February 2020 Newsletter from the DC Team

In the last few weeks Scouts have been in the news for the wrong reasons.  Firstly, the inquest for a UK Explorer Scout who died in 2018 whilst taking part in an activity (https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-51356546), and secondly, Boy Scouts of America are filing for bankruptcy as the weight of abuse claims against its leaders are reaching unsustainable levels (https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/av/world-us-canada-51552399/boy-scouts-of-america-why-is-it-filing-for-bankruptcy).  Evidence in the former case is still being assessed,  but it appears that the leaders involved did not follow the rules.  The UK Scout Association is also facing increasing costs as a result of claims made against it….across areas of inclusion, discrimination, accidents and yes, abuse/safeguarding too.

These events bring into focus different things; 

• We must still offer our young people adventurous activities.
• These activities must be done safely and within the rules.
• Training cannot be seen as an optional extra.

Here’s our Newsletter – see below for a quick contents list. 

• • Census & the Membership Fee
  • St George’s Day
  • District Cross Country – All Sections, Sunday 1st March. 

• (Postponement of Round the District Hike – no longer 28th March)

• (Date correction re Cub Sleepover)

• Making Mandatory Training a Priority (Safety and Safeguarding & Risk Assessments)
• News around the District 
• Info from GLMW – Permit & Skills courses
• District Diary Dates

Census & the Membership Fee

Thank you to all who submitted the necessary information by the deadline – it meant we were able to get our whole District Return to County in good time for their deadline.

An early look at the figures is positive.  The online Census figures only go back to 2000 but some highlights are:

• We have passed 1000 in total membership for the first time (or since 2000). 1014 total membership
• The District grew by 4.2%
• Young People grew by 6.3%
• Adults dropped very slightly.
• The District has almost doubled from its low point in this century (2004 – 538 total membership)

Chart below of total membership.  

Thank you very much for all you do to make these numbers happen.  Your hard work and commitment to Scouting makes these numbers happen.  Over 800 young people every week are given Scouting opportunities by you.

The membership fee for 2020 will be £47.5 per young person; £48 if paid late.  We have kept the District portion the same (£7.25) but HQ and County have made small increases.

St George’s Day 2020 

A group of Leaders from across the district have come together to organise our annual event. Thanks to: Nisha Patel, David Hurley, Heather Jones and Mandy Combes.

Date: Sunday 26th April

Time: 1.30 parade for a 2pm event

Venue: Walpole Park / Bunny Park tbc (pending council approval; confirmation to follow)

There will be a drama presentation by 9th Ealing Beavers. Brigantia Explorers will be leading part of the service. Our County Commissioner will be attending, along with the Mayor and Deputy Lieutenant plus other local dignitaries. 

To liven up the parade, each group is asked to make a flag, banner or pendant to represent their group at the event – in your group scarf colours. Nice and bold please (but no bigger than the size of a standard flag!).

Groups are also asked to send details of young people’s awards to Mandy at 5thHanwellScouts@gmail.com. We need a list of names of Bronze/Silver/Gold awards achieved in the last year please – as soon as possible please but certainly by end of March

District Cross Country (at Churchfields Hanwell)  – Sunday 1st March – Register now! A reminder that this ALL SECTIONS competition is coming up soon. There are 5 Races starting with Beavers at 2pm, and finishing with the Open Race (Explorers, Leaders, Parents) at 3.05pm. Entry fee is £1 – payable in cash on the day. As with previous years, the organisers have prepared a sign-up form to try and help speed up the registering process on the day.  Please make sure this is passed on to all parents. And please encourage all your sections to take part. The link is: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSc8Zj-jShwqVDP5C85QpI5D21MMkXLFC-t_yOVuyGEOWQfmdw/viewform?usp=sf_link

Postponed: Round the District Hike (for  Scouts and Explorers)

The event planned for 28th March has now been postponed. The idea was very popular, but the date was tricky for many. We will seek a date when more groups can participate – possibly in September.

Date correction (typo) – Cub Sleepover at Chessington mentioned in last month’s Newsletter will be taking place 16th-17th May. Apologies for the error in the last Newsletter

Make Mandatory Training a Priority

Safety & Safeguarding  (and the importance of Risk Assessments)

The safety of young people must come first. That doesn’t mean we have to stop doing fun stuff, or the adventurous activities that make scouting so special. BUT it’s a big responsibility, and we need to hone our skills of identifying hazards and then minimising/controlling the risks. Safety and Safeguarding Training is an essential foundation – including refreshing and renewing this mandatory training every 3 to 5 years. The other crucial thing is getting into the habit of doing thorough Risk Assessments  – for everything! A written risk assessment may seem a hassle but it’s worth its weight in gold as a starting point – you can use a template – rejig and update previous ones, but it’s the thought process that’s crucial – be it a Risk Assessment of the games and activities at your HQ during an ‘ordinary’ meeting, or of a special Outing, a Night Away /Camp, a Hike, or any adventurous activity, etc. Think through what *could* go wrong and prepare accordingly -then continue with a live/ dynamic risk assessment during the activity itself.  OSM have added a Risk Assessment store in the last week so it’s even easier to track them.

Courses

The next Safety training course is on 9th March.

The Next Safeguarding training course is on 4th March. 

Visit https://www.glmwscouts.org.uk/training for all dates and to book on these, or any other course looking further ahead.

FUNDING FOR PERMIT TRAINING COURSES

Last month we passed on information about Paddle Sports and Narrowboat permit training courses. As far as we know there are still places available on the Narrowboat course (28th Feb- 1st March & 13th-15th March). Just to clarify – anyone who is willing to give their time to train and obtain such a permit and then use it for the benefit of young people in this District – can expect the training costs to be covered. We are keen to increase the number of Permit holders for ALL adventurous activities within this District. Please contact your GSL first who can then contact the DC Team should additional funding be required.

AIR RIFLES AND ARCHERY A few people have contacted us to express an interest in Air Rifle and Archery training –  but so far not enough for us to request an E&H course. But we will keep this in mind for the future.

(See below for GLMW info on additional adventurous activity permit training)

NEWS AROUND THE DISTRICT

We heard that 8th Ealing Beavers had a terrific Fundraising event recently to raise money for the Australian Bushfire appeal. Well done to them! 

Information from GLMW – Further Permit & Skills courses 

Climbing Courses & Assessments

14th & 15th March Climbing/Abseiling Leader Permit Training or Refresher (artificial climbing wall). Cost: £27.50

This course is for people wishing to work towards a Climbing/Abseiling Leader permit, or for those who have a permit but are feeling a little rusty. 

Please note that participants are expected to have some previous climbing experience and to be able to belay and lower safely. They should be able to pass an indoor climbing wall entrance test. If you don’t have this experience, we can arrange tuition before the course provided we are given plenty of notice.

31st May Climbing/Abseiling Permit Leader Assessment or Reassessment (artificial climbing wall). Cost: £27.50 for Climbing and Abseiling or £10 for abseiling only and £20 for climbing only.

Assessment participants must have attended a training course or previous assessment and be able to show logbook experience of assisting at climbing walls or gaining peer-practice prior to attending this assessment.

If you are interested in any of these climbing events please contact alison.stockwell@glmwscouts.org.uk

Map Skills Day – 22nd March 2020   Cost: Free  

Heather attended this Skills Day last year – it was really enjoyable and she thoroughly recommends it.  

Ever wanted to take your Beavers, Cubs, Scouts or Explorers for an adventure in to Countryside but you were not sure about finding your way with a map? Well this is the day for you. We’ll be taking a gentle stroll in the countryside around Gerrards Cross and all the while taking a look at some simple tips and tricks for keeping you and your patrols, sixes and lodges on track. This is the low stress way of building your confidence with a map and a compass. The day will be led by Richard Williams, County Commissioner for GLMW. For more information and to register your interest, email him at richardwilliams@glmwscouts.org.uk  Take a look at this flyer for timings and more. MapSkillsforLeaders

ALSO, for those looking for the next step – there’s further information on Hillwalking (including a Hill Walking week-end in the Peak District in May 2020) on this webpage  http://www.glmwhillwalking.org.uk/

Yours in Scouting

Ben and Heather

DC Team, Ealing & Hanwell  

dc@ealingandhanwellscouts.org.uk

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District Diary – Key Dates 

(Please send your info to add to this – advance notice helps us all to plan!) 

To check the GLMW Training calendar for Training dates –  Click here   

Contact Jenny Foxwell to book onto any District or GLMW training courses je.foxwell@ealingandhanwellscouts.org.uk   (NB If you book any GLMW ones directly via the website, do please also let Jenny know)

Dates have been added for Young Leader training below – any questions – Please email youngleaders@ealingandhanwellscouts.org.uk.

February

• GLWM Narrowboat Course 28th Feb – 1st March (1st of 2 w/es)

• (GLMW) Explorer Belt Expeditions – Intro for Leaders & co-ordinators (Explorer/Network) Sat 29th Feb @ Greenford HQ

March

• • District Cross Country – 1st March  (ALL SECTIONS) @ Churchfields, Hanwell
  • (GLMW Young Leader training – 8th March, Norwood)
  • Scout Leaders Meeting – Wednesday 11th March 
  • District Beaver Sleepover|(s) @SAC 13th-15th March

• GLWM Narrowboat Course 13th-15th March (2nd of 2 w/es)

• GLMW Climbing/Abseiling Permit Training/Refresher 14th-15th March 

• • Appointments Committee  – Tues 17th March, 7.30pm

• Creating the Ask Recruitment Webinar – 20th March 7pm (for info/to register)

• • (GLMW) Map Skills Day for Leaders – 22nd March (Chiltern Hills) – further details here https://www.glmwscouts.org.uk/events/map-skills-for-leaders-day

• Saturday 28th March – 10-4pm – Young Leaders Training@ LH

• Cubs – Ealing Monopoly Run – 29th March

April

• GLMW Paddle Sports Permit course – 18th-19th April

• GLMW Development Workshop (for District reps) Sat 25th April 10am-2pm
• Appointments Committee – Tues 21st April, 7.30pm
• St George’s Day Parade  – Sunday 26th April, 2pm. (venue tbc)

May

• • Totem Camp – 2nd-3rd May
  • District Beaver Leaders Meeting 4th May, 8pm (Duke of Kent)
  • District Core Team Meeting – Tues 12th May, 8pm (LH)
  • District Cub Sleepover at Chessington – 16th-17th May

• GLMW Hill Walking Weekend in Peak District  15-17th May

• • District Beaver Outing to Woburn Safari Park – Sunday 17th May
  • Appointments Committee – Tues 19th May, 7.30pm
  • GSLs meeting – 20th May, 8pm 
  • Sunday 24th May – 10-4pm – Young Leaders Training (Full session) @ LH

• GLMW Climbing/Abseiling Permit Assessment /Reassessment – 31st May

June 

• • District Executive Committee  – Wednesday 10th June, 8pm (LH)

• Gilwell Fun Days (Cubs & Beavers) 13th & 14th June

• Appointments Committee – Tuesday 16th June, 7.30pm
• (tbc – E&H Stall at Hanwell Carnival? 20th June
• Cub 5-Aside Football Competition – 28th June

July 

• Saturday 4th July – 10-4pm – Young Leaders Training@ LH.
• Appointments Committee – Tuesday 21st July, 7.30pm
• Camporee,  District Cub Camp @ Walter Davies – from 26th-31st July

August

September

• District Executive Committee – Thursday 10th September
• Appointments Committee – Tuesday 15th September
• E&H District AGM – Wednesday 23rd September

October

• District Beaver Hike – Saturday 10th October
• Appointments Committee – Tuesday 20th October, 7.30pm

November

• Appointments Committee – Tuesday 17th November, 7.30pm
• District Executive – Thursday 24th November