Diary Dates

District Directory - Keith Daly

Copies of the new (2005) District Directory have been distributed to Groups and the District Team.   A small number of copies are still available and can be obtained from Keith Daly, ADC (GD).
Any amendments to the Directory should be forwarded to Lesley Bixby and will be published in 'Links'.
Please note that Directory changes are not listed in the web version of Links.

Water Rocket Challenge

The NPL Water Rocket Challenge takes place on Thursday 23rd June. The open competition runs from 6pm to 9pm. Full details of this, with entry form, can be found at   http://www.npl.co.uk/waterrockets
If you do have a go, Mark Patrick (ACC Scouts) would like to know how you get on.

Young Leader Explorers

Important information
Since PRI there has been the provision for young people between the ages of 14 - 18 to opt to become Young Leaders instead of /or in addition to, joining an Explorer Scout Unit.
This decision must be made by the young person and not by the Scout Leader or GSL. It can be in consultation with them but must also include the Explorer Scout Administrator or the District Explorer Scout Commissioner (DESC).
All young people between the ages of 14-18 MUST be registered with the District and MUST NOT BE included in Group census figures. Their membership fee is collected and paid by the District.
All young people of 14-18 not registered with the District are NOT INSURED and this could have serious consequences.

Young people who opt to be Young Leaders are required to do the following:

• Join the Young Leader Explorer Unit

• Pay membership fee to the District via their Unit

• Complete module A of their training programme within 3 months. This is mandatory and if not completed will mean that they must cease to be a Young Leader

• On completion of Module A wear a Young Leader badge on the uniform

• Complete modules B to K 

• Also one of four missions is to be completed each year. Each mission is designed to build on what is covered by the modules.

Compulsory Module A

-  is the responsibility of the YL ESL to arrange. 

-  covers the following key areas:-

• The purpose and method of the Scout Association

• Child Protection

• Policy Organisation and Rules

• Activity rules and safety

There are serious issues surrounding the use by Section Leaders of Young Leader Explorers who have not been trained to module A, particularly in the area of child protection.
The District Team is currently trying to identify all young people between the ages of 14 - 18 who have not been registered with the District. Your help is required so please contact either Dick Hooper District ES Administrator or Neil McLauchlan DESC or Keith Daly ADC GD if you have any information.
We are also urgently trying to recruit a DESL Young Leaders. Speak to Neil if you have any suggestions/nominations.
The team will arrange for module A training when Young Leaders have been identified.

District Annual General Meeting
There was a good turn out at the AGM last month. Congratulations to everyone who received an award and to the District for a well organised meeting. Thanks, also, for the wonderful food!
If you were unable to attend the meeting and would like a copy of the Annual Report, please contact Tony Webb. Tony can be contacted via

How are your Group AGMs going - how many of you have hit on a formula that will fill your hall and keep people talking afterwards?  Are you prepared to share your secret?

Appointments Sub Committee - Joan Burgess

Urban Outdoors

Have you had a look at 'Urban outdoors' on Scoutbase?  It gives some brilliant ideas for activities for all Sections, offers suggestions for fund raising, tells you who to contact and which rules you need to check out in POR.  There are free downloads and a printable version.  Well worth a look if you want to plan an outdoor programme near to home.

Days Out
Do Thorpe Park or Chessington World of Adventures appeal to your members?  Have a look on a new website recently launched for the use of youth organizations by N&L Scout Events in association with The Tussauds Group and the Scout Association.  It offers discounted tickets for some of the best days out in the UK.  www.youthfundays.co.uk or phone 0115 952 3617.

Cable drums

Dave Bixby is still on the look-out for cable drums for Eurojam.  Have you seen any?  If so please contact him.

Although it was a few weeks ago now, I feel I must congratulate the Beaver Scout Section for such a wonderful turn out at the District St George's Day Parade/Service.   The weather was brilliant !  It was great to have nearly all our colonies represented and to see so many of you there.

Do you have Young Leaders (aged 15-18 Yrs) working within your Colony or just want to know more about YL's ???
Then attending the next Beaver Leaders meeting on 20th July will benefit you !!! - Ian Newbery, ACC (ES) will be giving a short presentation on how Young Leaders can help you with the running of your Colony and what responsibilities come with having Young Leaders working with you.
If you are unable to attend this meeting, please do try and send a representative and/or your Colony report to Linda Vaudrey or myself before the meeting.

District Outing

By now you should have all received details of the final arrangements for the District Outing to Frylands Woods Fun Day on Sunday 12th June.  Coach transport has now been confirmed.  Please remember the Leader/Adult to Beaver Scout ratio of 1:4 + 1 "spare" Adult applies !!!  Please initially refer to the details sent to you all by email / post; if you have any further queries please do get in touch.

Diary Dates

Finally some dates for your diaries:

20th July - District Beaver Leaders Meeting, DHQ Morden

2nd October - District Beaver Activity Afternoon, 4th Morden HQ, Bow Lane,  Morden.

It's been another couple of busy months for the Cub Section. In early April the Cub Adventure Day was held at Frylands Wood. Another superb day expertly organised by Mia Patterson, Martin Neal & Bill Smith and their team.
The Cubs had many activities laid on for them such as archery, shooting, assault course and orienteering to name but a few.

In mid May we held the District Cub Football Tournament at Raynes Park High School. Fifteen teams entered the competition that was organised by Michele McNamara and Andrew Hayward. It was a lovely warm day and thankfully the 23rd provided the refreshments that kept us cool and sane! Well done to the 13th Wimbledon who beat the 11th Mitcham in the final, with the 22nd Wimbledon & 3rd Mitcham coming 3rd and 4th respectively. It was just a shame that a few parents spoilt a good day by complaining about rules and school regulations that everyone else was happy to abide by. As a result we are looking into the event now being a closed event with only leaders and helpers (and cubs) present.

Michele has lost property left from both these events.  If your Cubs have complained they have lost anything, please contact her by the end of the month or she will dispose of the items.

On a personal note I would just like to say how humble I felt to receive the Medal of Merit. I do my Scouting in teams (be it the Gang Show, District, Group or Pack), and though I was awarded this as an individual it wouldn't have been possible with out 'my teams' and it is on their behalf that I should accept this award. A big thank you to Nicky and my family too! You let me out to do my Scouting!

The first Wimbledon & Wandle Table Tennis Competition was only entered by two Troops, the 19th Wimbledon and the 22nd Wimbledon, which was a little disappointing after the level of interest expressed when it was suggested. Nevertheless the Troops who entered had an enjoyable afternoon which resulted in the 22nd Wimbledon claiming the trophy. Certificates have been handed to all event winners at their meetings and the trophy will be handed over shortly. Congratulations to all of the event winners and thanks to Peter Hutton for organising the event and to the 22nd Wimbledon for providing the venue.

Unfortunately the very poor level of entries means that the Patrol Camping Weekend has been cancelled this year.

Pressure of work has prevented any further progress on either the Older Scouts Weekend or the Troop Trophy but I hope to be able to do some more on them shortly.

Our next Scouters' meeting is on Tuesday 21st June at the 1st Morden HQ, Central Road, Morden.

On April 30 history was made when a team representing the Scout Network competed in the preliminary rounds of the Middlesex Sevens for the first time ever. The squad was almost exclusively drawn from Greater London SW. Unfortunately the results did not quite match up to the initial euphoria, and qualification for the finals at Harlequins a week later was not to be. However, we have been invited to play again in 2006 so if anyone reading this is a keen rugby sevens player, please contact me.

The Network is destined to be suitably 'challenged' during June and July. On June 18/19 at least one GLSW team will be competing in the Trans-Wight Challenge attempting to be the fastest team to cross the Isle of Wight overnight. Then on July 9/10 in a different kind of challenge the Network will attempt to raise sponsorship for the Sutton & Croydon MS Therapy Centre by carrying an MS sufferer in a wheelchair around a 10km cross-country course near Capel Curig in North Wales. We have booked Bethesda for the weekend, so there is plenty of space for all. Ask your Local SNet Co-ordinators for details.

During August a caving trip to South Wales is being organised, and most of the places have already been snapped up. On the water activities front Simon Keen is investigating Network membership of a sailing club, which will become our base for training and dinghy racing.

Last September we had a fantastic time at the Gilwell Reunion, where we met the new Chief Scout, Peter Duncan. This year we are going again, and all Network members are eligible for a discount from the regular price. Ed Wilson, our 'Man at Gilwell' is in charge of the group booking - email him on ed.wilson@scout.org.uk if you want to go.

Recent Events:    

Sunday 15th May - the same hardy few took a most enjoyable walk around the Hampton Court, Kingston & Thames Ditton area.  Pleased to say that the sun shone on us again and we had a good Sunday lunch.  Thank you to Rob and Jean for organising.

Forthcoming Events:    

Saturday 11th June - Summer Meal, Four Horseshoes, Chobham, 7.30 p.m. - if you have not already done so please let me know if you will be joining us as numbers are limited.  Telephone Linda.

Reminders:    

Saturday 16th July - Sports Day - please let Dave Gould know if you can help.

Saturday, 23rd July - BBQ - at David and Jean Gould's house.  Further details to follow.