun@kendall.sh
Chairman
Robert Buckeldee 57 Church Street, Kidlington OX5 2BA
01865 374809 Robert.buckeldee@nielsen.com
Treasurer
Brian Hawtin 11a Vicarage Road, Kidlingdon OX5 2EL
01865 373907 brian.hawtin@ntlworld.com
Secretary
Breda Smith 43 Wallingford St, Wantage, OX12 8AU
01235 765564 djbm.smith@ntlworld.com
Executive Officers:
Diary
Oxfordshire Scouting 2009/10 Diary Day
Date
Description
Location
Fri - Sun
2nd -4th
CPCW/CESAW
Saturday
10th
Sunday
11th
Sat/Sun Monday
Start Time
Contact
Attendees
Youlbury Scout AC
Ben Smith
Scouts/Explorer sections
Bonner Trophy
Eynsham Scout HQ
Janet Duxbury
District Cub Teams
Planning meeting
Unipart conf centre
CC
County team
17th/18th
JOTA/JOTI
Horley Campsite, Banbury
Janet Duxbury
All sections
26th
County Scout Meeting
Foxcombe Lodge
Ben Matthews
ADC (Scouts)
Friday
30th
Closing date for Jamboree Leaders Selection
Saturday
31st
Gang Show Junior auditions
10th Oxford Scout HQ
Saturday
7th
Chief Scouts Silver Award Presentations
Wantage
Friday
20th
County Cub Scout Early Christmas Social & Bracken Challenge
Janet Duxbury
Fri / Sun
20th – 22nd
RaidOx
Mike Suggate
Saturday
21st -22nd
Jamboree Leaders Selection weekend
YSAC
Steve Greening
Sunday
22nd`
County Scout Cooking Competition
Oxford Belfry hotel
Ben Matthews
Scout section
Monday
23rd
ACC Meeting
Unipart conf centre
CC
CC+ACC
Saturday
28th
Regional Programme Day
Monday
30th
County Explorer Meeting
Monday
30th
County DC’s Meeting
October 09
19:45
Steve Greening 13.00
Anthony Morris
8 – 12 Yrs old
Janet Duxbury
08/09 CS Silver Award Recipients
November 09
Nov/Dec 09
Explorer / Network sections
ACC’s
Unipart conf centre
19:30
ACC Explorers
Explorer Leader from each unit
19.30
CC
CC+DC
ACC Explorers
All Explorers
County Explorer Event
December 09 Saturday
5th
Beaver Sing-a-long with Santa
YSAC
County Executive Meeting
Foxcombe Lodge Banbury & Area
Sat / Sun
5th / 6th
Tour De Trigs
Sunday
20th
Closing date for Young People applications for World Scout Jamboree
15th - 17th
Young People selection for World Scout Jamboree - Sweden
YSAC
17th
County Executive Meeting
Unipart Conf centre
14th
County Annual General Meeting
ACC(BS) 19:30
CSec
County Executive
DC Banbury ACC(I)
January 2010 ACC(I)
June 2010 Thursday
19:30
CSec
19:30
CSec
July 2010 Wednesday
County Executive