Diary Dates

Swimming Gala - Michèle McNamara ADCCS

With our biggest entry ever to the gala, I must thank all the team of people who ran the gala. If we could just get Leaders to read the rules and hand their entries in on time, things could run more smoothly.  Please pass on your comments/suggestions for next year's gala at your section meetings.

Congratulations to the winners:

• Cubs - 22nd Wimbledon

• Scouts - 23rd Mitcham

• Group - 23rd Mitcham

• GTT - 1st Lower Morden

Full result sheets were handed out at the DHQ on Thursday 18th October and sent with certificates to those who had won. However should anyone else require them, please either see the District website or contact me.

Fire Safety - Bernard Reeves, H&S Officer
Did you know that the Government has made YOU (a Leader and Manager) responsible for the management of fire safety in your Group.

If your Group uses a church hall or school then the owners have the responsibility to see that the premises conform with the safety requirements BUT you still need a fire risk assessment and to be aware of the requirements.

If your Group owns the premises in which you meet, failure to comply with the requirements could result in the Fire Authority CLOSING YOUR HQ.

Please don't panic, by reading this you have taken the first step in finding out what is required. Over the next month your Group/GSL will receive a pack that will help you and your Group to fulfill the requirements.

For your own safety and that of the young people in your charge please make sure that you take the necessary actions to comply.

Badges - Lesley Bixby
Wanted:  someone who can help out by standing in for me on odd occasions when I cannot get to the Store on a Thursday evening.
As with everything in Scouting, full training will be given.
The travel company has changed our flights for our winter holiday, so we are going Thursday to Thursday which means I shall miss two weeks - hence my plea for a stand-in!  If you could help, please ring me or see me at the Store.

Sainsbury's
Sainsbury's supported our Centenary year by inviting Scout Groups to raise funds and awareness of what Scouting is all about in their stores during the week 3-9 October.
Only a few Groups in Wimbledon and Wandle took part, but those who did found it very profitable - one Group raised over £900 bag packing in one of the smaller stores on the Saturday.

Membership Cards
Everyone should have their new membership card by now.
If your details need changing, please contact the District Secretary, Sue Southwood, in writing either to her home address or by email.

Following the successful and enjoyable visit by the band to the District centenary camp we have been pleased by the interest shown, and have in fact gained some new members as a result.

Our membership is therefore now up to twenty, plus a few more currently away at university.

In August we were honoured to be asked to become part of a mass band to play at the closing ceremony of the World Jamboree at Chelmsford.  We joined with 1st Wallington and 2nd Hook bands for a series of practices in the preceding weeks.  On the day of our visit the weather was hot and sunny, and we had the opportunity to tour some of the site, and to have a final practice.  Unfortunately as the time for the closing ceremony approached, so did the rain.  We got very wet, but still had a great time playing in front of many thousands of Scouts from all over the world.  Our biggest gig yet!

For an even bigger gig, we are delighted to be taking part in this year's Lord Mayor's Show on 10th November.  Again, this will be part of a mass band.  As well as 1st Wallington and 2nd Hook, there will also be 1st Hook and Kingston and Malden bands.  These are two of the finest Scout bands in the country, and with our combined total of approximately one hundred and fifty people, we intend to fly the flag for Greater London South West.  Look out for us on TV on the day, or for a better view, come up to London and see us and the rest of the parade.

Before we have had a chance to recover from the Lord Mayors' Show, on the following morning we will be leading the Remembrance Parade for the Royal British Legion in Mitcham.  I will almost be glad when Monday comes and I can go back to work for a rest!

Once this series of major events is over, we will return to the task of recruiting new members.  Please give me a call if you would like some members of the band to visit your pack or troop meeting.  We can provide an interesting addition to your programme and we may recruit some new members at the same time.

John Smith  -  Bandmaster

Morden Park Choral Society Carol Concert - 8th December

Can you help with the refreshments at the annual Carol Concert in St John's Church, High Path?  The concerts take place at 1.45 and 7.15pm on 8th December.  If you are available, please contact Brian Whalebone.

Training Modules 2007

All modules will be held at the Bow Lane Scout Centre

Until a new Training Manager has been appointed, please contact Joan Condon regarding your training needs.

Just to say Thank You to all that attended and helped out at the Activity Day on Sunday 14th October. The afternoon went well with the Beavers enjoying themselves.

Any ideas for a District day out for next year?

Next Meeting 21st November 2007.

The next CSL meeting is November 14th at Morden Hall Park DHQ.  Please bring with you any items for junk modelling you have for the handicraft competition, which is being held on 18th November.  Don't forget entries for this competition should be with me by 2nd November, late entries will not allowed this year.

Cyclist Badge - Each Pack should have received information regarding this proposed event to be held in March 2008, if you haven't please let me know.

Our CSLs' meeting in January will be held at 22nd Wimbledon please make a note of this and further information will be issued nearer the time.

It was good to see 10 teams from 9 Troops entered on quiz night.  I would like to thank the 5th Morden for their hospitality on the night.

The 6/12th Mitcham Jokers managed to retain their title with 46 points and the 19th Wimbledon were runners up with 38 points. Full results on the link below.
Next year, due to popular demand, the quiz will take place on Friday 3rd October at the 22nd Wimbledon's HQ.

I was also amazed to hear that 11 Troops had entered the swimming gala - the most I have ever seen - despite the clash with England playing France in the Rugby World Cup.  Not everyone had full teams but that does not matter, so long as all the Scouts who wanted to take part had the opportunity.

There has had to be a slight change to the date for the Karting event in May.  The venue changed their mind and now will not let us have our karting session on an evening because they can make a lot more money from corporate events.  Ours will take place on the Saturday afternoon, 31 May.  Details of this and all other activities will be in the Book of Events, due to be issued in the new year.

I have not had the mark ups of the District Directory from a few Troops.  Please get them to me as soon as possible then we can issue a Scout section contact list with the Event Book.

As Christmas is fast approaching, if you plan to join us for the curry at the next meeting on 21 November at the 6/12th Mitcham, please contact me as soon as possible to book a place.  It's free, but we need to give the caterers a chance!  We will keep the business meeting as brief as possible so that the festivities can commence quite early.

We seem to have a very quiet time coming up.  Our next event is the Beetle Drive and Fish 'n Chip supper on Wednesday, 7th November at the Wandle DHQ, 7.30 p.m. start.  Fish orders to me please, a.s.a.p..   I think the fish prices may have gone up - I will check!

The committee will have met again by the 7th and we hope to be able to give you more details of forthcoming events then.

Congratulations to Scouts from the 8th Wimbledon Group 

Thirteen Scouts from the 8th Wimbledon took part in the 40th Sussex Downsman Hike at the beginning of October.  The nine younger members of the team did a 15 mile hike across the South Downs while the 4 older members (aged 12 and 13) completed the whole 26 mile course.  They finished in darkness at the Devil's Dyke, absolutely delighted that, after 12 hours, they had completed the course.

This is a major event which is open to Scouts and Guides from all over the country.  There is support team of 200 hundred and 25 check points to make sure no-one gets lost.  Scout Leader Andy Ellam thanked everyone involved in the organisation of the event and congratulated his Scouts on their achievement.