hotliner april 2012
DESCRIPTION
Clwyd Area Scouts' newsletterTRANSCRIPT
1 Clwyd Area Scouts Hotliner
You’re either reading this edition of Hotliner on a computer, if you’re really flash on your phone or your iPad* (*other tablet devices are available!), or you’ve contacted us via Hotliner Express to say you can’t access a computer.
Yes, like most Areas & Counties up and down the UK, we’ve decided to stop posting out our newsletter.
We’ve done this for a number of reasons:
• QUALITY Scouting doesn’t happen in black & white and we wanted Hotliner to reflect this with a quality, colour publication without having to worry about production costs.• VALUE Even in black & white, printing and
posting out Hotliner had become the biggest single Area expense. We now have more adult volunteers than we’ve ever had - especially with the advent of Occasional Helpers (who we believe are just as valuable as other adults and deserve to be informed too)• CONVENIENCE Many of you told us that you
found it easier to read an electronic copy that you can access whereever you are
But we’ve also seen data that shows that when we email things out, they don’t always get read.
So, we’ve compromised. As well as this full edition of Hotliner, we’re going to try a shorter ‘Hotliner Express’ that will still be posted out to everyone. Hopefully you’ve received your copy.
Please let us know what you think of the changes. Contact details on the back page.
WE’VE GONEONLINE
Information & news for everyone in Clwyd Scouts - Issue 26: April 2012Hotliner
ALSO INSIDE: Community Scout Week...Wales Coast Path...Jubilee Beacons...Hikes Away…Training Team
2 Clwyd Area Scouts Hotliner
Although I read the role description for an Area Commissioner before taking on the role, I'm finding there is a lot of extra work that needs to take place in the background.
It’s got me thinking about those of you who are new to Scouting. If I'm finding that my role has hidden elements, and I've been an adult leader for nearly twenty years, how are you finding your role? This is a genuine question and one on which I would appreciate some feedback.
For those of us who recruit volunteers, we need to make sure that we are honest about the time commitment required for the role, and ensure that every appointment has a role description that accurately describes what is required. The important thing is that line managers provide a good level of support and make sure that every adult has a training adviser/mentor/somebody to go to if they have an issue.
Census The census figures are in and the numbers in Clwyd are up on last year. Thank you to all those who have helped collect and input the information required.
Adult Training We are currently having a review of training within the Area, lead by the Area Training Manager,
Pat Royle, in conjunction with the Local Training Mangers. As part of the review, we will be creating an Area Training Team who will ensure that a consistent level of training is developed and delivered across the Area. Find out how you can help on page 8.
Area FinanceA question that is quite often heard is 'What is Area spending our membership fees on'? This year, for the first time, the Area Team have come together to produce an annual budget forecast.
A full breakdown of our finances, and the plans going forward, will be included in the Area Treasurer's report at the Area Annual General Meeting on June 28th.
And finally... The highlight for me since the last issue has been the presentation of four Queen's Scout Awards. These were presented by Lloyd FitzHugh, the now former High Sheriff of Clwyd, to Nicole Langley, Suzie Gregory, Joseph Bentley and Edward
Lewis. Congratulations to them on their
achievement.
Gordon RichardsonArea
Commissioner
From the AC...IN THIS ISSUE:Hotliner goes online! ! 1From the AC ! ! ! 2Scout Community Week! 3Remembering Viv! ! 4AVOW grants! ! ! 5New AAC International!! 6Visits Abroad! ! ! 6Welsh BS & CS Awards! 6Orienteering! ! ! 6New DofE advisor! ! 6All Wales Scout Camp !! 6Numbers up ! ! ! 6Wales Coast Path launch! 7XChange leaders weekend! 7Queen’s Scout Awards!! 8Area Training Team! ! 8Hikes Away !! ! ! 9Jubilympics!! ! ! 10Diamond Network! ! 11Who’s who!! ! ! 12Area calendar! ! ! 12
Stop Press: Congratulations to our Field Commissioner Clive Bracewell on his Silver Wolf, and to Eric Gardner and Rob Benyon on their Silver Acorns!
Clwyd Area Scouts
clwydscouts.org.ukfacebook.com/clwydscoutstwitter.com/clwydscoutsyoutube.com/clwydscouts
3 Clwyd Area Scouts Hotliner
If you’ve not yet signed up for Scout Community Week, it’s not too late!
Go to scouts.org.uk/community and click on ‘Get Involved’ - while you’re waiting for your pack…
• Ask your young people what they want to do and contact your local community for ideas• Decide on a project - anything from tidying an area to a community event• Set up your online giving page - remember 75% of funds go to your Group• Send letter to parents explaining what you’re doing and asking for their help• Approach local businesses to help with funds or donation of resources• Ask your Media Development Manager to promote your event• Get your young people to design posters and put them up• Organise a letter drop to residents asking for local support• Ask parents to display poster at work with link to online giving• Make sure everything is ready for the 14-20 May!
Scout Community Week can help your Group by forging links with thecommunity, raising funds and generating great publicity.
HERE TO HELP...
14-20 MAY
4 Clwyd Area Scouts Hotliner
Members of 1st Hawarden Scout Group came together in March to take part in the environment partnership award, and also to dedicate a bench to their Beaver Scout Leader, Viv Needham, who tragically died last year aged just 48.
The Beavers, Cubs, Scouts and Explorers spent the morning planting some 200 trees which were donated by the Woodland Trust to mark Her Majesty the Queen's Diamond Jubilee.
This work will go towards earning the Group the Environment Partnership Award which is awarded for Sections working together on a common project. The Beaver Scouts will work with the Scouts, and Cub Scouts with the Explorer Scouts to do further work on the environment back at the hut.
After lunch the Group gathered around Viv's bench for a simple Scouts' own ceremony, with readings from Beaver Scouts all the way up to Explorer Scouts. Guests of honour were Viv's husband Gary, and sons Andy and Philip. Here are some of the
readings:
Explorer Scout Reading“Our first steps in Scouting begin with the Beaver Scout Section,
dressed in a brightly coloured uniform, where fun and friends are all important. A chance perhaps to go away for a night, visit places, meet other people and other Beaver Scouts at Fun days. This is where the Scouting journey begins, where friendships are made that can last a lifetime. Our Leaders are important
to help guide us through our Scouting journey, each one of them has skills that help us through our many difficulties that we may come upon during our time in Scouting.
Through them we can learn to cope
with life's challenges, whatever they may be. It is, at times, a demanding job to be a Leader. Always guiding and encouraging where hesitation sets in, always wanting to see fair play, always fostering a sense of belonging, teamwork and individual achievement to young people in their care.
The Leaders reward is clear: it is to see, when after
years of young people moving through each of the Scout Sections, they move into adulthood, having grown and flourished.
Who knows what new challenges await them, but rest assured, having the benefit of being a 'Scout' has prepared them for life's journey.
We can look back to our first steps on the Scouting Ladder, when Viv Needham brought Beaver Scouting to Hawarden Group. Through good times and tough times, she continued to keep things running despite having little help at times.
Her persistence paid off, as we stand here today, Beaver Scouting in Hawarden is in a healthy state thanks to her efforts. All possible because of her determination all those years ago, a Colony
of energetic, noisy, enthusiastic Beaver Scouts was formed. I know because I was one of those Beaver Scouts!”
The BenchMay all who sit here enjoy the
view throughout the
seasons, whatever the weather, whatever the activity that is going on all around. When we sit here, we know
that 'Rainbow' is watching us from somewhere up there. This bench is dedicated to our Founder of Beaver Scouting in Hawarden Group: Viv.
Remembering Rainbow
More pictures on our website
5 Clwyd Area Scouts Hotliner
Wrexham Scouts have been taking part in some amazing activities thanks to a grant from AVOW, the Association of Voluntary Organisations in Wrexham.
The groups received a young people's grant of £200 administered by AVOW to implement the National Youth Work Strategy. The young people were asked to come up
with the activities that they'd most like to do.
4th Wrexham Scouts decided to use the money towards a trip to Chill Factor in Manchester, something they wouldn't normally be able to afford to do.
Bishop's Own Scouts used the grant to take their group scuba diving in Chester. 21 Scouts took part in a try dive session provided by Chester Sub Aqua club.
Scouts from 1st Moss had a fantastic time driving high powered karts at the indoor centre at Sandycroft.
1st Rhosnesni Scouts had, at a recent patrol leaders' forum, asked to do more survival skills, and so the group decided to spend their grant on a specialist instructor who took the group on an day at Nantyr outdoor centre where they learned how to light fires and build shelters.
Thanks AVOW!
6 Clwyd Area Scouts Hotliner
New AAC International
The Area Commissioner has appointed Gerry Kellett as the new Assistant Area Commissioner (International) subject to approval by the appointments advisory committee.
Gerry will take over from Moz Morris - who is stepping down from the role - and has years of experience taking groups abroad, including being part of the recent Explorer Belt expedition to Russia.
Moz will continue in his communications role.
See the back page for Gerry’s contact details.
Visits Abroad
We’d like to underline that Members must not travel overseas as Scouts without first obtaining permission from their District Commissioners and the AAC International.
This follows an instance recently when a Scout Group travelled abroad without a Form TA.
Contact Gerry for a Travel Abroad pack which contains the relevant paperwork.
Welsh Beaver& Cub Awards
Has your Colony or Pack tried - or even heard of - the Welsh Beaver Scout Award and the Welsh Cub Scout Award?
The badges are available to all Beavers and Cubs in Wales and are aimed at getting them to explore their Welsh culture.
For more information visit the ScoutsWales website or contact your ADC Beavers or Cubs.
Orienteering24 Leaders have recently
took part in an orienteering course funded by Denbighshire County Council - one was for Cub Scout Leaders, the other for Scout and Explorer Scout Leaders.
These adults are now trained to run orienteering
exercises suitable for each of the Sections.
Contact Roger Cragg and you may be able to get one of them to run a session for your Section.
New DofE AdvisorRoger Cragg is now the
Duke of Edinburgh’s Award Advisor for Clwyd. If you have any queries about the award, please contact Roger.
All Wales Scout Camp
It’s still not too late to book your Troop onto the biggest camp for Scouts in Wales. So far over 900 have booked. Visit the ScoutsWales website for details.
Numbers up again!The census is in and we’ve
grown again. We’re up from 2,576 to 2,773 members. Well done everyone!
In brief...
Clwyd has just recruited our 1000th volunteer, Louise Bruce, an occasional helper with Bishop's Own beaver scouts.
Louise told us: “My son Gabriel couldn't wait to join beavers after hearing about it from his friends, but there wasn’t room. I was told they'd like to open a second Beaver group if they could get adults to step forward to join a rota.
“It's great he can
now join with just a little bit of help from me.”
Gordon Richardson said: “It's great that people like Louise can find time to volunteer their time to help.
“Flexible volunteering is key when it comes to supporting
Scouting, and it doesn't necessarily mean working directly with young people.“We also need people who can help with admin
functions; skills that many people have
through to their working life and may only require a commitment of twelve hours per year.”
Volunteer 1000
7 Clwyd Area Scouts Hotliner
On the 5th May, Wales will become the first
country in the world with a continuous coastal path, all 870 miles of it.
ScoutsWales have been been asked to get as many Scouts as possible involved over the bank holiday weekend. The idea is that you use the coastal path (just crossing it counts) to do an activity.
Could your Beavers and Cubs have a sandcastle building competition? Could your Scouts and Explorers do a challenge hike?
You can find where activities are taking place on the route at ramblers.org.uk/wales. Can we in Clwyd fill some or all of the gaps?
If you're going to run an event please let Gordon and Moz know.
A weekend for YOU
XChange is now in it’s second year and this year promises to be bigger and better than last year.
The weekend is just for adults in Clwyd Scouts with the aim that they can learn new skills, try activities for themselves, chat to other leaders and have a relaxing weekend away from the kids!
Last year activities included abseiling, archery,
shooting, pioneering skills, crafts, and a chance to raft on, and canoe down the River Dee.In the evening a free barbecue and a night
chatting round the campfire.
If you’d like to come to Clwyd’s own version of
Gilwell Reunion, email [email protected] with your name, group and tell us a skill you have, and a skill you’d like to learn.
Cox Wood 7th-8th July 2012
WE’RE SURROUNDED!
8 Clwyd Area Scouts Hotliner
We’re looking for more people to join the Clwyd Training Team.
At the moment a tiny number of people have to put on 38 training modules for the Area and each District. If more people come forward we aim to make the job easier for those doing it, and put on better courses, more often.
If you’ve
completed your wood badge
training, and have a depth of knowledge on a certain subject, you may be able to help us.
You can deliver as much or as little training as you want, in just your own District, or more.
We would help you learn how to train ‘on the job’ and help you prepare a portfolio for validation to become a qualified trainer.
If you’re adept at admin - perhaps you could deliver Module 11, pretty sorted at practical skills pass it on with Module 18, or a management mentor help others with Module 24.
Contact the Area Training Manager Pat Royle if you can help.
Four young people from Clwyd have achieved the highest training award in Scouting - the Queen’s Scout Award.
Joseph Bentley, Suzie Gregory, Nicole Langley and Edd Lewis learned a skill, took part in regular physical exercise, helped out as a volunteer, completed a 4 day 3 night expedition, went on a 5 day residential experience and took part in a range of global, values-based and environmental activities.
Amongst the things they did Nicole took up dance, Suzie travelled across Russia, Edd volunteered as a Scout Leader and Joseph improved his skills on the trumpet.
They were all presented with their certificates by the High Sheriff of Clwyd at a special evening in Llangollen and will be attending Windsor in the presence of HM The Queen and HRH The Duke of Edinburgh.
SHARING THE LOAD
REACHING THE TOP!
9 Clwyd Area Scouts Hotliner
The Hikes Away badge is a great way to get kids outdoors and exploring the fantastic countryside we have on our doorstep.
Most of us know of one or two routes that we use regularly, but it’s nice to go somewhere new.
If we pooled all the knowledge of the Leaders in Clwyd, we’d probably get hundreds of routes.
We’ll soon be launching an area on the Clwyd website with Hikes Away routes for all Sections. But here’s a taster of some which have been sent in so far...
SCOUTSRoute: World’s End circular walkTime: 5½ hoursMap: Explorer 256From: The Lewis family!
Thanks to Jill, Edd and Mat Lewis for sending in a route suitable for Scouts. It’s a circular route starting and finishing at the Ponderosa cafe on the Horseshoe Pass above Llangollen, taking in Llandegla Forest and World’s End.
CUBSRoute: Nercwys ForestTime: 1½ hoursMap: Landranger 117 or click hereFrom: Tamsin Harrison-Royle
ADC Cubs for Flintshire, Tasmin sent this in. She said, “Nercwys Forest is a favourite of mine, great for escaping. Its a circular route with a fab viewpoint. Great for
HIKES AWAY
Leg Name Position Elevation Bearing Leg Distance
Ascent Descent Leg Time
0 Start SJ 192482 394 m1 Point 1 SJ 192486 369 m 004°T 431 m 5 m 30 m 00:092 Road jct SJ 193496 307 m 004°T 1.1 km 8 m 70 m 00:223 FP JCT SJ 207511 290 m 040°T 2.23 km 53 m 69 m 00:494 Road JCT SJ 234494 429 m 121°T 3.41 km 194 m 55 m 01:275 FP JCT SJ 221475 237 m 214°T 3.11 km 17 m 209 m 01:036 FP JCT SJ 215473 356 m 251°T 1.26 km 145 m 26 m 00:397 Start SJ 192482 394 m 290°T 3.01 km 168 m 131 m 01:17
TotalsTotals 14.6 km 596 m 596 m 05:50
10 Clwyd Area Scouts Hotliner
Clwyd will be celebrating the Jubilympics (as the BBC comedy Twenty Twelve called it!) in style being part of both the Olympics and the Jubilee.
Joanne Gregory, ADC Beaver Scouts in Llangollen, will have the honour of carrying the Olympic Torch through Trevor on the morning of the 30th May.
Jo said, “I was shocked when I found out as I don't think I do more than many people, but it's a great honour. I don't know many details yet, but I do know that the route is split into 300 yard sections and each section will be carried by
someone different so its not a huge distance. I
get to keep the torch though!”Nicola Gamlen and Janice
Houghton from Flintshire are volunteering as Games Makers.
There will also be Jubilee beacons lit at Cox Wood campsite and, by 1st Hope Scouts, at Caergwrle Caste.
If your Group or Unit is planning to build a beacon, or do something else to celebrate the Jubilee, let us know.
teaching map work and following maps with tracks through the forest. There’s wild life there as well.”
BEAVERSRoute: Alyn WatersTime: 1 hoursMap: Available from visitor centre and on signsFrom: Elliot Jones
Alyn Waters is a Country Park in Gwersyllt on the outskirts of Wrexham and a great place for Beavers to explore.
Elliot suggests starting at
the visitor centre and walking to Llay play park.
EXPLORERSWe’ll soon be sharing DofE route cards that
are now sent to Roger Cragg so look out on the website!
FLAMES & BEACONS...
11 Clwyd Area Scouts HotlinerDIAMOND GEEZERS
Scout Network is back with a bang in Clwyd with the newly started Diamond Network based in Llangollen. The Network has started strongly with it's own local events and also plans to attend national events.
One of their recent events was the Four Inns Walk - member Gavin Scott tells us all about it...
Four members from Diamond Network recently undertook the Four Inns Walk, an endurance challenge covering 40 miles of the Peak District's most rugged terrain.
There were about 500 entrants this year, in teams of about four, open to older explorers, network and leaders, as well as those non scouters who also think such challenges are a good way to spend a Saturday.
We were woken up at 0400 in the morning, and made our way to the start line where breakfast was provided and our kit was inspected.
Our start time was at 7.16, and right on time we were sent on our way, following theroute card to the first checkpoint about3 miles away, on thesite of the Isle of Skye
pub, one of 4 that wepassed
during the course of the day, from which the walk takes its name.
We followed the route over Black Hill and Bleaklow to the Snake Pass Inn, the second inn of the route, from here we climbed Kinder Scout, an ascent of more than 300 metres in 1 mile.
On descending from Kinder Scout, we entered the beautiful Hope Valley, and our next check point in Edale, near the third inn of the route, the Nags Head. By this point, we had covered about 25 miles, and our pace had slowed slightly as we begin to realise that no normal person usually walks that far in a day. It was getting late in the day and we were starting to work out how many hours were going to be spent walking in the dark. We walked on into Chapel-
en-le-Frith, and after a quick break at the checkpoint to establish our route over the final 10 miles from here, we walked out into the dark, we passed through numerous villages, walking predomin-antly on country lanes for the
first time until we came across our next checkpoint, serving rice pudding, by this time it was 2230, we had been walking for 15 hours non-stop, it was dark and the temperature had dropped, it certainly tasted good! From here we gradually
ascended to the fourth inn, the famous Cat and Fiddle, the finish began to feel achievable and we were still maintaining an average speed similar to that we started with earlier that day. Reaching the Cat and Fiddle, the final checkpoint on the route, marked 3 miles to the finish, and also meant that all of the uphill sections had been completed. For the next hour we descended into Buxton, finally reaching the finish line at 0247 the next morning, having been walking for 19 hours and 31 minutes. It was certainly a
challenge, but the sense of achievement the next day made it all worthwhile, I'd recommend the event to anyone interested.
Find out more about Diamond Network on their Facebook page
12 Clwyd Area Scouts Hotliner
Gordon RichardsonArea [email protected]
Pat RoyleArea Training [email protected]
Moz MorrisAAC [email protected]
Gerry KellettAAC [email protected]
Mike DawsonActivity Permits [email protected]
Roger CraggDuke of Edinburgh [email protected]
Pat RoyleDC [email protected]
Roger CraggDC [email protected]
Andy CollinsDC Vale of [email protected]
Sue ListerDC [email protected]
Clive BracwellField [email protected]
EVERYONEMAY 4-7 Wye Canoe Cruise, MAY 5 Coast Path opening May 12 Jamboree on the Trail, MAY 14-20 Scout Community Week, MAY 17 Media Team, MAY 23 Flints AGM, JUN 5 Jubilee Beacons, JUN 14 Wxm AGM, JUN 18 Area Team, JUN 28 Area AGM, JUL 7-8 XChange Leaders weekend, JUL 15 Dee Tour
BEAVERSAPR 28-29 Flints Tweenies Camp, JUN 30 Wxm Activity Day
CUBSAPR 28-29 Flints Tweenies Camp, JUN 15-17 Wxm District Camp
SCOUTSJUN 15-17 All Wales Scout Camp, JUN 29-JUL 1 Flints District Camp, JUN 29-JUL 1 Malvern Challenge
EXPLORERSAPR 29 Flints Orienteering, JUN 23-24 10th Birthday festival camp, JUL 3 Flints District BBQ, JUL 6-8 Gilwell 24, JUN 6-8 Sun Run
NETWORKMAY 26 Bowling, JUN 15-17 Festival, JUN 29-JUL 1 Group Camp, JUL 6-8 Dragnet
TRAININGAPR 28-29 Llan Mods 1, 3, 8, 9, 12, 15, MAY 18-20 Clwyd Mod 38, MAY 17-18 Wxm Mod 8, 11, 13, 19, JUN 20 Wxm Mod 1, JUN 27 Wxm Mod 3
Editor:Moz Morris 07779272340
55 Bradley Road, Wrexham, LL13 7TG
© Clwyd Area Scouts 2012
Good to know
Actionplease
Practicalhelp
Training
Hotliner
NEW!
NEW!