Skip’s Random Ramblings, January 2025
A Big Welcome,
Our Scout Troop
I am certain you will remember that our Scout Troop was under threat of closure this January after 87 years due to a lack of Leaders and being unable to cover our adult/child ratios for 28 children. I am so pleased to let you know that two of our Beaver parents have stepped forward and will now be joining our Scout Troop’s excellent leadership team of Martina Douglas and Marc Hopkins. A very big welcome goes out to Adam Keeper and Joe Tindell, thank you both for volunteering on behalf of all of us at the XRE. This ensures our Scout Troop can carry on scaling new heights, learning skills for life and having wonderful adventures.
Our Scout Uniforms
At last, after 23 years, the new official uniform for all Scouts, Explorer Scouts and Leaders has just arrived…but please don’t get too excited as it’s almost exactly the same as the old uniform!? Apart from bigger belt loops on the
activity trousers and shorts and the addition of extra stretch fabric. No one needs to go out and invest in a new uniform, but when your child moves up to the next section the good news is that the all new improved stretchy new
stock will be available from next week in all sizes at our local Scout Shop, which is located at 19 Waverley Crescent and run by volunteers each Monday evening between 19.30 – 21.00. We also have a large selection of second hand
uniforms available at Shrewsbury House, and our leaders will be only too happy to let you have a rummage.
Explorers Sleep Out for the Homeless
Our Explorer Scouts bravely came together on Saturday 18th January, in minus freezing temperatures to sleep out in the open at the foot of Severndroog Castle to raise funds for Greenwich Winter Night Shelter. Our 14-18 year old
Explorer Scouts wanted to see what it was like to sleep out and were inspired to raise funds for those that do not have an option and also the important work that Greenwich Winter Night Shelter provides. The Explorers managed
to fundraise a massive £3274. Well done Severndroog ESU!
Spring Clean at the Hut, Saturday 1st March at 10.30
Postpone that trip to Blue Water and lend a hand at our much needed Spring Clean of the Hut. There are many jobs that need our attention including clearing leaves, cutting back weeds and giving the interior a good scrub and de-
bug. Please pack your garden rake, feather duster and as much water as you can carry (as we don’t have a mains supply) and head to the hut for 10.30 am on Saturday 1st March. Let’s not leave this task, to the leadership team
who already volunteer so much of their time. Children are very welcome to join us but only under their parents’ supervision.
Group Camp 2025
You will soon receive, via OSM, a notification of this year’s Group Camp at Hope Hill Scout Camp, near Meopham in Kent that will be taking place over the 1st of May Bank Holiday (Friday 2nd – Monday 5th May). Our Group Camps take
place every three years and is a wonderful opportunity for our Squirrels, Beavers, Cubs, Scouts and Explorers to go away together for a weekend under canvas. This will be followed up by an Activity Information form containing
payment information, plus info on parents’ meetings leading up to the event.
To keep the costs of the camp down to a minimum, our Board of Trustees have agreed to financially subsidise the camp from our funds to ensure the camp is affordable for every member in the Group. Camp activities planned include sleeping in hammocks, spoon carving, rock climbing, archery, shooting, tomahawk throwing and much more that will be revealed over the next few weeks.
A camp for 100+ children plus leaders is quite an undertaking, so we will also be asking for parental volunteers (dbs. pending) to help with cooking, pitching tents, running activities and transportation etc.
The Big Help Out, various locations on the Hill, Saturday 1st June
The Big Help Out is a national event where Scout Groups volunteer within their local area for community projects.
After last year’s successful event, we thought we would repeat it once again and are inviting all our members from
Squirrels to Explorers to join us. If anyone has any ideas of worthy local environmental project that we might be able
to get involved in, be it litter picking, wildflower planting or ditch clearing do get in touch? The event will take place on the morning of Saturday the 1st of June and culminate in a picnic for all members and parents in Eaglesfield Park at 13.00. More details to follow….
AGM & Awards Night, Christ Church School, Friday 20th June 18.45
Join us for a glass of wine and nibbles to celebrate our Group’s achievements throughout the last year, elect new members to our Board of Trustees, present Scouting’s top awards, and invest into the movement our newest
members. Lots to do and a busy night starting at 18.45 at Christ Church School Hall.
P.S. We do expect all our young members to attend this event, and in full uniform.
Be Prepared.
Skip!
Group Dates coming up:
February
– Saturday 8th Squirrels Trip to Ted in Space Show, Greenwich
– Saturday 15th – Sunday 16th Explorers Southern 50 Overnight Hike Competition, Hertfordshire.
– Saturday 15th Spring Clean at the Hut, 10.30 am.
– Friday 21st – Saturday 22nd Beaver Scout Space Sleepover at Severndroog Castle.
– Monday 24th XRE HQ Working Group meeting 19.00 at the Hut.
March
– Saturday 1st- Sunday 2nd Scout Camp Hamlet Wood Maidstone Kent
– Monday 3rd Group Camp Team meeting 19.30 at the Hut.
– Saturday 15th – Sunday 16th Explorers Red Flare Night Hike Competition, Surrey.
– Monday 31st Group Camp Team meeting 19.30 at the Hut.