chester on parade · cheshire hikecheshire hike congratulations to all who took part in the 2009...

CHESTER ON PARADE

Our Annual Review fo

r

2009

Chester and District S

cout Council

Registered Charity N

o 511406

Page | Page | Page | Page | 1111

AWARDS 2009

Congratulations to all those members of the

District who received well-deserved awards

during 2009:

Silver Wolf

David King, Secretary, District Scout

Fellowship

Hilary Roberts, County Chaplaincy Team and

Member, District Scout Fellowship

in in in in recognition of service of the most recognition of service of the most recognition of service of the most recognition of service of the most

outstanding characteroutstanding characteroutstanding characteroutstanding character

Silver Acorn

Terry Coe, Scout Leader, 18th Chester (St

Mary's)

Dave Evans, District Cub Scout Leader

June Hughes, District Vice President and

District Cub Scout Leader

Lorna McIntyre, latterly Group Scout Leader,

Cestrian

in recognition of specially distinguished in recognition of specially distinguished in recognition of specially distinguished in recognition of specially distinguished

serviceserviceserviceservice

Bar to the Award for Merit

Wayne Challinor, Group Scout Leader, 8th

Chester

Iain McIntyre, Assistant District

Commissioner (Youth Programme and

Events), District Nights Away Adviser,

Training Adviser

Alan Wilding, Assistant District

Commissioner (Cub Scouts), Group Scout

Leader, 1st Saltney (St Mark’s), Training

Adviser

Award for Merit

Richard Johnson, Assistant District

Commissioner (Beaver Scouts), Training

Adviser and Beaver Scout Leader 42nd

Chester

Chief Scout's Commendation for Good

Service

Christine Birchall, Treasurer, District Scout

Fellowship

Jayne Challinor, Assistant Group Scout

Leader, 8th Chester

Julie Gray, Assistant Scout Leader, 1st

Upton-by-Chester

Mark Gray, Scout Leader, 1st Upton-by-

Chester

Yvonne Harding, Group Scout Leader, 1st

Christleton

Charly Hillier, Assistant District

Commissioner (Scouts) and Scout Leader,

40th Chester

Helen Shone, Cub Scout Leader, 42nd

Chester

Joanne Turner, District Chair

Karan Warburton, District Appointments

Secretary

Rose Weaver, Beaver Scout Leader, 1st

Tilston

Chief Scout’s Service Awards

50 years50 years50 years50 years

David Lloyd, Treasurer, 1st Upton


Maureen Ivens, Appointments Advisory

Committee



Yvonne Harding, 1st Christleton


Joanne Turner, District Chair

Alan Wilding, ADC (Cub Scouts) and 1st

Saltney (St Mark’s)


David Mullock, Dewa Explorer Scouts

Gill Owen, Cestrian

Alan Reay, DESC and 1st Ashton and Manley


Charly Hillier, ADC (Scouts) and 40th Chester

Andrew Jones, District Nights Away Adviser

and Dewa Explorer Scouts

Brent Wilson, 1st Sandstone


Jonathan Brown, 1st Guilden Sutton

Jayne Challinor, 8th Chester

Richard De Beger, 1st Saltney (St Mark’s)

Helen Shone, 42nd Chester

John Lambert, 40th Chester

Julie Gray, 1st Upton by Chester

Annie Sinclair, 40th Chester

Paul Wright, Cestrian


Sandra Clarke, 42nd Chester

David Goodier, 1st Tarporley

Trish Poole, 5th Blacon (Holy Trinity)

Tom Woodworth, 1st Malpas

Wood Badge

Simon Ashton, Explorer Scout Leader,

Renegades Explorer Scouts

Malcolm Koutson, Cub Scout Leader, 1st

Waverton

Volunteer Centre – Volunteer Awards

Members of the District received

recognition at 2009 event organised by the

Chester Volunteer Centre. These awards are

made on the nomination of Group Scout

Leaders:

Jayne Challinor Jenny Challinor Suzanne Donovan Roger Hewitt Joan Hunt John Riley Jordan Smith Dawn Steaton Victoria Taker

GONE HOME

We remember members of the District who

died during 2009:

DavidDavidDavidDavid CapstickCapstickCapstickCapstick

David was well known as a leader at the 1st

Upton-by-Chester and his family have long

been supporters of the Group.

Peter WhitbyPeter WhitbyPeter WhitbyPeter Whitby

Peter was a long term leader at the 18th

Chester and was appointed an Honorary

Scouter just before his death.


FROM THE DISTRICT CHAIR AND THE DISTRICT COMMISSIONER

CHESTER SCOUTING CONTINUES TO GROW!

At the beginning of 2009, our membership stood at 1,294, against 1,173 in 2008. This total was

made up 1,007 young people and 172 adults in Groups and 115 (including Explorer Scouts)

under the District return. Thirteen of our 19 Groups increased their numbers. Numbers on their

own don't make the full story but it's satisfying that our growth continues. Well done all!

There have been many successes and we have tried to capture these in our monthly newsletter

and on our web site, which had just been re-launched at the beginning of 2009.

Our District Directory is now available as a download from the web site and an updated version will be published after the 2010 Annual General Meeting, with regular updates after that, as we have done throughout 2009. Adult training and recruitment are a key priority and training modules are delivered regularly in Chester where the District is pleased to make our Scout Centre available to leaders from all over Cheshire and North Wales so that they can take part in the training they need. In 2009, we had 151 attendances at 42 Modules. Our Sectional teams work hard to help our Groups and Units - this Review gives more details.

The District Executive Committee and its sub-Committees have continued to provide much

needed financial and management support to the District. This support is vital and we need to

ensure that all the vacancies we have for key positions are filled. This year we re-introduced the

Sponsored Walk and hope that Groups found this a valuable part of their fundraising. Our Scout

Shop continues to provide essential income for the District as well as a high-quality service to

Groups and Members.

The District Action Plan is regularly reviewed and updated and is the framework for the support

provided by the District Team and the District Executive. The annual District Team Conference in

May helped us to think through the implications of the plan and the best ways to implement it.

The great progress in the District is the result of the commitment of so many people that it is impossible to make a list of them all. All we can do is to say thank you to all those who have made Chester and District the active and growing community that it is. 2010 is our centenary year, with all the chances to celebrate and to use the opportunities to make even more progress. The future is bright! Jo TurnerJo TurnerJo TurnerJo Turner David BullDavid BullDavid BullDavid Bull District ChairDistrict ChairDistrict ChairDistrict Chair District CommissionerDistrict CommissionerDistrict CommissionerDistrict Commissioner


BEAVER SCOUTS

My! This time of year again, Annual General

Meeting season; how time flies when you

are having fun and making friends.

In Chester and District we have nineteen

active Beaver Colonies who work very hard

each week delivering a balanced

programme for over 300 young Scouts

enjoying the experience of Scouting, this is

an increase upon last year and includes a

new Colony at the 42nd Chester group in

Hoole.

In 2009, 30 Beaver Scouts were awarded

their Bronze Chief Scout’s Award.

Congratulations to them all!

In April I heard that I was to be awarded the

Award of Merit, which was presented to me

at the District Annual General Meeting last

June. Thank you to all who has helped me

along the way, I shall wear the award with

pride.

Beavers from most of our Groups marched

with pride at our St George’s Day parade.

In July Beavers from around the District

enjoyed a Beaver Fun Day at Forest Camp,

where they had fun with Beavers from all

over Cheshire. In December Beavers from

the District enjoyed their Christmas Carol

service at Blacon Holy Trinity Church.

As I bring this report to a close, I’m thinking

of the committed leaders we have in the

District and my thanks to them for their

commitment each week to the children. We

are growing in Beavers in the District and

before I hang up my Assistant District

Commissioner ‘hat’ I would like to see more

Beaver Colonies opening across the District,

but as you know Beaver Scout Leaders don’t

grow on trees!

Please accept my sincere thanks to all

leaders, helpers and parents for

volunteering each week with leadership and

for supporting all our young people.

Beaver Scouting in Chester and District is

alive and kicking, and with your help it will

continue for many a year to come.

God Bless you all.

Richard JohnsonRichard JohnsonRichard JohnsonRichard Johnson Assistant District Commissioner (Beaver Assistant District Commissioner (Beaver Assistant District Commissioner (Beaver Assistant District Commissioner (Beaver Scouts)Scouts)Scouts)Scouts) CUB SCOUTS

Swimming GalasSwimming GalasSwimming GalasSwimming Galas

The District Swimming Gala was held in

October and was won by 1st Farndon; 18th

Chester came a close second. The winners of

each event then formed a team to enter the

County Swimming Gala. This team consisted

of Cubs from 1st Farndon, 1st Malpas, 18th

Chester, 1st Tarporley and 1st Guilden

Sutton. I am pleased to report that this

team won the County Gala in November.


Totem Pole CompetitionTotem Pole CompetitionTotem Pole CompetitionTotem Pole Competition

1st Waverton kindly hosted the Totem Pole

competition in November which was a

Scouting skills competition, including the

Waverton ‘Egg drop’. The competition was

won by 18th Chester (Maclaren).

Carols and Activities @ ForestCarols and Activities @ ForestCarols and Activities @ ForestCarols and Activities @ Forest

For the Carol service this year we tried

something different by holding it at

Birchwood. We spent the afternoon doing

various activities as part of the Promise

Challenge then we finished the afternoon

by singing Carols around the camp fire.

Picture: Chester Cubs on the Founder’s Day trip to Picture: Chester Cubs on the Founder’s Day trip to Picture: Chester Cubs on the Founder’s Day trip to Picture: Chester Cubs on the Founder’s Day trip to

LondonLondonLondonLondon

In every Pack each week, there is a great

deal of activity and I would like to say thank

you to all the leaders and helpers who put

in so much effort. Thanks also to our three

District Cub Scout Leaders, June Hughes,

Chris Owens and Dave Evans.

Alan WildingAlan WildingAlan WildingAlan Wilding Assistant District Commissioner (Cub Scouts)Assistant District Commissioner (Cub Scouts)Assistant District Commissioner (Cub Scouts)Assistant District Commissioner (Cub Scouts)

SCOUTS Cheshire HikeCheshire HikeCheshire HikeCheshire Hike Congratulations to all who took part in the 2009 Cheshire Hike: much nicer weather than 2008! 1st Ashton and Manley, 1st Farndon, 1st Tarporley, 1st Upton, 18th Chester, 48th Chester, Farndon Explorers, Renegades Explorers, Dewa Explorers and Wolf Explorers all participated – well done to all. The District trophies were earned by:

Junior Junior Junior Junior James Realff and Charlie Knock, 1st Farndon Intermediate Intermediate Intermediate Intermediate Alex Bain and Ryan Thomas, 1st Upton Senior Senior Senior Senior Luke Thornton and Peter Young, Dewa and Renegades Explorers Senior Plus Senior Plus Senior Plus Senior Plus Ian Halton and Matthew Smith, Farndon Explorers

Congratulations to them and all the twenty

five teams who took part from our District!

Chief ScoutChief ScoutChief ScoutChief Scout’’’’s Gold Awards Gold Awards Gold Awards Gold Awardssss We were well represented at the County presentation of certificates. Congratulations once again to all those who received their awards.

World Scout JamboreeWorld Scout JamboreeWorld Scout JamboreeWorld Scout Jamboree SelectionSelectionSelectionSelection 17 young people from Chester and District attended a selection day at Forest Camp, Sandiway. The day was set up to allow all the young people to work together on a range of different tasks put together to test


their differing abilities and Scouting knowledge. They also had to attend a short interview. We are pleased to have filled all our allotted places and have since been awarded another place, and are sending 8 young people to Sweden. The successful Scouts are: Michael Oddie (Renegades Explorers), Luke Thornton, Alex Thornton and Richard Ludden (Dewa Explorers), Christopher Harrington (40th Chester), Craig Roberts and Matthew Craig (42nd Chester) and Arun Paul (1st Christleton). Charly HillierCharly HillierCharly HillierCharly Hillier Assistant District Commissioner (Scouts)Assistant District Commissioner (Scouts)Assistant District Commissioner (Scouts)Assistant District Commissioner (Scouts) EXPLORER SCOUTS Members of the six Explorer Scout Units

located widely round the Chester District

have enjoyed access to a wide range of

activities.

The young people, assisted by the Explorer

Scout leadership teams continued to work

towards both Scouting and Duke of

Edinburgh’s awards.

In April members took part in the annual St

George’s Day bell boat race and barbecue.

Camping and outdoor activities are a

feature of the Explorer Scout Section all

year around, including paddles sports and

winter camps and this year was no

exception.

Twenty two Explorer Scouts from three

Districts took part in Chester's Young Leader

Training Course at the Clogwyn Activity

Centre at Bangor in North Wales and

another eighteen from Chester and District

took part in a second course, with Luke

Thornton (Dewa Explorers) receiving his

Young Leader belt.

The weekends were spent working in

groups with many interruptions for games.

By the end of the courses all had planned a

twelve week programme for their Sections,

along with risk assessments and ideas for

badge work - all with the key goal of a

balanced programme.

Alan Reay, District Explorer Scout Alan Reay, District Explorer Scout Alan Reay, District Explorer Scout Alan Reay, District Explorer Scout Commissioner to 2010Commissioner to 2010Commissioner to 2010Commissioner to 2010 Simon Ashton, District Explorer Scout Simon Ashton, District Explorer Scout Simon Ashton, District Explorer Scout Simon Ashton, District Explorer Scout Commissioner from 2010Commissioner from 2010Commissioner from 2010Commissioner from 2010


CHESTER AND DISTRICT SCOUT FELLOWSHIP This has been another enjoyable and successful year for the Fellowship. We have had a varied programme of meetings during the year including presentations on “The role of a PCSO” by Karen Denis, "Chester Silverware" by Dr Campbell of Tarporley Cottage Hospital and a practical talk on "Self Defence" by Amanda Wilson. We also enjoyed several social events with a cheese and wine evening to start the year, a Mystery coach trip arranged by Christine Birchall, a barbecue at the District Centre, two quizzes, a canal trip arranged by Rex & Jean Wilson, a Sunday walk around Brimstage and Thornton Hough followed by lunch and finally our annual Christmas dinner. Members of the Fellowship were also kept busy helping Scouting in Chester and District, both at Group and District levels. We provided help at St George's Day Parade with marshalling, flag marshalling, setting up the cathedral with service sheets and arranging the collection, the Sponsored Walk with administration and marshalling and the Scout and Guide Orchestra performance at Chester Cathedral. Many members were again involved with the Gang Show at the Kings School: Gang members, backstage, front of house and catering for the Gang on Saturday afternoon and also with the Gang Show camp. We provided refreshments for several District events including Awards Day, the Annual General Meeting and two weekend Young Leader training courses. Members also represented the District with David Bull at Remembrance Day and County Scout Sunday.

We held our Annual General Meeting at the District Scout Centre followed by a fish and chip supper. David King, Christine Birchall and I were re-elected as Secretary, Treasurer and Chairman. I am pleased to report that Fellowship is still very active and providing help to the District as well as having a varied social programme. I would like to thank all of our members, particularly our Secretary and Treasurer, David King and Christine Birchall for all their help and support over the year. We are also looking forward to the forthcoming change to a Scout Active Support Unit. John RJohn RJohn RJohn Rileyileyileyiley ChairmanChairmanChairmanChairman, Chester and District Scout , Chester and District Scout , Chester and District Scout , Chester and District Scout FellowshipFellowshipFellowshipFellowship ANNUAL AWARDS DAY We chose Upton High School as the venue for the 2009 Awards Presentation and were honoured by the presence of the Sheriff of Chester, Councillor David Hull. Representatives of most Groups in the

District were at the School on 15 March to

receive certificates of recognition of their

achieving the Chief Scout's Award at

Bronze, Silver, Gold and Platinum levels.

There were a total of 69 certificates

awarded.

Alice Wood (5th Blacon) received the Stan

Hinson trophy and Hilary Clarke (also 5th

Blacon) the Chief Scout's Commendation for

Good Service.


Warmest congratulations to them all!

ST GEORGE’S DAY Our annual parade and service to celebrate

our Patron Saint takes place on the nearest

Sunday to 23 April each year. This event

gives us all the opportunity to let the

general public know that we are Scouts. It

also gives every one of us the opportunity

to reflect on what Scouting is all about, and

what our Promise means. This is the event

where we all stand up and renew that

Promise, and pledge again “to do our best”.

Because of other services at the Cathedral,

we were unable to be there in 2009 but

were guests at St John’s Church, the parish

church of Chester. Fr David Chesters and all

at St John's made us very welcome and

there was a great turnout from the District –

the church was full.

After the service, many Groups laid on lunch

at Macdonald's, picnicking on the Groves

and bell boating - a great way to enjoy the

good weather!

We always use the Castle Square to start

and finish our parade, and the County

Council allow us to use it free of charge. We

also receive support from the Police, who

have to close roads to allow us to march

through our City.

I would like to place on record our thanks to

Cheshire West and Chester Council, the

Police, the City of Chester Band and

Warrington Phoenix Drum and Trumpet

Corps and the staff of St John’s for all their

support.

Iain McIntyreIain McIntyreIain McIntyreIain McIntyre Assistant District Commissioner (Youth Assistant District Commissioner (Youth Assistant District Commissioner (Youth Assistant District Commissioner (Youth Programme and Events)Programme and Events)Programme and Events)Programme and Events) GANG SHOW 53rd PRODUCTION

Our show returned to the King’s School with me as Producer for the second year. Once again, performances took place during the February half-term. We had the benefit of the experience of the 2008 show at the School but nonetheless there was still the need to provide things like sound and lighting systems, extra curtain tracks, dressing rooms, intercom and an orchestra pit, all from scratch. But when the first night arrived, the production, scenery, and wardrobe and makeup teams together with all our other supporters had done their work and the Business sub-Committee had raised money and sold the tickets. Curtain up! This time we had Beaver Scouts as well as older members of the District in the eighty-four strong Gang and everyone had a fantastic time, with good and very appreciative audiences for all six performances. On to the Centenary show! Keith HardingKeith HardingKeith HardingKeith Harding Producer, Chester Gang ShowProducer, Chester Gang ShowProducer, Chester Gang ShowProducer, Chester Gang Show


LINKS WITH POLISH SCOUTING AND GUIDING Seven members of the District Team from Garwolin in Poland were in Chester during October. Led by their Commissioner, Zbyszek Winiarek, the group stayed with members of the Chester team and were made welcome to Chester. There were discussions on future joint activities – and we hope that we shall develop permanent links with them.

PROPERTIES

The District Centre at Weston Grove was

painted externally and internally during the

summer as part of the Community Payback

scheme; our thanks to Cheshire Probation

Service for managing this service.

Our building at Trafford Street was

surveyed and treated when asbestos was

revealed to have been used in construction.

The treatment has now eliminated the risk

and the building is being improved for its

new use as storage for the District activity

equipment and Gang Show costumes and

properties.

Buildings at Filkins Lane and Mickle

Trafford are managed pending disposal.

The building at Tarvin is held pending re-

opening of the Group there.


SCOUTING IN CHESTER AND DISTRICT

We serve the community in many locations

in Chester and its surroundings and are

currently planning to re-establish a Group

in Tarvin to serve the eastern, rural part of

the District as well as extending our

presence in other areas where demand is

high.

Ashton Hayes: 1st Ashton and Manley Bickerton (also serving Tattenhall): 1st Sandstone Blacon: 5th Blacon (Holy Trinity) Christleton: 1st Christleton Farndon: 1st Farndon Farndon Explorer Scouts Guilden Sutton: 1st Guilden Sutton Hoole: 42nd Chester Huntington: 40th Chester Malpas: 1st Malpas Garrison Explorer Scouts Newton: 48th Chester (St Columba's) Saltney: 1st Saltney (St Mark's) Saughall: 1st Saughall Sealand Road/Canalside: 8th Chester Tarporley: 1st Tarporley Maverick Explorer Scouts

Tilston: 1st Tilston Upton: 1st Upton-by-Chester District Scout Centre and Scout Shop Hollyoaks Scout Network Wolf Explorer Scouts Vicars Cross and Mickle Trafford: Cestrian Dewa Explorer Scouts Waverton: 1st Waverton Westminster Park and Handbridge: 18th Chester (St Mary's) Renegades Explorer Scouts

At the close of 2009, we were

looking forward to the celebrations

of the centenary of the Chester Local

Association of Boy Scouts (now

Chester and District Scout Council).

Our next Annual Review will be

filled with accounts of the special

events and the resulting progress in

the District. We hope you will enjoy

our centenary year!

chester on parade · cheshire hikecheshire hike congratulations to all who took part in the 2009...

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