Scouts Bag Pack raises £1,200

A Bag Pack and Raffle held at Southwell Co-op raised £1,200 for Group funds. Especial thanks go to the Co-op for allowing the Group to run this event there. Thanks to the generosity of the local community the funds raised will go to maintaining the HQ to ensure that Southwell Group’s young people can have another fun packed year of Scouting activities.

At the Group’s annual carol service held at the Methodist church a number of awards were presented, the most notable of which was Mary Sutherland receiving her Duke of Edinburgh Gold Award. As part of her work towards this award, Mary took part in a four day expedition, sang with Southwell Choral Society and passed her Grade 8 singing. She spent her week’s residential placement at an outdoor centre in Scotland where she took part in gorge walking, sea kayaking, horse riding and mountain biking. Scouting is certainly the place to be for active young people!

Meanwhile, Explorers went to Sherwood Forest for a nature walk with one of the Rangers. They learnt about the natural environment and how it is cared for, as well as learning more about the Major Oak and how it got its name.

The Unit also had a mass Badminton session at the Leisure Centre and spent the rest of the evening running around Southwell on a Halloween Treasure Hunt. Andy Gregory gave a talk on the work of the Royal British Legion on 11th November, a very appropriate date.

The Cub Packs have been taking part in some food challenge games, eating cream crackers then trying to whistle, as well as keeping a fruit pastille on their tongues without chewing! Another Cub activity was a quiz night, this included the ‘conveyor belt’ challenge game where the cubs had to remember the items on the conveyor…including the cuddly toy!

Woodlander Beavers have been decorating plant pots and potting up bulbs in preparation to give to the residents at Moorefield Court when they go to sing carols with them as part of festive celebrations there.

Scouts developed their ideas of personal safety and then put this into practise when using sharp knives to whittle wood. An evening of indoor games gave everyone the opportunity to have a go at some very traditional games and not an electronic device in sight.

All work with young people depends on adult leadership! We welcome anyone interested in developing weekly meetings or one of the roles that support the leaders. We would be particularly grateful for offers of help to develop our growing Explorer unit. Please contact Ali Sutherland on 07814 549926 to find out more! www.southwellscouts.co.uk.