Week Ending 05.05.12
Queen Scouts meet the Chief Scout
Greenock and District’s newest Queen Scouts have met Chief Scout Bear Grylls.
Martin Keane, and brothers Matthew and Dominic Hurrell from the 32nd were presented to Bear at the annual Queen Scout award parade and service at Windsor Castle. The lads were joined by this year’s Silver Wolf recipient, Alexander Buchanan, who has given a life time’s work to Scouting in Greenock and beyond.
The day of the Windsor service started early at the Victoria Barracks for marching and group drill practice with 600 other Queen Scouts from around the UK and Commonwealth countries.
It was then on to the day’s main event: the Queen’s Scouts marched through the gates of Windsor Castle in front of a crowd of around 3000, and round the Castle’s Quadrangle, where HM the Queen, HRH Prince Philip and our own Chief ‘Bear’ took the salute. It was then onto the historic St George’s Chapel for a commemorative service and an address by the Chief congratulating the Queen Scouts on all their hard work, perseverance, spirit and determination and on becoming the elite of Scouting.
Greenock and District are proud of the achievements of all our award recipients.
Glenburn Group’s Everton Fun
Greenock and District’s newest group has had a great day of activities at Everton.
The Glenburn group’s Beavers and Cubs spent a long day doing outdoor activities at the Inverkip campsite.
In the morning the Cubs and Beavers were split in to two groups and moved between four activities. These included knots and pioneering where they tried building gateways, camp training where they put up and took down a tent and learned about cooking at camps. There was also camp tracking in the forest looking for wee chocolate bars. The fourth and final base was the zip slide which everyone fully enjoyed.
After everyone had been round the bases it was lunch time, more activities. The day was finished off with the planting of their very own royal Hawthorn tree.
All in all it was a great day for everyone and the day couldn’t have happened without all the help from all leaders, helpers and school staff.
Boat Club visit for 70th
Scouts from the 70th have enjoyed a visit to the Royal West of Scotland Amateur Boat Club on Greenock’s Esplanade.
They found out all about the history and formation of the club and about the activities on offer. The Scouts learned a bit about the skills and techniques involved in rowing but unfortunately the wind and waves were against them and they didn’t make it onto the water.
Some Scouts are keen to join the junior section and the Troop hope to arrange another day to get out on the water. Thanks go to Adam Graham and the other members of the club for hosting the visit.
Jubilee Flotilla
Scouts and Guides are joining forces to send a flotilla of 1000 home-made boats down the Kip Burn to mark the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee.
On Sunday 3 June, all Scout and Guide groups, plus leaders and parents, are encouraged to make a boat from recyclable materials, no longer than 30cm . While it is not a race there will be prizes for various categories. Group Scout Leaders have been sent some useful websites to help with construction ideas! Registration details will be sent out later.
Special Guests for 57th
The 57th Cubs had two very special guests who came along to visit. Local MP Ian McKenzie and local Councillor Joe McIlwee came along and joined in a great conversation with the kids asking them what they enjoyed most about Scouting.
Ian shared with the Cubs the story of him at Everton and doing the zip slide as featured in last week’s Scout Notes. Thanks to both for going along and taking an interest in Scouting.