Our 60^th Anniversary celebrations got off to a great start with the “Big Breakfast” held on Saturday 24^th March. The youngsters were entertained by “Zoo to You” and came face to face with some creepy crawlies! Steve Talbot and his helpers prepared bacon butties and drinks and there were a variety of displays by the Sections including memorabilia. The Scouts sold cakes to raise funds for their Global Project and there was face painting as well. Several past members popped in to say hello.

Every member of the Group should have received our special 60^th Anniversary badge. Additional badges can be purchased for £1.00 from Tristan Bird. The Queen’s Diamond Jubilee woggles are available at £1.50.

The next event will be the Family Camp in May and nearly 100 parents and children have signed up. This will be followed by our own “Olympic Games” to be held on Saturday 7^th July in the Playing Field next to the HQ. It’s time to tone up those muscles as welly boots take some throwing! In addition there will be a gathering of former members on Saturday 10^th November and the year will finish with a Carol Service at Christ the King Church on Thursday 20^th December.

We are trying to write a history of the Group from 1952 to date. If you know anyone from yesteryear, please ask them to contact David Hutton on 01454 270260.

Around the Sections

Tuesday Beavers have completed their Global Challenge Badge. They designed poster on how to save water and electricity, tasted Fair Trade chocolate and held a Canadian themed evening. They also sowed French bean seeds and herbs ready for the Scout HQ vegetable garden. On Shrove Tuesday they made pancakes and for Easter they were creative and decorated Easter Eggs.

Thursday Beavers have made pizzas and pasta and found out facts about Italy. They also made volcanoes, but didn’t damage the HQ! They visited the St. Andrews players pantomime and made gift bags and cards for Mothering Sunday. They visited Christ the King Church and had a visit from the South Gloucestershire Council Ride and Road Safety team. The term finished with a junk modelling family night.

The Cubs have had an action packed term and have worked for the Chefs, Artists and Promise Challenge badges. A high light was a visit to B&Q to do part of the DIY badge. With the Pack in two groups, they made Bat and Bird boxes supervised by a member of the B&Q staff. The Cubs enjoyed it immensely and the remainder of the badge was completed during a normal Cub meeting.

The Scouts have enjoyed a diverse set of activities over the past term and are making a determined effort to achieve the Chief Scouts’ Gold Award. Kate O’Brien from the Three Brooks Community Project came along and got the Scouts thinking about how they fit into the local community and how the community works. Some Scouts are working for the Expedition Challenge and all are involved in the Global Challenge. The term finished with an evening of climbing and tunnelling at Tytherington Quarry. Summer camp has been booked at Parc le Breos on the Gower from 22^nd to 29^th July.

Our Annual General Meeting will be held on Thursday 21^st June at the Headquarters. This is an important meeting as the Annual Accounts for the Group will be presented and the Executive Committee will be elected. We do need more parents to become involved in the running of the Group. Currently we only have 4 non Leaders on the Committee whereas there were 18 parents in the 1960s! Don’t be shy, have a go.

We like BIG cheques but not little ones. Extra activities associated with Beaver, Cub and Scout nights that require a small payment are handled through the Section account. It is therefore very inconvenient if parents pay by cheque, as this then has to be paid into the Group account and then back out again. Can we please ask that all payments of £10 or less be paid in cash?

Can we please ask parents not to park in Rossall Avenue, but to use the main playing Field car park when bringing and collecting children from meetings. We have recently had another incident where a parent blocked a resident’s driveway and they were very annoyed.