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In my first report for 2012 I outlined a project being set up by Staffordshire Scouts to send teams of Leaders and Scouts to Kenya to build an orphanage for the local children, and how proud we are that a number of Rolleston Scouts have been selected to take part in this programme. In my last report for 2012 I would like to thank everyone who has helped in any way to raise the £3000 each Scout needs to fund this trip. The fund raising events held by the Scouts have been well supported, very generous donations have been received, and we are all looking forward very much to the challenges we will face, and the rewards we will derive from our time in Kenya.
Closer to home we have had a fantastic year – our numbers are at capacity with 150 youngsters, 24 leaders, plus a strong Executive Committee. We do still have a waiting list and we are constantly working towards expanding all sections – so watch this space closely in 2013.
Dates for your Diary - 2013
Carnival - Sunday 12th May, our theme this year is Musicals and this promises to be another action packed family day out, complete with our traditional street parade - so don’t miss it.
Rollestonbury – Saturday 13th July. This year’s open air concert will feature music from 70’s to 90’s, playing all the hits from those eras. This event is now well known for quality entertainment at affordable prices, and this year will prove to be more of the same – or even better. Corporate hospitality is, once again, available for the concert and three marquees are already booked, please see website for more information or give me a ring.
One final item – I am tremendously proud to tell you that I have been awarded the Medal of Merit for outstanding service to Scouting. My response to this is that I can only do what I do because I work with the best team I have ever known. The Group has been developed over the years built on foundations set out by Leaders and Exec past and present, and it is them we need to recognise. The Group is now as strong as it has ever been and this doesn’t come easily. Beavers, Cubs, and Scouts sections are all producing a quality and challenging programme, and this is down to the dedication of all the Leaders. So as I accept this Award I will be ‘taking my hat off’ to all the Team for making the Group what it is today.
Thank you for Reading Graham M Jacks (07768047332)
E-mail: grahamj0124@gmail.com for info
www.rollestonscouts.org.uk
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Since my last report your Scout Group has certainly been very active. In June the Beaver colonies joined and due to a recent change in our rules they camped on the field for the first time. You may think that putting over 30 6-8 year olds on a field in tents overnight is slightly mad, but they all had a great time, and the behaviour was suburb. Even from the leaders. The activities including the climbing wall, water polo, thanks to a huge puddle (may have been football) a great campfire, a trip to the farm and to end with, a high speed tractor ride back to the HQ it was a great camp and a credit to all the leaders that planned and ran it. Congratulation to Sophie Fowkes Alex Garret and Katie Garrett who all gained their Bronze Chief Scout award, this is the highest award that can be gained in the Beaver colony so well done.
The older Cubs have attended the District Sixer/Seconder camp at Blackwell Court. This is a camp where new skills are learnt, and lots of responsibility taken. The Cubs had to pitch their own tents in the pouring rain (thanks to the parents that assisted with this). They then cooked their own meals and took turns in washing and drying up (so Mums and Dads don’t let them tell you they cannot do this at home—because they can demonstrate all these new skills to you). They did have lots of fun too, with grass sledging, zip wire, abseiling, team building and a rare treat of a heated outdoor swimming pool for the Sunday morning before packing up and leaving.
The cubs then worked on some boats which formed part of the Jubilee celebrations within the village. All of these were put on the Brook to replicate the Royal Flotilla. They looked fantastic and the Cubs had worked really hard to decorate and personalize all of these.
We took over 25 Cubs to the District Cub Camp at Kibblestone. The weather was not kind to us, although the sun did come out occasionally over the weekend. There were some Cubs who were camping for the very first time, and they did great. The theme of this camp was Jubilee and Olympics. We made crowns and flags for our Street Party Lunch and Camp Fire, followed by Olympic events on the Sunday. All Cubs had great fun.
The Scout section have been training hard undertaking many activities to achieve sections of their badge work and to prepare for their summer expedition to Germany to stay at the German Scout HQ, Reinbeck Castle. This promises to be a fantastic expedition and it will feature in my next report.
They have seen two Scouts, Elliot Staley and Jack Wagstaff receive there Gold Chief Scout Award, which is the highest award they can gain whist in the Group so well done to them.
The Scouts finished their official programme with a trip to the Fradley Karting centre, and I think we may have some budding F1 drivers in the making.
And just to finish……
ROLLESTONBURY, with events being cancelled all around us, a flooded field 7 days before and 48 hours after, RSG put on the best concert yet. It really was a fantastic night and I have never seen so many people dancing. We have had lots of feedback and not one has been negative. Although the concert was always designed to be a fundraiser I am very conscious to keep the prices low and to provide a quality affordable family event and now, with 5 concerts and 4 ROLLESTONBURYS, I think we have it right. Whist I can plan the event I can’t run it alone and can I take this opportunity to say thank you to all the Leaders, the Exec and the Parents that helped with the setup, the concert itself and the take down.
The date is set for next year’s concert Saturday 13th July, and full details will be released in September but I can promise you another cracking show. Corporate marquees are now available to be reserved.
Thanks for reading
Graham M Jacks
grahamj0124@gmail.com
www.rollestonscouts.org
April saw your Scout Group take part in the annual St Georges day Parade in Burton. This parade is very special to the Scouts as it is the time we reaffirm our Scout Promise. We had an excellent turn out with over 100 on parade. Well done to all who made it.
Thanks to all in the village who supported the Carnival this year. With the yearly increase in red tape this event becomes harder and harder to stage, so thank you to all that make it happen. The Carnival is one of our main fundraisers of the year and with costs on the rise the level of support from the village really is appreciated.
All sections are now well into their camping season, with the Beavers having their first ever camp (in tents), the Cubs taking part in both the District sixers and seconders camp and district Cub camp, leaving the Scouts who went to Blackwell Court Adventure camp, where they spent most of the weekend, on the high wire course, the zip line which is over 200 meters long and the assault course - who said Scouting was out of date?.
We have recently invested a lot of capital into the building and the Scout Group as a whole. We have installed a state of the art fire alarm and increased our entire emergency lighting in the building, purchased a new trailer and cooking equipment, and also received a grant to buy new tents. In all we have spent over £14.000. As I’m sure you are aware we receive no state funding and the subs that the young people pay does not cover any of the building costs at all, let alone new equipment. All monies raised are done by dedicated helpers, made up of Leaders, Executive members and parents.
If you feel that you have any spare time and would like to take an active part in the Group then please get in touch. This doesn’t have to be as a leader, there are many roles, to suit ANY individual circumstance. You can make a difference.
Dates for your Diary
ROLLESTONBURY 14th July. For this year’s concert we have hired a band called One Stop Boogie, to perform a 70s Verses 80s concert, playing all the hits from both decades.
We have held our prices and even reduced our prices for children at ROLLESTONBURY to enable you all to enjoy Quality entertainment at affordable prices. This year we have decided to support St Giles Hospice by donating a percentage of the concert profits to them. This charity is close to the hearts of many in the village and with running costs of 26k per day I hope that our donation may help in some small way when it is needed most. Corporate hospitality is as last year available for the concert and three marquees are already booked, please see website for more information or give me a ring.
www.easyfundraising.org.uk/causes/24thburtonscouts
You still shop at all the high street shops but they give us a percentage of what you purchase at no cost to you, this also includes insurance, stationary, and much, much more.
Thanks for reading,
Graham M Jacks (07768 047 332)
Contact, grahamj0124@gmail.com
For info:
www.rollestonscouts.org
I am pleased to tell you, in my first report for 2012, that we have great news. Every year we complete our annual census to Scout Headquarters in London and I am proud to say that the Group has grown again. Since 2006 we have gone from strength to strength, with a steady increase in numbers from 56 to the present day numbers of 144.
This includes 22 warranted leaders who collectively put together a programme and a range of activities, camps, expeditions, and FUN that really is second to none, so can I just say to them ‘Well Done’ for all their hard work, dedication and commitment to your Scout Group. Can I also take this opportunity to welcome Jo Stoney, Assistant Cub Leader, and Emily Roach, Assistant Beaver Leader, who have recently joined the leadership team.
Looking forward to the year ahead we really do have some fantastic events and camps planned. All three sections will be camping at least twice, and this will include Beavers - as the rules have now changed and they will be sleeping in tents for the first time. The Cubs have camps planned as well as joining in District events that include Cubs from the whole of Burton, and the Scouts will be heading on an expedition to Germany. We are again holding our annual Group camp in September which will see all sections take to the water!!!!!, more information soon, so as you can tell - a FUN filled year ahead.
Dates for your Diary
Carnival is all set to be held on Sunday 13th May, our theme this year is the Olympics and this promises to be another action packed family day out, complete with our traditional street parade - so don’t miss it.
ROLLESTONBURY 14th July. For this year’s concert we have hired a band called One Stop Boogie, to perform a 70’s Versus 80’s concert, playing all the hits from both decades.For both these events we have held our prices and even reduced our prices for children at ROLLESTONBURY to enable you all to enjoy quality entertainment at affordable prices. Corporate hospitality is, once again, available for the concert and three marquees are already booked, please see website for more information or give me a ring.
One final item, since 2011 Staffordshire Scouts have been setting up a massive project in Kenya. They have teamed up with a charity that has recently bought a plot of land just outside Mombasa, the aim is that over the next three years teams of Leaders and Scouts from the ages of 14-18 will be going out to build an orphanage for the local children orphaned by HIV. The first visit out there is Easter 2013 and I am proud to say that Rolleston Scouts, past and present, have been selected for the expedition. The cost of the trip is £3000 each, they will spend two weeks working on the building with only a day off for a safari. This cost includes £750 that is going to buy building materials. The fundraising has already started and there is a link with more information on the project on our website. If you can help or would like to donate, then please have a look.
www.easyfundraising.org.uk/causes/24thburtonscouts
You still shop at all the high street shops but they give us a percentage of what you purchase at no cost to you, this also includes insurance, stationery, and much, much more.
Thanks for reading
Graham M Jacks (07768 047 332)
Contact: grahamj0124@gmail.com
for info:
www.rollestonscouts.org.uk
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Last updated: 27 December 2012