A news letter of Great North Scouting

Closing date for next edition

19th November

November 2007

Edition 3 Issue 6

Editorial

In the last issue, I reported on the lovely state of Scots Gap Camp site. I now learn from Laurie Badcock that since then, a new permanent flag pole has been put up and that 7 flagstone fireplaces are now completed. Also tree felling to give more ventilation/sunshine to the site has commenced but a good amount of further work has to be done in this respect. I commented that the site looked ready for the next test match, but I have it of good report that one troop of scouts, should have taken the bowls with them- the green was perfect. Well, Scots gap has had a lot of money spent on it to make it good for Great North District. Other districts and Guides think it terrific. Come on Great North!!! Use it or lose it.

Please note the early closing date for the next issue. With an early closing of groups for Christmas, it is necessary for an

Early start of the issue. Many thanks.

Bill

One joke but it`s a good one.

Three squaws sitting outside their wigwams. One sat on a leopard skin, one on a deer skin and one on a hippopotamus skin. The first two, had only one son each, but the third one had twin boys.

This all goes to prove Pythagoras and his theorem correct. The squaw on the hippopotamus is equal the sons of the squaws on the other two hides!

 

 

 

Money saved for a rainy day buys a much smaller umbrella than it used to.

Good News for Great North

I am pleased to report that we were successful in the presentation of our request for £3931 for site remediation at the 'House on the Hill' at the Udecide event today.  My thanks go to two Griffin Explorer Scouts, Tim Owens and Mark Taberer and to Explorer Leader , Debbie Owens who gave me their wholehearted support on the day. (Stephen Barnes assisted with the rehearsal but was not able to attend ).  The Council will soon be in contact regarding programme of work and contract etc. and have offered to help with funds search for later stages. 

  I am also pleased to report that Newbiggin Scouts were also 'winners' with an award of £3300 for assistance with their travel costs for camps and events.

So 100% success for Scout applicants and a gaining of a total of £7300 out of a £80000 fund !!!! A good days work for Scouting in the Great North District by all.

Report by Peter Short

One often comments on a little effort going a long way. The results of this “little effort” has proved the point.

Well done to all concerned!! Ed

DC`s Report

Where do the days go? it does not seem that long since we were getting ready for 2007, and now what are we planning to do, yes discuss the County`s Centenary Activities.

The MOOT, on NOVEMBER 25th, is being held in our District, no excuses for how far we are having to travel. Thank you to those who have already applied, there are still places left, please make sure you are part of the decision of what is happening year next year.

THANK YOU to the 82nd Newcastle , who formed part of a Guard of Honour with fellow Scouts from Newcastle East, on the recent Royal Visit of HRH The Duke of Edinburgh, to rededicate the Renwick Memorial.  Thanks also to Jim McDonald the DC of Newcastle East for asking us to join his District.  Thank you also to the young people who turned up to be Guard of Honour at the opening of the Scouting Centenary Exhibition at The Discovery Museum. It is nice seeing young people in the spotlight for all the good reasons.

CAROL SERVICE I have just been told that the Service at St Andrews Church , Newgate Street , will start at 6.30pm not 7pm on the 17 th December as originally planned. Our newly formed Scout Fellowship will be working with the Newcastle Fellowship for this joint activity, which if anything like last year, will be a great success.

TUESDAY 13th NOVEMBER   6.30 to 8.00pm will be the first drop In night, where you can call and speak to a Training Advisor re validating training, ask about training opportunities, or just have a chat with some of the District Team and the DC. This first one will be at my home, more will be scheduled around the District, and listed in the District Calendar.

Kath Tyson DC

Another little joke; what is the most expensive bird you can buy?

A Pelican- you get a large bill for it.

A note from Vix Wallis

Central Newcastle Network meets every Thursday at 7.30 in The Union Rooms in Newcastle . Everyone aged 18-25 is welcome. If you wish to find out more our email address is centralnewcastlenetwork@hotmail.co.uk

District Cub Scout Activities

(report by Sarah Haswell).

Congratulations to Brunton Park Cub Pack who won the new District Cub Scout Skills competition and a lovely new cup. We held the our competition on the 1 st October. Seven packs entered a team of 6. Two packs namely Kingston Park and the 82 nd Newcastle were joint runners-up. The packs from Brunton and Kingston Park went on to the Peel Award, (the county competition) on the 13 th October, and Kingston Park came runners up- well done!

Cub leaders are busy preparing for our own district sleep-over at the James Knott Hall, Heddon on the Hill on the 17 th November. We will be continuing the “Join In” Centenary theme and 9 packs will be participating.

On 24 th October, myself, Mike Gaunt(GSL 73 rd) and Jackie Morley (CSL Brunton) hosted a stall at Honey 07 at the Centre for Sport, Westgate Community College, which was an opportunity to tell children and carers in the `Looked after` sector about how Scouting can benefit them, We had display boards, some crafts, and a Kim`s Game competition. We had available details of Scout groups in Newcastle and some enquiries may come your way.

Finally, I hope to receive soon my pre-ordered copy of a DVD of highlights of the World Scout Jamboree 07. I then hope to prepare a travelling display of my experiences of being part of the information service team. If you would like me to come to a section meeting, then let me know

Thanks. Sarah

(26 Kenilworth , NE4 6RQ )

Tel 2451740

Many thanks to Sarah Haswell for this comprehensive, and informative report of the District Cub Section. Ed

 
Around the Groups

Hi-Tech & Historical-Tech capers at West Gosforth Cubs

 What do think about this for a pack meeting ?

A trip to America, by Aer Lingus Jumbo; a trip to South Africa by British Airways Jumbo, and a connecting flight to London by Concorde. Followed up by a historical signalling session.

The hi-tech portion of the evening was led by a person who can almost be classed as part of history---me!! And the signalling was led by someone, who was also nearly a part of history, because he knew about semaphore- waving flags to pass messages---Vince MacKell. The pack seemed to know a lot about flying- 4 rings on the sleeve of aircraft captain; one of the pack acted as the stewardess, and told us what to do in emergencies. They didn`t know that Concorde actually “grew” about 18 inches longer when flying.- but there again, Concorde is part of history now.

Vince had the difficult part of the evening. The cubs had to remember that the pictures of the semaphore letters were shown with the persons holding the flags facing them- and what happens when someone is left handed.

But we had lots of fun, and that`s what it is all about. Thank you to the pack for having us- we hope you enjoyed the fun as much as we did.

Bill Moon and Vince Mackell

All Saints Cub Pack

It’s been an action packed half term. We’re still doing the Centenary Challenge Programme so September saw us ‘Living the Adventure’ at Whickham Thorns and to make it even more of an adventure, we got there by public transport. Orienteering, bouldering, an assault course and snow tubing – it was certainly an action packed day. October saw us ‘Committed to our Communities’, and helping out at All Saints. We polished all of the pews and as a reward two of the cubs made their Promise at the very top of the church tower with Newcastle by Night spread out below them. Afterwards we celebrated with a game of smugglers in the dark on the church green. A team represented the pack at the District Flag Competition where Sophie, Edward, Paul and Charlie did us proud.

In between all of this, we embarked on the fitness challenge. One night we turned the church hall into a smoothie creation zone, we’ve had goody bags (and a visit) from a local dentist, and we’ve been challenging our lifestyles and fitness levels. Finally we tested out the roller skates at Lightfoot Sports Centre and once Akela was reasonably stable on her skates she even conducted a Promise ceremony without falling over, though she admits that it was probably the shortest ceremony that she has ever held!

And the next half term looks equally busy; with lots more to look forward to – we’ll let you know how it goes.

All Saints’ Cubs

Naturalist – Chirag Gopinath, Abhishek Kamath, Sophie Smith, Arthur Thorpe, Jonathan MacKenzie, Paul Thompson, Thomas Proudfoot

First nights away – Abhishek Kamath, Chirag Gopinath, Philip Christian, Thomas Proudfoot

Centenary Camp – Paul Thompson, Charlie and Thomas Moorin, Stephen and Christopher Hierons, Arthur Thorpe, Sophie Smith, Alison Briggs, Philip Christian, Jonathan MacKenzie, Stephen Parkin, Tony Jiminez, Thomas Proudfoot, Abhiskek Kamath, Chirag Gopinath

Fitness Challenge - Sophie Smith, Emile Siou, Jamie Butcher

Promise Badge - Emile Siou, Sam Johnstone, Harry Guthrie

Scouting Sunrise - Edward Langley, Sophie Smith, Alison Briggs, Ben Procter, Thomas Proudfoot, Charlie Moorin, Thomas Moorin, Paul Thompson, Jonathan MacKenzie, Christopher and Stephen Hierons, Philip Christian, Jamie Elliott, Luke Hardy

10 Nights Away - Sophie Smith

Newbiggin Hall Group

Its been a reasonably quiet month for Newbiggin Hall, the Scout Troop has 4 Scouts working towards the Chef's badge and 1 Scout moving around the sections with a video camera filming all the activities working towards his Photography badge. 3 of the Scouts made their first ever cooked meal and I am glad to say that the leaders who tasted it are still with us and we didn`t need the ambulance that was on standby. Well done to Sam Rowland, Peter Frame & Alex Brown for the interesting and varied menu they provided. A mention needs to go to Aidan Gibbons who filmed it all, including the washing up and some excellent shots of the room heater and carpet.

The Cubs and some of the Scouts went on a Bell boat paddle on the River Tyne in the dark, thanks to Newburn Lesiure Centre and although we couldn`t get any pictures of the event, judging by the noises coming out of the dark they seemed to have a good time. In the words of someone famous, “we counted them out and counted them all back in again”.

The Beavers have invested a further 8 members and the Colony is growing at an alarming rate, all the Beavers are managing to terrify the older members of the Group and making sure we keep away from them as much as possible, the Cubs even surrendered their hall for an evening.

Gosforth Sea Scouts @ Hawkhirst Regatta - 5th - 7th October

We have just returned from a great weekend on the water at Hawkhirst Regatta, Keilder Water. We took 14 young people to compete in the friendly event that involves canoeing, kayaking, pulling and raft building. This year there was also wellie throwing and archery for the land-lubbers amongst us. In past visits to this event we have come a resounding last place, but this year we crept up the ratings with an impressive third place over-all (actually there were only three groups taking part this year!). We did however have a healthy smattering of heat wins. We also did quite well in the finals, with a special mention for Richard who won the U13 Pram final (a hotly contested class). Ian Parker also won the wellie throwing competition and Robin 'Squiddy' Hood who won the Archery.

Thanks must go to Alex Jimenez and Ian, Louise and Mickey (The Trainee Guide Dog) Parker for coming along to help. Thanks also to the French Rugby team for making Saturday night by the campfire the most exciting since Joe Collins set his trousers alight!

Gosforth Sea Scouts @ the Junior Great North Run - 29th September

Well done to Nic Partington, Alex Partington, Josh Parker, Callum Southern and Ben Smith who all took part in the Junior Great North Run and raised lots of cash for our Tall Ships Fund. They all put in a tremendous effort and did themselves proud. Well done!

Brian Smith