District Diary DatesDistrict Diary DatesDistrict Diary DatesDistrict Diary Dates AprilAprilAprilApril Fri 1st Gang Show—rehearsal Crosfield Hall

Sat 2nd Gang Show 14.00 & 19.00 Crosfield Hall

Fri 8th St G Day Rehearsal 18.00—20.00 Romsey Abbey

8—12th Explorers to N Wales Hafod

Sun 10th St George’s Day Parade Romsey Abbey

w/e 16-17th Walls & Towers permit Trng Ferny Crofts

Sat 23rd St G’s Day Game Twickenham*

Thur 28th District Man Meeting 19.45—22.00 18 Cherville St.

MayMayMayMay ****contact Joanna.hawley@wasps.co.uk or Tel: 01494 531122

Wed 4th GSLs meeting 19.30…… tbc

Sat 7th Cubs—Sixers Day 6th HQ, Lockerley

Sat 7th District Badgesplash 17.15—19.30 Totton Pool

Sun 8th Fun/Taster Canoe Sessions Afternoon Eastleigh Lakes

Wed 11th Mod 3 Training 19.30….. Tbc

Thur 12th District Exec 19.45—22.00 6th H.Q.

w/e 14-15 } Archery Leadership training—both weekends Ferny Crofts

w/e 21-22 }

Tues 17th Dist Explorers Leaders 19.45… 15th H.Q.

Sun 22nd Fun/Taster Canoe Sessions Afternoon Eastleigh Lakes

Mon 23rd All Leaders Meeting 19.30….. Tbc

Tues 24th 9th AGM, BBQ etc 18.30… 9th H.Q.

JuneJuneJuneJune w/e 10/12th Leaders Camp 6th H.Q.

w/e 17/19th Pulborough Trophy Lyons Copse

Thur 23rd Explorer Rafting 19.00—21.00 Wellow

Tues 28th Mod 1 Training tbc

JulyJulyJulyJuly w/e 1-3rd Rifle Shooting leadership training Ferny Crofts

Scouting’s ‘Army’ (Taken from an interview with Chief Scout Bear Grylls published in

Scouting magazine).

“In order for every young person that wants to be in Scouting to join in,

we need adult volunteers to keep growing the Movement and

delivering the activities I’ve witnessed this weekend. My aim is to

encourage, inspire and, most importantly, thank Scouting’s army of

adult volunteers so that the adventure continues.”

The Newsletter for Romsey District Scouting

Edition 491 http://www.romseyscouts.org/ April 2011

WOODSMOKEWOODSMOKEWOODSMOKEWOODSMOKE Articles for the next edition to Liz Holloway by 15th April 2010 please.

18 Cherville Street, Romsey, SO51 8FD Tel: 01794 514597 E Mail: liz@lizholloway.f2s.com

Further information on any aspect of Romsey Scouting from District Chairman: John Stevens 023 8077 2973

District Commissioner: Darren Reed 023 8042 8244

CONGRATULATIONS To the following leaders who have been awarded their Silver Acorns this year. This award is rarely given to anyone with less than 20 years specially distinguished, and appreciably better than outstanding, service to Scouting. Thanks are due to all of them for their

commitment to the young people in their care and how their input makes such a difference to the lives those youngsters ultimately lead.

Jacky Betteridge

Stewart Buswell

Margaret Cantelo

Howard Chandler

Robin Taylor-Milton

Steve Woodrow

Canoeing Opportunities 2011

for Scouts and Explorers from 15th Romsey Scout Group

Fun/taster Sessions Sunday afternoons 8th May and 22nd May

We are repeating our ever popular District Fun Days on the

afternoons of Sunday 8th & 22nd May at Lakeside near Eastleigh.

As with previous years Scouts and Explorers can book a 90

minute session of basic training and games.

Training Courses June and July – various dates

During June and July we are running sessions for Scouts to gain

the Paddlepower Passport and Paddlepower Discover Awards.

The Passport also qualifies for the Scout Canoeist Badge.

Explorers can gain the BCU 1 star and/or 2 star awards. The 2 star

also gains the Explorer Canoerist Badge

Adults (Network, Leaders and CRB cleared supporters) can also

attend sessions to work towards BCU 2 star

These courses also provide an opportunity to take part in a

couple of river trips.

More details

Full details of these events and courses and application forms

are being sent to Scout and Explorer Scout Leaders. And can be

found on the North Baddesley Scout Website at

http://www.nbscouts.org.uk/canoeing/

Alternatively contact Pete Bourne on 023 8073 2038

Or peterbourne@tinyonline.co.uk

Troop or Unit Canoe Sessions

We can also arrange evening sessions

during the lighter evenings for Scout

Troops and Explorer Units to suit your own

needs. Cost is about £45 to get about 12

Scouts/Explorers on the water at a time,

but we can arrange larger groups if

required

e mailing List

If you wish to have details of these, and future events emailed to

you directly, please send your email address to

peterbourne@tinyonline.co.uk Pete Bourne, Canoe Co-ordinator

XPLORE THE LAKES

Are you an Explorer Scout who loves adventure and expeditions? If so why not try out HSX. Hampshire Scout Expeditions has been organising a trip to the Lakes for years, as an opportunity for Explorers to see if they would like to join us.

The cost has been finalised at £120 for 4 days/5 nights including all travel, instruction and food. Accommodation is to be inside and you will need good boots and hill-walking clothing.

Activities to include Hillwalking, Climbing and Waterfall abseiling!

Numbers are limited so get your booking in quick.

Contact us via www.hsx.org.uk or call Tom on 07935 070136 ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

FROM THE WOODSMOKE ARCHIVES

40 YEARS AGO—APRIL 1971

A ‘Patient’s Eye View’

This was something completely new for me. I was a ‘casualty’ along the road, in a Scout exercise and 13 groups of Scouts (58 in all) were, in turn, going to come along and attend to my injured hand—with any luck!! Some of the groups were extremely efficient, and I even managed to earn a bit of tuck—to keep me quiet, I suspect (Ahem!)

The make-up on my hand didn’t last for ever, and the makeup mistress gallantly ploughed on the putty and lipstick etc. In the intervals between the Groups, I was pleased to have a cup of coffee, and a sandwich to comfort me, when a most embarrassing thing occurred. Skipper had just handed me a nice chunky cucumber sandwich when we saw a torchlight. I dashed across the road, took my position again, and tried to look like a casualty. One of the Scouts said “you ‘ere all on your own, mate, poor little _ _ _ “! Another said “He can’t be hurt, he’s got a sandwich” Crumbs!! I’d forgotten all about the sandwich. Some of them even noticed the artificial wound.

Personally, I think the last group were best, as their bandage was nice and comfortable and they chatted to me and showed most concern for my injury, but boy, was I glad to get back to my own bed!

Mark Ponsford 28th Romsey (Netley Marsh ) Scout Troop

We have a cow, we have a field divided into 1000 squares..

Predict correctly where the cow will ‘splat’ and you could win up to £250!

To help put the ‘fun’ into fundraising, the Dr Peter Community Centre project has launched this latest money-spinning idea. Each numbered square costs only £1 and all proceeds will go towards the building of the new Community centre, a new home for 1st Romsey Scout Group and Romsey District headquarters.

Tickets can be purchased at a number of District events, including the Gang Show, or direct from the organiser (details below).

Our cow will be let loose in the field on St George’s Day and the lucky winner will be notified, and details will appear in the following issue of Woodsmoke.

Why not buy your ticket now? A ticket will also make an unusual birthday or Mother’s present—with much better odds than the Lotto!!

For details or to buy a ticket, please e-mail Claire Sutton at claire@devondrive.org

Have you ‘herd’?

You ‘cud’ win £250!

The Beaver Scouts held their annual party on Saturday 26th February, and celebrated 25 years of Beaver Scouting. The Beaver Scouts were carefully positioned on the floor of Crosfield Hall, Romsey in the shape of a number twenty five. Local dignitaries

joined them for an amazing photo call together with their mascot Bertie Beaver. Chris Davis from SCRATCH (Southampton City Region Action to Combat Hardship) also came along to talk to the Beavers and to tell them that he had just made his Scouting promise. Chris had just been invested as the Scouting Chaplain for Southampton Central District. The Beavers collected food stuffs for the Basic Bank and handed them over to Chris at the party. After a few games to run off the excess energy after sitting down for so long, the Beavers enjoyed a tea of hot dogs and crisps. There then followed a very special point in the after-noon when each Beaver held a cake with a lit candle in it and everyone sang Happy Birthday to Beavers in celebration of their 25 years. To end the afternoon Roger Daniels entertained them with a magic show.

Sally Kerson, ADC Beaver Scouts

And from Bertie Beaver 1 The Dam Riverside

Hi Everyone

Bertie Beaver here - your District Beaver mascot.

I would like to thank you for inviting me to join you at the district party. What a great time we all had. I enjoyed having my photograph

taken with the mayor did you? Did you see it in the Romsey Advertiser? I feel famous now. I watched you all tucking into your

scrummy tea and blowing out all those candles.

I expect you will be having lots more exciting things to do this year as you celebrate your 25 birthday and hope you will invite me to join you

again.

I have been told that you have to complete 25 challenges this year so I am sending you my best wishes and hope you all do well

Bye for now

Yours in Scouting

Bertie Beaver

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And from George Duncan, Age 7, Maple Colony Beavers

"I like Beavers because I never know what we're going to do each

week and we get to do all sorts of adventurous things. At the Beaver party at Crosfield Hall, I liked the magician and the

sausages!"

< > < > < > < > < > < > < > < > < > < >

Breakfast at Stanley’sBreakfast at Stanley’sBreakfast at Stanley’sBreakfast at Stanley’s

During his flying visit, literally, to Hampshire’s youth council camp at Ferny Crofts last year, the Chief Scout told the assembled mass that they, the young members, were the most important people in the Movement. He’s right of course; our Beavers, Cubs, Scouts, Explorers and Network are the reason we have and do Scouting.

We take that a stage further by insisting that the “youth” focus of Scouting comes to the fore by ensuring that it’s our young members that are the face of Scouting in the media.

We have traditionally invited the Mayors of Romsey, Test Valley and

New Leaders Following the Appointments Committee Meeting on 3rd February, we welcome to the following new leaders

Kate Brown CSL 3rd Romsey (Braishfield) Paul Fenton Asst Ex SL District Edward Knight ASL 1st Romsey Also approved Peter Betteridge ASL 10th Romsey (Woodley & Crampmoor)

There has also been another Appointments Committee Meeting on 3rd March and the following appointments were approved

Wendy Jarvis ACSL 11th Romsey (King’s Somborne) Martyn Blake from ACSL to CSL 10th Romsey (Woodley & Crampmoor) Paul Munday ACSL 9th Romsey (W. Wellow) We extend a warm welcome to you all and hope you have a long and happy association with Romsey District Scouts.

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St GEORGE’S DAY

10th April 2011

We in Romsey will be celebrating

this 13 days early. We all know that St George’s Day is the 23rd

April, the same day as William

Shakespeare’s birthday, but that falls, this year, on Easter

Saturday.

Much thought and deliberation went into deciding what to do

about our service and parade. The Sunday before Easter is Palm Sunday—another very busy day in the Church’s calendar—and the

Sunday after Easter is the May day Bank Holiday weekend, and also

the weekend of the marriage of Prince William.

We therefore look forward to seeing Romsey Abbey absolutely packed

with members of the Scout and Guide movements on 10th April. Let’s

make it a day to remember.

After that one can anticipate a further period when nothing

much will seem to change from the outside, while much will be

done within to get the

building ready for final

hand-over. Don’t

forget if you are not

able to visit the site

you can fol low

progress on Twitter.

There is still a lot more

money to be raised to

include in the hall

everything we would

wish to have One of

our dreams, after

basics like a kitchen,

would be a climbing

wall, not exactly like

this but……. It’s

definitely something to

aim for and would be

available for all the

District to use—just not

all at the same time!

the Member of Parliament to St Georges Day, our AGM and other events. At such occasions I have been known to tell everyone about how great Scouting in Romsey is and the fun and excitement that our members have. I do this because I see the Mayors and MP as our unofficial ambassadors, spreading the word that, after 100 years, Scouting in Romsey is alive and well and Scouts are doing things and having fun.

Now I’m hardly what you would call a “youth” member and such things come so much better from the horse’s mouth. So I have been trying to ensure that Romsey’s MP and the Mayors get some direct exposure to real Scouting.

We had our first attempt on Saturday 12th March when, with the permission of James and the camps Leader team, I invited Mayors and MP to breakfast. At just after 8am, Chris and Frances Lynn, Mike and Rita Curtis and, despite a chest infection, Caroline Nokes all arrived at the Winter Camp site. This year’s camp was held at the 2nd New Forest North’s HQ in Copythorne; a former Romsey District Group, which is better known as “Stanley’s Own”.

Before eating the guests went and chatted to members and Leaders about the camp, how the night had been, what they were doing for the rest of the weekend, etc.. Caroline was also keen to discover why our girls preferred Scouts to Guides and whether patrols preferred modern or traditional tents.

Later it was time for breakfast and the guests and the Scouts sat together as they devoured a hearty breakfast which was prepared by Andy Pudney and his catering crew. Mixed in with the Scouts, all the guests continued the lively discussions with the Scouts. All too soon breakfast, and seconds, had been finished and the washing up was under way as the camp prepared for flag break. Our guests then departed, as they had previous engagements, although they said they would have liked to have stayed longer to experience more Scouting in action.

However, at a time when the youth of today are seen in an increasingly negative light, they left with memories of Scouts doing things and having fun.

It wasn’t me that told them that, they saw it and heard it for them-selves; thank you Scouts you did Scouting proud.

John Stevens, District Chairman

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

SEXTANT TROPHY

The Romsey District Scouts and Romsey Division Guides held their annual orienteering competition ‘The Sextant Trophy’ as part of the District Winter Camp weekend. This year’s event was very well supported with 11 teams competing a challenging course over Copythorne Common, Furzley Common, Cadnam Bog and all the way up to Blackhill Common. We were very lucky with the weather as the drizzle we experienced during the breakfast route planning session dried up and the sun shone for the majority of the event, although it did remain very boggy under foot in certain sections.

NEW CUB PACK STARTS

First night nerves were eased when new would-be Cubs introduced

themselves and started to talk about what they would like to do at Cubs; abseiling, shooting, elephant riding! Some ideas more do-able

than others, but still, ideas to build on! Games and traditional cere-mony procedure followed, with relevant enthusiasm from the Cubs.

This week we made pancakes, with each Cub taking a turn at mixing, cooking, eating and, of course, washing up! Again enjoyed by all, with

a little time left over for a game!

We have various things planned for the future, including craft activities, District Gang Show, summer camp, activities with Scouts,

outdoor fun and, next week, "something funny"!

We are looking for more children aged 8-10 1/2 years to join in our exciting programme. If you know of someone who would like to join

us on Wednesday's between 5.45 and 7pm, at Jubilee Hall, Timsbury,

please contact Kate Brown at kmkt@hotmail.co.uk, or on 01794 511527 or 07909 572 785, with the child's name, date of birth and

contact details to be added to our waiting list. I look forward to hearing from you,

Katie Brown Akela, 3rd Romsey Cubs

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Dr Peter Project Life is about to become even more exciting in

Baden Powell Way after the middle of March.

Since the project started in January much has

been achieved, but as with any building

project a lot of work happens on and under

the ground in the first instance, and to the

casual observer it can look from day to day as

though not much has changed. The biggest

impact so far has been the erection of the steelwork, and that

all took place in only four days and the size and shape of the

headquarters became apparent for the first time. However the

concrete base was due to be laid in the week commencing 14

March, and after that the brickwork would begin. That phase is

likely to show a change in appearance on a daily basis as the

walls grow and slowly hide the steelwork behind the final shell.

Marfan Trust Cheque Presented

At a very convivial gathering in 10th Romsey Scout headquarters,

Phil Coles (Assistant Cub Scout Leader at 10th), supported by

family, friends and Scouting colleagues from the Group and the

District, presented a cheque for £2,794.21 to Les Tippin,

Chairman of the Marfan Trust.

Following the very sudden death of Phil’s brother, Russell, in

2009 from this undiagnosed condition, Phil decided he had to do

something and the majority of this money was raised through his

determination. Supported by his many friends in Scouts, he

walked the entire Test Way (45.8 miles) in November, which

with the collection from the Romsey District Scout Carol Service

and gift aid has resulted in £3,038.46 being raised, far in excess

of their wildest dreams.

Les spoke movingly about the condition, which his wife and

children have inherited, and how the money raised is used to

improve awareness of it, as well as fund research into causes and

treatment. There are currently 10,000 sufferers of Marfan

Syndrome in the UK and early diagnosis and treatment can not

only save the lives of young people but also enable them to live

normal active lives into old age. Les and his wife Sue had

travelled from Kent in order to receive the cheque.

Congratulations go to 6th Romsey (Lockerley) Stags patrol for narrowly beating 4th Romsey (Bramshaw) Stags patrol into a very commendable runners-up position, with 9th Romsey (Wellow) finishing in 3rd place and 3rd Romsey (Braishfield) in 4th.

Thanks go to all those who helped make the event successful, to the Leaders who volunteered to help ‘police’ the event and to the two Young Leaders (Stephen and Jenny) who sat at Blackhill Common all day with drinks and biscuits waiting for the few determined teams who made it all the way out to the furthest base.

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Founders Day

Founders Day this year was hosted by the 4th Bramshaw Group

and was a tribute to Scouting and the way in which we live by

our motto of ‘Be Prepared’, and yet still manage to cope when

we are not. The event was well planned with everything in

place for a smooth function, and no doubt the GSL was

beginning to relax. Then suddenly, a bombshell!

With only one hour’s notice she was advised that the vicar could

not attend having been called away to an emergency. Not

only was he to have conducted the service, but also to give the

address. Some might have cracked under the strain, but not

Scouting. A reserve minister was pressed into service, admitting

that she knew little of what was to happen, but fully prepared to

play her part in conducting the service. However her

knowledge of Scouting was not adequate to enable her to give

the address.

Just then the District Chairman hove into view, arriving early to

attend the service. Just one change, he was told, you are giving

the address. The DC was also unable to be present on this

occasion so the Vice President was also collared to lead the

renewal of the Scout Promise.

Given that background one might have forgiven a patchy and

disjointed service. I am delighted to report that the service was

smooth and faultless and did no disservice to a lovely church.

Our chairman is to be congratulated on an interesting and

stimulating address entirely off-the-cuff but which gave the

impression that he had fully prepared it in advance.

All were subsequently entertained to soup and rolls, followed by

cake and tea, courtesy of the Group. David Sutton, Vice President

For those who were unable to attend, the contribution by 4th

Romsey Beavers:

The Vegetable Patch

Author unknown

Plant three rows of peas

Peace of mind

Peace of heart

Peace of soul

Plant four rows of squash

Squash grumbling

Squash indifference

Squash selfishness

Squash gossip

Plant four rows of lettuce

Lettuce be faithful

Lettuce be kind

Lettuce be patient

Lettuce really love one another

No garden should be without turnips

Turnip for meetings

Turnip for service

Turnip to help one another

To conclude our garden we must have Thyme

Thank you to everyone who took part, Scouts, Cubs, Beavers

and Leaders, who made the service epitomise the meaning of

Scouting

established community but my family seemed to settle in within days and there are still mornings when I wake up and can’t believe my luck! Everyday I walk into the Abbey and am amazed by what a beautiful building it is. The day I stop being amazed, I will know it’s time to move on!

Claire: What motivated you to agreeing to become our District Chaplain? Rev.Tim: Of course, I believe that Scouting is a very worthwhile move-ment, but I would love to become more actively involved. I enjoy leading St George’s Day parade but I’d also love to be an ‘active’ Chaplain; perhaps some of my time would be well spent in supporting Scout leaders?

Claire: So do you think religion is still relevant to Scouting in the 21st century? Rev.Tim: Absolutely! I think perhaps adults think that young people don’t want to talk about this stuff, when I believe it’s often the adults who steer clear in case they get asked a difficult question. For me, faith is not there to provide the answers, it provides a safe place to talk about the ‘big questions’. You can’t work out your place in the world on your own, you have to do that as part of a community and, for so many young people in Romsey, Scouting is the community in which they are choosing to do that.

Claire: Scouting today takes a multi-faith view; is that something you support? Rev.Tim: When Scouting first started, Christianity was the only ‘stall’ in the market as far as religion went. Today, there are many faiths and beliefs to choose from but they all seem to preach love, acceptance and service or responsibility to others. These are the values at the heart of Scouting and essential to my Christian beliefs.

Claire: As our District Chaplain, is there anything you would like to achieve? Rev.Tim: Sometimes, I think faith is like underwear; we know it’s there but we’re a bit too embarrassed to talk about it! I think my goal will be to give the leaders in Romsey the confidence to start asking the ‘big questions’, not just of faith and religion but associated issues – Fair Trade, environment, social responsibility and so on. I can’t promise to know all the answers but I’d love to help in asking the questions!

Rev. Tim’s first official duty as District Chaplain will be our St George’s Day service on Sunday 10th April. He will proudly be wearing our new Scout stole – that’s the long ‘scarf’ – which has been made for us by Mrs June Thorpe.

Rev. Tim – wearing his pants on the outside!

An interview by Claire Sutton

Rev. Tim Sledge, Vicar of Romsey, has kindly agreed to become Romsey Scouts new District Chaplain. Considering his first official duty in Romsey when he arrived three years ago was our Scouting Centenary St George’s Day service, it was perhaps only a matter of time before he agreed to a more formal association with the District! I met him in a well known Romsey coffee house (“More tea, Vicar?”) for a chat about life, the universe and Scouting.

Claire: Thank you for agreeing to take on this role. What do you know about Scouting already? Rev. Tim: Well, I used to be a Cub and a Scout myself so I do remember quite a bit. I was a Sixer at Cubs and loved it! I have some fond memories of a great Scout camp in Wales – eggy bread, camp-fires – great fun! (I went to boarding school when I was 13 so had to leave my Troop but I joined RAF Cadets instead and enjoyed that too).

Claire: And after you left school, did you know you wanted to become a Vicar? Rev. Tim: Actually, I studied music at university; I trained as a singer and trombone player. I worked in music for five or six years after I graduated. It was not until my late 20s that I felt the ‘pull’ to join the Church. It was quite a shock, really, I turned down a really great job in music! But the decision was a bit like falling in love, you can’t explain it but you just know it’s the right thing for you.

Claire: So what were you doing before you came to Romsey? Rev.Tim: Romsey is only the second church I have held. Before that I worked as a Missioner, which is kind of a support worker, working across a number of churches to help them become more accessible. That’s one of the things I’m passionate about, making connections between faith and everyday life.

Claire: And how are you settling in to Romsey? Rev.Tim: I am loving being here! Romsey is very different from other places I’ve lived; it has such a strong sense of community and identity, and some really significant traditions seem to survive here. I feel really privileged to have got such a ‘plum job’, with such lovely people. It can sometimes be quite hard, as an ‘outsider, to break into such an

TVCS: Volunteer Bureau

Chris Lynn, the current Mayor of Test Valley, has launched a

new scheme to bring willing volunteers and needy tasks into

contact with one another. In talking to various organisations

during his year of office he has found that often a charity

could do with just a few more people to help on the day once

they have organised something. He is starting a Volunteer

Bureau to fill that need.

The Volunteer Bureau will hold a database of people who are

willing to consider volunteering on an occasional basis. Any

request for help will go to the Volunteer Bureau who will

circulate details to all the panel of volunteers, advising how

many are needed, when, and for how long. The first to

volunteer will be allocated the task.

No volunteer has to accept any particular task. The rules are

that volunteers will agree to fulfil at least one commitment

each year. Also any organisation using volunteers are

forbidden to later approach a volunteer directly. All requests

must go through the Volunteer Bureau.

If you would like to join the panel just:

email volunteers@tvcs.org.uk. with your details

or phone 01264 362600.

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BP's "Jamroll" Rolls Royce spotted in Chesterfield on 22nd February 2011. It was a guest appearance to mark the unveiling of a Derbyshire blue plaque in Lady B-P's childhood home.

If you go down to Woodley today.....

……you will be surprised as those hawthorn trees were not in that

corner when I last came this way.

Andy Hillier, with his trusty petrol-fuelled digger, has undertaken a

root and branch re-organisation of the trees in our little copse.

Blackthorn here, hawthorn there, privet wherever. Other

volunteers have pruned trees and the Catch 22 team has been

steadily clearing bramble. Stock fences have been woven and

debris burnt.

On a cold, wet Saturday, willow saplings were planted in

abundance (over 300) as the first stage of the willow tunnel, or

perhaps, in 'Time Team' speak, a ceremonial way to the high

status Bench Henge, a.k.a. the camp fire circle. And on a bright

sunny Sunday 160 hazel saplings have been planted, which still

leaves the 400 trees from the Woodland Trust to plant.

Meanwhile down by the Canoe Garage, Dave Slater, with his

crusty tea-fuelled diggers from the Friday leaders, has dug out

and laid the foundations of the new storage cage.

Also Peter Garland has made and erected two warning

posts at the entrance to the car park.

A busy few weeks for a good many people - Cubs, Scouts,

Explorer Scouts, Leaders, parents, Committee members (both

Group and District) - and all the while Colony/Pack/Troop

meetings continued, including rehearsing for the District Gang

Show, painting scenery and making costumes.

Thank you all for everything that you have done for the Group -

long may you continue.

Ian Moore, Group Scout Leader, 10th Romsey

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ Romsey Cubs Chess—The Heats

On Saturday, 5th March, eight very enthusiastic Cubs met at 21st Nursling and Rownhams Scout headquarters to contest the District chess championship. They represented packs from 6th Lockerley, 10th Woodley (Mohican and Sioux) and 21st Nursling & Rownhams.

Cubs were in two groups 8 to 9½ years and under 11 years. Games were played in a round-robin where the Cubs all played each other to hopefully determine the best player from each age group.

Hosts Tony and Elaine Moles provided tuck for Leaders and Cubs halfway through. There were some very closely contested games.

Tony presented certificates to the winners, Carl Windebank from 10th Sioux in the under 11 years and Jake Beale from 10h Mohicans in the younger age group.

Tony thanked all the Cubs who had taken part in this enjoyable activity with only four packs from the district participating.

We all wish Carl and Jake all the luck when they go to Basingstoke on 20th March for the County Chess Final.

Jacky Betteridge, DCSL