East Grinstead District Scouts

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!

Yes it’s back as a full Joint Activity;
Marathon 2010 is booked for the weekend of May 22nd and 23rd.
Marathon is an event aimed at widening the lightweight hiking and camping experience for Scouts
and Guides.

The event will consist of teams of four undertaking a 7K orienteering hike on the
Saturday with incident points run by Scout and Guide leaders. On arrival at the
overnight camp, teams will pitch lightweight tents and cook a lightweight meal on
hike equipment.
For more information download the flyer, download the rules.

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.

Congratulations to those who took part in the District Shooting Competition.

Michael Gowen was the District Sharp-Shooter coming top of the individual results with a score of 86.

1st Place in the Team Competition was 1st EG Dolphin Troop with a team score of 281.
2nd Place was awarded to 1st THCD ‘B’ Team who scored 227
3rd Place was 1st EG Tuesday troop scoring 224 points.

Both Scout Troops form the !st East Grinstead Group shared a great camp at Cricket Camp, a District Run site near Southampton.

Leaders and 20 scouts had a great time. Activities included dingy sailing, a day trip to Portsmouth docks, High ropes course, crabbing, scouting crafts and badge work.

A highlight of the camp for many was the opportunity to sail a 75ft tail ship in the Solent. With all scouts asleep on the way home a great time was had by all.

Report: Scott Austin, Photos: Rob Goodbrand

Congratulations to thoese members who took part in Marathon 09, next year it will be even bigger with doors once again being opened up to our sister movement Girlguiding UK:

Team	Place	Points
THCD “A”	1	284
8th “A”	2	278
1st Tuesday “D”	3	273
4th “B”	3	273
1st Dolphin “C”	5	268
1st Tuesday “E”	6	257
1st Dolphin “B”	7	255
4th “C”	8	252
1st Dolphin “A”	9	218
8th “B”	10	206
4th “A”	11	203

It has been a busy few weeks in scouting, and I have not had a chance to update the site with things as often as I would have liked, so here are some quick bits:
New Chief Scout Appointed – Bear Grylls see http://www.scouts.org.uk/news_view.php?news_id=185

Photos from County Cub Camp 2009 Camp-a-lot:Photos 1, Photos 2, Photos 3

East Grinstead Has a New Queen Scout – see http://www.westsussexscouts.org.uk/update.php

More information on these stories, and more to follow soon!