RSS Feed News Archive

Volunteering - Give Something Back

Get Involved!

Do you enjoy the great outdoors? Has your job been affected by Covid through reduced hours or even redundancy? Are you now working from home and have a bit more time to devote to interests and hobbies than when you were commuting? Are you seeing the negative impact of lockdown in your community and want to help change things for the better? Maybe you (and/or your parents or other relatives) are semi or fully retired and want to put something back? Maybe you have children who are students and you want to encourage them to boost their CV, or they're doing their Duke of Edinburgh Award and need to find a volunteer role?

If you (or anyone you know) said yes to any of these, our 7 local Scout Groups (young people aged 6-14 years) and our 2 Explorer Scout groups (14-18 years) could use your time, skills and help! With over 100 youngsters on waiting lists for Haslemere's various Beaver, Cubs and Scouts sections, the District Team wants to make it possible for them to benefit from scouting as well.

And you'll benefit too! Whether it's something to add to your (or your teenager's) CV while you or they job hunt, or learning new knowledge and skills to take into an existing role, getting involved in scouting will bring you 'skills for life': https://youtu.be/cMGyuucCmuY

For more information about the roles currently available in the District, take a look at our roles page.

D of E Gold for Catriona

At 1st Fernhurst Scout Group's recent Annual General Meeting, Catriona Gibbon, a Beaver Scout Leader in the Group, was presented with her Gold Duke of Edinburgh Award by the District Commissioner Keith Clayton.  Keith had only recently been appointed District Commissioner of Haslemere & District Scouts, and may also be known to many as the proprietor of Clayton Jewellers in Haslemere High Street. Keith succeeded Fr Jonathan How whose position as District Commissioner was only temporary, until a permanent appointment could be made.

 

Catriona being presented with her Gold Duke of Edinburgh Award by the District Commissioner Keith Clayton.

 

Catriona, whose parents Sue & Dave are both Leaders in the Group, worked hard for 4 years to achieve this award, starting in 2013 with a training expedition in the Peak District. A year later she took part in a final expedition to the Lake District with four days of hiking. Catriona completed a year of volunteering during which she obtained her warrant as a Beaver Scout Leader.  She spent a year learning to play the piano and taught some younger pupils as well. For physical activity she went climbing every week for 6 months, and went on a residential experience to Tanzania where they helped to improve a school.  Even on the day of their A.G.M. she completed a 4 mile hike with Fernhurst Cubs & Scouts from Petersfield Station to Queen Elizabeth Country Park where they were met by parents with hot food.  It had been a very wet hike!

 

A very well earned award.

 

John Stone

Haslemere & District Scouts Media Manager

40 years of service

At the end of a 10 hour activity day for Cub Scouts from Churt & Hindhead, held at the 1st Hindhead H.Q. on 24th June, Stephen Evans was presented with his 40 year Service Certificate by the Assistant District Commissioner for Cubs Chris Lloyd.  Stephen is currently an Asst. Cub Scout Leader with Churt and Hindhead Packs, but he has a long continuous service as a Leader.  He was a Wolf Cub (those were the days) and a Scout at 2nd Denham in Buckinghamshire, where he became an Asst.Scout Leader, before moving to the District Venture Scout Unit in Uxbridge.  He moved to Hindhead in 1979 as Scout Leader, his interests being very much in traditional Scouting, in particular camping, with 25 week long summer camps with the Scouts under his belt. For many years he hiked with the older Scouts along the South Downs Way in February.

 

Stephen gained his Queens Scout Award in 1976, which he received from Lord Baden Powell, the grandson of the founder Lord Baden Powell of Gilwell.

 

He was awarded the Silver Acorn in 2009 for specially distinguished services to Scouting.

 

Stephen Evans (Centre) with his certificate.  Chris Lloyd is on the left, with Peter Prociuk, the Group Scout Leader at 1st Hindhead, on the right.

 

John Stone

Haslemere & District Scouts Media Manager

 


Scout Section Muir Trophy

On Thursday evening 15th June 4 Troops from Haslemere & District Scouts took part in the annual "Muir Trophy" competition, at Camelsdale recreation ground. Organised by Peter Callender, the Asst. District Commissioner for Scouts, each of the teams had 20 minutes to complete each of the four challenges which were 2 pioneering projects where bridges had to be built using poles and ropes; getting across a shark infested lake balancing on upturned buckets; and mapping and compass where signs and grid references were the key to success. Points were awarded 12,10,8,6.

  1st Haslemere crossing the shark infested waters

The winners were 1st Haslemere with 41 points, very very closely followed by  1st Camelsdale with 40, and 1st Fernhurst with 39. 1st Chiddingfold came in with 24 points.

 1st Haslemere with the "Muir Trophy"

After the presentation of the newly refurbished trophy by Peter, the teams took part in a tug-o-war, each team pulling best of 3 against the others, and the winners again were Haslemere, and received the tug-o-war trophy to add to their collection. 

1st Haslemere with the tug-o-war trophy

Well done Haslemere.

 

John Stone

Haslemere & District Scouts Media Manager