Chairman’s Chatter - Andy Edmonds
The recent District Executive continued to focus on resolving long outstanding issues and it is pleasing that two years into my appointment as Chairman, we are now nearing conclusion of our plans to review the resources of the District, to maximise our income potential and ensure that the processes we follow are compliant and up to date.
Indeed, it is not impossible that our potential income next year and in all following years will be double what it would otherwise have been had we not decided to carefully tread through the “minefields” that had remained for a number of years.
Once this work is completed then we should have greater resources to devote towards the Development Plan of the District. To this effect, the DC and I are putting diaries together to visit every Group over the course of the next 12 months in order to discuss Group Development Plans.
Issues at Kenneth Black Hall continue to be progressed and will be brought to a conclusion; hopefully by the end of the summer.
We need (ideally slim) volunteers to help remove rubbish from the side of the garages at Kenneth Black Hall. Not a time consuming job, so any volunteers please to me or Alan Green.
Possible structural issues have been identified at Morden Hall DHQ and we need to find a structural engineer that can give us some professional advice as to the necessary solutions.
Arrangements for the District AGM are well advanced and I hope to see as many Scouters, Supporters and parents there as possible. Our Annual Report and Annual Accounts are already prepared and printed copies will be available at the AGM. If anyone wants to come to the meeting and “Be Prepared”, then I will ask Paul Atkins to put the documents up on our web site on 16th May.
Richard Mainwaring has kindly volunteered to be our representative on the County Executive, but I have nothing to report on finding a long term successor as District Treasurer.
Joan Burgess has given notice of her intention to quit as Warrants Committee Secretary. Joan has done a brilliant job ensuring that CRBs are up to date and reviewing our data bases. Joan has kindly given us two years notice to find an equally able replacement and to allow for an efficient hand over.
I look forward to seeing as many of you as possible: 8.00pm on 16th May at 1st Lower Morden HQ (Bow Lane). Light buffet and drinks will follow the formal meeting.
Please note that parking is very limited at Bow Lane HQ. If it essential that you park in the car park, please contact Andrew Hayward – otherwise, please park in the Assembly Rooms car park or on local roads.
Awards
Award for Merit
- John Patrick Line, ACSL 5th Morden (St John Fisher)
Chief Scouts’ Commendation for Good Service
- George Jessel Gallant, ACSL 8th Morden
- Mrs Fiona Elizabeth Miles, Group Supporter 13th Wimbledon (St Saviours Raynes Park)
- Malcolm Miles, Group Supporter 13th Wimbledon (St Saviours Raynes Park)
- Mrs Valerie Ann Watson, ACSL 8th Morden
Many congratulations to the above for their well-
Store – Brian Whalebone
The first ever Bear Grylls book on Scouting. This full colour book contains the Chief’s
personal thoughts on some of the big Scouting issues including volunteering, Scouting
Values, Jamborees and being a citizen of the world.
Cost £2.95
Back in Stock at Lancing Badge Blanket
Upgraded to a Heavier Quality Size 200cms x
155cms Weight 1.6kg.approx
One only in stock -
Badges – Lesley Bixby
I regret to report that all badges have gone up by 10%. Although Scout Shops have applied the increase from 1st May, I shall be holding my prices until 1st June due to the number of badges in stock so I recommend that you buy what you need for this term as soon as possible.
From 1st June the prices will be:
Patrol badges and Chief Scout’s Awards 66p
Membership badges and Challenge awards 64p
Activity
badges and Leadership stripes 54p
Participation awards 41p
Membership fees
There has been a great deal of work done at HQ regarding the payment of membership fees and hopefully some of you replied to their survey to give them your opinion.
It has now been decided that, from 2015, membership fees will be paid by all Youth members and not by Adults in Scouting. The Youth membership fee will rise to ensure that overall income is not compromised.
One of the potential benefits is that we will no longer have concerns about registering adults on financial grounds and with flexible working, where you may have 2 or 3 people doing a job that one did previously, this could have considerable impact. This could also affect the number of Trustees registered and everyone is urged to get all adults working within their Groups on the membership database by 2014.
There will be a hardship fund set up for any Groups that genuinely struggle to meet increased fees (especially those in poor areas where there is high youth membership but few adults) and a number of issues still need to be finalised, hence the delay to 2015.
Training
Diary Dates
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May 4 - 16 19 21 23 23 26 27
June 2 6 7 16- 23
July 1 1 4 11 21 |
District Jubilee Camp District AGM District Store open Troop Scouters’ Meeting Cub Leaders’ Meeting Beaver Leaders’ Meeting SASU Outing Cub 5-
District Store open County AGM Store closed for half term Scouts’ Camping Assessment Weekend District Sports
Raft Race SASU Summer Meal District Executive CSLs’ Meeting SASU BBQ |
Blackland Farm 1st Lower Morden HQ Morden Hall Park DHQ, 10am Morden Hall Park DHQ, 8pm 6/12th Mitcham HQ, 8pm 1st Lower Morden HQ, 8pm Portsmouth Raynes Park High School
Morden Hall Park DHQ, 10am St Paul’s Church Hall, CR2 7HF, 8pm
Park Farm Sutton Arena
TBC Morden Hall Park DHQ, 8pm Morden Hall Park DHQ, 8pm Buckleigh Avenue |
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Cubs - |
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7 Aside Football - CSL Meeting – 23rd May – please note the date and that this meeting will be held at the 6/12th Mitcham H.Q. as the Morden DHQ is already booked for that night. As I have said above, the football draw will take place that night so if you plan on entering, please try and attend.
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Scouts - |
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In the April/May copy of the Scout supplement of Scouting magazine, a pioneering
competition with a prize of £1000 was advertised. For details look at www.scouts.org.uk/discovery
- Camping Assessment weekend – 16- Fire lighting: We have two large builder’s bags full of bark chippings after preparing the spars for District camp. If you would like some for fire lighting – they are ideal – let me know or see Alan at the Store on a Thursday evening. Our annual Rafting event takes place on Sunday 1st July in Ravensbury Park. All
details are in the Red Book but please register your Troop’s entry by 24th June to
reserve some equipment. Troop programmes: Just a gentle reminder about submitting this term’s programmes – I have only had 5 in so far so don’t forget – it forms part of your Group Development Plan. Our next Troop Scouters’ meeting takes place on Monday 21st May in Morden Hall DHQ at 8pm – see you there.
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Scout Active Support - |
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Thank you to everyone who assisted at St George’s Day. Everything seemed to go well and attendance was high. Congratulations to our members, Jim Anning, David Gould and Peggy Holdstock, who received awards this year. Special congratulations too to Jean Nelson who has gained her 50 year service award. We hope you enjoyed the Beetle Drive on the 18th. How a simple game can generate so much laughter still amazes me. Don’t forget the Jubilee Camp at the beginning of May – we just hope the weather is kind. A few places are still available for the Portsmouth Trip on 26th May. Contact Robert if you are interested in coming.
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Copy for the next issue should be with the editor by
Thursday 31st May
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
To attend Safeguarding Training you must apply via Alison Edwards.
For further dates visit the County website www.glswscouts.org.uk/support
First Aid training
13 May 1st Whitton Scout H.Q. Richmond upon Thames District
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
Jubilee Camp - Neil McLauchlan
Hi all,
Well it’s finally time to go to camp. Many, many thanks to all who have helped, supported etc. If all goes according to plan we should have a great weekend and let’s hope that we do not get too much rain.
See you at Blackland Farm. If you are reading this on Saturday then you are late!
Thanks
Neil...
Wimbledon Village Fair – 23rd June
The organisers of the Wimbledon Village Fair are still looking for volunteers to help with some of the dozens of jobs which arise when undertaking an event like this. While a number of leaders and supporters will be at the District Sports that day, if you are not involved in the sports and would like to help at the Fair, please call the Wimbledon Guild on 020 8946 0735.
Diamond Jubilee Badge
A limited edition Gold jubilee badge has been issued. They cost £1.25 each and can be ordered through your badge secretary. The design is similar to the one most members now have on their uniforms but they are coloured gold with the words ‘limited edition’ on them – a must for collectors!
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
You are invited to the District’s
Annual General Meeting
1st Lower Morden Scout HQ, Bow Lane
8pm
16th May 2012
SUTTON LIFE CENTRE
CLIMBING WALL
OPEN FROM 2 APRIL 2012
The only outdoor climbing wall in Sutton is
designed for climbers of all abilities -
20m wide x 10m high with over
35 climbing routes.
Suitable for individuals from beginners upwards,
it’s also a great venue for
Scouts and Guides
To book call: 0845 363 1177
For more information, opening times and prices,
visit the climbing wall page at
www.suttonlifecentre.org
