Bishop’s Stortford and District
News Letter February 2011
Contents
Award Winners
District Award/ AGM Details
Welcome New Leaders
Diary Dates (March – June)
County Training Dates
Section Updates
St Georges Day
The St Georges Day celebration and Renewal of
Promise will take place on the 17th April from
14:00 – 15:30. This year we will be renewing
our promise on top of the Castle Mound. All
Groups should assemble by the Markwell
Pavillion at 14:00 and will then be escorted up
to the castle for a short ceremony .
Splash Night(s)
Don’t forget SPLASH NIGHT
Beavers – 26th March
Cubs and Scouts – 5th March
Please Note that the District
Development Day has been moved
to November!
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Growth Continues
For the first time in the history of our District we
have reached a membership of more than 1000
members. This is entirely due to the hard work
and dedication of you all - an absolutely fantastic
achievement.
Well done!
Awards
Long Service
Sue Jacobs – 30 Years
Stuart Jacobs – 30 Years
Philip Copland – 25 Years
Samantha Payne – 15 Years
Anna Sullivan – 5 Years
Wood Badges
Jonathan Williams – 1st Thorley
Phil Spain – Silverleys
Sam Wallace – 1st BS
A big congratulations to you all – your dedication
and commitment is appreciated. I’d also like to
thank the TA’s that have helped support you
(Hazel Mead and Stuart Jacobs)
In most cases the TAs take on this role in addition
to their Leader role – it is really appreciated.
Join the adventure
 Bishop’s Stortford and District

News Letter February 2011

District Awards/ Welcome

AGM 2011 I would like to welcome some new Leaders to the District
and to acknowledge those that have agreed to take on
new responsibilities:

Andy Holloway ACSL 1st BS & Hockerill

19th May – 7.45pm Paul Cannon ACSL 1st Thorley

Amanda Wood ABSL 1st BS & Hockerill

(Note change of Date!!!)
Andrea Spence ABSL 1st Thorley
The categories for awards should by now
have been issued and the deadline for Louise Clark ABSL 1st Thorley
nominations is the 14th March. Mark Prisk
Sarah Porter Section 1st Thorley
MP has agreed to join us to present the
Assistant
awards this year. Vanessa Challis Section 1st Thorley
Assistant
Lionel Vassell Section 1st Thorley
Assistant
Please consider nominating some of our Angela Day Section 1st Thorley
incredibly hard working volunteers and young Assistant
people. Recognition is an important Mark Robertson ABSL 1st Thorley

part of looking after them so please use this Terri Godsell Section 1st Thorley
opportunity wisely. Assistant
Nicola Sell ASL 1st Much
Hadham
Darren Parker ACSL 1st BS & Hockerill
Sue Byford has again kindly agreed to
Charlie Field ABSL 1st Much
coordinate ( suebyford@yahoo.co.uk 01279
Hadham
832351) Darren Harttree ACSL 10th BS

Lynne McGhee ACSL 1st BS & Hockerill

Eleanor Gardiner ABSL 1st Thorley

Paul Sanderson ABSL Sawbridgeworth

Beth Sanderson ABSL Sawbridgeworth

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 Bishop’s Stortford and District

News Letter February 2011

Dates for your diary….

MARCH April
3 District Executive Committee Geoff 2 1st Thorley AGM Stuart Jacobs
Markwell
5 CUB and SCOUT Splash Night, BS Geoff 4 Appointments Advisory Kate Reed
College Markwell Committee
5-6 Chiltern Challenge Nigel Reed 13 Scout Shop Closes Reg Jacobs
18 - HEAT (Herts. Explorers around Nigel Reed 14 Getting Started Evening Veronica
20 Town) Dewey
24 Getting Started evening Veronica 17 St George’s Day Event Fiona Bishop /
Dewey Max Streets
26 BEAVER Splash Night, BS College Geoff TBC District Beaver Scout Wendy
Markwell Leaders Claxton
18 TA Meeting Veronica
Dewey
30 – DOE – Silver Practice Hike Nigel Reed
2

May JuneJune
4 Scout Shop Re-Opens Reg Jacobs District Executive Geoff
2
Committee Markwell

9 Appointments Advisory Kate Reed District Beaver Sleepover – Wendy

3–4
Committee Gilwell – 25 Years Claxton

9 1st Much Hadham AGM Alison Appointments Advisory

6 Mike Thorpe
Whenman Committee

9 District Cub Leaders meeting Ken 8 District Team Meeting Fiona Bishop
Gordon
11 Group Scout Leaders Meeting Fiona District Scout Leaders’
13 Max Streets
Bishop Meeting

14 District First Aid Course (adults) Julie District Scout Leaders’

13 Max Streets
Thorpe Meeting

14 District Scout Leaders Meeting Max 19 Go Ape Nigel Reed

Streets
19 District Awards Night and AGM Fiona Veronica
23 Getting Started
Bishop Dewey

21 Sawbridgeworth AGM David Orchard Farm, Peak

Mead 25/26 District – Leaders’ John Henson
Weekend

26 Getting Started evening Veronica

Dewey

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 Bishop’s Stortford and District

News Letter February 2011

Training Dates
For full County Training Calendar and to book
go to:
County Training:
www.Hertfordshirescouts.org.uk

6/3/11 - 1st Response – Harpenden 19/3/11 – 1st Response – 1st Langleybury HQ

12/3/11 – Managers’ Modules – Well End 14/5/11 – 1st Response – 1st Hertford

12/3/11 – Modules 11,12,17,19 – Hatfield 21/5/11 – Modules 5,7,8,9 – Well End

13/3/11 – Module 25 – Well End 21/5/11 – Module 25 – WellEnd

13/3/11 – Modules 13,14,15,18 - Hatfield 10/6/11 – Module 38 & 16 – Well End

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News Letter February 2011
Beaver Update –
Wendy Claxton
This last term has seen quite a few changes within
the Beaver leadership team . We have several new
leaders and assistant leaders across the District,
which makes it much easier for the colonies to run
well.
It has been great visiting some of you and seeing
first hand the results of all the time and effort that
you all put into your planning .
Although it seems a long time ago now , the torch
and welly walk went well,(even though a few people
got lost)!There was plenty of mud !
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Bishop’s Stortford and District
This year we are celebrating 25 years of
Beavers with a sleep over at Gilwell Park in
June . There will be a special badge marking
the 25 year anniversary.
I would like to say a big ‘Thank you’ to all of
you for giving up your spare time to run
Beavers, and for giving so many 6-8 year olds
the opportunity to do things they would
otherwise miss out on.
Join the adventure

News Letter February 2011
Cubs Update –
Ken Gordon
Thanks to all who attended and took part in, the
Carol Service this year, a very good turnout. The
District “Good Turn” helped raise money for the
District Charities “Purple Pinkie” and the “St
Elizabeth’s Centre”. So far we have raised over
£700 with still some money to come in. This year’s
Carol service is Monday 5th December so put the
date in your diary (don’t say you haven’t been
told!).
I have had the pleasure of giving out several well
deserved Chief Scout's Silver Awards, the highest
award in the Cub section. There were too many to
list here but well done to the Cubs in Saxon,
Comanche, Apache, Wolves and Tigers. If other
leaders have Cubs that have earned this award
please let me know and I will come and present the
badge.
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Bishop’s Stortford and District
10th Bishops Stortford have a new home (again!)
for their ever expanding pack, at Silver Leys. Let’s
hope they settle in and enjoy their new base.
I would like to welcome Adrian Gale as the new
Akela for 1st St Michaels Mead. I have enjoyed my
years as Akela at the pack but felt it was time to
move on. Adrian is a keen and enthusiastic leader
and I am sure will develop a dynamic programme
for the pack.
I plan to be out and about this term and to visit as
many packs as I can, so if you are doing something
unusual I would love to be invited or if you need
some help with a Pack evening, then please just
ask.
Good luck for Splash night and get those camps
planned!
Join the adventure

News Letter February 2011
Scouts Update –
Max Streets
After the Christmas break, it was good to hear of
increasing number of Chief Scout Gold awards
being presented at 1st BS, Thorley Adventurer,
Sawbridgeworth ,St Michaels Mead and soon at
Silverleys.
Congratulations to all the achievers of this award
for their commitment; and to the troop leaders
who have planned the programmes and events
to provide the opportunities to gain these
awards and to support the scouts in their
endeavours.
I know from talking to a number of the new
award holders, they have strived hard to gain this
award in a number of different ways to make the
most of their abilities and to overcome personal
difficulties.
I recall the motto on the cairn at the first true
Scout camp in 1908 held in the Cheviot Hills in
Northumberland to “LOOK WIDE”
This should always be our approach as Scouts
and leaders to achieve our goals and to think of a
more flexible method without compromising
standards of the sense of achievement.
The modern terms would perhaps be “lateral
thinking” or “thinking outside the box” which is
what scouting is about to use our initiative.
I am pleased that a number of troops are
planning their summer camps well in advance
and sites have already been provisionally
booked.
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Bishop’s Stortford and District
Some are currently under taking winter camps
during February, so keep dry and warm and
enjoy the challenges. The Scouts have all
benefitted from these events, it is worth the
effort.
You will always, in years to come, hear their
stories of what happened on winter camp, which
they recall with such relish.
Don’t forget Splash Nite on 5th March, please
ensure you have your teams registered with
District Chairman, Geoff Markwell.
The county Karting challenge at Lees Wood later
in the month on 20th March, you should all have
received the fliers and entry forms, check county
web site for details and specifications for your
karts. Any doubts, contact Mick Edwards, ACC
Scouts, who can advise on a source for the
wheels.
It would be great to get a couple teams in to
represent our district.
I will not be able to attend the next District
Scout Leaders meeting on 14th March as I shall
be in the land down under, I am leaving Martin
Knowles, District Scouter, in charge, so please
support him at the meeting.
Continue to set such great programmes and with
the predicted increase in your numbers in all the
troops you all must be doing something right,
keep it going!
Join the adventure
 Bishop’s Stortford and District

News Letter February 2011

Explorers Update –
Nigel Reed
All of the Explorer Units have been active over the winter months. Here is a brief rundown on what
they have been doing.

Voyager entered a team in the Hertfordshire
peak Assault that was held in Northern Howgills -
Tebay.
Magellan and Voyager helped cook and serve
sausages to the Beavers at the District Torch and
Welly Walk.
Voyager helped out the District Scouts by
running 4 bases at this years Green Beret which
allowed the leaders to manage their teams.
Conquest.
Magellan and Voyager hired Roller City in
Welwyn Garden City for a night of roller
skating which saw some of the Explorer
Leaders venture onto the rink.
The Units also attended the annual
Explorer Scout Christmas meal which saw
over 400 Explorer Scouts take over the
Aroma Chinese restaurant at
Stevenage for one night.
Endeavour and Voyager had a joint
weekend away at Orchard Farm at the
end of January which introduced some of
our young people to hill walking for the
first time.

Our next event is the Chiltern Challenge at Phasels Wood in early March and all the Units are hoping
to put a team in. Look out for the results in Headlines.

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 Bishop’s Stortford and District

News Letter February 2011

Thank you to the Scout Movement

Having just passed my Summer Mountain Leader Award at 19; I have
come to realise how much help and support I have had from Bishop’s
Stortford Scouts and the Hertfordshire Scout Mountaineering section on
my path to gaining the award. Most of this has come from the excellent
quality of instruction provided by the leaders that volunteer on the
mountaineering courses run every year by Lochearnhead Scout Station.

I have been attending these courses since before I can remember, starting as a baby and progressing
to the annoying little boy who got in everyone’s way around the station and stole their food. The
Station became a part of my life because of the amazing atmosphere created by the people that
make Lochearnhead such a great place. Ever since then I have been brought up to enjoy my time in
the mountains, this changed from being taken to the hills by my parents as a child to eventually
attending the IMC myself and really discovering my passion for mountaineering.

Over many years and several IMC’s and AMC’s my skills have been developed by the excellent
leaders at Lochearnhead and through personal experience in the mountains. I think that my
confidence has improved greatly since I began to lead on these courses myself, partly due to
necessity; but also because of the support that you are given by everyone at the station in order to
enable you to give the trainees the best week possibly.

Over the last two years Herts Scouts Mountaineering has begun to offer Summer Mountain Leader
Training courses to be run at the station in parallel to IMC’s, allowing leaders to gain a national
governing body award. I chose to attend one of these and have now successfully passed my
assessment at a centre in North Wales under a year later.

I am certain that the key to my success in the mountains is my time in Scouts and Explorers; but
particularly down to the dedication and passion that the leaders and staff at Lochearnhead Scout
Station and indeed the whole of the Scout Mountaineering Section show when leading in the
mountains and especially towards sharing this experience with other people.

Ollie Henson, Bishop’s Stortford Network

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 Bishop’s Stortford and District

News Letter February 2011

Adult & Leader Support – Orchard Farm

Weekend
Following on from the great success we had last year, we have booked Orchard Farm for an adult helpers and
th th
leaders weekend from Friday night 24 June until Sunday 26 June (note that this does not clash with Fathers
Day this year, so one less excuse).

The weekend is open to all leaders, and adult helpers whatever your role in the District. It is a chance to try
out hill walking and mountain biking in the company of other like minded adults. No experience is necessary
and activities can be tailored to different experience levels. It also gives you the chance to view one of the
several activity centres that are owned by Hertfordshire Scouts for our use.

Last Year over 20 leaders joined us and all had a fantastic time. Dependent upon numbers and peoples
preferences we will also arrange minibus transport. The weekend will be fully catered as well.

If you are interested please let me know – Kim@henson-online.co.uk

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 Bishop’s Stortford and District

News Letter February 2011

Herts Scouts Capital Appeal Lottery

Hopefully by now you should all be aware from your GSL about the launch of the Capital Appeal Lottery. This
lottery is to raise funds to support the recent purchase of Tolmers and Phasels Wood campsites. Each Group
in the district can also receive income from the lottery as each Group has been allocated a unique code so that
as lottery payments are collected the monies can be distributed between the individual groups and the Capital
Appeal itself. Graham Bishop is our District Champion for the Capital Appeal please feel free to contact him
with any questions you may have.

Each GSL has been given a pack of Lottery forms – enough for each Scout, Cub, Beaver, Explorer Scout to take
three each. As a leader you do not have to do anything, the form is filled out by the person wanting to take
part and sent off directly to the lottery company who are running this. The first draw is not for a couple of
months yet – but there is a weekly prize of £1000 and runner up prizes as well.

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 Bishop’s Stortford and District

News Letter February 2011

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 Bishop’s Stortford and District

News Letter February 2011

Nomad Discount Scheme

We have recently confirmed that Nomad will continue to give Scouts discount, please use the attached
voucher. Also attached as a separate file, and available on our website!

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