Scouts In Action

Very Cool Jamboree Selection

130 young people from across Berkshire braved sub-zero temperatures for the weekend to pursue their dreams of being selected to to to the World Scout Jamboree 2011 in Sweden.

Biting back frosts of up to minus 5 celcius, Scouts and Explorers threw themselves into a range of team challenges and camping experiences under the careful stewardship of the Jamboree Unit Leaders. A great weekend was had by all - a selection of photos will be going online shortly.

Taking place at Bear's Rails in Old Windsor, the selection weekend brought together Scouts and Explorer Scouts from all eleven Districts within Royal Berkshire; Through a series of challenges, tasks and activities, the participants were given the opportunity to reveal who they are and how they interract with other potential Unit members.

In addition to the candidate members and the four Jamboree Unit leaders, the weekend brought in the assistance of an adult team from across the county including former Jamboree Unit leaders, in order to support the leader team in their selection process.

Sandhurst Scout Receives Queen's Scout Award

Katherine Walpole age 16, an Explorer Scout from Sandhurst and a pupil at Ranelagh School in Bracknell, was presented with her Queen’s Scout award on stage at the South East Berkshire Gang Show after Wednesday night’s Show. The Queen’s Scout award is the highest award achievable by a Scout and it was presented to her by Hamish Stout, Berkshire’s County Commissioner.

Some of the many activities that she undertook to gain the award were, planning and carrying out an 80K hike over 4 days in Lancashire and Yorkshire, working as a volunteer assistant helping disabled young people and being a Young Leader for her local Beaver Colony (1st Sandhurst).

In 2007 Katherine represented Sandhurst, and was one of only 5 Scouts from South Berkshire District, at the World Scout Jamboree in Essex celebrating Scouting’s Centenary year. There were over 38,000 Scouts at the event representing 158 Countries.

To recognise the achievement of this award Katherine has been invited to attend the St Georges Day Parade at Windsor Castle in April by the Queen.

Gang Show a Great Success

This years South East Berks Gang Show was another huge success. It was on at the Wilde Theatre all last week culminating with two shows on Saturday. Around 100 kids were on stage each night playing to a full house.

We were raising money for CLAPA, The Cleft Lip and Palate Association. Established in 1979, CLAPA is the only UK Charity providing relief and support for all those born with, or affected by cleft lip and pallet. CLAPA provides support beyond the walls of the hospital and ensures that in partnership with the health specialists, all the needs of those with, and affected by, cleft lip and pallet are catered for.

A total of £800 was raised by the show and a cheque was presented by Shirley Burns, the show’s producer, to Sue Carroll, CLAPA’s representative.
Image Contributed By: Bob Tunbridge

The fun begins at Arborfield!

Over 30 adults and young people got a taste of Scouting at the hugely sucessful taster session for the new Beaver Colony in Arborfield earlier in February.

The young people enjoyed a fun packed session run by local leaders and supported by members of wider Scouting while their parents and relatives found out more about the fun of Scouting and how they could be involved in getting the project off the ground.

The response from the adults was as enthusiastic as that of the young people and should see the new section on a firm footing for the future.

Thanks must go to the Coombes school for their continued support and letting us take over the hall and class room for the evening as well as the team of voluteers who put together a great evening for adults and young people alike. The whole event is another example of the continued appeal of Scouting and the value of working with other organisations.

99th Reading Triumph at Loddon Cooking Competition

Fencing at the 47th

Success at the Programme Support Forum

Last week's hugely successful Programme Support Forum was attended by a great number of volunteers from across Berkshire. They discussed a number of upcoming plans including the transition to InTouch and the most effective way to support Groups and Units deliver even better scouting. A huge thank you to all those who attended, making the event such a success.

The next Programme Support Forum is on Tuesday 27th April; everyone is welcome to please put the date in your diary and look out for more details! Contact Lorraine Bolam for more details.

Jack Wows GSLs' Day Conference

Jack Harley-Walsh, a scout in South Ascot, shared his special brand of magic with over 120 GSLs and similar roles from across Berkshire.

Having persuaded his mum Sue to climb Mt Kilimanjaro, Mt Kenya and Mt Meru, Jack set off on the journey of a lifetime and summoned his courage to overcome any obstacle. Such determination is inspirational and both Jack and Sue shared just a part of their adventure with us.

Summing up his philosophy as "Don't give up on yourself" and his founding principles as Fun, Courage and Challenge; Jack is passionate about helping other young people through his fundraising efforts for Sebastian House and the Air Ambulance. A truly remarkable young man!

Pinkneys Green Christingle Service

Jack Gets Gold!

Our Chief Scout Bear Grylls has said that some Scouting events are not just ‘ordinary’ activities, they are “extra ordinary” and today we hear of some of your extraordinary achievements in obtaining your Silver Awards. As well as the Chief Scout’s Silver Award Presentations today, we have another award that is for an “extra” extra ordinary activity.

Jack Harley-Walsh, a cub at 1st South Ascot, decided that he wanted to do something that was “extra ordinary”. He sometimes finds schooling challenging, but wanted to show that you don’t have to be super kid to do extra ordinary things. He set his challenge to climb some mountains, but not just any mountains but the highest mountains he could in Africa.

To make it more interesting Jack decided to seek sponsorship for two important charities. The Sebastian Action Trust set up by young Sebastian Gates who was 7 and diagnosed with a rare form of cancer. Through his own experiences Sebastian sought ways to make life better for others facing an uncertain future. Jack thought this was an excellent project to support along with supporting the Thames Valley Air Ambulance Service who Jack also felt does a fantastic job.

So, along with his Mum in tow, they set off to Africa for three weeks and climbed three mountains: Mount Meru - 15,000 feet; Mount Kilimanjaro - 19,000 feet – the highest mountain in Africa; Mount Kenya -17,000 feet.

Jack, aged 10, was the youngest person ever to climb Mount Kilimanjaro !! For a treat after his great achievement his Mum treated Jack to a Safari in Kenya to see the wild animals.

It was there that catastrophe struck !! Jack, whilst riding a camel; fell off and had to be airlifted by an air ambulance to hospital in Nairobi where he remained for a week to recover from his fall. He certainly knows what service an air ambulance can provide now, and is even more delighted he chose this service as one of his charities to support.

Jack, “Well Done”. A terrific challenge. A fantastic achievement for someone aged 10. You are a wonderful inspiration to us all. I am delighted to tell you that you have been awarded a very rare Award and Hamish Stout our County Commissioner will present it to you a “GOLD” Blue Peter Badge.

Image Contributed By: Derek Jackson