DC`s Report

It continues to be a busy time for Scouting in Great North.

District Carol Service is on Monday 18th December at 6.30pm at St Andrews Church , at the bottom of Gallowgate. It is a joint Carol Service with Newcastle East. It is being led by our County Chaplain , Glyn Evans, who has never failed to produce a Service that is interactive and relevant, members, parents, supporters, families of all ages, everyone welcome.

Our first Congratulations go to Lewis Jobson, an Explorer Scout from the Fenham Unit, who has auditioned and been successful in getting a place with the National Gang Show. He will be on stage during the Jamboree entertaining the Camp Members .

There was a Funding Day held by National HQ at Jurys Inn, and I was delighted to see 6 from Great North, in total there was only 26 from the whole of the North East Region. (Congratulations and thank you for joining me to the 82nd Newcastle and Central Gosforth who had two representatives each, and Ian Morley from Gosforth Explorers) It was a very productiove and informative (and free!!) day.

Group Scout Leaders and Group Chairs should have received information regarding another day, this time FEBRUARY 10 when Tim Kidd is coming from Gilwell to talk to us about Adult Recruitment and Support, please let me know of your decision to join the Tim Kidd Experience Day. (Thank you to Peter Jacques and Ian Weightman who are the first from the District to indicate that they would like to attend)

Pauline Armstrong Trophy , was won again by the 49th Newcastle Colony. This is a Beaver Scout Section Competition, and held at the same time each year, the Friday nearest the time that Pauline Armstrong, a Beaver Scout Leader with the 82nd Newcastle died. I must say that the 3 Colonies that entered produced work of a very high standard, however I and the Beaver Scout Leaders who were there were very disappointed at the number of Colonies that took part. The family of Pauline come and help with the judging, and it does not reflect very well the fact that so few Colonies produce a Collage. If it is difficult to get some of the Beaver Scouts to the actual evening, then the Collage should be sent so it can take part in the judging. Please make every effort for your Colony to take part in next years. Thank You. My thanks to Kim (Paulines sister in law), Steph (her niece) and the Deputy County Commissioner Bob Tyson for being judges.

There are many Challenges for next year.A County one is going to be a Mad March Hare Day, another is the Scout section Challenge 100, details in the Packs you should have received from National Headquarters via your Group Scout Leader.

Can I take this opportunity to wish everyone, young and old, who are members, supporters or friends in Scouting, a Happy and Healthy Christmas and a Prosperous and Active 2007.

Kath Tyson

Central Gosforth Scout Group

I felt very proud watching the Sea Scouts, Cubs and Beavers march along Gosforth High Street on Remembrance Sunday. The Cub Scouts had made a wreath and two of our youngest Beaver Scouts laid it at the War Memorial during the service. Staff Sergeant Tennant very kindly came along to the cub meeting on the Friday beforehand, stayed for the sea scout meeting which followed, and taught us all how ‘to the left turn,’ ‘to keep our right feet in time to the big bass drum’ and ‘to form into line and column,’ - all of those formations proving to be very useful indeed on the day.

Report by Helen Langley

Newbiggin Hall Group

All 3 sections have been very Busy over the last few weeks. We held our Halloween Party and the leaders costumes are now outstripping the The Beavers, Cubs and Scouts. It has to be said that all the leaders were horrific and a frightful time was had by all.

Like everyone else we are hurtling towards Christmas and this year our Christmas Party is in Fancy Dress ( I am not saying who the fairy is). The Scouts are working towards their Community Challenge Badge and have grilled 2 local Councillors and somehow arranged a meeting with the Lady Mayoress, a visit to the Council Chambers and a visit to the BBC Studios for themselves.

Well that`s it for this year, from all of us at Newbiggin Hall A MERRY CHRISTMAS and a PEACEFUL NEW YEAR to you all.

Report by Jimmy Gibbons

Many thanks form all of us for you wishes-Ed

Central Gosforth Sea Scouts

Gosforth Sea Scouts have had a busy few weeks. Six scouts attended the County Badge Weekend at Keilder in October, to do the Forester Badge. It involved such activities as planting a tree, tree identification, a visit to a working forestry commision forest and even a bit of tree hugging. There was also the inevitable building of fires and a well organised campfire on the Saturday evening. Thanks to Richard Brown and his team for all the organising.

We have also had a 5-a-side football tournament with the 82nd Newcastle and the 49th Newcastle . Six teams turned up and had a great night of good spirited competition. Some games where very hard fought and everyone had a great night. Thanks to the ref who had to make some difficult decisions and Cate for organising the event.

Report by Brian Smith

Web Sites

Two very good web sites are run by the two groups who have news in this months

issue. They are as follows;-

(photos in this issue come from these websites-with permission).

The County website also has much interest and their web site is—

From Your Editor

DC`s Report

Central Gosforth Scout Group

Web Sites