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County Life Spring 2013
Greater Manchester East News
GROWTOGETHER
Inside>
Scouting’s on the increase
Adventure Camp
GME GROWS IN NUMBERSWITH NEW COLONIES, NEW PACKS, NEW TROOPS NEW GROUPS...!
Linnet Clough campsite services success www.gmescouts.org.uk
Skiing trip in the Southern French Alps is a snowball of SuCCeSS
NEWSIN BRIEFEDITOR’S NOTEFinally the new look edition of County Life for 2013. We hope that you like what we have done with it. The idea is to celebrate everything that has happened in the county over the past few months.
Each edition this year is focusing on a different theme as well as news topics from around the county. For County Life to grow we need input from every member of GME Scouts from the youngest Beaver to the Oldest Leader.
For my part, this is my final issue having spent the past 3 years editing. I have enjoyed the experience and look forward to reading County Life in the future.
Thank you all for the articles, news reports and pictures which have been used in past editions. I am sure you will continue to enjoy County Life in its new format as much as I will.
Andrea Clark Editor, County Lifeeditor@gmescouts.org.uk
NEW GROUPS GET a taste of the action
Percentage of our young peoplewho said that Scouting gave them confidence and helped with long-lasting friendships.
Some of the GME new start up groups got a taste of the action at Linnet Clough ‘try it and see’ day. Activities included backwoods cooking, climbing on the cube, gokarting and lots more.
93%INSPIREDespite numbers standing at over half a
million and growing year on year, Scouting
is still in need of more adult volunteers;
more than 35,000 young people are
currently on the joining list. As one of the
country’s busiest high profile figures, the
Duchess of Cambridge’s inspiring volunteer
work will hopefully encourage other young
adults to get involved in Scouting.
Bear Grylls, UK Chief Scout, comments:
‘The Duchess has an incredibly busy life,
yet since she joined the Scouts, she has
so generously managed to volunteer
some incredible time to help out and get
involved. Over the last few years it has
been our mission to make it easier for
adults to give as much or as little as they
are able; it is how we change our society:
many people doing a little bit.’
Scouts and volunteers from Manchester
have been inspired by the Duchess.
Sandeep Singh, age 10, from Manchester
said: ‘I have really great adventures at
Cubs. The leaders help us out. It’s great
that the Duchess is learning how to do
more great stuff with her Pack.’
WWW.GmEScOuTS.ORG.uk
ST GEORGE’S DAY AWARDS 2013Chief Scout’s Commendation for Meritorious Conduct “for meritorious conduct of a high standard”
Ruth Breeze, Assistant Cub Scout Leader, 1st Offerton (St Albans)
Silver Wolf“in recognition of services to Scouting of the most exceptional nature”
Andrew Corrie, County Commissioner
Bar to the Silver Acorn “in recognition of further specially distinguished service”
Stuart Dyall, Beaver Scout Leader, 2nd Cheadle
Kenneth Marks, District Commissioner North Tameside
Karen Moores, Cub Scout Leader 105th Manchester (St Peters)
Robert Moores, Group Scout Active Support Member 105th Manchester (St Peters)
Alan Walker (posthumous), formerly Cub Scout Leader, 1st Marple
Silver Acorn “In recognition of specially distinguished service”
John Glenton, Group Adviser 2nd Cheadle
parents became volunteers in 2012
NATIONALLy
342
There are thousands of girls and
boys across Greater
Manchester who would
benefit from the great start in
life Scouting offers. But we can’t
take Scouting into different local
communities without your help.
Which is why we’re looking for
volunteers who are willing to
give a little bit of their time to
help us make a positive impact
on the lives of young people. You’ll take
part in things you’d never expect to do.
You’ll develop skills employers look for.
And helping young people to improve their
lives and reach their potential makes it all
worthwhile.
GET INvOlvEDSo, we need more people like you to
volunteer a little bit of your time. Everyone
has something to give. Whether it’s
organising games, making refreshments
or simply giving current volunteers some
support. Together we can do amazing
things. And, you’ll be surprised at the many
ways you can get involved and help young
people to grow in confidence and believe
in themselves.
BE AMAZED Achieve amazing things as a Scouting volunteer and help to make a real difference to young lives in your local community today.
Scouting has never been so popular. There are over 36,000 young people on the waiting list because we simply don’t have enough adult volunteers to help out. The Duchess of Cambridge publically joined Scouts last year and set the trend for adults joining scouting. Leadership in GMe is up 2% since the Duchess joined.
Scouting offers fun and friendship,
challenge and everyday adventure for our
100,000 volunteers and 400,000 girls and
boys in Beavers, Cubs, Scouts and Explorers
across the UK. With over 200 indoor and
outdoor activities from abseiling, street
sports and kayaking to drama, paragliding
and archery - there’s something for every
young person, whatever their physical
ability, faith or community background.
91% of our
volunteers said
that Scouting had helped
them develop key skills, such
as leadership, teamwork,
character development and
social skills.
UniformVolunteers don’t have to
wear a uniform
95% of our
volunteers said
that Scouting helped them
improve their physical skills,
including their ability to cope
with outdoor conditions.
AdventureMore young people do
adventurous activities as
Scouts than with any other
organisation
41% of wider
community
organisations said that
if Scouting was on a job
applicant’s CV it would be
a positive influence on their
appointment.
FamousBarack Obama, David
Beckham, Richard Branson
and Steven Spielberg
were all Scouts.
WWW.bEAmAzED.ORGfIND OuT mORE @
WWW.GmEScOuTS.ORG.uk
NEWSIN BRIEFWElcOmE : GROWING AS A cOuNTYWe’ve had a good start to 2013 and a lot to celebrate, some of which you’ll see in these pages but that’s only the tip of the iceberg.
Our census has shown that our numbers have increased once again and we now have more members than ever before – over 5,500 youth members and nearly 1500 volunteers. Already this year we have opened 3 new Groups in the centre of Manchester – at Ardwick, Collyhurst, and Cheetham Hill. Several Districts have plans in the advanced stage for opening new Sections and Groups so there’s no doubt the coming months will see us even bigger and better. Two Leaders from the County and 16 Cubs and Scouts from our new Group in Ardwick were privileged to be part of a very special training event at Great Tower Campsite in Cumbria with the Duchess of Cambridge – which generated fantastic media coverage for Scouting nationally and us locally.
The range of opportunities for fun and adventure that are on offer around the County are second-to-none, due in no small part to all the fantastic volunteers who make it all possible, and to whom we offer many thanks. Special congratulations to those whose service dedication and commitment to Scouting have been acknowledged in this years’ St George’s Day Awards.
We look forward to our next major County event – our super special Streetwise – a very different sort of event, partnering with our chosen charity “Retrak”, in the centre of Manchester, which will put us firmly in the public eye. Everyone welcome – hope we’ll see you there.
Andrew CorrieCounty Commissioner
New groups and the snowball effect
Collyhurst: While preparing for last
year’s Jan 2012 census, I was making one
of the groups in the district dormant. This
was in Monsall and was an area poorly
served by Scout groups and the means to
get to one. I approached one of the head
teachers in a Primary school in Collyhurst
with a view to discussing the logistics of
opening a new group based in or around
the school. The ball was rolling.
Ardwick / Plymouth Grove: As
a result of conversations between Andrew
Corrie, County Commissioner, and Kevin
Nuttall from Manchester City Council,
some discussions during early 2012 lead to
the realisation that Scouting was missing
from the City Centre, there were so many
facilities that were underused, and there
was a very real local appetite in that
community for Scouting to be started.
Which was later borne out by enthusiasm
of local youngsters and adults at two
local public events we attended to gauge
interest in setting up a new Group. .
Cheetham Hill: We were
approached by the Muslim Scout
Fellowship about a group of adults who
had attended one of their camping and
Module 16 weekends with some friends
from other Mosques and had shown really
keen interest in starting Scouting back at
home, which happened to be Cheetham
Hill, at the Khizra Mosque.
We’re GrowingOut of the starting blocksWithin a month we had three projects all at
the starting blocks.
I organised assemblies at three primary
schools to build interest in the Collyhurst
groups. I also tried to find options for
accommodation of the group which is
currently St Malachy’s Primary school
basement which opens out onto the large
playground. We helped at several local
neighbourhood park events in Ardwick
& Plymouth Grove over the spring and
summer of 2012 to assess the need and
interest in a group in Ardwick area and
searched many local venues finally picking
the Salvation Army centre on Grosvenor
Street. We met with the leaders and the
elders at the Mosque to discuss what
would be needed to start a group here too.
This also involved a couple of open days
and a speaker spot at a celebration dinner
for 750 people.
Every group is different in its needs and
all are now open or just on the verge of
opening.
It has been really hard work and
continues to be challenging but as a
result of many people’s efforts there are
now three new Scouts groups in North
Manchester Scout District with a potential
for 200 children or so to join in the next 12
months. Still early days, still need urgent
help, but the kids are having a great time...
and so to Chapter 2.
Les Cowell District Commissioner North Manchester
Scout District / Manager, GME County
Development
Scouting is the largest co-educational youth Movement in the UK. On the back of eight consecutive years of growth, total membership has increased over 20%.
Numbers of teenagers Scouting has nearly doubled in the past ten years 23,446 in 2003 to 40,578 in 2013.
TEENAGERSTEENAGERS
WWW.GmEScOuTS.ORG.uk
TREND SETTERThe Duchess of Cambridge publically
joined Scouts last year and set the
trend for adults joining scouting.
Leadership in GME is up 2% since
the Duchess joined.
We’re GrowingGME STATS & FACTS
6,8551,500After eight consecutive years of growth, total county membership is now 6,855.
In Greater Manchester East there are almost 1,500 adult volunteers providing scouting across all sections.
28% Beavers35% Cubs27% Scouts10% Explorers
17% Stockport15% Ladybrook Valley10% North Manchester11% Goyt11% Cheadle9% South Manchester8% Glossop6% North Tameside5% Tameside Valley8% Tameside South
Greater Manchester East County youth Split by District
Percentage of young people in Scouting SectionsWith more adults joining Scouting
this sharp increase in the number
of adults volunteers joining
Scouts can be linked to their newest member,
the Duchess of Cambridge.
As well as attracting more adults the
total number of teenagers in Scouting
has almost doubled in the last 10 years,
from 23,446 in 2003 to 40,578 in 2013.
However despite attracting more adults
the Movement still has thousands of young
people wanting to join the Movement
but are unable to do so because the
organisation still needs more adult
volunteers.
Bear Grylls, Chief Scout, said: “It’s great
that so many adults are joining the Scouts,
and I am sure the increase has had much
to do with the Duchess of Cambridge
becoming a Scout volunteer last year.
“The Duchess is an incredible role model
and she helps us show that Scouting’s not
just for boys. She’s also such a generous
volunteer and everyone is so excited to have
her in the Scouting family. Many people have
followed her lead and are getting involved
and enjoying the adventure!”
As one of the UK’s most high profile
figures, it’s hoped the Duchess’ involvement
will inspire other adults to get involved in
Scouting. With waiting lists at an all-time
high of almost 38,000, there is an urgent
need for more volunteers, in order to meet
the growing demand.
Local volunteer said “I didn’t think I’d
have the time to volunteer, but the Scouts
make it really easy to volunteer around my
other commitments – and they let me give as
much or as little time as I’m able. I saw that
the Duchess in Cumbria did some training last
month. If someone as busy as the Duchess
can find time to volunteer, anyone can! I
couldn’t recommend volunteering more
highly; I just wish I’d got involved sooner!”
All this underlines the fact that
Scouting is the largest co-educational
youth Movement in the UK. On the back
of eight consecutive years of growth, total
membership has increased over 20% since
2005 to 536,787 this year.
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2012 2013 District growth across Greater Manchester East
WWW.GmEScOuTS.ORG.uk
SkI ScOuTS
ADvENTuREcOuNTY EXPlORER uNIT
Stepping from the coach into a temperature of -18˚C brought home quickly the message “we’d
arrived”! 3 course evening meal and Ski Fit later and all was set for a week of skiing.
There was certainly no need to make sure everyone was awake and down for breakfast on the first day...all were fuelling early in keen anticipation for what was to come.
I’m not sure if it was the stunning scenery, excellent snow conditions or the
The annual ski trip has very much been a part of our District’s programme since the 70’s. The aim...to provide a chance for our young members to experience the exhilaration of this fantastic sport at a price they cannot find at schools during the half-term. This year it was in Risoul in the Southern French Alps.
inspiration of the leaders but I have never had a group of beginners progress at
the pace they did this year. Of course to be actually
skiing in stunning scenery is in itself a memorable event, however for one member we had arranged to make it even more so. Phillip Heatley
of Cheadle Hulme Young Leaders unit was invested
at a height of 2,571 metres, something he is sure to remember
for the many years to come. Sadly the week progressed at a rate
that was all too quick and so we reached the final day... ski test day.
Being my first time
abroad I didn’t know what
to expect but the trip was
absolutely first-class.
I couldn’t believe we were
skiing down the mountain
on the first day.
“I’ve never known beginners to make so much progress – to be doing parallel turns by the end of the week is amazing” Dede (Ski Instructor)
WWW.GmEScOuTS.ORG.uk
ADvENTuREcOuNTY EXPlORER uNIT
There was certainly no doubt that they would all have progressed, however it was certainly a surprise to see just how far they had come in just seven days.
All as a minimum skipped two levels and some, three. Indeed the instructor’s final words were: “I’ve occasionally seen beginners get on blue at the end of week 1, sometimes a steep blue, but never have I had beginners on reds after week one, they are incredible!”
And so it was time to load up the coach and head back to the airport for our trip home, fond farewells from and to the fantastic hotel staff and our flight back to UK with commitment from many of the members to attend our next trip in 2014 to Folgaria in Italy (get your name down now).
I believe our trips are special; not just because we offer a significantly cheaper price than schools but because of the attitude of the members, our ability to move the beginners on quickly and because of the dedication of the leaders. For that my special thanks go to Mark Sackville-Ford and the evergreen Colin Pickles.
Phil Santana-ReedyCounty Ski Course Leader
Phillip (Invested Explorer) - Cheadle Explorer Scout This was my first ever skiing trip and it was amazing. I learned way more than I thought I ever would in a week! Getting invested on the top of the mountain was really special and something I will always remember. The leaders and all the others on the trip were great and I can’t wait to join them again when we go to Italy next year!
Conor – Stockport Explorer ScoutFor me, being my first time abroad I didn’t know what to expect but the trip was absolutely first-class.
The resort we stayed at was nice and the scenery was breathtaking. The actual skiing was, by far, the highlight of the trip. Three hours free skiing in the morning and then ski school in the afternoon meant for an all-round fantastic trip. Italy next year, I have no doubt it will be better still!
Laura – Cheadle Scout This was my first time skiing and I was really looking forward to it. My school was going in Easter but it would have cost a lot more so I went with the Scouts instead and I’m really glad I did.
Our Leader Phil got us going very quickly and I couldn’t believe we were skiing down the mountain on the first day. Having lessons in the afternoon and free ski in the morning with the leaders really helped us to ski better. The whole trip was fantastic and I can’t wait to go to Italy next year.
I even tried the Frogs’ legs and Snails but glad they didn’t take a photo of me doing it.
Look out for next year’s event!WWW.GmEScOuTS.ORG.uk
IN TOucHcONTRIbuTIONSCalling all group and districts in Greater Mancheser East! Have you got a good story?
The part you play in making the news is very important. Whether it is breaking news or a featured item, your contribution can make a difference.
It might just be a picture and a caption, it might be a full feature of a Cub doing their best on Camp or something significant, bizarre or unusual happening in your group?
Send us your news at countylife@gmescouts.org.uk
PHOTOGRAPHS AND vIDEOSIf you capture or create an event on a camera or mobile phone, either as a photograph or video, then we’d like to hear from you. Send us your images along with a caption and short description to:images@gmescouts.org.uk or dropbox us at gmevideo@gmescouts.org.uk
WEbSITE EDITORCan you help us with our website? Uploading content, editing stories, social media or keeping up to date with the diary. As little or as much as you like email. countylife@gmescouts.org.uk
The information in this newsletter is considered to be accurate at the time of publication. However, Greater Manchester East Scouts will not accept responsibility for any errors or omissions.
Greater Manchester East Scout CountyYouth Service Resource CentreReddish Vale Road, ReddishStockport SK5 7HQE: info@gmescouts.org.ukT: 0161 480 5621
www.gmescouts.org.uk
PEOPlEChampion for young People - Jean Wilkinson
Jean serves as the Scout Leader at the
1st High Lane Scout Group, but her
commitment to the young people in her
care far exceeds this title. She has doubled
the membership of the section for 14-18
year olds and runs an exciting programme
of adventure and outside activities
including dozens of camps – this year
featuring five days in the Lake District.
Said Group Scout Leader Mark Baxter
in his nomination: “Jean’s attention to
pastoral care is immense as she tailors
activities to the mental, emotional and
physical abilities of her members. She
dedicates herself to the Explorer Scout
section and supports all other sections in
our group.”
Since this award Jean has been invited
to the Chief Constables dinner in aid of
Retrack.
Linnet Clough held another successful
Camp Site Service weekend in
February. They had five Explorers and
15 Scouts staying at the site from Friday
evening until Sunday evening.
The weekend started with an Ice
Breaker where all the young people had a
Bingo style sheet of questions to answer.
Over the next two days everyone took
part in a number of activities including
clearing bushes, painting, learning how to
do basic plumbing and nature conservation.
It is hard work but everyone seemed to
enjoy it. Everyone did all the tasks which
are led by volunteers at the site who show
them the correct and safe way to work. In
the evening the young people were able to
take part in one of the site’s activities. The
whole group are catered for all weekend,
eating hot and filling food.
Everyone who is involved in the
weekend, adults and young people, have
a good time. The regular comment is that
they are exhausted and dirty but they have
had a really good time.
Many of the Explorers have now joined
Junior Crew at the site and are there
regularly during weekends and holidays
making sure that the site is ready for
visitors carrying out in practice what they
learnt over the weekend. The site could
not operate without their help.
The next site service weekend will be
held on 15-17th November 2013, staying
at the same cost of £15 per person. If
any leaders would like to book Scouts
or Explorers on to the weekend then
they should contact Linnet Clough for a
booking form.
cAmPSITE SERvIcES
GmEScOuTS @GmEScOuTS
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