Beavers, Cubs and Scouts were "on parade" at two Churches on Remembrance Sunday; St Michaels, Winterbourne and St Nicholas , Porton. Very smart they looked too!

Shirley Moores, Group Scout Leader
Tel: 01980 611614

Beavers – December Report from Redwood
After half term we celebrated bonfire night with a small bonfire outside, behind the back of the hall and sang campfire action songs to keep warm, we even got some of the Mums and Dads to join in. At the end of the evening we invested four new beavers into the colony as well as ‘ASH’ (Wen), who has joined the warranted leaders.

The following week was polling day and we couldn’t use the hall, so we went on a night hike from Gomeldon School to Redwood’s house. En route we all stopped just to see how dark, "dark" is. We all switched off our torches and stood still for a while. We explained to the Beavers how the eye adjusts to the lack of light by opening the pupil wide. After a while they all found that they could see more around them than they could before! We then put our torches back on and continued to Redwood’s house were we were welcomed with hot chocolate and biscuits.

Cub Pack – December Report from Akela
Seven cubs, two leaders and a Dad went on the District Sponsored Hike on the 13th October. We started at Winterslow, walked to Farley, through West Grimstead and back to Winterslow via Bentley Wood. The day started with beautiful sunshine and ended with rain, but the cubs from Bourne Valley kept cheerful throughout. They have raised £166.40p, £83.20p to the British heart Foundation and the same to go towards the hire of a Physiotherapy machine required by Harry, one of our cubs who has just had an operation on his leg.

Ten cubs spent a fun afternoon on the 18th November, playing basketball at Amesbury Sports Centre, they joined 30 other cubs from the District and learnt a few skills and then had some matches.

At pack meetings the Cubs have been working for the Global Conservation badge. They have learnt about the Country Code, made birdfeeders, learnt about conservation and "saving the planet" and taken part in a conservation "Save It" campaign.

Maureen Atkinson the Treasurer of the Glebe Hall came to chat to the cubs about the Glebe Hall and in return have designed a poster to encourage users to take good care of the Hall and suggesting ideas of ways they may help to save energy.

A talent show with the Cubs all showing off their talents in entertaining us, and entertain us they did, gave everyone a bit of light relief!

Figsbury Scout Troop – December Report from Jane
I reported last month that the troop had been preparing for the District Grose Trophy competition; the scouts who took part had a fun day hiking and taking part in Challenges.

At troop meetings the scouts have been busy working for the Community Challenge badge. The plan was to find out about the Help For Heroes charity and then organise a fundraising event to raise some money for it. To start with they had a visit from a representative from Tedworth House in Tidworth who gave a presentation about the work that goes on there, it was very interesting. Then they visited the Defence CBRN Centre in Winterbourne and found out about what goes on there, trying on the chemical suits sounded fun!

For the past couple of weeks they have been planning and preparing for a Fundraising activity which takes place on the 27th November during the troop night. They have been organising some fun games, collecting items for raffle prizes and a bric-a-brac stall as well as writing to local businesses to procure items for an auction.

Idmiston Scout Troop – December Report from Ian
It’s been a busy term with the Scouts completing their Global Challenge, taking part in a Troop conker competition (James Lucas was crowned "conkerer", with a five-ser no less), an inter-patrol version of TV’s "The Cube" and competing with teams in both the Grose Trophy and in the District Cooking Competition. The Troop was placed 2nd and 3rd in the cooking with 2 splendid and delicious menus on the theme "European".

Friday 2nd November also saw us out on night hike and campout. It was a beautiful night for walking with a clear sky and a threequarter moon lighting the way, but by the time we reached the campsite the ground was white and crispy. Hot chocolate and toasted marshmallows were consumed around a campfire before scouts and leaders retired to their tents at about 1am. It was a cold night, but a good time was had by all.

Troop numbers are healthy, with a fourth Patrol having now been raised and our 2 new leaders getting stuck in. We still have spaces for more adult help and scouts, so why not give it a go?

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Shirley Moores, Group Scout Leader
Tel: 01980 611614