Northumberland Scouts

Well, this edition of County News is historic in that it's the last to be printed in this format.  No-one on the team is quite sure when we started producing County News, but I know for sure it's more than 20 years ago.  As a young ACC Cub Scouts I duly submitted my contribution to the office so Irene (Sylvia's predecessor) could type up the stencil to produce several hundred copies of County News.  Technology moved on and word processors and photocopiers made the job easier and now it's time to allow technology to move us forward again. We intend to produce a quarterly printed report from the end of the year but, from September, all news about County events and achievements will be communicated via our e-news letter so if you haven't registered on the County website you'll need to do that now.

Well, summer break is almost upon us, giving us a little time to draw breath and reflect.  I hope the holiday time gives you time to recharge your batteries for the adventures ahead and that you enjoy the adventures you have planned for summer. 

Sanderson Flag Winners - 8th Whitley Bay (Cubs, Helen Denton)
A good games competition with a water theme with extra water provided as it was a bit of a showery afternoon.  Brunton Park were runners up with 1st Ponteland (Blue) and 2nd Cramlington tied for third place.  Leaders persevered the damp conditions; my thanks go to them as the cubs DID enjoy their afternoon.  Seaton Delaval organised our venue, refreshments and car parking etc and all were appreciated on the day. BIG Thank You to Les and his team.

County Badge Weekend (Expedition Challenge) 24th - 25th October 2009 (Scouts, Richard Brown)
This will be the 06th year of running a County Badge Weekend for the Scout Section.  I started the badge weekends to support Scout Leaders across the County in delivering the balanced programme.  This year is no different with general feedback from around the County that it would be useful to have some support around the Expedition Challenge.  The Expedition Challenge will take place at Kielder Water with the aim of the weekend to complete the 27 mile hike all the way around the reservoir.  The outline plan (with lots more detail to follow) will be to set off teams from  Kielder dam on Saturday morning with an overnight stop at Hawkhirst Adventure Camp, staying indoors for the night.  The Sunday will see the completion of this challenge arriving back at the dam on Sunday afternoon.  I do plan to have a shorter route available for those Scouts you feel may not be able to manage 27 miles or an alternative would be to cycle.

As I am booking accommodation, I need to know numbers ASAP.  There is a booking form and more info available on the website in the Calendar by clicking here .  Even if you are unable to book a firm team in at this stage please inform County Office you are interested so I can ensure I have the right accommodation booked.

Chief Scout's Award Presentations - 6th September (All Sections)
We plan to hold another all Section Chief Scout's Award presentation on 06th September 2009. Please send details of Beaver Scouts, Cub Scouts, Scouts and Explorer Scouts (name, Award and Group) who have gained their Section Award to County Office ASAP. Further details of this to follow.

Northumberland Challenge Badge 2009 & Beyond (All Sections)
The new Northumberland Challenge badge is now available!!  Earlier this year, we held a badge competition to which we have two joint winners from 1st Hexham who are Eli Libretto and Willoughby Seago.  Congratulations to the winners and you can now see the new badge on the website along with the badge criteria by clicking here.   The badges are now available from CW Tents and once awarded should be worn on the left arm with other activity badges.

3 5 7 9 (Explorers, Chris Eldridge)
Ten teams took part in the Northumberland County Challenge event. This years winners are  Yarrabangee Explorer Scout Unit,  Hadrian District. The over 18s team winners of a Zimmer frame were from Allendale.  The Challenge proved to be very exciting with four points separating 1st  and 4th place. It took Explorer Scouts from Nenthead mines near Alston to Derwent Reservoir, then finishing in Ponteland.  Along the way they undertook other challenges such as Rifle shooting, Archery, Tug of War, Wind surfing, Cycling and a Quiz.  May I say a big thank you to all those people who organised and supported this event.  Enjoy your summer adventures, whether you are in Norway, Iceland, NYJAM, WINGs or the National Sea Scout Centenary camp.

22nd World Scout Jamboree, Sweden (International, Mike Pearson)
The search for a Leader to lead Northumberland's Unit at the World Scout Jamboree in Sweden over the last few months has been very difficult. Eight Leaders applied for the positions and some of them are very experienced in visiting abroad and working in various roles at International Camps and Jamborees. However the search team have chosen Paul Capstick, ADC (Scouts), Blyth Valley District to lead the team.  Paul along with the search team, will  choose, over the next month, three other Leaders to join the Team.  Paul and the team know most of the Leaders applying so interviews for some candidates will not be necessary.

In September we will start the process of choosing 36 youngsters to go to Sweden for the next World Scout Jamboree in 2011.  This is now the time to encourage your youngsters to consider going to the best party in the World. The application forms will be available on Northumberland Scouts Website soon.

German Visitors (International, Mike Pearson)
As mentioned in April edition of County News, I can now confirm that a  group of about 25 Scouts from Gelsenkirchen in Germany are visiting the Newcastle area arriving at the Ferry Terminal on 3rd August and departing the 13th August.  As I write this I am still waiting for confirmation of numbers, ages and gender, not to mention the use of Dilston Campsite, only yesterday I received confirmation about their travel arrangements.  They are hoping to meet up and join in activities with some of our Scouts, maybe joining them at a local Scout Headquarters. They would also like to visit central Newcastle and I have suggested a few nights stay on their arrival at a Scout Groups Headquarters in Tynemouth which is close to local transport into Newcastle. The rest of their time here will be at a Dilston Campsite. Can you help in any way or would you like some joint activities with them? I understand that this will be reciprocated by being invited to visit Germany next year.

Survival Weekend (Activities, Paul Henderson)
The Survival Weekend went very well. We had a good mix of Groups from throughout the County;- Scouts/Explorer Scouts from Castle Morpeth, Mid Northumberland; North Northumberland and Tynemouth.  We did all the normal survival skills and yes, the rabbit tasted very nice!!  All Groups did very well and had a good time.  Thank you to all the Leaders who helped during the weekend and also to my team (Heather, Tim, Dave, Stuart and Stephen Hogg).  To see the pictures then please click here .

Training - Congratulations (Training, David McKenzie)
I am pleased to recommend the Wood Badge for Ronald Lee, Tynemouth District.  Congratulations!   The following have also successfully completed Module 37 training:   
Gladys and Derrick Bullimore, Wansbeck District.

Validation of Modules 1 and 3 -Getting Started (Training, David Mckenzie)
Following a revision of requirements, it has now been agreed that the validation of Modules 1 and 3 will be as follows:  Completion of the on-line modules for Module 1 (Essential Information) and production of self generated certificates for: Fundamentals of Scouting, Structure and Support, Child protection, Safety.  Completion of the on-line modules for Module 3 (Tools for the Job-Section Leaders) and production of the on-line quiz results. 

All certificates should be sent electronically to training@northumberlandscouts.org.uk or by post to: The County Training Manager, Northumberland Scouts, West Fifteen, Whickham View, Newcastle upon Tyne NE15 6UN. Managers should follow the same process, except that they will be completing Modules 1 and 4.  Once these modules have been validated, we will then inform your District Appointments Advisory Committee Secretary who will then consider processing appointment from Provisional to Full. 

Please note: There will no longer be a requirement to complete the questionnaires for Modules 1 and 3 or 4. The completion of all other Wood Badge module questionnaires will still be required as a key element in Wood Badge validation.  If anything is not clear, please contact us on: training@northumberlandscouts.org.uk or ring 0191 274 3336.

The Ted Potts Memorial Fund
Applications to this fund should be directed to:-  Mr K S Gray, 125 Canterbury Way, Wideopen, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE13 6JN

Website News
Not all of the new news items on the County Website are in this eNews.  Please click here to visit the news page which is updated on a regular basis.  You may also be interested to note that you can subscribe to our RSS news feed on the news page on the website.