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Latest news from other Scout Groups in East District
July - December 2003
9th Belfast (East) Beavers visit to Crawfordsburn 
On Saturday 6th December, 9th East Belfast Beavers paid a visit to ‘Christmas at Crawfordsburn’. The boys (and Leaders) had been looking forward to this trip for weeks and there was great excitement and a LOT of noise on the journey down.
From the moment we arrived everything was exceptionally well organised and every moment was filled with fun and laughter. We first went on the Christmas trail, a lovely journey leading up to the birth of Jesus and along the way as a Leader read the story, the boys answered questions on a word search.
We next went to the holding area where we could try our hand at snowball fights, building a tower with building bricks, and obstacle course and loads of craft work including Christmas finger puppets, drawing, book marks, Christmas cards and the boys favourite making a bag of food for Santa’s reindeers. We could have stayed much longer in the holding area but it was time to sing our way up the hill to meet Santa and Mrs Claus. Santa’s grotto was a winter wonderland full of fibre optics and twinkling lights and was easily the best we had seen in a long time. Santa welcomed us and asked each of the boys what they would like for Christmas and then asked the boys to sing for him and he in turn, assisted by Mrs Claus, gave the boys a lovely gift.
After all that excitement we were ready for some juice, crisps and a sausage and our journey home. For our Beavers this was a wonderful afternoon and one we will certainly be repeating next year.
9th Beaver Leaders
Happy Retirement to Roly!
On a Tuesday night in October, the great and the good of East Scouting and local Methodism congregated in semi darkness as we hid in the pews and aisles of the Church, before making our way into the Watson Hall as Roly was closing the Pack meeting. Imagine the look of sheer astonishment on his face at the unexpected arrival of so many friends, the line of people taking up position around the hall seemed to stretch for miles!
It was fitting that Roly’s many years service to Scouting, initially at 59th St Mark’s, but predominantly at 9th, where he was Scout Leader and latterly Group Scout Leader should be recognised in this way. It was lovely too that the officers of the Sydenham Girls’Brigade, the minister and members of the Quarterly Board, as well as members of the District Team and Executive, and 9th Leaders past and present, including Margaret Watkins, Eleanor Farrell, Florence Johnston and Catherine Emerson were able to join together to honour Roly’s work on behalf of Scouting in Sydenham. Roly’s appreciation of the night, and his delight at being able to reminisce with former Scouts and fellow Leaders was clear for all to see.
Despite having to reluctantly accept a free bus pass, Roly is not bowing out of Scouting just yet though, as he plans to remain as a serving member of the District Executive and has also taken up the position of Group Chairman at 9th.
July - December 2001
9th Colony win East District Beaver Sports at Avoneil
On Saturday 10th November, 4 boys from 9th Beaver Colony headed off to Avoneil for the East Belfast District Beaver Sports Day, hoping our missing Beaver would turn up en route. To our great relief he arrived on time. The hall was full of noisy Beavers and their parents. To kick off we had the egg and spoon race with the parents egging on their own boys. Luckily the eggs had miraculously turned into potatoes or there would have been a scramble rather than a race! As the events proceeded our Colony was looking good with a third place and some seconds. We were pinning our hopes on a win in the tug-of-war. Of the 12 teams to take part we were called up first. As the rope took the strain the parents’ faces were inches away as they cheered their side on. In fact there was more strain on their faces than on the rope! Unfortunately our team hadn’t had their wheetabix that morning and we were out in the first round. At the end of a fun filled morning the Beavers who came 1st, 2nd or 3rd received their certificates from DC Ian Diamond. All that was left was for the ADCs to count up the points to see who the overall winners were. ADC Dierdre Kissock announced that it was a close thing but 9th Colony had won. The first time ever! This was due to the expert management and tactics of their leaders. Look out Sir Alex Ferguson. Thanks to all who organised the event, it was great.
Pat, BSL 9th
Joint Scottish Night with 10th Colony
Tuesday 9th October saw Oakland Avenue HQ playing host to a re-enactment of Braveheart, when the Beavers from 9th and 10th Colonies, some in complete Highland dress, enjoyed a joint meeting. In keeping with the Scottish theme, the boys dined on traditional Scottish fayre:- Shortbread, Irn Bru and Highland crisps, made versions of Nessie out of egg boxes and played ‘Murder in a Scottish Castle’. Our DC visited and hinted to the BSL from 10th that he would like to see similar numbers (40+ boys) every Tuesday night. Her reply could not be printed!! However, a very successful evening enjoyed by boys and leaders alike and definitely to be repeated.
