Diary Dates

District Commissioner

I hope that everyone has had a good summer break and that your summer camps/activities were successful. I look forward to hearing about these in due course.

August is a time when we can recharge the batteries ready for the new autumn term to start. As ever I have been kept very busy but still managed time to get to Rome for a week. You will all need lots of energy as our centenary year fast approaches in fact it is only 18 weeks time. I cannot emphasise enough how important this will be for Scouting and the part we can all play in it is vitally important.

I have also had good news regarding 36th Mitcham's old HQ. I have received confirmation that the site is to be redeveloped with 200 homes and plans include the provision of a new Scout HQ/Community centre. This is a really exciting development opportunity and I am discussion with the Developer and one of our Scout Groups to ensure we both get what we want and we have a Group to take occupation.

We have agreed to accommodate a Jamboree Unit at Bow Lane for Home Hospitality. The County Commissioner has advised me that this will be prior to the Jamboree; 24-27th July and it will be a Unit from Chile. This is also an exciting prospect and again detailed planning can commence with the host Group 1st Lower Morden and others from around the District. I especially want to involve those who are not participating in the Jamboree.

I am delighted that so many in the District will be involved in the Jamboree at Hylands Park. I have certainly signed a good deal of forms.

Would all members who have applied for IST and received confirmation please let me know as soon as possible. I want to have a database of all those from the District who are attending. I already have the 12 young participants and their Contingent Leaders so you need not worry; this request is primarily directed at all the others who have applied for IST places. Please let me know by the end of September even if you haven't yet received confirmation.

Keith Daly and I will be attending the National Conference at Warwick University at the end of September and we will report back on the weekend in due course. If there is any particular information you would like to obtain then please let us know. I will have the dubious privilege of attending the National AGM for the first time representing the County.

Bob Prescott

Promise Renewal Ceremony

Wimbledon Common Conservators have agreed to our request to hold our Scouting Sunrise Ceremony at the Windmill on Wimbledon Common on 1st August 2007. The detailed planning of the event will now start in earnest.

Meeting for Group Officials

The proposed Chairman's/Secretary's/Treasurers evening on 18th September has had to be postponed.  Bob has not yet arranged an alternative venue or date.  It will be held later in the year and the details will be announced as soon as possible.

Swimming Gala

By the time you read this all Cub and Scout Leaders should have received paperwork relating to the forthcoming gala on October 7th.

Entries forms for the gala must reach Michèle McNamara by October 5th, no entries will be allowed after that date.  If you haven't received the details,  please call Michèle and let her know.

If there are any Groups with surplus adults who would be willing to help at the gala, could they please contact Michèle as soon as possible.

Remember - you are only allowed 1 adult per section and 1 team leader per group poolside. 

Service Team

Bentley Copse are looking for new Crew members and, if you have a current shooting or archery qualification, you'll be really popular!
For further information contact Julie or Graham Anker, Wardens on 01483 202424 or warden@bentleycopse.fsnet.co.uk 

District Store

The Store re-opens on Thursday 14th September 7.45pm to 9.15pm.  

Commission cheques have gone out to Groups in the last few days - the more you use the Store, the more you earn for your Group.
Store details here

County Training for 2006/2007 - Brian Beckley

All at Bow Lane Centre, Bow Lane, Morden.

First module on date is morning; last module on date is afternoon. Please check middle modules with your Local Training Manager.

First Aid Training:
Contact Janet Drinkall for information 

9.00am to 5.00pm and cost £15.

Cubs - Michèle McNamara (ADC Cubs)

Welcome back after the summer break, I hope those of you who went on camp had a good time.

I recently sent out with the minutes for July a diary of dates for the coming year, please make a note of these, so that your Pack doesn't miss any of the deadlines. These dates on also on the Wimbledon & Wandle District website here.

I'm still waiting for your feedback on district camp, questionnaires were sent out some time ago; to date only two people have responded.  Graham Fairclough would also like copies of any pictures taken at camp so that he can put together a CD for everyone who wants one.

Finally the winners of the balloon race at camp were as follows: -

Prizes were sent to their Cub Leaders. 

The winner for the adults/Leaders/Explorers was Michael Rogerson whose balloon reached Chelmsford.

Scouts - Liz Laverick (ADC Scouts)

I have heard many reports of enjoyable Summer Camps.  I hope some of these reports and photos make it into Links or onto the website and don't just become routine feedback at Leaders' meetings.

Our next Troop Leaders' Meeting will be Thursday 14th September 2006 at 8pm; the host venue will be the Committee room at Bow Lane.  Please send apologies, reports and/or agenda items to Tim or Liz ASAP.

Our first District event is the Quiz Night on Wednesday 20th September at 7.30 for prompt start at 7.45pm; the venue will be the 5th Morden.  Bring Q and A for one round to the Troop Leaders' meeting.

Mission Improbable is the first County Event but the closing date was June; too late now for the Scouts but Leaders could still get valuable experience by offering to help or observe.

I look forward to an exciting year ahead! 

Explorers - Neil McLauchlan (DESC)

Explorer Diary Dates:

September

Wed 13th           Wimbledon (Edge Hill) ESU AGM, Wimbledon College School Hall, Edge Hill, 7.30pm start, Uniform

Fri 15th              District Presentation Evening, Old Rutlishians, Club House, upper hall, Poplar Road, Merton Park, 7.30pm, Uniform

Sat 16th             Merton Park ESU Kenya Launch & Fundraiser, St Mary's Church Hall, Merton Park 7.30pm, Not uniform

Tues 26th           Leaders Meeting for Warrants & Training updates, Wandle HQ, 8.00pm, Not uniform

Wed 27th           2007 Camp meeting, 11th Mitcham HQ, 8.00pm, not uniform

October

Sat-Sun 14th-15th     County Explorer Scout Night Hike

Network - Chris Dean

On consecutive weekends during July Network members from GLSW held their annual Conference at Walton Firs; took part in the MS Challenge to raise funds for the Sutton & Croydon MS Therapy Centre; and completed the 3 Peaks Challenge in the Yorkshire Dales, climbing Pen y Ghent, Whernside and Ingleborough in a little over 13 hours. Photos from these activities and others can be found on our County website.

This summer there have been expeditions far and wide, to Lithuania, Nepal and The Seychelles, and this illustrates the growing appeal of International Scouting for the senior sections in particular. 8 Explorers and Network Scouts from Wimbledon & Wandle were among 17 who successfully achieved their Explorer Belts, which were presented at a special reception hosted by HM Consul at the British Embassy in Vilnius.

Meanwhile in Wales two Network members looked after 14 children from Belarus who were on an activity week during their recuperative stay in the UK. At the same time I was in Minsk (Belarus) visiting a children's hospital and hospice for a future Network humanitarian aid project.

A new Committee was elected at the Network Conference, and this meets on September 11 at Bow Lane, 8pm. If anyone would like to be co-opted to the Committee please let me know.

Network members have chosen to be invested in a number of locations recently - at Walton Firs, the British Embassy in Vilnius, and the Neasden Temple. We are arranging a special 'investiture' on Brownsea Island next May.

Going forward there is much planned for the remainder of 2006, and during 2007 of course. In the immediate future we have an entry in this year's Great River Race (September 16) on the Thames, and an expedition week for Queen's Scout and DofE Gold candidates at October half-term. There are a few spare places available for the latter - please book online at www.glswscouts.org.uk/network

Also posted on the County website is initial information about the proposed Network Expedition to Nepal in 2008 or 2009.  If you are interested in taking part, please register as indicated.

Calling Queen's Scouts and Would-be Queen's Scouts

There is to be a selection of the Colour Party, Section Leaders and Readers for next year's Windsor Parade. If you are an Explorer Scout or Scout Network member and also a Queen's Scout or will complete the Award by April 2007, you are eligible.
The selection process will take place in November and December.

For further information contact Chris Dean (tel 01883 723081)

Fellowship - Linda Vaudrey

We hope everyone had an enjoyable summer.

Many thanks to Jean and Dave Gould for the splendid BBQ.  Even the weather was kind.

Forthcoming Events

Don't forget Tuesday, 19th September at Wandle DHQ, 7.30 for 8 p.m. - speaker on 'Dactylography'.  Please let Bill know whether you will be there for what will be an interesting evening.  Light refreshments will be available.

Our Autumn Walk is scheduled to take place on Sunday 8th October.  Please contact Rob for further details.

We look forward to another busy and successful year.

Scouting Proverbs

As printed in The Book of Scouting published to celebrate the Diamond Jubilee in 1967: