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E-NEWSLETTER OF
PERTH AND KINROSS
DISTRICT SCOUTS
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Issue 4: April 2015
E
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Good news about Perth & Kinross
I like the last article on the national news, you know the type of story; stray dog finds new home, sisters reunited after 70
years, old woman leaves millions to local cat’s home. A little ray of sunshine to balance out the doom and gloom from the
other 99% of the news.
I recall the parachuting I did when I was a teenager. We spent a weekend going through the training before we were
allowed anywhere near a plane or a parachute. We had to learn what to do in each of the different instances of
“malfunction”. I built in my mind a dozen or so situations where disastrous situations occurred, parachute not opening,
twisted, or hung up, each one requiring a different restorative action. Compared to this there was only one picture of
what would happen if it all went right. I felt the odds were well and truly stacked against me, however and by the way, I
didn’t die.
Life very often concentrates on the negative, but to balance things out we should be looking for the good news. I
remember on my advanced training we did a session on evaluation and the phrase “ what went well” has stuck. So what
has gone well with the district? I must confess that I am disappointed that I don’t always get to hear; the fantastic stories,
headliners and brilliant ideas maybe, yes, but the small victories, only rarely.
The 10th Academy held an official opening of the recently extended headquarters and hit the Courier. It wrote, “…it’s
probably the best scouting facility in Scotland”. Who can doubt what’s written in the press?!
We are on track to send five scouts and a leader to the other side of the world as delegates to the 23 rd World jamboree.
This continues an unbroken line where P&K have been to every world jamboree.
Last year the 74th were recognised as the fastest growing group in the region, and are nearing completion of a move to
larger premises. Don’t anyone underestimate the work that this has taken!
Explorers have started up a new unit, Riversiders, in association with 22nd St Matthew’s.
I was shown a letter written by a parent to a scout leader regarding their son who had recently graduated to explorers. It
said, ..”you have had a major impact on my son. As a result of your positive influence and as a result of the brilliant
Scouting experience you gave him every week, the wee timid boy that once was, is growing into a much more confident
young man. I truly could have cried on his final night at scouts as I reflected on the positive influence you have had on him
and felt so grateful. Please accept my thanks and know that you are doing an amazing job.” How about that for a
success story!
There is plenty to celebrate among the groups. I wonder what your favourite anecdote is from your own experience of
scouting. What do you remember doing? I remember my first cub camp, 48 years ago. I recall farting noises and telling
jokes snuggled inside my old prickly down sleeping bag in the middle of a Niger; what an adventure. What was the best
thing that has happened to you last year? What is going to be the best thing you are going to do this year? What
experiences and memories are you going to create for your scouts this year? Please write and
tell me.
Derek
District Commissioner
The E-Newsletter of Perth and Kinross District Scouts
Page 1
2.
NEWS
3.
DIARY
2015
News from the 54th
APRIL 2015
At Auchterarder, Struan and Harry were invested while DIY and
Entertainer Badges were awarded to other members of the troop.
April 20th
District Executive
Meeting 19.30 - 22.30
April 26th
District Cub Leaders
Meeting 19.00 - 21.00
MAY 2015
May 13th
Group Scout Leaders
Meeting 20.00—22.00
10th Perth HQ
May 18th
District Scout Leaders
Meeting 20.00 - 22.00
May 19th
Scout District Team
Meeting 19.30 - 22.30
News from the 18th
May 30th
Scouts—The Challenge
The photos were taken during Bankfoot’s annual 2-night winter camp
at Craggan in February. This
year we had some great
wintry weather with
temperatures of -5 on the
first night and snow on the
final day.
May 31st
District Beaver Leaders
Meeting
JUNE 2015
June 6th /7th
Scouts District Camping
Competition
June 15th
District Executive
Meeting 19.30 - 22.30
June 24th
P & K District AGM
AUGUST 2015
They made great use of the new tipi
and stove which was purchased
recently with a lottery grant.
Aug 5th—11th
date TBA
Week camp with Scouts
from Germany at
Meggernie
Challenge hike
August 17th
District Executive
Meeting 19.30 - 22.30
August 30th
District Cub Leaders
Meeting 19.00 - 21.00
SEPTEMBER 2015
Sept 4th to 6th
Lochgoilhead for Cubs
(all places now filled)
September 7th
The E-Newsletter of Perth and Kinross District Scouts
District Scout Leaders
Meeting 20.00 - 22.00
Page 2
News - continued
News from the Scouts
The photo was taken of the advance party from the Aschaffenburg
Scout Group who are visiting us in August at Meggernie. Karl, group
leader is pictured just trying out the Chair at the Camp Fire.
Diary
September 16th
- continued
Scout District Team
Meeting 19.30 - 22.30
OCTOBER 2015
October 4th
District Beaver Leaders
Meeting
October 19th
District Executive
Meeting 19.30 - 22.30
NOVEMBER 2015
18th November
Scout District Team
Meeting 19.30 - 22.30
22nd November
District Cub Leaders
Meeting 19.00 - 21.00
DECEMBER 2015
December 7th
District Executive
Meeting 19.30 - 22.30
News from the 74th
Whilst in Scotland their party will be visiting Perth, Oban and
Edinburgh .
Arrangements are now well in hand for the camp and details will be
sent to those attending for a get together and camp briefing, shortly.
New Uniform Suppliers
The 74th joined forces with Perth Explorers
and Cubs from Blairgowrie for a fun packed
weekend at Lochearnhead Scout Station
recently. Mini pioneering, shelter building, tent
pitching and hiking were enthusiastically
accomplished. An indoor campfire rounded off
a very wet Saturday. We all learned new songs
as each group performed with more and more
confidence.
The venue is an excellent choice particularly for
a winter event.
Beaver, Cub, and Scout Uniforms are now available from the
Guides! Perth and Kinross Guides have refurbished their Guide
Depot in Perth, and, with the agreement of our District
Commissioner, are now stocking Scout uniforms. They offer
credit card facilities, and their prices are competitive.
The Guide Depot is at 80 Victoria Street, Perth PH2 8JD
T: 01738 443223 E: depot.orders@ggpk.org.uk
Opening hours: Tuesday and Wednesday 10 am to 2 pm
Thursday 3 pm to 7 pm
Saturday 10 am to 4 pm
The E-Newsletter of Perth and Kinross District Scouts
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POLAN ER BELT
EXPLOR
The Explorer Belt is one of the highest awards in scouting and open to
all members aged between 16 and 25 (Explorer, Young Leader, or
Network). The destination for this 2016 Explorer Belt is Poland, a
European country rich in history and culture. Perhaps not your typical
holiday destination, but this is probably all the more reason to go!
The Explorer Belt is undertaken in teams of 3-5 Explorers/Network and
is a 300 km expedition over a 10 day period. Various challenges are set
en-route by the adult support team who will shadow progress.
Transport should be a mix of walking stages and public transport.
Teams are encouraged to meet, engage, and stay with local scouts,
families, and communities as they progress along their pre-agreed
route. Rest days are included before and after the expedition where we
will visit national places of interest.
The expedition contingent will consist of participants and a leadership
team from Perth and Kinross and beyond. Having now organised four
of these trips, I will be leading this trip together with leaders who I have
worked with before – we are all Explorer Belt holders. Additional
Leaders interested in helping run the trip can give me a shout at any
time – all help appreciated.
The training activities and weekend(s) we will offer will equip
participants to work together, provide them with the skills needed to
undertake such a challenge and educate and inform them on Poland
and its people. All of the participants will have opportunities to meet
each other over the next year as we are planning some joint activities
and events.
Dates are not yet fixed but are likely to be during the October holidays
in 2016 (two weeks). This should allow participants to take part who
may be too young during the Summer holidays.
Cost – We plan to fund raise towards this event but estimated cost at
the moment is around £750 all in for the two weeks. A £50 deposit will
need to be paid towards the end of this year, followed by instalments,
spread apart to help spread the cost, up until a month before
departure.
An information evening for anyone considering the award or their
parents will be held later this year. The evening will include a more
detailed overview of the award, some snippets from a previous trip,
and a Q&A session. A training weekend will also be held early in 2016,
along with other opportunities to get together with other potential
participants.
It's early days but please let me know if you
have youngsters/Network aged folk
interested. I will then keep you informed.
From the Desk of the DESC ...
Hi folks, it's been a few months since I officially
took up the DESC position and much has been
happening. Having said that, as someone who
is relatively new to the locale, it's taken me
some time to meet with the many involved,
with still more to do and to get around.
It was clear from the outset that Explorer
Scouting in P&K needs support, opportunities
and communications to underpin the work
provided by the Units. Regular meetings
should now provide a forum and opportunity
for leaders to share information and I hope will
enable links to be created for Explorers far and
wide.
The creation of a new Unit in Perth - 'Riverside'
has been a successful development and our
numbers are on the up - more so therefore the
need for support. I appreciate that there are
youngsters of Explorer age who aren't getting
opportunities and one of my aims is to create
those opportunities to encompass all of our
Young leaders too.
I plan to visit Units over the coming months
and, as an SL myself, am keen to liaise through
the Scout Section with youngsters who are
approaching Explorer age so that they are
aware of the opportunities available to them.
The District Team are working on a
development plan which will include Explorer
provision and I am in the throes of organising
an Explorer Belt trip in 2016 for P&K which will
be open to all between the ages of 16-25 at the
time. In addition there will be a couple of
smaller weekends which can be attended stand
-alone but will also provide training for
Explorer Belt participants.
Our next meeting for Explorer leaders is on
Monday April 20th in Perth. Minutes have
gone out from the last ESL meeting - please let
me know if you didn't receive a copy - just drop
me an e-mail -seandthorpe@gmail.com
Sean
Sean Thorpe
The E-Newsletter of Perth and Kinross District Scouts
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5.
S
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THOU
I was greatly saddened and moved by the terrible loss of
life following the crash and destruction of Germanwings
Airbus 320 flight 9525 in the French Alps on 24 March.
Among the dead were sixteen young people together with
their teachers who had been on an exchange trip to Llinars
de Valles, near Barcelona. They had met with children their
own age in Germany, and were returning home after visiting
their families in Spain.
When there is media criticism of young people, and in a
time of racial bigotry, here was a group of youngsters
reversing the trend. They were forging friendships with
people of a different culture, language and upbringing,
learning to appreciate each others’ values and
understanding their hopes and desires. You may call their
adventure a case of “building bridges”. What a dreadful
future there would be if this sort of thing did not happen.
There is something familiar in the scouting that we profess,
similar to the brotherhood that used to be in the old laws.
Don’t we try to open up young minds to other cultures? Do
we not try to breakdown fears of the unknown? Don’t we
try to build bridges with other communities and cultures?
And then disaster strikes.
These lives were so rich in promise, those minds open to
possibilities, precious young lives being shaped in the wide
international community, every one so valuable. My heart
sinks at the terrible loss for the families and the wider
communities when I consider this senseless tragedy.
G
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6.
LEADER TRAINING DATES 2015
Venue: Perth Academy Scout Hall
Tuesday 5th May 7.30pm
Module 1
th
Tuesday 12 May 7.30pm
Module 3
Autumn date to be arranged
Safeguarding **
Autumn date to be arranged
Safety **
Autumn date to be arranged
Module 10 First
Response Course *
*renewable every 3 years. All Leaders need a current First
Response or First Aid Certificate at appointment renewal date.
** all Leaders need to have completed both Ongoing Safety
training and Safeguarding / Child Protection training within the
last 5 years of their appointment renewal date.
(Your appointment renewal dates for individual appointments
can be found on your membership card)
Regional Training Courses
th
th
28 / 29 March
12th / 14th June
Modules 5 – 11
(excluding 10)
Modules 12 to 19
Derek Colley
DC
P&K
Tannadice Scout
Centre, Angus
Fordell Firs Scout
Centre, near
Dunfermline
If you would like to come along to any of these events or
have any queries about training please do not hesitate to
contact:
Hilary Kirk, 4 Church Rd, Methven, Perth PH1 3PG
ADC Adult Training
07944 601683
thekirks@gmail.com
01738 840701
Design a CUB Centenary
Scarf Competition
Closing Date is 31st
May 2015.
Entries must be with
Becky Adams by
closing date.
More details from
Becky.
DETAILS OF ALL OTHER TRAINING COURSES CAN BE
FOUND ON THE EAST REGION WEBSITE
www.eastscotlandscouts.org.uk
Did you know this?
Talking of trees
The Woodland Trust offer talks to all
kinds of groups.
They've got volunteer speakers available for free
illustrated talks. Whether you're interested in their work
restoring ancient woodland, wildlife or woodland
planting, their speakers can offer a variety of talks. To
arrange a talk call 08452 935 752 or email
vsmail@woodlandtrust.org.uk
The E-Newsletter of Perth and Kinross District Scouts
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A tale of two insurers
Does your Group own its premises? Then get your Group Treasurer to read
this. Before I moved back to Scotland, I was Secretary of a Scout Group in
Cambridgeshire. We fundraised for ten years and eventually had enough
money to build a new Scout Hut. It’s just been finished, at a cost of £230,000,
and I was at the official opening in March. I was talking to the Group Treasurer
(as one does) and she told me that the insurance quotation for the new
building gave her a real fright. The quote from Unity, the Scout owned
insurers, was based on the square footage of the new (large!) building, and
was coming in at something over £3,500 a year, which put her annual revenue
budget in the red. She went to a local broker, and he pointed her in the
direction of (wait for it) The Salvation Army Insurance Group www.sagic.co.uk. They are a specialist ethical insurer, and they have policies
especially tailored for Scout Groups. She obtained a policy for the same cover
for c. £800 per year. That’s a real saving! Isn’t it about time you checked your
own insurance and made sure you’re not paying over the odds?
continued
six meetings a year, including the AGM. We
currently meet at a Scout Group HQ in Perth.
BUT I also want active help to go out and meet
Group Executive Committees and offer them support
where they need it. There are 24 Groups, and the
more active helpers I’ve got, the smaller the number
of Groups each of us needs to visit, so the
opportunity is there to make a real difference by
getting to know the people running the Group
Executive Committees and what they need.
It would be excellent if three or four (or more) active
people would volunteer to join us. The biscuits really
are good! Age is no barrier, and, indeed, our
constitution suggests that at least two members of
the Committee should be youth members aged 18 or
over, but less than 25 years old – so now’s your
chance.
Role descriptions are available from me at the email
address below and I would be happy to discuss the
posts with anyone interested. You will need the
I’m looking for volunteers… And when you’ve stopped laughing, read on and
consider one of the highly paid (choc biscuits at some meetings), motivational, ability to work as part of a team; have good
and vital (and I’m serious about them being vital) jobs that District needs help communication skills with the ability to think
creatively and solve problems; be able to maintain
with.
independent and objective judgement whilst willing
First, I’m looking for a District Quartermaster, District Webmaster, and District to speak one’s mind and listen to the views of others,
Public Relations Adviser. These posts are open to anyone, and you may not
and be willing to take decisions which will further the
even be a member of the Association. However, I’d prefer it if uniformed
work of the District.
members did NOT apply. These posts are aimed at taking some work off your
Don’t all rush at once – but I want to hear from you
shoulders – not adding to your work – so you can concentrate on your
soon! The District Annual General Meeting is on
uniformed role.
Wednesday 24th June, and it’s then that new
The quartermaster’s job will be to maintain the District’s equipment; advise on members of the District Executive Committee will be
replacement of equipment; advise on the type of equipment to be purchased, elected. Your application needs to be with the
and to source new equipment at the best possible price, commensurate with District Secretary before the end of May, so it can go
the appropriate quality and practicality.
out with the papers for the AGM. It might seem a
long way off, but it’s rapidly creeping up on us.
The webmaster will maintain and develop the District website so it can be
Volunteer now!
used as the principal means of communication between District and Groups,
and between Groups. It should also function as the interface between
John Holme
Scouting in Perth and Kinross and the public.
District Chairman
Your Scout District needs YOU!
The PR adviser’s role is quite simply to develop the relationship between the
District, Groups and Units with outside organisations and try and obtain the
best possible publicity for Scouting in Perthshire.
pkscouts@broadfold.org
Role descriptions are available from me at the email address below and I
would be happy to discuss the posts with anyone interested.
In addition… we need new members of the District Executive Committee.
Again, I’m not looking for uniformed members, but for motivated people who
are willing to give their time to support Scouting. I don’t need committee
gatherers, or those looking for their Chief Scout’s Commendation; I want those
willing to work to support the front line troops by giving some time to ensure
that the administration of the District, at District and Group level, runs
smoothly. My meetings start on time, get through the business and finish.
Half an hour if that’s enough; two hours maximum if there’s a lot to deal with;
The E-Newsletter of Perth and Kinross District Scouts
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OFFER
Help is at hand
I’m a manager of the Unpaid Work Team, where offenders can pay back to
the community by performing work that benefit the community and local
organisations. We would like to offer our assistance to the scouting
movement across the Perth & Kinross area.
Below is the list of things we do:
Painting (inside and outside)
Garden clearances, landscaping and maintenance
Fencing
Joinery and woodworking
Litter picking
Clearing overgrown pathways
Laying slabs
The list is by no means exhaustive and we’ll look to get involved in any
project. Recently we did some big projects for the Ryder Cup (building a
stone wall on the Auchterarder station roundabout), Hallowe’en
(preparing and setting up spooky decorations around the city centre) and
Christmas Light Switch on. Project Officers would be responsible for quality
of the work and they have a lot of experience in working within the
community. We get offenders with a range of skills and we’re looking to
utilise them as much as possible.
The criteria are that the work benefits the community or vulnerable
members of the community. We can’t take away somebody’s paid
employment, but if the work would not get done for lack of money we can
come and assist.
We would assess every project separately and the team would always be
supervised by a qualified member of staff. We hold all the necessary H&S
qualifications and have a range of risk assessments, both regarding the
jobs we would do and the clients (offenders) where necessary. Our
maximum ratio is 5 offenders per supervisor but we can tailor it down to
suit specific tasks. We would not take any “high risk” clients to work on
projects where working near children or vulnerable people is involved.
We also have a 9 hole Perthshire themed crazy golf course (prepared for
the Ryder Cup) that we are willing to set up at any fetes, fairs and
fundraising events – all the proceeds would remain with the organisers of
the event.
9.
P&K
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Our Website
www.perthandkinross-scouts.org.uk
Our website contains a wide range of
information and services enabling you to
navigate quickly and easily to the content you
are looking for. The headings include
Home Page
Groups
Sections
Explorer Units
Members
Craggan Campsite
Scouting Facts
Volunteer
Links
Privacy Policy
E-Newsletter
If you have not already registered as a
member, why not create a member account
right now? It’s absolutely free! Members can
access Group and District Directories,
Equipment lists, the Calendar, Training
information, Section information and much
more.
The District Exec is looking for a new
webmaster. This ‘well paid’ job is advertised
elsewhere in this issue. Meantime, our lovely
District Secretary keeps it updated and looking
good, but he really wants to retire from the job
of acting webmaster.
We have a range of tools and our own vehicles to transport the teams to
work locations. We cover the whole of Perth & Kinross area. We have
teams operating 7 days a week, starting at 9am for registration and
finishing at 3:30pm.
Arek Nowrotek
Coordinator - Unpaid Work Team,
Criminal Justice Service
Housing & Community Care
Perth & Kinross Council
Westbank House, Jeanfield Road, Perth, PH1 1PG
Tel. 01738 445793
The E-Newsletter of Perth and Kinross District Scouts
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Annual Census
The annual Census and the collection of Membership fees is now
complete. Despite the extremely short timescale afforded by the region
and SHQ to gather the information and money, and despite the trauma
of seeing all the work put into Compass come to nothing each and
every group (with the exception of couple of minor technical issues) did
the district proud and I was able to meet the deadlines and with the
help of the treasurer all monies were paid on time.
Due to the problems with Compass and all the work that had already
been done I decided not to send out the usual forms for completion
this year. The information that would have been returned on these
forms would or should have been available through Compass. The
district, therefore, does not now have an up-to-date and accurate
database of leaders and executives.
I am awaiting information on the future of Compass but in the
meantime we may have to ask groups to supply the updated
information. I would hope to be able to send out our latest listing and
all that would be required would be amendments, additions and
deletions.
11
And
Finally
Congratulations
Our congratulations to Chris Kirk on being
awarded the bar to the Silver Acorn in
recognition of further specially distinguished
service.
Further congratulations to Robert Morton on
being awarded the Silver Acorn in recognition of
specially distinguished service .
Chris holds the following appointments: Deputy
District Commissioner, Perth and Kinross, Group
Scout Leader, 10th Perthshire (Perth Academy),
District Nights Away Adviser, District Training
Adviser, Regional Trainer, Scotland and Regional
Supporter of the Nights Away Permit Scheme.
Robert is Group Scout Leader, 77th Perthshire
(Glenfarg), Explorer Scout Leader, District
Training Adviser and District Nights Away Adviser,
Perth and Kinross.
GSL's and group contacts will be advised in due course but I promise to
keep any work involved as simple and straightforward as possible.
Thank you all for the countless hours that you will have spent over the
last few months working on Compass and then latterly on the Census. I
have no idea what next year will be like but what I do know is that I can
rely on the groups within the district to support me and the executive
and fulfil our obligations satisfactorily and in good time.
Thank you.
Ronnie Blues
District Secretary
The Silver Acorn was first introduced as a St
George’s Day Award in 1933. It is not normally
awarded until after at least the Award for
Merit has been gained. It is seldom awarded
for less than 20 years’ service
The E-Newsletter of Perth and Kinross District Scouts
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12.
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CON
Appointment
Name
email
Phone
Mobile
DC
Derek Colley
yewlodge@btinternet.com
01828 632500
07933 055525
Deputy DC
Chris Kirk
thekirks51@gmail.com
01738 840701
07881 900353
Deputy DC
Diane Holme
diane@broadfold.org
01764 430202
077100 43252
ADC (BS)
Christian Macdonald
darrochdog@hotmail.com
01738 815997
ADC (CS)
Becky Adams
martinandbecky@hotmail.co.uk
01738 620276
ADC (S)
Martin Adams
martinandbecky@hotmail.co.uk
01738 620276
07581 452546
ADC (Adult Training)
Hilary Kirk
thekirks51@gmail.com
01738 840701
07944 601683
ADC (Activities)
Christine Morton
christine.morton1@tesco.net
01577 830210
District Explorer Scout
Sean Thorpe
Commissioner
seandthorpe@gmail.com
District Network
Scout Leader
Alison Wilson
alisonwilson191@yahoo.co.uk
Young Leaders Unit
Leader
Bev McNab
bevmcnab@gmail.com
01738 445641
District Explorer
Scout Administrator
Vacant
Appointments
Secretary
Christine Comrie
comries21@sky.com
01764 653470
District Safety Coordinator
Robert Burrell
bob.burrell@tesco.net
01796 473184
District Chairman
John Holme
pkscouts@broadfold.org
01764 430202
07764 188330
District Treasurer
David Robertson
davierob.home@virgin.net
01738 643855
Work 0131
6260187
District Secretary
Ronnie Blues
secretary@perthandkinrossscouts.org.uk
01738 637645
07526 998962
07876 206433
http://www.perthandkinross-scouts.org.uk/
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The E-Newsletter of Perth and Kinross District Scouts
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