Chairman’s Chatter - Andy Edmonds

October has been a very busy and productive month following the Executive Meeting in October.

We welcomed Ayesha Hussain, Alan Green and Richard Mainwaring as co-opted Members of the Executive until the next AGM.
Ayesha is a chartered accountant and is working with John Young and Keith Angliss to review our financial procedures. They will then work with Liz Collins (also a chartered accountant) as the “Fantastic Four”, to look at ways our procedures can be streamlined, computerised and brought into the 21st Century.
Alan has agreed to co-ordinate requirements for Morden Hall DHQ in the short term and funding has been allocated to meet the needs identified in our recent Risk Assessment. We all look forward to being able to make much greater use of this valuable building and in particular the grounds during 2012 and beyond.
Richard has volunteered to take on the role of “Vice Chairman” that I advertised here in “Links” in March. Following his retirement at the end of the year, Richard will take on a lot of my background duties and paperwork, so as to free up time to spend with the DC and Groups as we work through the District and Group Development Plans.

Thanks to Peter Treagust and David Williams, the work of the “Employment Sub Committee”, has reached an agreement as regards the future of the flat at Kenneth Black Hall. Assuming that the legal documentation is agreed, then we will need the services of a reliable builder to modernise the flat, including central heating, replacement windows and a list of other building works. If anyone has had recent dealings with a trustworthy builder, please let me have their details.

The Rowan Park site in Mitcham has now passed Planning Committee again. Meetings are due to be arranged with the Developer, Council and Residents Association to agree final specifications for the new Scout Hall and Community Rooms, with funding from Section 106.

Atlasta Fund has approved its first application for a loan towards HQ building modernisation in conjunction with an approved application to the Big Lottery Fund. Interesting feedback is that the Group found the procedure extremely helpful and that the application process and requirements helped them to identify and apply full analysis to their plans.

Budget for 2012 has been agreed with projections forward for the next 3 years. I regard the hard work over the last 18 months as having laid strong foundations to support the District in achieving its objectives as set out in the District Plan. I will be happy to make a presentation on these plans to all at the AGM on 16th May 2012 at 1st Lower Morden and maybe also at District Camp, so as to get the information out to the widest audience.

As part of our work on the District’s finances we have been able to abolish the District Levy. The £1.00 reduction over 2011 and 2012 has however been offset by the £1.50 increase in the Headquarters Levy. County Levy has remained at £6.00 per head.

One or two Groups have expressed an interest in Trustee Training for members of their Executive. Whilst I am largely “self taught”, I have picked up a mine of information over the last 18 months and as Trustees we have some very important legal responsibilities! I will work with our Leader Training Manager to see what we can put together in 2012.

Muriel Treagust has contacted all Key Managers about the forthcoming Census. I know as a former Scout Troop Leader how much of a “pain” this exercise can be! However that “pain” is nothing in comparison to what Muriel and Peter endured earlier this year. So we have asked for your co-operation to ensure a less onerous task and I would ask for everyone’s co-operation and support please, even if it is Christmas! Frankly, I would be lost without Muriel’s help and experience, so don’t need that problem in 2012. Thank You!

Gentle reminder to all Wimbledon and Wandle account holders -
John Young

Sectional ADCs, ESUs, Band, Store, SASU, Badges etc:  your accounts will need to be included in the main District Account and I would be grateful if your finalised figures, up to 31 December, can be with me by 20 January 2012.
I suggest you arrange for new cheque and paying in books as we will need to hold your 2011 books for audit purposes and this can take some time.

Awards

Many congratulations to the following who have been awarded the Chief Scouts Commendation for Good Service:-

• Gary Baker - SL, 23rd Mitcham
• Richard Bowyer - Group Chairman, 19th Wimbledon
• Mrs Anna Hurst - GSL, 11th Mitcham (R.C.)
• Leslie Savage - SL, 8th Morden
• Mrs Nicola Sykes - ASL, 14th Wimbledon
• Robert Brumwell - DSAS Co-ordinator / DAACM / Dadmin, Wimbledon and Wandle

District Directory

A new edition of the District Directory will be circulated in December.
Please advise any updates, changes or corrections to the current June 2011 edition to Paul Atkins at directory@wimbledonandwandlescouts.org by the end of November.

District Camp 2012 - Friday 4th to Monday 7th May 2012.

Blacklands Farm, East Grinstead.
Camp Leader:  Neil McLauchlan

Leaders,

I have a plea to all Leaders and helpers about the District Camp next year. During the day we will need to staff the eight activity bases with Leaders from all sections in the District. We will have approx 70-80 Cubs, Scouts and Explorer Scouts at each base at any one time. We therefore need adults to help run the activities, look after the members etc. We will only be able to do this efficiently and safely if everyone helps. On Sunday we will also have 20-30 Beavers joining in with four of the bases, again the Beaver Leaders and helpers will need to assist with the running and handling of these bases.

Several groups have already put themselves forward to run and assist on various bases. Shortly we will let you all know what the bases are going to be and also who has already put their names forward. We would like everyone else to volunteer to help on one of these bases.

If everyone helps then the camp will be a success! This is surely what we do at camp anyway!

We have less than 10 ‘District’ Leaders who do not have a sectional role, most already have a camp job to do. The SAS are also helping over the weekend with several different tasks.

Let’s all get involved.

Thanks - Neil

Neil McLauchlan: 020 8542 6850, 07815 925116, emailbossman@btinternet.com

There is now a dedicated section of the District website which will give you all the information that you need about the camp – follow the link below or from the Home page.

Costs
We would like every member to come and join the fun. We are endeavoring to organise a memorable experience for everyone. We have a small team concentrating on the activity bases headed up by Peter Hutton.

We have been working on the budget for the camp for some time and have calculated the following costs:

• Camping member:  [Cub, Scout & Explorer Scout] £35.00
• Camping Leader:  One Leader free for every 6 members
• Extra Camping Leaders/CRB’d Adult: £5.00 per day
• Day visiting Beaver   £15.00 [including transport]
• Day visiting Beaver Leader:  One Leader free for every 6 members [including transport]
• Extra day visiting Beaver Leaders/CRB’d Adult: £10.00 including transport

The above will cover the costs for site fees and site activities. It includes the hiring of a large marquee and associated items, extra pioneering equipment and the cost of running the 8 bases. The Beavers fee includes the cost of coach travel to and from the site on the Sunday. These will be payable direct to the District from each Group.

Groups will need to add the cost of their food, gas and travel to and from the site. Each Group will then be able to decide on the charge to their members.

Notes:
The Explorer Scouts will be asked to lead the groups to and from the activity sites and will then take a full part in the activities with the other members. Each group will initially be accompanied by an adult whilst in transit.

For speed and safety, it is suggested that Groups cook on stoves as opposed to wood fires.

It is suggested that Groups encourage non-Leaders to come to camp and help with the cooking. This would be an ideal time to involve the Executive Committee or parents. Obviously everyone involved will need to be CRB’d.

Please contact Neil if you have any questions or suggestions

Training – Alison Edwards

Safeguarding Awareness Training
As you all get back to your Scouting this term, can I put in a ‘promo’ for the next safeguarding awareness course.  23rd November at Bow Lane, 7.30pm for 8pm start. Free to attend and you get free tea/coffee and biscuits! The course lasts about 90 minutes and is a requirement of all adult appointments. So in the life of an appointment you must have done safeguarding training. I would like to particularly encourage new Leaders to attend. There is plenty of space on the course so please book with me asap.

Some groups have already sent all their Leaders so thanks to them. If you can’t do 23rd November other options are available - you could come to Richmond on 12th November or Wallington on 5th December. All welcome.

Leaders, Section Assistants, Occasional Helpers, Group Supporters, Executive members and SAS all welcomed !

You know it makes sense!

Aside of safeguarding can I also remind all Leaders who are doing wood badge training that DOING your training is part of your appointment. You agreed that you would undertake appropriate training when you got your appointments and well let’s just say, some are not as diligent as they should be!!

I have spoken to ADCs and GSLs about this so your managers are aware of this requirement. Also if you ‘faff about’ with your training, you actually stop others from working with training advisers as a result. We do not have enough TAs to go round, and if they are tied up trying to get people to do modules or complete projects then they can’t be helping someone else. So your help would be much appreciated.

Training Dates

Diary Dates

Unless it states otherwise in the Training Dates, the training modules are held at Morden Hall DHQ and are limited to 20 participants.
Contact Alison Edwards or Joan Condon for more information.

For further details of First Aid courses contact Janet Drinkall, telephone 020 8669 4774, email janet.drinkall@glswscouts.org.uk.

District Store

As well as the jubilee uniform badge, there are a number of other celebratory items available through either the Store or the Badge Secretary:

• Pin Badge 23mm - £1.00
• Brooch - £1.50
• Blanket Badge woven 14x8cm  and Key ring - £2.00

Also World Scout products are now available:

• World Scout buckle bronze - £8.75
• World Scout buckle silver - £8.75
• World Scout Tie: smart two tone tie available in three colours with the world logo woven into the design - £17

Paches – firelighting

If you plan to use Paches to do fire lighting, please let Gary Baker know at least 7 days before the event.

Gary will notify the duty Rangers so that they are aware that Scouts are on site and therefore won’t call out the fire brigade if smoke is reported to them.

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

Copy for the next issue should be with the editor by

Thursday 27th October

We were sorry to hear of the recent death of Andy Humphrey, ASL at the 19th Wimbledon.
Andy had fought a long battle against ill health and will be missed by all those who knew him as a popular and active member of the group.

Our thoughts and prayers are with Andy’s family at this sad time.

South West London Gang Show - Souwest 2011

Tuesday 25th October to Saturday 29th October 2011

Secombe Theatre, Sutton

Tickets out now

85 members of Guiding and Scouting are already working hard at rehearsals for the South West London Gang Show –

Souwest 2011 - but none of this is worth it without an audience. This year we have £7 tickets across three performances and group rate also exists (buy 10 get one free) .

Fiona Auty, Souwest Gang Show