BROADSTONE SCOUT GROUP

Scouting in Broadstone stays alive and well, if a little frayed around the edges. We have now been without a Group Scout Leader for 21/2 years but the dedication of uniformed leaders and a small group of very dedicated non-uniformed members we work together to a common aim of providing fun scouting activities for young people aged 6-15.

At the last census we were 173 strong and growing. The Group has grown by the addition of a third Beaver Scout (6-8) Colony, following the closure of Bearwood Scout Group, early in the year. For a short while a third Cub Scout (8-101/2) Pack was run to take account of a sudden influx of Beaver Scouts of Cub Scout age. When Cubs Scouts moved on to scouts then these lads were adopted into the existing two Cub Scout Packs - this was a difficult time for Cub Scout Leaders running effectively two units for a while.

A section of the Poole West Explorer Scout Unit (14-18) has moved from Hamworthy to meet at our HQ in Broadstone. This is not a 'Broadstone Group' section, but is one of two sections of a District Unit, the other meets at the 3rd Poole Sea Scout HQ.

One really great bonus was the award of the Woodbadge (completion of leader training) to Jason Adams and Derek Tarrant. Derek's award makes him the youngest leader ever in Poole Scout Districts to be awarded the Woodbadge.

Beaver Scouts Colonies have attended County Fun days, Longleat, Poltons Park, District Painting Competition, Fun days on Brownsea Island, Pantomimes, Christmas parades and of course the section meetings undertaking activities, badges and challenges within the Scout programme. Leadership remains a problem and without Brenda Grove and a Parent roster it would be very difficult to keep these sections going.

Cub Scout Packs have attended District Football competitions, short camps, days out to London Eye, Horse Guards, Activities in Delph Woods, Christmas parades and section meetings undertaking activities, badges and challenges within the Scout Programme. Once again adult leadership is a problem on some occasions.

Scout Troops have camped on too many occasions to list from Gloustershire to Dorset along with climbing and walking in Dartmoor and Purbecks, survival weekends, sleepovers, night and day hikes, cycle expeditions, swimming, rafting, pioneering, archery, 'nightex', wide games and cookouts in Delph woods and if that is not enough the section meetings undertake activities, badges and challenges within the Scout programme.

By the time this is published Poole West Scout District will be no more. Poole East and West Districts will have combined to form one Poole Scout District. Hopefully this will consolidate Scouting with an effective and efficient District Team. By then the long awaited District Commissioner will have been appointed and Scouting in the UK will have a new Chief Scout - Peter Duncan of 'Blue Peter' fame.

Without leadership we will not be able to develop further. The waiting list for boys wanting to participate in Scouting grows because Scouting is alive and well in Broadstone if a bit frayed around the edges. So come and join us - but beware! You just might enjoy it. If you want to know more about Scouting in Broadstone contact: John Bright - Uniformed Group Tel. 269806.

www.scoutbase.org.uk www.scouts.org.uk

Gone Home. It is with great sadness that we said good-bye to Chris Caples from Poole North Scout Group earlier this year. Some of you will know Chris as the Camp Fire Leader at Broadstone Group Campfires in Delph woods. Chris died very suddenly and unexpectedly. He was greatly loved and will be greatly missed.

Archive Winter 2004 | next

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