The photo selected this week - On TV - 1st Burghfield and Sulhamstead Scout Group is the fastest growing Group in the Country - Photo 1st Burghfield and Sulhamstead Scout Group
Tune in your TV to ITV Meridian South on Monday 21 April at 6pm to see the news report about 1st Burghfield and Sulhamstead Scout Group which showed the largest increase in membership from 2007 to 2008 in the UK. The Group contains 3 Beaver Colonies, 3 Cub Packs, a Scout Troop and a Explorer Section. Congratulations to all the Volunteers at the Group who made even better Scouting for even more young people in Berkshire possible and to the 70+ who turned out for the camera team a few days ago. If you miss the news you will be able to replay it on the ITV Meridian South Website at www.meridiantv.com.
On Monday 21 April The Scout Association will be releasing membership figures that reveal the continuing popularity of the Movement, with 15,000 additional members joining in the last year. In Berkshire there are now over 1,300 adult and over 6,300 youth members across the county, forming 135 Groups of Beaver Scouts, Cub Scouts, Scouts and Explorer Scouts. Across the UK, The Scout Association census figures reveal a total 3.7 per cent increase in youth membership and a 1.7 per cent increase in adult membership. These figures are the largest increase the Movement has seen for 22 years, and represent the 13,500 young people and 1,500 adults who have joined The Scout Association in the last previous year. Total youth membership is now calculated to be over 450,000, with 100,000 adult volunteers. However, despite this record growth, the data also reveal a gap of nearly 6,400 volunteers who are needed to meet the ongoing demand for Beaver, Cub, Scout and Scout Explorer places. Membership has been steadily increasing since 2005. The biggest growth across the country has been in the 14 – 18 years age range (Explorer Scouts), which has seen a 6.5 per cent increase in members. This has been attributed to the new activity programme for this age group, which offers Explorers the opportunity to expand their skills across a range of areas, including snowboarding and street sports.
This is advance notice of the news from the Scout Association so keep it under your hat until 21 April 2008.
A massive thank you to everyone who has made and continues to make the fabulous adventure of Scouting possible.
'A very very helpful day' was the view of one participant at the Forum on ‘Partnerships with Scouting Serving the Community’ on Saturday 19 April 2008 at the Wokingham Waterside Centre. Participants were drawn from across Berkshire and included representatives from Unitary Authorities, Charities together with Support and Funding Agencies. The programme kicked on with Russ Dyble who is the Local Development Officer in Greater London North Scouts and his perspectives and experiences on building partnerships. This was followed by a presentation on the Extended Services Programme which all Unitary Authorities must have in place and operational by 2010. Jenny Miller from Reading Borough Council kindly stepped in at the last minute when the intended speaker Nigel Denton, Head of the Reading Borough Council Extended Services was injured on Friday. Sarah O’Donnell, Nick Woldridge, Debbie Hill, Debbie Openshaw from the Berkshire Association of Clubs for Young People described the various facets of their activity including Volunteer Schemes for 13 to 19 year olds, Activity and Sports Programmes as well as the overall programme of BACYP.
A great lunch provided by Reading Central Fellowship was followed by Ben Cross, Development Worker for Reading Children’s and Voluntary Sector Services Berkshire Scouts who provided a lot of information on funding opportunities both for young people led programmes and for supporting training for Adult Volunteers. Discussion Groups on Extended Services and on Funding Opportunities yielded some great ideas which all took away with them.
If you would like to know more about the day or have ideas for Developing Scouting please contact the Local Development Officer Harriet Riley via 07711 851 574 or via email or check out the County Development Forum web pages
An Evening of Celebration focused around Every Child Matters will take place on Monday 21 July at the Madejski Conference Centre in Reading very close to Junction 11 on the M4. The Evening of Celebration will be preceded by the Annual General Meeting of Berkshire County Scout Council. Book this date now.
April 2008
24 WINGS Project Team (Bracknell)
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30 Adult Training Module
5 Fundamental Values (Eastern Area)
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30 County Marketing and Communication Forum
May 2008
1 WINGS Steering Group (Reading)
4 Adult Training Module
1 Essential Information (Northern Area)
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4 Adult Training Module
3 Tools for the Job (Sectional) (Northern Area)
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4 Adult Training Module
6 Changes in Scouting (Northern Area)
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6 County Executive Committee
7 Adult Training Module
1 Essential Information (Western Area)
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10–11 Adult Training Module
16 Nights Away (Earleywood)
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12 Adult Training Module
100 Validation Session (Eastern Area)
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13 Adult Training Module
1 Essential Information (Mid Area)
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13 County DCs Forum
13 County Development Forum (Reading)
14 Adult Training Module
1 Essential Information (Eastern Area)
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14 Adult Training Module
100 Validation Session (Western Area)
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19 Adult Training Module
25a Assessing Learning (Mid & South)
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19 County Steering Group
20 Kennet District Annual General Meeting
21 Adult Training Module
100 Validation Session (Mid Area)
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22 Local Training Managers (Gravelly)
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29 WINGS Project Team (Bracknell)
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the full Diary.
Congratulations to all at 1st Burghfield and Sulhamstead Scout Group on their achievements over the last 12 months. Please send your news and any photos to photo@berkshirescouts.org.uk
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That's all for this week!
The Web Team
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