EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE

The Executive Committee are an important part of Batchworth Sea Scouts and essential to the group’s continuance. We have charity status which means that most members of executive committee are trustees of the charity. The group is led by Simon Theobald, our Group Scout Leader and is managed by the Group Executive Committee chaired by Keith Wall.

The Executive is responsible for the maintenance of our HQ and the equipment within it. It raises funds and administers the group’s finances. It also helps with the recruitment of Leaders and other helpers. Other things the executive do is plan the Christmas party (see below), our fantastic jumble sales and the May fair. There are many different, varied fun roles and tasks that need filling and completing as part of the executive committee.

It consists of people who are ex-officio members because of their position (Leaders, Treasurer, Secretary, etc). In addition to the ex-officio members, there are members who are elected, nominated and co-opted.

No experience is necessary to help on the executive committee and the minimum time commitment is one evening every two months, although we hope you would like to help a little more as well. If you are interested in helping Batchworth Sea Scouts as part of the Executive, please contact Simon on simontheobald@compuserve.com or Keith on batchworth.chairman@ntlworld.com.

SCOUT CHRISTMAS PARTY

Quentin Webb
You are warmly invited to attend the Batchworth Christmas Party on Saturday 11th December 2010, 6pm to 9pm (or later for those who want to make a night of it). The Beavers, Cubs, Scouts and Explorer sections will each be doing a short performance. In addition to the performances, there will be hot meals (pasta, sauce, garlic bread & dessert), a licenced bar (open all evening), games, a raffle and more.

Everyone is very welcome - This is one of the few occasions when the entire group gets together and we hope you will all be able to come. Tickets purchased after 4th December or on the night, will be £2 per person.

Scouting regulations stipulate that leaders are not allowed to be in charge of children if alcohol is being served. In order to have the bar open all evening, every Cub, Beaver and Scout must remain the responsibility of their parent(s) or another named adult (but not a Batchworth Leader) throughout the evening.

For more details contact quent.webb@gmail.com.

MUDDY BERET 2010

Ben Taunt, Scout Leader
Fri 19th - Sun 21st November, a brave team of 6 Batchworth Scouts entered the annual Hertfordshire Green Beret competition. Based at Phasels Wood Campsite in Kings Langley, the team must camp overnight Friday before tackling four challenging elements over the course of the Saturday. The point-scoring activities include Orienteering in local woods, a huge multi-element Assault Course and various Incident Bases to be completed in both a day and separate night-time session.

This year, the event attracted a record 137 teams from across the County; with over 800 people moving about the site, mud is a consistent feature of Green Beret! However, our team of young Scouts, several camping for the first time, didn't let this put them off and scored a respectable 74th place finish.

Well done to all involved. More details here.

BEAVERS - NEWS

Jane Spurr
November has been a busy time for the Beavers (and their leaders).

We've invested two new members, and are now full! We've learnt about recycling and have had fantastically energetic games with rubbish!

We've listened to Paul Harding of the Royal British Legion explain about poppy day, why poppies are used for Remembrance Day and what the event is about. We had a FANTASTIC turn out at the Remembrance Day Parade at St Mary's Church.

We're now starting to concentrate on Christmas! We have great entertainment lined up for the Batchworth Christmas Party (which we will encourage the beavers to keep secret).

ARNIE BAKER - NEW DISTRICT COMMISSIONER

Rikki Harrington, County Commissioner Hertfordshire Scouts

I am delighted to inform you that, following the search process in which you have all had the chance to participate, I have appointed Arnie Baker, as your District Commissioner. Arnie will be well known to you all as District Secretary and to many as Scout Sectional Assistant at Croxley Green. I’m sure that he will use his skills and experiences to great effect in supporting all Groups in providing modern, top quality, well managed Scouting in the District.

I would like to reiterate my sincere thanks to Peter Edwards for the marvellous job he has done over the past nine years.

RAISE MONEY FOR BATCHWORTH WITH THE SARACENS

Off the back of a great Scouts &

Guides day last season, Saracens have announced the next Scouts & Guides Big Day Out to see Saracens has now been confirmed. Last year nearly 1000 Scouts and Guides made the trip to Vicarage Road to see Saracens take on the Sale Sharks in the Guinness Premiership.
Through the sale of Cash-Back tickets to friends and family, Hertfordshire Scouts and Guides troops raised thousands!!

This year the Scouts and Guides target game will be Saracens Vs Newcastle Falcons - Sunday 28th March 2010, Kick-off 3.00pm and we’re hoping to make it our biggest game yet! We’re looking to take over 1,500 members along and your help is essential.

Tickets are £10 for Adults and £5 for U16s.

For more details contact Jane Spurr on jane.spurr@kcl.ac.uk.

MERRY CHRISTMAS AND HAPPY NEW YEAR

Everyone at Batchworth Sea Scouts would like to wish you all a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

A big thank you to all the parents and helpers who put in the extra effort to make 2010 such a special year. Why not make a new year's resolution to take a more active role in the Scouting. There are always lots to do at Batchworth.

If you would like to chat about getting more involved in 2011, either in a big way or a small way, please feel free to give Simon a call on 07850 337903

Come along, do something different and make some new friends into bargain!

SEA SCOUTS RESCUE SHEEP

Suzanne Smith RSPCA Welfare Officer 9200.

23rd October 2010

Hi there, I work for the RSPCA and on attending a sheep rescue today in Hereford, which was stuck in the river on the far bank, some canoeists came down river. I asked if they could help get the sheep across the river, they were superb, and did a fantastic job, they safely swam the sheep across the river to the safety of the field bank where it trotted off safe and sound back to the rest of the flock. I would have had serious problems in rescuing this sheep if these canoeists hadn't turned up at exactly the right moment!

They said they were I think the Batchworth? Sea scouts on their Duke of Edinborough. I would like to pass on the attached pictures and my personal thanks to them.

REMEMBRANCE SUNDAY - 14th November 2009

The second Sunday in November is traditionally put aside to remember all those who have given their lives for the peace and freedom we enjoy today. On this day people across the nation pause to reflect on the sacrifices made by our brave Service men and women.

Batchworth Sea Scouts will at the memorial in the grounds of St Mary's Church. Being Royal Navy recognised we have pride of place at the ceremony and ALL members of all ages are encouraged to attend.

It is an important day in our calendar and is especially important to members past and present. Attendance from all in full uniform is expected from 10.30am to 12 noon. Please be at the Batchworth HQ in plenty of time before 10:30am on November 14th.

CHIEF SCOUT SILVER AWARD

Cub Scout, David Shaw, received the Chief Scout Silver award at the recent inspection.

This badge is the highest award available in the Cub Scout Section. It is gained by completing the Outdoor Challenge, the Promise Challenge, the Creative Challenge, the Fitness Challenge, the Global Challenge and the Community Challenge

Well done David, fantastic achievement.

PARTY PARTY

This year we want the Batchworth Christmas party to be better than ever. Which means we need plenty of Scouta's Little Helpers .. (adults, not kids). The aim is to share the load and for everyone to do something small, rather than a few people doing the whole thing.

So far we have someone to coordinate the entertainment (which is a good start). We also need the following:

Caterers (shopping, cooking, serving etc)
Bar Staff
Quiz organiser (Quiz posted around the room)
"Decorators" - artistic people who can "dress" the HQ festively on the afternoon of Sat 11th Dec
People to help with the entertainment - (very basic) props, (very basic) costumes, music etc
Someone in charge of ticket sales
Someone on the door
Someone to organise the raffle (getting prizes donated, selling tickets on the night etc)
People to clear up
General "happy to help"ers
etc...

If those who have helped before are happy to help again, please let us know as soon as possible. But we also need new faces and we'd like parents from Beavers, Cubs, Scouts and Explorers in the party working party. We promise it will be fun.

There are not many Scouting Days to Christmas. So we need to get organised. There will be an initial meeting of not more than 45 mins at the Scout HQ on Wed 3rd November (the week after half term) 8.15pm to 9pm. Followed by a meeting in the pub for as many hours as people want to stay... Please put it in your diaries now and make every effort to come along. The more the Merrier.

It would be extra helpful if people interested in helping out could email Helen Webb on hwebbhome@gmail.com, indicating what you'd like to run / help with, That way we can get some names against tasks ahead of the meeting (in the interest of keeping the meeting short). Remember, it's always better to volunteer than be volunteered. The Big Society starts at Batchworth.

We look forward to seeing you on 3rd November. Oh yes we do....

BEAVERS - NEWS

Jane Spurr

We were incredibly proud of the Beavers at the recent inspection, 14 were in attendance. They made paper plate portholes, which impressed the inspecting officer. After hanging them on the wall, he noticed that some were "authentically" wet - dripping in fact. It turned out that one or two beavers overdid the glue! We had spent the previous nine months vigorously pursuing badges and the fact that several beavers have an armful did not go unnoticed!

The following week, as a "reward" the Beavers went on a canal boat trip, working their way through 4 locks. We expect that this reinforced the knowledge they gained from visiting the Little Union Canal in the summer, where they discovered the principles of how locks work.

When the HQ was out of action because of the Jumble Sale, we walked to the Three Rivers Museum and learnt some interesting facts about Rickmansworth. The historical walk around the town offered by the museum staff will be on our summer programme.

We're now planning for Halloween, Remembrance Sunday, and Christmas, with the Pantomime at Watersmeet to look forward to, as well as a unique performance at the Batchworth Christmas Party on 11th December.

BOAT HOUSE FLOOR PROGRESS

Emma Turner, Assistant Boatswain

As those who frequent Batchworth HQ may now have seen, we have a brand new Boat House Floor, which was painted in early October over the course of a few week day evenings by some volunteers.

I would like to take this opportunity to thank all those that helped to organise, and paint- it could not have been done without you!

Now that we have a nice clean, working space available to us, the Boatswains next task is to fill it with boats of exactly the same standard!

DRAGON BOAT CHAMPIONSHIP

The annual National Youth Dragon Boat Championships are held each September at the Longridge Activity Centre on the River Thames in Marlow. Dozens of teams from across the region fight it out in a series of heats in order to reach the finals and a chance to win prizes in three age categories.

This year, Batchworth entered a crew in the “14 and under” category, the most hotly contested class with teams representing schools, youth groups and even established dragon boat clubs. After storming through their heat with a winning margin of over 20 seconds, our valiant paddlers faced stiff opposition in the semi-final which proved to be their last race of the day. Competing in an organised dragon boat event earns each paddler (and our drummer!) the Scout Dragon Boating Activity Badge.

JUMBLE SALE

A big thank you to all those who gave jumble, helped with leafleting, collecting, sorting, selling, moving the boats and kayaks and the clearing up afterwards..
We had a great day and made £2,000.85 profit.

Thank you to everyone who helped. We couldn't have done it without you!

SHIPSHAPE - WHAT DO YOU THINK?

You all know that shipshape days give us an opportunity to keep our HQ tidy and to put right what needs to be done. If there is anything that you have noticed, which needs to be done, please drop a line to the Chairman, Keith Wall, on batchworth.chairman@ntlworld.com or call him on 01923 777 340. That way, we can make a plan for the next shipshape event.”

ARE YOU UP TO THE CHALLENGE?

Scouting encourages the best from all our members. The young members of all the sections, plus the uniformed adults, make a promise that includes the adage “to do my best”. Therefore, in the coming weeks, the Leaders in the Scout Section will be asking each member to think up a challenge that they feel they can accomplice over the next few months. It should be something fun but also rewarding.

However, it is not just the Scouts that we are extending this challenge towards. Batchworth relies on fundraising activities to maintain our equipment and facilities. Do you think you can challenge yourself and raise money for Batchworth Sea Scouts in the process? How about entering the Ricky Road Run later this month and asking colleagues at work to sponsor you through a ‘Justgiving’ page? Or complete the parachute jump that you’ve always wanted to tackle but never had the motivation?

If you have any fundraising ideas, please contact the Group to register your intentions before starting to collect money.

PLYMOUTH WARSHIP SAILS FOR ARABIAN GULF

Plymouth-based warship HMS Cumberland, a Royal Navy type 22 Frigate affiliated with Batchworth Sea Scouts, sailed for the Middle East for her third operational deployment in as many years.

Her next deployment includes maritime policing patrols as part of the wider international effort to deal with the problem of illegal use of maritime trade routes in the region.

Read more here.

GRAND JUMBLE SALE IS COMING!

Our Jumble Sale regularly attracts over 300 customers. It has been a great success and given us plenty of happy times. Its a perfect day out for Jumblers and raises much needed money for the group

The sale features clothes, books, comics, jewellery, brick-a-brack, toys, electrical items and much much more. A BBQ will be serving food throughout to provide much needed refreshments. We welcome contributions. Upholstered furniture must have a fire safety label. Please telephone 01923-771626 or 07957 788402, before 24th September, for the collection of larger items.

Schedule:

Sat 25th Sep	Jumble Collection
Mon 17 Sep	Sorting evening - 7pm to 9pm
Wed 29th Sep	Sorting evening - 7pm to 9pm
Fri 1st Oct	Sorting evening - 7pm to 9pm
Sat 2nd Oct	Jumble Sale Day - 10am to 1pm. Admission 30p
Sat 2nd Oct	Jumble Sale clear up - 1pm onwards

Volunteers are needed to help with the collection of Jumble, sorting and manning the stalls on the day of the sale. We will also need help with clearing up after the event.

If you are able to help or need additional information please contact the Jumble Sale organizer, Deirdre Edwards on 01923 771626.

ROYAL NAVY INSPECTION

Simon Theobald, Group Scout Leader

Thank you to all the Leaders, assistant leaders, helpers, committee, beavers, cubs, scout, explorers and everyone that supports Batchworth Sea Scout Group.

The inspection showed an excellent range of activities and I am delighted to advise anyone that could not be there that we passed our inspection and achieved Royal Navy recognition for a further 18 months.

Well done all.

Click here to view pictures of the inspection.

CUBS 2010 NIGHT HIKE

Brian Hansford, Cub Scout Leader

Just a quick note to let you know that our Batchworth Cubs did exceptionally well and thought you may like to know some facts about the event:

• 93 teams took part across the county
• 800 people participated in the event
• Started walking at 19:10
• Walked 7.5 miles (checked from google maps).
• Walked for five hours visiting all six activity bases
• The six bases included: Speaking French phrases, dealing with casualties in a road crash, memorising a message, space hopper race, sending and receiving morse code messages, sending and receiving semaphore messages and learning the scout promise in sign language.
• A very busy night, all done in the dark, during the time they would be fast asleep on a normal day.
• Finished the course at 00:10.
• Arrived back at the school at 01:00

SUMMER CAMP ADVENTURES

Seven Scouts and four Explorer Scouts disappeared into the New Forest this summer. Whilst there, they discovered they could all climb walls, scamper along balance beams 10m off the ground, abseil from 12m high platforms, drive powerboats at speed and control an 11m sailing vessel with ease. Some even discovered they could do all that with one foot in plaster! Scouting doesn’t get much more adventurous than our annual summer camps, where several months of preparation result in an action packed week of fun challenging activities. We are already planning for 2011…

BADGES GALORE

After an action packed Summer Term, the Leaders in all sections have been reviewing progress and issuing badges where appropriate. The Scout Section alone has been able to issue 25 Challenge awards, 14 Nights Away, 10 Hikes Away and 43 Activity Awards over the last few months. 10 new Scouts have also been invested into the Troop since Easter but we still have room for more if you have any friends who wish to come join the adventure!

CONGRATULATIONS CHRIS AND KIERAN!

The Chief Scout’s Gold Award is the highest award available to members of the Scout Section and is only obtainable by those who have shown consistent performance over their entire time as a Scout, gaining eight Challenge Awards along the way. During this week’s Inspection, Lt Cdr Griffiths was honoured to present Chief Scout’s Gold Awards to both Chris and Kieran, recognising their efforts within the Troop over the last few years.

LEADERSHIP TEAM

Scouting relies on Adult Volunteers. In recent months, we have strengthened this team but we still urgently need support for our Beaver and Cub sections.

Both are nearing capacity, but can increase their numbers with additional adult support. Please get in touch if you can spare as little as two evenings a month.

Some recent changes in roles within the Group include:

• Michael Read – new role as Assistant Group Scout Leader (Programmes)

• Narinder Sian – new role as Assistant Group Scout Leader (Communication)

• Ben Taunt – replaces Michael as Scout Leader

• Mark Haigh – joins us as an Assistant Scout Leader

• Helen Haigh, Emma Turner and Donell Fairweather have all agreed to formalise their roles within the Troop and become Section Assistants.

WE HAVE A BOATSWAIN

Simon Theobald, GSL

If you have been down to the HQ recently then you cannot have failed to have noticed the work that has been going on to repair and maintain our fleet. This has been mainly down to Pip Williamson and Emma Turner who have both given up a huge amount of time and worked incredibly hard, particularly in the lead up to Lochernhead.

Pip has agreed to become our Boatswain and will be supported by Emma. There is still work to do with the boats and Pip/Emma are continuing with this, however, I know that we will all want to thank them for the work that they have done so far.

SHIPSHAPE DAY

Keith Wall, Chairman

I’d like to remind you that we have two more shipshape days coming up on 4th and 12th September, each one in the morning. That way, you Saturday people can come n the 4th and those who prefer Sunday can come on the 12th. Our urgent aim Is to make HQ presentable for the Royal Navy Inspection on the 15th. There are plenty of things outstanding from the last shipshape day. Most importantly, we need to finish tidying the car park and hedges outside. Inside, we have to tidy the leader’s and committee rooms plus our boat store. Other projects to sort out equipment and the scout dens are already under way. Finally, there is always work to be done to keep the galley and the heads clean.

We really need parents, as leaders are already overworked arranging activities for the children and it’s your HQ anyway! If it’s dirty or untidy, it’s down to you. I hope to see you there from 9:00. Please call me if you have any queries on 01923 777 340.

Painting of the Boat House 4th- 10th September

Emma Turner

Ahead of the RN inspection we will be painting the Boat House floor with grey concrete paint to minimise the dust and dirt that collects there. To do this, we shall need to move all the boats to safe places on Saturday 4th September- and keep them there until the floor is dry. Throughout the days after this we intend to wash and paint the floor.

On moving all the boats, they will be assessed so that over the course of the winter, we can repair any problems. This means that by Spring 2011 we shall have a fully functioning fleet! Volunteers at any point in this process would be very welcome. The most important thing we need right now is safe places that we can keep the boats (for at the very least 5 days) and volunteers to help move them!

Washing and painting shall take place in the evenings of the week beginning 6th September, again- anyone who wishes to contribute some time and some paint rollers should come along!

The time the whole process will take will be very much weather permitting, so the most important stage will be getting the first coat of paint done. Therefore anyone who thinks they will be available during the earlier part of the week should really come along! Anyone who knows a bit about boat maintenance, or wishes to learn should also make themselves known as I am sure there will be plenty of jobs to be done!

Maintaining HQ and our fleet of boats is a very important job. We would not be able to provide the year round activities that we do if it was not for the facilities and equipment that we have access to. Even if it is only an hour that you have to spare one evening in the week, it will make all the difference to the leaders and parents who have committed themselves to this task!

If you are available at any time during this week, contact me on 07905765946 or Ben Taunt on 07736936305 and we will be able to give you more details!

SAVE THE DAY - ROYAL NAVY INSPECTION

The Royal Navy Inspection will be on Wednesday 15th September early evening. This is one of our most important events. Please check you have sewn on badges, check uniform is complete and perfect, ALL members (cubs, scouts, beavers, explorers) are EXPECTED to attend, all parents are welcome.

FRIGATE TO JOIN NAVY DAYS LINE-UP

HMS Cumberland, a Royal Navy type 22 Frigate affiliated with Batchworth Sea Scouts, who last year undertook a successful anti-piracy patrol in the Indian Ocean, has joined the growing list of top attractions at Portsmouth Navy Days.

HMS Cumberland, which is based at Devonport, will be opened up to the public for the three-day event which starts on July 30 at Portsmouth Naval Base. It will be a rare chance for people to see a Type 22 frigate as there are just four left in service and all are based in Plymouth.

Click here to read more.

SCOUT MEETINGS OVER THE SUMMER HOLIDAYS

A reminder to all that the Scout Troop does not stop once the schools have broken up! There are Scout meetings planned for the Saturdays of 24th July, 31st July & 7th August. Troop Camp is 17th - 22nd August and the first Scout meeting after camp will be the 4th September.

CERTIFICATES ALL ROUND!

During the Whitsun Summer Half Term, three of our youth members and four leaders attended the Herts County Sailing Week at Mersea, Essex. This camp is a huge logistical effort by volunteers from across Hertfordshire and entails the establishment of a temporary sailing centre on a sandy spit at the mouth of the River Colne where it enters the North Sea. Dozens of powerboats and a wide range of sailing boats are transported to the site just for the week of the camp, where around 100 participants are taught to RYA approved standards by around 40 instructors.

We are delighted to say that two Scouts completed RYA Youth Beginner stages and one Explorer ticked off several modules of the Advanced RYA courses on offer. From the leadership team, Ben, Bryony and Donell were estastic to pass as RYA Dinghy Instructors after a gruelling week of tests and coaching. After expecting an easy time simply catering for the team, Dave found himself jumping off waves for a week as the driver of the Batchworth Safety Boat, Mike2. Our fleet of high performance dinghies was also used extensively during the week.

SCOUTS TAKE ON THE RIVER THAMES

Recently, 18 members of the rapidly expanding Scout Troop, supported by several Young Leaders and dedicated instructors, took on the challenge of navigating along a 5 mile section of the Upper River Thames in kayaks and open 'Canadian' canoes. Starting to the East of Henley, the group were carried by the current and some gentle paddling past Hurley and Bisham before recovering at the Longridge Activity Centre in Marlow. As well as enjoying a drift along a beautiful section of the River, the trip counts as the half-day waterborne expedition required for the Basic Nautical Skills award. It proved to be a popular outing, possibly because of the ice-creams on offer, and certainly a trip that we hope to repeat again in the future.

MESSING ABOUT IN BOATS!

Over 130 Batchworth family members and their friends enjoyed a perfect summer's afternoon on the water last Sunday 19th July at the Batchworth Sea Scout Family Sailing Day. Organised as a social event to bring our family members closer to the Group and each other, the day focused on providing fun water activities for all ages, from 18 months to 80! In addition to the ever popular kayaking and sailing on offer, the groups unique half-sized Dragon Boat was brought into service with teams of 10 racing around the Rickmansworth Aquadrome to the amusement of the watching geese.

Many members of the Cub Pack were able to gain their Water Activities Badge and several parents relived childhood memories as they were reintroduced to sailing by the experienced instructor team. Our thanks go to all those involved in making the day a great success, which we aim to repeat next year!

CUBS AT DISTRICT CAMP

A contingent of eight Cubs from Batchworth were part of a group Fifty Six Cubs from across the District that joined together for a camp at Chalfont Heights Scout Camp that took place between the 2nd and 4th July.

Although our other Cubs would like to have attended the camp was limited to Cubs aged 9 1/2 and older. Over the weekend the Cubs enjoyed many activities such as Rifle Shooting, Climbing, Archery and T-shirt making just to name a few, ending with the District tug-o-war competition. The camp presented the opportunity for the Cubs to mix with their peers and for the Cub Leaders and helpers across the District to get to know one another better and share ideas. The weather was brilliant although presented a challenge pegging the tents to rock hard ground. I'd like to say a big thank you to Jamie Mitchell, one of our Group's Assistant Scout Leaders, for helping me with the Cubs over the weekend and who was without doubt the most popular Leader with the Children across the District. - Brian Hansford

THE SNAKE MAN

Nick Bessant, an expert on snakes came along to show the Beavers and Cubs some of his pet snakes on Thursday 15th July.

He brought along a number of live exhibits to thrill the audience these including a corn snake, a milk snake, male and female Indian sand snakes (the female is 10 times the size of the male), a Brazilian rainbow snake and a Royal Python. The exhibits were in travelling cages kept inside black bags. They were introduced one at a time from their travelling boxes. The colours were brilliant!

There was a really good turn out for this event from the beavers and cubs. There were some beavers whose parents thought they wouldn't enjoy the session, but they were wrong! Some of the more adventurous children even draped the snakes round their necks!

Click here to see some pictures.

SHIPSHAPE DAY

Shipshape Days have been scheduled for 10am on Saturday 24th July, Saturday 4th September and Sunday 12th September. This is when we look after our building and the surrounding areas ready for the Royal Navy Inspection on Wednesday 15th September.

All are welcome, just turn up at HQ on the day and lend a helping hand. Please bring a few tools or cleaning accessories to help with your chosen task. There are many things at HQ already, but the items might not suit everyone and aren’t always easy to find. We spend a couple of hours clearing up, sorting out, tidying away and generally getting our HQ “Shipshape”. Its great fun and a good opportunity to meet people and make new friends.

Main tasks, if the weather is good, will be to tidy up outside in car park and around building (bring spades, pruning cutters, etc. to help). Inside, we will be sorting out various cupboards, cleaning and tidying up.

All members parents are encouraged to come down even if its just for a short while to help please. For more information contact our Group Chairman, Keith Wall, on batchworth.chairman@ntlworld.com or 01923 777340.

GROUP PREPARES FOR ROYAL NAVY INSPECTION

Batchworth Sea Scouts have been honoured to be recognised by the Royal Navy as one of the top 100 Sea Scout Groups in the Country since 1945.

Originally granted this 'Royal Navy Recognised' status for the efforts of our members in supporting the war effort during the early 1940's, Batchworth are reassessed every 18 months to ensure we still meet the required criteria to maintain the standard.

Our next inspection in on Wednesday 15th September and attendance is required by all members to support this important event in our calendar.

HMS Cumberland Meets USS Winston S Churchill

HMS Cumberland, a Royal Navy type 22 Frigate affiliated with Batchworth Sea Scouts, worked with USS Winston S Churchill conducting an exercise with helicopters and transfer of personnel between the two ships. Gifts were exchanged and the two ship’s CO’s wished each other success with forthcoming operations. They met just off the South coast of the Isle of Wight in warm, calm conditions befitting the Gulf, where USS WSC is headed. It was a splendid day for being at sea and flying, both helicopters got airborne and landed on the other’s flight decks exchanging personnel and gifts.

To read more click here.

FAMILY SAILING DAY 2010

The Batchworth Sea Scouts Family Sailing Day, will take place 2pm to 5pm on Sunday 18th July 2010, Bury Lake Young Mariners, Rickmansworth Aquadrome, Frogmoor Lane, Hertfordshire. For directions and a map click here.

Come and try Sailing, Kayaking and Dragon Boating in the sunshine (we hope) at the Bury Lake Young Mariners Base in Rickmansworth Aquadrome. Families of all Batchworth members are invited (Beavers, Cubs Scouts and Explorers) and you can bring a friend too.

Cubs will have the opportunity to earn their Water Activity Badges. There will be a barbecue and soft drinks available. As this is a family event with water sports - NO ALCOHOL PLEASE.

A change of clothes may be useful. Please use the main car park just beyond the Aquadrome Bridge.

To give us an indication of numbers for catering, or additional information, please RSVP to: stevemiddleton@hotmail.co.uk.

We look forward to seeing you.

FAMILY SAILING DAY

Steve Middleton

A date for your diary. On Sunday 18th July Batchworth Sea Scouts will be holding a family sailing day at the Bury Lake Young Mariners for Batchworth members, their families and friends. The day will consist of sailing, kayaking, dragonboats and a barbecue.

ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING

The Annual General Meeting of the Scout Group will be held at 4pm Saturday June 19th 2010 at Batchworth Sea Scouts Headquarters on Riverside Drive, Rickmansworth.

Everyone is invited to attend. It is expected to be about 15 to 20 minutes. We do hope you will able to join us and look forward to seeing you.

BATCHWORTH ACTIVITIES/SKILLS DAY 2010

On Saturday June 19^th 2010, Batchworth Sea Scouts will hold an activities and skills day for all sections; Beavers, Cubs, Scouts and Explorers.

ALL members and their parents are invited to attend. The day will consist of parents being invited to join their children for the afternoon and the children will “TEACH” their parents (or at least participate with parents in) an activity or skill that they have learned at Batchworth Sea Scouts. Parents will participate in the activity with their children, learning what goes on at Batchworth and hopefully having fun in the process.

All the activities will be performed in the area surrounding the HQ (e.g. in the car park or on the water). The afternoon will take the following format:

14:00 – Event start – meet at HQ

14:15 – Beavers, Cubs, Scouts, Explorers will split into separate groups to perform activities

15:45 – All parents and members back to HQ for tea and biscuits

16:00 – Bar-b-que for beavers, cubs, scouts, explorers

16:00 – AGM for parents

16:20 – Slide show of photos from the day in the HQ/Bar-B-Que, tea, etc

17:00 – Event end

We look forward to seeing you.

MAY FAIR

Keith Wall, Chairman

Thanks to all who helped, if I didn’t say thanks individually. It was a good team day and I look forward to the sailing day coming up in July. These events don’t work without the efforts of a lot of people.

Click here to view pictures of Batchworth Sea Scouts at the May Fair.

Click here to view pictures of Batchworth Sea Scouts at the Canal Festival.

SHIPSHAPE DAY

Thank you to everyone that came to the recent shipshape day. We really appreciate everyone giving up their time to help. For those that could not make it, we will be holding another Shipshape Day at 9am on Saturday 4th September 2010.

HMS CUMBERLAND PAY TRIBUTE IN BARROW

HMS Cumberland, a Royal Navy type 22 Frigate affiliated with Batchworth Sea Scouts, paid a flying visit to her affiliated county of Cumbria and was alongside in Barrow in April.

The 5900-tonne warship has been taking part in exercises off the west coast of Scotland and will then return to her base port of Portsmouth.

Click here to read more.

SHIPSHAPE DAY

To be able to provide a balanced programme for the young people in our Scout Group we have to maintain an HQ suitable for many uses and in good condition. To help with this the Executive Committee organizes ShipShape days when parents are invited to come and help out with various jobs to look after our building and the surrounding areas. This ranges from changing light bulbs to decorating, from routine weeding to chopping down trees (and making coffee to keep everyone happy!).

Our next ShipShape day will be on Saturday 22nd May 2010. 9am to 1pm.

If you can help, please contact our Group Chairman, Keith Wall, on batchworth.chairman@ntlworld.com or 01923 777340.

Come along, make friends, have fun and help your children.

May Fair

The Bury, Rickmansworth

Saturday 8th May 2010

In conjunction with the Rickmansworth Society, Batchworth Sea Scouts will be helping to run the May Fair.

The event opens at 1:30pm and the crowning of Miss Ricky takes place at 2pm.

We need help with moving equipment from our headquarters on Riverside Dive to the Bury from 9am.

We also need help with setting up the stalls at the Bury, manning the tea and Pimms tents and help to clear away when everything finishes between 4pm and 5pm.

If you are able to help, please contact Keith on batchworth.chairman@ntlworld.com or Simon on SimonTheobald@compuserve.com.

SOUND PIT

Simon Theobald, GSL

Soundpit returned on Friday April 16th at Batchworth Sea Scout Headquarters. Soundpit is a youth event that provides bands, both experienced and inexperienced, with a place to play to live audience. It provides a great live music event for teenagers in Rickmansworth and it is also a fundraiser for Batchworth Sea Scouts.

PARENTS OF BEAVERS, CUBS, SCOUTS

Simon Theobald, GSL

Do you ever wonder what goes on at Beaver, Cub and Scout meetings ? Batchworth Sea Scouts are always looking for adult help at these meetings and if you feel you can spare the time for your children and could help the Leaders in any way at the meetings, please talk to the section leader the next time you drop off or pick up your children. You will be amazed as to how much fun and how rewarding giving up such a small amount of time, even on an adhoc basis can be.

WHY DOES IT HAPPEN?

If you have a question about any aspect of Batchworth Sea Scouts, email the editor and we will try to answer it.

RICKY WEEK

Simon Theobald, GSL

Why do Batchworth Sea Scouts distribute the Ricky week programmes? What has that got to do with Scouting?

For a many years, Batchworth Sea Scouts have arranged the May Fair, held each May, on the Bury in partnership with the Rickmansworth Society. The May Fair is traditionally the opening event of Rickmansworth Week when a procession of floats that makes its way through Rickmansworth to the Bury where traditional stalls, local goods, refreshments and music are available as the carnival princess is crowned.

Batchworth Sea Scouts run all the food and drink at the event and provide the tents, water, etc. Other than a wonderful and universally loved local community event why do Batchworth Sea Scouts do this? Well, it is an excellent fundraiser for the Sea Scouts; Batchworth Sea Scouts raise funds from the sale of food and drink and the sale of plots for other stallholders that helps us to buy new equipment, maintain the HQ building and support the running costs of the group.

In addition, in the past, Batchworth Sea Scouts have used the event to help recruitment into the group. In return for taking the monies raised at and by the May Fair, Batchworth Sea Scouts have a committee of adults and leaders that help to organise the event and also help promote the event through the distribution of the Ricky Week programmes. Parents of members of Batchworth are often asked for their help in delivering these programmes, in the same way as they also asked, twice a year, to help promote the Batchworth sea Scout jumble sale through the distribution of leaflets.

ENJOY LOW-COST SAILING THROUGH THE BATCHWORTH/BLYM PARTNERSHIP

Ben Taunt, ASL

Batchworth Sea Scouts are one of the 25 youth groups which enjoy an association with the Bury Lake Young Mariners (BLYM) sailing club, situated on the shores of the Rickmansworth Aquadrome. The Scout Troop make regular use of the excellent training facilities provided by BLYM to introduce our young members to sailing and are able to do so through our Group Membership arrangements with the club. Using our own team of qualified instructors allows us to operate from the base as a standalone party, merely making use of the BLYM owned dinghy, powerboat and other equipment at a minimal charge.

Another benefit of our membership means that people affiliated with Batchworth can also enjoy the facilities of BLYM at equally low costs, even when our own leaders are not present. This could be a Bograt Explorer polishing their sailing skills on a breezy Saturday morning, or a Cub Scout family enjoying a gentle sail around the lake on a warm Summer’s evening. General sailing sessions include Saturday mornings or afternoons, Wednesday evenings, Bank Holidays and Summer Holidays. Visit www.blym.org.uk for more information including BLYM training courses, location and details on their sailing fleet.

In order to take advantage of this scheme, BLYM must be pre-notified of the members we have authorised to join general sailing sessions under the Batchworth Group Membership, otherwise you will not be allowed on the water. Therefore, please contact me, Ben Taunt (BMTaunt@hotmail.com) if you wish to be added to our list at the sailing centre. I will need a brief conversation about previous sailing experience, or alternatively a quick blast around the lake together one Saturday morning! I can also run a quick induction for those new to BLYM.

FAMILY SAILING DAY

Steve Middleton

A date for your diary. On Sunday 18th July Batchworth Sea Scouts will be holding a family sailing day at the Bury Lake Young Mariners for Batchworth members, their families and friends. The day will consist of sailing, kayaking, dragonboats and a barbecue.

ST GEORGE'S DAY 2010 - CELEBRATING SUCCESS

This year the District St George’s day celebration will take place on Sunday 25th April 2010. As with the previous two years the venue will be Rickmansworth School.

It will be led by the young people who will make up the Rickmansworth and Chorleywood World Scout Jamboree 2011 Contingent. The theme this year is to celebrate the achievements of all sections within the District over the past year. All uniformed members of the District are expected to attend this event as it is an important opportunity for Groups to meet as a District and renew our Promise. Section Assistants, Group Executives and Parents are invited to attend and would be very welcome.

Please be at the school, in full smartly presented uniform, by 2-40pm for a 3-00pm start. The entrance to the site is at the top of Scots Hill as you drive in you will be directed by marshals where to park. For those dropping off their children a one way system will be in operation. Groups will assemble on the Tennis Courts by the entrance unless it is raining in which case please make your way into the School Hall.

The celebration is planned to end with the dismissal by approx 4-00pm. There will be a retiring collection taken on the way out of the hall; please remind your young people to bring a small contribution.

JUMBLE SALE RAISED £2,450.35

by Deirdre Edwards

Congratulations to all those who helped with Saturday's Jumble Sale which raised a record £2,450.35.

Thanks to those who moved boats, set up tables, leafleted, collected, sorted, helped with selling, counted, manned the barbeque and refreshments, helped with the big job of bagging up and dumping the rubbish at the end of a long day. You were all wonderful!

EVERYONE IS VERY WELCOME TO JOIN THIS TEAM

After the sale we donate leftover books, toys, video tapes and bric a brac to other charities.

By leafleting you also let people know the jumble sale is on so do not be discouraged if you feel you have not collected much stuff. It is always worth doing! I receive a tot of phone calls for larger items to be collected from these leaflets and this is where we get our furniture donations from which we made £277 alone. We leafleted 4,700 houses this jumble ...

Many thanks, Deirdre

SCOUTS ON TOUR IN LONDON

Ben Taunt, ASL

Scouts topped off London Navigation challenge with a tour on HMS Belfast

7 Scouts split into 2 teams were set loose in London recently with a series of challenges to complete before embarking on HMS Belfast for a tour around this historic former Royal Navy vessel. Starting from Rickmansworth Train Station, each team were handed a list of cryptic clues to guide them on two separate routes around London's famous landmarks taking in such sights as Trafalgar Square, Piccadilly Circus, Harrods and London's South Bank. One lucky team also got to spend some time enjoying the entertainment provided by Hamleys Toy Store, even if learning the magic tricks did put them a little behind schedule!

HMS Belfast is first ship to be preserved for the nation since Nelson’s Victory, which was also visited by a group from Batchworth Sea Scouts last year.

VOLUNTEER NEEDED TO REPAIR FIRE ESCAPE DOOR

The fire door at the end of the back corridor at HQ is starting to rot at the bottom. This needs attention before it gets to the point that the whole door needs to be replaced. The door should also have a crash bar rather than be opened with a key.

If you are able to help please contact our Group Chairman, Keith Wall, on batchworth.chairman@ntlworld.com or 01923 777340.