Diary Dates

Census Figures

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Appointments Sub-committee - Joan Burgess
Congratulations to the following Leaders who have now had their full warrants approved:

• Cara Boyle (ABSL), 11th Mitcham

• Ann Davies (ABSL), 14th Wimbledon

• Tony Hildreth (ASL), 11 Mitcham

• Andrew Nowak (AESL),  Merton Park Unit;

Alison Edwards (Training Manager) was welcomed to our last meeting and is working on getting our new Leaders up to date with training.    We have only had one meeting so far this year, but we have a long list of Leaders working on their initial training so it looks as though it may get busy. We have had only one cancellation so far.

Training - Alison Edwards
Thanks once again to those Groups who I have been in touch with regarding training queries. Could GSLs and Scouters in Charge please encourage Leaders who need to undergo training to sign up for training courses run by County. The take up from the District has been poor recently and it would be nice to improve it. All Leaders who need to do Module 16 'Nights Away' will receive a letter in coming weeks regarding the courses being run in April and October this year. This course is only run twice a year but does provide a useful and fun experience for all Leaders doing training. You do not have to wait till you have almost finished training to do the course so it would be nice to see W+W folk signing up!!

Jack Petchey Awards
The Jack Petchey Awards have gone up to £300 a month and, in order to keep the supply of money flowing, please get the names of your future young winners to John Young as soon as possible.  Groups are allocated the opportunity to submit names on a rota basis but if it is your Group's turn and you don't contact John promptly, he will offer it to the next Group that has sent him names.

Please note that nomination for Leader Awards should go to Bob Prescott.  These awards will not be made until October.

Young Performers
The 22nd Wimbledon Cub Pack have recently been busy recording their first (of many!!) 'Cub Pack Song' - with the premier showing at the Group 'Celebration of Christmas' event, they are now live on 'You Tube' - why not take a look on the link below and send in your ratings?

District Store
School holiday dates mean that the store will be

Open - Maundy Thursday 20th March
Closed - 10th and 17th April

The new publications are slowly becoming available.  They are not kept as a stock item at the store but must be ordered.

The Jamboree scarves are now £2.50 standard size and £3 for the adult size (only 2 left).

Section Leaders are asked to let Brian know if they are sending several parents to the Store for uniform at once, especially if the children are all roughly the same size.  Space means that only a limited number of uniforms can be kept at the DHQ, but more can be taken down specially if required to avoid disappointment.

Betting, Gaming and Lotteries Act
The District is registered under the Betting, Gaming and Lotteries Act so it is not necessary for individual Groups to do so.  If you are running a fund raiser which falls into this category, please contact Eric Hayward to register the event and ensure that you are complying with certain minor requirements.

District Annual General Meeting
I trust you have all got this important date in your diaries:

See you there!

This Piece of Prose. . .

The Beaver Bike/Scooter ride is arranged for April 6th, DHQ/Morden Hall Park 1.45pm -4pm.  Information for Leaders and letters for Beavers will be sent to all Colonies very shortly.

County are running a Skills Day for all Leaders on 15th March at Walton Firs Camp site, Cobham.  All Colonies have been sent information on the event and application forms if you wish to go.

We are running a stand on the programme area Community Zone, which includes the Friendship Challenge. If you have any excellent ideas we could display or give information on please contact Joan Condon, Hilary Mavin or Clare Tweedley.

Hilary, Julia and Clare hope that all the Leaders that came to the meal at Frankie and Bennys had an enjoyable evening and we would like to thank everyone for the beautiful flowers, they were a lovely and very unexpected surprise.

Reminder the next Beaver Leaders meeting is on Wednesday 19th March at DHQ 8pm. We look forward to seeing a representative from every Colony there.

Adventure Day - March 30th at Frylands Wood for all Cubs aged 9½ and over. You should have received relevant information and forms from Mia. Please let her have numbers, forms and money by March 21st at the latest.

7-a-side Football - Sorry for recent confusion regarding this event, it will take place as originally planned at Raynes Park High School but on Sunday May 11th. Further details will be issued shortly.

Next CSLs' meeting is on 12th March at Morden Park DHQ.

Handball competition:  thanks to the Leader team from 23rd Mitcham for organising another great event that saw 11 teams enter.
Congratulations to the team from 6/12th Mitcham who are this years' winners.

Results:1st - 6/12th Mitcham, 2nd - 1st Morden, 3rd - 23rd Mitcham A, 4th - 5th Morden

County Cooking Competition:
We had 6 teams from Wimbledon and Wandle take part in a very close competition at the 1st Hook HQ.  The standard was very high but none so high as the worthy winners from 19th Wimbledon.  Well done also to the 23rd MitchamB and 1st MordenB who were joint 3rd.  Full results can be found on the County website on the link below.

2008 Events Handbook:

All Troops should have received two copies of this year's events book at or just after the All Leaders' meeting on 30th January.  Anyone who has not seen one yet should let me know.

I would like to fix dates for 2009 at the SLs' meeting on 24 September so that next year's book can be issued at our November meeting and cover the full year.

All Leaders' meeting:

It was great to see every Troop that didn't have a section meeting that night, represented at the All Leaders' meeting.  I'm in no doubt that it shows the effort and commitment all those involved are putting into running their Troops. A further indication is an approx. 25% increase in the number of Scouts across the District shown on this year's census.  My sincere thanks to everyone concerned.

County Night Exercise: 5-6 April at Bentley Copse.

The closing date for entries is 15 March.  If you need the entry form downloaded, just let me know and I will get a copy to you but you will need to hurry as time is running out.

Summer Camps:
The time for planning summer camps is upon us once more.  If any Troop would like to give their members the experience of a summer camp but can't due to time commitments, lack of viable numbers or no Nights Away permit etc, get in touch and we will try to find another Troop for you or your Scouts to go with.

Liz and I have now attended the County Conference and the Duke of Edinburgh's Award Day. At our next Leaders' meeting (date not yet fixed) we will present our findings from these two events. I also have all the new Unit Essentials Books, Programme Books and Badge Books to distribute.

The Unit's activities are as varied as usual including: fundraising events, night hikes, award work, service work etc. etc.

We are also looking at the links with all the Scout Troops and how we can improve these.

The development of Scout Network within the District was recently discussed with your District Commissioner and other interested parties. I am delighted in the enthusiasm shown for the growth of this part of Scouting and the possibility of working with some people that I have gained high regard for in my previous contacts with your District.

Details of the County Explorer Belt Expedition 2009 ' Ciao Italia' will be coming out soon. This promises to be a fantastic opportunity and build on the success of a similar exercise to Lithuania a couple of years ago.

Details of all Scout Network events are posted on the County Website.

Tuesday 18th March - Fellowship Annual General Meeting - 7.45 for 8.00 at Wandle DHQ.  Please note we have changed the day of our meeting this year.  We hope to see all members on this date when we will be discussing plans for the forthcoming year.  We would be pleased to welcome any new ideas you may have.   Light refreshments will be provided.

Please keep Wednesday 16th April free for our Beetle Drive and Fish 'n Chip supper.  More details later.

Best wishes to Jean Nelson who is recovering after a recent operation.

Kidsoutdoors is all about bringing out the 'out' in Scouting.  An old adage but this new campaign reminds us that we should all be providing what Scouting is best at - camping and outdoor activities.  Have a look at the website on the link below for some new ideas and use it to publicise the special things that the members of this District are so good at.

Water Rocket Challenge

Looking for something different for your Troop or Unit?  The next Water Rocket Challenge will be on Wednesday 25th June 2008.  Details can be found on http://www.npl.co.uk/waterrockets .

Newsletter Distribution
We offer you the choice of receiving your copy of Links in the way that you most prefer:

• Electronically - it is published on the District website and we will happily send you an email each month with a link direct to Links.

• Personal paper copy - if you provide the stamped addressed envelopes we will send you your personal copy each month.  

• Many Groups also have a number of paper copies each month that they can distribute to Leaders and supporters.  They are left at the Morden Hall DHQ on the first Thursday of each month for collection.

If you would like to change the way you receive your copy, contact the Editor who will pass on your request.

Easter Camp
Are you going to Easter camp?  Traditionally, this is the first camp of the year for many.  I wish you warm, dry spring days; well-behaved, happy Scouts and fun for all.