Cheshire Scout Annual Review 2014-2015

G N I MAK N A E LIF . . .

E R U T N E V D A ncil u o C t u o c S ounty C e r i h s e h C l Review a u n n A 5 1 2014 - 20

uts.org.uk

o cheshiresc

A G N I K A M E V I T I S O P . . .

E C N E R E F F I D

uts.org.uk

o cheshiresc

The Scout Association

Cheshire County Scout Officials

Patron

President

Her Majesty the Queen

President

Sir William Bromley-Davenport (KCVO)

Deputy President The Lord Rochester DL

His Royal Highness the Duke of Kent

Founder

Vice Presidents

UK Chief Commissioner Wayne Bulpitt

His Grace the Duke of Westminster,KG,CB,OBE,TD,CD,DL Peter Ellis Ron Fawkes Frank Hough April Nicholas Ray Salisbury JP Geoff Taylor Steve Wilkinson Sir Nicholas Winterton Eddie Johnson Margaret Johnson Margaret Olliver

The Purpose of Scouting

Officials

Robert Baden-Powell First Baron Baden-Powell of Gilwell, OM

Chief Scout

Bear Grylls

Scouting exists to actively engage and support young people in their personal development, empowering them to make a positive contribution to society.

The Scout Method

Scouting takes place when young people, in partnership with adults, work together based on the values of Scouting and:

• • • • • • •

enjoy what they are doing and have fun take part in activities indoors and outdoors learn by doing share in spiritual reflection take responsibility and make choices undertake new and challenging activities make and live by their Promise

Be Prepared: To have fun To make friends To take the challenge For the adventure To get connected

County Chairman County Commissioner Deputy County Commissioner Deputy County Commissioner County Secretary County Treasurer County Training Manager County Scout Network Commissioner County Active Support Manager County Appointments Secretary

Peter Mather TD Graham Phillips DL Val Thomason Dave Hopley Sue Appleton Edward Appleton Debbie Phillips Simon Appleton Roger Owens Jane Duley

Assistant County Commissioners Beaver Scouts Cub Scouts Scouts Explorer Scouts Special Events Activities International Development

Laura Dyer Jonathan Ducker Luke Morby Nigel Flatman Daragh O’Malley Graham Shaw John Duley

.org.uk s t u o c s e r i h ches

Contents

Introductions Foreword 6 Chairman’s Report 6 County Commissioner’s Report 7

Adventurous Activities Adventurous Activities 8 Scouts Inter County Shooting Competition 2015 8 Cheshire Hike 2015 9 Chamboree 2014 10

International International 12

Campsites County Campsites 13 Barnswood Campsite 14 Queen Charlotte’s Wood 15 Milldale Campsite 15

Sectional Reports Beaver Scouts 16 Cub Scouts 17 Scouts 18 Explorer Scouts 18 Scout Network 19 Scout Active Support 22 Adult Training 23 Duke of Edinburgh’s Award 23 County Chaplains 23

District Report Alderley District 24 Chester & District 25 Ellesmere Port & Neston 26 Knutsford & District 27 Macclesfield & Congleton 28 Mersey Weaver 29 Mid Cheshire 30 South West Cheshire 31 Warrington East 32 Warrington West 33

Census & Awards

Awards for Good Service 34 Census of Membership 36 Useful Contacts 37

ord w ore F I recently received a draft of our 2014-2015 Annual Review which as in previous years is a most impressive document and has helped remind me of the many interesting and exciting activities that have occurred over the past 12 months. I do congratulate all of you whether you have been involved in the planning, administering, supervising or taking part in them.

The list of choices grows each year, expanding on ground, in skies and on water. What fun it seems to a “golden oldie” who now reads about what has happened as it has become more difficult to attend. I can appreciate how these events develop skills and confidence to help face up to the path to adulthood, an interesting career, and future friendships.

I am sad that the Cheshire Hike attracted fewer entries this year – particularly as I remember the enormous enthusiasm of Brian Kershaw and his team during the initial growth

of this competition. I do hope its appeal will return and that the number of “no shows” can be noticeably reduced particularly as they prevent those who would like to seriously compete from doing so!

The success of Chamboree must delight us all. Liz & I so enjoyed hosting the Kenyan contingent again at Capesthorne and we have been sent some special photographs reminding us of the fun enjoyed with us as well as during the very successful Camp.

Well done and very special thanks to all of you who make it possible for 5,222 Campers to experience such a fulfilling time.

We also enjoyed attending the County Dinner at Hartford and taking part in the awards ceremony to recognise those who have given so much commitment to Scouting for so many years.

We have been fortunate to have had a succession of top quality County Commissioners over the past 25 years which has created and maintained a healthy backbone for Scouting in Cheshire. We are used as a yardstick by other Counties in how to flourish in this changing world.

We still need more adult volunteers to meet the demands of young people wishing to join.

So, spread the word! “Just one hour a week”.

If the Duchess of Cambridge can find the time to make a difference and if Bear Grylls (now with more viewers around the world than Top Gear) can find the time then anybody can.

As Chairman I am happy to report that we continue to run on sound finances and have been able to reinvest in Scouting activities while still retaining sufficient reserves for our ongoing commitments.

6

Liz & I much look forward to seeing several of you at the Cheshire Show to thank you for your patience and diplomacy when controlling enthusiastic entrants!!

With my best wishes for another very successful year ahead.

Bill Bromley-Davenport (Sir William Bromley-Davenport, KCVO ) President of Cheshire Scouts

I am very sorry not to be with you at this year’s AGM-unfortunately the date has clashed with a reception to be held at

s ’ chairman report Yet another excellent year for Cheshire Scouting! With over 12,000 members we are one of the largest Scout communities in the UK.

Capesthorne to thank Chris Henretty, our retiring Land Agent, for the long time he has been successfully associated with us.

We are looking for funding to improve the facilities at Forest Camp in bringing Lakeview up to standard through increased and improved facilities.

We are increasing the support for the campsites through a three year strategic plan which will allow additional resources and be long term sustainable and self funding.

We have had an excellent Chamboree and continue with other annual activities such as the Cheshire Hike, County Scout Sunday, the Annual Dinner and Presentation, the Scout Award Presentations and for the first time this year, the Annual Balloon Race which raised money for Cheshire Scout Groups.

I am deeply indebted to all those who have given and continue to give so much of their time to the benefit of the aspiring youth of Cheshire, helping tomorrow’s Leaders today.

Thanks also go to those who have helped us financially in this past year, particularly to Halton Borough Council whose example has led us to achieve further funding for Scout

Development and the Cheshire Show, where we help man the gates and have a prime position for the Scout stand at the show. We are indebted to their ongoing and steadfast support.

Read through these pages and if you feel inspired - pass this Review on to someone who, like The Duchess or Bear, might just be able to help and so transform one young person’s life and create Tomorrow’s Leader Today.

I commend this Review

Peter Mather County Chairman

y ount C ’s Commissioner do; u o y Report g n i h t some ting is not “Scou thing you ARE” it’s some

Census

For the first time in many years we have seen a slight drop in membership in Cheshire. We have seen some Districts produce real growth with new opportunities for young people to experience Scouting. Other Districts have seen a drop in numbers but there is no real pattern so it’s difficult to draw any conclusions.

If every Group who had dropped in numbers this year had retained just two Beaver Scouts, Cub Scouts and Scouts during last year we would have increased in numbers. If every Section in the County had increased by just one young person then we would have shown healthy growth.

So why is it important to continue growing?

For me the answer is simple, if you believe that Scouting offers life-enhancing opportunities for young people then we must find ways to help more young people. For me it’s that simple, Cheshire is full of people who credit Scouting with helping them achieve their ambitions and giving them unique opportunities. Please help me grow Scouting in Cheshire to provide these opportunities to more young people.

12 Special months

Within Cheshire over the last 12 months the highlight for many was Chamboree, our week long camp where over the first weekend just over 5,000 members came together at the Cheshire Show ground at Tabley. Very few Counties in the UK have the resources, the people, the support of Districts and Groups to organise such events so well done to everybody, how ever you were involved.

There are some other notable achievements over the last 12 months including a record number of Wood Badges being awarded and two new County Scout Active Support Units launched (First Aid and Faiths & Beliefs). We ran our first virtual balloon race that raised just over £16,000 for local Groups around Cheshire.

In November we organised our first Group Scout Leader day at which the new National Youth Commissioner, Hannah Kentish, made one of her first public appearances in the role.

In January we celebrated two significant national awards for Scouters in the County these were David Bull OBE for services to young people in the UK and Europe through the Scout Movement and Mrs Ann Eden MBE for services to Scouting and to the community in Macclesfield, Cheshire.

In March we held a County Conference with District Commissioners, County Team and County Executive to discuss a strategy for the next 5 years. This has resulted in agreement of our key objectives and many ideas on how to implement these to develop and grow Scouting in Cheshire.

Moving Forward in 2015 REFRESH

The big news going forward is the re-launch of the youth programme for 6 – 18 year olds with more focus on adventure and outdoor activities. The aim should be to deliver at least 50% programme outdoors or in an adventurous way. For some Leaders this is simply “business as usual” for others it presents a challenge. To support delivery of more outdoor activities a number of new County events are being added to the calendar. Currently this includes a water & land activity day at Tatton in May, Chariot Race for Scouts & Explorer Scouts in October and a Winter Camp for Scouts in January 2016. Other events will be added over time and I know Districts are working to support Groups to deliver the programme.

By the autumn of this year each District will have assumed control of a local Scout Network in the biggest shake up since this Section was launched. It gives real focus to this age group with each District committed to organising regular meetings at least once per month. It will provide a more organised route for Explorer Scouts to continue their Scouting journey and the new programme content

offers fantastic opportunities for individuals to stretch their Scouting skills, contribute to their District and local community while having a great time together.

The two County Campsites will this year offer tented villages with kitchens so you need to just turn up with food. Just as significantly we have employed two Activity Instructors who are helping us to deliver activity programmes during the week for community groups and commercial bookings. They will be available at weekends to support activity delivery at the Campsites and there will be some evening activity sessions. Additionally an administrator is being employed to help with bookings and provide a telephone contact for those who want to speak to somebody.

Youth Involvement

Cheshire continues to lead the way in engaging young people in the decision making process within the County and most Districts now have their own Youth Forums.

Over the coming months we will see the appointment of Youth Commissioners in each District to support this work and move to the next level of youth engagement. As this gathers pace over the coming years it is really important that those with experience and many years of service in Scouting find ways to support young people as they take more responsibility and influence the leadership of our movement.

National Perspective

I can’t ignore the mess we find ourselves in with Compass, the new national membership database. It is an unacceptable position and the permanent fix continues to be delayed.

From a local view I can only thank those who put the effort into sorting out both adult and then youth data before the system was taken off-line.

Over the coming months you will start to see more information and resources becoming available to support our Community Impact strategy and our Inclusion strategy. There will also be suggestions on how we become more youth shaped.

Other significant pieces of work include developing digital impact of Scouting, a major review of Policy Organisation Rules is underway, work is taking place to look at how Groups can be better supported in terms of meeting places and local fundraising.

And finally….

For many Leaders Scouting is not just something we do, it’s a lifestyle choice. Yes there are challenges and yes with more adults we could offer even more Scouting but we should never forget that when we get it right, we positively affect young people’s lives.

Working together we can encourage Beaver Scouts, Cub Scouts, Scouts, Explorer Scouts and Network members to make the right lifestyle choices. Scouting is not something you do; it’s something you are.

Graham Phillips DL County Commissioner graham.phillips@cheshirescouts.org.uk

7

Adventurous Activities Scouting offers a full “alphabet” of adventurous activities from Abseiling to Zorbing, Climbing to Gliding, Sailing to Raft building, the list is long and varied. Our programme is growing and developing all the time and with the revision of the programme for all Sections being launched in early 2105 we see an even greater emphasis on adventurous and outdoor activities. Our aim is to encourage as many young people as possible to experience new, exciting and challenging activities in a safe and positive environment. From introductions to activities in the Beaver Section, developing self -confidence and skills through each of the Sections so that by the time young people reach the Explorer Scouts and the Network Sections some can be very skilled often becoming instructors themselves. Through each age group we try to enable our young people to not only try new and exciting activities but to develop their skills so that they can take on even more challenges and often help to rein in other young people.

Here in Cheshire we are committed to increasing the number of opportunities our Leaders and supporters can offer to

Scouts Inter County Shooting Competition 2015 A notification went out to Cheshire Scouts in November saying that we were looking to put a team together for the above event, to be held in April. Training and selection sessions were held from January for everyone who showed interest and a squad of 12 was selected to travel to the National Indoor Shooting Centre at Aldersley, near Wolverhampton, for the final practice on Saturday, 11 April.

All 12 squad members travelled down in the morning and, following practise, they all shot 2 competitions which involved 20 shots at 10 metre rifle and pistol with a total possible score of 400 per shooter. Practise went very well and the challenge was on to replicate this in the competition. Finally, after much discussion (as scores were close), a team of 8 was selected.

The event had 12 teams representing Scout Counties from as far away as Greater Manchester, London and Devon.

8

our young members. We are continually reviewing the range on offer building our range of facilities, equipment and qualified Leaders to enable activities to take place. We are lucky that such a large number of adults supporting Scouting also take on additional roles supporting these activities. But we are also on the lookout for ways in which we can increase this pool of resource.

For “Adventurous Activities” the Association operates a permit scheme that ensures all those who deliver activities have the necessary technical skills required and fully understand how these should be delivered in a safe and enjoyable way, paying particular attention to the safety and health of the young people under their charge. This scheme operates in conjunction with National Governing Body training but goes further in that it enables instructors to gain a permit to lead or supervise without the need to actually have the NGB award. The permit ensures they are of the required standard and understands the rules the Association works to when delivering each particular activity. We provide Permit training and assessment to enable adults to deliver activities in an enjoyable and safe manner.

Sunday started with the 10 metre rifle competition.

Scouts under 13 years of age shooting supported and those over 13 shooting standing. Good scores came in from the team with Tom Warren being first on 189. Harry Vincent came second, followed by Jonathan Oakes and Abby Warren. The top 4 places went to Cheshire and all the Cheshire shots were in the top 18 and had far exceeded expectations.

We are very fortunate in Cheshire to have facilities that are amongst the best in the country. We can offer a whole range of adventure at our two Centres, Tatton & Forest Camp. Here you will find water activities from kayaking to rafting, climbing tower, orienteering, low ropes course and zip wire.

We also go further afield with hillwalking in Snowdonia, Narrow Boats on the canals and sailing in North Wales. Through linking up with other Counties in our region and nationally we hope to expand still further the range we offer by sharing expertise and support.

Our key priorities for the year ahead are to increase the number of qualified adults we have, widening the range of activities we can offer including those activities that do not require a permit to deliver. Our primary aim is increasing the overall number of young people who take part in adventurous activities from simply walking around their locality and learning more about their environment right up to taking part in a challenging international expedition. But ultimately we simply want better Scouting for more young people!

Daragh O’Malley Assistant County Commissioner (Activities) daragh.omalley@cheshirescouts.org.uk

Manchester. All our shooters were in the top 18 with Beth Edwards, Joe Baker and Alex Sutton all shooter to a high standard.

After lunch the pistol event was held with Rachael Joyce shooting 175 to be our stand out pistol shot this year. Pistol is our weaker event but everyone shot over 140 points so we ended the day with a 1243 points in total for the event.

The overall team score was excellent and a competition record of 2637 points but we would not know the outcome until the prize giving. All the shooters had done their best on the day and we very happy how everyone had performed.

At the presentation we achieved best pistol team, best rifle team and best overall team for the third year. Second place went to West Sussex and in third place were Greater

Thanks are due for the continuing support from Cheshire County Scouts for shooting, the help and facilities that Crewe Rifle and Pistol Club provide for shooting and the help with equipment that Staffs Custom Rifles in Audley provide.

Andrew Brookes

ATE SAVE THE D Hike hire

2016

50th Ches

pril

2nd -3rd A

Cheshire Hike We certainly pick the weather for the hike – for 2015 it was perfect. Warm and dry with a slight breeze; sun cream was an essential.

The number of Scouts and Guides taking part in the hike was slightly down on previous years but there were still 576 entires in total.

A number of teams also failed to show on the day preventing them from challenging for one of the trophies on offer.

Cheshire Hike remains one of the most popular events in the calendar with teams practicing through the winter months and many taking part each year as they move through the different age sections of the hike.

Entries were received from 96 different Groups, making a total entry of 576 competitors, 54% boys 29% being from our girl Scouts and Guides.

The three Starts were Aldford Village Hall for Juniors, Bickerton School for Inters and Faddiley Village Hall for Seniors. These were staffed from early on the Saturday morning as teams arrive from 7.00am. The checking of kit does take some time but is essential.

We’re pleased to report that nearly every team had done an excellent job in packing their equipment with very few rucksacks overweight.

Once again, we are indebted to the Farmers of Cheshire who allow us the use of their meadows to camp on and provide us with standpipes. This year was no exception.

The support we have for this event amazes me - we are able to draw on so many Leaders from all over Cheshire. 407 helpers this year shows the dedication they all have towards the training and guidance of these young people. Scouts and Guides will surely hold their memories for many years.

The Juniors were brilliant this year with a route that had a good mix of footpaths and minor roads – they proved that practise pays off – giving Field Control a test at times. The Intermediate route was quite testing and they certainly tested the Hike Control. Seniors and Senior Plus also did very well this year.

Overall the distance the teams covered over the weekend amounted to over 15,000 miles.

At the Helsby High School finish there were many proud parents applauding the young people. They were not the only ones - the Leaders who trained them and the Hike Team that followed their every footstep over the weekend felt just as elated.

Next year see’s the 50th Cheshire Hike which is a remarkable achievement and will be celebrated in a number of different ways so watch out for further details.

Trevor Burgess Hiker Organiser trevorburgess.57@gmail.com

Overall Winners JUNIOR

Names: Joe Larner

Euan Usher Group: 3rd Macclesfield District: Macclesfield & Congleton

INTERMEDIATE

Names: Becky Edwards

Emily Pape Group: 1st Bunbury District: Forest Guides

SENIOR

Names: Alex Usher

Jack Wibberley Group: Cestrian ESU District: Mersey Weaver

SENIOR+

Names: Matthew Watson

William Raven Group: Alderley ESU District: Alderley

BRIAN KERSHAW TROPHY

Names: Joe Larner

Euan Usher Group: 3rd Macclesfield District: Macclesfield & Congleton

RESULTS

District winners and full results sheets available from

www.cheshirescouts.org.uk/cheshirehike

9

E E R O B CHAM 370

865

Beaver Scouts/ Rainbows

Adventure Zone at Tatton Park Activity Centre An action packed day for the adrenalin junkie!

Activities included: climbing, abseiling, rafting, canoes, bell-boats, go karting, slack- lining, assault course & zip wire, grass-boarding, BMX trail and caving.

Cub Scouts/ Brownies

1,603

Scouts/Guides

5,222

TOTAL ATTENDANCE

753

Explorer Scouts/Senior Section Guides

Survival Zone

56

MISC

10

1,086 LEADERS

489 STAFF

Following in the footsteps of Bear Grylls participants could learn new survival skills and improve the skills they already had. They built fires to cook in different ways to prepare food to tempt fellow Scouts/Guides. They built shelters and camping gadgets and learnt about large pioneering projects with new knots and lashings.

Creative Zone Based in the Chamboree Arena with our Faiths & Beliefs Base. Different types of art and crafts all with a Superhero theme; Music and dance workshops on the stage! And a fantastic range of individual & team games based on TV show ‘The Cube’.

Plus our international Circus, complete with its own big top and a spectacular 45-minute show.

I.R.I.S - Institute for the Recruitment and Instruction of Superheroes A chance to gain the skills to become the world’s greatest Superhero. To fight like Captain America, to travel in zero gravity like Superman and control the hammer of Thor.

Activities included a 120ft inflatable assault course, body zorbs, bungee run, slippy slide, zero gravity simulator, surf simulator, spider wall and more!

City Zone off-site in Liverpool Participants were invited to explore the great city of Liverpool in a day with the chance to visit many of the famous landmarks and buildings, travelling on foot or using buses or the Merseyrail underground system. This was a brand new activity for Chamboree 2014.

Global Zone A chance to learn about Global issues while participating in a wide range of activities – everything from International Games, Conservation awareness to trying to travel from Chamboree to Gambia by rowing, cycling and running.

Blast Zone Our selection of target sports with a chance to learn something new and to improve your skill level and accuracy. Activities included air rifle shooting, archery, outdoor laser tag, laser clay pigeon shooting, water rockets, catapults.

INTERNATIONAL VISITORS

Egypt

Xperiment Zone

That’s Entertainment

The zone was split into several areas. CHaOS demonstrated exciting hands on experiments.

There was an opportunity to make slime and molecules. There were lots of other hands on activities involving your senses, energy, involving rockets and carts, nature, space and movement. Some days the planetarium will be there and other guests from scientific.

During Chamboree week there was a full range of entertainment opportunities, including karaoke/open mic, Chamboree’s Got Talent, rock night, film show, plus spectacular opening, closing & mid-week ceremonies featuring Chamboree X! We also followed the adventures of our superhero Chambo and his nemesis Dr. Danger!

Holland Slovenia

Ireland

IOM

USA Denmark

Norway Belgium

MORE PICS

20

go to Page

11

International

With Scouting present in nearly every country worldwide, opportunities abound for Cheshire Scouts to take their Scouting to an international level. This was certainly evident in 2014 with visits abroad taking place in Belgium, Ireland, Switzerland, Norway and France.

2015 already looks like an exciting year for internationals with plans in place for trips to Norway and Switzerland as well as Explorer Belt expeditions.

If you’ve not already planned your visit abroad, why not take a look at some of the organised events you could attend, such as “Drop into Poland”, “Finjamboree” or “Haarlem Jamborette.” For those looking further afield, you could try the Michigan International Camporee or even Australian Venture in 2016. You can get more information at scouts.org.uk/international or contact me and I’ll point you in the right direction.

In August, our own international camp Chamboree attracted a record number of overseas Groups and it was a privilege to meet Scouts and Guides from Belgium, Norway, the Netherlands, USA, Slovenia, Denmark, Ireland, Kenya, and Egypt. Many of our visitors stayed on after Chamboree, touring the UK or staying locally with Scouting families. Home hospitality (either as a host or as a guest) is a

12

fantastic experience and I would encourage everyone to include HoHo as part of your international experience.

The 2015 programme refresh has added even more opportunities to enhance your global programme. Why not take a look at the My World Challenge (Beaver Scouts), Our World Challenge (Cub Scouts) and World Challenge (Scouts and Explorer Scouts). Lots of resources are available to help you plan an exciting programme and really open up the global nature of Scouting to all Sections. Get in touch if you need help or advice.

Alongside the World Scout Jamboree taking place in Japan this summer, “Japan in a box” is a brilliant concept, taking ‘join in jamboree’ to a whole new level. Why not invite your local jamboree Unit Members to run your Colony, Pack or Troop night and get to experience some Japanese culture, language, games and food? Sign up at scouts.org.uk/japaninabox.

Can you share an international experience with other scouts in Cheshire? We’re always looking for enthusiastic volunteers to help deliver the global programme within the County. Contact me for more information.

With 30,000,000 Scouts around the world, you can be sure there is something beyond our borders that will enrich your programme and excite your young people. Where else but in Scouting can you find such a wide variety of cultures and experiences? Wherever your travels take you in 2015, you can be sure of a warm Scouting welcome.

Graham Shaw Assistant County Commissioner (International) graham.shaw@cheshirescouts.org.uk

sites P M A C 2014 was an exciting year at Tatton which hosted the Adventure Zone for Chamboree 2014 and included the Explorer Scout 24hr experience.

Forest hosted over 6 weeks and 1,000 participants in the National Citizenship Scheme (NCS) in partnership with High Adventure Outdoor Education Centre.

During the summer we employed our first Activity Instructor for 6 weeks in August/ September. Several Groups took advantage of resident staff to take part in activities where they were short of permit holders or National Governing Body (NGB) qualified Leaders.

Winter gales caused further losses of silver birch trees around the Forest Birchwood site.

Our team worked hard to clear up and stock the woodpiles ready for the summer season.

In December all Campsite team members took part in a Development Day where issues and ideas for the forthcoming year were discussed. Some good ideas were added to the continuing work on a longer term development of both County Campsites.

New Year heralded the beginning of a number of exciting changes in the development of the County Campsites. The really significant and exciting decision was approved to employ two Activity Staff for the coming 12 months and beyond. Liam Watson is employed as our new Lead Activity Instructor with responsibility for the development of activities supporting the expansion of the Monday to Friday Activity Centre business and supporting the fantastic work of our Scouting Volunteers over weekends and evenings. Steve Ross is employed as our seasonal Activity Instructor supporting Liam in his role and taking a development role in supporting new business for the Activity Centres. Both our Activity Instructors hold relevant National Governing Body (NGB) qualifications.

We have employed Deborah Ardern as our Administrator and she has been working hard to take control of the booking process allowing us to offer a telephone booking facility at Forest Camp for the first time. Deborah is also responsible for the day to day administration of the site as we increase our midweek and weekend business. Deborah has had a steep learning curve but we hope the difference has been noticeable and the service we offer to hard pressed Scouting Leaders and Corporate guests. Our expanded team are doing their very best to support anyone who would like to visit the site during the week, at weekends or as an evening activity, and we want to encourage as many Scouting Leaders as possible to use the skills and qualifications to get young people outdoors and taking part in adventurous activities.

Our Field Activities Team continues to offer Archery sessions and we are looking to expand the activities offered by this team of committed volunteers.

Forest is the new home of our open canoe fleet and is available for use on the round pool, we also have our fleet of 2 Kata-Kanus available again for use on the round pool.

We still have our fleets of Bell Boats, Dinghies, Kayaks, Toppers and Windsurfs at Tatton all being used by Groups wanting a great sail and paddle sports experience.

And in your spare time why not take a ride by wire experience on our Zipwire??

We are now the proud owners of a CAVE BUS which is located close to the main Forest car park, this is a fantastic way to introduce CAVING to young people, you are supplied with helmet and head torch as you navigate the dark caves and passageways of our bespoke designed bus. A fantastic activity whilst on camp or a brilliant evening activity for your Colony/Pack/Troop or Unit. Why not make an evening of it and bring a BBQ meal with you to enjoy whilst waiting for your turn in the tunnels? Or even do a little orienteering or pioneering?

A warm welcome awaits more Groups wishing to use our facilities in the evening at Forest Activity Centre during the summer season, Why not have your Sectional Scouting meeting with us and really put the out into Scouting?

There is an increasing number of Groups using our well-equipped Tented Villages at both Forest and Tatton where all you need is your personal kit and food (and why not online shop and get that delivered ready for the weekend) we will provide the Tents, Luxury sleeping mats, electrically lit dining/activity marquee, cookers, pans and utensils, tables and benches. How about that for GLAMPING with Cheshire Scouts??

Hard work has been undertaken to offer services and activity day packages throughout the week with our Activity Centre business and are very pleased with our new partnership supporting the staff training and development of Roberts Bakery, a local family run business with strong family values and a commitment to community engagement.

They will be spending more than 60 days with us in 2015, 2016 and 2017. They are also engaging in work on site to help the team manage the site and improve the facilities.

We continue to support other local Charities and local authority Groups including Cheshire East Family Fostering Team, Buzz Youth Group and Chester West and Chester Family Fostering Team. Alderley Edge Community Primary School has also been welcomed back for several activity days and we are pleased to support an Ofsted ‘OUTSTANDING’ Cheshire East School. The training of Cheshire Police Officers is actively supported and we provide team building and communication skills events for students at University of Chester – Institute of Policing.

Duke of Edinburgh overnight expedition camps have been hosted this year, more than ever before, and we continue to support the Air Training Corps (ATC) from around the region along with several other regionally based youth support and development programmes.

Please visit our Website www.cheshirescouts. org.uk/campsites for the latest news and updates and details of all our facilities at both Forest and Tatton Dave Metcalfe County Campsites Manager campsitemanager@cheshirescouts.org.uk

13

Barnswood Campsite 2014 was a year of contrasts at Barnswood.

On the plus side utilisation was more than maintained in terms of both camper/nights and income, this despite one of the buildings becoming unavailable for the majority of the year. Barnswood continues to remain popular with the District, with Groups from other Districts in Cheshire, Staffordshire and beyond, with Guide Units and with other youth organisations. Our expenditure was lower than in previous years, resulting in a very healthy improvement in our year-end balance.

This reduction in expenditure, however, was the result of the down side.

The asbestos bombshell necessitated the postponement of a considerable proportion of our development projects.

The asbestos bombshell landed in the spring.

A full professional asbestos survey had been completed in 2006. This documented the only asbestos present at Barnswood as asbestos cement roof sheets on Toilet Blocks 1 and 2. These were assessed as very low risk, not requiring immediate removal.

Unfortunately, when the Thursday Team (Barnswood’s volunteer maintenance team) were cleaning the ceiling tiles in Camp Hall kitchen last spring some suspicious material was encountered. This was despatched for analysis and found to contain dangerous asbestos. Camp Hall was immediately sealed off and a further survey commissioned from a different firm. This found asbestos panels in the roof void above the kitchen, but otherwise confirmed no other asbestos on site other than the toilet block roofs. The company were further commissioned to remove the asbestos from Camp Hall, and whilst they had their specialist equipment on site to remove the offending toilet block roof sheets. So we are now confident there is no asbestos on the Barnswood site whatsoever.

Barnswood’s Five Year plan envisaged refurbishment of the Camp Hall kitchen in 2 to 3 years’ time. As the kitchen had been pulled

14

apart to ensure all traces of asbestos were removed the committee decided to bring forward the upgrade to last autumn. This was made possible by a grant of £10,000 from the Cheshire East Giveback fund, for which the committee is extremely grateful. We are all much relieved to have Camp Hall back in service once more.

The rhododendron problem continues to plague the site. DEFRA has relaxed the rules on leaving the site, so that vehicle wheels and visitors’ shoes need not be washed if they have not left the tracks. But the requirement to wash all footwear for all other Barnswood users remains in force. In addition the spring has seen new shoots sprouting from areas we thought clear, so spraying of new growth and removal and burning of roots remains a demand on our maintenance team.

The Management Committee itself has been strengthened over the year. Rachael Chiverton (Macclesfield & Congleton DC’s daughter) agreed to take on the Treasurer’s role on a temporary basis. She managed a great job, first sorting out the 2013 accounts in time for last year’s AGM, then introducing better accounting procedures meeting Charity Commission standards. Furthermore, I am delighted to report that David Cliffe has just taken over the role on a more permanent basis. In addition, ill health forced John Sharp to give up his position as Fundraising Advisor, but we have been extremely fortunate in recruiting Lesley Reynolds into this function, a role for which she has a glowing reputation.

We warmly welcome Lesley and David to the committee, and I add my personal thanks to those of the committee to Rachael and John for their hard work and inspiration whilst they have been with us, and wish Rachael every success with her growing business ventures.

As I have said before, Barnswood functions successfully because of the combined efforts of the Management Committee and the Thursday Team. Between them they put in a fantastic amount, and I thank them most heartily for their incredible support, their hard

work, their generous unstinting donation of precious time, and their ability to generate a constant flow of ideas.

And so to 2015. Bookings are coming in as you would expect, and we look forward to hosting the District Camp at the beginning of May. We also look forward to a year of progress with maintenance and development now that we are free of asbestos. The committee has recently set out the priorities for the year, with the most urgent requirements relating to improving the shower areas in Toilet Block 2, repairs to the Tuck Shop Chalet roof and a much needed extension to the car park, without losing sight of our major potential project, the new Amenity Building 1.

So, whether you wish to hone your traditional camping skills on a secluded site, or to take advantage of nearby Rudyard Lake for water activities, The Roaches for climbing or The Peak District for walking and hiking, come and visit us at Barnswood. You won’t be disappointed!

John Pearson Chairman Barnswood Management Committee

Milldale Campsite

Queen Charlotte’s Wood The year 2014 marked an important milestone in the history of QCW. It was 50 years since camping began at the Site and to mark the occasion a special celebration took place at the Site on 8th June. Apart from District Officers, those closely associated with QCW were invited to attend. Amongst the guests were the very first Site Warden and his wife.

The weather was kind and we all enjoyed a very happy afternoon exchanging many memories. A special badge mounted in a card to commemorate the 50 years was produced as a souvenir for everyone. The badge was later sold to visiting Scouts and Guides to help defray the cost of the event. The occasion also marked 30 years of ownership of the Site by the District and 20 years since the Hideaway was opened. At the celebration event April Nicholas received her 60 year long service award from the District Commissioner.

This year has seen an upsurge in basic camping to which QCW, being a small site, is well suited. The site is also increasingly popular as a stopping off point for Duke of Edinburgh expeditions, for schools in particular, due to its proximity to the Sandstone Trail. There

has also been an interest by all Sections in carrying out a number of small but very useful tasks on the grounds. e.g. Cub Scouts working towards the Community badge. The Hideaway continues to be very popular and we are again fully booked for the year. The building offers excellent accommodation which is always clean and well maintained thanks to weekly work by a dedicated team.

Work to improve the site continued throughout the year; most notably was the replacement of a new plumbing system. Other notable developments were modification to the tractor shed to eliminate condensation, thereby protecting machines against corrosion, the felling of some old birch trees and the planting of other varieties of tree.

We were delighted that awards were gained by two of our team. Joyce Sayle was given the Award of Merit and David Joyce the Chief Scout’s Commendation. Both so well deserved. The awards were presented at Queen Charlotte’s Wood by the Deputy County Commissioner Val Thomason who herself is to be congratulated on her award of the Silver Wolf.

Ian and April Nicholas Joint Campsite Managers

Located just off the A51 close to Nantwich, Milldale is South West Cheshire District Scouts own campsite covering 28 acres of secluded countryside. The campsite has enabled 1572 young people to achieve 2314 Nights Away during the past year.

It is open to all members of the Scouting and Guiding movements, youth groups and schools. A stream, 5 acres of mature woodland and a 7 acre camping field make Milldale the ideal location for traditional troop and patrol camping activities as well as for large group events or District camps. For the past 10 years Milldale has hosted South West Cheshire’s bi-annual District Camp, each time accommodating more than 1000 campers from all Sections with a wide range of activities. The site also has a large barn, which provides wet weather alternatives should the British weather prevail.

The site has a strong team of Scouting volunteers who, along with the Young Wardens’ initiative, keep the site in tiptop condition. During the camping season wardens are on site all weekend to help out where needed. The Young Wardens’ program helps older Scouts and Explorer Scouts attain new skills and gives them the opportunity to participate in the development of the site - everything from how and when to plant trees to designing and building new activities.

Students from nearby Reaseheath College have been visiting the site regularly managing the site’s woodland areas.

Thanks to the support of local plumbers and grants from Cheshire East Council and Wren, the toilet block on site has been fully refurbished in the past year.

Over the winter the 350 metre access track through the campsite has been re-laid thanks to Cheshire East Highways, Ringway Jacobs and the surfacing firm Eurovia who provided materials, labour and plant equipment free of charge.

We have just introduced 2 new activities to the site, Tomahawk Throwing and a purpose built Grass Cart Track. These new activities and all necessary equipment can be booked alongside a wide range of existing activities which include: a climbing wall, bouldering wall, outdoor shooting, indoor shooting, archery, tree climbing, crate stacking, a caving simulator and pioneering kits. Campers will never be short of something to do. We have continued to increase South West Cheshire’s bank of qualified Activity Instructors so that Groups who do not have activity qualifications can make the most of all the on-site activities.

Over the coming year, due to high demand for archery, we plan to complete the building of a new, extended archery range.

To book the site or find out more visit www.milldalescoutcamp.co.uk or email bookings@milldalescoutcamp.co.uk

Carl Shore Campsite Chairman

15

Sectional

Reports

Beaver Scouts Across the 10 Districts in Cheshire, yet again they have all individually delivered a packed calendar of events providing variety and challenge to their Beaver Scout Section. These events have been varied and ranged from sleepovers, sports days and competitions to day visits to air museums.

All of this has been done to support Colonies and their members in their quest to supply the balanced programme for the Section and provide the best opportunities for Beaver Scouts to gain their Chief Scout’s Bronze Award.

At the time of the last Annual report plans were been put together for Cheshire Beaver Scouts to attend the Cheshire International Camp “Chamboree 2014”. The Beaver Scouts visited the event at the beginning of August as part of “Super Saturday” where they formed part of over 5000 people in attendance for the event on that day.

Nearly 400 Beaver Scouts and their Leaders from across Cheshire arrived at the event to be entertained by Chamboree X and Chambo, the Events Superhero. They then broke off into three Activity Zones around the Main Arena. These zones included a series of activities with a superhero twist hosted by the District, activities brought in by the event activity teams and a session in the Creation Station and Faith Tent.

At lunch the Beaver Scouts got the opportunity to visit their own Groups before undertaking a Superhero hunt around the Sub Camps. They then got their own visit to the on-site Circus, before enjoying a final round of the activity zones. Sadly rain put the dampeners on the end of the day preventing the full closing ceremony to be completed.

However all the Beaver Scouts and Leaders had a great time and I am sure that it will

16

inspire many of the Beaver Scouts to want to come to the next event next time as either Cub Scouts or Scouts.

Into 2015 and just recently Alderley as last year’s winners hosted the County Beaver Scout Challenge event. The majority of the Districts entered teams of six Beaver Scouts to compete in a “Round-Robin” of challenging bases. The teams brought along a whole range of activities to test the young Scouts’ skills. Activities from throwing the beaver in the dam (don’t worry no Beaver Scouts were harmed!), name the logo and building a Lego sculpture. After eight scored rounds the overall winners were 24th Macclesfield who represented Macclesfield & Congleton District.

Over the next year it is hoped that we see an even greater increase in the number of Beaver Scouts achieving their top award, the Chief Scout’s Bronze Award. With the alterations in the Beaver Scout programme it will lend its hand in supporting Leaders with this.

On a personal point of view, I am incredibly excited to have taken on the role of Assistant County Commissioner for the Beaver Scout Section in Cheshire. I am looking forward to seeing all the wonderful work and effort that goes on in each of the Districts to help and guide Beaver Scouts to achieve the Chief Scout’s Bronze Award. As always it is down to the hard work and dedication of the Leaders and District support teams supporting and delivering a balanced, vibrant and ultimately rewarding programme.

Laura Dyer Assistant County Commissioner (Beaver Scouts) laura.dyer@cheshirescouts.org.uk

CUB Scouts I am proud to have become Assistant County Commissioner (Cub Scouts) for Cheshire this year; it truly is an adventurous and exciting Section.

The Cub Scouts Section has continued to develop throughout Cheshire this year. This is down to the hard work of Assistant District Commissioners and Cub Scout Leaders offering an adventurous and enjoyable balanced programme.

Cub Scout Leaders around the County continue to offer exciting and varied programmes and events and the Cub Scout weekend camp at Chamboree 2014 was the highlight of the year and gave the opportunity for many areas of the programme/challenges to be completed. Over 1,000 young people and their Leaders arrived at the Cheshire Show Ground on the Friday night and were met by a huge rainstorm as they erected tents or put final touches to their campsite. This did not dampen their enthusiasm and 2 hours later they were enjoying their special Disco.

There was great excitement on the Saturday morning as they set off to various parts of the campsite to take part in a huge variety of activities and all were thrilled to visit the circus. What a special time for them – taking part in the Opening Ceremony of Chamboree and meeting Scouts from so many different places. Sunday morning was spent doing activities organised by the various Districts before a short ‘Cubs Own’ service at the end of their camp.

Here are a few other examples of how Cheshire Cub Scouts have spent their year Scouting: The Craft Competition saw 9 of the 10 Districts attend with Warrington West winning the trophy, followed closely by South West

in second place. Each District team had to create a space scene with a rocket and use a variety of materials.

75 Cub Scouts from Cheshire and surrounding areas achieved their ‘My Faith’ badge at Chester Cathedral. The day, organised by Cheshire’s Chaplaincy Team, saw Cub Scouts learning about different roles within the Cathedral, designing their own prayer and having a tour of the Cathedral itself.

I have camped with Cub Scouts, paraded with them on Remembrance Sunday, sung carols with a whole District for Christmas and proudly watched several Gang Shows which saw Cub scouts shine through with both enthusiasm and confidence.

I particularly enjoy presenting Chief Scout’s Silver Awards to Cub Scouts across Cheshire, which is the highest award achievable in the Cub Scout Section. When speaking to Cub Scouts, they are particularly proud of their achievement and are already looking forward to moving to the Scout Section and tackling the challenge of achieving the Chief Scout’s Gold Award.

Cub Scouts are already looking forward to the Year of Adventure and are extremely excited to partake in even more adventurous activities. 2016 will see Cub Scouts celebrate their Centenary Year with lots of unique opportunities already being planned.

Jon Ducker Assistant County Commissioner jon.ducker@cheshirescouts.org.uk

17

Scouts This year has been an exciting year for all Districts with very successful programmes of events ran by all. Scouts across the County have experienced Patrol Leader training events, survival weekends, mountaineering and water weekends to name but a few. Chamboree was also a major event for the year with thousands of Cheshire Scouts attending for the week.

There is a constant thirst across the County for outdoor activities no matter what time of year and this looks to grow with the implementation of the new programme. The new programme is an exciting opportunity for the Section and is already being fully embraced by all Districts and Groups. There is a massive focus on outdoors and adventure which will drive the scouting in Cheshire into more exciting and varied programmes.

This year has also seen the return of the Lord Derby competition within the County and Region. 4 teams from 3 Districts competed in

the County event, completing teamwork and skill challenges based upon the programme zones of the Chief Scout’s Gold Award. Patrols from 1st Over St John (Mid Cheshire) and 26th South West Cheshire are going on to represent the County at the Regional event in May. Finally there was also a high level of achievement in the Chief Scout’s Gold Awards with 255 Scouts gaining the award this year. This prestigious award is the highest award in the Section and the new programme will mean that future recipients will be further challenged, pushed to their true potential as young people and experience the opportunities of a life time.

Luke Morby Assistant County Commissioner (Scouts) luke.morby@cheshirescouts.org.uk

Explorer Scouts Once again Explorer Scouts have made the best of the opportunities available to them.

For some the year has been dominated by their preparations for their trip to the World Scout Jamboree in Japan later this year.

Others have been working hard to gain their DofE awards and Chief Scout award.

Chamboree proved an enormous success for Explorer Scouts last year with record numbers attending; together they made a real impact on the event. Their enthusiasm and sheer energy added to Chamboree in a really positive way. The Explorer 24 Hour experience proved a hit, with the paint fight, silent disco and activities including caving, climbing and slack lining by floodlight being the highlights. We did however learn that pasties are not the best food option for Explorers!

Another really encouraging trend is the work many Districts are putting into developing effective Young Leader, Leader units. All Young Leaders have to be members of Explorer Scouts and these units provide the opportunity for them to receive the training and support they need and deserve.

Combined with this many Districts are also offering support to Groups with Young Leaders so they understand their responsibilities.

It is the work of Explorer Leaders week in week out that deserve praise as they guide Explorer Scouts to achieve great things in Scouting, work with them to transfer the skills they learn to the workplace or university and encourage them to support Scouting as they get older.

One sad note is that Hannah Forshaw stood down as ACC Explorer Scouts towards the end of the year. Hannah brought some real innovation to Explorers at a County level and with her enthusiasm and ability to talk you into submission at times she is being missed.

Graham Phillips County Commissioner

18

Network Reboot

Scout Network Membership Numbers

This year we have seen Cheshire Scout Network maintain its strength in numbers, giving the County a stable and healthy platform as a foundation for implementing the national changes to the Scout Network provision.

Not only have the overall numbers increased, but nearly two thirds of Network members hold another leadership appointment and are actively involved with their local Group. This proportion of Network members who give their time to other Groups has increased from around half last year, and is testament to members wishing to give back to Scouting which they enjoyed in their earlier years.

Activities

This year our Network members have participated in a variety of activities and events within their local Units.

Griffon Network once again held their annual ball in March, with monies raised going to help fund Jamboree participants within the County, and in December several members put on their red coats and white beards to participate in the Warrington Santa Dash. In April a contingent attended the Network Gathering event at the Great Tower campsite, whilst last September there was the usual journey down the M6 and M5 to attend Intense.

In 2014 the Scout Association announced major changes to Scout Network, and we have been working to lay the foundations to enable us to implement the changes across the County. The provision of Scout Network is moving from a solely County responsibility to a District level. To support this there is also going to be a national Scout Network, which will enable members to participate in national activities and events, and will be of huge benefit for those who are in transition during their early adult years, be it through work or education. The programme itself is being rebooted, and is open to all members of Scouting aged 18-25. Members will now be encouraged to plan and participate in “projects” in three different areas: adventure, international and community, and a new national digital platform will enable members to see what projects are being planned and executed at both a local and national level. The more structured programme and projects, along with the new digital platform, will also afford more members aged 18-25 a greater opportunity to gain Scouting’s top award, the Queen’s Scout Award, as well as the Gold Duke of Edinburgh’s Award. With a “free to join, pay to play” ethos, Scout Network numbers and opportunities can only increase with the proposed changes.

Within Cheshire we are in a strong place to take full advantage of the changes taking place in Network. We have already been using a District based structure across the County, and whilst some areas are stronger in numbers than others, this should help with a smoother transition to a formal District

provision. With a more structured provision for Network, the Districts with only a few current members should see numbers and programme grow in strength, whilst the Districts currently with larger membership numbers can look to continue and grow.

The more local structure should also enable stronger links between Scout Network and Explorer Scouts, giving Explorer Scouts and Young Leaders the opportunity to continue their Scouting, gain the top awards, and continue to enjoy and develop the social aspect to the movement. Within the coming months the District and County teams will be working together to implement the changes and continue developing and promoting Scout Network within Cheshire.

Simon Appleton County Scout Network Commissioner simon.appleton@cheshirescouts.org.uk

19

activesupp

ort

Scout active support In the short life of the Active Support Section, which will be 6 years old in September, the Active Support provision in the County has grown significantly.

The main event of the year was Chamboree 2014, an international camp held every 4 years.

Each District in the County has at least one District Active Support Unit and a number of Districts also have Group Active Support Units.

However this is an area where there is more scope for growth, especially in large Groups with a membership of around 100 or more.

One District has started a Technology Active Support Unit, which supports the District and Groups where needed. During the year the County formed another three County Active Support Units, in addition to the existing three Units. One for Faith and Belief, another for Parascending and the latest one for First Aid which will initially cover major County Events.

The Section is now able to offer a much more varied skills set than it was in the early years, with a wider range of support being available from the various Units. This has resulted in a much needed shift in the age profile as we welcome more adults from all age groups and now there are a significant number of

Adult Training

District. However we are still looking at ways of increasing these numbers.

During the last year we have seen a change in the network of LTM’s (Local Training Managers).

Val Buckley from Mid Cheshire, Wendy Macdonald from Alderley and Shirley Baston from Knutsford all stepped down at the end of the year. I am delighted to say that Tim Owen has taken over as LTM for Mid Cheshire. We have also recruited 2 LTM’s for South West. David Brough and Doug Selley have agreed to take on this role. We are still looking for LTM’s in Knutsford and Alderley. If anybody would like to take up this challenge please let me know. Full training and support will be given

We are in the process of growing the training team with new members starting to present modules on courses. This is designed to build capacity to deliver training and although this is a slow process we feel we need to get it right to ensure that we have the right people delivering training in the County. Currently those interested in becoming a trainer will be required to help out as a tutor on some of the weekend courses. Once they have successfully tutored on a number of courses then they will be asked to present a module on one of the weekend courses. This is to make sure that we have the right people for the role and also to help those wishing to present modules gain their experience.

Both Mary Wynne and Tracey Burgess continue to be a fantastic support to both myself and the County in their roles as Deputy County Training Manager and County Training Administrator. I am pleased to announce that Jane Duley has been appointed as County Training Administrator which will help with adding validations to records.

We are continuing to look at the role of TA’s (Training Advisors) available in each District.

During the last 12 months we have run 2 TA module workshops which has resulted in a significant number of TA’s being appointed across the County I have also been into 3 Districts and run a TA workshop for their

22

Weekend courses continue to be popular with a significant number of Leaders attending these. Most Leaders book onto the three weekends on offer to enable them to gain their Wood Badge with some completing within 12 months. The modules run on these courses are designed so that they can be validated on the day. We also change the days around when each module is offered, this enables those who can only give up one day over the weekend to attend this day and then the same day the next time the modules are being run. This year we are having a Training School on 14th November at the Heath. Modules 6, 7, 8, 11, 12a, 12b, 15, 17, will be on offer and we are hoping to add another couple to this list. Leaders will be able to

members in the ‘mid-age’ group. We have also welcomed a significant number of people who are new to Scouting; the 2015 census shows a total County Active Support membership of 70 adults, with about two-thirds of these adults having main roles in other Sections.

District Active Support members were also involved in County events – Chamboree, Cheshire Show, County Scout Sunday and helping at the County campsites as well as supporting Sectional events. For many of these events, Active Support members turned out in force, across age generations, from members in their 20s to retirees.

It was really great to see Active Support members in action at various events, this didn’t just happen, and it took - thought, time and effort to pull things together. The challenge for many District Units in their recruitment is to engage with different generations to the benefit of the individual Active Support Units.

Overall a continuing challenge for the coming year is flexible volunteering; the key here is to create tasks and roles around the availability of the adult volunteers, let’s give it a go!

Roger Owens County Active Support Manager roger.owens@cheshirescouts.org.uk

choose a maximum of 3 modules during the day, there will also be a number of Training Advisors on hand during the day to validate modules for those who have modules that just need validating.

However, remember weekend courses are not the only way you can complete your training, there are single module courses available for those who are not able to give up a full weekend. Also learning can be done in a variety of ways, workbooks, DVD’s e-learning etc.

We are now in our second year of using Eventbrite to book our courses through. This is proving to be a really useful tool as Leaders know if they have a place on the course, where it being held and times as soon as they have booked.

We have a large number of Leaders who have now completed their Wood Badge training but owing to problems with Compass none have been issued since September. As soon as the system is up and running those already in the system will be issued and those who have completed their training since September will have their modules added to their records and their Wood Badge applied for Debbie Phillips County Training Manager debbie.phillips@cheshirescouts.org.uk

Duke of Edinburgh’s Award 2014 – what a year for our young people!

Cheshire Scouts achieved a total of 141 awards, 85 Bronze awards, 47 Silver awards and 11 Gold awards. As a direct result of the Bronze rush, we are already seeing a huge number well on their way to achieving Silver in the coming year, a continued commitment that is exciting and rewarding to see.

So what is the attraction?

The Chief Scout’s Award scheme and the DofE Award go hand in hand, they are the perfect match! It is simple to work towards both schemes whilst taking part in your Scouting programme. Both require participation in a skill, a physical activity, a volunteering programme and an expedition.

At Gold level you are required to also take part in a residential experience. As you work your way through the levels, you have to show increased commitment and improvement accordingly.

The County’s continued commitment to training and supporting the Leaders, who give so much extra time to the DofE participants, is also bearing fruit as we have now had over 30 people take on the accredited assessor’s course and a further 20 attended our first supervisor’s course. This means that our young people are well trained, well prepared and have the very best support as they undertake their DofE challenges.

As mentioned before, with more young people also achieving their Silver award over the last couple of years, we have plans

County Chaplains in place to run 3 County Gold expeditions in 2015. This will allow almost 40 young people to complete their award and will also foster new friendships across the Districts. I want to thank those Leaders who have come forward to help facilitate these expeditions, we really couldn’t do it without you.

2016 will be a Diamond year for the DofE award scheme, as it marks 60 years of developing young people for life and work. It is a known fact that employers and universities alike rate those young people who achieve a DofE Award as exemplary employees, students and UK citizens. We hope to take part in some of the anniversary plans and celebrations and will share news of them as soon as we can.

To all the Leaders and adults who help support the DofE programme in Cheshire, thank you. You are integral to the success that our young people are achieving.

To those who have started an award in 2014, good luck. Relish the challenge, inspire yourself and those around you and most of all enjoy your achievement and success.

Congratulations to you all.

Carol Frain Duke of Edinburgh/Queen’s Scout Award County Adviser carol.frain@cheshirescouts.org.uk

Start your journey to the DofE with the Chief Scouts Award The Chief Scout’s Award scheme and the D of E award go hand in hand. Both require participation in a skill, a physical activity, a volunteering program and an expedition. At Gold level there is also a residential experience. As you work your way through the levels, you have to show increased commitment and improvement accordingly and it is simple to work towards both schemes whilst taking part in your scouting program.

Faith Badge sessions for Beaver Scouts and Cub Scouts have, yet again, been popular events during the past year and the Education Department in Chester Cathedral has helped to ensure that well over 200 Beaver Scouts and Cub Scouts have had some fun times, not to mention gain their badges.

Faiths & Beliefs Base at Chamboree gave us a great shop front to give opportunities to learn about different faiths, produce Hama Bead icons, learn to greet and say our Promise in sign language.

Our Prayer Tree carried hundreds of prayers and reflections that illustrated the joys, hopes, worries and aspirations of our young people.

It was also a good base to have a natter with some of our visiting clergy and helpers.

Thanks to Fr Paul Shaw from St. Werburgh’s Church, Chester and Rev Taffy Davies, Warden of Fox Hill Spiritual Retreat and Conference Centre for leading RC Mass and Anglican Eucharist respectively.

As County Chaplains we have organised the County Scout Sunday Parade and Service.

The 2014 Service was led by Mersey Weaver District who gave us a wonderful insight into Scouting in the First World War. We are so pleased that Cathedral Chapter and the Education Dept of the Cathedral are so supportive of all we do in Scouting.

The Haven at Forest Camp has provided welcome space for worship, shelter and activities. However, it has lacked a focal point for worship. The last 2 years has seen the stone altar re-erected at one end and the area paved.

The paving work has been sponsored by Margaret Olliver in memory of her husband, Derek, who was our County Commissioner between 1984 and 1993. We are really grateful for Margaret’s generosity.

And so to the future. The team has been joined

by Jo Richards and Hilary Merrington and we are now re-organised under the umbrella of Cheshire Scouts Active Support – Faith and Belief Unit and it is great to welcome Pam Owen as the Faith & Belief Unit Coordinator.

Rest assured that we will still be providing help and support to Leaders and Youth Members in matters of Faith and Belief, and we look forward extending membership of our newly formed Unit.

Geoff Taylor County Chaplaincy Team g.taylor235@btinternet.com

23

District Reports

Alderley The District had yet another successful year and I am always staggered by the variety of activities our members get involved in.

Take for example Remembrance Day. This year being the centenary of the commencement of WW1, it was particularly important that we took part in the various acts of remembrance.

Our members paraded in all the villages but I was particularly touched by a display the Cub Scouts in Holmes Chapel had prepared – a garden with a cross representing all 232 men from the village who fought for their Country.

Contrast this somewhat sombre activity, with hearing Harry, one of our youngest Band members on Chris Evan’s Breakfast Programme explaining excitedly that he was parading for the first time on Sunday! Highlight of the year for many Groups was Chamboree with Beaver Scouts, Cub Scouts, Scouts and Explorer Scouts all taking part. Once again, 6th Wilmslow / Edge ESU hosted their old friends, Troop 70, from West Virginia and plans are already underway for a return visit.

The emphasis in many Groups was the outdoors with good participation in the annual Cheshire Hike but also in Group events such as the Lindow Hike and White Peak Challenge.

Explorer Scouts participated in a number of Duke of Edinburgh Award Expeditions and the Beaver Scouts had a District Beaver Scout Camp. The Cub Scout Section wasn’t left out with the first Sixer and Seconder Master at Arms event – fencing, shooting and archery and no need for First Aid! Needless to say lots of fundraising has been undertaken for overseas expeditions (World Scout Jamboree and Kandersteg 2015), building projects such as 1st Goostrey’s new Scout Hut and 1st Holmes Chapel “climbed Everest” to raise funds for their new climbing wall.

Stephen P Buckley District Commissioner (Alderley) stephen.p.buckley@cheshirescouts.org.uk

24

District Cover: Handforth, Wilmslow, Lindow, Alderley Edge, Chelford, Goostrey, Holmes Chapel Total membership Number of groups

913 11

Beavers Scouts 195 (Male - 179) (Female - 16)

Cubs Scouts 238 (Male - 214) (Female - 24)

Scouts 221

(Male - 191) (Female - 30)

Explorer Scouts

98

Leaders/Adult Support

137

(Male - 83) (Female - 15)

(Male - 76) (Female - 61)

District Cover: The City of Chester and Surroundings, Bickerton, Farndon, Malpas, Tarporley

Chester & District

Total membership Number of groups

Within Chester & District we continue to have a full and varied programme of activities and events throughout the year. So much has happened I can’t list everything so here are a few things that have taken place over the past 12 months:

• • •

•

•

Various sectional activities have been held including, craft competition, bowling competitions, bell boating,

365

Cubs Scouts

480

(Male - 431) (Female - 49)

Scouts 351 (Male - 293) (Female - 58)

•

Many Groups attended Chamboree in August which provided an excellent programme for youth members of all ages. Several other Groups held their own camps, and there were also several pack holidays and sleepovers.

The District award ceremony was yet another successful afternoon where many Beaver Scouts, Cub Scouts, Scouts and Explorer Scouts received their Chief Scout’s Awards from the Lord Mayor of Chester. We also had 18 Scouts attend the Gold award organised

by County which was held in Warrington.

3 Explorer Scouts attended the County presentation afternoon in January to receive Platinum and Diamond awards

Beavers Scouts

(Male - 318) (Female - 47)

We had a good representation from the District participating in Cheshire Hike

St. George’s Day saw the District parade with the Lord Mayor of Chester leading us through the city centre to Chester Cathedral for the service. We were accompanied by Chester City Band

1537 20

•

• •

Our 59th Gang show was held in February, an excellent show with the largest gang for several years. Increasingly the younger members of the gang are being encouraged to take over some of the key production roles and are bringing a new dimension. It continues to provide an excellent forum for our members to participate in many different roles, from acting and singing to constructing scenery to stage management.

Same time next year if you’d like to come and see our 60th production.

The Sheriff of Chester participated in JOTA held at Cestrian HQ in October.

Over 160 attended the event during the weekend. The 3D printer also caused a great deal of interest.

Training is strong in the District and many adults gained their Wood Badges in 2014 Several members of the District Team attended the Remembrance day service at Chester Cathedral and laid a wreath at the cenotaph

Explorer Scouts

83

Leaders/Adult Support

221

(Male - 62) (Female - 21)

(Male - 122) (Female - 99)

• •

7 youth members are due to attend the World Scout Jamboree in Japan. 3 adults are also going to work as members of IST. We are seeing a big increase in the numbers of Explorer Scouts and have recently opened another 2 Units.

3 other new Sections opened in the District this year We continue to work towards our District plan, implementing, monitoring and evaluating at regular intervals. This ensures our focus on progression, development and quality in all aspects of Scouting in Chester & District. As with many Districts we need to increase our leadership dramatically to be able to offer scouting to all the young people wanting to join the movement. We are conscious that we have so many on our waiting lists that cannot currently join due to lack of Leaders.

I would like to thank all the adults who volunteer in the District which enables Scouting to grow and flourish by offering such a fantastic programme for our youth members.

Joanne Turner District Commissioner (Chester & District) joanne_turner@aol.co.uk

25

Ellesmere Port & Neston The year was as usual busy and enjoyable. A new Beaver Colony was opened and 6 Leaders have gained their Wood Badges. Training has been provided for Young Leaders over several weekends and evenings. We have said goodbye to some Leaders and welcomed new ones. The District Secretary, Jean Hopkinson, and the Badge Secretary, Thelma Stockton, retired in December.

Between them they have achieved more than 80 years of service in various roles and they will be missed.

The 3 Explorer Scouts who are going to Jamboree in Japan later this year have been fundraising in lots of different ways. They raised over £1,000 from a Maize maze day at Brimstage and are now ready to go.

All Groups and Sections have had a busy year.

District events included St George’s Day which was celebrated at 1st Sutton’s headquarters with a barbeque, an outdoor service and a campfire. All Sections took part in Jamboree on the Trail in May when we walked, from various starting points to the barbeque area at Thurstaston. 50 Scouts went to Tatton in June for the District annual canoe camp and in July the Beaver Scouts had a sports day and were lucky enough to have lovely weather. During Scout Community week Great Sutton worked to improve part of a park and 1st Burton Beaver Scouts collected food for the food bank. Another Group put up tents and ran a Scout activity at Neston Village Fair.

Most Scouts went to camp over the summer and some Groups went to Chamboree and had a great time. After Chamboree 1st Sutton put on hospitality for some Dutch Scouts and

26

District Cover: Parkgate, Neston, Little Neston, Burton, Willaston, Hooton, Little Sutton, Great Sutton, Ellesmere Port Total membership Number of groups

644 8

Beavers Scouts 168 (Male - 160) (Female - 8)

Leaders. This was a bit last minute as their original hosts couldn’t do it but they had a really good time and seemed to enjoy the English food! Some Groups took part in the Wirral annual Charity Post. Neston sold just over 27,000 stamps and delivered 28,500. 16 Wirral based charities benefited and £70.000 went to Scouts and Guides in Wirral and Neston. Tickets for the County virtual balloon race were sold and one lucky Beaver Scout couldn’t contain his excitement when his balloon won! The carol service in December was well attended and for most of us marked the start of Christmas.

The New Year saw the Beaver Scouts enjoying the local pantomime and taking part in a Challenge Competition. Our annual Honours evening in February was well attended as usual. The mayor of Ellesmere Port, our retiring Member of Parliament, Andrew Miller, and the County Commissioner were amongst the guests. Over 90 Chief Scout’s Awards, two awards for Merit and Joe Kervin’s Queen Scout’s Award were presented. This year for the first time 5 Commissioner’s Commendations were given.

Representatives from the NHS Cheshire Clinical Commissioning Group attended and presented prizes for the best Healthy Eating Poster competition which they had organised for the Cub Scouts.

Cubs Scouts

(Male - 181) (Female - 19)

200

Scouts 122

(Male - 104) (Female - 18)

Explorer Scouts

46

Leaders/Adult Support

97

(Male - 44) (Female - 12)

(Male - 59) (Female - 38)

I would like to thank all the adults involved in the District for their support and enthusiasm which has enabled us to grow and develop.

Sue Goddard District Commissioner (Ellesmere Port & Neston) susanjgoddard@btinternet.com

Knutsford & District It has been pleasing to see that Knutsford & District has been able to consolidate its path of continued growth over recent years and maintained its position of having record numbers of youth members. The enquiries to join are also on the increase and not just for the younger Sections but across the board to the older Sections also.

Chief Scout’s Awards and Duke of Edinburgh Award programmes continue with more awards being completed this year to benefit the development of our Scouts and Explorer Scouts. We have also continued to support the HOBY initiative for youth empowerment, which has been growing in popularity, and this year the District funded 7 Explorer Scouts to attend the weekend course.

Amongst the activities in the past year, Knutsford Scouts have been involved in sailing around the north coast of Anglesey; camping under the stars in hammocks (in winter!); night hike to the highest peak in Cheshire; District competition camp at Tatton; Go-karting; Comic relief night; a Bake Off sleepover; camping at Great Tower Activity Centre and Ennerdale in Lake District, Barnswood, Snowdonia, Dunham Massey and at Chamboree 2014 and many more.

The Mountain Experience days in Snowdonia led by the District Mountain Team have continued to be a great success providing Scouts with a taste and experience of more advanced levels of mountain walking and scrambling. Wild camping in the North Wales range has also been a welcome addition to the Mountain programme available.

Our annual pilgrimage to the Langdale valley during January for the Winter Weekend was once again fully subscribed to tackle the tough walks to the summits of some of the Lake District southern fells in winter conditions. Scouts from Mobberley have set themselves the challenge of completing the Zodiac Award this year. They have to spend at least one night under canvas each month of the year for the challenge and have already completed a freezer camp in January.

The Cub Scouts and Beaver Scouts have also had another busy year with many diverse activities and sleepovers including a Christmas sleepover in December and our Carol Service which this year featured the return of the popular puppet theatre. The Jamboree on the Trail took place in May with an activity hike around Tatton Park. The District Cub Scout Camp was held in June at Forest camp and other activities have included archery, pioneering, backwoods cooking. 5th Tiger Cub Scouts won the District Cub Handicraft competition with their display of Paddington and went on to represent Knutsford at the County Competition where they came third.

Over the past 18 months there has been a monumental fundraising effort from Leaders and parents to support our Scouts and Explorer

District Cover: Knutsford, Mobberley, High Legh, Pickmere, Tabley, Cranage and surrounding areas.

Total membership Number of groups

488 4

Beavers Scouts 115 (Male - 106) (Female - 9)

Scouts on their international expeditions this summer. The events have ranged from BBQs and comedy nights, fashion shows and mouse racing to a chocolate tombola on a wind and rained swept Sunday afternoon. We look forward to another summer of international Scouting. We are proud to have 5 Explorer Scouts attending the World Scout Jamboree in Japan as well as 2 young adult Leaders representing the District on the International Service Team. They have been working hard with preparations and practice camps during the year. In addition this summer we have a contingent of 30 Scouts and Explorer Scouts travelling to the Evje region of Southern Norway for an exhilarating white water camp at Troll Aktiv.

Knutsford Gang Show took a year off in 2015 but, as if by way of an antidote, the Explorer Scouts wrote and produced their own full length show, Pantomania, for 3 nights in November. The show was a great success and played to full audiences each evening at Mobberley Victory Hall. We look forward to the next Gang Show in 2016 which will be the 25th anniversary edition.

In the community, with the help of Knutsford Scout Active Support we have taken delivery of a new 15-seater minibus which is used extensively for Group activities and by other voluntary organisations. The Chancellor George Osborne has visited 2 Knutsford Scout Groups to see the impact that Scouting is having on the community. We have also

Cubs Scouts 103

(Male - 94) (Female - 9)

Scouts 138 (Male - 108) (Female - 30)

Explorer Scouts

52

Leaders/Adult Support

80

(Male - 36) (Female - 16)

(Male - 45) (Female - 35)

introduced Scout Christmas mail, held our St George’s Day parade and Carol Service, organised the Knutsford bonfire, taken part in the Civic Parade and Remembrance Day, raised money for the Poppy Appeal, sold Royal May Day programmes, arranged May Day car parking, arranged the Family Funday and Car boot on the Heath. This year we have also initiated a project to re-build new HQ facilities for 1st Knutsford Scout Group and completed plans and commenced fundraising for this much needed new facility in Knutsford.

Martin Relton District Commissioner (Knutsford & District) m.relton@ntlworld.com

27

A big benefit from volunteering to help as a uniformed Leader in Scouting is the excellent training available (from administration to managing a team, from First Aid to dealing with difficult situations, from understanding safety considerations to understanding people) all aspects that can be taken into life outside Scouting. The benefits of this personal development is in addition to the fun and fellowship that is guaranteed, and Scouting looks good on a CV as well.

District Cover: Macclesfield, Congleton, Poynton and Local villages Total membership Number of groups

1652 21

Beavers Scouts 399

(Male - 361) (Female - 38)

Cubs Scouts 464 (Male - 416) (Female - 48)

Scouts 315 (Male - 272) (Female - 43)

Macclesfield & Congleton Scouting has a vision to make a positive impact in the community

There are many examples of Groups in the District helping their local community. These include: allowing other organisations to use their HQ (e.g. District HQ provided shelter for the homeless one winter weekend); providing manpower to improve the environment such as balsam bashing, clearing overgrown bushes, planting bulbs and clearing litter; supporting local events through manning stalls at fairs and markets; providing security at bonfires; contributing decorated floats at parades; organising fun days for the village; designing and building improvements to village facilities; carol singing at local old people’s homes and providing presents for the disadvantaged both at home and abroad; helping various Santas as they take their sleigh around the streets; running events and donating the profits to other needy organisations (including Cancer Research, Friends for Leisure, Cats Protection, Scout National Memorial). Many Groups do bagpacking at various stores, displaying the smartness, friendliness and discipline that others expect of the Scout movement. Some of these are for Group funds but others share it with local charities (for example the World Scout Jamboree participants and their parents have bag-packed every month of the year with 50% being donated to East Cheshire Hospice). They are good adverts for Scouting. Talking of good adverts, there were over 1000 uniformed people parading on Remembrance Sunday looking very smart and behaving impeccably.

28

Explorer Scouts

172

Leaders/Adult Support

252

(Male - 134) (Female - 38)

(Male - 145) (Female - 107)

Scouting has an objective to be enjoyed by more young people and more adult volunteers

For the first time in 25 years we have opened a new Group, this time on a deprived council estate. It already has Beaver Scouts and Cub Scouts and plans to open Scouts after Easter 2015. It has been made easier by the tremendous support received, including: help from the 2 schools on the estate, with one offering a free venue; financial support from other Groups in the District, District itself, District Scout Active Support (Fellowship) and County; personnel from the estate itself (we now have 8 uniformed Leaders from there) and mentors from the District Team. Already 1st Moss Rose is doing excellent Scouting and making significant progress towards Chief Scout’s Awards. Elsewhere, we have more adult Leaders and have opened new Sections to cater for increased numbers, and we are looking to open more if we can find the premises and Leaders.

Growth in numbers of young people is dependent upon recruitment of willing new Leaders who are then trained and deliver fun programmes to enthuse and develop the young people. We are very fortunate that we are now attracting many 20-30 year olds with boundless enthusiasm and significant ambition to complement the experienced older guard and the more mature new volunteers with their experience of parenthood.

Scouting has a vision to be shaped by young people in partnership with adults

In Colonies, Packs, Troops and Units the young people’s views are actively encouraged and their ideas used to shape the Section’s programme, whether it is what games to play, badges to do, visits to undertake or themes for camps. Explorer Scouts have an opportunity to be young Leaders or members of Executive Committees allowing them significant influence on the directions taken locally.

Scouting is primarily about developing Young People

This year one of our Scouts received the rare and prestigious Cornwell Scout Badge in recognition of his courage and fortitude to carry on Scouting, helping others, whilst suffering from a debilitating disease. Well done Ben you are a shining example to us all.

Elsewhere, record numbers have achieved the Chief Scout’s Award (the top award for each Section in a Group) showing that Leaders are running excellent programmes and the young people are fully participating (and their parents are supportive).

Scouting has a vision to prepare young people to be active citizens

I need to draw attention to the excellent work done with and by our Explorer Scouts (1417 year olds) every year. These teenagers provide security, finding and rounding up inexperienced walkers who have gone astray on MaccHike, as well as being a friendly helpful mentor at camp. The many Young Leaders help their adult colleagues run the evening programmes for the younger members whilst learning much. Explorer Scouts contribute fully to running camps (including hosting Scouts from Kenya ) and review the previous year’s activities whilst indicating direction for the next at their annual conference. These young people are taking responsibility for many of the operational activities and generally have a great time, whilst maturing nicely into responsible adults ready to improve their environment. Is it any wonder that this is the fastest growing Section and has been for 7 years.

I am happy and proud to be the District Commissioner accountable for all of the above.

Mark Eden District Commissioner (Macclesfield & Congleton) scoutdcmac@aol.com

Mersey Weaver District Leadership

During 2014/15 Mersey Weaver saw a major change in the leadership when there was a change in District Commissioner and for the for first time appointment of a Deputy District Commissioner. John Duley handed the DC reins over to Owen Campbell after 5 years in post. During this time John managed the merge of the North West Cheshire and Widnes Districts, built close links with Halton Borough Council and the Heath Technical and Conference centre.

Other Leadership changes at the District level have been the appointment of a new District Explorer Scout Commissioner, and Assistant District Commissioner Scouts. The focus for Sectional ADCs has been on the provision of support to Groups, with a new role of ADC Activities being created.

At the start of the year 9 of the 17 Groups in the District were either without a GSL or their GSL had indicated that they wished to step down in the near future. Over the course of the year this has reduced to 4 Groups without a GSL. The close links with Halton Borough Council has been of great financial benefits to Groups within its boundaries through access to “Splash Funding” which has enabled those Groups to subsidise events for youth members and purchase equipment.

Cheshire Hike 2014

The District had a strong representation on the Cheshire Hike.

Cheshire Hike District winners were Junior 1. Daisy Peacock and Grace Rimmer from 1st Helsby (5th place overall) 2. Izzy Dodgson and Holly Cleland (6th place overall) Intermediate 1. James Halliwell and Alfie Porteous from 1st Helsby (2nd place overall) 2. Laura Knipe and Zoe Kimber from 4th Frodsham (3rd place overall) Senior 1. Jack Whibberley and Alex Usher from 1st Ince and Elton (7th place overall) 2. Zach Hunter and Jack Murray from 1st Ince and Elton/ Cestrian ESU (11th place overall) Senior Plus 1. Matthew Marnell and Sam Burgess from Cestrian ESU (overall Cheshire Hike winner with a tremendous score of 4459 points) 2. Joe McDonnell and Toby Jackson from Cestrian ESU (6th place overall) Many thanks to all the Leaders in the District who organised the practise hikes for our Scouts and Explorer Scouts through to those who supported on the weekend of the Hike itself.

After Cheshire Hike, the biggest event of the year was Chamboree which was very well supported by Groups in the District. We had attendees from all Sections in the District, right the way from Explorer Scouts to Beaver Scouts. In the camp gate competition, 4th Frodsham (Overton) Scout Group achieved 2nd Place with their “Bat Cave” entrance well worth 2 of their youngest Scouts going on stage in the main arena to collect the trophy on behalf of the Group.

WSJ Contingent

Our 19 Scouts/Explorer Scouts chosen to attend the World Scout Jamboree in 2015, worked extremely hard on fundraising activities and at the end of 2014 have nearly achieved their target amount; a tremendous achievement. They have attended many Group AGMs, Sectional meetings, local public events and bag packs. Great use of the District mobile climbing wall has been made in their fundraising events.

They have also attended many Scout Groups to talk about the upcoming WSJ in Japan, with many requests for their “Japan in a box” activity.

Awards and Achievements

87 Beaver Scouts from the District were presented with their Chief Scout’s Bronze Award in May. 39 Cubs achieved their Chief Scout’s Silver Award.

22 Scouts achieved the Chief Scout’s Gold Award in November

Without the dedication and commitment of the Adult Leaders in the District the above could not be achieved, and so it was great to see national recognition for Alan Thomason who was awarded the Silver Wolf in recognition of services of the most exceptional nature. Alan has over 45 years of outstanding and distinguished service and has been awarded a variety of Scouting accolades from the Medal of Merit through to the Bar to the Silver Acorn. Bruce Lane was awarded the Bar to Silver Acorn Award in recognition of further specially distinguished service. Bruce has accrued over 30 years of distinguished service. Bruce was awarded the Silver Acorn in 2004. Dave McDermott was awarded the Bar to the Award for Merit In recognition of further specially outstanding service. Dave has accrued over 30 years of outstanding service. Dave was awarded the Award for Merit in 2004.

District Cover: Runcorn, Weston, Weston Point, Frodsham, Helsby, Ince and Elton, Kingsley, Norley, Moore, Whitley, Farnworth, Hough Green, West Bank, Ditton, Halton View, Barrows Green, Cronton, Hale Bank.

Total membership Number of groups

1334 17

Beavers Scouts 336

(Male - 288) (Female - 48)

Cubs Scouts 367 (Male - 290) (Female - 77)

Scouts 286 (Male - 228) (Female - 58)

Explorer Scouts

75

Leaders/Adult Support

232

(Male - 52) (Female - 23)

(Male - 121) (Female - 111)

Looking at ahead, we shall be looking at how the District team can best support implementation of Vision 2018, the refreshed programme and transition of Network from a County to District provision in order to give even more opportunities to both adults and children to take part in Scouting in the District.

Owen Campbell District Commissioner (Mersey Weaver) owen.campbell@merseyweaverscouts.org. uk

Chamboree 29

Mid Cheshire The past year has again been a successful one for the District with 10 of our Groups increasing in numbers, showing our retention of members in younger Sections is positive as older Sections benefit from the growth of previous years with members moving on in Scouting and furthering their enjoyment and achievement. The District membership now stands at 1207 which is an increase of 5.23% on last year, bringing 7 years of continuous growth.

This success is based on Groups working effectively together and providing a quality weekly programme of activities which is relevant to the young people’s needs and being supported by a range of District activities.

Firepower Active Support Unit, having been recently formed, are now offering programme opportunities from taster sessions in shooting, archery and catapults to Master at Arms badge courses along with providing activity support for other Districts and Counties along with organisations outside Scouting.

Gang Show has been performed again at the Grange theatre in Hartford to appreciative audiences. This event continues to promote links between Groups and age ranges enthusing both young and older members in the enjoyment membership of Scouting brings.

Our WSJ contingent members have been working hard fundraising with bag packs, band nights, sponsored events and charity meals all contributing towards their fund enabling them to take part in the trip to Japan over the summer.

Groups across the District are working with their local communities engaging with local events and projects building relationships.

These include:-

• District Cover: Northwich & Surrounding areas, Antrobus, Comberbach, Barnton, Cuddington, Sandiway, Davenham, Hartford, Lostock Gralam, Middlewich, Weaverham, Wharton, Winnington, Winsford Total membership Number of groups

Beavers Scouts 281 (Male - 263) (Female - 18)

Cubs Scouts 363

(Male - 301) (Female - 62)

Scouts 257 (Male - 195) (Female - 62)

Explorer Scouts (Male - 64) (Female - 24)

Leaders/Adult Support (Male - 104) (Female - 71)

30

1205 14

88 175

• • • •

Marshalling and operating the campsite along with providing catering and support at Middlewich Folk and Boat festival Participating in Winsford Salt Fair Supporting Parish Councils with village planting and ground clearance Supporting various local organisations with car parking at the Grange Theatre, Hartford Organising the charity fun run on behalf of Antrobus village

The opportunities now available for future growth within the District include the opening of new Sections to offer Scouting to an increasing number of young people wishing to join along with generating links with outside organisations, building relationships and expanding Scouting’s involvement within the community. I would like to thank all members of the District for their enthusiasm and work providing Scouting during the past year and look forward to the coming opportunities.

Andrew Little District Commissioner (Mid Cheshire) andrew@little67.freeserve.co.uk

South West Cheshire It hardly seems 12 months since I took over as District Commissioner for South West Cheshire. In that time I have worked with members of the District Team to identify the key areas of work needed to support the Groups who provide such a varied and exciting programme of activities for our young people and I would like to thank them for their support.

Another Group has opened this year bringing the total in the District to 25 with more Groups and Sections planned for the future to meet the ongoing demand for Scouting. The cornerstone for growth is our adult volunteers, without whom we cannot cater for the increasing demand from young people. If you are able to give any time to assist the dedicated and enthusiastic teams of volunteers already enjoying Scouting in South West Cheshire please contact me.

Cheshire Hike was both well supported and successful this year with 32 teams of Scouts and Explorer Scouts from the District taking part and a team from the 35th SWC becoming County Champions in the Intermediate Section.

Probably the highlight of the year was the Gang Show at the Crewe Lyceum Theatre.

A cast of adults, Explorer Scouts, Scouts, Cub Scouts and for the first time Beaver Scouts entertained audiences for 4 nights in late April. The show was a fantastic mix of traditional and modern with a moving tribute in commemoration of the First World War, a Poi display team and a group of over 20 Beaver Scouts as Oompa-Loompas.

In June the Beaver Scouts held a Family Camp at Milldale, the District campsite, attended by almost 500 Beaver Scouts and their families.

They enjoyed a wide range of activities from Archery and Bottle Rockets to a Slippery

Slope and a Teddy Bears Picnic.

District Cover: Crewe, Nantwich, Haslington, Sandbach, Shavington, Audlem, Bunbury, Wrenbury, Wybunbury and surrounding areas.

Total membership Number of groups Beavers Scouts

(Male - 324) (Female - 108)

1810 25 432

Cubs Scouts 492

(Male - 378) (Female - 114)

Scouts 428

(Male - 329) (Female - 99)

Explorer Scouts

123

Leaders/Adult Support

303

(Male - 89) (Female - 34)

(Male - 157) (Female - 146)

Many other events were held in the District including a Cub Scout fun run, Scout Competition Camp, Sports Days, Cub Scout and Scout Swimming Galas, Beaver Scout Christmas party and District Challenge and a Cub Scout Craft competition. A small group of Cub Scouts, Scouts and Leaders represented the District at County Scout Sunday and there was an excellent turnout from Groups across the District at the Crewe Remembrance Parade.

In October the Shooting team attended the National Scout Air Rifle Championships. A weekend of high quality competition led to 9 trophies, 38 medals and many personal achievements.

Our Groups continue to deliver a varied and challenging programme of activities and make use of the numerous opportunities provided by the District. With a campsite offering Climbing, Archery, Shooting and Orienteering as well excellent camping facilities and teams offering Swimming, Shooting, Sailing, Canoeing and Kayaking experiences the opportunities in South West Cheshire are many. The programmes delivered by our Groups and the dedication of the Beaver Scouts, Cub Scouts, Scouts, and Explorer Scouts has resulted in 115 Chief Scout’s Bronze Awards, 137 Silver Awards, 34 Gold Awards and 2 Queen’s Scout Awards.

I would like to thank every adult volunteer across the District for their dedication in providing Scouting for the young people of South West Cheshire. I look forward to working with them again in 2015 to deliver the new programme and making it our best year yet.

Ian Potts District Commissioner (South West Cheshire) dc@southwestcheshirescouts.org.uk

31

Warrington East It has been another year of movement and development within Warrington East. Much of the year has been taken by introducing and supporting new processes to support adults. There has also been the continuation with the work from last year to create a strong District calendar of events and support meetings. I have continued to strengthen the District Team to support Groups and work has continued with the District Executive Committee to develop new links and support existing sub-committees within the District.

Unfortunately this year’s District Census saw a small drop in total membership of a little under 2%. Although overall this is disappointing, within these figures it is good to see a growth in Adult membership. This bodes well for the next year which, with this increased adult support the District as a whole can focus on youth engagement and recruitment. Hopefully to supply more opportunities for more young people and see the youth membership flourish again.

Awards for the Youth Sections of the District have been fantastic again. It was great to see an increase in the number of Chief Scout’s Gold Awards awarded to Scouts in the District at the County Chief Scout’s Gold Award ceremony last November. Again Warrington East had a Queen’s Scout who headed down to Windsor Castle for the St George’s Day Parade just recently. The District hasn’t yet held its annual Chief Scout’s Bronze & Silver Award Ceremony, as it is planned for later in the year. However it is hoped to see good numbers from the last year of Beaver Scouts and Cub Scouts, who have gained the highest award within their respective Section.

Development has continued within the District over the last year, the biggest achievement being the establishment of a District Youth Forum. This is a small group of Explorer

Scouts at present, but gives the young people a direct voice in how the District is run. They started off after formation by developing the District’s Social media communications.

They have put together the District Facebook and Twitter Accounts so that the District can reach out to the community outside of the interaction of the Groups. They are now moving on to forming a YouTube channel and will be working with Groups to produce scouting promotional clips.

After all the good work last year to establish a new District calendar within the Youth Sections, the Sections have continued with these events. We have added new events like the District Carol Campfire, Cub Camp Craft Competition and Scouts’ District Orienteering Competition. Warrington East were well represented on all of the joint events with our sister District Warrington West including involvement in the St George’s Day Parade, Blakfoot Hike and Gang Show. The District has also been actively present at the County events throughout the year including the highlight of the County calendar, the County Camp - Chamboree 2014 - where the majority of the District had a representation.

So what’s next? Well there looks to be more

District Cover: Culcheth, Oughtrington, Thelwall, Croft, Gorse Covert, Locking Stumps, Pepper Street, Lymm, Eagle Brow Lymm, Glazebury, Hollins Green, Grappenhall, Padgate, Woolston, St Elphins.

Total membership Number of groups

Beavers Scouts 264

(Male - 225) (Female - 39)

Cubs Scouts 306

(Male - 264) (Female - 42)

Scouts 296

(Male - 215) (Female - 81)

Explorer Scouts

94

Leaders/Adult Support

209

(Male - 63) (Female - 31)

(Male - 112) (Female - 97)

exciting times for the District as there are plans to further develop the Youth Forum and youth involvement. This is all part of the District’s work towards the Vision for 2018.

The District is also well along with its plans for the new Network Unit reboot, with the aim of a September start date. There will be further work in marketing and recruitment with the purchase of some District branded promotional equipment for use by Groups at community events.

To conclude, after what was my second year now, I would like to extend my thanks to all of the members within the District, the District Management Team and the Executive Committee who have combined and contributed to another good year of development within Warrington East Scout District.

Paul Brown Acting District Commissioner paul.brown@cheshirescouts.org.uk

32

1197 15

Warrington West

District Cover: Culcheth, Oughtrington, Thelwall, Croft, Gorse Covert, Locking Stumps, Pepper Street, Lymm, Eagle Brow Lymm, Glazebury, Hollins Green, Grappenhall, Padgate, Woolston, St Elphins.

Sections:

All Sections have been busy during the year with Competitions, Camps, Expeditions and trips out.

Most Groups attended Chamboree 2014 and had a fantastic time. A couple of our Groups hosted International Groups and are hoping to go and visit them in the future.

All Sections continue to gain the top Award for their Section. In February I was delighted to present Tom Meadows with his Queen’s Scout Award The Duke of Edinburgh Award scheme is still very popular with the Explorer Scout age group and the young people and Leaders are working hard to ensure they successfully complete their awards. A number of practise expeditions have been undertaken, ready for their expedition later this year.

Network and Scout Active Support Units continue to help and support the District whilst at the same time run their own activities.

The last 12 months has seen a number of new appointments. We have a new Young Leader Leader, Assistant District Commissioner Activities and a Media Development Manager.

I have presented a number of Wood Badges over the last few months with more on the way.

A number of Leaders have been rewarded for their good service this year through the Chief Scout’s Commendation, Merit Award and Bar to the Merit Award. Linda Buckley our District Chaplain has also been awarded the Silver Acorn in the St. George’s Day Awards. Our congratulations go to all these award holders.

Total membership Number of groups forum are set tasks to go back to their Groups/ Units and ask for ideas and suggestions for activities in the District. They then feed back at the meeting and decisions are being made.

The first task was to look at St. George’s Day and alterations have been made.

Jamboree

Beavers Scouts

(Male - 225) (Female - 35)

1213 13 260

Cubs Scouts 272

(Male - 207) (Female - 65)

Scouts 321

(Male - 257) (Female - 64)

We have 6 Explorer Scouts going to Japan this year. We also have one leader who is a Deputy Unit Leader and 2 Leaders who are going to Japan as part of the IST.

Explorer Scouts

137

Way Forward:

(Male - 105) (Female - 91)

Leaders/Adult Support

196

We shall look at the development of the District with the view to starting a Group on the new Urban Village in Chapelford.

Focus will also be on those Groups who lost numbers this year and support will be given

(Male - 89) (Female - 48)

The above is only a snapshot of what goes on in the District, it does not touch on what goes on at Group level. I hope from this you can see that a great deal of fun has taken place with many friendships formed by our young people and the adult leadership teams.

Debbie Phillips District Commissioner (Warrington West) debbie.phillips@cheshirescouts.org.uk

Census Figures:

Disappointingly the District has dropped by 63 members this year. However, there are still more young people who want to join and we all need to focus on how to provide opportunities for them. Census figures show that we currently have 49 potential Beaver Scouts, 23 potential Cub Scouts and 21 potential Scouts wishing to join. If all these had been able to join the Sections we would have grown by 30.

Young Leaders

Dennis Buckley has taken over as our Young Leader Leader and is supported by his wife Linda. The District has 53 Young Leaders helping out with Groups. The Unit meet on a monthly basis where a number of Modules are on offer. We presented our first Young Leader Belt to Ewan Brown who helps with Scouts at the 32nd and is an Explorer Scout at Viking. We have another Young Leader very close to achieving his Explorer Belt.

Youth Forum

We have relaunched the Youth Forum with Callum Buchanan and Mike Sheffield taking up the challenge to organise and run the forum. We have 20 members - 10 Explorer Scouts and 10 Scouts. By the time this report goes out we will have had 2 meetings. The

33

for Awards ervice S Good 015 2 4 1 20

34

Cornwell Scout Badge

AWARD FOR MERIT

Ben Anderson

David Hopley Stephen Buckley William Burnham David Jones Terence Rathbone Judith Simpson David Bentley Michael Soames Martin Jones Martin Relton Simon Appleton Marie Elkin Graham Bowden Denise Chandler Kathleen Duckett Colin Egerton Dianne Gardner June Hutchinson Joyce Sayle Melanie McPhillips Andrew Webb Jane Kelly David Sanderson

Macclesfield & Congleton

QUEEN’S SCOUT AWARDS Alex Bain Chester & District Joe Kervin Ellesmere Port & Neston James Brown Mersey Weaver Ian Evans Mersey Weaver Sam Norcross Mersey Weaver David Hammonds Mersey Weaver Harriet Jones Mersey Weaver Ben Norcross Mersey Weaver Katherine Plumb Mersey Weaver Christopher Graham Mid Cheshire Richard Lloyd Mid Cheshire Thomas Meadows Network Jake Griffin South West Cheshire James Bracey South West Cheshire Jessica Partington Warrington East

Duke of Edinburgh’s Gold Award Charlie Davies Rob Davies Josh Elliott Andrew Moffitt Emma Stockman Thomas Barrett Christopher Duffy Joanna Bilcliffe Michael Darlington Matthew Lynes Philip Sparke Jonathan Hay Jake Griffin Jessica Partington Helen Williams

Alderley Alderley Alderley Alderley Cheshire Chester & District Chester & District Chester & District Chester & District Knutsford & District Mersey Weaver Mid Cheshire South West Cheshire Warrington East Warrington East

SILVER WOLF Val Thomason

Cheshire County

BAR TO SILVER ACORN Shirley Baston Michael Drew Ann Eden Mark Eden Keith Jolley Tony Smith

Knutsford & District Macclesfield & Congleton Macclesfield & Congleton Macclesfield & Congleton Mid Cheshire Macclesfield & Congleton

SILVER ACORN Linda Buckley Garry Davies Stephen Haward Cyndy Lloyd Grahame Polley

Warrington West Knutsford & District Macclesfield & Congleton Mid Cheshire Chester & District

BAR TO THE AWARD FOR MERIT Nigel Flatman Julia Sanderson Stephen Conibere Amanda Brown David McDermott James Maguire Sandra Markey

Cheshire County Knutsford & District Macclesfield & Congleton Mersey Weaver Mersey Weaver Mersey Weaver Mersey Weaver

Cheshire County Alderley Alderley Alderley Alderley Alderley Ellesmere Port & Neston Ellesmere Port & Neston Knutsford & District Knutsford & District Macclesfield & Congleton Macclesfield & Congleton Mersey Weaver Mersey Weaver Mersey Weaver Mersey Weaver Mersey Weaver Mersey Weaver Mersey Weaver Mid Cheshire Mid Cheshire Warrington East Warrington East

CHIEF SCOUT’S COMMENDATION FOR GOOD SERVICE Nicola Gilsenan Andrew Holborow Emma Simpson Graham Bale Julie Eadie Catherine Firth Fiona Lunnon Lawrie McPake Alan Moser Alfred Baron Graham Childs Andrew Decaux Joanne Lee Ian Mackintosh Geoffrey Scott James Wilson Gary Austin David Joyce Robert Roberts Paul Sutcliffe Janette Whittaker Breeda Worthington James Buckley Hannah Webb Michael Callaghan Richard Goodier Sarah Bailey Cecelia Morrell Allan Ralston Eleanor Ralston

Alderley Alderley Alderley Knutsford & District Knutsford & District Knutsford & District Knutsford & District Knutsford & District Knutsford & District Macclesfield & Congleton Macclesfield & Congleton Macclesfield & Congleton Macclesfield & Congleton Macclesfield & Congleton Macclesfield & Congleton Macclesfield & Congleton Mersey Weaver Mersey Weaver Mersey Weaver Mersey Weaver Mersey Weaver Mersey Weaver Mid Cheshire Mid Cheshire Warrington East Warrington East Warrington West Warrington West Warrington West Warrington West

Commissioner’s Commendation Award Emma O’Brien Paul Simpson Luke Atherton Joe Kervin Ian McMullen Alfie Mayhew Jack Mellor David Bailey Vicky Ollerton Melanie Pollard Caroline Smith

Alderley Alderley Ellesmere Port & Neston Ellesmere Port & Neston Ellesmere Port & Neston Ellesmere Port & Neston Ellesmere Port & Neston Knutsford & District Knutsford & District Warrington East Warrington East

35

of ensus C hip in members Cheshire

For the year ending 31st January 2015

Male

Female

Total

Youth membership

2015

2014

2015

2014

2015

2014

Beaver Scouts

2,449

2,489

366

353

2,815

2,842

Cub Scouts

2,766

2,844

509

509

3,285

3,328

Scouts

2,129

2,244

543

524

2,735

2,768

Explorer Scouts

760

734

262

319

968

1,053

Scout Network

38

48

17

21

55

69

Scout Network (recorded elsewhere)*

109

60

52

29

161

89

Total Youth Membership *Excluded from Youth Membership total

8,260

8,359

1,749

1,701

10,019

10,060

Leadership Leaders Incuding Group Scout Leaders

826

823

659

644

1,485

1,467

Sectional Assistants & Skills Instructors

169

186

153

120

322

306

Scouters (District & County)

27

21

23

21

50

42

Commissioners (District & County)

40

33

25

26

65

59

860

820

1,922

Total Leadership

1,062

1,076

1,896

Organisational Support Administrators

5

Officials

7

7

8

12

15

19

20

13

11

32

31

Scout Active Support

112

85

84

80

196

165

Individual & Associated Membership

81

87

61

61

142

148

Total Organisation Support

217

199

165

160

382

359

Total Membership

36

9,440

9,634

2,722

2,681

12,162

12,315

contacts Useful C

Shops

ut ounty Sco C e ir h s e h

ton Grove, School, Wes

DISTRICT rimary CHESTER & Headquarters, Westlea P in term time.

J ster. CH2 1Q

Upton, Che

ut pm District Sco g, 7.00 - 8.30 day evenin Open Thurs 398635 Tel: 01244

8EQ N DISTRICT CONGLETO Street, Macclesfield. SK11 & LD IE F S d on B t es MACCLE W s, 32 dquarter pm Scout Hea g 7.30 - 9.15 .uk day evenin cscouts.org es m @ op Open Tu sh l ai m e38 33 42 Tel: 01625

CW2 6 JB. TRICT ESHIRE DIS 131 Bedford Street, Crewe798 466 4154.

H C T S E W SOUTH 0pm. Tel: 0 oor Leisure, 6.00 - 9.0 des & Outd ening from Scouts, Gui d Friday ev an ay d es Open Tu P

E SHO T AND GUIDA2 8PG U O C S N O T WARRING d, Orford, Warrington W )

am Roa from 10.00 istrict HQ Vale Owen day morning ton West D ur g at S rin d ar W an 0pm (adjacent to g 7.00 - 9.0 1925 763927 day evenin hours tel: 0 op sh Open Tues e d si 634510. Out Tel: 01925

Useful Addr

to 12noon.

esses

ssociation on E4 7QW The Scout Aury Road, Chingford, Londscout.org.uk k, B e@ Gilwell Par l: info.centr 7100 emai 33 base.org.uk ut 84 co 20 .s 0 w : w Tel s.org.uk, w ut co .s w w Web: w

ilwell Park

Centre, G formation In t u co S e Th 0 1818 Tel: 0845 30 t.org.uk entre@scou .c fo in l: ai em

ntre

Ce Conference Gilwell Park5300

k 98 scout.org.u Tel: 020 84 ferences@ on l.c el ilw g email:

ity Centres Scout Activ 2549 0 Tel: 0845 30 k scout.org.u c@ sa l: ai em

7 5JS. London SW ell House Baden-Pow ’s Gate, South Kensington, en 65 -67 Que 6909 90 75 -hotels.com 20 Tel: 0 .meininger w w w e lin Bookings on

s Ltd Scout Shop ay 9.00am to 5.00pm

id G Monday - Fr sex BN15 8U gh Road ou or lb ar g, West Sus in nc 75 M La k, iness Par Lancing Bus 1 92 6 76 3 0190 op s.org.uk/sh www.scout

es rance Servic

Unity Insu me of Scout Insurance Ser a trading na is 40 7703 Tel: 0345 0 co.uk ts@unityins. ou e-mail: sc 44 10 75 outs Fax: 01903 c.co.uk/sc ww.unityin website: w

vi

based at ces Limited

e)

dress abov

Lancing (ad

A G N I K A M E V I T POSI E...

G N A CH

uts.org.uk

o cheshiresc

outs.org.uk

cheshiresc

Cheshire County Scout Council, Cheshire Scouts, Willow Tree Park, Booths Lane, Lymm, Warrington, WA13 0PQ All reports are the view of the Author and not necessarily the views of the Editor. Any questions or comments should be forwarded to the County Office.

Designed by Adam Forshaw adam.forshaw@cheshirescouts.org.uk