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.

We will remember them

Today our town held the annual Remembrance day parade and church service. I decided that this was one event where I would be a bystander rather than join in. I did not really think it was appropriate for me to parade.

However many of 3rd Ware did. The older Cubs, the Scouts, the Young Leaders and the Leaders joined the other uniformed Groups from our town and surrounding villages and  took part.

The parade starts at one end of town, passes through the High street and into Church for an act of Remembrance. Then the colour bearers and wreath holders stand by the war memorial and everyone else forms up behind. The traffic is stopped and the wreaths are laid.

The parade then falls in and returns to the other end of town before being dismissed.

I was honoured to be taken to observe and say well done to all who took part, especially the Young people who, as usual at this service, acted with decorum and respect.

Party, party , party

We started the year at a party...we can end the year at a party!

I have my invite. Do you?

See you there.

If you have not had an invite, please ask your section leader.

District Day

Today the members of Ware and District met at Christ Church School in Ware, to discuss the future of the District. We have had 100 years of very successful Scouting and so do we continue as we are or do we make changes?

Members of every Group in the district met and spent the day in numerous workshops outlining the future.

Rikki, the County Commissioner also attended and put forward his views. It was a long day, but a productive day.

We also learnt about Lochearnhead 2013. Will I be allowed to go?

I wonder what the next 100 years will bring?

westminster Abbey

Yesterday I went to a very different kind of church service at Westminster Abbey in London.

There was a National Scout and Guide service of Celebration and Thanksgiving held there and there were Leaders from all over the country. I went with the Falcon Akela and her husband Duncan who was actually the one invited as he has given over 30 years of service to the Scout Association as a Leader in Hertford District.

We caught the train from Hertford North because there were no trains from Ware, and went to Kings Cross where we met Akela’s mum and dad who were also invited. We travelled on the Underground to Westminster Station, then joined the queue to get into the Abbey. The service was quite short with several hymns, readings, prayers and a talk by the Chaplain to the Speaker to the House of Commons. There were some really nice interviews with Young People who had achieved lots of different things with their time in Scouts or Guides, they had all got their Queens Award, been to Jamborees and tried many different and exciting activities. After the interviews we renewed our Promise again before singing the National Anthem.

 I then visited the Memorial to Lord and Lady Baden-Powell, who were the Founders of both the Scout and Guide Movements and were the World Chief Scout and Guide.

After that we went to a restaurant and had lunch, before going back to Kings Cross. On the way back we visited Platform 9 3/4 and I had my photo taken on Harry Potter’s luggage trolley before we travelled home to Ware.

Sparklers

River Lea Beavers always like to mark Guy Fawkes night in one way or another. Tonight I joined them to make cardboard fireworks, learn the safety code and then to enjoy waving a sparkler around outside. I had great fun.

Daring dos and ghastly ghouls

Last night I was taken out onto the Meads by the Heron Pack.

Apparently some ghouls were trying to put toxic waste into our water system.

The trusty Herons had been asked to scout the Meads, locate the toxic waste and remove it all, thus saving the people of Ware from certain death!

You will be glad to know that we rescued the town!

I was rather disappointed though to not meet any of the fiendish creatures, I wonder where they all were....but then again a pack of Cubs rampaging around in the dark is enough to scare even the hardiest of Ghouls.