Over the weekend 11/13th May, in glorious sunshine, which was a real bonus after the persistent rainy weather of late, approximately 950 Scouts, Guides, Cub Scouts, and Brownie Guides, from Haslemere, Farnham, and Godalming, took part in Frantic 12, a tri - District camp held every 3 years, and held on the Hampton Estate at Elstead.  A further 200-300 Beavers and Rainbows visited during the day on Saturday. 

Groups from Haslemere  and District that took part were 1^st Churt, Grayshott, 1^st Hindhead, 1^st Camelsdale, 1^st Fernhurst, 1^st Chiddingfold and 1st Haslemere. 

The weekend was jam packed full of various activities, some to suit the faint hearted and some to suit the more adventurous types, with a superb camp fire singalong on the Saturday evening, and a Scouts' Own Service on the Sunday morning.

The Friday night so far as sleep was concerned was rather short for many, with many excited and awake from 4.00 a.m., but by lights out after the camp fire on the Saturday, peace reigned much more quickly, giving the Leaders a little more hard earned rest.

For more pictures of Frantic 12 check out the Frantic 12 Gallery Page

After a long time without Beaver Scouts at the 1st Churt, three Leaders have come forward and the Colony re-opened on 24th April with 10 very excited children, 5 girls and 5 boys.  Their Leaders are Georgie Cowling, Fiona Ford, and Helen Morrell, and they already have another 7 on the waiting list.  The plan is to admit new members gradually until they are up to a maximum strength of 20, when no doubt they will be keen competition for other Colonies in Haslemere and District.

Hosted this year by 1st Churt Group, Haslemere and District Scouts St. George's Day Parade & Service was held at St. John the Evangelist Church in Churt.  The weather was awful with torrential rain and even hailstones, but despite this and the fact that the Church was on the extreme edge of the District, the turnout was good, and the Scouts were very pleased and honoured to have as their guests Cllr Richard Gate Mayor of Waverley and his wife Evelyn the Mayoress; Cllr Jim Edwards Mayor of Haslemere with his wife Lesley; Cllr David Harmer Surrey County Councillor; and David Cooper the Assistant County Commissioner for Development.

The parade formed up in the village hall and then walked across the recreation ground (getting rather wet) to the Church (that stretch of road far too dangerous) where they were welcomed by the Vicar Tony Whitaker who led the Service, assisted by Sarah Brough the Vicar of Chiddingfold / District Scout Chaplain. 

Chris Brown the Group Scout Leader of 1^st Churt who had organised the Service gave an illustrated talk on St. George, using various props the most interesting being a riot Police Helmet (almost swamped the little Cub Scout) and a riot shield.  Sarah Brough gave the sermon with again a St.George theme of standing up for what is right.

Some of the prayers were read by two Churt Cub Scouts Izzy Allinson & Oliver Gilbert, and the various Promises i.e. Beaver Scout, Cub Scout, and Scout were re-affirmed.

The District Commissioner Frank Kitchener presented a 5 year Long Service Award to Anthony Aslett (1^st Chiddingfold) and 15 year Long Service Awards to Paul Richards and Sue Baldwin (both 1^st Chiddingfold) and David Harris (Explorer Scout Leader).  This is Frank's last St. George's Day Service as D.C. as he is standing down in July.

With night time temperatures down to freezing, Cub Scouts from Grayshott were undeterred and set off for their weekend under canvas at Tilford, on Friday afternoon.  On arrival they erected their sleeping tents and also the dining shelter, before actually cooking their own supper of pasta bolognese. 

10.00 p.m. and it was time for bed, and surprise, surprise, by 11.00 p.m. there was deadly silence, and even more surprising it was 8.00 a.m. on the Saturday before anyone stirred.  Again the Cubs cooked their own breakfast which was a fry - up, then off for a 3 mile hike to Waverley Abbey. 

After lunch the Cubs constructed rafts using 5 gallon drums, pallets, and lots of lashings, and punted them on the adjacent River Wey. The rafts stood up very well and the only Cubs who got wet were those foolish enough to either deliberately fall or jump into the very cold water.  For them it was a hot shower and change of clothing.

Saturday evening there was a  much enjoyed B.B.Q. followed by a camp fire which certainly got everyone warmed up again before bed, and Sunday morning was spent striking camp and using the adventure playground on site.

Grayshott is a thriving Group, but due to the re-location of their Scout Leaders Laura & Dan, the Troop is desperately in need of Leaders.  There is no long term commitment and training is given.  If you think you could help, contact the District Commissioner Frank Kitchener on 0845 0944216 or e-mail dc@haslemeredistrictscouts.org.uk

At the start of the half term holiday 2/4th April Cub Scouts from Churt & Hindhead embarked on a canal barge experience, with a crew of 5 Scouts from Hindhead, carefully watched by a few of their Leaders of course. On the Monday they set off from Bulls Bridge, Southall, and navigated past the Ace Cafe, through London Zoo & Regents Park, past St Pancras  Station and Victoria Park where they moored for the first night.  On the second day they proceeded through the Olympic Village and along to the Limehouse Basin on the Thames.  From there they went through Camden Lock Markets and Little Venice before mooring for the second night at Porta Bella Dock. On the final day they moored up so that the Cubs could make kites to complete their creative badge.  They also completed their outdoor challenge, chefs, and water activities badges.  They also earned another 2 nights away towards their nights away tally.

The Cubs enjoyed operating all the locks and taking turns at steering the narrow boat along the canal, and the 5 Scouts from Hindhead were a great help.

All in all it was a very exciting and rewarding experience for the Cubs, Scouts, and their Leaders.

Setting off from their Headquarters in Camelsdale at lunch time on Saturday 31st March, 17 Scouts (both boys and girls) from 1st Camelsdale Scout Group, with their Leaders, hiked the 4 miles across Blackdown Hills to their campsite at Roundhurst Farm, Lurgashall, a journey that took them almost 3 hours.  Once there they had to pitch tents, sort out their personal kit, and prepare to cook their evening meal.  With plenty of timber in the woods adjacent to the field in which they were camping, there was certainly no shortage of firewood, and don't Scouts love a fire.  Trouble is they normally build it a bit big for cooking!

As the night drew in bed was calling, and surprise, surprise, by 11.00 p.m. there was complete silence.

Sunday morning was cold, but once the sun was up it was a beautiful day with lots to do.  Pork chops for lunch was a real luxury.

All of those in camp were working towards their Dragon Badge, which is a Welsh Scout Association Badge.  Scouts have to camp at least one night a month for a whole year to obtain the bronze award.  For the silver they will have to camp at least one night in Wales out of the 12, and for the gold they will have to camp at a National campsite such as Gilwell Park or Brownsea Island for at least one of the 12 nights.  Looks like they are going to be doing plenty of camping.

Any ideas for captions??

On 7th March at the 1st Haslemere Group Headquarters, the District Commissioner Frank Kitchener presented Chief Scout's Gold Awards to 7 Scouts from the Troop.  They were Sam Newton-Matthers, Nina Murphy, Oliver Mills, Jonathan Ashton, Josh Bush, Joe Mullender, and James Terry.  He also presented Scout Leader Clare Short with her 5 year service certificate.

The Chief Scout's Gold Award is the highest award available in the Scout Section, and the Scouts had been working towards it for about 3 years.  Only 20 have been awarded in the District in the last year. They had to complete 6 challenges i.e. Promise, Community, Fitness, Creative, Global, and Outdoor, plus two out of another three i.e. Outdoor Plus, Adventure, and Expedition.

Some of the things they had to do were developing their religious belief, writing a prayer, conservation work, charity fund raising, helping at museum and at Fringe Music Festival, a 2 days overnight expedition in the New Forest, rafting, caving, cycling from Bramley to Shoreham, camping at least 10 nights during a year, improving fitness over 6 weeks, helping younger Scouts, improving their life skills, and many more.

Oliver's fire lighting and map reading skills left a little to be desired, for he used a whole box of matches to light a fire, and on another occasion got lost.  Forgot he was carrying the map, telephoned his Scout Leader, then remembered the map and found he was going in the right direction anyway.  Nina wasn't much of a cyclist and opted out of the 30 mile cycle ride for something else.

Chatting to them afterwards the District Commissioner asked what they had enjoyed the most, the most popular being the expedition in the New Forest, the County "Scoutabout" camp, and the 30 mile cycle ride from Bramley to Shoreham.

The Haslemere Troop is now so large that it has been split and meets on Tuesdays and Wednesdays.