That was the year that was

January

February

March

April

May

June

July

August

September

October

November



December

Do you remember what these events were. It was very difficult to choose just 12 photographs from the whole of last year. We packed a lot into it. What was your favourite event and why?



More 100 challege booklets returned

Well done Joe. Rama got your booklet today and we can see you have worked very hard over the last few days to complete the final few of your 100 challenges. Even today you Learnt to tie a Friendship knot and on Christmas day you were seeing who could eat the most cream crackers!

Ethan and Jacob also returned their today. I see that both of you have enjoyed the food aspect of this challenge, have helped with the recycling and had attended lots of Scouting events.

100 challenge

Thanks Alex. Rama got your sheet today. You have been very busy this year. I enjoyed reading your article about Cubs and hope you enjoyed seeing it on the blog.

I can see you have done lots of good turns and now have many new life skills. I hope you continue to help with the cleaning and cooking.

How old was the person you asked to share their memories and what did they tell you?

Well done for completing this and returning it.

Merry Christmas

I have been to the Crib service (I saw many of our Group there!), have helped hang up the stockings, have left a snack for Father Christmas and the reindeer, lit the candles  and have sprinkled the magic reindeer food outside on the grass (thanks Walkerdine family).

Merry Christmas from Gus and all at 3rd Ware Scout Group.

....and more

Thank you Josh and Hollie who have also posted their 100 challenge sheets through Rama's door.

I hope your mum enjoyed her birthday surprise, Rama's wife said she saw the rockets launched on the school field in the summer, Bewilderwood sounds great fun, climbing a lighthouse is something that Rama enjoys and what sort of fruit tree did you plant? You also seemed to have completed a lot of the food activities!

I wonder what sort of things Uncle Jack told you.

100 challenge

Thank you William and Jacob...I have your booklets. Cutting the grass, cleaning windows, cleaning shoes,  and collecting 100 coins for charity. Fantastic!

The food challenges seemed to have gone down well with you both as well.

I would be interested to know what your personal challenges were and who the oldest people were that you met; as well as your 10 facts about Baden Powell.

Blowing bubbles, building sandcastles, reading books, learning 100 new words and your names in sign language mus have been fun.

Well done for completing 100 challenges.

What’s good about Cubs

Number 60 of the 100 challenges was to email Rama and article on why you enjoy Scouting, today Rama showed me this....

Dear Rama

I am sending an article about why I like Cubs as part of my 100 challenges.Thanks for reading the article from Alex M.

I enjoy doing outside challenges. I like doing night hikes, watching fireworks and building tents. I used to be in Herons but I moved into Falcons. I like doing inside ball games because when I was in Herons I used to play a good ball game. Sometimes when I get stuck on something the leaders help me. My leaders are Akela, Shere Khan and Ka. We used to have a Baloo but she left. On the last day of Cubs I got my silver award with my promise badge.  

This is me getting my silver award.

Travel Bug Race nearing the end

The race is nearly over and the travel bugs have had a busy year.

Some more than others!

Beavers

Cubs

Scouts

Final results will be published as soon as they are available, although the bugs will hopefully continue to travel and enjoy their own Scouting adventure.

100 Challenge

The year is almost over and so it is time to finish off those last challenges and get your forms back to Rama asap and certainly by the 31st of January 2012.

Many thanks to Abigail and Noah who have recently posted their back.

A Christmas card

Scout Postal service

3rd Ware Sorting Office

Well, the cards have been collected, sorted and are mostly delivered. Thanks to everyone who used this service and we hope you continue to do so in the coming years. 

Delivering a card

Not us, but a link to a BBC report showing another Scout Group and their Scout Post. Have a look and see what happens elsewhere in the country.

Trek Cart

Having got the trek cart out to show it off at our Historical afternoon teas a few weeks ago, the Scout leaders challenged the Scouts to take it to camp with them this Friday.

Last night Bobcat and Lynx held a joint overnight camp at the sow and pigs field. This was a fitting end to our centenary year.

The Scouts rose to the challenge, loaded up the Cart, made sure I was with them and off we went. They found it surprisingly easy to pull/push the cart and enjoyed this novel experience.

 

The Scouts enjoyed their night and woke to a frosty field, but a campfire and a good breakfast soon warmed everyone up.

 

It was a great way to end a year of special events, where we have looked back to the past and forwards to the future

 

The Trek cart at a few Group events over the last 100 years

 

Farewell Baloo

On Tuesday I went down to Falcon Pack as they were having a Christingle evening to finish the term.

They started with the chocolate game where you have to throw a six, dress in hat, gloves and a scarf then try to eat chocolate with a knife and fork. Great fun to watch as well as do! During this, the Vicar John Hookway arrived as he had been asked to help with the evening.

The Cubs got into their sixes and with the help of the leaders everyone made a Christingle from an orange, red ribbon, a candle and some sweets and raisins. When everyone had finished, they were all lit and John said a special Christingle prayer.

Then we got ready for some special presentations. Alex had finished his silver award so John was pleased to present that to him. Then we had a very special part of the evening when we said a sad farewell to Baloo who is leaving the Cubs after 15 years as a Leader. The Cubs gave her some flowers, a card that everyone had signed, and a picture made especially for her by Ian West who used to do the cartoons in the back of Scouting magazine.

In turn, Baloo gave all the Cubs and Leaders a present as well! The Leaders got a special edition of the Jungle Book, Will and Oli a buff that they are going to wear on the Explorers weekend away this coming weekend and the Cubs got a little bag each with a pencil, notebook and some sweets. Blue six got the prize for gaining most points this term then we had Grand Howl, led by Baloo for the last time!

And we weren’t even late finishing after all that excitement!

Film night

Tonight I went to Herons and  finish the term off with a night at the movies.

The Cubs watched the film Elf and were served home made popcorn made by myself and Bagheera's son who came down to help.

Everyone enjoyed the film and the tasty snack. Those Herons certain love their food.

Afterwards Rama came down and presented some Silver awards and we aid Godd bye to Tom and Greg who are leaving us to live in Scotland. The Herons gave them a copy of The Jungle book as a going away present.

Short film of Ware and District Christmas party

Ware and District Centenary Party

I will tell you more about this in a short while, but for now I will soon publish a taster film of the District party and carol service, held today at Wodson park for all Rainbows, Brownies, Guides, Beavers, Cubs, Scouts, Explorers (provided the nativity) and Leaders.

Many thanks to those who organised it and those who ran it today. We all had a great time!

Photos will be on the 3rd Ware website soon (ish) and if anyone who was there would like to write about it for the blog, please email Rama A.S.A.P!

Tree Festival

Have you been to see our tree yet? If not pop down to Leaside tonight or tomorrow and take a look. It was decorated by the young people.

There are also many other wonderfully decorated trees, loving created and decorated by the many many local organisations.

Don't forget to give a donation to charity or write your prayer and hang it in the prayer tree.

Dickensian Evening

Tonight I was in for a surprise. I was taken to the Town Dickesian Evening and was quite happily helping on the, ever popular, 3rd Ware Bottle stall, when a very smart Victorian gentleman came and spoke to me. I suppose this is only to be expected at a Dickensian evening...

....Then the penny dropped, it was the GSL....that is two weeks in a row that I have seen him in something other than his Scout uniform or camp clothes.

I also had a walk around and visited several stalls run by other Guiding or Scouting groups as well as all the other various local organisations.

The high street was full of happy families wandering around enjoying a crisp December evening , spending some money having faun, knowing that they were helping local charities, schools and organisations.

I also bumped into a bear who was advertising the Hertford pantomime and had my photo taken with him, he was a very friendly bear and made me laugh.

Our stall proved very popular and after our last bottle was won, Ian, one of our Scout leaders stayed on to sell our Christmas stamps.

Dinner dance

Gus and his guest

The adults at 3rd Ware enjoy having fun as much as the young people do. The highlight of the centenary year for some was a chance to dress up and act like grown ups!

On Saturday we held a Dinner dance at the Roebuck hotel. A local band provided the music (all have been involved in Scouting in Ware at some point either as Scouts or parents of Scouts, although not all at our Group).

The Guests were past and present members of the Group, parents of members and others asociated with 3rd Ware. They were welcomed by three of our Young Leaders. After being greeted by the GSL, they were invited to have their photograph taken and to then proceed to the bar area where a slide show of photos was taking place. Many took this chance to sip their drink and reminisce.

Once all were present, everyone moved to the formal dining room and enjoyed a delicious meal. The GSL made a speech, the master of ceremonies kept the proceedings going and the lucky ticket winners were announced.  

The meal consisted of soup, a chicken dinner and apple crumble and ice cream. Red and white wine was drunk, the commemorative scrolls were read and the formal meal came to an end. The GSL made a toast to Scouting.

Despite saying that he would keep the speeches and thanks you kept short, the GSL (and his first lady - she was unaware that she held this title!) were delighted, surprised and humbled to be thanked and then presented with a gift each. An engraved tankard for Gavin and an engraved wine glass for Jacqui.  They both expressed their thanks and said it was totally unexpected and totally unwarranted. 

Two present day leaders and their wives.

The evening finished with more dancing, more chatting, more photos in the bar and a chance to talk to many people and celebrate a special year for 3rd Ware. Everyone seemed to have a great time and even the band said it had been fun playing at this particular event.

Lost in Stanstead Abbotts

Just thought I would let you know about my adventures this evening.

I went on a night hike with those crazy bunch the Heron Cub pack. As well as YL James, Shere Khan, Bagheera, Ballo. YL's Adam and Will, Weasel and Scout Leaders Barney and Claire (I like Claire she's pretty) not forgetting my friend Ruby the dog joined us too.

It was real fun and I bounced along on the back of Shere Khan's bag. All was going really well. We had to cross a busy road but the Cubs were very careful.

It was just then when we stopped for a quick break that I thought I would stretch my own legs. Opps, I got separated from the Cubs. But I new what to do. I waited exactly where they had left me and did not wander of. And sure enough Shere Khan's Hero Barney arrived in his Land Rover to find me.

Poor old Shere Khan was very upset when she found out I was missing.

Wow we had a great ride in the Landy that' what us Scouts call a land rover. What an adventure. Will send pictures soon.

Love Gus the adventurer.

Thanksgiving service and History display

Today I was delighted to be in our founding church and witness the Vicar juggle, mixed generations pitch a tent front and back of church, view many people trying to work out where photos went on a timeline (and which knots to use to tie them on) and so much more.

Despite the fact the GSL had lost his voice, it was still a lively and fast moving service which really celebrated the Group and what Scouting means to us all and how much difference it makes in our lives.

If you were there you will know what I am talking about, if not have a look at this small taste of the service.

Congratulations also go to Richard who was awarded his wood beads and to Lynx Troop who saw their colours dedicated.

Afterward we all retired to the HQ for tea, coffee, cake and history. A great social time and a wonderful way to round off the weekend.

More photos and details of the weekend coming soon.

Rehearsal

This morning I paid a brief visit to Christ Church in Ware. We had a run through of our thanksgiving service tomorrow and made sure everyone knows what they are doing.

The church was a hive of activity and everything is ready for tomorrow See you there at 2.30pm

Colour parties getting ready

Making sure the 2 Young Leaders at the
sound desk know what they are doing!

Testing the visuals

Green Beret

The Green Beret Challenge is a weekend competition for teams of six Scouts. The event is open to all Scout Troops, who may enter as many Teams as practically possible. Teams from outside Hertfordshire are also very welcome, and compete for their own Trophy To achieve the Green Beret Challenge, teams compete in FOUR elements:

- Orienteering


- Assault Course


- Challenge Incidents (daytime)


- Night Exercise

The Challenge is designed to test a group of Scouts through a range of physical and intellectual activities. It also proves to be a significant challenge to their Leadership and Teamwork skills.

No doubt about it, IT’S TOUGH!! However, the Scouts can and do survive, provided they are prepared for the weather, and have trained beforehand. The Challenge is held in November, cold and wet weather is the normal for this time of year. This only adds to the challenge.

Two teams of 3rd Ware Scouts took part and so did our GSL who was on the committee and lots of the local Explorers, many of whom are ex 3rd Ware or still involved at Young leaders.

The Explorers were running several of the bases and one involved pulling a Landrover! This proved irresistible to many.

The Green Beret is always a popular event with 3rd Ware Scouts and one which the younger ones can not wait to take part in. Full results are available of the county website,which is also where I got much of this information from. The Scouts may have enjoyed the events but they were not so forth coming when asked to write about it! Thanks also to the YL and GSL for their words.

Ware Online

Our Christmas post service is being adverised all over town and is even featured on the front page of Ware Online. Why not take a look?

Children in Need

Today we were fortunate that Matt Baker rode his Rickshaw through our town. 2nd Ware Scout Group even managed to present him with a badge and a neck scarf.

Some of our Young People were able to cheer him on with their school.

I am not in the video clip but can you spot Where's Wally and a nun?

Trains

At the last minute I managed to wangle an evening with river Ash beavers – they were going on a train. Weasel picked me up and took me to the train station at Van Hages. It was very special because the beavers made some lanterns for Diwali last week and had them lit all around the track – it looked very pretty.

We were split up into 2 groups the first group sat on the train and the beaver in front moved up to drive the train. The Station Master let us borrow his hat whilst we drove the train along the track. We went through a tunnel and round a big pond. It was very dark. We all got a chance to drive the train  - it was great fun

The second group went to see around the Engine and maintenance rooms – there were some very old looking trains in there. And we walked along a lit pathway

When the first group had finished having there turn the second group then got to drive the train.

Ratty also organised for us to do some colouring in. I helped Caitlin with hers.

I am not sure who had more fun, the beavers, the leaders or me!!!!

All in all it was a fantastic evening and we all got a certificate at the end to say we had driven the train.