Family Camp over and A.G.M.
Birchmere 5-6th June 2004

The weekend started for the leaders and some helpers on the Saturday morning with the leaders collecting various tents and cooking equipment from our Head quarters. At 2.0pm families started arriving, erected their tents and joined in the fun of rounders; tug-of-war; and football, whilst enjoying refreshments at the B.B.Q.

The Group Scout Leader Peter Groves who welcomed some 90 people opened the AGM. The new Chairman Simon Phipps reported that in the very short time he have been chairperson for the Group one thing has become very evident. There is a small but dedicated team that put a huge effort into providing social and educational activities for our local youths – your children! He was also impressed with the meticulous planning that goes into the group’s many events to ensure that they are fun yet safe.
He made a plea to all of you that benefit from having an evening free while your child goes to Beavers, Cubs or Scouts – please consider giving a little time back.

The Group Scout leader then went on to give his report saying over the last year the Scout troop has divided into two, we now have the Puma troop and the Leopard Troop. Both groups work along the same general programme and enjoy combined activities, and both are thriving. Although there is enough interest from children in the area there area no plans to have two Cub’s or Beaver sections, as this would not only create a group that the current accommodation could not hold but with no additional leaders would place too much work upon those who would have to run them.
He mentioned that our current Head Quarters has a very limited life, and that we were still actively looking to find land elsewhere within Byfleet on which to build a new H.Q. This is still very much the situation except that the Group executive have taken the firm decision that should a suitable alternative site not be identified by the Autumn then we will have to pursue developing our current site with all its attendant limitations. Unfortunately due to the pressures of having to earn a living our very successful small fund raising team had to relinquish the voluntary work they were doing. He said this is a very important role as with the additional funding this raises we are able to ensure that all members can afford to take part in the many activities. They are sorely missed.

John, Linda and Gary, have undergone Canoe training over the winter thus enabling us to consider offering Canoeing as an activity in future.

Please if any one knows of anyone who could afford a few hours a month to organising fund raising activities please get in touch with the G.S.L.

The Group treasurer then gave her report stating that the group funds now stood at £9,000. although this seems a large amount much will be needed towards the new H.Q. essential maintenance of the current building and other much needed equipment.

The scout Troop leader Bobby Gedling reported that June - the annual Trophy Cooking Competition was well-won by Falcons patrol. 18 members of the Troop attended at Queen Mary Sailing Club, to learn the safety rules of, and to take part in raft-building, windsurfing, canoeing and sailing. September - On a night hike, the Scouts tried to prove that is IS possible to get lost within the M25/A3/Wisley Road triangle. They failed - but only just. 2 of our Scouts went on Handicamp, and several Scouts attended a BCU 1* course run by the County. October - Almost the entire Troop attended Interlink 2003, at Walton Firs. This is an (almost) annual joint camp with the Channel District of the Boy Scouts of America. We had a great time at a joint campfire with the nearest American group. A huge THANK YOU to David “Chef” Linley and Alan “Yes, Chef” Sinclair-Brown. January - We won the District Night Incident Hike. February - A joint team from the two Troops won the District Football Tournament. A brilliant performance - well done. The older Scouts from both Troops proved that Scouts ARE cool on a Frosties camp that lived up to it’s name. -5.3 centigrade overnight on Friday, snow on the tents on Saturday morning, and a balmy -2 on the Saturday night. April saw 10 Scouts went on the Brecon Challenge with District. And survived the rain, mud, wind etc.

Prizes were awarded as follows:- Best Scout Mark Thornton

Linda Plunket gave a report on the Cub pack saying this has been yet another very busy year, with the Cubs working hard towards their next award or badge. We have been very impressed with the Cubs that have taken the time to complete badges at home, obviously we can only do so much with them so its great to see them taking the initiative, so well done to them. the whole pack and some of the Scout troop to the district camp at Stoney castle for a truly action packed weekend. Then there was the Back to Basics camp for the older cubs at Birchmere and lastly, the Pack camp last month at Walton Firs when all had a good time. The older Cubs still have the District camp at Bentley Copse next month to look forward to. Still to come this term we’ve got: the Sponsored silence, SCRAM 2004, Outdoor cooking and Bivouac building and lastly to finish the term – Byfleet go Bonkers at Birchmere! I would like to pass on my thanks to Valerie and Mark Thornton, who turn up every week to help out with the games and activities – well done to you both.
Cub trophies were awarded as follows:- Best Six were Green Six; The Merit Trophy went to Lewis Croucher; Cub of the year was Harrison Rigby and lastly the ELSIE STRANKS community award went to Edward Zapp

Christine Linley then gave a report on the Beaver colony: Firstly thanking Fiona Fox, without whose help she could not manage to run Beavers. She went on to thank the Parent Representative David Walters and all the parents, who help out. We have 20 Beavers and a long waiting list. During the year, nine boys have moved up to Cubs with a further six due to move at the end of the summer term. We have awarded five Chief Scout Bronze Awards, the highest award a Beaver can earn. This is a significant achievement, as some Colony’s in the District have not yet awarded any. In addition to the usual programme, which has included cooking, experiments, games and various activities, the Beavers have taken part in District events. These were an Activity Day at Bentley Copse, a Challenge morning and recently the District Fun Day at Birchmere where all Beavers had a great day.

The Beaver Trophies were awarded to:
Zac Connor- for Best Beaver Over all
Andrew Groves – for best attendance.

The meeting was officially brought to a close by the District Cub Leader Sue Moore who said she was impressed that so many parents had turned out and noted how successful this group was, she then wished 1st Byfleet the best of Scouting for the next year. Brian Moore from the District Scout team walked away with the first prize from the raffle conducted during the afternoon.

5.0pm was time for more fun and games and by 7.0pm every one was ready for their evening meal.
This consisted of a choice of Spaghetti Bolognese, Chilli, or a hot Tuna dish, followed by sponge pudding and Custard.

 

Dusk came and it was time for the traditional camp fire with songs and entertainment.

Reveille was at about 8.0am next morning, although some were ready for the day before then, when a full English breakfast was served, and by 11:30 on the Sunday morning we were packed up and on our way home.

The general consensus was that it was an excellent camp and those that could not be there missed a really fun experience. Although this was not intended to be a profit making exercise we did in fact make £225 profit that will go towards much needed equipment.