Diary Dates

Appointments Committee

Congratulations to the following Leaders who have now had their full warrants approved:

• Andrew Hayward (GSL), 1st Lower Morden

• Chris Hobbs (GSL), 8th Morden

• Andrew Dunfield-Prayero (ESL), Cannon Hill Lane Unit.

7 Provisional Certificates have been issued and 7 Worker Certificates.
Three warrants have been cancelled- thanks to these Leaders for their work with the Movement.

Nights Away Procedures
To hold a nights away activity you MUST have
1. An appropriate Nights Away Permit Holder at the camp.

• The permit must be current

• The permit must be at the appropriate level: green field, site only etc.

2. The Permit Holder must complete and submit a Nights Away Notification (NAN) form preferably 14 days prior to the event.  All forms must be submitted to Keith Daly.

3. All groups undertaking a Nights Away event must have immediate access to someone holding First Response. This need not be the permit holder.

4. Home Contacts must 

• be contactable day and night

• not be related to or emotionally involved with any member of the party; (this causes the most problems!)

• be in possession of the names and addresses of the next of kin of each member of the party and how to contact them

• know how to contact the party and home Scout authorities

• be aware of the outline plans for the activity.

Further details are contained in the factsheet FS120078 Home Contact available from the Scout Information Centre on the link below.

5. Although not strictly required, you should inform your GSL.

There have now been changes to the scheme which are summarised here
1. It is now a national requirement to hold a first aid qualification, as your warrant requires
2. A photo on the permit is not required
3. A fourth category has been introduced: Lightweight Expedition
4. The Nights Away permit is not the same as Module 16. There is no requirement to have done Module 16 to get a Nights Away permit neither does validating Module 16 automatically gain you a Nights Away permit.

Clarification -  the permit holder needs to be on site, as a minimum, during the time that provision is made for young people to be sleeping overnight.
The permit holder remains responsible for the event at all times.

Mary White
It was good to see so many people at the memorial service for Mary, though a shame more could not join the family afterwards at Bow Lane.  Thanks to Angela (9th Wimbledon) for the refreshments and to the members of the 1st Lower Morden who set up, served drinks, washed up and tidied up all afternoon.
If anyone else would like to send in donations to John Young it is not too late  and he would like to thank everyone through these pages for their generosity.  The Executive, in conjunction with Mary's family, will decide what is the best memorial to her.

District Store
The Store will be closed for half term on 25th October.

There are currently some Centenary scarves in stock and most of the Centenary memorabilia should be available until the end of the year (or until stocks run out).

Appointment Cards
The new appointment cards are being issued with this month's Scouting.  Credit card sized, they are replacing the existing Warrant card and everyone who has a role in Scouting will get one.

Live 07 - 24th November
Are you going to Live 07 at the 02 Dome?  There are still some tickets left for both the afternoon and evening shows, so it is not too late to book.

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.

Events will include 

• The Maze: live actors, great effects and smells

• The Walk: gruesome stories of the campsite's past while you wander along paths that are rarely trod

• UV rifles

• Halloween fun in the Medieval fort

and much, much more.  All this for only £15.

Contact details for more information are available on the link below.

Air Beds
The air beds which were used by our visitors before the Jamboree are now available for sale through the Store, price £10 each.

Morden Hall DHQ Keys
Cliff Condon is still trying to compile a list of key holders for the DHQ.  Please let him know if you have a set of keys and, if you held them for a one off event which is now past, please return them asap.
Some members of the District, usually ADCs, hold keys to enable them to run their Section meetings etc.  If you have a set which you don't now use, please return them and if you feel you ought to have keys, let Cliff know.

It would be of great benefit to all users of the DHQ if a list of keyholders could be put together and updated regularly.

Just a reminder that the Activity Day on Sunday 14th October is only two weeks away.  Please can all colonies phone or e-mail Linda Vaudrey with confirmation of their numbers by Tuesday 2nd October.
Any extra Adult help would be welcomed.
Don't forget to bring your cardboard tube kitchen rolls.  Thank you.

The next meeting is on the 21st November 2007 at Morden Hall, DHQ at 8pm.
It would be nice if at least one member from each Colony could be represented at the meeting. Thank you.

Handicraft competition - 18th November at 22nd Wimbledon HQ. Details re costs and materials required will be issued shortly.  All entries for this competition must be received by 2nd November.  If anyone has any junk modeling items they can donate for this event, can they please bring them to the next CSL Meeting.

It is proposed that the District hold an event to cover the cyclists badge in the New Year.  We need to know roughly how many Cubs would be interested and a memo regarding this event will be issued shortly.  Please do reply to this, as Merton Council need to know estimated numbers to enable them to plan the event and make sure they have enough personnel available on the day.

It was great to see so many Troops represented at the recent meeting.  I think we managed to make real progress with the diary for next year.

Our next meeting is on 21st November at the 6/12th Mitcham, Glebe Court and includes a Christmas curry.  This has been sponsored so there is no cost but, please, let me know by 11 November if you will be there, for catering purposes.

Don't forget to check with Andy Ellam (8th Wimbledon) if your Scouts would like to take part in the watersports weekend.

I have had some interest shown in the Canal Boat experience - if you would like to be involved give me a call and we will put it together.

Don't forget if you would like someone to help with a session on Scouting skills to let Tim, Dave H or myself know.

Welcome to another exciting term of Explorer Scouting. Please invite one of our team to your next meeting. There will be a District meeting in the very near future.

Until then details of events as listed below:

1) County Explorer Scout Night Hike 2007
This event is still on. We have confirmation from DEFRA that we are OK to use footpaths & bridleways in the chosen area. Please get your entries into me now!
Sat 13th - Sun 14th October, First group check in @ 7.00pm
Teams of 4-6 Explorer Scouts hiking between checkpoints

2) County Explorer Scouts mountaineering weekend - 2007
Sunday 21st October (pre-meet 2.30pm to 5.00pm)
Friday 26th to Sunday 28th October
This is an activity weekend held in the North Wales mountains open to all Explorer Scouts, staying at the County Activity Base at Bethesda in North Wales. The weekend's programme will include hill walking, rock climbing, abseiling and various instructional sessions.

3) The Scout Section needs our help at their Incident Hike. We need Explorer Scouts to walk with the Scout teams to assist (if required) with map work.
This is will be based around Boidierhurst, Box Hill, on Sunday 4th November. Please contact Dave Bixby now if you are able to help.

4) County Orienteering Competition - Banstead Woods

Sunday 2nd December
Details from me or Ron Welbrook 

I hope to see you at these events.

Firstly, congratulations to Lucy McLauchlan who has been awarded her Explorer  Belt following a successful expedition by cycle in The Netherlands during  September.

Unfortunately, we were unable to field a crew in the National Dragonboat Races, but our rowers completed the Great River Race from Richmond to Greenwich for the second consecutive year in 'Dorney' finishing 241st out of a field of almost 300. Rowing seems to have caught on this summer with several evening sessions on the Thames thanks to Petersham & Ham Scout Group. I feel the formation  of a Water Activities Specialist Scout Network cannot be far away!

There was a good Scout Network turnout from GLSW at the Gilwell  Reunion,  which again benefited from warm dry days and cool dry nights, and a good supply  of 'orange juice' in the marquee. I hope this tradition of attending will continue well into the future as it provides a good opportunity for building  Network camaraderie across the County, and there are some great activities and  workshops too.

We have had to postpone the Network 7's until March 16th, and hope this time of year will be easier for Networks to select teams and arrange some practice.

As we head towards the end of our Centenary Year there are a number of events of note. We are seeking at least 2 more Queen's Scouts for the Remembrance Parade at the Cenotaph on November 11th. If you would like to be considered, please contact Hannah Gordon via the GLSW Network page on the link below.

The Greater London Network Ball takes place at BP House on December 15th, and our New Year's Eve 'Bash' is at Walton Firs. Tickets for this are available for £15, and this includes buffet supper, camp-over, and brunch on New Year's Day. Bring your own 'orange juice' !

The first event of 2008 is the Over 18's Volleyball Competition on Friday January 25th in Sutton. Why not make up a Local Network team for this or join  forces with other GLSW Scout Network members?

As always keep looking at www.glswscouts.org.uk/network

I think we all enjoyed the lighthearted evening we spent at the 'Music Hall', performed by the Croydon Stagers, on Thursday 6th September.

Good luck to Wendy and Brian Beckley who have now moved to the coast.

A few of us where able to attend the memorial service for Mary White at St Lawrence's. It was a fitting way to remember such a kind lady who had given so much over the years.

On Tuesday, 18th September we held our formal meeting at the Morden Hall DHQ.   It was good to see so many members and friends turn out for the private eye speaker. Thanks to Bill and Enid for arranging such a pleasant evening.

We have a fairly quiet time coming up. If you are interested in a visit to the pantomime please contact Dave Gould.

REMINDER - Wednesday 7th November - Beetle Drive and fish 'n chip supper.  7.30 p.m. start at the Morden Hall DHQ.  Please let me know, by Friday 2nd November if you are able to come and give me your fish order.  Many thanks.

The 3rd Mitcham Go On National TV 
When the 3rd Mitcham Beavers, Cubs and Scouts visited the Jamboree in July, they were approached by H.Q. media team. They said that we were just the type of Group that they were looking for to be filmed by the BBC Newsround programme.

When the film crew arrived they asked if they could film the boys and girls trying out some of the different activities and events that were available. They also went on the stage with some of the Scouts staying at the Jamboree and played the drums with them. Several of the Beavers and Cubs were interviewed by one of the presenters of the programme who the young people recognised but the leaders didn't!

The programme was to promote Scouting throughout the UK. Skip then had to telephone all the parents whose children were at the Jamboree to get them to record Newsround so that they would not miss their kids on TV, as we were travelling home when the programme was broadcast.

The programme went out that afternoon but was edited. The BBC are going to send the Group an uncut version of the filmed visit so that we can all see the cut interviews and activities that were not shown.

Everyone who went on the visit had a fantastic time and said that one day was not enough to experience the Jamboree.

3rd Mitcham are going to the Live-07 Festival of Scouting at the 02 Arena so maybe we shall be filmed again - you never know!