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Grow a life
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eavers growing sunflowers in Burnham have raised £100 for local charity Freewheelers. The life-saving charity transports blood on motorbikes between hospitals. The Beaver’s project called ‘Grow a life, save a life,’ saw the Beavers growing sunflowers for sale. The Beavers presented the Freewheelers with the proceeds outside the Burnham scout headquarters where the youngsters also got the chance to see the Freewheeler’s bikes up close.
Raft race
T
he River Tone saw two Taunton scout groups competing in a raft race in July. 1st Wilton and Bishops Lydeard both took part in their self-made craft. In total four rafts took to the water in one energetic race down river. The Wilton Penguin, the Wilton Beast and the Bishops Lydeard Dart all fared well but it was Ben and Benedict aboard the Wilton 2 that won the day.
Water safety
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ore RLSS Water Safety Management Courses are being run in September and October around the UK. These courses meet the requirements for those who wish to supervise swimming activities in B1 waters and above but are also useful for those who have a general interest in water safety or are running activities near water. For full details of the programme visit the Water Safety Management Programme page and for dates and locations of courses go to the swimming training events page.
Tall stories
Y
eovil Explorer George Bayles has been awarded an Amory Award allowing him to try for a place on next year’s Tall Ships races. The award was given following a week long sailing journey made by George with the Rona Sailing Project. The six day voyage took in Cherbourg and Alderney and was George’s residential for his DofE Gold. On his return home from sea George said: “I had to spend at least five days and four nights away from home on an activity with people I have never met before. I was very lucky as there were three other Explorer Scouts on the trip with me so I immediately had something in common. We were very unlucky with the weather on this voyage and had to use the engine for some of the time due to lack of wind but because I have sailed before, I was able to lead sail changes and was very proud to receive an Amory Award at the end of the voyage. This entitles me to go for selection in next year’s Tall Ships races.”
Severn adventure
W
edmore Scouts camped on the edge of the Severn Estuary for their summer camp this year held near Chepstow. During the five day camp the scouts took part in a variety of activities on site, including a treasure hunt, wide games, backwoods cooking, and building a tower using pioneering poles, as well as having a try at horse riding! On the last full day of the camp, the scouts visited Yat Rock, above Symonds Yat, where there were amazing views of the Wye valley. Afterwards the scouts travelled to Beechenhurst Lodge, in the Forest of Dean, where they followed a trail of spectacular sculptures dotted around the forest.
Surprise chopper
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arbeque goers were surprised in July by an unexpected helicopter visit. The 1st Ilminster Beavers, Cubs, Scouts and Leaders were enjoying their annual endof-year party when the chopper landed in nearby fields. The youngsters were then treated to a tour of the aircraft and its equipment as well as an insight into the life of the pilot and crew whilst aboard. “All the Scouts had a great time clambering over the aircraft and questioning Nick and his Crewman,” said leader Dawn Wines who went on to admit that the surprise did have just a little secret planning between leaders and the pilot.
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Bodmin pirates
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aunton scouts travelled to Bodmin for their annual pack camp in August. The pirate - themed camp took place at the Nine Ashes Scout Activity Centre and began with a mass investiture of seven Cubs – a record for the West Taunton Scout Group. Activities included cooking pizza in camp fire ovens and the cubs even managed to bake cookies! The Scouts made some impressive pioneering structures at the beginning of the week and all took part in orienteering, wide games, pedal karting, mounting biking, traverse walling, crate stacking, a trip to Polzeath beach and another to Cardinham woods. The campers also made pirate models and flags and entertained each other on the last night with their own pirate plays.
Peace one day
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couts in Wellington are preparing to take part in a five day festival of peace in September. The Wellington Peace One Day Festival on September 21st celebrates the one day that across the globe peace is observed by all world leaders. Elsewhere in Britain concerts will be held in London to mark the event and in Wellington the town will be alive with activity for five days during the festival. Members of the 1st Wellington Scout Group are organising games for the community during the festival. Scout leader Steve Altria said: “As the leading youthfocussed charity in Wellington, we are keen to be at the very centre of our community’s celebrations and in particular, supporting this public demonstration and support for world peace.”
Action packed
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our minibuses full of cubs and scouts from St Andrews in Yeovil went to the Youlbury Scout Activity Centre in Oxfordshire this summer. It was an action packed week: camping, karting, crate-stacking, climbing and a go on the 3G swing and that was the Yeovil lot just getting started. There was also ice skating in Oxford and swimming at the Didcot Wave pool. The Cubs completed their Navigator badge and enjoyed a trip to the Cotswold Wildlife Park. They also visited Abingdon to complete the Town Trail.
Been trekking?
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n July the 14th Bridgwater Beaver Colony had a visit from Bridgewater’s firemen to help the youngsters finish work for their friendship challenge badge and to show how a fire engine works. The beavers enjoyed seeing one of their leaders being dressed up in the full fire-fighter gear and each beaver was able to have a go at using the water hose.
High ropes & hillwalking
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ollowing lengthy consultation, the Operations sub-Committee has agreed improved rules for hillwalking and new rules and guidance for high ropes activities within Scouting. The new rules and guidance for high ropes activities (which includes crate stacking) are for implementation by 31 March 2012 to ensure those running activities have time to make any updates to their operation. Until then, Members should refer to the January 2011 version of POR for high ropes activities. The updates to hillwalking are for implementation immediately as they don’t place any restrictions on activities that were happening within the existing rules.
Sawing safely
Y
oung Leaders gathered at Huish Woods at the end of August for a Woodland Skills day. The event saw the leaders developing axe and saw safety skills ready for a future in running camps and events in the woods. The event was well attended and a great success as the young people went away with some excellent skills and inspiration.
later in the year? nning something for Or maybe you’re pla r? me other Scouts. Globe sum lp s he thi to s ng een trekki ve your travel report lea d an er ekk reviews to help etr lob n planning; read the Visit scouts.org.uk/g travel and expeditio for p sho top e-s on Trekker is your . r next trip should be you decide where you
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THE 22 WORLD SCOUT JAMBOREE ND
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“big innit”
t’s come and gone, for the 22nd time the World’s largest gathering of youth was an incredible experience for those lucky enough to be there. 40,000 scouts from across the globe camped in southern Sweden and looked out on a world fascinated by the thought that people from nearly every country on the planet coexisted harmoniously in large wet field for two weeks. Scouts cycled from Uganda to be there, our UK Chief Scout flew over
Emma Blackmore, Apple unit leader
from New York especially to be part of the opening ceremony, the King of Sweden even got up and said a few words. In fact in this, an event larger than the Olympics, something quite special occurred. It wasn’t just the World’s largest gathering of youth and Scouts but the World’s largest celebration of adventure, peace, tolerance and diversity. The action was non-stop and neither was the friend making. There were pre parties in Copenhagen, after parties during home hospitality around Europe and
parties of people to welcome home our Somerset Scouts as they returned from this adventure of a lifetime late one evening on the A303 three weeks after going to Sweden. Two units, 60 young people all representing our county and country at this global event. Their stories would undoubtedly fill books, their photos fill albums and their experiences fill a lifetime’s ambition but their story isn’t over - reunion camps, contingent meet-ups and, of course, there is always 2015…
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g n i r i p s n i n A birthday W
e celebrated the Scout’s 104th birthday on August the 1st and in recognition of this day, young people from around the country nominated inspiring public figures to award birthday badges. From Stephen Fry, awarded the IT badge, to Eleanor Simmonds, awarded the Swimming badge, a whole host of achievers were invited to share in our birthday celebrations. And here in Somerset Emily Eavis, from the world famous Glastonbury Festival, was nominated for and awarded the Global Challenge badge for her great contributions to charity work abroad through the popular music festival held near Pilton. Two Somerset Explorer Scouts, Jess Morgan and Jonnie Dibble, went to meet Emily to present her with the Global Challenge Birthday Badge. Jess said: “Emily is a great inspiration to me and young people across the county because of her international charity work and we are really proud to present her with the Global Badge on scouting’s 104th birthday.”
The 14 badges awarded this year were all nominated by young people in an on-line poll and include Clare Balding - Sports Enthusiast, Sir Terry Pratchett – Writer, Phillip Schofield – Communicator, Professor Brian Cox – Scientist, Eleanor Simmonds – Swimming, James Cracknell – Cycling, Adele – Musician, James May – Navigator, Sue Perkins and Giles Coren – Smallholder, Bonita Norris – Hiker, Stephen Fry – IT, Matt Smith – Entertainer, Emma Watson – Craft and Emily Eavis – Global Challenge. Stephen Fry was quick to highlight why he feels Scouting is important as he was handed his IT Birthday Badge: “I think that the standards that Scouting started with are as important today as they ever were. It’s not saying you have to be heroes, or you have to be giants. It says you have to be kind, be considerate, be thoughtful and you have to push yourself. And if there’s any better advice for any young person I’ve yet to hear it.’
Adult skills day
They say you never stop learning, but do you ever stop to learn? Somerset Scouts is running a complete adult skills day up at Huish Woods on October 9th. It’s your chance to share ideas and skills, meet leaders from across our county and learn something new. The mixed programme of activities is designed to cover off all sorts of fundamental scouting and camping skills Huish Woods giving you more October 9th tools to enhance your £8.00 programmes. Click here And best of all the adult to sign up. skills day is being run because you, Somerset’s Deadline for event bookings: September 30th. leaders, asked for it.
? l e v a r t Time
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ot quite! What’s actually happening here is the Network scouts have convinced a group of street actors at the Black Country Museum to have their photo taken with them. It’s 1910, according to the chaps in green, two years after scouting began in the UK and these pretend soldiers are perplexed by 2011’s scouts as they describe, in detail, how in four years time there is a war on. And this is no ordinary photo because it’s the Network Scout’s summer camp spent, this year, at the Blackwell Adventure centre near Birmingham. “We pitched camp on the first day putting up a hammock in the trees and playing frisbee before having a go on some of the activities at the centre,” said new member Julie Weaver. The Networkers climbed the ‘high all aboard’ pole where four people ascend and then try to all stand on the tiny platform at the top. Everyone just about managed it including the Taunton Hub mascot Bruce the Chimp. For an even larger adrenaline rush the Scouts then had a go on the 3G Swing.
A huge winch-operated swing that lets you drop from a height before the lines snap tight and you start to swing. The Networkers enjoyed the swing so much they made one of their own from pioneering equipment using a Parker Knoll arm chair as the seat. Day three the Networkers visited the Blackcountry Living Museum where two new members were invested in the bar of an authentic Victorian Inn with the permission of the local policeman. “The museum had all these street actors wandering about the streets and they kept putting on a show here and there. One of them stole a tin bath from right in front of us and everyone in the street got in to a chase with the policeman to find the culprit,” said Julie, who was invested into Network along with friend Tom Shepherd during the camp before convincing the group of soldiers to pose for a summer camp photo. Sunshine allowed for some human pyramid building in the Adventure Centre’s swimming pool that evening and the sun was still out when the group visited the Safari park bringing another successful summer camp to a close. “Really enjoyed this year’s Summer camp,” said Julie. “It took me a little while to build up the confidence to join Network but once you do it’s brilliant. Everyone is so friendly, the weekend just flew by!” Perhaps, then, it was time travel after all.
Network’s 2011/12 programme is now online. CLICK HERE www.somersetscouts.org.uk/ network
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IN THE WOODS: K B B F B F H F K F B K B K F K B F B H H K B B K F B B B B B BB “Every camp is different. Every camp has something special about it.”
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uish Woods, near Taunton, celebrates its 50th anniversary this year. It was 1961 when the West Hatch scouts bought the site for £300 and ever since the woods has been a place of adventure for young people from all over the world. In fact the last 50 years have been so interesting Geoff Pinney is putting together a book about it all but as scouting looks to the future, the Taunton Deane district is holding one almighty party to celebrate this milestone birthday and what the next 50 years holds in store for Huish Woods. “It’s the small things that are the most memorable really,” says camp warden Steve Mitchell who has grown up with the site, “but Bear Grylls was brilliant this year and so was the centenary of scouting. I can remember coming up here in July ’71 on a hike and we were the only ones on site. Just goes to show how the site has grown and become the popular camp site we know today.” Busy week: the first week of summer when the Woods’ service crew all take a week off work and run the site as hundreds of keen scouts from all over descend for adventures among the dappled shade. And they really do come from all over, this year a group from Ipswitch held a joint camp with some youngsters who had travelled all the way from the USA. “We approximate that 18 or 19 thousand people visit our site every year,”
said Steve and when he went to check the figures the site service crew calculated that in busy week alone the woods served over 2000 nights away for young people. Busy week saw fifty groups staying at the woods, a mix of local and away groups and plenty of Guides have been through the site this year as well. But it’s not just scouts who are able to enjoy the woodlands. The Somerset Volunteering Network hold events at Huish Woods and the Southwest Taekwondo group held a camp for 200 people at the site. Whether it’s hosting taekwondo specialists or running discos and camp fires during busy week it’s the thirty-strong Huish Woods Service Crew that keep the place going: “They’re a fantastic bunch of people. Not all from Taunton district they do the maintenance, run activities, help out with warden duties and they all do other scouting on top as well,” said Steve, “You’re on duty 24/7 but the comradeship that the crew have for each other, all the rib taking that goes on, they enjoy doing it. I believe the feeling has to stem from the service crew, if they are happy the campers are much happier. Then there are our links with Somerset Network as well.” This year the Network scouts built a new wooden gate for the woods which sits proud on the Beacon Field and every year, as the Explorers descend on Huish for their annual Moot, the campers help out servicing the site: “The first year they cleared brambles and last year the demolished one of our old buildings which turned out to be the Explorer’s favourite activity all weekend!” The Explorer Moot is in its third year at
Huish and gets bigger every time round. Add to that the World Scout Jamboree selection weekends and training camps that have taken place in the last two years Huish Woods has been busier than ever. “We try to create a jamboree feeling when people come to use the site. We get them all camping on the Beacon Field and if there is camp fire going everybody turns up. We run a Disco and Woggle making craft sessions, we believe in encouraging that spirit of everybody joining in to give the young people the widest possible experience,” said Steve. The adventure of the woods never gets old. The site’s 41 acres of deciduous woodland is home to 30 different species of trees - mostly Hazel, Ash and Oak, some of which are around 200 years old. There are even a group of Hornbeams and just one Wild Service tree – a very rare specimen that tends to reside in ancient woodland and is proportionate to the number of gloomy faces that populate Huish Woods on a summer’s day. “We get positive comments from the Young People all the time,” said Steve. “We just want to keep on doing what we’re doing, the activities, the fun and the safe space to run around the woods.” There are 15 different activities up at the woods and at the 50th anniversary party in September Taunton district are bringing in even more including a monkey bridge, waterslide and grass sledges for the celebrations. “We are bringing the district together in a party atmosphere at the 50th anniversary,” said Steve, “But the worst bit is when all the party guests go off site, smiling but not wanting to go home.”
Y T N U O C E TH DIARY
l a g u t r o P o r Tercei F
or the third time in just five years Scouts, Explorers and Leaders from 1st Wellington visited Portugal this summer. The group is twinned with Agr 648 Campelos in southern Portugal and on their latest adventure the Wellington group spent six days camping at a huge Scout camp near Lisbon. “The Acanuc (ACAmpomento NUCleo) is held every three years and this year 1200 Cubs, Scouts, Explorers and ‘Rovers’ attended as well as over 200 leaders from the district. The Sunday afternoon was spent setting up camp and building the essentials. That evening was the camp opening ceremony, a fantastic sound and light show performed on a stage in a nearby field together with communion and several renditions of the camp theme song,” said Leader Andy Carter. “The Portuguese seem to take minimal equipment to camp, just tents and cooking gear and as such the standard of pioneering in the Portuguese Explorers’ camp was amazing. Three storey tent structures, multiple bunk beds and raised platforms all over the place. Our lot managed probably the best gateway on camp, together with a swing boat which drew complaints from the other sub-camps because their scouts kept coming over to play on it!” During the camp all 1200 participants took part in ‘The Raid’, a huge incident hike around and in the local town as well as a day of on-site activities including laughter yoga, knot boards, marquetry, pyrography, balloon models, slime making, crepe making, felt shape making, assault course, candle making, leather woggle making, and nest box making. And no trip to Portugal would
be complete without some serious beach action: “Thursday was the beach: we were taken by a fleet of coaches along with the Cubs to the beach at Areia Branca where we played a load of beach games for most of the day. We returned early that evening and finished with the camp closing ceremony: more sound and light as well as video highlights of the camp. We were getting mobbed by Portuguese scouts for neckers, woggles and badges and the kids were busy swapping Facebook contact details and taking photos,” said Andy. After camp, the group stayed on in Portugal for a few days visiting the Lisbon Maritime Museum, the mediaeval town of Obidos and the famed Lisbon Scout shop to purchase sought after Portuguese Scout hoodies. The final day included an Explorer investiture at Mafra, a drive down to the coast at Santa Cruz before a barbeque at the one of the host families’ houses and entertainment from a local folk dance group.
SAT 17/9
County Cub Day
SUN 18/9
Beaver 25 Fun Day
MON 26/9
County AGM
SUN 9/10
Adult Skills Day
A day at Devon’s Crealy with ubs from across Somerset. £9.50 per participant. Celebrating 25 years of Beaver scouting in Somerset join Somerset’s beavers for a fun day at Merryfield Airfield, Ilton. See County Diary on line for full details and booking. Princess Hall, Burnham-on-Sea. Bushcraft, camping, rope work you name it we’re teaching it at this year’s skills day. Sign up online www.somersetscouts.org.uk/ county-diary/adult-training/ adultskillsday/
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