Bear Grylls Chief Scout (opens in a new tab)
Bear was invested as Chief Scout at Gilwell 24 yesterday. Best wishes to him and lets see what the next 5 years bring!
Topic
UK Scouting
Beavers, Cubs, Scouts, Explorers and the Network. Posts from UK leaders and The Scout Association bring a different flavor of the same movement, with plenty to borrow for any troop.
1,355 posts · 2006–2020
All UK Scouting posts
Showing 1251–1300 of 1,355 posts
Scouts, Water, Drains and the House of Commons! (opens in a new tab)
Scout Groups who own their own buildings have been hit with a new charge from the water regulator OFWAT and the water companies. They will now be charged for the disposal of rain water which runs into the drains and sewers on their premises.
An Old Resource (opens in a new tab)
I was sorting through some stuff at my parents house last night with a view of chucking some of it out (told you I am a hoarder!), when I came across some stuff I'd done for a qualification in greengrocery when I worked at Asda .
Free Money! (opens in a new tab)
Bet that got your attention! The reason for this is that today my Group got a cheque from Her Majesty's Customs and Revenue (the taxman!) as part of their Gift Aid scheme. Gift Aid is a scheme for charities which means that for every £1 given to the charity, the charity can claim back 25p…
Careful of Possessions and Property (opens in a new tab)
I must admit that I'm a bit of a hoarder (ask my parents & my wife!) and I hate to throw anything away. This is a bit of a family trait to be honest. My Grandparents were all born in the early part of the 20th Century and were never what you'd call 'rich'.
Shameless Self Promotion and a Question! (opens in a new tab)
Just a quick reminder that any podcast I do is available through iTunes , so please take a look and have a listen! And now the question. If a review or a rating is left on iTunes do you get any notification?
The Group Annual General Meeting (podcast) (opens in a new tab)
Podcast number 12. On this one I talk a bit about some of the stuff the Group has done over the last month and then about the Group Annual General Meeting.
Some Photos from Last Night's Awards (opens in a new tab)
Here are a few photo's from my Group's AGM last night. The rest can be seen here in the Group's photo gallery. One of the things we have to do is to elect a Group Executive Committee and each of the committee members got given a hat to show who they are and what jobs…
Lots of Awards at the Group's Annual General Meeting (opens in a new tab)
Tonight we held the Group's AGM and I'm going to do a podcast about AGMs soon. But one of the things we did was give out some awards. The first, and most important, was the Cub of the Year Award.
Scouting Resources (opens in a new tab)
I've just come across an excellent site called Scouting Resources . This site is run by an Assistant Cub Leader from North East London and has LOADS of useful information and resources on it (hence the name). And while it has a UK slant, there is lots of stuff on there which will be of use…
Father's Day (opens in a new tab)
Yesterday was Father's Day. To be honest, I've often thought that it was nothing more than a ' Hallmark Holiday' ! This is because it doesn't seem to have any historical context, unlike Mother's Day, which is based on the Christian Church's Mothering Sunday (at least in the UK).
Old (ish) Photos (opens in a new tab)
I'm in the process of sorting out some of my photographs so they are better organised and backed up in more then one place, which is always a sensible precaution. Doing this, I've come across some of the oldest digital photos I have of the Scout Group, so I've put them into our Gallery.
Beavers & Cubs Sponsored Walk (opens in a new tab)
The Beavers and Cubs have spent this evening walking round Westport Lake to raise money for the animal charity the PDSA. Of course, there was a bit of concern doing this today in light of the tragedy on Tuesday, where a Beaver drowned in a river.
The Worst News (opens in a new tab)
I've just read the awful news that a Beaver Scout died last night while walking along a river in Suffolk with the rest of his Colony. There is no news on how this tragedy happened at the moment, and I will make no speculation or comment.
A New Member of the Troop (opens in a new tab)
This in itself is not a very unusual news item. Indeed we invested three new Scouts at the weekend on camp. However, our newest member won't be joining us every week as it is a bit far for him to travel!
Stereotypes (opens in a new tab)
As a movement we are very prone to stereotyping in people's minds. Some people still believe that Scouts dress in the traditional Baden Powell style (some do, but most don't), we are lying in wait to help old ladies cross the road (again nothing wrong there, see the BSA ad !)
Good News & Good Publicity (opens in a new tab)
With all the recent good publicity that's been generated in the UK from Bear Grylls appointment as our next Chief Scout, it's been quite interesting to see the reactions generated. Looking at the forums on Escouts for example, the views from here in the UK are very positive (of course not everyone agrees, but why…
Knives, Axes and Other Sharp & Pointy Things (opens in a new tab)
Over the last few weeks I've done a lot of work teaching our Cubs, Scouts and another Troop's Scouts how to use knives, axes and bow saws correctly and safely (strange how it all happens at the same time!). It is traditional that when you join the Scouts (I mean the Troop here), you get…
One Good Turn…. (opens in a new tab)
Over the last few months we've been building up a good relationship with another of our local Scout Groups. They have very kindly let us use their climbing wall and use their Scout Hut and grounds to camp at overnight.
Awards (opens in a new tab)
The Scout Association has a number of awards that it presents to Leaders and adult helpers for long service, good service and gallantry. The only awards given automatically are those given for long service. So, for example, I have my Chief Scout's 15 Years Service Award, which was presented to me in 2007.
Adult Training (podcast) (opens in a new tab)
Podcast number 11. This is the one where I talk a bit about the adult training programme and Woodbadge. See here for the Scout Association’s web site on training.
Burundi Tragedy (opens in a new tab)
I’ve just had a message from my friend in Sweden, Lotta , who read in the Swedish newspapers yesterday of the shooting of some unarmed Scouts. Three were wounded and one later died. Here is what she posted - Swedish newspapers reported yesterday about a governmental official in the Kayogoro district of Burundu having been arrested for…
The European Elections (opens in a new tab)
What's that got to do with the price of kippers??? Er, sorry Scouting? Now as I've often said, party politics and Scouting are a big no no. However engaging our politicians with issues relevant to young people and Scouting is a sensible thing.
Campfire Songs (video) (opens in a new tab)
At the weekend I had a great time camping with our Cub Pack at Kibblestone. We had a great time and the weather behaved itself and there was no rain! As the days are longer and it stays lighter later, when we had our campfire it was still light.
Bill Webber (opens in a new tab)
It is with great sadness that I have heard of the death of Bill Webber. Bill was for many years the Divisional Secretary and held many positions within our old District, Burslem. He also wrote a regular column in the our local newspaper, which promoted Scouting to the people of North Staffordshire.
1st Gilwell Website Delayed a Bit Longer! (opens in a new tab)
Back in October last year, I wrote about the 1st Gilwell Scout Group getting its own website. It should have launched at the end of 2008, but by the beginning of 2009 it had been delayed . As it's now May and nothing more has happened I thought I'd find out what was happening.
New Chief Scout (opens in a new tab)
The UK's new Chief Scout was announced today and he is Bear Grylls ! Of course, he is only Chief of the UK Scout Association , as there has not been a Chief Scout of the World since THE Chief Scout, BP!
More Old Troop Photos (opens in a new tab)
While talking to my Dad this afternoon, he showed me a couple of photos he'd dug out. These are for a small display that is going up at the Church's Hall which is 100 years old this year (youngsters! The Church itself was built in 1881).
My Podcast is Back (kind of!) (opens in a new tab)
After a long gap here is a short podcast to show I haven't forgotten about doing them! The topic I want to talk about has been held over, so this is a quick recap of what my Group has been up to recently and a few forthcoming things.
Short Updates (opens in a new tab)
Couple of quick updates. I've recently come across a blog from an Assistant Scout Leader from Watford . So that's now two I know of in this country! I like his most recent post on fire lighting at camp – all so true!
The Reply (opens in a new tab)
Well, my union have apologised over their dodgy cartoon! It reads - Your complaint about the cartoon in the most recent issue of UNISON Labour Link has been passed to me - I am very sorry that you found the cartoon offensive, and I can assure you that there was no intention to denigrate the Scout movement.
Scouting and Party Politics – NO! (opens in a new tab)
They do not and should never mix. We can engage with our politicians to ensure that the things we care about, whether it be knife crime or the environment, for example, but Party Politics are off limits. The Scout Association have got it right in the past by getting Scouts to talk to the politicians…
Donations (opens in a new tab)
As Scout Groups we rely on donations to keep us going. Whether they are directly from the parents or we get them by doing bag packing at the local supermarket. It's not just money we get given to us, but equipment as well.
Using Different Stoves (opens in a new tab)
The Scouts are currently looking at various criteria for camping to gain their Outdoor Challenge or Outdoor Challenge Plus badges. One of the areas they are looking at is there various types of stoves available. Last night they tried a Trangia , a Coleman stove , a couple of portable gas stoves and an old Primus stove…
The Missing Scout's Memorial (opens in a new tab)
A couple of years ago, when I was in our Group's Church , I was looking at the plaque on the wall which commemorates the Scouts from our Troop that died in the Great War (First World War). I decided to try and find out more about them as they were the pioneers of our Group…
Numbers in Scouting Grow Again! (opens in a new tab)
The results of this year's Census have just been published and is shows that the number of Scouts and Leaders are up again! From the Scout Association's website - Scouting has grown for the fourth year running. Adult volunteering is increasing at the fastest rate for 23 years and there are now just as many girls…
St. George's Day Parade (opens in a new tab)
Just back from our District's St. George's day Parade. It is quite impressive to see so many young people from both the Guiding and Scouting Movements in one place. When we were parading, we couldn't hear the band at the front for most of the time as they were so far away from us!
By George! It's time to Celebrate Scouting's Patron Saint (opens in a new tab)
Happy St.George's Day! From the Scout Association - Over the next few days Scout Groups across the UK will be preparing events to celebrate St George, the patron saint of Scouting. Like Scouting, St George supports people of all backgrounds across the world.
My Country's Flag (opens in a new tab)
This is the flag of The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland This is the flag of England which is part of The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland Tomorrow, 23rd April, is St. George's Day .
Explorer Scout Goes above and beyond the Call of Duty (opens in a new tab)
For those of you who do not know what a Explorer Scout is it is a nontraditional career exploration program under a group of programs that the BSA refers to as Learning for Life Programs. A Explorer Scout is attached to a Post that is sponsored by some community organization in pretty much every career…
Supporting Assessors - Project Team Member Recruitment
The Project Leader for Supporting Assessors within Activities is looking to recruit a volunteer project team to assist him with the delivery of his project. The role involves; delivering and supporting workshops for activity assessors and Nights Away Advisers, developing resources to support others in the delivery of assessor / NAA workshops, and looking at how…
Getting Information Home (opens in a new tab)
My Scout Group is of an average size with around 70 – 80 Beavers, Cubs and Scouts at the moment and we've been finding getting information back to the parents can be trying at times! The traditional way is to send letters home with the Beavers, Cubs and Scouts for their parents.
Commitment (opens in a new tab)
I am very proud to say that today marks the 25th anniversary of my Group's Cub Leader becoming an official, appointed Leader. She started helping out with the Pack when my Dad & Mum ran it and took out an official appointment as an Assistant Cub Leader when she was old enough.
Boots! (opens in a new tab)
After I wrote about last weekend’s hike and camp with the Scouts and mentioned that my boots rubbed and gave me a blister, up popped this post on the Troop 483 Blog on keeping your feet happy. Wow that’s timing!
Patrol Leader's Meeting (opens in a new tab)
Last night, as it's the Easter Holidays, the Scout Leader decided to have a Patrol Leader's meeting with the PLs and Assistant Patrol Leaders. It was a shame that only half were able to attend as the rest were away.
Getting Back In The Saddle (opens in a new tab)
Well hiking boots actually! We took the Scouts hiking for the first time this weekend. This was the first time they'd been on a serious hike and they also had to carry all their kit with them. Because this was the case, we split them up into two groups.
Not a Good Afternoon (opens in a new tab)
This afternoon I went to the funeral of my friend's baby daughter. She was carried into the Church by her 3 brothers in a small pink coffin which wasn't much bigger than a shoe box. The service was very simple and music was played in Church that was played as she was born.
Making Good Use of Time (opens in a new tab)
A couple of months ago, I found out that each Group should have an Anti-Bullying policy. News to me I thought, but I knew we had to have one and it's my job to put together the draft for the Group Executive to approve, change or chuck out!
Personal Activity Permits (opens in a new tab)
To run alongside existing leadership and supervisory adventurous activity permits, it is now possible for under 18s to get personal activity permits.
Getting Back to Hiking (opens in a new tab)
In a couple of weeks we are going to take the Scouts hiking and they will be carrying their own tents etc. Nothing too unusual about that really. They will be split into two groups and the older Scouts (12+ I think) will go on a longer route than the remainder.