The Viewpoint Newsletter provides information to all the Adults involved in Scouting in the Arundel and Littlehampton District.
April 2003
Worthing Gang Show 2004 Your Chance! - The organisers of the 2004 Worthing Gang Show are recruiting for the Easter 2004 show to be held in the Pavilion Theatre in Worthing.
For 2004 the doors have been opened up for talent not only from the Worthing District but also from Adur Valley and Arundel & Littlehampton Districts.
They are holding a workshop on the 4th May 2003 at 8th Worthing Scout HQ, Thomas A Becket Middle School, Glebeside Avenue from 2.30pm to 5.30pm to find out all about Gang Shows and what they entail, it should be a fun packed afternoon.
If your young people are of Scout age or above (Scouts, Explorers, Network and even Leaders) at Easter 2004 then please, if they are budding entertainers, now is their chance to appear on a major local stage with a cast of over 100. A paper leaflet will sent to all Scout Groups in the District. Please hand out the leaflet and encourage your young people and fellow Leaders to take part.
For more information on the Worthing Gang Show, please either visit www.gangshow.com/worthing or contact the Producer, Mark Shepherd 19 Vermont Way, East Preston, BN16 1JX. 01903 786786
New Deputy District Commissioner - This is to formally announce that Julie Dixon has been appointed the Deputy District Commissioner to the District Commissioner in supporting Groups in the District. Julie will continue in her current role looking after training so please continue to contact regarding this. She can be contacted at ddc@al-scouts.org.uk or 01903 731115.
If you have any events/meetings that you would like the DC to attend could you also consider inviting Julie as she would like to meet as many Leaders and young people as she can.
We would like to also welcome the following new appointments to the District Team. We wish them all well in their new roles.
Lynda Lincoln – District Beaver Scout Leader
Peter Robinson – District Beaver Scout Leader
New Web District Diary - The District Diary is now available in a new improved form so you can see details of the events, such as time and venue and displayed in a calendar format.
You will however need a password to access this. If you have not got a password or have forgotten it please email diary@al-scouts.org.uk and one will be sent. Only registered Leaders and Helpers will be issued with a password for security reasons, so please send details of your appointment and Scout Group as well as your name.
e.g. FRED SMITH ASL 1st LITTLEHAMPTON.
An updated PAPER version of the diary will be sent to Group Contact shortly.
Young Leaders Scheme – West Sussex Scouts are currently finalising the course for the Young Leaders Training. The first course will be on the weekend of 12th / 13th July 2003 at Lodge Hill. If you would like to tutor on this course please let me know. Full details will be available shortly. A pre-requisite of attending the course will be completion of Module A and priority will be given to those who are active in another section (Beavers, Cubs, Scouts etc.)
New Scout/Explorer/Network PC Form – A new Scout/Explorer/Network Permission to Camp form (PC AD) is now available. The proposed permit system that was to be introduced has been delayed so this form has been introduced. The form is available from the information centre (FREE) by phoning the number at the bottom of the page or by clicking on http://www.scoutbase.org.uk/library/hqdocs/facts/pdfs/pcad.pdf
Please note the requirement for authorisations has changed.
Explorers will require the DESC to sign not a GSL.
Network will require the County Scout Network Commissioner to sign.
Scouts still require the GSL to sign.
St.George’s Day Parade 2003 – This years St.George’s Day Parade is now only a few weeks away final details of the parade will be issued very shortly. Please note that there will be small changes in the parade format, so please read the information carefully. We are very pleased to announce that the Parade Marshall for this year’s parade will be Matthew Lecuyer, Scout Leader at 1st Rustington; we thank Matt for agreeing to take on this role. 1st Yapton and Ford are organising the service at the cathedral this year the theme of the service is a closely guarded secret, but your young people should enjoy the proceedings. Please try and encourage ALL members of your sections/groups to attend this special day in the life of Scouting.
This years St.George’s Day Rehearsal for Flag Bearers is to be held on Wednesday April 23rd at 6.30pm at the Cathedral.
St.George’s Day Appeal 2003 - This year’s charity is the Royal Air Force Benevolent Fund, which exists to provide assistance to those of the extended Royal Air Force Family who need support as a consequence of poverty, sickness, disability, accident, infirmity or other adversity. This extended family embraces all ranks, male and female, who are serving or have served in the Royal Air Force or its associated Air Forces, their widows, widowers and dependants.
For a change this year we are asking Beavers, Cubs, Scouts, Explorers and Network Members in all the Scout Groups & Units in the District to enter our sponsorship competition to see who can ask the most people to sponsor the parade in aid of the Royal Air Force Benevolent Fund.
Leaders and other Adults can take part but there is no prize for over 25 Year olds. The prize £10.00 of Woolworth's Vouchers. All you need to do is fill in the form paper versions will be sent to section Leaders (available from www.al-scouts.org.uk) with your Name, Group and Section clearly shown together with a list of the sponsors. These could be either friends, relatives or the local shopkeeper etc. Please then hand it in to your Section Leader (with the sponsor money), either at the St.George’s Day Parade on 27th April or at your section meetings before the 17th May 2003 (St.George's Day Preferred). The winner will be notified by the end of May. In the event of a tie the winner will be pulled from a hat.
Website Updated -The Arundel & Littlehampton District website has been updated. The site now includes details of Adults in the District who have gained long and good service awards in the last couple of years. When records are updated, older award dates will also be included.
If there are any errors or omissions please let the DC know. In the near future it is hoped to include Queen's/King's Scouts and Duke of Edinburgh's Gold award holders as well on this site.
To find your District site click on www.al-scouts.org.uk
Heritage Lottery Fund - The Heritage Lottery Fund is now actively encouraging and supporting projects with a focus on young people in the community through its recently launched Young Roots grant programme where young people aged 13 – 20 years can apply for funds of between £5,000 and £25,000. For details see www.hlf.org.uk or phone 020 7591 6000.
Yapton & Ford Challenge – This year’s challenge will be on Sunday 11th May 2003. Details will be sent out shortly. Please put this date in your diary.
West Sussex Scouts County Skills Day – Saturday 30th August 2003, Lodge Hill Campsite, Coldwaltham, Pulborough. A day designed for all leaders and adults with a desire to learn a new skill or brush up on a current one. Cost: £2.50 (Morning or Afternoon without Lunch); £5.00 (Morning or Afternoon with Lunch) £7.50 (whole day with Lunch).
For more information and application for either of these courses, contact Melvyn Bridger Tel: 01798 343026 or Email: melvyn_skills@yahoo.co.uk)
West Sussex Scouts – Pioneering Course – Same venue as above, 30th/31st August 2003. This course is designed for all leaders and adults with little or no pioneering experience. Course Costs £20 (includes food and Camp fee).
For more information and application for either of these courses, contact Melvyn Bridger Tel: 01798 343026 or Email: melvyn_skills@yahoo.co.uk)
County Scout Triathlon – There will be a County Scout Triathlon held in Crawley on Sunday 21st September 2003. Teams of Six Scouts can be entered and the event will cost £5 per team. More details will be sent to Scout Leaders later. For details contact Keith Prior ACC Scouts 01293 533693 keith.prior@bigfoot.com or Beryl Aldridge ACC SF 01903 761764 beryl@aldridgeb.fsnet.co.uk
Sussex Falconry Centre – Specific Workshops run alongside the national curriculum on flight, sight, hunting, husbandry and the food chain. Work towards a badge for Scouts. A wide range of animals, birds, mammal and reptiles, both exotic and indigenous to stimulate interest and encourage participation. Special needs catered for with handling and contact encouraged enabling an individual to achieve as active an experience as possible. Possible fundraiser at events. Contact Emma on 01243 512472 Tues-Sun 10am-5pm or Email: emma@sussexfalconrycentre.com
Explorer Scout Leaders Leadership One Course - There are still places available on the first L1 for ESL's at Gilwell Park during the week 9th-13th June, 2003. If any of your Explorer Leaders who do not have a wood badge yet are interested, contact Adult Support at Gilwell.
Plug the Gap Course - The “plug the gap” course is for all Explorer Scout Leaders who have a wood badge. The course is a one day from 10am – 4pm. The first two courses to run will be on Saturday 7th June (South of the County) and Sunday 8th June (North of the County). Full details and booking form will be available shortly.
Camptastic May’hem 2004 – Come and meet Captain Camptastic at the West Sussex County Cub Scouts Camptastic Weekend at Ardingly Showground 14th/16th May 2004. Leaflets will be available shortly and the booking forms should be returned by 13th September 2003.
WS2004 International Camp – Saturday 31st July to Saturday 7th August. This is a camp for any West Sussex Guide and Scout Unit, coming together with their overseas friends at Ardingly Showground. For more information contact Simon Maddocks, 40 Crossways, Three Bridges, Crawley, West Sussex RH10 1QW. Also keep an eye on the website (www.ws2004.co.uk) or Scout Office, Horsham. PLEASE GIVE IT A TRY.
NEXT COPY DATE: 25th April 2003 ALL COPY to Prue Payne secretary@al-scouts.org.uk