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.
