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Latest news from other Scout Groups in East District
January - June 2004
Queen's Scout Parade Colour Party, April 2004
When I came back from University (in Holland!) at Christmas, I was greeted by a letter inviting me to take part in the selection process for the Colour Party for the Queen’s Scout Parade at Windsor. As the letter stated that Northern Ireland Scouts had been specially requested to provide the Colour Party this year, I was naturally keen to take part. However, this did not seem to be the most practicable idea: there were four compulsory training weekends to be held in Northern Ireland or England, but I would be based in the Netherlands, and I was not sure if I could fit EasyJet flights around my lectures, or if I’d be able to find good fares for all the weekends. Nevertheless, I was assured that finding a solution to the above problem would not be beyond the Scout Association, and was strongly encouraged to go to the selection day. On arrival at Crawfordsburn, I recognised a few old faces, but no others from East Belfast. (Where were the rest of you?) After a rather serious briefing from David Williamson (National Commissioner Scout Network), Des Harris (Colour Party Trainer) and Sarah Hobbes (National Scout Service Co-ordinator), we made our way to the Lid to start marching. After about ten minutes, I realised just how basic the training I had received at Windsor two years ago had been. While the would-be Colour Party members began to get the hang of marching, others began to put their minds to logistical problems.
By the end of the morning the Colour Party had been selected. It was to consist of Stephen Wilton (Leader, Donaghadee Explorers), Hugh Warden (1st Bangor), Andrew Gaston (1st Portstewart), Alan Henderson and William Mayne (1st Cookstown) and me, provided I could find flights over at reasonably convenient times at prices which would not put too deep a hole in the Northern Ireland Scouts budget. A few hours spent surfing round easyJet and other websites and I had my arrangements made.
Our training weekends were almost never dull (well, except for the food which was usually the same!). The weather varied from torrential rain to scorching heat. Our marching varied from being completely out of step, to looking “pretty much OK”. Des’ mood varied accordingly, from stressed and consuming many cups of coffee and cigarettes, to relaxed and more interested in going shopping in Bangor. When we weren’t square bashing, we spent time learning the parade instructions, and studying videos of past colour parties, and, of course, getting smart uniforms sorted out. By the time the St George’s Day weekend approached, we reckoned that we were pretty much there. After all, our uniforms were clean and pressed, our shoes shined and we had had endless hours of practice, even to the extent (in my case) of marching the length of Amsterdam airport. However, Saturday morning revealed a different story. Somehow our marching just wasn’t quite there. We spent the whole day in the baking sun practising, until we did get everything sorted out and were all several shades redder.
Sunday dawned early. After a light breakfast, we packed our uniforms and made our way to the barracks for a warm up. The heat was relentless. After our final practice in the Quadrangle, we donned our uniforms, making sure that everything was sitting exactly right. It was well seen that the nerves were beginning to get to us. Once the parade moved off, we soon got back into our marching rhythm, and led the parade to the Quadrangle. Nothing could really have prepared us for presenting the Colours in the Quadrangle. The mixture of heat, pride and nerves was overpowering. I know that I struggled to stay still during the review of the Parade. Despite the tough conditions, we managed to pull the task off and look the part, or so it seems from the photos.
Being in the Colour Party was a great experience. I enjoyed working as a part of a close team, and enjoyed learning a new skill (even if not a clearly transferable one!). I should like to thank all who made it possible for me to take part in the Colour Party, including those who encouraged me to go to the selection, the Northern Ireland Scout Council for helping with travel expenses, the support and training team over in England. However, I should like to thank George Purdy above all for requesting that this year’s Colour Party be from Northern Ireland.
William Gowdy
January - June 2003
A Walk on the Wild Side- Beaver Scout Rally Day, Crawfordsburn, 17th May 2003
2 Leaders, 1 Parent, 2 Scouts, and ‘handful’ Beavers from the 4th hit ‘the Burn’ for a day of woodland adventure with ‘Fergus the Fox’ and friends! Unfortunately, the weather was never going to be on our side but it would not dampen our spirits, just our clothes! First off was the Beaver Trail, a mini assault course for the vertically challenged which all Beavers completed twice, just to see if they could cover themselves in more mud the second time around!
Moving on and the Beavers got up close and personal with a hedgehog learning that they can climb 6ft walls in seconds but finding it more amusing that they get back down again by rolling into a ball and diving off to ‘bounce’ along the ground until they stop!
The new building at Crawfordsburn, aptly named ‘the lid’, meant the Beavers could enjoy ‘tug-o-war’, parachute games, and the bouncy castle sheltered from the persistent rain. Lunchtime was dry and after that the Beavers got to see a Falcon on show, swooping and feeding.
The eagerly awaited visit to the tuck shop created much satisfaction on wet faces! It was priceless to see the look of confusion and delight as Beavers handed over one coin after choosing what they wanted and getting three or four coins back again!
Fully loaded with toys and sweets the Beavers took part in some ‘fun fair’ type games before making their way to the Campfire. Tired, wet, and muddy, the Beavers still managed to find good voice for the songs around the welcoming shelter and flame of the Campfire area.
Nobody could argue that all Beaver Scouts attending had a great day out at Crawfordsburn for Beaver Rally Day despite the rain. My thanks to Maureen, and all those involved in the planning and organising long before we all even get there. A truly imaginative and event-full day! Until next year! Cheers all!
Gareth McAuley, 4th BSL
4th Belfast Beavers- Owl Extravaganza 
For one night only! Monday 28 April, the 4th Beavers were taken over by Mike Gibb and his amazing ‘World Of Owls’. Mike runs Wildlife Rescue NI, the only one of its kind in Northern Ireland for the rescue of Owls, Snakes, and even Spiders! You can’t imagine the rest! He also works towards the conservation of endangered species. To do this work he relies totally on charity for funding, to which the 4th Beavers were glad to donate £30 on the night. Mike’s main aim for Wildlife Rescue NI is to ‘Educate and Conserve’.
The Beavers were shown a demonstration of ‘silent swooping’, this was after they got over the fact that this was an Owl who had played a role in Harry Potter! You may have seen Mike with this Owl before at the Oddessey for the Film Premiere, or at Snowlandand in the King’s Hall over Christmas. Claire Marshall, our Young Leader, even got her hair re-styled by one of the Owls! No harm done, except maybe in the image department!
It was a unique experience for the Beavers to be so close to these animals to be able to touch, as well as watch their wings in flight straight above their heads. Not to mention the running commentary that Mike gave which grabbed the Beavers attention and educated in such a fun way.
Knock Presbyterian Church may not know this as yet, but there was a Snake on the premises that night! Luckily it was one Mike had brought with him and there were no rescue missions! We did however hear the story of how Mike had got the call to rescue the Snake he had brought along, from a children’s playground no less!
Thanks to Mike for a truly different experience at Beavers that night, educational and fun. My thanks also to Betty Robb ADC / 30th BSL for putting the contact my way. To find out more, visit www.worldofowls.com
Gareth McAuley, 4th BSL
John Marshall Memmorial Sponsored Walk Crawfordsburn/Bangor
On Saturday 12 April past we had plenty of ‘eager’ Beavers turn out in support of the above fundraiser for Sargent Cancer Care for Children, along with our Cubs and Scouts and their Leaders.
John who sadly died of Cancer at this time last year, aged 17, was heavily involved in Scouting life at the 4th and we would like to extend a big THANK YOU to all Groups who got involved and gave the event their support. Also to the District for it’s ongoing support of the venture by means of publications, banners, and the St George’s Day Service collection contribution.
Over 300 people went under the starters orders of Jeremy Davidson (Ulster & ‘Ireland A’ Rugby) and John’s sister Claire as the ribbon was cut to the attention of the gathered press. The 10K route took us from Crawfordsburn to Bangor and back again with the odd pitstop for water and ice-cream!
So far the 4th Beavers have raised a total of £530.80 in sponsor money for Sargent Cancer Care and the forms are still coming in! Special thanks goes to Steven Marshall (4th Beavers) who raised £249.80 on his own form – well done.
Sargent have said that sponsor money continues to arrive at their office and a grand total for the whole event will hopefully be in print by next month’s issue. Keep watching this space! You can find out more about Sargent Cancer Care for Children by logging on to their website at www.sargent.org.
Gareth McAuley BSL 4th
News from the Troop
After the concerns about the future of the troop at the start of the year, the new leadership team at Knock is settling in well, and starting to get to grips with the new Scout Section programme. Recruitment and retention are going well, with an average of 12 boys from the 4th at meetings. We are pleased to have the patrol from the 24th Troop attending our meetings and taking part in our activities, and wish them all the best in their search for new leaders.
We are running a balanced programme, with games involving both brains and brawn, and Scoutcraft training and testwork. Several of the troop have recently completed their Hobbies and Interests badge, and it is hoped that most of the troop will have completed the Outdoor Challenge before September. In the past couple of months, we have had a number of activities outside the scout hall: we had a joint activity, playing football with the Cubs and enjoyed a wide game at Cairn Wood. It has to be said that the PLs came out the best from that activity! Members of the troop took part in a sponsored walk for Sargent Cancer Care for Children. We have also had a very successful Easter Camp at Saintfield Desmesne, introducing many of the troop to the basics of scout campcraft. We are looking forward to sending a patrol to the County Flag competition and to taking part in the Summer Activity Camp at Crawfordsburn.
We are starting an Explorer Scout Unit for our over 14s. Members have been taking part in various District activities. Some of the Explorers went on an expedition in the Mournes over the Easter holidays, after undergoing basic expedition training on the North Down Coastal Path. They returned wet, tired, but happy, and should complete the expedition requirements for the Chief Scout’s Platinum Award and the Duke of Edinburgh’s Bronze Award.
Will Gowdy, ASL 4th
January - June 2001
Up Up and Away...
It was with a sense of expectation that the Ventures assembled in the Church car-park on a wet Friday afternoon. We had heard the tales told by the others who had been gliding before, and no-one had a bad word to say about it. However, as the rain lashed down, mixed with hail (and with only a small car to shelter in) (Malcolm was typically punctual), we were worried that we would not be able to go.
Eventually we got the all clear, and headed up to Bellarena. However, we underestimated the traffic through Toome at Friday tea-time. At Bellarena, the weather was reasonably clear, so all we had to do was wait for the gliders and instructors.
After a short wait, as there was only one instructor at the start, I got to go up in a glider. The instuctor got the glider into the air, showed me how to use the controls and then let me get on with flying. As I was out, a storm began to blow in from the Lough. This led to some hairy moments! For a start, the lift disappeared from the ridge. The instructor had to take the controls again to try and find some lift, or we would have had to use the compulsory parachutes! (Parachute instruction consisted of the following: "I'll leave you in no doubt when it's time to get out... just pull the D-ring.")
We found some lift, and got back underway. I was told to aim at a certain mountain in Donegal, while the instructor prepared to land. The shower now started for real. This made it impossible to fly in a straight line, as wings went up and down, so the instructor decided it was best to get back to land. That was my go over. Once the shower cleared, another two people got into the air. They too were brought down by the rain. That marked the end of the evening's gliding, meaning that two, who had tried gliding previously, did not get to go up.
I would have to say that everyone enjoyed this activity, different and providing an adrenaline rush (especially while in a shower with very little visibility), as it was.
4th Unit test out the new Wall at the 'Burn
Despite the fact that our unit had barely managed to meet since people started doing mock exams, we jumped when we heard that the new climbing wall was opened at Crawfordsburn. Many of us had completed the Rock Climbing course during last year's camp at Kandersteg, but opportunities for practice had been rather limited since.
After finding out when Ventures had started study leave, or were not too busy, we headed up to Crawfordsburn on Thursday 24th May. As we got there, we barely recognised the place. Gone was the rickety old abseiling tower, and present was a new tower with climbing grips and some interesting overhangs. However, the safety set up had not quite been finalised for the tower, so we were put on the indoor wall.
I was expecting a barn wall with a few hand-holds attached, so I was surprised to find the almost life-like surfaces. The one problem was that the Scouts were there too, so some of us had to wait while they got on. All I can say is that the wall was worth the wait. We had a chance to attempt all the climbs and to learn how to belay, although some people did not quite manage this (I fell without being stopped on two occasions. It is a good thing that the floor is soft!). It was a great evening's fun, and we hope to go back again in the near future.
I'll probably get staked out for saying this, but apparently our mug shots will be gracing the new Crawfordsburn website, to show the wall in use. The address for Crawfordsburn was horribly long and complicated, so go through Scoutbase to get to it!
Will Gowdy, Venture Scout
On Wednesday 21 February 33 boys and 10 leaders were part of the capacity crowd of 7,000 at the ice hockey match between the Belfast Giants and the Ayr Scottish Eagles. Our seats were behind one of the goals and as luck would have it most of the match was played up at our end. It was fast and furious with the odd punch up but hey, its American – we expected it! We cheered, we chanted, we roared (some screamed) and we Mexican waved like mad! Alas it was in vain as the home team were eventually beaten 1-3 with the Eagles scoring twice in the last minute. However, a great time was had by all and some voices were lost so it wasn’t all bad news. If you haven’t been before, the atmosphere is incredible and the hockey is enjoyed by all ages. A big thank you to the Odyssey staff. I admit to having had a few disturbed nights of sleep beforehand (43 : 7,000 was a daunting prospect) but the staff were extremely helpful, especially those who helped to seat us. Definitely recommended!
