News Archive
Scoutabout 20th - 22nd June 2008
MORE than 4,500 Scouts and Guides from across Surrey enjoyed an action-packed weekend of activities recently, including all 6 troops from Haslemere and District. The feedback from the scouts been very positive indeed.I get the impression they enjoyed themselves! What follows is the main text of the press release:
The boys and girls aged 10 to 15 had the opportunity to take part in more than 200 activities at the three-day Scoutabout event at the South of England Showground in Ardingly, West Sussex, the only site big enough and close enough to house the Scouts and Guides of Surrey for the weekend.
From JCB digger and car driving to bungee running and scuba diving, the young people were able to try something new, in a safe environment and make new friends at the same time.
Charlotte, aged 14, who attended the camp as a Guide, said: “We’ve had a great time, despite it being a bit rainy. I’ve really enjoyed all the activities and trying new things with all the friends I’ve made.”
Josh, a Scout aged 12, said: “I’ve had a brilliant time riding some go-karts, getting very wet and meeting new people. It’s a pity this doesn’t happen every year!”
The weekend would not have been possible without the hard work of a determined team of 1,500 adult volunteers from across Surrey who have carried out a range of roles to make Scoutabout a reality.
From camp cooks to a doctor and from fire teams to IT engineers, adult volunteers have shared their skills to benefit these young people.
One of the biggest tasks has been to source the huge number of activities that make Scoutabout such a success.
Whether it’s been asking groups to provide craft or general activities or identifying professionals both within Scouting and externally to deliver the more adventurous activities, a dedicated team of volunteers have worked tirelessly for the past 18 months to make this super event happen.
Surrey Scouts Jonathan How, chairman of the camp’s steering committee, said: “Scoutabout is the biggest event that most of these kids will experience. It fires their imaginations to discover all the opportunities open to them.
“It has been a fantastic, fun and incredibly rewarding weekend, if somewhat tiring. An event such as this is important because it is a unique opportunity for them to discover that they have so much in common with Scouts and Guides across the county.”
Across the site the young people and adults have munched their through 1,800 curly wurlys, 1,400 ice creams, 16,200 fried eggs, 4,500 cans of fizzy drink and used 1,800 toilet rolls.
On the activities front, the most popular attractions included the caving black hole where about 2,400 Scouts and Guides took part and the tobogganing activity which drew 3,000 young people to take part.
St George's Day Parade and Service
The 27th April 2008 will be remembered for a very long time for the very special service at Haslemere Methodist Church. The church was full, the Rev. Marie Attwood a breath of fresh air, the singing full voiced (and where did the time go?).
Haslemere Explorer Scouts and their leaders were given the challenge of producing a service for young people, by young people. Judging from the reaction of everyone there, including the two Mayors, I think they got it spot on. The music, choice of hymns, readings, that all-important congregation participation and overall message showed just how much thought and effort went in. Congratulations to all concerned.
I know that Marie will also wish me to add her thanks for your generosity and therefore the amount of support you are giving to the Methodist Mission Hospital in Nadiad. The collection raised an impressive £203.50. (it was only £203.00 but 50p was found when they were clearing up after the service!)
Frank Kitchener, DC
District Swimming Gala 2008
The Haslemere and District swimming gala was held on 5th April this year. It was a great success.The atmosphere was fantastic and a great time was has by all.
The results are as follows:
Beaver Scouts:
- 1st: 1st Haslemere
- 2nd: 1st Chiddingfold
- 3rd: 1st Fernhurst
Cub Scouts:
- 1st: 1st Haslemere
- 2nd: 1st Churt
- 3rd: 1st Hindhead
Scouts:
- 1st: 1st Chiddingfold
- 2nd: 1st Camelsdale
- 3rd: 1st Haslemere
The leaders race was won in fine style by Nancy Shelley of 1st Fernhurst (she even went the extra length!)
A special thanks to all those involved in organising such a brilliant event including Sue Gibbon, Karen McGowan and Kate Mackie. I must also congratulate all competitors, parents, uncles, aunts, grandparents and sundry other supporters for creating such a good atmosphere. (but no bombing or climbing over those lane ropes next time!!)
We have received quite a bit of feedback and some very constructive comment which will help next year's event be even better. Individual comments include:
"We had such a brilliant time at the gala and thoroughly enjoyed the event. Some of our children were a little apprehensive at first about taking part - the noise is very off putting to the younger ones - with a lot of encouragement, everyone of my beavers raced and enjoyed themselves so much. A great event to encourage them to work together and act as a team."
"My teams both had a blast."
"We all enjoyed it"
Frank Kitchener, District Commissioner
District Sixers Camp 15th/16th March 2008
What a weekend to pick! I suppose the best you could say was that it wasn't too cold. It was certainly wet. I popped up to Garners Field to have a look at was going on and was met by lots of smiling faces from sixers and leaders alike.
They were wet, outdoors and happy. When I asked them if they had enjoyed the weekend I got an emphatic YES.
Thank-you sixers for joining in so well, making new friends and looking as if you were enjoying all the new experiences.
Thank-you leaders, cooks, parents and anyone else involved. I understand that as it was such a success it will happen again next year. Tell those cub scouts who might be sixers in 2009 not to miss out.
Frank Kitchener, DC
HoHo Comes to Haslemere District
1st Haslemere came to the rescue the week before the Jamboree when Scouts from Switzerland found themselves with nowhere to stay following a mix up with a booking at a local school. The Scouts spent several days camped out in their Scout & Guide HQ.
The District also helped out Guildford West District, providing beds for 8 Taiwan Scouts who stayed in Haslemere, Grayshott and Fernhurst. Guildford District organised a trip on the Wey Navigations & a visit to the Guildhall where they were able to see memorabilia relating to Lord Baden-Powell.
Karen McGowan at Grayshott sent the following message to Guildford West:
“I am so glad that you had not found enough beds because my children and I had an absolutely wonderful experience with the 4 girls who stayed here. I could not believe that they cried when they left, but they go on with very full bellies and knowledge of how to make rhubarb crumble, and we have invitations to Taiwan.
“I wished that we had had even just one more day to show them more of English life”, a statement reiterated by all involved in putting them up.
If any of you reading this ever get the opportunity to put up foreign scouts it’s definitely worth while doing, so don’t miss the chance.
Yu-Hsiang Cheng and Wei-Cheng Liao at the Gibbet, Hindhead
