Bishop’s Stortford and District

NEWS
Welcome to Fiona December
2009
District gets a new District Commissioner
Beaver
On 1st December, the District gets a new Some words from John Henson – Deputy 2
updates
District Commissioner, Fiona Bishop who District Commissioner
was the Group Contact for 1st Much
Hadham. Fiona led 1st Hadham’s team of When Greg took over as DC (and cajoled Cub Scout
3
adults to become the fastest growing me by the way to be DDC) Scouting in Update
Scout Group in the UK in 2007. She always Bishops Stortford was strong and doing
said that this was due to the team of well, but I am in no doubt that Greg has
Scout update 4
adults, both parent and Leaders who made very positive changes during his
support the Group, particularly the sterling term at the helm. He leaves us with a
work of Dave Rouse, Scout Leader. The District plan, with significant growth under Explore Scout
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remarkable truth is that only four years our belt, and with a strong leadership update
ago there were 23 members in the Group team – well focused on driving Scouting
– the District was told by an outgoing forward. I fully believe I represent Scout Network
leader that as a small village, that was not everyone’s views in saying Scouting in 5
news
unusual. Bishops Stortford and District is going from
strength to strength and this is very much Bits and
With a little encouragement from the due to Greg’s un-tireless leadership and 6
pieces
District team, Dave and his leaders forged involvement over the past few years.
ahead with a plan overseen by Fiona. In Personally I would like to offer my thanks
Dates 7
the 2009 they had 90 members – a huge to him and am sure you would all second
effort and achievement by anyone’s this.
standards. Fiona has already found her
replacement – Julie Smith one of the Cubs What will life be with Fiona at the helm –
Leaders will become Group Scout Leader – well I am sure it will bring some changes
a role that has not been filled for many and different approaches – life can’t stand
years. A new Group Chairman has also still and we need to constantly evolve to
been recruited, Frazer Watkins and there build on what Greg has started! I am
is talk of perhaps another Colony! equally sure that she will face some
challenges along the way. I am committed
So with Fiona’s fresh approach and to helping Fiona in her role and ask you all
leadership, her personal skills of good to work with and support her over the ...the
communication and team building, the coming period. Together I am confident District
District will no doubt continue to grow and that Bishops Stortford and District Scouts
will no
develop and remain one of the strongest will continue to grow and support our
Districts in Hertfordshire. There will be youth community. doubt
some changes to our District team which continue
will be announced in due course. I am sure Greg I am sure will continue to be around, to grow
all of us in the District will wish Fiona all and whilst focused on his new role within
the very best and give her the full support the County as Deputy County
and
she deserves in a role in Scooting which is Commissioner will continue to support us develop...
key to helping adult leaders and where he can.
supporting the 900 or so young people
that join our fun and adventure each an Thanks Greg
every week of the year.
On the look out for a special programme idea?
Why not visit Church Farm in Ardeley
(near Stevenage). It produces high
welfare, free range meat and eggs as
well as seasonal vegetables grown
without pesticides or artificial fertilisers
(they aim to grow to organic standards
although as yet we are not organically
certified.) They have a farm store (selling
organic, fair-trade and local goods as
well as our own produce), vegetable and
meat box schemes and a café, offering
‘all day’ breakfasts and light lunches
(sourced from farm produce) as well as a
selection of homemade cakes and
scones. More info can be found on our
website www.churchfarmardeley.co.uk
They are passionate about what they do
and are keen to involve as many people
as possible, young and old, in their vision
and share our ideas with whoever will
listen!
Beaver Scout Update
A whizz of a year for Beavering with a
welcome to Gary, Liz and Iain of Ocean
Colony at 1st Bishops Stortford &
Hockerill Group, then Dave, Suzanne
and Kevin with the opening of Shooting
Stars at Silver Leys. Plans are in place to
open a third colony at 1st
Sawbridgeworth early in 2010.
As always Colonies have taken part this
year in Splash Night and St.George’s Day.
Our action packed Sleepover (who gave
it that name!) at Skreens Park went as
smoothly as ever with Beavers enjoying a
bouldering wall, pedal carts,
orienteering, plus crafts from countries
around the world. There was a great mix
of age ranges with help from 1st
Sawbridgeworth Discovery and
Challenger Scouts and Conquest
Explorer Unit. As always Beaver Leaders
came up trumps with great ideas for the
Beavers to enjoy themselves.
2 Join the adventure
They are open 8am-8pm every day for
people to walk the farm, feed the
animals, see their veg growing and visit
the store and café. If Bishop Stortford
Scouts would like a free tour any time,
we would be able and very willing to set
this up.
For a taster, log on to
www.youtube.com/user/AgrarianTV,
where we have several video clips of our
animals (we have cattle, pigs, sheep,
chickens, geese, ducks and turkeys). If
you would like to find out more, please
check out our website. You can contact
the farm on 01438 861 447, or drop an
email to Ruth Harbord at
Ruth@churchfarmardeley.co.uk
with Hazel Mead
Many badges and Bronze Awards have
been earned over the past months. We
are eagerly looking forward to our
annual Torch and Wellie Walk followed
by a Sausage Sizzle and then on to
planning for 2010.
We have said goodbye and thanks to
Mike Keef from 10th Bishops Stortford,
Dawn Carter and Julie Bennett from 1st
Bishops Stortford and Hockerill and wish ...As always
them well in their new roles. We know Beaver Leaders
they will miss Beavering and there is came up trumps
always a warm welcome if they would
like to join in any Beaver events.
with great ideas...
We welcome Fiona Bishop as our new
District Commissioner and look forward
to her coming along to some of our
events. We are currently awaiting to
hear who the new Assistant County
Commissioner will be.
 Cub Scout Update with Ken Gordon
I am pleased to see everyone has been Thorley Group helped lead the Harvest
keeping active over the summer with a Celebration at St James's Family Worship
lot of camps. Comanche had a very cold - produced posters and explained what
night camping with their sixers and Harvest means and our responsibility for
seconders at Priory Wood in October. stewardship and sharing the world's
They hiked over from the scout hut, put resources.
up their own tents, cooked tea on open
fires, camp fire etc. After a walk in St Michaels Mead Cubs enjoyed a day in
Hatfield forest everyone went home London with a sleepover on HMS Belfast
pleasantly exhausted. (well not much sleep really!). They
enjoyed visiting Tower Bridge, Golden
Saxon Cubs participated in Shine 09 with Hind, St Pauls and the highlight –
...everyone has
a litter pick in and around the children's McDonalds!
play area by Sainsbury's. They also held a been keeping
woodwork workshop where 12 Cubs 10th Bishops Stortford has found new active over the
with the help of 9 Dads made model dwellings for their meetings and now summer ...
boats using electric and hand saws, meets at the Markwell Pavilion after they
electric and hand drills, glue, pins, were no longer able to use the school
sandpaper, rulers, etc. Viking & Saxon hall.
had a sailing taster day in the summer
holidays. They made rafts had a go at The Cubs Christmas Carol Service is
canoeing and sailing. being held on Monday 7th December at
6pm, Water Lane URC. This year’s service
Viking have been doing air activities, is called “Santa’s Story” and I hope to see
concluding a trip to Duxford. They also all of you (and your Cubs!) there. The
had a nice quiet evening when they held Cubs good cause this year is Kisses4Kids.
a sponsored silence!

IMPORTANT CHANGE - InTouch

Following a year long national The main difference is that there will no
consultation process and six month trial longer be a ‘Home Contact’ required to
in three Counties, Headquarters ate sit at home next to the phone for all
making improvements to the Home events, although it is still possible to use
Contact System. The updated system is a third party to manage communications
known as InTouch and will be replacing if this is deemed the most sensible way
Home Contact system. by the Leader in charge.Full details of
InTouch can be found at
InTouch is designed to give much more www.scouts.org.uk/intouch.
flexibility to Leaders in putting together
the most effective and useful system of This webpage is available for all to view
communications for all events and as of now. Bishop’s Stortford and District
activities they run, including recognising will move over to InTouch on 1st January
the different communication methods 2010.
that are available.

3 Join the adventure

 Scout Update with Max Streets
Herts 100
A wonderful event attended by nearly which was a source of much fun and at
3000 people at Tolmers, with a carnival times frustration when clues were not
theme. There was a huge number of quite what they appeared.
different activities for all sections to try.
1st Much Hadham; Sawbridgeworth It was great to have Neil Crumpton,
Blackfoot ; and Thorley Buccaneer took former Buccaneer leader and his family
the opportunity to join in the fun. A great camping with them for a few days.
success especially for Dave Rouse and his
team to try out their new catering It meant that all troop leaders of
facilities. Fantastic bread pudding! Buccaneer, both past and present, were
on site together after nineteen years of
Chief Scout Gold Awards. setting up the troop; Gary Swift, Max
Congratulations to the following Streets, Neil Crompton and the current
members of St. Michael’s Mead troop leader Chris Hinge.
and their leaders who encouraged these
lads to achieve their Gold. Well Done. In addition to these main week long
Matthew Fox; Tristan Knowles; Adam camps, other troops around the district
Swift; and Robert Wheelhouse. have organised weekends and day
activities including canal boat trips,
Summer Camps gliding days. Many thanks to Stuart
1st Thorley Adventurer - Broadstone Jacobs (Bunny) for continuing to
Warren, back to familiar ground, with a organise and skipper the canal boats.
new leadership team in the making, well
done for taking up the challenge at short Autumn Camps.
notice and making a very successful Silver Leys and St . Michaels Mead
camp. started this term with an activity
St. Michaels Mead & 1st Thorley weekend at Tolmers, experimenting with
Buccaneer again ran a joint camp, this different methods of cooking in camp
time at Waddecar, West Lancs. Despite ovens.
some wet weather achieved all their Daniel Clark, 1st BS organised his troop
objectives in sailing, hill walking, for a weekend away.
mountain biking, and a new activity of
geo caching

Explorer Scout Update with Nigel Reed

This summer all three Explorers Scout
Units had expeditions away.
It started off with Endeavour ESU having
a joint camp with 2nd Much Scouts at
Thriftwood Scout Campsite near
Brentwood. It was their first camp away
from the St Elizabeth’s grounds for many
years. They took 16 young people and
16 carers to camp plus the leader team
which was a fantastic effort. They even
had Explorers come over for the day that
enabled them to do activities that that
don’t normally do.
Voyager ESU joined them on Friday night
and helped put up the tents so when
they arrived they weren’t hanging
around too long. On Saturday evening ...This summer all
before all went to the campfire Linda three Explorers
Brett was presented with a thank you Scout Units had
paperweight by the District for
expeditions
everything she has done over many
years. Linda’s work commitments has away...
forced her to step aside as Scout Leader
as she cant be there on a regular bases.

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Voyager ESU took 27 people to the Isle
of Wight this summer. They hired a
Scout HQ near Cowes that they used as
their base and they camped in grounds
of the Scout Group. They did a number
of activities including sea kayaking,
surfing, body boarding, hiking and a
evening supporting the local speedway
team against a visiting team from
Buxton. The highlight of their week was
trying a new activity called coaststeering.
The Explorers are still talking about it
now so if you want to know more track
one down and they will tell you what’s it
all about.
Conquest ESU had far the most exotic
expedition this summer when they
joined the County’s Thirst For Life
expedition to Swaziland. 11 from the
Unit joined others from around
Hertfordshire to work together on
community development project
“working with children at risk”.
World Scout Jamboree – Sweden 2011
The 2011 Jamboree is to be held in Rinkaby,
near Kristianstad, Sweden with 40,000
Scouts from around the world.
Congratuations to Connor Hollingsworth,
Caitlin Lammin, James Thorpe, Thomas
Wiffen and Alex George for being selected to
represent Bishops Stortford and District at
the Jamboree.
I would also like to thank all the applicants
who applied and attended our selection
event. The event proved very enjoyable and
gave the selection committee a very hard
task in selecting the five lucky people to
attend the Jamboree.
Scout Network Update
A brief update on current Network
Weekend Camp in Whaley Bridge
During October a few of us headed to
Whaley Bridge in the Peak District for the
first Network weekend camp. Again, we
all had a great time. We walked in the
hills, climbed on the crags, ale-tasted in
the pub, and shopped in Buxton – and all
in time to get back home on Sunday
evening.
5 Join the adventure
They also had some home hospitality, a
camp programme and 2-day excursion to
the Kruger National Park. Conquest had
the largest contingency from all the
Explorer Units in the County. They are
already talking about returning to do the
same again in a few years time.
Recently Voyager ESU entered a full and
a training team in the County’s
Hertfordshire Peak Assault competition
that took place in the Brecon Beacons.
The full team came a respectable 9th out
of 30 plus teams and the training team
came first in their class. Well done to
both teams.
In December both Conquest ESU and
Voyager ESU are taking part in the
Explorer Scout Xmas Meal where they
are hoping to over 400 Explorers Scouts
together under one roof for an evening
of eating, talking and games.
by John Henson
The applicants all worked hard and really
participated in the event, and would all have
made great ambassadors for us given the
opportunity. They will join one of two units
representing Hertfordshire as part of the
overall UK Contingent. The Jamboree
programme will kick off early 2010 with a
number of events, culminating in joining up
with the entire UK contingent in Copenhagen
before the Jamboree starts and ending with a
few days home hospitality in Finland, Poland
or one of the Baltic states.
This I am sure will prove to be a truly life
changing experience for them all and I look
forward to hearing about their adventures in
the future.
Zander
Christmas Meal
A Unit Christmas s meal has been
arranged and we are looking forward to
it. That is all the news for now – go to the
Facebook page and see the new photos,
and we’ll see you at the next meeting!
Bits and pieces from around the District
1st Thorley
Regretfully Graham Bishop has stood
down from Group Scout Leader to take a
break from Scouting. Stuart Jacobs is
acting as Group Contact until further
notice.
The Group is having a
Super Quiz Night
Saturday 28th November at the
St Barnabus Centre
Max. 8 Per Team
£7.50 a Ticket
Liquid Refreshments
Tickets available from
Maureen Hargrave
 01279 657273
1st Sawbridgeworth
The Group is going from strength to
strength starting a new Beaver Colony as
of the first week back after the Christmas
break in 2010. Hopefully four new
Leaders to run the colony with 12 new
Beavers to start with and some more to
follow. Following on hopefully with a
new Cub Pack early in 2010. This will
make 8 sections plus the use by
Conquest Explorers, with a hut creaking
at all the edges.
This year makes 19 years of our
Community Christmas Post for the town
of Sawbridgeworth - a big operation
which involves over 50 people but
everybody seems to enjoy all the effort
put in, including the dogs and we make a
profit.
District Camping and general Equipment
In the last newsletter there was a list of
District equipment you can borrow.
If you want to use this, please ring Geoff
Markwell 01279 655366.
6 Join the adventure
District Swimming
Remember you can take advantage of the
FREE District run swimming session most
weeks on a Tuesday Night – why not make
this your Section meeting for one week?
Full information can be obtained from Geoff
Markwell on 01279 655366.
First Aid coordinator
Following the “retirement” of Geoff
Crabb from this role, Julie Thorpe will
take on the role of coordinating the
running of First Aid training events for
adults. Please note Julie is not the First
Aid “expert” but she may know someone
“Light” Supper
who can! Bring Your Own
Cub Carol Service
Don’t miss this special evening on
Monday 7th December at 6pm, Water
Lane URC. This year’s service is called
“Santa’s Story” and The Cubs good
cause this year is Kisses4Kids. ALL
WELCOME and SEE YOU THERE!!
District Communications and Promotional
equipment
A list of special equipment to promote
Scouting was circulated to Section Leaders
and GSL’s via email just before Christmas. It
included professional displays, Laptop, digital
projectors, Sound system and so on….If you
want to book and borrow this equipment,
contact John Henson.
Phone: 01279 507886
Email: john@henson-online.co.uk
District Scout Shop
Open most Wednesdays 7.00pm – 8.30pm. If
in doubt ring Reg Jacobs 01279 653806
1st Much Hadham

News from the Troop News from Beavers

2 Gold Awards - Bobby Bishop & Daniel
Gallagher
There was a trip to Go Ape - Elveden
Forest, Suffolk and 10 Scouts went Air
Gliding with the County at Cambridge
Gliding Centre. In October 20 young
people kids (Cubs & Scouts) went Narrow
Boating between Harlow and Hertford
with Stuart Jacobs and his wife and
Section leaders. Our Scouts are
sponsoring a Dhallit ('untouchable' -
term not used anymore) through her
education in India.
There were 3 Bronze awards - Maddie
Lucas, Honor Kitson and Jessica Case
During October we went to Harlow
Playhouse, Brass Rubbing at St Andrew's
Church, Much Hadham and a trip to Rye
Meads In December we plan to sing
carols at the Old People's home in Much
Hadham and offer gifts.
Our Group numbers expected to be 90
in January; considering opening a new
Beaver Colony in January!

News from Cubs

All cubs went to the Harlow Climbing
Wall at October Half term.

National Awards
Congratulations to the following who
have been awarded a national award –

Chief Scout Commendation for Good
Service to Scouting:
Sean Dellow – 1st Sawbridgeworth
Emily Stewart – 1st Bishop’s Stortford
Dave Rouse – 1st Much Hadham
Also Long service awards to:
Christine Leech - 15 Years - 1st Bishop’s
Stortford
Linda Brett - 20 years- 2nd Much Hadham
George Markwell 20 years – Silver Leys
WELL DONE and THANK YOU for all you do
for our young people!

Tracey Dobinson - 5 years - Conquest ESU

Gary Newbury - 10 years – Silver Leys
David Williams - 10 years –
1st Sawbridgeworth

Dates for your diary….

January February
Contact Contact
4 Appointments Advisory Committee Kate Reed 1 Appointments Advisory Committee Kate Reed
13 Beaver Leaders New Year Dinner Hazel Mead 9 District Cub Leaders meeting Ken Gordon
Confirm Fiona
Dec 09 Dist. Explorer Scout Leaders Meeting Nigel Reed 11 District Team Meeting
Bishop
County Fiona
16/17 Fire and Ice, Tolmers Winter Camp 24 ALL District Leader Meeting 7.45pm
Office Bishop
Veronica
27 Group Scout Leaders Meeting Fiona Bishop TBD Getting Started URC BS Dewey
Cougar Scout Network activities/ Rob
TBC
meet Halkyard

7 Join the adventure

 March April
Contact Contact
1 Appointments Advisory Committee Kate Reed TBD Getting Started URC BS Veronica Dewey
4th District Executive Committee Pat Markwell 25 St George’s Day Event Fiona Bishop
Confirm
Dec 09 Cub/Scout Splash Night, BS College Pat Markwell 28 District Beaver Scout Leaders Hazel Mead
8th District Scout Leaders meeting Max Streets
Confirm
Dec 09 Beaver Splash Night, BS College Pat Markwell
29 Appointments Advisory Committee Kate Reed

and finally don’t forget....

Christmas thank you and meet new DC night...
buffet and drinks
Wednesday 9th December 2009,
Bishop’s Stortford College, 7 300m – 9.30pm
Invite to all District
Leaders, Helpers and
Group Trustees
We appreciate that some Sections meet on a Wednesday night, but it the only night of the week that the
least Sections meet. Please do try and come to this special event where you will:
 meet our new District Commissioner, Fiona Bishop;
 awards and presentations to Leaders from Rikki, County Commissioner;
 chat about what the District will be doing in 2010;
 discuss with Fiona what you see as key priorities for the District and
 have and informal chat over a drink and buffet with other Leaders and Helpers.

The map of how to get to the School and is below.

As we will be giving out a number of formal awards and presentations to some people, if appropriate,
please try and wear uniform.

Look forward to seeing you there!

District Commissioner
Fiona Bishop
Downfield,
Wellpond Green,
Visit us on line at:
Nr Standon, Herts SG11
1NN
bishopsstortfordscouts.btik.com
 01279 842860
Mob 07984 655099
 fiona@downfield.biz

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