Diary Dates

Notes from the DC

The AGM season is now beginning and I look forward to visiting as many Groups as I am able. Please ensure that you advise me of the time and location of yours.

I am pleased to announce that Brian Beckley has been appointed by the County as our Local Training Manager. All training matters should now be referred to Brian.

Around 20 Leaders have been assessed for a Nights Away permit. No further evenings will be organised. If you want to be assessed please contact Brian Beckley who will arrange for an appropriate assessor to be appointed for you. Leaders can then arrange suitable times with the individual assessor.

All permit application forms should now be sent to Brian.

Many of you know that I was at Windsor on St George's Day and therefore missed the first Wimbledon and Wandle Service.

I was very disappointed to hear of the very poor turn out: 358 out of a possible 1399.  6 Groups were not represented at all. There may be some reasons for this and I will be following this up with those concerned.

It is important that the District gets together each year to renew the Promise and we must work hard to ensure this happens next year.

If you have comments; and I am sure there will be plenty: then let me have them; but bear in mind what the objective of this is and try and be constructive.

I also wish to be informed of the arrangements for the renewal of the Promise to be made by those who did not attend.

I have decided that the District Camp which was proposed by Wimbledon before the merger is to be cancelled for 2005. The likely increase in numbers has caused problems with booking a suitable venue and so we will re-arrange a suitable time and venue. It is likely this might be 2007 when we can combine it with the centenary celebrations. Again your thoughts on this would be appreciated.

I have had a short and unexpected stay in Hospital and am now expecting to return to work early in May. My thanks for the good wishes received and for those who covered meetings in my absence.

Bob Prescott

National Trust Fayre

As I write this newsletter the National Trust Fayre is still in full swing.  The Children's corner has been very busy and I would like to thank, on behalf of the organisers, all Groups who have helped there this weekend, with a special thank you to the Leaders and Supports to have covered the 'unfilled' slots. 

The mobile display unit is an impressive beast and the climbing wall has proved very popular.

Leadership 2

Date: 22nd - 23rd May 2004 (residential)

Place: 1st Hook HQ, Verona Drive, Surbiton

This course is designed to complete the formal training of anyone who has done their Leadership One and leads to the award of the Wood Badge once all projects and the in-service training have been completed satisfactorily.

Please contact Margaret Pooley for an application form.

District Sports

Saturday 10th July at Wimbledon Chase School, Merton Hall Road, SW19.

It won't be long before the organisers begin looking for help with the sports, so please start to think about who in your Group can be approached.

While the majority of Leaders will want to be with their Sections, there must be some helpers and supporters available to act as marshals.

 

Appointments process 

We have had a number of enquiries about the correct process for applying for a warrant.  Until 31 August it will be as follows:

  • Applicant identified and briefed by GSL

  • Forms AA; CRB and RF completed and sent to Joan Burgess

  • Applicant interviewed by DC or member of District Team

  • Application forms signed by DC and submitted to HQ

  • Initial clearance received from HQ

  • Applicant invited to Appointments Committee

  • Confirmed as suitable by Appointments Committee and Member of District Team acting independently

  • CRB clearance received

  • Warrant received and presented by DC or ADC 

 

This process will change if the applicant is deemed unsuitable by either the Appointments Committee or member of the District team or an adverse CRB is received.

The process to follow from 1 September 2004 will be produced in June Links.

Best Wishes

To Jack Atkins, former Chairman of Morden & St Helier/Wandle District, who is recovering from a major operation. Hope to see you up and round soon.

Beavers - Evelyn Steele

Thank you to all the Colonies who attended the St George's Day Service - what beautiful weather for once! 

Regarding the Gilwell Outing in June, there are just a few spaces left from the Morden/Wimbledon side of the Borough, but quite a number from the Mitcham side.

Please remember there is a Leaders Meeting on 19 May at 8 p.m. sharp - hopefully much shorter this time!   Please send your apologies and a report if you are unable to attend.

Cubs - Liz Laverick

An Activity Day for Cubs aged 9 ½ and over was held at Frylands Wood on Sunday 4th April.  Activities consisted of rifle shooting, archery, climbing and abseiling and use of the site obstacle course and providore. Bases provided by leaders were kite making, rocket launching, a wide game and an introduction to orienteering. A fun packed (10am to 5.15pm) day was enjoyed by all and the weather was dry and sunny.

Many thanks go to the organisers Will, Mia and Martin who did a splendid job especially as the timetable of events had to be altered only days before.  Thanks also go to Alison for being the First Aider with a small run of minor injuries queuing for attention; to Michele for collecting and paying out the money and for organising the orienteering with Ian;  to the 22nd Wimbledon for the wide game, Colin for the kite making, Alan for the rockets and all who manned the assault course;  and, finally, to all the leaders and helpers who gave up their Sunday to accompany their Cubs. 

It was an excellent opportunity for me to meet leaders and helpers from across the District.

The Outdoor Adventure Day leader team would like to thank everyone who gave up their time on 4th April to help out.   It was a long day but worth it to have 79 cubs complete the 9 bases - our thanks to all the base leaders for their excellent bases, also thanks to all the tutors, First Aid team and everyone else who attended the day.

FUTURE EVENTS

Wednesday 5th May - DSCL meeting 8.30pm, 7th Morden HQ - CHANGE OF VENUE - Wandle HQ already booked!

Sunday May 9th - District Football Competition

Friday June 4th - Athletes Badge, Sutton Arena 6 to 9pm

Saturday July 10th - Sports Day

Scouts - Paul Atkins

Details of our Patrol Camping Weekend on 12th & 13th June are now being circulated, please return the entry slip as soon as you know how many teams you will be entering. Offers of help to run the event will be very welcome.

The hall at Edge Hill has been booked for the Troop Quiz Night on Wednesday 17th November, please put the date in your diary. We will agree more details for the evening at our next Troop Scouters' Meeting on Tuesday 22nd June at the 8th Morden HQ.

A reminder for those who have agreed to meet the HQ representatives for the New Programme that we will meet at the 22nd Wimbledon HQ at 7:30pm on Wednesday 5th May.

Applications for Nights Away Permits are only just trickling in so there must be many Troop Scouters who have yet to submit an application. Please submit the form to Brian Beckley if you have not already done so.

Fellowship - Bill Vaudrey

Recent Events:
Tuesday 20th April - Theatre trip to Ashcroft Theatre - thank you to Wendy for organising the tickets.

Wednesday 21st April - Beetle Drive/Fish 'n Chip Supper.  It was nice to see so many members;  all seemed to enjoy themselves.  Thank you to Jean for organising the game.

Sunday 25th April - St George's Day - thanks to the members who assisted.  It did all come right in the end!

 

Forthcoming Events:
By the time you read this the National Trust Fayre will have come and gone.  We are hoping for another successful year and thank you for all your help.  More details in the next issue.

Wednesday, 12th May - reminder Inception A.G.M. to be held at Worple Road

Friday, 14th May - Evening Ramble - Epsom Downs - meet in the viewpoint car park along Grand Stand Road at 7.00 p.m.  Bring binoculars for the view before we take a short stroll and refreshments.

Saturday 12th June - Summer Meal - 7.00 for 7.30 p.m. at The Compass, Station Road, Gomshall.  Names to Bill by Friday 4th June please.

Newsletter Editor

It would be nice to have some more input from the District into Links - the ADCs are giving me Section reports but there must be some Groups out there doing something special.  Do you do something different, either as a fund raiser or social event, which you think others might benefit from?  Do you have a magic formula for getting parents to your Group AGM?  Some of you must be doing activities which other Groups would be interested in learning about.  Please send any (short - about 200 words max.) articles in to: