Annual Report - July 2008
I always seem to end my annual report with thanks, so this year I would like to make a change by starting with my thanks and appreciation to Ken Coghlan & John Hudson for their immense help during the year, not just on each Tuesday evening but at activities and camps. Without these two the troop would not have the success and reputation it currently has.
At the time of last years AGM we were in the middle of the Scout Associations Centenary celebrations and as I sit and right this report it seems so long ago, after all the media around the “100 years of Scouting” things have started to settle down but the movement and St Andrew’s Scout appear stronger for last year.
On to what we have done in the last year:-
In early July we took 6 lads making two teams to the Beavan Challenge at Sandiways, Cheshire. This year no trophy to bring back home, but a very close second place.
On the first of August we went to the front at West Kirby to renew our Scout Promise, this being the day that is officially recognised as the start of Scouting 100 years ago.
After the summer our first outing of the new Scouting year was a weekend at The Old School Lodge in Deiniolen, Wales. We had a whole Saturday out walking in the Welsh hills and after a hearty meal the lads settled down to watch a film, “Johnny English” but a few were too relaxed and had to be woken from their slumber to go to bed. The following morning was spent at an indoor climbing centre nearby before we made tracks for home.
On Saturday 6th October we organised a walk to Hilbre Island and we were blessed with a fine sunny clear day. Whilst it was a chance for the lads to enjoy the island we had also contacted the warden and as part of the community Challenge we did a litter pick sweep of the island, before the scouts went onto terrorise the crab population of the island, some claiming that it was the first time they had held a At October half term we attended with other groups from Merseyside, the “Land Rover Experience” at Halewood, Liverpool. Having a tour of the factory to Jaguar cars and Range Rovers made. Then we all went out on the test track in Land Rovers or Range Rovers. Sitting in a car whilst it is at an angle of 45 degrees, sideways or face down is very strange.
At Christmas we had an evening out at New Brighton ten pin bowling, a practise night for the District competition in March, in which we came second and fourth.
In early February John Hudson had us back at Great Meols Primary School for our now annual visit, cleaning out the pond for the spring and then clearing out the raised vegetable beds, adding compost, so that the children from the school could start to plant out their seeds etc.
For this year’s Cheshire Hike, over the weekend of the 5/6th April we had three teams of 2 entered. I do have to publicly apologies to those six lads who did not get on the hike as their age group had been oversubscribed. We have said to the lads that we will start training before Christmas so that by the end of January we will know if they are up to it and will try to book teams in at that time.
Back to the hike, all three teams completed the hike, two of the teams walking for the first time Our senior team came away with the trophy for the best team in West Wirral district, their only local competition having retired during the two day event. The most pleasing point from the leader’s point of view and hopefully that of the lads themselves was that they finished in 5th place out of 76 teams that entered. Oh and yes just to add to the fun of the weekend, they woke up on Sunday morning to 2 inches of snow on the ground!!! Yes it was the start of April.
Late April saw the District five a side football at Arrowe Park. Two teams entered, it was a dreadful day and rained for most of the three hours we were there. Our senior team got to the final and lost very narrowly 2-1.
Bala Canoe weekend saw 21 lads go off to Wales for the weekend, again the most lads at the weekend in the 7 years. Because of prior commitments (son's 21st birthday) I did not attend, so the sun was out and with our new canoe clothing all were prepared for the weekend. Many thanks to all those adults that stepped in to help get the lads there and those that helped to feed them whilst at camp.
The annual District AGM was pleasing for the scout troop as we were awarded the Dave Blackwood Trophy for the Scout troop of the year. This is awarded to those troops who have got out there and done things, which is a testament to what we organise but to which the lads subscribe to by attending the events.
With the timing of the AGM and of the Beavan Challenge we have just completed a further competition. This time taken four teams of lads, so 12 lads in total, and again for the second year running one of our senior teams came in second place. Last year they lost out by two points, this year they lost out by only one point. But again all appeared to have enjoyed the challenge. On a personal note I won the Leaders Mountain Bike race for the second year running, only because there was no one else mad enough to take a bike.
That sums up the main events that we have attended during the year, and having thanked my leaders at the start I would like to thank the lads for supporting these events by attending them. That is one reason why we St Andrews Scout Troop received the Dave Blackwood Trophy and we still have a cheque for £100 to spend on some form of reward.
I know I always say that we could do with more parental help and yes we still do, so if you have time to offer then please contact us
Dave Coulson
Scout Leader