24th Hastings Scout Group

Annual Report 2008 - 2009

Group Scout Leader's Report

First, I must send a big thank you to everyone who came to the anniversary party, or who supported us by sending in a donation. I really enjoy reading your letters, as I realise again how much Scouting has meant to you and your family. We had a most enjoyable time, with music, food, singing, sketches, a display of photos showing activities through the years, lots of reminiscing, and fireworks to round off the evening.
New heaters have now been installed in the hall, which cost a lot less to run and maintain.
The Guides and Explorers continue to use the HQ, and this year we have also been hosting 6th Hastings Troop while major repairs are carried out to their hall. Hastings Gang Show rehearsals took place on Sundays in the autumn, and the HQ has also been used for various County and District events and training courses, as well as William Parker’s Duke of Edinburgh Award group.
The College’s new Head, John Court, has renewed the sponsorship agreement, and there is now a possibility that we shall soon be using part of the Copse once again.
We are collecting Sainsbury’s AK09 vouchers, and this year we are also participating in Tesco Schools and Clubs. Last year we collected about 3,000 vouchers, and obtained some sturdy and useful equipment for the Beavers, as well as a Rock-it-ball set. This year we are aiming to get some basketball goals for the hall, so please send us your vouchers from both Sainsbury’s and Tesco.
In December the Hastings Centenary Marathon was held, and we and the Guides volunteered to man the water station in Parkstone Road. Subsequently Eric Hardwick, the race organiser, came to a meeting and presented commemorative horse brasses to everyone who had helped. We also staffed the usual Ridge station for the half-marathon.
Hastings Borough Council EHO paid us a visit, also in December, and decided that, to comply with current legislation, we needed to register as a food business. This has now been done.
The Group Open Night this year is on Friday 15th May at 7.30 p.m. All Parents and other supporters are very welcome.

Roger Plumb



Scout Troop

Summer term
As usual, the summer programme contained as many outside meetings as possible, including various games, chariot building and racing, a home-made obstacle course, and cycling races. We paid two visits to St. Helen’s Wood, one for a wide game, and one for a mapping exercise.
Twelve Scouts went to Bowles for a rock-climbing session, and this was followed up with a lot more climbing at Summer Camp, following which 14 Climber badges were awarded. We went to the Quarry for further wide games, and we finished the term with a barbecue on a cold, damp evening at Fairlight Road picnic site.

Summer Camp
We decided to head in a completely new direction this year, and opted for Rhydd Covert, just outside Kidderminster. This site, which belongs to Kidderminster District, and is almost exactly 200 miles from home, is next door to the West Midlands Safari Park. Naturally a visit was arranged to see the animals, and also enjoy the adjacent fun rides.
The camping areas are clearings in a 50-acre wood; on-site activities the Scouts enjoyed included the splendid climbing/abseiling tower, crate stacking, a water slide, air rifles and archery.
It was a bit disappointing that most of our new recruits weren’t at camp, but we still had three Patrols there, and they were all able to make excellent ovens in which to roast the beef on Sunday.
Away from the camp, our older Scouts were invited to join the local Explorers for a kayaking trip on the Severn, and everyone went to Hallow for an evening’s water activities on the lake.
The Kidderminster Activate Team took us to Symond’s Yat Rock for a day’s climbing, following which nearly everyone was awarded a Climber badge.
This year’s new recipe was pork curry, and many of the old favourites, including cider sausages and chicken Marengo were on the menu. The weather started good, but the second half was changeable, with some very heavy thundery showers.
As usual, thanks go to our leadership team – Dave Thompson, Dave Rogers, Clair Harvey, Graeme Stoodley, and Explorer Chris Rogers, and our drivers, Chris & Tracey Pelling and Steven Corbett.

Autumn Term
We returned in the autumn with a full Troop and average attendances well up in the mid twenties.
We decided to concentrate on working for the Fitness Challenge, and the PLs devised various stamina and agility exercises which were developed over 6 weeks, while the theoretical work went on at a base in the den.
Our team performed exceptionally well in the District Swimming Gala, winning nearly all the races we entered for.
Clair and Graeme arranged a Hallowe’en party, which involved lots of very messy games, and we had a Patrol cooking evening. Some sketches were prepared for the anniversary party, and the District team came in for an evening and ran some very interesting Patrol challenges.
We again visited the Hastings Gang Show, and we went to Ocean Bowling for an evening. The Anniversary Party was kick-started by our own band, who played very tunefully, and later everyone joined in the singing led by Dave Thompson and Angela Johnson.
The term was rounded off in traditional style with the Christmas Party.

Spring Term
After Christmas there was quite heavy emphasis on food, with Chef Plus and Chef Badge courses, a Patrol cooking evening, a pancake night, and a chip survey. In February Stuart Farquhar led a night hike, and this was followed by a sleepover and breakfast at the HQ. Our PLs and ASLs attended the Activity Day organised by District at our HQ; and in the Air Rifle target shooting competition out team was narrowly beaten into second place by 1st Westfield.
At the end of the month an evening at The Ice Bowl at Gillingham was enjoyed by a large group of Scouts.
In March we held a wide-game in St. Helen’s Wood, which involved smuggling light sticks to a base past Leaders armed with torches.
Three Scouts spent a weekend in London with PLs and APLs from the District, sleeping on board the Golden Hinde and visiting various attractions.
The term concluded with an indoor obstacle course, designed and built by the Patrols, and an Easter treasure hunt.


Badges and Awards
David Waters won the Bish Byrom badge shield.
Chief Scout’s Gold Awards were gained by Hugh Richardson, Nick Jordan, and William Bartlett, who, with their families, all attended a presentation ceremony organized by County at Bexhill High School on November 30th. Challenges were gained as follows:
Adventure 11, Creative 3, Fitness 24; Outdoor 4; Outdoor Plus 2.
Staged badges: Hikes Away stage 1- 5 ; Nights Away –lots.
Activity badges: Camp Cook 6; Camper 7; Chef 2; Climber 14; Entertainer 4
Activity plus: Camper 1; Chef 3; Pioneer 3
Instructor: Camp Cook 3; Chef 1

Roger Plumb


Cub Pack

 It has been another eventful year for the Cubs, with almost an entire change of membership as our ‘old’ Pack of 10-year-olds moved up to Scouts (some to other Troops, many to our own), and Angela has taken over running the Pack while I am taking a maternity break. Our triumph last spring was winning the District 5-a-side football tournament, despite having only 2 Cubs turn up (Killian and Brooklyn). The victory was due to such good sportsmanship by several other teams, who lent us players to come up with a ‘scratch’ team of champions. We were very proud to get the shield engraved with 24th Hastings again. Let’s hope the turnout this year is a bit better.
In May we took part in the District Cub Camp on Romney marsh. The camp had a Normans and Saxons theme, and we spent weeks preparing by making impressive costumes, banners and props for the opening ceremony and the battle re-enactment. The campsite was surrounded by streams, and all night long we could hear the frogs singing! It was the noisiest place I have ever camped. The Cubs took part in all sorts of activities, including cooking on fires, crafts, rifle shooting, Laser Maze, a climbing wall, and bouncy castles. We had a brilliant day out at Dover Castle, where there were people dressed up in costumes from many different periods of history, with acting and displays to watch. We managed to get on a tour of the secret wartime tunnels under the White Cliffs which was fascinating. Unfortunately the weather got a bit wild at the end of the camp, and the large dining shelters and mess tents could not hold up against the wind, so with no kitchen or fire for breakfast, we were forced to abandon camp a few hours early and did not actually get to have our ‘battle’. The poor parents were woken up early on the Monday morning to come to our rescue, but all the Cubs survived unscathed.
In the summer term we gained some new younger Cubs, and we tried to make the most of the longer days by having lots of our activities and games out on the fields. We finished the term with a family barbecue at Fairlight picnic site. Judith (the District Commissioner) came along to present the Chief Scout’s Silver award to Jeremy and Brooklyn, and I was very proud that they had gained the highest badge available to Cub Scouts before leaving the Pack.
My little boy Clement was born safely at home in September, and is growing fast, but I don’t yet have enough time to come back to Cubs regularly. Angela has taken on running the Pack in my absence and has been doing a wonderful job, building the skills of the new young Pack. I have been able to visit them once or twice, and joined the whole Group for the 75th Anniversary party in November.


Acorn Clayton CSL

I was asked by Acorn if I would mind looking after her Cub Pack for a few months whilst she gave birth to the adorable Clement. And what a pleasure it has been! I have met and worked with a group of the nicest young people you could wish to meet.
There are currently 8 Cubs, one Cub ready to go to Scouts now he has achieved his Silver Award and a new young lad who has only been with us a matter of weeks. (10 in all)
It has been really enjoyable working with such a small group having spent the last few years helping to run a Pack with more than 20 Cubs.
I was allowed the privilege of getting to know each one as an individual and trust me they are all so different, but together they make a great team, helping each other, looking out for each other, and generally practising what being a Cub is all about.
Since last September after a lot of hard work they have achieved a few badges, which you can see proudly worn on each arm and Joseph, our oldest Cub, has achieved the highest award possible for a Cub Scout - the Chief Scout’s Silver Award.
All the Cubs are going to the Cubbly Bug Ball, 12th -14th June, which will prove to be a wonderful adventure for them. (I feel another badge coming on). One Cub is going to Paris with the District in May and will be joining in with the 3rd Hastings Cub Pack for that weekend.
Before then we have been set a challenge by Roger, the Group Scout Leader of the 24th Hastings Scout Group. We have to raise some money to open the copse at the side of the building which means all the Sections will have a truly magical place to explore over the seasons. The challenge is to do the Alexandra Tree Walk - to ‘walk the walk’ and identify all the trees along the way. (Can we do it? Of course we can!)
I would like to thank Roger for all the support he has given over the last few months; I could not have coped without him. Also thank you to Dominic, soon to become our Young Leader, and not forgetting Baloo from the 3rd, who was on hand most nights to help out.
My biggest thanks go the Cubs and their parents, without whose support it would not have been possible to keep the Cub Pack going, Thank You!
My time at the 24th may soon be coming to an end. I will miss each and every one of you. You may be a small Pack, but you will always be one of the greatest Packs I have ever had the pleasure to work with.
Many thanks! xxx

Hathi (Angela Johnson) CSL


Beaver Colony

 During the year our Colony has had a busy and exciting programme.
Several treasure hunts, a picnic in the park, nature hikes - looking at our environment and recycling, night walk with torches and finding our way using a compass.
We held a variety of themed evenings - Pirates, Dr Who (making Daleks and racing them), tasting, mini-Olympics, and map reading.
Cooking evenings which the Beavers enjoyed included making pancakes, pizzas, cakes, and biscuits.

We played many games. Here are a few - tag, races, pancake races - some of which our Explorer Scout Young Leaders organised.
Several parties - at Easter we had an egg hunt, in the summer a barbecue, at Halloween a party with apple bobbing and doughnut catching, and at Christmas a party with a variety of games - pass the parcel, find the sweets, etc.
The Beavers created a collage which we displayed on our board in the main hall for the 24th Hastings 75th Anniversary.
The group has done a lot of badge work throughout the year – Global Challenge, Creative Challenge, Healthy Eating, Fitness and Explore Badges are a few. We also had a Beaver who completed his Bronze Award. Well done Henry.
In November the Beavers enjoyed an evening at the Scout Gang Show. At present we have 13 Beavers.
I would like to thank Sue Tutt and Sue Smith for their support and help in running the Colony during this year. We have two Explorers who have joined us since January. The Beavers really enjoy having them at our meetings.


Ann Pope (Green Beaver)

Summary of Annual Accounts for the year ending 28th February 2009

We show online a summary of our accounts. For a copy of the full accounts, please contact us at our e-mail address.

Receipts
Balances at 1st March 2008
£ £
Cash 50.00
Bank Account Current 3021.11
Bank Account Reserve 243.24 3314.35
 
Interest received 5.76 5.76
Fund raising
75th Anniversary Party 62.37
Toner Recycling 145.80
Fun Run 49.20
Suttons Catalogue 20.00
Easyfundraising 18.45
295.82
Rent of HQ
Guides 345.00
Rangers -
Explorers/Gang Show 475.00
Others 270.00 1090.00
Subscriptions
Beavers 577.50
Cubs 736.20
Scouts 2345.84 3659.54
Sundry Receipts
Donations 380.00
Scout Shop Discount 72.90
Income Tax Repayment 494.72 947.62
   
  9319.09
Payments
£ £
HQ Insurance 1582.34
Membership fees 1216.08
Utilities 312.18
HQ Expenses 1531.02 4641.52
Activities (Net)
Scout Summer Camp 70.79
Cub Camps 106.22
Other Cub/Scout Activities (216.55)
Beaver Activities -
Badge and Uniform purchases 105.10 65.56
Other expenses
Equipment 235.20
Admin 207.93 443.13
   
Balances at 28th February 2009
£ £
Cash 50.00
Bank Account Current 3863.78
Bank Account Reserve 249.00 4162.78
   
  9319.09