From Bob Prescott - District Commissioner

The months of discussion and planning are now over and the foundations for the new District are laid. Together, we now begin the building of the new Wimbledon and Wandle District to ensure we provide the very best for the young people in our community.

It will be a challenging time as we begin the task of reviewing all our Groups to ensure we can successfully deliver the new balanced programme. As a Movement we have been through some fundamental changes, we are just beginning to get these established and with further changes this year it will certainly be a challenging time.

If we all work together as one team, supporting each other, we have the opportunity to really make a difference. The key is to remember that Scouting really makes a difference to the lives of young people. We have a unique product that no other organisation has re-produced.

I had an interview with a senior Director of my company recently, and he saw on my CV my involvement with Scouting. He then spent the first ten minutes or so of my interview telling me how much Scouting had brought to his son and the difference it had made to him and how much respect he had for our Movement.

We so often forget the huge contribution we make. So be proud of what you have achieved, something that cannot be measured.

Inevitably we will reflect on the past as we contemplate the future. We can celebrate some real achievements and remember the people who have contributed so much.

At this merger a number of people have taken the opportunity to take a well-earned rest from active involvement in Scouting. I therefore take this opportunity on behalf of Laurence and myself of "Thanking" all those involved in Wandle District and Wimbledon and Merton District for the tremendous contribution they have made.

I believe the future looks very promising. We have a new programme, 2 new sections and a new uniform with a new Leader Training scheme to come. The two Districts also bring a wide degree of experience and facilities to this new District. I am very excited by the opportunities this will provide for us. I really look forward to getting to know all the Leaders in this new District and working together to make a difference.

Our goal has to be "better Scouting for more young people" let us all work positively  together to achieve this goal.

From John Smith - Chairman

A very warm welcome to a new newsletter for a new District.  

Lesley Bixby and her team have been hard at work preparing this newsletter in time for the merger. Together with the website (www.wimbledonandwandlescouts.org) which Paul Atkins has brought onto line, the newsletter will be vital in keeping us all up to date with the latest diary dates, news, reports etc..  Well done to all concerned.

The Executive Committee and it's Sub-committees for the new District are just about in place now, and I would like to thank all those who have agreed to be nominated for the various roles.  With almost all positions filled I am confident that we have a very capable team in place to take care of the administration side of running the District.

While we have been assembling the Executive Committee, Bob has been hard at work appointing his new District Team.  If you have tried unsuccessfully to contact Bob recently, it is probably because he has been attending more meetings per week than there are nights in a week! 

One of my tasks just prior to the merger has been to prepare the census for Wandle District.  I would therefore like to thank all the Wandle groups for returning their census forms very promptly, and so easing the task.

I look forward to meeting those of you who I do not yet know, and wish you all good luck and good Scouting in our new District.

We plan to cut down on the number of printed copies as much as possible, but communications are vital, especially with a new District, so we hope that we will be able to keep you all informed of what is going on in a way that suits you, the reader.

District Badge

Thank you to everyone who had a go at designing the new District badge.  The Steering Committee had a hard job choosing the best one and deciding who should receive the runners up prizes. 

The names of the winners are being announced at the Extraordinary General Meeting, but I have managed to sneak a preview of the badge which is reproduced below.

The badge depicts Mitcham lavender, the water mill in Morden Hall Park and Wimbledon's windmill and it complements the GLSW badge alongside it.

Beavers - Evelyn Steele (ADC Beavers)

Although a Diary of Events has been arranged for 2004, this was done before the formal amalgamation of the two Districts.   It is now quite clear that future District Events will need more thought and preparation because of the number of Beavers that could be involved and hopefully a Committee will be set up to discuss how we can achieve this.   I do not think that Leader Meetings will need to be changed too much, but certainly whole District Events will!

The first Beaver event of the new District:  the Park Place Restaurant has been booked for 16 Leaders to attend a dinner on 4 February, to be seated by 8 p.m.

I am sure we are all looking forward to the challenges ahead with the formation of the new Wimbledon and Wandle District and I wish all Colonies every success for 2004.

The District Teams and Cub Leaders of Wimbledon and Merton and those of Wandle have been liaising and attending meetings since September to get to know each other.  I have been surprised at the number of existing Scouting friendships across the districts made through other links such as training and the Gang Show to name but two.  We are already 'working' well together and have so far come up with the following dates:

Wednesday 10th March 2004, 8.30pm, Wandle District HQ - District CSLs' meeting for all Leaders, assistant Leaders and regular adult help.

Saturday 10th July 2004 (tbc) - Sports Day 

Saturday 2nd October 2004, 6pm to 9pm, Morden Swimming Baths - District Cub Gala (not combined with scouts)

If anyone has any burning issues to raise which can not wait until the 10th of March then contact any member of the District Cub Team, who can present the issue for discussion at the District Cub Team meeting, before the 17th February.

Our Troop Scouters' meeting at the beginning of January was well attended despite being held on what, for many, would have been the first working day after New Year and before any Troop nights would have been held. For most of us it was the first glimpse of our new colleagues from the other side of the District and it was good to hear of the wide range of activities and events that are being put on for the Scouts of Wimbledon and Wandle. While some of the Troops undoubtedly have problems it is important that we also highlight our successes and achievements, we should not be shy to promote ourselves and recognise that we are providing a valuable service to many young people in our target age range.

In merging the diaries of the two former Districts it is a healthy sign that the resulting list of activities is too great to accommodate within the time available. In order to identify which activities and events are most wanted by the Scouts and their leaders we will shortly be circulating a questionnaire. This will allow us to produce a diary of quality events that will be supported by the Scouts. Until this exercise is completed all diary dates as published will stand other than the Wandle Older Scouts Training Weekend which is cancelled until we can be certain that we understand what is wanted of it and have confidence that there is sufficient adult support available to run it properly.

The principle behind a District section schedule of events is to support the Troops in providing a balanced programme, the priority must therefore be to provide activity and skills opportunities that may otherwise not be available to all Scouts. Andy Edmonds, Tim Kerridge and myself will be working to identify the holes so that there is value in the District programme and to ensure that it makes best use of the time and resources available.

I look forward to visiting the Troops that I have not seen before and to catching up with the others.

We have a great opportunity to pool the resources of the two Districts and should take advantage of being able to change the way we operate to establish a better standard of Scouting for more young people. Please let me know what the Scout Section Team can do to help your Troop.

The coming together of Wandle and Wimbledon gives a large opportunity for Explorer Scouting to flourish even more so than it has in the past. I am aware that within the new District geographical coverage of units is not uniform and we have some work to do to re establish Scouting for this age group in some areas.

What we do have is four great units already in place and we are looking for them to work in increasing collaboration.

The three units from Wimbledon and Merton worked hard before Christmas to put on their revue.  A large number of people attended this extravaganza and were fed at the same time. Acts included sketches and dancing on stage together with various bands.  I know the Explorers were nervous before they went on stage. So well done to all involved and thanks to the usual group of leaders and supporters for working so hard to make it happen!

The Raynes Park Unit spent its traditional period of between Christmas and New Year away in the mountains. This year they headed to the Peak District where cold, crisp days were enjoyed by all.

Neil McLauchlan stood down as Leader of the Raynes Park Unit at new year after 17 years at the helm.  I know I join with many past members in thanking Neil and his wife Pam for all of the hours of hard work put in.  However I am very pleased to say that he has agreed to stay on within the District team.

For Scout Leaders looking for links to Explorer Units please feel free to contact myself, Neil or Dick Hooper who is the District Explorer Scout Administrator.  We look forward to working with you.

What do we do:-  We have many activities from helping with Groups when they need help to staffing the Morden Craft Fair in Morden Hall Park over the May Bank Holiday 1st - 2nd - 3rd May.

Other events include, for the first time, Dog Racing at Wimbledon on 6th March the cost is £20 for 12 or more this includes a three course meal and the evening is open to anyone who would like to go.

Spring Hike 28th March - Beetle Drive and Fish & Chip supper 21st April - Evening Ramble 14th May - our Summer Meal 12th June and of course the famous B-B-Q on 17th July. Worked into this programme are the Sunday evening Ten Pin Bowling and Friday evening Green Bowls.

We ended 2003 with our usual Xmas Party - thank you to Jean and David for the splendid refreshments and to Bill and Enid for the games.  By the time you read this we will have had our next event, our New Year Meal, which we hope will be just as successful. 

A reminder that our next event is Ten Pin Bowling on Sunday 8th February - 7.00 for 7.30 pm. - at the David Lloyd Centre.   Names to Bill by Saturday, 31st January please.


We look forward to another busy year ahead and hope our new friends from Wimbledon will be able to join us for many of our functions and events.

If anybody would like to join the Fellowship or come along to any of the events please contact Bill Vaudrey.

Scout Band

Badges

Wimbledon and Wandle will have two badges secretaries and a choice of ways in which you can purchase your badges.

Mary White will continue to sell badges every Thursday during term time at the District Store.  Scouters can just turn up and buy their badges, using either cash or cheque.  Groups/Sections can also have accounts with her: a payment is made and the cost of badges offset against this - Mary will let you know when you need to top it up.  This is especially useful when you want badges sent by post (the cost of the stamp will be included on your invoice).

Kath McLauchlan sells the badges from her home and can be contacted by phone or post.

Security

Recently a Leader found a key fob at the DHQ in Morden Hall Park marked 'Wandle Scouts'.  There were no keys on it.  If you hold the keys to any Scout building, please treat them with the same discretion that you would your own house keys and do not name them in any way. 

New at Outdoors

Camp bank cards are available once again  - £2 for a pack of 20.

World Scout Jigsaw (1000 pieces) - £8.50

These items can be ordered from Brian.

If you need a new flag for St George's Day, your order must be with Brian before half term.

Please note that the Store will be closed on Thursday 19th February for half term and again on 8th and 15th April for the Easter holidays.

Appointments Sub-committee

Until the new committee are able to convene a meeting to discuss the way forward for appointment, all requests for warrant applications and CRB forms should go to Joan Burgess.

Watch this space - you will be kept informed!

Scavenger Challenge 2004

The Scout Group which is based in Great Ormond Street Hospital is challenging members of the Movement aged over 13 to take part in their Scavenger hunt - answering questions and collecting wacky objects from around London - on Sunday 28th March.  Visit www.17thholborn.org.uk to find out more.

Tours of BBC TV Centre

If you would like a free tour of the Television Centre for your members during the school holidays, contact 0870 6030304.  The tours normally take place twice a day on Thursdays.  They last approx. 1½ hours and are free to charities. 

First Aid Courses at Wimbledon Park in 2004

Here is your chance to learn the basics in first aid on a Royal Yachting Association approved first aid course. The 8 hour basic certificate will cover resuscitation, the recovery position and treatment of the most common injuries such as bleeding, breaks and burns. This course is suitable for people who need a First Aid certificate to validate other qualifications such as Sports Leaders Awards. It is also suitable for people planning expeditions as part of the Duke of Edinburgh's Award, or working with children at play schemes or in the voluntary sector.

Candidates need to purchase the up to date 8th edition First Aid Manual as approved by the St. John's Ambulance, British Red Cross and St. Andrews Ambulance. These can be bought in advance, or off the instructor on the day, you need to let the centre know at least 1 week in advance if you want to purchase the book from the instructor.

If you have your own group of 6 people or more you can arrange your own dates with us, and get 1 free place. Maximum group size of 12, with 2 free places. Courses can also be split over 2 half days or 4 sessions, if that is more convenient.

The course is run by a leader in Wimbledon who works at Wimbledon Park on the water facility and is qualified both in Boating and First Aid Training.  Also there would almost certainly be a reduction in fees for Scout people if they say they are from Wimbledon and Wandle.

Courses cost £40 

Details from Erica Bishop at Wimbledon Park Boating Centre 020 8947 4894 e-mail wimbledonpark@hotmail.com

First Aid at Section Meetings

The London Ambulance Service will come and visit Section meetings to teach CPR to any age - they do a short course for the under 10s but will run a full 2 hour session for Scouts and Explorers.  There is no charge. Contact them on 020 7463 3120.

Training

Diary Dates