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Latest news from other Scout Groups in East District
July - December 2002
50th Anniversary Celebrations!
99th Group held their 50th Anniversary party at Crawfordsburn over a weekend in September. Nearly 200 boys, parents, friends and old boys attended along with Chief Commissioner Philip Scott, County Commissioner Maynard Porter,District Commissioner Ian Diamond and District President Phil Holland. They came along on Saturday afternoon for the official ceremony and the 'cutting of the cake'. The cake was cut by Arthur Boucher, one of the founding members of the group, and one of our young Beaver Scouts, Paul McCluskey. During the formal proceedings Joy Baird, AGSL, was presented with her long service award. The weather over the weekend was brilliant and this gave the boys the chance to try all the activities at Crawfordsburn. Thanks to Team 2 at Crawfordsburn for helping to organise the activities and running an excellent Campfire on Saturday evening (this is still being talked about by the Cubs!). Overall everyone had a great weekend and as a group we would recommend an event like this to any group celebrating an anniversary. Just remember it takes a long time to find and invite past members.
New babies in 99th!
Congratulations to ACSL Stephen and his wife Seona on the birth of their son Joshua Connor on 12th August. Also congratulations to ACSL Emma and her husband Stuart on the birth of their daughter Katie Hannah on 8th October.
January - June 2002
99th Pack's Trip to IMAX
It was a wet, cold windy night and we stood outside the huge Odyssey Arena filled to the brim with excitement. It was the night T-REX was coming out in IMAX and we, the 99th and 4th Cub Packs, were going to be some of the first to see it. We walked inside and bought our popcorn, drinks and sweets and then walked through the doors to the screen. There were five massive speakers which boomed out sound into the massive room. We had to wear strange 3D glasses to give the film a 3D effect. There was a cartoon just before the film which was very funny. The film was absolutely brilliant. Dinosaurs came to life in a museum. It was very realistic. Some bits made us jump. Everybody enjoyed the film and the trip out. Thank-you to Akela and all the leaders who organised this trip.......and when can we go back?
Connor Whitla, 99th Cub Scout
July - December 2001
99th Cubs make a guest appearance on the John Daley Show
I had just finished my supper when the telephone rang and Akela asked if I would represent our 99th Cub Pack on a local television talk show - The John Daly Show. I immediately agreed as I had never been on TV before. When I got there I was very excited. There were lots of guests - John Leslie, Keith Duffy, Annabel Giles and my favourite local comedian Marty Reid. I went to the studio with another Cub called Johnny McLearnon and we had to set up and put away a tent. We were allowed to practice so we were quite fast. We then set this 'Survivor' challenge to Keith Duffy and John Leslie. Keith Duffy was very fast and he won. They teased us about all the badges we have and said that we had a tent folding badge! The audience clapped and everyone said how smart we looked. We felt very proud. I enjoyed going to the rehearsal, having dinner in the 'Green Room' and recording the show.
Michael Campbell, 99th Cub Pack
On Tuesday evening Akela rang my house asking if I would like to take part in the John Daly Show on Wednesday 10 October 2001 and I said I would love to take part in the John Daly Show. The rehearsals and the show was in the enormous BBC studio building in Belfast near the city centre. It all started at 3.45 pm on Wednesday 10 October 2001. We met Tara the floor manager, John Daly, John Leslie, Keith Duffy and Uncle Andy from Give My Head Peace. We had to practice putting a big tent into a small bag more quickly than two of the special guests we had met earlier. In the proper show we did this in the BBC garden that was decorated to be like a jungle. Watching the rehearsals and folding the tents into the small bag in the jungle garden was really fun. I really liked Uncle Andy from Give My Head Peace. We also like the music, the band was cool and so was the camera number 3. We saw the special guests, John Daly, the TV cameras and the people that were on the show. We also saw the green room which was mostly blue. The whole day took 5 hours and 45 minutes. I thought it was really good fun and I really enjoyed it.
Jonathan McLearnon, 99th Cub Pack
January - June 2000
99th Pack celebrate a unique achievement
Congratulations to Jonathan Elliot of 99th Pack who gained his camper badge at the Millennium Camp last weekend. Jonathan has now gained every single activity badge available in the Cub Scout Handbook. We reckon that this is a unique achievement and that Jonathan is the first Cub ever in East, and perhaps only the second in the whole of Northern Ireland to have done so. Well done Jonathan and to 99th Akela, Alex Henry-you’ve done the District proud (not to mention keeping Miss McBride in business at the Scout Shop!). Here’s hoping that Alex and Julie don’t have to resort to stretching Jonathan’s arms to make sure that all the badges fit on!!
99th Pack get ready for Emma's big day!
Shops in the Belmont area have reportedly sold out of confetti as the 99th Pack stock up in advance of the wedding of ACSL Emma Baird and Stuart McMeekin in July. Judging by the size of the 99th Pack that promises to make for a very impressive Guard of Honour and quite a blizzard of confetti… best wishes to you both for the Big Day and for the future from all your friends in 99th Group and in East (we look forward to hearing all about the ‘hen night’ from our informants inside the ‘hen house’ ..so don’t let us down Julie and Alex!!!)
99th Troop Weekend Camp at Crawfordsburn
On the weekend of 18th-20th February, 23 Scouts and three Leaders enjoyed a camp at the Cub Chalet. As it is not possible to carry out many of the various tasks involved in our badge award scheme during the winter months, Saturday and Sunday were ideal for this purpose. During the weekend eight Scouts completed their Scout Award and 15 the Pathfinder Award. It was not all work and no play…there was the usual sleepless first night……!On Saturday 19th February, Scouts from as far afield as Coleraine assembled at Crawfordsburn Scout Centre to take part in the annual Orienteering competition. As 99th were at camp that same weekend, we entered seven teams ranging from some with experience to complete novices. The boys enjoyed the day, the sun shone and all returned to base unscathed. To our delight, one team consisting of S.Jackson, G.Gilmour and A.Kennedy, won the event and as it was the millennium year, they received the new Millennium Orienteering Trophy
S.Jackson, 99th PL
99th Akela takes to the catwalk!
Did any of you notice Alex and Julie modelling their new purple and green scarves at the recent District Scouters’ Meeting? Well just to reassure you, they haven’t defected from 99th. The Group have decided to change the colour of their scarf, and very smart they look too!
Fundraising Events
99th Group held a fundraising Disco and Pub Quiz on 28th January. We learn from Alex that a rugby shirt signed by members of Ulster’s winning European Cup Team, and a Manchester United Shirt signed by David Beckham was also raffled. Unfortunately this news arrived a bit late to publicise in advance, but hopefully the night went well.
