From Your Editor

It`s June already. Midsummer day just a week or two away. And we are still waiting for Spring. Are well, no use grumbling, we just have to take what comes. First of all, an apology to the 82 nd Newcastle . Not content with a district change, yours truly put them back into Newcastle West, when it should have been Central. And that happened after I praised them for being first report for the `Look Wide` Sorry folks, I`ve give my fingers a rap over the knuckles. It proves one thing however- it does get read.

Some of you would get was the second edition of the newsletter, which told you not to use the name “Great North”. Just after they were printed, I had to do a third edition when news came through that we could use the name. So we are definitely “Great North”. now and I hope raring to get to grips with our new status.

Congratulations

Notes from the D.C

Beaver Scout Competition

Next month, details of a Beaver Scout collage competition to be held in November will be issued.

Leaders are reminded to send numbers and moneys for the Beaver Scout Funday at McCracken Park in July to County Office . Please note the closing date on the application form, which you should have received from Katy McClen. If you have not received information please get in touch with me as soon as possible.

Well done to the 82 nd on your successful bagpacking at Ikea.

Finally , congratulations, to Shiela Watson on gaining her Wood Badge and her Five Years service Certificate.

Kath.

82 nd Newcastle Scout Troop(Fenham).

On Sunday 15 th May a group of Leaders, Parents and Scouts from the 82 nd Newcastle Scout Group based in Fenham, embarked on a trip to IKEA for a bag packing session. I am pleased to report that there were no breakages despite there being no tissue paper available and a fantastic £435 was raised. This will help fund the group’s Scout Summer camp due to take place at Great Towers Scout Camp located near Lake Windermere and help with the cost of new equipment for the group.

Report from Kate Watson, SL .

(Nice to hear from the 82 nd again. I see that they are going to one of my favourite campsites. Also it`s a good idea, when we are all new in the district, to say where they are based. Ed)

Gosforth Sea Scouts (All Saints Church Gosforth)

We've had a busy month or two.

Back in April we went on a visit to the Marine Police Unit at Jarrow. We were given a guided tour of the Unit and shown the various equipment and facilities they have. We were also shown their fleet of police boats and also their 3 brand new jet-skis which they hope to have in service for the Tall Ships.

We've also been to visit the Seamanship Centre in South Shields which trains merchant seamen and off-shore workers. Again there was lots to see do. In particular we got a demonstration of their helicopter evacuation pool. This a pool design to simulate conditions at sea where accidents may happen. They can turn on waves, wind, rain, and even lightening at the flick of a switch...but fortunately they didn't make us jump in!

The two visits above were organised by Trinity House, so a big thank you to them.

Of a more practical nature we had a day up at Hawkhirst in early May. The plan had been to do some Dingy sailing but weather conditions were against us. Instead we had a lot of fun kayaking and pulling in prams (prams are small rowing boats for the uninitiated!).

Report by Brian Smith.SL.

Gosforth Central Middle School

It`s always nice to hear of a new leader being appointed, but it is especially more so when that appointment enables a new section to be started as wellVeronica MacKellwrites to tell us all

“ Welcome to Geoff Craig who is joining me at Gosforth Central Middle School as our new Cub Scout Leader. I would like to wish him many happy years in Scouting.”

And so say all of us Geoff. It`s hard work a times, BUT ,----oh the fun and joy you get out of it…Ed

All Saints’ Cubs, Gosforth

Since Easter All Saints’ Cubs have been bird watching, bug hunting and pond dipping at Big Waters and following this up learning all about bird conservation and making bird feeders for their back gardens and back yards. We even discovered twelve different sorts of trees in the churchyard during our quest to find six. As a result Animal Lovers and Naturalist badges were presented to 10 of our Cub Scouts. Our thanks go to the Newcastle Ranger service, especially Jane, and to one of our mums, Vanessa, who helped with these badges.

Paul Wilkinson, a churchwarden at All Saints came along to tell us all about bike safely and maintenance and the cubs put this into practice on a 10km cycle ride near Wylam. Cyclist badges go to 9 of our members.

Newbiggin Hall

This month has seen the Cubs and Scouts from Newbiggin Hall go on a couple of trips. We had a day out at Whitehouse farm and we had to think fast to find a good excuse to stop Connor Billcliffe buying a Chicken even though he insisted his mam would like one. Apart from the Cubs having a spitting contest with the Lamas, the day went off without a hitch.

We then went for an Evenings Archery up to Whickham Thornes, and discovered that the old English skill of attacking a target made of hay is still alive and well. Our Cubs and Scouts proved that if we ever need to defend ourselves against Hay then they are ready and able.

We are also appealing for a new Beaver Leader for our Section, due to our last leader having to leave unexpectedly, we need someone to step in and run the section. We have Adult helpers so they will not be alone. If anyone out there who reads this fancies running their own Beaver Section or knows of someone please contact Jimmy at james57vipers.fsmail.net

Report by Jimmy Gibbons

Cub Scout Announcements.

Chris Jones advises that two Cub scout events are in the offing, so get these dates in your diaries;

“Great North Capers” (a District Fun Day ) will take place on Sunday, 3 rd July.

And a “District Cub Camp “ will take place at Dilston over the weekend 23 –25 September.

The organising teams will be issuing more details to each Cub Scout in the District over the course of the next few weeks.

For Future Use

The Great North District Team

Some of you will know some of the new team, but for the sake of regularity, here are the details, of some of those appointed (See Page 1)

Chairman- Richard Gee: as Richard told us at the inaugural meeting, he has been in Scouting for many years and in many capacities. Most recent appointment was that as District Commissioner of Newcastle central.

Secretary- Alan Scott: has been secretary of Gosforth district for over 5 years.

ADC General Duties- Chris Jones has been an ADC. in Gosforth

ADC Scouts-Liam Walsh; Liam has been with the 82 nd Newcastle (Central District, Newcastle ) as GSL, but has relinquished this to take up the ADC Scouts position.

ADC Explorer Scouts;- Andrew Castling. It would be wrong to call Andrew a new boy as he had many happy years in the 7 th Gosforth. But he is new to the role of ADC. Has much expertise in outdoor activities.

Finance Sub Committee

Jim Roebuck- Treasurer of Gosforth District

Sylvia Banks- Treasurer of West Newcastle District

Ken Patterson- President of Gosforth District (on committee in advisory capacity only)

Properties Sub Committee

Glynne Payne- Chairman Gosforth District- has been acting DC for 2 years.

Peter Short

Vince Mackell. Has been Group Scout Leader for Central Gosforth until recently.

Appointment Sub Committee

Tim Speed- Appointments Secretary for West Newcastle district.

Further appointment, when known, will be listed in the News sheet