East Grinstead District Scouts

Photos from the 2010 Soap Box Derby, Congratulations to 6th East Grinstead, who won both the Beaver and Cub competitions, and to 1st EG Dolphin troop winning the Scout Class.

In the leader/explorer class, Griffyn Explorers, walked away with the cuddly toy. Congratulations to all who took part!.

More photos in the Gallery

Sunday 18th April, saw the streets of East Grinstead fall silent as traffic was held up at several road junctions around the town. The silence was broken by the sounds of the drums of the marching band as the parade marched up the high street watched by local residents and high street businesses.

One onlooker commented how pleased they were that Scouts still celebrated our Patron Saints day, reminding him of his younger days as a Scout many years ago.

County Commissioner John Spickett was also on hand to present Ron Trumpeter with his Silver Acorn award for his many years of work for the Scouts.

This was the first time is several years that the Saints Day celebration has included a parade, so well done to all of our young people who turned up looking very smart.

We would like to welcome our two new Scout Groups to the District!

From 1st April, 1st Ardingly Scout Group, and the 1st Horstead Keynes and Danehill Scout Groups now join East Grinstead District. We hope you will feel welcome, and look forward to meeting the leaders and members over the coming months at all the activities we have planned.

Keep an eye out for those new scarf colours, and say hello!

Rowfant Explorers have recently taken part in geocaching after winning two GPS units. Geocaching (pronounced geo-cashing) is a worldwide game of hiding and seeking treasure.

A geocacher can place a geocache in the world, pinpoint its location using GPS technology and then share the geocache’s existence and location online. Since laying, there have been 4 visits, two of which are people also involved with Scouting!

On Sunday 7th Feb, over 45 young people from Beavers, Cubs, Scouts and Explorers were presented with their Chief Scout Award.

Each Section has its own CSA which rewards and promotes commitment, self-motivation, teamwork, skills (both life-skills and Scouting), and many more qualities which can be developed in young people.

It is also used as the core of the Scouting programme, as the requirements of the award vary from participation in community activities, to more traditional Scouting activities such as camping.

Each of the you people presented with the awards have demonstrated they have reached the highest level of their sections, and should be proud of thier achievements.

At a special ceremony on Thursday 4th February, the 1st East Grinstead Group Scout Leader Jok Dowe, and Group Chairman Martin Groat officially opened new WC facilities at the Scout Hall in Moat Road.

The work has improved the existing facilities at the Hall, and includes the provision of a new purpose built disabled facility.

This has been a long running project, and costs have been met through a combination of grants and fundraising.

The ‘First Flush’ celebrations took place following the groups ‘Going Up’ ceremony, which sees young people moving from one section to another.

Parents and leaders were treated to a brief speech riddled with toilet humour, as the chairman thanked those present for not allowing the project to ‘go down the pan’, and agreed to stop the bad jokes at the in cistern’ce of everyone there.

Griffyn Explorers we lucky to secure an evening with Father Christmas last week.
It was the anual collection for East Grinstead Rotary Clubs Christmas Charities Appeal. Money collected is used to provide food and gifts for local residents who are in need or going to be alone this Christmas.

Once again, the big FC was on hand to wish local children well in the run up to Christmas, and a reminder to stay tucked up in bed on Christmas Eve. He even had a few spare minutes to invest Griffyn’s two newest members.

Merry Christmas Everyone!

The results of the Triangle Competition Hike, and a brief report can be found here (PDF)

Congratulations to all teams that took part in challenging conditions.

Explorers from East Grinstead Griffyn Unit planted 30 Trees at Broadstone Warren Activity Centre on Sunday 15th November.

The trees are a mixture of Birch, Alder and Rowan, and have been planted in the area around the camp fire circle.

Keep an eye out for them next time you are there, hopefully before long they will have become an established part of the Broadstone Landscape.