Batchworth Sea Scouts

Parent Representatives

noreply@blogger.com (Narinder) — Tue, 24 Jan 2012 10:00:00 +0000

We are now fortunate to have parent representatives for all the sections. The parent representatives are a vital link between the leadership team and all our parents. Not only do they encourage your support and provide information on events where you can get involved but they also provide a mechanism of feeding your ideas into the leadership team. The idea being that the leaders can then concentrate on delivering exciting and fun activities to the Scouts week to week.

Our Parent Representatives are:

Claire Perera

Beavers Parent Representatives

clperera@aol.com

Helen Webb

Cubs Parent Representatives

hwebbhome@gmail.com

Sally Marriott

Scouts Parent Representatives

marriott140@btinternet.com

Please help Batchworth become even more successful by giving Claire, Helen and Sally all the help and support you can.

Vacancies

noreply@blogger.com (Narinder) — Tue, 24 Jan 2012 05:58:00 +0000

We’re on the lookout for a Quartermaster to look after our equipment required for non water activities.

The Quartermaster job description can be found here.

If you’d like to get involved and are able to help please contact Simon on simontheobald@compuserve.com or 07850 337903.

Scouts cook up a storm

noreply@blogger.com (Narinder) — Tue, 24 Jan 2012 05:56:00 +0000

Following our own selection event, the Scout Troop recently entered two teams into the District Cooking Competition. Appropriately enough, this year’s theme was the ‘Queens Jubilee’, inspiring menus with plenty of coronation chicken and cucumber sandwiches! This is the first of several events during 2012 that will help to commemorate the anniversary of Elizabeth’s crowning in 1952. Both team’s performed very well and we bought home 2nd and 3rd place certificates.

Batchworth renews alliance with BLYM

noreply@blogger.com (Narinder) — Tue, 24 Jan 2012 05:56:00 +0000

Batchworth Sea Scouts enjoy a long running partnership with the Bury Lake Young Mariners (BLYM) sailing club based at the Rickmansworth Aquadrome. The sections make use of the great facilities provided by BLYM and any member of Batchworth can do the same in their own time if they are pre-registered. This includes general sailing sessions on Saturdays, Wednesday evenings, Bank Holidays and Summer Holidays. To pre-register for this opportunity, please email BMTaunt@hotmail.com, subject ‘BLYM sailing’.

BLYM also run RYA accredited training courses throughout the year, with beginner and intermediate programmes during School Holidays which are ideal for our youth members. I would highly recommend that anyone wishing to get into or improve their sailing check out the latest information at www.blym.org.uk.

Your HQ needs you!

noreply@blogger.com (Narinder) — Tue, 24 Jan 2012 05:55:00 +0000

There is always a long list of ongoing maintenance jobs to keep the Scout HQ in a decent state for our Scouts / meetings. As you can see from the current list here, the jobs range from regular tidying and cleaning to more meaty projects. We may never get to all of them, but the more of these jobs we can do ourselves, the better - paying people to do them would mean either more fundraising or higher subs.

Our next Shipshape Day is on 4th Feb and we'll get through as many jobs as we can in the morning. We therefore really need as many helpers as possible - the past few Shipshape Days have been poorly attended and it's been hard even to keep the cleaning / tidying ticking over. We'll provide tea / coffee biscuits and although it might not sound fun, there's usually a good atmosphere, plenty of chat and a great sense of satisfaction at the end. The more, the merrier is certainly true for Shipshape Days.

Please sign up on this spreadsheet here for an hour (more if you can, but even an hour is much appreciated).

Many thanks for your support in helping to maintain Batchworth's fantastic facilities for our children.

Batchworth Sea Scouts 2011 Gallery

noreply@blogger.com (Narinder) — Sat, 10 Dec 2011 22:42:00 +0000

Click on the play button below to view the photo gallery.

Scout Troop Planning for next Term

noreply@blogger.com (Narinder) — Tue, 06 Dec 2011 08:05:00 +0000

This Saturday 10th December is the last Scout meeting of 2011. The Troop will reconvene on Saturday 7th January 2012 for the beginning of an action packed year. After successfully trialling a parent rota during the autumn term, we will again be looking to invite one parent helper down each week to help with the running of our meetings.

Look out for a volunteer form coming your way soon!

Three Teams tackle Grimsdyke Hyke

noreply@blogger.com (Narinder) — Tue, 06 Dec 2011 08:05:00 +0000

11 Scouts entered the Junior competition of the annual Grimsdyke Hyke, organised by 2nd Amersham Common Scouts. Starting in Stokenchurch in the heart of the Chilterns, the teams are presented with 16 waypoints that they must visit, resulting in a 16 km route through the hills and woods of the area. Teams are scored on the number of bases they successfully visit and the time taken to complete the course.

7 hours later, the teams returned to base for a hot chocolate red faced and happy after enjoying some lovely late autumn sunshine and cold airs. Whilst not able to reach all the required bases, the teams did demonstrate advanced navigation skills to the joys of the Leaders who are required to shadow each team. Well done to all who took part.

Batchworth Christmas Party

noreply@blogger.com (Narinder) — Tue, 06 Dec 2011 08:03:00 +0000

The Christmas Party will be held at HQ 6pm-9pm Saturday 10th December 2011. There are still a few jobs that need to be picked up so if you are able to help contact Helen on hwebbhome@gmail.com or 01923 777340.

The only thing we're still a tiny bit short on is raffle prizes. If anyone would like to donate something please bring your contribution on the night.

Scouting regulations stipulate that leaders are not allowed to be in charge of children if alcohol is being served. In order to have the bar open all evening, every Cub, Beaver and Scout must remain the responsibility of their parent(s) or another named adult (but not a Batchworth Leader) throughout the evening.

Many thanks and we look forward to seeing you all on the night!

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year

noreply@blogger.com (Narinder) — Tue, 06 Dec 2011 08:02:00 +0000

Everyone at Batchworth Sea Scouts would like to wish you all a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

A big thank you to all the parents and helpers who put in the extra effort to make 2011 such a special year. Why not make a new year's resolution to take a more active role in the Scouting. There are always lots to do at Batchworth.

If you would like to chat about getting more involved in 2012, either in a big way or a small way, please feel free to give Simon a call on 07850 337903

Come along, do something different and make some new friends into bargain!

Kathleen Webb

noreply@blogger.com (Narinder) — Tue, 06 Dec 2011 06:35:00 +0000

Quent's mum, Kathleen Webb sadly died on 17th November 2011, aged 86.

Batchworth was very dear to her heart. Her 3 boys, Duncan, Vincent and Quentin, were all scouts there and the family was very heavily involved in building the current Scout HQ. Kathleen organised the jumble sales for many years and continued to serve at them well into her eighties. She contributed enormously to the Group and was recently sent a thank you for her years of service, from the Chief Scout, Bear Grylls. Quent gets much of his energy, joie de vivre and generosity of spirit from Kathleen.

She touched so many at Batchworth over the years, both those that knew her and those that never had that special honour. There are children and adults that smile today due in a large part to the things she accomplished in her life.

The funeral service will take place at St Mary's Church, Rickmansworth, on Friday 2nd December at 2pm. All welcome. Family flowers only, donations if desired to Cancer Research.

Kathleen will be sadly missed by Batchworth Sea Scouts, past and present.

Host families for Australian Scouts Required

noreply@blogger.com (Narinder) — Mon, 21 Nov 2011 17:22:00 +0000

We’ve recently been contacted by Les Sinclair, via The Scout Association HQ, who organises a youth exchange programme for UK and Australian Scouts. He is looking for 3 families to each host one Australian Scout for 6 weeks this November – unfortunately due to unforeseen circumstances he has been unable to find families – and we’re wondering if you can help. Would you, or anyone you know, be able to host a Scout?

When: 28th November 2011 - 15th January 2012

Host families should be able to:

* Provide accommodation and food to the young person in your home
* Ensure they can take part in local Scouting activities
* Make sure they can attend school, or some sort of education

We know that you probably won’t be able to commit to that straight away – but if you are at all interested in finding out more please do get in contact with us!

You can contact the Programme Director Les Sinclair on:

Home - +44 (1923) 852741
Mobile - +44 (7710) 400140
E-Mail – scyep@scout.org.uk

Batchworth Christmas Party - Volunteers needed

noreply@blogger.com (Narinder) — Mon, 21 Nov 2011 17:20:00 +0000

Batchworth                  Christmas Party 6pm-9pm 10th December 2011
      
 

          This year we have split the party “jobs list” into lots of           small / short tasks. This way everyone can do a little bit and           no-one gets lumbered.  There’s plenty to do before the event           as well as on the night itself, so whether you’re able to make           it on 10th December or not, please sign up for a slot. 
         
          We have allocated the “big jobs” to each section as follows,           but there are also plenty of smaller tasks, so please           volunteer yourself / your other half:
        beaver parents = running the bar
cub parents = cleaning & decorating the hall
scout parents = doing the food
explorers = clearing the boat house

We’ve set up a Google           document, so everyone can see which jobs are left. To grab a           nice easy task before they all go:

1.       Click here to open the spreadsheet of jobs.
2.       Pick a job for           yourself and / or your partner, enter the appropriate name /           email on the spreadsheet.
3.       Separately, please           email hwebbhome@gmail.com           confirming which job(s) you’ve picked.

Many thanks and we look           forward to seeing you all on the night!

Helen Webb
Christmas Party Organiser
          Batchworth Sea Scouts
hwebbhome@gmail.com 

Shipshape Day – Saturday 19th November 2011

noreply@blogger.com (Narinder) — Fri, 04 Nov 2011 09:29:00 +0000

Shipshape day is when we look after our building and the surrounding areas.

All are welcome, just turn up at HQ at 10am on the day and lend a helping hand. We spend a couple of hours clearing up, sorting out, tidying away and generally getting our HQ “Shipshape”. Its great fun and a good opportunity to meet people and make new friends.

We really need parents to pop along, as leaders are already overworked arranging activities for the children. Everyone is encouraged to come down even if it is just for a short while.

Keith Wall
Group Chairman
Batchworth Sea Scouts
e: batchworth.chairman@ntlworld.com
t: 01923 777340

Scouts gain over 80 badges following Troop Summer Camp

noreply@blogger.com (Narinder) — Fri, 04 Nov 2011 09:29:00 +0000

16 Scouts and 3 Explorers from Batchworth enjoyed an action packed Summer Camp back in August. In the months since we returned, we have been able to award over 80 badges due to activities completed on camp! All attendees received the Expedition Challenge, for completing an unaccompanied overnight hike, Adventure Challenge, due to activities such as climbing, tunnelling and archery, plus the Outdoor Challenge and Camp Cook awards for their bivouacking and backwoods cooking skills. A selection of the group also completed their BCU Paddle Power Passport whilst on camp, gaining a recognised qualification to reflect their high standard of kayaking and canoeing.

Troop paddle hard at Youth Dragonboat Championship

noreply@blogger.com (Narinder) — Fri, 04 Nov 2011 09:28:00 +0000

14 brave Scouts paddled to near exhaustion at the Longridge Dragonboat competition held on the River Thames recently. Competing against a dozen other teams in the Under-15’s catagory, including several dedicated dragonboat organistaions, Batchworth finshed a respectiable 5th overall. The highlight of the event was an impressive win over the boats on the course during the qualification stages. All paddlers and our drummer received the Scout Dragonboat Activity Award.

Batchworth obtain Sea Scout Grant from Scout Headquarters

noreply@blogger.com (Narinder) — Fri, 04 Nov 2011 09:24:00 +0000

Batchworth Sea Scouts are proud to be part of an elite group of Sea Scout troops who are ‘recognised’ by the Royal Navy (RN). As part of this scheme, the RN provide funding to Scout Headquarters which can be distributed to groups for the purposes of enhancing the equipment available to Sea Scouts. Earlier this summer, Batchworth were delighted to be granted £2,500 from this fund. Together with an additional £2,500 drawn from Group funds, we have recently been able to add four Canadian Canoes, paddles and buoyancy aids plus an equipment trailer to our inventory. The canoes have proven very popular and have been used many times by all four sections which meet at Batchworth.

Remembrance Sunday - 13th November 2009

noreply@blogger.com (Narinder) — Fri, 04 Nov 2011 09:21:00 +0000

The second Sunday in November is traditionally put aside to remember all those who have given their lives for the peace and freedom we enjoy today. On this day people across the nation pause to reflect on the sacrifices made by our brave Service men and women.

Batchworth Sea Scouts will at the memorial in the grounds of St Mary's Church. Being Royal Navy recognised we have pride of place at the ceremony and ALL members of all ages are encouraged to attend.
It is an important day in our calendar and is especially important to members past and present. Attendance from all in full uniform is expected from 10.30am to 12 noon. Please be at the Batchworth HQ in plenty of time before 10:30am on Sunday morning.

Chief Scout Award

noreply@blogger.com (Narinder) — Fri, 07 Oct 2011 08:22:00 +0000

Cub Scout, Amrit Sian, received the Chief Scout Silver award from Group Scout Leader Simon Theobald at this year’s Cub camp.

This badge is the highest award available in the Cub Scout Section. It is gained by completing the Outdoor Challenge, the Promise Challenge, the Creative Challenge, the Fitness Challenge, the Global Challenge and the Community Challenge.

Well done Amrit, fantastic achievement.

Jumble Sale

noreply@blogger.com (Narinder) — Fri, 07 Oct 2011 08:22:00 +0000

The Jumble sale raised in excess of £3000. This is a fantastic achievement as our target until recently was to raise £2000. Many thanks to Deirdre and all the other helpers for the time and effort they put in organising the event.

Special thanks goes to the few who stayed behind after the event to help clear up. A great job done well.

Cub Camp

noreply@blogger.com (Narinder) — Fri, 07 Oct 2011 08:21:00 +0000

The annual Cub camp was again a massive success this year. It was held at Lees Wood this year from Friday 23rd to Sunday 25th Sep 11. Many thanks to Brian, Louise, Roger, Jamie and everyone else who helped ensure the Cubs had a terrific time.

Some pictures of the camp can be seen here.

Rickmansworth Society - Watersmeet

noreply@blogger.com (Narinder) — Fri, 07 Oct 2011 08:21:00 +0000

The Rickmansworth Society will be holding their annual Autumn Market at Watersmeet on the 8th October 2011. The market will be open from 10am. A large number of local groups and societies will be there with an array of interesting tables with items for sale and lots of local information.

Refreshments will be available. Look forward to seeing you there!!

Beavers News

noreply@blogger.com (Narinder) — Fri, 07 Oct 2011 08:21:00 +0000

Beavers has started the new term with a bang - or to be precise, 7 new members!

We've had an exciting start to our autumn programme: crab football, marshmallow modelling, an exploration evening in the local woods, and looking into the future!

The really bright news for Batchworth Beavers is that we have a new Assistant Beaver Leader, Claire Campbell (to be known as CC), and we'd like to extend a very warm welcome to her.

Christmas Panto – Cinderella

noreply@blogger.com (Narinder) — Fri, 07 Oct 2011 08:20:00 +0000

This year the panto is Cinderalla starring Jonathan Ansell as Prince Charming and Michael Otton in the shape of Cinderella’s best buddy Buttons Cinderella’s carriage will be bringing all the cast to Rickmansworth on 11th December at Watersmeet.

There are still some tickets left for the pantomime. Anybody who's interested should contact Jane Spurr (jane.spurr@kcl.ac.uk; 01923 776936).

Grand Jumble Sale - Saturday 24th September 2011 - Volunteers Needed

noreply@blogger.com (Narinder) — Fri, 07 Oct 2011 08:19:00 +0000

Please remember to come down and help with sorting for the Jumble Sale on Monday (19 September), Wednesday (21 September) or Friday (23 September) between 7:00-9:00pm.All families are asked to help – many hands make light work!

We also need lots of people to commit to helping on the day of the sale – Saturday 24th September – setting up from 9:00 and selling the jumble from 10:30 and helping with the clearing up from 1pm. The sale is over and everything is cleared up by the early afternoon.

If you can help please phone our Jumble Organiser, Deirdre Edwards, on 01923 771626.