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Well what a summer, Scouts spent a week up in North Yorkshire stopping at Ravensgill Scout centre making survival shelters, hiking, making dams in the local stream and chilling out on the beach.
We started back with all sections launching into a really busy programme, with Beavers starting the skills challenge badge and exploding bottles of pop whist doing the scientist badge. Cubs have started their challenge badges too and together with the Scouts are looking forward to spooky camps at Halloween twinned with night hikes.
THE DEEP camp saw the 168 members of the group spend a night at Rolleston and then travel off to Hull to spend the Saturday night at The Deep. This is one of the largest aquariums in the world. We all got a guided tour of the place, which saw us meet all the creatures in the hands on lagoon and meet all the sharks, protected by a huge glass wall. The camp/sleepover is one of the favorites amongst the group, we had Scouts on camp that went in 2009 as Beavers and they still think it’s amazing. For twelve of the older Scouts they had the chance to sleep in the glass tunnel at the bottom of the largest Shark tank, not sure how much they slept but I think, a hit.
Great News, I would like to welcome officially, Fiona Peck, Ian Ferguson and Dan Smith as new leaders to the group, Also welcome to Susan Boardman who has taken on the role of Chairman, Natialie Suttcliffe who is our new treasurer and Suzanne Love who is the new group secretary. We also welcome Liz Jones to the exec team. We have been working very hard as a new executive so expect to see some changes very soon.
With the above crew taking on new roles I must mention the two ladies that have changed their roles. I will start with Helen Barnett who started with the group after a call to the village when we were looking for a treasurer in 2000. Helen has been a great asset to the group seeing the group grow from an average size to the second largest in Staffordshire. I would like to thank her on behalf of the group and personally as she has been a real support in all the ventures that we a s a group have undertaken especially ROLLESTONBURY. Helen remains on the executive so you will still see her around.
Karen Wagstaff, well what can I say?. I asked Karen to take on the role as Chairman for a period of six months, 8 years later she has stepped down from that role and still remains on the executive and as adult support in the Scout section. I told her that once you get this Scouting thing in your blood it’s a very hard thing to let go of, and she won’t let me forget it. She like Helen has been a great asset to the Group and a great Chairman, so Thank you for all the hard work you have put in over the years.
Graham Jacks, Group Scout Leader
Group Scout Leader
27th June saw the Beaver adventure camp take place at Rangemore Campsite. This is the first time the beavers have used the site and they really had a great time. The Camp was based on Pirate Adventures, seeing all the Beavers hunting for the gold at Branston Water park, a huge campfire back on site and many other great activities. We had over 40 Beaver on camp that weekend so a massive thanks you to all the crew that made it happen. The Beavers have been up to lots of other things as well, including badge work, fun and games.
Rolleston Cubs have had their annual camp and this year they visited Drum Hill in Derbyshire. There were over 50 on site and made all the more exciting by one of the biggest and loudest thunder storms of the year so far on the Friday night. The camp included bush craft skills, cooking , games and water fights, what more could you need. The Cubs have also held a sixes camp which saw the older Cubs cooking on open fires and plucking pheasants for their tea.
The Wednesday Scouts went to the Burton District Scout Camp at Blackwell Activity Centre, here they cooked for themselves, and took part in many activities including the massive 3G swing, one not for the faint hearted.
The group held a Badge award night which was really well supported, with literally over two hundred badges awarded and over 20 Chief Scout awards as well. These are the highest badges that the Beavers, Cubs and Scouts can get in the Group so well done all. This great achievement was also copied by the Leaders, several of whom were awarded service badges for their continued commitment and dedication to the Group.
ROLLESTONBURY 2015 was a great event and another trouble free, complaint free family night. We raised well over £11k on the night but, putting that into perspective, that is our electric and gas bill paid so it doesn't go very far. Thank you to all that drank, served and helped with set up and take down and thank you to especially to our immediate neighbours for putting up with the noise. It really is appreciated. ROLLESTONBURY will return and will be held on 16th July 2016. For all info on how to book a corporate marquee or a gazebo pitch please see our website or just Google Rollestonbury.
The next big event is THE DEEP ADVENTURE, which is our group camp based at Rolleston and the largest aquarium in Europe THE DEEP (in Hull). This will see over 170 of the Group Sleep with the Sharks, more on this soon.
To conclude many thanks to all that make the Group work. We are a team and at the moment we are really pushing all we do to the limits. We are moving forward with activities and events at such a pace it’s hard to keep up. If you want to be part of the team in any role, be it helping on the uniform side, or being a member of the event or exec team then please get in touch. Volunteering is a great way to spend your time, IT IS FUN not a chore ! .You may just surprise yourself how much YOU can get out of Scouting
Many thanks for reading
Graham Jacks
0776804733, grahamj0124@gmail.com
Rolleston beavers are having their annual summer camp at Rangemore this year. This is the first time that we as beavers have camped away from the Scout HQ. The leaders have got lots of exciting activities planned for the camp.
This term we are working towards the Outdoor Challenge, Navigation and Explore Activity badges. This involves lots of outdoor activities so beavers should bring appropriate outdoor footwear every week. We will be completing camp craft, making bug hotels and clay faces and lots more outdoor activities.
Rolleston Cubs this summer are holding their annual summer camp at Drum Hill in Derbyshire and it promises to be a great weekend. We have also been very busy working towards our award badges and taking part in crazy wide games around the village.
The Wednesday Scouts are going to the Burton District Scout Camp at Blackwell Activity Centre in June. We are sending 18 Scouts and 3 leaders and hoping for good weather. Loads of activities planned by the District Team.
We will also be having a sleepover at HQ sometime in early May whilst we prepare all the decoration for our jousting pageant float.
We are still finalising this terms programme but we do know the following
will be happening: A Chippie Trek, First Aid Training, general scout and camp
craft and the water bomb catapult challenge. We are going to try to spend as
much time as possible outside we will need parent help. If you can spare an
evening or two a term please let any of the leaders know.
Both Scout Troops this year have supported the Mayors Charity by Bag packing at
ASDA, this was a great day, and raised money not only for the Scouts but also
for other charities in and around the Burton area to be distributed by the
Mayor.
And to conclude many thanks for all those who supported Rolleston’s FIRST Jousting Pageant.
We really hope you enjoyed it and we would love to hear what you thought of the event, please let us know via the Email link below or find us on face book (1st Rolleston Scouts).
Many thanks for reading,
Graham Jacks
0776804733, grahamj0124@gmail.com
Already 2014 seems so long ago but I feel I should say thank you to the village for supporting our Traditional Bonfire Night, if not by attending then coping with the traffic and parking. Now in its second year we have ironed out a few problems and continue to work on the rest. The event attracted a record 2047 on site to watch the professional display from PRYOTEX. The event will return on November 5th with more fireworks than last year.
2015 is certainly looking to be a really busy year for the Group, with all of the sections busy planning camps, trips and activities all this along with the week to week running of the program its amazing how we manage to get it all into twelve months. All the leaders really do take great pride in all that they do. Planning the program each year becomes increasingly difficult but as sections and together as a group we are delivering a balanced program which is really second to none and for that we should say WELL DONE to all that make it work.
The MAJOR big change to this year’s calendar is Carnival. The traditional Carnival is to be replaced by a JOUSTING PAGENT. This will take place on 17th May which is one week later than normal. It will still include a parade from The Lawns but at an earlier time of 12.30 and will end at the HQ and at 13.00 where the pageant will begin. Be prepared to enter the MEDIEVAL JOUSTING ARENA. The field is to be taken over with the Knights of Nottingham (TO BE FOUND ON YOUTUBE) professional Jousting Company who will entertain the crowds with a full size Jousting show. With the cooperation of Catherine Smith we are able to provide FREE ONSITE parking and our biggest marquees will be up to give you a guaranteed dry show. There will of course be a Bar, quality catering and many side stalls to keep you entertained all afternoon. The price of the event is Adults (over 14) £2.50 and Children FREE.
ROLLESTONBURY tickets will go on sale in May at Starbucks and Stretton News. This year our show company ONE STOP BOOGIE from Manchester, are going to create a brand new set list just for the show. It will be base on the 70s v 80s show and will certainly be packed with all the hits from the two decades to keep the field bouncing all night. Tickets are not essential to enter the event but there ensure entry and fastrack access to the event. Full details are on the website (just Google ROLLESTONBURY).
Our group camp goes with a small twist this year as we are repeating our great trip to THE DEEP. This is largest aquarium in Europe where the Beaver, Cubs and Scouts will spend the night sleeping next to the Shark tanks, the Jelly fish and the huge spider crabs. NOT MUCH SLEEP ON THAT CAMP THEN!
Many thanks for reading
Graham Jacks 0776804733
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Last updated: 1 January 2016