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LOWDOWNTHE MAGAZINE OF WEST LANCS SCOUTS

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IN THIS ISSUE...

Our County’s 40thWaddecar’s 60th

I Scout - Do You?Nights Away Challenge

plus loads more...

Welcome to The Lowdown...

The Lowdown is the magazine of

West Lancs Scouts with news,

reports, resources, comment and

features for all adults in our County.

If there is something you would

like to see, or you’d like to

contribute, you can contact the

editors at:lowdown@westlancsscouts.org.uk

Summer 2014

Contents

Copyright West Lancs Scouts 2014Waddecar Scout Activity Centre, Snape Raike Lane, Goosnargh, Preston. Lancs. PR3 2EU

On The Cover

The First 40 Years A brief history of West Lancashire Scout County from 1974 - 2014

Waddecar in a Nutshell An introduction to the county campsite looking forward to it’s 60th birthday

I Scout - Do You? A new volunteers perspective on joining Scouting

Nights Away Challenge Districts go head to head to see who can get the most nights away per member

International Opportunities An overview of international experiences being run by the county in the next 12 months Achieving VISION 2018How the county has taken the national VISION 2018 plan and implemented it locally

Scout Community Week How one group has used community week to make a massive difference to their community

Commissioners Challenge

Development

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Development Update A snapshot of some events that helped the county achieve record growth this year

Red Rose 2014 If you aren’t joining the most exciting international camp this year you can still be involved!

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Red Rose 2014

Welcome to the third edition of West Lancs Scouts newsletter ‘The Lowdown’

This is a very exciting year for us as we celebrate our county’s 40th birthday by having the largest membership growth of any county in the UK this year.

More young people and adults are joining the adventure of Scouting and we welcome them all.

Thanks also must go to our partners who support us in so many ways such as Lancashire County Council and Cotton Court Business Centre in Preston.

As I write we’re all looking forward to our international camp, Red Rose to be held at the Westmoreland County Showground near Kendal. Nearly 2000 people will spend a wonderful week participating in a first class programme. I hope to see you there, and to see you when I’m on my travels.

As ever, thanks for all you do and I hope you have a great summer of Scouting.

Welcome

Carl HankinsonCounty Commissioner

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West Lancashire County Scouts

Happy Birthday to us - The first 40 years – 1974 to 2014

The need for a new Scout County was caused by the re-organisation of Local Government which changed many County boundaries in 1974. The inaugural meeting of our Steering Committee was held on 2nd May 1973. The members were Stanley Brown, Bill Hargreaves, Mike Sloane and Tom Wilson. Barrow, Duddon and Ulverston Districts were to go to Cumbria. South West Lancashire was divided up with Chorley and Ormskirk Districts joining the remaining North West Lancashire Districts to form West Lancashire in 1974. Lancaster and Morecambe Districts combined to form Lonsdale District.

Bob Sutton was appointed County Commissioner with Bill Hargreaves as County Chairman, Tom Wilson as County Secretary and Frank Dearlove as County Treasurer. Bob encouraged and organised various County events to help mould the County into an effective unit where Scouting would flourish. These included County Conferences, Train Trips and the still popular Social Weekends at Windermere. The Training Sections organised a rich variety of County activities including chess competitions, swimming galas and cooking competitions to large County rallies and camps to add interest at all ages and abilities. The first residential unit of Venture Forth was constructed at Great Tower in 1974 and the new County inherited 25% ownership

of Bispham Hall.

Following Alice Waddecar’s death on 27th January 1976 her bequest to North West Lancashire Scouts needed the Charity Commission to approve 85% to West Lancashire and 15% to Cumbria Scouts.

In 1979 the planned World Scout Jamboree in Iran was cancelled and our contingent went to New Mexico as part of World Jamboree Year. 1981 saw the first County Office established in Garstang. A memorial to Lancashire Scouting was unveiled in Lancaster Castle in 1983. In 1986 the County took over management of Great Tower on a 50 year lease with increased staff responsibilities. Bob Sutton OBE retired as County Commissioner in 1988 to be followed by Rex Wolstenholme, then Neil Williams in 1994, Bernard Pendlebury in 2000, Cliff Lowe in 2001, John Bailey in 2003 and Carl Hankinson in 2007.

The County’s Cub Scouts celebrated the 75th Anniversary of Cubs in 1991 by planting 750 trees on Beacon Fell. Over the years there have been an increasing number of international expeditions. These have given our members opportunities to experience the culture, heritage and people of many lands while developing their own skills. On some of them, like last year in Uganda, projects have been carried out to help the local community. A succession of splendid leaders encouraged by the A.C.C.s International, currently Steve Morton, have taken groups to more countries than can be listed here; the life-changing World Scout Jamborees, World Moots, Mountaineering Group and Explorer Belt expeditions.

by Michael Looms

Over the forty years young people and adults have been inspired by the examples shown by so many dedicated volunteers. Some have created or revitalised sections or Scout Groups; others have shared their skills within their Districts or by taking on a County role. Many have represented the County or Scouting at national and international events. Their time and commitment can never be calculated or valued.

The Millennium was seen in and celebrated at Waddecar. Much consultation and work was carried out for the new programme launched in 2002. Many events celebrated the Centenary of Scouting in 2007. On 1st August one of countless Sunrise Ceremonies was held at Waddecar.

Since his appointment in 2007 our County Commissioner, Carl Hankinson, has resolved many outstanding matters on the County’s investments, properties and boundaries. 2011 saw the transfer of responsibility for Great Tower and our assets there to Headquarters. Sadly this also meant the redundancies of valued paid staff. Carl negotiated a substantial compensation for the benefit of our Scout County.

Space limits what can be noted here. There have been times of great progress and of great sadness too. But the County has been increasing in numbers consistently for the last 10 years and the current increase of 7.5% is the largest in the UK. For the last few years the largest Scout Group in the UK has been the 5th Penwortham (URC), currently with 460 members.

If you want to learn more about our County’s amazing story do visit Be Prepared – The Story of Scouting and Guiding at Waddecar which is another UK first for the County.

The museum, the very first purpose-built Scouting museum in the Country is situated at Waddecar Scout Activity Centre.

It provides over 160 square metres of display and storage space. There are over 2000 books and publications in the library including all the known reference works. Be Prepared – The Story of Scouting is open on Saturdays (Excluding Christmas Day) from 10am – 4pm. With prior notice it may be possible to arrange visits by Groups at other days and times.

1974 West Lancashire County Scout Council established

1976 Alice Waddecar’s bequest gave the new County unexpected resources

1977 Bernard Pendlebury appointed as the first paid Camp Warden of Waddecar

1981 First County Office opened, looked after by Janet Taylor

1986 West Lancashire took over responsibility for Great Tower on a 50 year lease

1991 750 trees planted on Beacon Fell by Cubs to mark their 75th Anniversary

2000 The new Millennium was seen in and celebrated at Waddecar

2007 Sunrise Ceremonies welcomed the Centenary of Scouting

2011 The management of Great Tower was returned to Scout Headquarters

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For anyone who hasn’t had the pleasure, Waddecar is a hidden gem, tucked beneath the Forest of Bowland, nestling on the banks of the River Brock. Acres of open camping fields, woodland, river frontage and stunning views make this Activities Centre a Scouts idyllic playground.

When I have the pleasure of introducing someone new to Waddecar. Their response is almost invariably ‘Wow, this place has so much potential.’

Whilst Waddecar is wonderful exactly as it is, we are not short on ambition for the centre, nor are we blind to the need to up-date and the need to constantly review how we serve the needs of our stakeholders. Our latest partners in the pursuit of Waddecar’s potential are the architects firm Cassidy & Ashton.

Using the feedback gathered from the County, a small team has been working with C&A to create a Development Study which includes substantial new buildings,

refurbishment of existing facilities

and the creation of a central focal area which complements our beautiful surroundings. These plans will be made available to view on site and on-line.

Besides putting in the groundwork for future projects, it has been another year of progress at Waddecar, some visible to our guests, but also much work behind the scenes.

We have introduced a new booking system for the camp site which has been a massive step forward for our admin team. Besides keeping our bookings in good order, the system will allow us to extract meaningful data at the end of the season so we can get a really accurate picture of our user base.

Waddecar’s provision of activities has been developing in a variety of ways. We have done extensive research to review and renew our Operating Procedures, with the aim to preserve safety without compromising on accessibility.

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by Charity KingWaddecar in a Nutshell

The Rifles Range has undergone a re-vamp and the Pirates Adventure Trail has been completely replaced. For the benefit of the Centre and the wider Scout County, Waddecar hosted the brand new Archery GB Instructors course this spring, for leaders from across West Lancashire.

Over the last year Badger’s Den, our site shop, has under gone a transformation. The bright and colourful Den is packed with toys, sweets, chocolate, drinks, branded souvenirs and gifts. Oh, and of course the delicious local ice-creams!

The most visible advancement has been the refreshing of our logo. This has led to new Waddecar Team uniform for volunteers and staff, the fabulous signs which have gone up around site, a raft of classy Waddecar stationary and the branded products now available in the shop.

Last, and far from least, this is a very special year for Waddecar: our 60th Anniversary! To celebrate 60 years past and the next 60 to come, we are opening to friends, old and new, for a

Family Funday on the 30th of August, so everyone can enjoy the best of Waddecar.

Bring your friends and family and have a go at activities such as Canoeing and Archery, Scouting Skills Workshops, Crafts Fairground Stalls, and more. . . .

Entrance and Activities are FREE, but you do need to register in advance.

For more about Waddecar visit:http://www.waddecar.org.uk/

To register or find out more about the birthday family funday visit: http://www.westlancsscouts.org.uk/events/waddecar-60th-birthday-funday/

I hope to see you there!

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If you’d have asked me if I’d be a GSL this time last year then I’d have said ‘What’s one of those?’ But then I think that sums up Scouting – you end up doing things you never imagined, surprising yourself and others.

My son joined the Beaver Scout Colony at our local Scout Group in Adlington on turning six in January 2013. I dutifully filled in the ‘skills and interests’ tick box form we were given a few weeks in, when he took his Promise. I’d never been a Scout before and wondered if I’d be of any use to them. I handed the form in to the Beaver Leader and hoped to hear more about how I could help.

First I had to complete the CRB (Criminal Records Bureau) check, now DBS (Disclosure and Barring Service), another couple of acronyms that now just trip off the tongue. My CRB was completed in a couple of weeks and then I was invited to the District Centre for an introductory meeting with some seasoned veterans of Chorley Scouting and the District Training

Manager. My short career as a Sectional Assistant had begun.

By the summer I had been on my first adventure – an Anderton St Josephs and Adlington joint Beaver Camp at Bibbys Farm Scout Activity Centre! It poured down, I was cold, I wasn’t sure if I’d make it. I did make it. And I’ve carried on moving forward, taking on challenges and adapting to what’s round the corner.

I’ve been on training courses, gaining an insight into Scouting’s values and aims and developing skills, whilst meeting a diverse range of incredibly talented and generous adult volunteers across the County; I’ve taken part in District events helping shape the future of Scouting and been supported and encouraged by wise and patient colleagues.

And I am someone who ‘doesn’t have the time’! Well, I’ve managed to fit it in, like many volunteers, around family, work and life in general.

by Alison Evans Group Scout Leader, Adlingtoni.SCOUT! Do you?

I’ve found Scouting to be open, friendly, enthusiastic, ambitious, welcoming, encouraging, persuasive and progressive (nobody is paying me to say this btw!).

I know my views are valued and that I am making a positive contribution – watching the District presentation on Vision 2018 made it clear that the movement I’d joined was forward-thinking and inclusive. Following that presentation I took part in a day of debate and discussion to work out what the Vision of Scouting meant for us in Chorley.

I think I recognised two or three people at the meeting and although an unknown newcomer, I was listened to and made to feel part of the team – even had a few laughs - as we shared views and considered our core values and aims for the next four years.

WHAT’S IN IT FOR ME?

Being able to do something worthwhile that I don’t get paid for – there’s a lot to be said for having an opportunity like that.

Last year, a bit of a tricky year for me in many ways, I really needed someone to tell me that there were things I could do, that I had skills and qualities that were useful and that I had the ability to do things I have never done before.

By inviting me to take part and giving me opportunities, Scouting has made it really clear to me that I can! I’m more of a thinker and a talker so Scouting often takes me out of my comfort zone and into high levels of personal challenge. Maybe one day I’ll be running along The White Bear Way! (A 21 mile fundraising run for Adlington Scout Group).

Recent activities have included a Community Action event weeding with Scouts, origami chatterboxes with Cubs and finding tennis balls in long grass with Beavers – what will next week bring?

I’m pleased to say that I now know what GSL stands for, because I became a Group Scout Leader in Adlington on January 1st this year. However, understanding what the acronym means (just one more of the many in Scouting to get my head around!) – doesn’t mean I fully appreciate what it is to be one yet!

I’m getting there – luckily, I have the greatest team of Leaders working with the youngsters in the Group, a supportive Executive committee, an excellent District team and DC (District Commissioner - I know what that means now too!).

Who wouldn’t want to be part of an organisation that puts young people and communities at the heart of everything they do? I Scout, do you?

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An inter-District challenge to see which can hold the most ‘nights away’ either as a Section, Group or District. Points will be given per night away and international nights away count as double.

The Prize - As well as being titled NIGHTS AWAY CHALLENGE WINNERS, the winning District will win a weekend nights away experience at Waddecar for up to 100 people. (Camping fees only.)

The challenge starts from:

1/9/2013 to 30/8/2014

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17855 nights away completed in the first nine months of the challenge.

An inter-District challenge to see which can hold the most ‘nights away’ either as a Section, Group or District. Points will be given per night away and international nights away count as double.

The Prize - As well as being titled NIGHTS AWAY CHALLENGE WINNERS, the winning District will win a weekend nights away experience at Waddecar for up to 100 people. (Camping fees only.)

The challenge starts from:

1/9/2013 to 30/8/2014

Whether it’s Beaver Sleepovers, Cub Pack Holidays, Scout Camps, Explorer or Network Expeditions across our County our Young people and adults spend many a night away on Group, District or County events.

In September 2013 West Lancs Scouts launched its Nights Away Challenge Competition to find out which District had the most Nights Away per person.

The winning district will not only be crowned Nights Away Competition winner but they will also win 100 nights away at Waddecar Scout camp for a group in their District.

Results are submitted quarterly and reported back to the District commissioners at the County team meetings.

Each night away within the UK is worth 1 point and outside the UK worth 2 points. The totals are then calculated per person based on each districts last census figures.

The latest figure in May showed that our County spent a massive 17855 nights away!!

Leading the 8 districts so far is Lonsdale district closely followed by South Ribble and Fylde districts.

What has been great to see is that it’s not about how big the District is, but how many nights away opportunities are provided by groups within them.

District commissioners have also commented that groups that have never taken part on nights away activities have been getting involved in District and joint group events meaning more young people are taking part in outdoor activities.

Nights away provision is such an integral part of the 6-24 age range programme and making nights away provision in all groups and sections is an important part of the activities offered to all. This competition is designed as a tool to support groups who don’t currently offer Nights away as it is a fun way for Districts to compete against each other.

The next submission is the final submission for the year and with it being after the main camping season it’s exciting to think we are looking to achieve over 25000 Nights away as a County!

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by Paul HarrisDeputy County Commisioner

WEST LANCS SCOUTS NIGHTS AWAY CHALLENGE 2013/2014

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August 2014 19 Explorers, Network and Leaders will travel to the Jotunheimen of Norway on a training expedition in preparation for NE Greenland 2015.

October 2014 15 Scouts & Leaders will travel to France on a “Go Paris” experience

December 2014 10 Explorer Scouts & Network & 2 Leaders will travel to Nepal to undertake a community service project in Kathmandu and go trekking within sight of Everest.

May 2015 24 Explorer Scouts and 10 Leaders will travel to Belgium for 10 days of high adventure in the Ardennes.

Summer 2015 36 Explorer Scouts and 4 Leaders will travel to Japan to participate in the 23rd World Scout Jamboree

Summer 2015 20 Network and Leaders will travel to Japan to help organise and staff the 23rd World Scout Jamboree

Summer 2015 19 Explorers, Network and Leaders will travel to North East Greenland for our third major expedition to the icy wastes of that amazing country – this time to Liverpool Land.

Summer 2015 40 Explorers and Network with four Leaders in support will independently travel to Hungary to undertake 100 mile Explorer Belt expeditions.

Summer 2015 20 Explorers, Network and Leaders will travel to Cambodia to undertake a Community Service Project and visit the World Heritage site of Angkor Wat.

Summer 2015 20 Explorers and Leaders will spend two weeks canoeing through the forests of Sweden, practicing their backwoods skills along the year.

12 MONTHS – 10 OVERSEAS TRIPS 225 MEMBERS OF WEST LANCS

by Dick Griffiths

To support our Strategic Plan: ACHIEVING VISION 2018 (see next page for more on VISION 2018) the County Executive made the following statement:

“West Lancs County Scout Council will support these plans by backing so that Scouts in West Lancs have extensive opportunities for international opportunities”.

So what County supported trips are leaving our shores over the next twelve months?

and not forgetting over 2,000 Scouts from West Lancs, the rest of the UK and overseas, who will be camping this summer for a week at the Westmorland County

showground on Red Rose International, and the many independent trips organised by Districts, Explorer Scout Units and Scout Groups from West Lancs!

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ACHIEVING VISION 2018

More people are joining Scouting now than at any time in the last 50 years. None of this has happened by accident – this was part of our Vision Towards 2012.

Together we have transformed Scouting over the last ten years. With new leadership, a revised programme, training and image, we are renewed and re-energised.

Now there is a new vision for Scouting beyond 2012 – this time to 2018. The Scout Association consulted regionally throughout the UK and produced its plan, they entitled it Vision 2018.

Here within West Lancs we’ve picked up Vision 2018 and tailored it to our own needs. (See pages 16/17 for a summary)

A formal County launch of ACHIEVING VISION 2018 took place in June 2013 at the Brockholes Nature Reserve, followed during the autumn by launches within each district.

SO WHERE ARE WE NOW?Districts and County Committees are now in the process of creating and updating their own action plans for their contribution towards ACHIEVING VISION 2018 and these are being shared to try to ensure that there are no inconsistencies.

But VISION 2018 isn’t going to be achieved this year! We have another four years.

What is important is that we continue to revise, refine and refresh our plans: there will be some “quick wins”, but achieving some of the objectives will be more difficult and take a lot longer.

In approving our Strategic Plan, the County Executive issued the following statement of support:-

Much of this support involves sound financial backing and our Finance and Fundraising Committee are currently looking at how much resource can be made available internally, and how much needs to be sought externally from grants and partnerships.

Working groups have been created to look at a long-term vision for developing Waddecar over a series of specific phases, and for investigating the viability and location of a County Headquarters and Equipment Store. I’m sure a lot of exciting ideas and news will emanate from these two Working Groups over the coming months.

For more information, to download a full copy of the plan and an excellent toolbox, please visithttp://www.wls2018.org.uk/

So, 2014 is the start……….. what WILL Scouting look like in West Lancs in 2018?

by Dick GriffithsDeputy County Commisioner

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VISION 2018

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The time of the year has come around again for us to give something back into the community in which we live.

Last year was the first year in which I decided that I needed to try and make a difference where our Cub pack is located so I registered for Scout Community week.Close to our HQ was a community library with some gardens at the front. There were areas within the park that had been left unattended and a shelter had certainly seen better days!

The challenge was set! We got in touch with our local B&Q to see what they could do to help. They came to the rescue with paint and bedding plants for us to use and begin our makeover!

We started with a litter pick across all areas of the park and then planting.

The painting began and to start with seeing 30 Cub Scouts and Leaders armed with paint brushes and white emulsion was like comparing it to a kitchen food blender that had been used without the lid!!

The paint was going on but more on themselves than on the actual walls! After a little guidance the job was done! We got in touch with the local paper who were more than willing to run a story and our Local MP came down and got his hands dirty helping the pack out. After completing the work there was a real buzz from the Cub Scouts with what they had achieved! They were beaming with pride.

by Matt Hornby

1st Bispham Cub Pack

Scout Community Week

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As soon as the project was over I was already thinking what we could do for this year. We have adopted the gardens from last year from the Council and do maintain them, but I wanted to think BIGGER!

I got in touch with the PR Department at Merlin Entertainments. To see if we could help out at one of Blackpool’s famous attractions! We looked at the Tower initially and then the SeaLife Centre.

They arranged for us to get involved with a ‘Beach Clean’ to help protect the marine life that is on the Fylde Coast. The management at the centre provided staff to work with the Cubs and educate them on Marine conservation and the dangers that our everyday rubbish causes for them.

The Beach Clean ran all week and included all areas of the Beach from South Pier to North Pier.

Having looked forward to making our beaches cleaner for everyone we all felt really happy at having made a difference. I feel Scout Community Week is a great programme by the Scout Association to give a little back.

We often take things for granted and don’t appreciate the world around us. Scouting I feel is an integral part of any community and this is the perfect way to show that we do care and want to help.

It is easy to get involved and is a great way to promote the outstanding work that Scouting does in your local area!

If you haven’t got involved…… It’s you that is missing out!

Just remember Do1thing!

Development Updateby Barbara Hughes and Andy Marsden

County Development Officers

It’s been a fantastic year of growth across West Lancs with our membership reaching 11,978 a staggering increase of 836 members this year. This has been achieved as a result of everyone working together, increasing numbers at Group and Unit level, adding new Sections to meet demand and having a close look at our provision to see where we had opportunities to open new Scout Groups.

2013 saw new Groups at Grange Park in Blackpool, Buckshaw Village, Clayton Green and Mayfield School in Chorley and we rang in the New Year with Preston Central opening in January and Rossall in Wyre opening in March.

Work is well underway on some of our 2014 New Group projects with Ansdell in Fylde, Astley Village in Chorley and Mereside in Blackpool having just opened and Ashurst and West End in Ormskirk and Brookfield in Preston coming soon.

With another 7 New Group projects scheduled to start throughout the year, we think there is huge potential to engage even more local communities in what we do.

For a long time Chorley District have had waiting lists in the Whittle & Clayton area, this became even more noticeable with the opening of Buckshaw Village Scout Group last year with many families wanting to travel in to get their child a place. Having built some connections with Karen, the Head at Manor Road Primary School while supporting Clayton Brook and again when her own child was looking to join a local Scout Group, Andy Marsden approached her to see whether she would be willing to host a new Scout Group at the school. Following some local school recruitment and a taster session for the children, there was a great deal of interest from local families and the new Group opened in November. A number of parents stepped forward and took on roles as leaders, some had previously been youth members and were keen to get back involved, and others are trying it for the first time. The new GSL is also a parent who has no Scouting background, but plenty of management skills to share. They also had a number of volunteers get involved through ASDA Clayton Green.

CLAYTON GREEN SCOUT GROUP

You can read more about what it’s like to be a new leader from Alison Evans, Group Scout Leader at Adlington on pages 8 and 9.

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Situated in the heart of Preston, surrounded by the UCLAN campus might not seem like the obvious location for Preston’s newest Scout Group; but every week 13 Cubs and a strong team of leaders can be found right there at the Salvation Army HQ. Captain Alex Cadogan started the ball rolling after he attended Preston’s St George’s Day Celebrations in 2013 with his daughter a Scout at 5th Preston. He discussed with Judith the possibility of hosting a Scout Group at the Church for the local community as there was very little happening in the area for the children.

A damp and drizzly taster day didn’t put off the children that came along and tried tent pitching, fake wounds, puzzles and a number of other activities. Through the church a number of adults came forward who were keen to get things up and running, this included 2 experienced leaders who took on the role of GSL and CSL. They were joined by a couple of students from UCLAN, and the team is still growing. The Group are hoping to open Beavers and Scouts soon, to cope with demand from younger and older children keen to join.

They have taken part in a wide range of activities including star gazing, code breaking, road safety and celebrating Chinese New Year with help from one of their leaders who is a Chinese student. They also took part in a District event at Waddecar, and got muddy, sang songs and cooked on the campfire.

Mayfield Scout Group opened during autumn 2013. It is based at Mayfield School in Chorley which is a small school catering to children with a wide range of special educational needs including severe learning difficulties, Autistic Spectrum Disorder and other complex needs. Following an approach from the school, Steve Morton (DDC Chorley) met with the staff at the school to discuss opportunities. It became clear the school could host a Scout Group with many staff and parents willing to volunteer. A successful taster session was held for 35 pupils with advice on activities from other similar Scout Groups and support from leaders across the District.

The new group operates a mixed section with approx. 12 members from the age of 6 to 14 years meeting together immediately after school at 3.30pm. The Group also includes brothers and sisters of school pupils, as Scouting is one of very few activities they can do together. Over the last few months they’ve been working on the Creative and Experiment activity badges, they’ve cooked pancakes, been out for ice cream and taken part in Chorley’s St George’s Day Celebration and activities.

Wyre’s newest Scout Group opened in March and is based at Rossall School in Fleetwood. They have a mixed Beaver and Cub Section and numbers are steadily growing. The children attending have been recruited from the various clubs the school hosts and they have lots planned including trips to the beach, Waddecar Fun Day and were even invested at the Fire Station.

The group is being supported by Peter Hodson, Regional Development Officer and with plans for more recruitment activities over the next few months, we’re sure they’ll go from strength to strength.

PRESTON CENTRAL SCOUT GROUP MAYFIELD SCOUT GROUP

ROSSALL SCOUT GROUP

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