Practical Skills (Module 18) Day

The District Team is planning a practical skills exchange day at Morden Hall DHQ on 12 September 2010. There will be a number of manned bases where Leaders, helpers, instructors or Young Leaders can visit to pick up some ideas and maybe share tips that they have discovered elsewhere.

Each base will have a ‘cool wall’ where people can browse for new ideas or post their own. New Leaders who need to complete Module 18 will be issued with a check sheet to get signed at each base in order to complete the Module.

Please let your Section ADC or Alison Edwards know what subjects you would like covered and if you are prepared to help in any way on the day or in the preparation beforehand.

St George’s Day

Just a gentle reminder about this year's parade & service on Sunday 25th April. Format is the same as the last few years, with assembly in The Causeway on Wimbledon Common at 12:30 and moving off at 12:50 through Wimbledon Village to Wimbledon College where the service will commence at 1:30pm.

Dismissal will be from the college playing fields at about 2:15pm.

Can we have every Group represented this year?

Details are on the link below.

Wild Country Training Expedition

The County is arranging another residential training course for those working towards their Duke of Edinburgh’s Gold and Queen’s Scout Award expeditions. It will take place in Derbyshire during the October half term. Anyone interested should check on the County web site or contact Chris Dean at chris.dean@glswscouts.org.uk

Training – Alison Edwards

Training is continuing at a steady pace in the District, but I am seeking your assistance! We are fortunate to have an increasing number of people coming forward to take up appointments with Groups in the District, particularly in the Scout Section. However, demand for training advisers is exceeding supply. So, if you have a wood badge and you are willing to give some time to help others do their training, then I would like to hear from you. We have some good TAs in the District but we need more, especially from the Scout and Explorer sections. There are about 60 people in the District doing wood badge training and only about 8 TAs to go round everyone.

As I am writing this just before the Nights Away course this weekend. I would like to wish them all fine weather and happy camping. Last autumn it seemed to be the turn of the Explorer section to do their training - this time it is ASL weekend!

No wood badges to report this month but there will be a few once Module 16 is done.

Training Dates

Diary Dates

April 1
8
14
15
25

May 4
5
8
8/9
9
12
18
19
23

No store
No store
SASU Beetle Drive
No Store
St George’s Day Parade & Service

District Executive
CSLs’ meeting
SASU visit to Bletchley Park
Scout Canal Boat experience
GLSW All Sections meeting
District AGM
Troop Scouters’ meeting
Beaver Leaders’ meeting
Cubs’ 5-a-side football

Morden Hall DHQ, 7:30pm

Wimbledon

Morden Hall DHQ 8pm
Morden Hall DHQ 8pm

Grand Union Canal
Bow Lane
Kenneth Black DHQ 8pm
Morden Hall DHQ 8pm
Morden Hall DHQ 8pm
Raynes Park High School

Congratulations

21st April	7:30pm - 10:00pm	First Aid Refresher Course
5th May	7:45pm - 10:15pm	Module 7 - Valuing Diversity
7th - 9th May		Mountain Skills Weekend
12th May	7:45pm - 10:15pm	Module 8 - Skills of Leadership
19th May	7:45pm - 10:15pm	Module 15 - Challenging Behaviour
22nd May	9:00am - 5:00pm	Module 10 - First Aid (Wimbledon College)
13th June	9:00am - 5:00pm	Module 10 - First Aid (7th Malden HQ)
16th June	7:45pm - 10:15pm	Module 14 - Young People Today
	7:45pm - 10:15pm	Module 19 - International
9th July	7:45pm - 10:15pm	Module 11 - Administration (Section Leaders)
	7:45pm - 10:15pm	Module 17 - Activities Outdoors
14th July	7:30pm - 10:00pm	First Aid Refresher Course
18th September	9:00am - 5:00pm	Module 10 - First Aid (3rd Beddington HQ)
19th September	10:00am - 4:30pm	Module 25 - Assessing Learning
25th September	9:00am - 1:00pm	Module 12 - Providing a Balanced Programme
	2:00pm - 4:30pm	Module 18 - Practical Skills
29th September	7:45pm - 10:15pm	Module 16 - Nights Away
10th October	10:00am - 1:00pm	Module 20 - Administration (Managers)
	2:00pm - 4:30pm	Module 23 - Safety for Managers & Supporters
16th - 17th October		Module 16 - Nights Away
16th October	9:00am - 5:00pm	Module 10 - First Aid (Bow Lane)
31st October	10:00am - 1:00pm	Module 13 - Growing The Movement (Section Leaders)
	10:00am - 4:30pm	Module 21 - Growing The Movement (Managers)
6th November	10:00am - 1:00pm	Module 22 - Section Support
	2:00pm - 4:30pm	Module 25 - Managing Adults
	2:00pm - 4:30pm	Module 26 - Supporting Adults
14th November	10:00am - 11:30am	Module 7 - Valuing Diversity
	11:45am - 1:30pm	Module 19 - International
	2:30pm - 4:30pm	Module 17 - Activities Outdoors
21st November	9:00am - 5:00pm	Module 10 - First Aid (1st Whitton HQ)

Further information on training can be found on the GLSW web site.

Appointments Committee January – March 2010 – Joan Burgess

Congratulations to the following Leaders who have now had their full warrants approved:

Richard Drummond, GSA 22nd Wimbledon
Jennifer Ellam, GSA 8th Wimbledon
Graham Fordyce, GSA 1st Wimbledon
Dave Godden, ASL 19th Wimbledon
Catriona Maher, AGSL 9th Wimbledon
Frances Rogerson, ASL 11th Mitcham
Vikki Shade, ASL 19th Wimbledon
William Stock, ABSL 14th Wimbledon
Ian Tanner, ASL 1st Merton Park

Warrant Reviews – please check your group for any Reviews that are due this year. I have a new Review Form, which is very helpful in carrying out a Review. Reminders will be sent to Groups in due course. The first batch has already been issued.

Appointments Leaflet - Are you confused by Appointments? Should your new recruit be a Supporter, a Section Assistant or a Leader? Do you understand the difference? A new leaflet can be downloaded from the District web site and, hopefully, will make it all clear.

County News - Chris Dean, Deputy CC Programme

Duke of Edinburgh’s Award News
Having completed Induction the following have been appointed District Advisers and are able to authorise Bronze Awards:-

Croydon : Tony Crackett
Richmond : Andrew Nesbitt
Royal Kingston : Stuart Thompson
Sutton : Simon Keen
Wimbledon & Wandle : Liz Laverick

The County Adviser is Janet Drinkall who will authorise Silver Awards and process Gold Awards for authorisation by Gilwell Park. New record books – bronze, silver, and gold – should be obtained from Janet.
The Expedition Assessor Accreditation Scheme is now well under way and several leaders in GLSW have completed training and are awaiting ‘supported’ assessment.

The next Introduction to DofE course in GLSW will be held on Saturday 5th June, and the next EAAS course the following day. Further information will be posted on the County web site, but book the date in your diary now.

Sweden 2011

The County is planning to take a party of Explorer Scouts to camp in Sweden next year. Priority will be given to anyone who was unsuccessful in the selection process for the World Scout Jamboree. However, all Explorers can apply using the online booking form on the County website. Participants must be aged between their 14th and 18th birthday as at 1st August 2011. The party will be camping in Skane (southern Sweden) for a period of 7-10 days, during which a day visit to the Jamboree will be arranged. The cost is likely to be approximately £500, and there will be an initial meeting for participants and parents towards the end of May.

Yorkshire Dales – 3 Peaks – July 9/10/11, 2010
A weekend walking in the Yorkshire Dales has been arranged for all adults aged 18 and over. We shall be camping on a site at Horton-in-Ribblesdale and attempting to complete the 3 Peaks circuit – Pen y Ghent, Whernside and Ingleborough – in under twelve hours on the Saturday. If there is demand caving will be arranged for the Sunday.
The cost will be £10 plus food (self-cater), and travel. There will be a celebratory meal on the Saturday night at a well-known curry ‘shop’ in Settle! To book go to the County web site and complete the online form.

Stork Project
This is an opportunity to help create a sensory garden and adventure playground at a summer hospice in Belarus. The centre provides respite for terminally ill children suffering from the after-effects of the Chernobyl nuclear accident which occurred in April 1986. Volunteers have already made a start on the project but there is much more work to be done, and it is envisaged that members of the Scout Network and other adults from GLSW and also GLSE will travel to Belarus for 7-10 days during the second half of August this year. For further information about the project go to www.trust4chernobylchildren.org.uk. If you are interested please contact Chris Dean as soon as possible.

Copy for the next issue should be with the editor by Thursday 29th April

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

May the hinges of your sweetest dreams never rust

District Annual General Meeting

Wednesday 12th May, 8:00pm

Kenneth Black DHQ, Worple Road

All leaders & supporters welcome

It is with regret we announce the recent death of Alan Jackson.

Alan joined the 7th Morden Scout Group in the late 1970s when his son became a Cub. He was the parent rep on the Executive and went on to become Scout Leader and then GSL. Twice he left the Group but returned to rescue it when shortage of Scouters threatened to close it down. He moved away from Morden a few years ago.

Our thoughts are with his family at this sad time.

Beavers - Kevin Quigley (ADC Beavers)

The Beaver Leaders’ meeting last week was attended by representatives of a number of Colonies, but not all. As I’ve said before, the meeting is the arena for the District’s Beaver Leaders to exchange their views on what is happening in the District, and to set out what they want the District to do for them and their Beavers. The minutes of the meeting will be available soon – please can you make sure you read them – there are a few points of interest.

At the District Team Meeting the other day, it was noted that the County is continuing with the 3–monthly mini census and the next date will be soon be upon us, I will need to know Colony numbers and make up etc.

St Georges Day parade and promise renewal is on 25th April – the details are published in several locations – and I hope to see you there. However if your Colony will not be coming, how are you renewing your and your Beavers’ Promise?

I’m actively looking at several places to have our next Beaver Visit to, and will let everybody know what is being planned when the decisions have been made.

Finally, whilst I’ve received some copies of Colony Programmes, I’m short of a number. If you haven’t done so, please could Beaver Leaders send me a copy of your latest programme? My details are in the District Directory.

Happy Easter.

Cubs - Michèle McNamara (ADC Cubs)

County Quiz – We were eventually only able to enter 2 teams in this competition due to the date clashing with pack camps. 2 teams from the 5th Morden & 22nd Wimbledon entered the event and came joint 8th and 9th respectively. The 22nd also had the honour of winning the competition for the longest paper chain. It seems the County wish to hold this as an annual event so be prepared for next year.

Adventure Day – By the time you read this, the event should be over and nearly 100 cubs will have descended on Frylands Wood. Let’s hope we get good weather and that everything went to plan.

7 Aside Football – This is due to be held on May 23rd at Raynes Park High School. Each team will need to provide one adult as a referee, so start looking for your candidate now. May I remind you once again that this is supposed to be a fun event for the children, please remind all the adult spectators and helpers of this fact. Information will be sent out shortly regarding this and please note that the deadline will be kept to: no late entries.

The draw for this event will be made at the next CSL meeting which is May 5th, please do try and attend as the last meeting had a very poor attendance.

Scouts - Dave Bixby (ADC Scouts)

Patrol Leaders’ Training Course: This event went well and, judging by the feedback received, the participants enjoyed themselves. My thanks go to all who gave up their time to help, especially the Fellowship, now Scout Active Support, for providing an excellent catering team. During the weekend the Scouts were given the opportunity to suggest new District Scout activities. Most of the things suggested were activities that would be better run at Troop level ie quad biking and laser clay pigeon shooting. There is an organisation call Shawfire that works out of Bears Wood camp site that runs these activities and many more. Details from www.shawfirekids.co.uk.

County Night Exercise: Troops from Wimbledon and Wandle did another sterling job supporting this County event. 10 teams from various Troops entered and once again demonstrated how it should be done. Congratulations to 22nd Wimbledon who won, 8th Wimbledon 3rd, 13th Wimbledon 4th place.

St George’s Day Rugby/Parade: Several Troops appear to be going for the double with a visit to Twickenham and then a sleepover before our parade on Sunday. Just a gentle reminder (trying not to sound like a broken record) that a NAN form is required for any event where the Scouts are at least ‘supposed’ to sleep.

Canal Boat Experience: The closing date is fast approaching and once it has arrived or the boat is fully booked, whichever is first, we can complete the logistics of transport and joining instructions.

5-a-side football: In the end just 7 Troops took part in this once oversubscribed event. In contrast to last year we were blessed with some very pleasant weather and the usual excellent organisation from Gary and his team from 23rd Mitcham meant that everyone had a good time. Winners at their first attempt were 22nd Wimbledon, 8th Morden were 2nd and 6/12th Mitcham 3rd. We need to seriously consider whether the event warrants its place in the calendar after this year’s poor entry.

Our next Troop Scouters’ meeting is on Tuesday 18th May at 8pm in Morden Hall DHQ.

Explorers - Paul Henderson (DESC)

I start this month with further congratulations to the Raynes Park ESU who were the winners at this year’s Operation Red Flare. They won the ‘antler’ trophy which I am sure will fit well in to their bulging trophy cabinet this year. Well done to all the Wimbledon & Wandle Explorers who took part. I hope you had fun and will be back next year to challenge the RPESU.

Additional activities available to Explorers are some County mountaineering days. Please check the following link for the dates and contact Ian Tombleson directly to get your places booked. http://www.glswscouts.org.uk/bethesda/yhn_index.htm.

We have also finalised the date for the next Explorer Leaders meeting. Please put Friday 7th May in your diary. Time and exact location to be confirmed but the theme of the evening will be curry and beer.

To finish, I just want to gently remind you about Nights Away Notification [NAN]. Please ensure you complete your forms in plenty of time before the event and ensure that they are completed properly.

Just a reminder that the Morden Explorer Unit is up and running and meets at Jubilee Hall, Green Lane Morden SM4 6SS on Wednesday nights 8pm-10pm. Contact Allen Worley for further information.

Scout Active Support Unit - Linda Vaudrey

Thank you to everyone who attended the AGM recently. It was nice to see so many members, especially as David was presented with his Wood Badge.

Could you please let me have your fish orders, by Friday 9th April, for the Beetle Drive, being held on Wednesday, 14th April at the Wandle DHQ. Please bring your own liquid refreshment.
Please note the starting time is 7.30pm, not 8 pm as previously advised in the District Events Diary.

Help will be required at the St George’s Day Parade, 25th April, at the Wimbledon College Sports Hall. Please let Rob know if you can help – we can never have too many helpers on that day!

Places for our visit to Bletchley Park, on Saturday, 8th May, are going quickly now. If you do wish to attend please let Jean or David Gould know ASAP.

We are going for our summer Sunday lunch to the Surrey National Golf Club at Chaldon, on Sunday 14th June. Please let Jean or Rob know, by Friday 21st May, at the latest, if you would like to attend.

Three members of Wimbledon and Wandle have been honoured in this years’ St George’s Day Awards and our congratulations go to:

Dave Bixby (ADC Scouts)

who has been awarded the Bar to the Silver Acorn

and

Brian Whalebone (Store Manager) and

Simon Shute (Chairman, 22nd Wimbledon)

who have both been awarded the Silver Acorn for many years ‘specially distinguished service’.