Chairman’s Chatter - Andy Edmonds
2011 reached its conclusion and as 2012 begins and the 50th anniversary of my birth passes, it is with sadness and gratitude for all their good works, that I reflect on the lives of Marjorie Woolmer and Laurence Barham; both of whom I have known through Scouting for over 40 years. Our District and Scouting in general is blessed with many such dedicated people and they were an example to us all.
Once again we have a vacancy for District Treasurer. My efforts over the last 18 months have attracted 5 expressions of interest from outside individuals with varied business experience, but unfortunately none has stood the test of time. It is no surprise to me that it is proving difficult to balance the needs of this vital role with a business and personal life. It really would suit a recently retired professional.
In the meantime, John Young and Keith Angliss continue to fulfil the role and also to review our current procedures. Yes, this will mean streamlining bank accounts, but by using modern banking methods will speed up reimbursements. Without a Treasurer the District cannot exist as a Charity and the administration side of the District is in such a good place otherwise.
In light of the first application for a loan via the “Atlasta Fund”, the Executive has agreed minor revisions to the procedures. These are available now via the website.
There remains a vacancy for someone to represent the interests of Wimbledon and Wandle District on the County Executive. Meetings are 8pm on a Wednesday evening at 1st Hook, five times a year. A valid CRB will be required. If this is something that might interest you, please get in touch with me.
Anyway, a shorter Report than in the past (long may it continue!) and having just looked through my Report from this time last year, it’s pleasing that all the issues then highlighted have been dealt with or are only being delayed by outside parties. Maybe the basis to reflect on a successful 2011 and to thank everyone on the Executive for your invaluable advice and support!
‘Want to Join’ contact
The District is looking for a new ‘Want to Join’ contact for receiving initial enquiries
from parents looking for a local scout group for their child to join. The job entails
identifying the most suitable Groups based on the home address and forwarding the
details to the relevant GSLs & ESLs.
These enquiries are received by email & by phone
and the District has an 0845 Linkline number as well as a dedicated email address
so that the person acting as WTJ contact does not have to give out their own details.
This
is an important role as the public face of the District providing a first point of
contact and has been very successful in the past at bringing new members into Wimbledon
& Wandle.
If you think that you may be interested in taking on this job, please contact
Paul Atkins who can describe what is involved and provide the necessary tools & support.
Funding Opportunities
If you are looking for grant aid – and we all need help to keep Scouting going –
have a look at http://www.mertonconnected.com/funding-
District Store – Brian Whalebone
Saturday opening: the store will be open on the following Saturdays from 10am to
12 noon -
4th February, 3rd & 17th March, 19th May, 2nd & 16th June, 7th & 21st July
15th
September, 6th & 20th October, 17th November, 1st December
New: The Founder -
Cub woggles are now available in orange and purple.
Price changes: Cub woggles are going up to 20p each from the beginning of March; leather woggles are now £1.10 and belts are now £12.
Badges – Lesley Bixby
The cost of Challenge badges has increased to 58p from the start of 2012 – all other badge prices have remained the same.
Explorer/Network 10th Anniversary Badge – this new badge can be worn on uniforms until the end of 2012 and costs £1 each. I will not be keeping a stock but will be happy to order them. Please email your requirements to thebixbys@talktalk.net .
Don’t forget your Jubilee badges – they are £1 each and also special order only.
There are two new activity badges – Scout Athletics Plus and Explorer Basic Nautical Skills – and Scout and Explorer Canoeist badges are now called Paddlesports.
NAN Forms
With better weather on its way (we hope), Leaders’ thoughts should be turning to nights away experiences. Please remember that you can submit your NAN form as soon as you have made the initial arrangements for your camp or Pack holiday – that way it is far less likely to get forgotten.
No NAN form – no support if something goes wrong.
Training
Diary Dates
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February 4 8 16 20 26 26
March 3 8 9- 14 17 24 25
April 22 |
Store Open District Executive Store Closed for Half Term Troop Scouters’ Meeting Cub Chess Competition Scout 5-
Store Open Safeguarding Training Patrol Leaders’ Training Course Cub Leaders’ Meeting Store Open County Scouts’ Night Exercise Cub Adventure Day
St George’s Day Parade & Service |
Morden Hall Park DHQ, 10am Morden Hall Park DHQ, 8pm
Morden Hall Park DHQ, 8pm 19th Wimbledon HQ TBC
Morden Hall Park DHQ, 10am 22nd Wimbledon HQ, 7:30pm 1st Lower Morden HQ Morden Hall Park DHQ, 8pm Morden Hall Park DHQ, 10am
Frylands Wood
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Cubs - |
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Hopefully those that made it to the Christmas/New Year Meal enjoyed themselves, even if the music was a bit overpowering. Badge Day – 149 Cubs attended this event at which they could earn their communicator badge and were able to choose from 14 bases. Thanks to all the leaders who made this event possible, working really hard and special thanks to leaders from other sections that also came along to help swell the ranks. Hopefully the Cubs enjoyed the day, it was a little frenetic at times but the Cubs managed at least 9 bases in the allotted time. Chess Competition – This has been arranged for Sunday 26th February. To be held at
19th Wimbledon (Oakwood) H.Q. from 14.00 – 16.30. Cost per team of 4, £2.00. Maximum
of 3 teams from each pack. Revised rules were issued recently if you didn’t receive
these by e-
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Scouts - |
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Scout Football – 26 February: As I write this the new managers are busy resurfacing the ground formerly known as “The Hub”. They are not taking bookings until it is finished but Gary Baker is looking at an alternative venue for the same date so please bear with us. Patrol Leaders Training Course 9- County Night Exercise 24 March Polyapes: Details have been circulated and places on this go very quickly, so don’t delay with your entries to avoid disappointing your Scouts. You have been warned . . . Cub Adventure Day 25 March Frylands Wood: As usual we will be running an aerial
runway for our District Cubs so if anyone, from any Section, would like to come along
to gain first- Troop visits: Just before Christmas and since the start of this term we have been visiting Troops around the District and of those seen so far, all seem to have either increased or maintained their numbers. This is a great start to the year and, whilst I realise that some of these young people are reaching the top of the Scouts age range and will soon be looking towards Explorers, it does show the excellent work going on in Troops on a week to week basis. My sincere thanks and congratulations to everyone and I can’t wait to see everyone
at the Jubilee Camp in May – if we have the same percentage turn-
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Scout Active Support - |
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Welcome to 2012 – it looks as if we are going to be very busy during the year. Please make sure to ring round these dates in your diary. I am sure everyone who went to the New Year Meal on Saturday 21st January enjoyed themselves. You really needed to be hungry to go there! Thanks to Jean and David for organising. We are holding a Diminishing Whist evening on Wednesday 15th February, 7.30 p.m. at the Wandle DHQ. Nibbles will be provided but please bring your own drink. Contact Jean Gould if you would like to come. A Safeguarding training evening has been arranged for Thursday 8th March, at the 22nd Wimbledon, Arthur Road, Motspur Park, headquarters. We have been asked to assist with the refreshments. If you can help please contact Robert Brumwell. There is to be a Patrol Leaders’ Training Course over the weekend 9- Our AGM will be held at the Wandle DHQ on Tuesday 20th March, 7.30 for 8.00 p.m. All members will be expected to attend. Many thanks. Don’t forget the District Camp 4- Finally, please remember Kay Barham and family in your thoughts and prayers.
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If you would like to be notified by email each time Links is published,
click on this link links@wimbledonandwandlescouts.org and we will add you to the list
Copy for the next issue should be with the editor by
Thursday 23rd February
Steve Jobs
3rd Mitcham Scout Group
Are looking for a CUB SCOUT LEADER [CSL] and an ASSISTANT CUB SCOUT LEADER
to join an existing ACSL and two helpers to run their Pack.
If you fancy the challenge or know of someone who would
or if you would like further information,
please contact Dave Christmas, Group Scout Leader [BULLDOG]
Home :-
E-
Venues:
1st LM -
MH -
BW -
S -
Application forms for all Modules can be downloaded from the County website www.glswscouts.org.uk/support or contact Joan Condon joan.glswtraining@btinternet.com
Cost for each Training Module £3.00
Cost for Module 38 -
Cost for Camp Fire Leaders Course £15.00
Cheques made payable to GLSW TRAINING
ACCOUNT
Safeguarding training
21 February -
8
March -
17 March -
22 March -
28 April -
To attend Safeguarding Training you must apply via your Local Training Manager.
For
further dates visit the County website www.glswscouts.org.uk/support
First Aid training
22 January -
25 February
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24 March -
13 May -
Application Forms for Module 10 First Aid can be downloaded from the County web site www.glswscouts.org.uk/support
or
contact Janet Drinkall tel: 020 8660 4774, email janet.drinkall@glswscouts.org.uk
Cost for Module 10 £15.00
Cheques made payable to GLSW TRAINING ACCOUNT
Marjorie Woolmer
We are sorry to report that Marjorie Woolmer passed away peacefully on Monday 5th December just a week after her 86th birthday.
Marjorie played an important part in the 20th Mitcham Scout Group from the early
1960's until she retired in 1990, as Akela of Waingunga Cub Pack, then Group Scout
Leader and Vice-
Laurence Barham 18.12.1951 – 20.12.2011
It is with great sadness that we record the death of Laurence Barham just before
Christmas. A dedicated and well-
Dave Christmas, who was a very close friend and gave a moving tribute at the funeral says . . .
“Dear all,
It has been nearly a month since Laurence Barham’s funeral and I would
like to offer my personal thanks to everyone who attended.
A special mention must
go to all the Scouters who stood in the guard of honour in such poor weather twice.
I
have lost a very good friend and colleague and Scouting has lost, if I may say so,
a ‘one off’. May he rest in peace.”
Dave Christmas
Back in December, Laurence was awarded the Bar to the Silver Acorn by the Chief Scout. Sadly he died before the award for his distinguished commitment to Scouting over many years could be presented.
Laurence's wife, Kay, will be accepting the award at the 3rd Mitcham HQ on Wednesday
22nd February at 8:30pm and all friends are welcome to come along and join this thoroughly
well-
Jubilee Camp 2012
We held a well attended site visit on Sunday 22nd January. We managed to clear up a number of points with the site staff and showed several leaders around the site.
Below are the current milestones coming up:
o February: Organising team to meet
o Early March: Open meeting for everyone to present the camp plans
o By the end of March: Everyone to have paid and submitted names of attendees
o April: Activity groups sorted
o Thurs May 3rd tents-
o Fri May 4th Camp begins
We will announce the date of the open meeting by email and on the website, together with the venue and time.
Peter Hutton is doing a fine job co-
Please contact me for any clarification about any aspect of the camp or with any questions.
Neil McLauchlan neil.mclauchlan@glswscouts.org.uk
020 8542 6850 07815 925116
