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A news letter of Great North Scouting |
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Closing date for next edition Saturday 31st December |
December 2005 Edition 1 Issue 7 |
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From Your Editor
At this time of year, it always seems to be a problem to find something new to say. But this year it is a little easier, when we find some areas, have “banned” Christmas, and called it something else. We have “seasonable greetings” and “winter lights”, and lots of other things in deference to other religions.
Funny thing is, that many of our other fellow human beings who may be Muslims, Jews, Hindus and many other religious bodies, enjoy the Christmas customs of Christians. After all, lights and greetings have nothing to do with being a Christian, and if nothing else matters, Christmas time is a time when we do forget our animosities, and bid a Happy Christmas to all and sundry.
So in a world that has had many problems this year with Earthquakes, floods etc, I find no difficulty in wishing everyone- no matter what persuasion- a very happy, joyful Christmas, with a healthy, and above all, peaceful 2006.
Laugh with Bill
A chap bought a second hand car from a garage, but went back complaining saying the car was no good. The salesman asked what was wrong with it.
The man replied that it only gets up to 75 on Denton Bank.
`Blimey ` said the salesman, `what more do you want from a second hand car ?`
The man replied “ I live at No 97 ” !!!
Congratulations
| All Saints Beavers
Outdoor Challenge - Sophie Smith, Arthur Thorpe, Philip Christian, Fraser Moore, Stephen Parkin. Charlie Moorin, Ben Proctor, Thomas Proudfoot, Abishek Kamath Staged Activity Swimming Level 1 - Abishek Kamath, Philip Christian, Arthur Thorpe, Thomas Proudfoot S/A Musician Level 1 - Philip Christian Arthur Thorpe, Charlie Moorin Joining in Year 1 - Abishek Kamath S/A Information Technology Level1 - Sophie Smith, Jonathon Mackenzie Thomas Proudfoot Faith Badge - Philip Christian, Jonathon Mackenzie Experiment Badge - Jonathon Mackenzie Animal Friend Badge - Sophie Smith Nights Away (1) - Sophie Smith Membership Award - Octavia Hargrove Andrew Wilson, Luke Hardy, Christopher Brooker, Ritvik Uppal All Saints Cub Pack Camper - Henry Everton,George Dobinson Nights Away (1) - Thomas Rayner, Nick Partington,Tom Jackson, Ben Collerton, Jack Cater-Burlinson, Stephen Hierons, Christopher Hierons, Oliver Smith, Thomas Moorin, James Myers, Jamie Montague Richard Briggs, Jonathon McHugh, Edward Langley, Tony JimenezMoving on - Thomas Rayner Membership Award - Josh Parker, Jamie Butcher, Tom Jackson, Oliver Smith, Ben Collerton Scout Mate - Edward Langley My Faith - Thomas Langley, Ben Talbot Thomas Moorin. Josh Parker Cyclist - Thomas Moorin |
Brunton Park Cub Pack Caring Challenge - Elliott Foster Fitness Challenge - Sam Berry, Daniel Campbell, Connor Chapman, Jack Cornell, Aidan Finden, Elliott Foster, Sam O`Neil, Connor Gaffney, Jonathon Lewis, Andrew Lisle, Matthew Long, Lewis Wake, George Porton, Tom Punshon, Craig Wright Mackenzie Smith, Bryn Tennant, Ethan Tennant, Anthony Thompson, Stephen Thompson, Michael Waddell, Cai Younger Athletics Badge - Jonathon Lewis Artist Badge - Sam Berry Book Reader - Matthew Long, Michael Waddell Chef Badge - Michael WaddellCollector - Craig Wright Entertainer - Matthew Long Nights Away (5) - James Coulson Nights Away (1) - Sam Berry Daniel Campbell, Jack Cornell, David Coulson,Sam O`Neil, Aidan Finden, Elliott Foster, Cai Younger, Jonathon Lewis, Andrew Lisle, Matthew Long, Stephen Thompson, Craig Wright Swimming Level 3 - Daniel Campbell, Cai Younger, Thomas Punshon, New Sixers - Andrew Lisle, Anthony Thompson Craig Wright New Seconders - Connor Gaffney, Jonathon Lewis Central Gosforth Middle School Beavers Computer Stage 1 - Tom Craven, James Elliott Swimming Stage 2 - Fenwick Spence. Hilton Spence |
DC`s Report
The Pauline Armstong Trophy was held on the 11 th November. The winners were the 49 th Newcastle (Robert Stewart Memorial). This is only District organised event for the Beaver Scout Section and is a collage competition. The competition is held in memory of Pauline Armstrong who was a Beaver Scout Leader at the 82 nd(St James and St Basil), and apart from the actual competition, there was a night of games organised for the Beaver Scouts. If your Beaver Scouts were not there, please make sure next years date goes into your programme, a good way of Beaver Scouts getting to know each other.
A final appeal for designs for the District badge is made with a definite closing date of December 30th, 2005. Designs (which can be made even by the parents), should be made to Kath Tyson.
Remembrance Sunday. Thank you to all the groups who took part in local services. I joined Central Gosforth Scouts in Central Park Gosforth. This is the first year that they had been invited and they certainly represented the Scout Movement in a positive manner.
Finally, may I take this opportunity of wishing you all a Merry Christmas and a Happy and Healthy 2006. Thank you all for all you have done for the Scouting in Great North Scout District and all that you plan to do over the coming year.
Kath Tyson DC
Round the Groups |
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Newbiggin Hall GroupOur Hallowe`en went with a SCREEAAAMMM!!!, and all the Cubs and Scouts got into the spirit of the night by dressing up.If Hollywood needs any monsters they don`t have to look any further than Newbiggin Hall. Abi Crawford (as a pumpkin) and Ryan McGee (as a devil) won the best dressed competition. Akela as a Skip as a Vampire deserve a special mention as does Sue for slaving away in the kitchen all day making the food for the party Now that the dark nights are with us, we thought it would be a good time to talk about safety in the home, and the cubs put on a small show on one of 3 aspects of fire safety. The acting was outstanding, and Connor Billcliffes fire engine impersonation deserves a special mention. It was loud –if not accurate. We are now gearing up towards Christmas and our Christingle Service. Finally, we have changed our night to a Thursday. We control access to the site from 17.30 and please note, we lock the gates at 1805. Jimmy Gibbons |
Gosforth Central All Saints CubsAll Saints `cubs have been busy planting bulbs and polishing the brasses at All Saints`. At another meeting the Vicar showed us around the church and we finished the tour with a climb to the top of the church tower, past the bells, through the hatchways and finally emerging on the roof to see Newcastle by night far down below. It was a sight that silenced even the noisy cubs. We were welcomed back to the tower on Bonfire Night to hold a Promise Ceremony, with a splendid backdrop of fireworks exploding north, south, east and west of us. We tried to re-write the history of the Gunpowder plot, but Akela and her team of parents foiled the devious schemes of the Cubs and the barrels of gunpowder were discovered in time. And we paraded the flags at a Farewell Service to the Reverend Richard Hill, who has left the Parish after 16 years. We`ve welcomed visitors with wheelchair and guide dog and been on a visit to Tynemouth lifeboat station. Now we are busy making crafts and cards to sell in aid of all of the charities who have helped with our programme this term Helen Langley |
| Central Gosforth SeaScouts We had a fun night at Gosforth Swimming pool, `It`s a Knock Out!' eat your heart out, with classic games like 'grab the snake' and 'look no hands'. Congrats to Swordfish, the winning patrol, and thanks to Bob for organizing it. We sent two teams to the County Quizco, one of which came second in the Quiz, and Ryan 'won'£5 in the 'inging-a-nursery-rhyme-whilst-drinking-a-cup-of-Water' competition. It was a great night, and what demons they all were on the dance floor. A big thank you to Richard Brown(ACC) for organizing it. We had a good showing at our first attendance at the Remembrance Day Service at Gosforth Central Park. Those who turned up on what was a chilly but sunny Sunday morning were all very smart. Hopefully next year we may be able to join in the marching and even lay a wreath on behalf of the Scouts. Finally we had a fantastic evening at Tynemouth Volunteer Life Brigade and the RNLI station at North Sheilds. We had a very interesting talk at the TVLB museum, which was added to by watching a real-life rescue on the North Pier from the watch tower, RAF Sea-King Helicopter and all, whilst listening to the procedings on the emergency services short-wave radio. Then we were off to North Shields to see the lifeboats that had just been in action. A top night all round, so a big thank you to Trinity House for organising it for us. Anyone wanting to know more about the TVLB might want to visit their website at www.tvlb.org which lists all their call-outs (including the one we saw on the night of the 15th November). Brian Smith SSL |
Brunton Park Cub Scout Pack Outdoor Challenge 17 Cubs attended the District Camp at Dilston which was a good start for working towards their Outdoor Challenge Award. On their return they gave a short presentation to parents to tell them about all the things they had enjoyed and what they had particularly learned from the experience (such as to take lots of warm clothes even in September!) Many of them earned their first Nights Away Badge from this. They have also been doing some mini pioneering, have been learning to use a compass and have been skiing on the dry ski slopes at Whickham Thorns. Hallowe’en Party A scary – but very enjoyable – time was had by all at our Hallowe’en Party, which was attended by a weird and wonderful collection of monsters and ghouls and run by an even stranger looking witch who enjoyed having dramatic licence to be wicked! Ed; I looked in that night to hand out the November “Look Wide” A wicked witch met me and took the Look Wides. She turned to speak to me, but I had run out- scared Children in Need The Cubs recently spent two weeks making percussion instruments and put some of these to good use in their short musical presentation for their families who were invited to raise money for Children in Need. A total of nearly £140 (double last year’s!) was made from the raffle, various games and the sale of cakes and biscuits. Many thanks to all who supported this event and helped out on the night. |
Central Gosforth Middle School Beaver Colony. Have visited both the Police Station and Fire Station to learn about the work they do.We enjoyed both visits and thank the Police and Fire Services for their time. We are now preparing for Christmas Veronica Mackell (Beaver Scout Leader |
Being Special
There never was anyone, quite like me
I`m the only me that you`ll ever see.
From the top of my head to the tip of my toes,
I`m special you know.
There never was anyone like me or you,
Being ourselves is the best we can do
We`re priceless and precious-for God tells us so
We`re special you know.
We`re quite unique,-a walking work of art.
And strong or weak, we`ve a special place in Gods heart,
We`re different each one from the other, it`s true
God never repeats Himself, never makes two,
So be happy with who you are—God made you so
You`re special you know
Many thanks to Ron- a great friend of mine- for bringing my attention to this lovely poem
To all the Special people in Scouting, Beavers, Cubs, Scouts, Explorers, Leaders, supporters, parents and any one else involved in any way,I wish you all A very happy, joyful and peaceful Christmas.