I ventured down to Newcastle for the annual conference at the end of February and was very impressed once again with the range of programme ideas for the Beaver and Cub sections. I was slightly surprised by the poor turnout from East this year; with the exception of Anne Jackson (7th) on the registration desk, I didn’t see anyone from any of the other Groups in East. What happened to everyone else? Admittedly I only came down for the Saturday as I had been invited by Ann and Roly to 9th’s Thinking Day Service on Sunday morning. It was worth the trip though just for the sight of ACC Steve Hoskins wearing a paper hat, strumming a cardboard banjo and carrying a brightly decorated walking stick and a ‘pasta-skeleton’ picture as he led a lively conga out of one international activity room and into another!! It was a pleasure to join 9th for their Thinking Day Service.Well done to 9th on a smart turnout and impeccable behaviour. I enjoyed the contributions by both the Beavers and Cubs, and was very impressed with the way in which the new Cub Leaders, Simon and Helen, have turned the fortunes of the Pack around since I was last down that neck of the woods. They’ve recently had a trip to the Ski-Slopes; perhaps we’ll hear more about that in the next issue. My own Group held their Thinking Day Service jointly with 155th (Gilnahirk) Guides the following Sunday. 30th Cubs and Scouts performed two sketches based on the Old Testament Prophets, Jonah and Moses (well done to Colin and David, and especially Seconder, Jonathan, who was very convincing as the drowning Jonah!) The Cubs also attempted to teach the congregation a new chorus ‘God’s people aren’t super brave Super Heroes’ although they were apparently reduced to a whisper by ‘stage-fright’ and at times it seemed 30th Kaa, Fiona, and myself were performing a duet (could we be the next Robbie and Kylie???) 30th Pack recently completed the Artist and Map Reader badges which Lorna and I tested ourselves; I heard on the grapevine that 10th ACSL Richard had been making bird-boxes and key holders with 10th Cubs for their handyman badge. This got me thinking again how useful it would be to have an updated list of District Badge Examiners, especially as a new District Year Book is currently in preparation. Any volunteers? See you all on parade on 22nd April,

David

From the District Commissioner

My congratulations to Richard Clark A.C.S.L 10th on recently achieving his Woodbadge. It gave me great pleasure to present this to Richard as D.C and his G.S.L and at a 10th Pack evening. Unfortunately I have to announce that A.D.C Scouts Harry Kissock has decided to stand down from his position albeit on a temporary capacity due to pressure of work commitments. Harry and I will review this position in September and we hope that he may be able to resume his A.D.C duties. In the meantime Stephen Anderson will carry on as A.D.C Scouts and will be assisted in the Scout Section by Deputy D.C Alan Campbell until new appointments are made.

I hope to see a large District Parade at our annual St. George’s Day Service at Stormont Presbyterian (33rd Group) on Sunday 22nd April and that ALL SECTIONS OF ALL GROUPS IN THE DISTRICT WILL BE WELL REPRESENTED.

Ian

District Development Team

Those of you who read this bulletin will already know what the DC has asked, maybe that’s not too accurate, volunteered me to head a ‘Development Team’ to look at the current state of our District. (This team is in no way connected to the previous one responsible for all the hard work at Tamar Street and none of those folk are involved in this new venture). The ‘new’ team, whose title will soon change to something more accurate, has been set up to carry out an in-depth study into our District. This will involve looking into the past to see where we were and hopefully looking into the future to see where we can go. I have already recruited a few onto this team and if needs must, will be on the look out for others to join the band at a later date. After all, why should I take all the blame! Some of these folk may pay you a call. Their mission is simply to gather a little more information to add to all the stuff so far collected. Please be as honest and open as possible as all the comments will be treated in confidence. Don’t try to answer the questions with the ‘right’ answers! This is your chance to give your opinion, and it will be listened to. We may even call again if we feel you have something really good to offer. In the meantime if anyone has any views on the state of the District, please either drop me a wee note, call and see me on a Wednesday night at the 4th Cubs or give me a call You may even send the note anonymously!

PS: The DC has granted an amnesty to anyone who co-operates with this team, so make sure you voice your views!

Brian Laffin

The Tenth Space Cadets

In January this year we were asked if we would like an astronaut to come and visit our pack. (Thanks to the 111th Group), we of course jumped at the chance.We were visited by Payload commander Don Lind who flew on the Space Shuttle Challenger on a Spacelab mission. He explained to the boys how he took off on 27th April and landed on the 6th May 1985, and during this time he orbited the earth 110 times and watched the sunrise and fall 16 times per day. The boys were most amused when he told them that part of his lab work was to test if the animal waste disposal system worked, unfortunately it didn’t and with zero gravity it floated around the shuttle instead (we presume they quickly found another method of disposal). We were then fortunate enough that he had video taped his mission and had brought a copy to show the boys. We watched with excitement the shuttle taking off and circling the earth building up speed until it finally flew into the earth’s orbit. We then watched what it was like to live with zero gravity and float around the shuttle working on either walls, the ground, or even the ceiling ,because apparently there is no feeling of what’s up or what’s down. After seeing the shuttle return safely, and watching the redness on the windows of the shuttle as it burned it’s way back to earth , there was just enough time for the boys to ask some question’s . This is when we learnt that:

This was a much enjoyed pack evening by both leaders and cubs and our thanks again to the 111th for organising this for us.

Pamela, 10th ACSL

East District Beaver Unihoc Competition

Saturday 10th February 2001 and the HQ of 7th Belfast Scout Group has been besieged. 1,000s (so it seems!) of small people in grey, accompanied by bigger and ‘slightly’ older people have arrived for to do battle for the honour of winning the Beaver Unihoc Competition. 11 teams representing 9 Colonies have been practising their dribbling skills for weeks now and the moment of truth has arrived. The battles are tough and exhausting (not least for the big people whose number have been boosted by lots of parents). The games are close- no cricket scores here, but eventually a winner is declared. Our able Deputy DC (who sported a new hair-cut and freshly trimmed beard in honour of the occasion) was, I think, extremely impressed by the enthusiasm surrounding him and was called upon to present the trophy.I suppose you would like to know who the winners were? Well put together the venue, the fact that the very impartial referee belongs to the same group and what have you got? That’s right! Well done to 7th Colony- worthy victors. Mr.Diamond has said he would like to see the buzz back in East. Well he missed it this time (rumour has it that he was out of the country lending support at a rival sporting event!!), but let’s look forward to next year and make it an even bigger buzz for him to hear. Our thanks also go to TESCO Connswater for supplying vouchers which provided half-time (much needed!) refreshments. Thanks also to the folk at Dundonald Methodist for hosting the event. See you ALL there next year, same place, different time!

Elizabeth Whitley, ADC [Beavers]

Cub ADCs undaunted by Foot and Mouth Crisis

The annual East District Cub Scout Cross-Country Race was one of the few sporting fixtures in March that was not cancelled due to the current Foot and Mouth outbreak. So on the morning of Saturday 10th March, over 60 Cubs, accompanied by Leaders, parents and an assortment of dogs (including one proudly modelling a 4th scarf!) eagerly trudged through the disinfectant laid down at the entrance to the Stormont grounds (well several of the Cubs lingered and jumped about quite enthusiastically on the sponge mat- just to be extra sure that their trainers had been thoroughly disinfected!) and made their way up the road to where John and Suzi were just tying the cord to the last pole that marked out the course. A large field saw 10 of the 13 Packs in East represented this year. As usual in this hotly contested event, several of the runners, eager to be off and jostling for position at the front, fell ‘at the first fence’ but they soon picked themselves up and carried on regardless! A gruelling course saw the runners make their way up the hill, across the road and then disappear among the trees before emerging again some considerable time later near the finish. Congratulations to the individual winner, Jason Harvey, the individual winner, and 24th Pack, who were presented with the John McKirgan Trophy by the DC. Many thanks to John and Suzi for setting the course….I think some of the Leaders and parents would have struggled to keep up with the Cubs and make it to the finish…we’re sure Suzi must have been exhausted working her way round all those poles with the string!! Results were as follows:

7th 27th Pack 248 points

David, CSL 30th

Update on 28th Group

With the new premises now secured at Tamar Street an Open Evening planned for Thursday 29th March will see the beginning of the re-establishment of 28th . It is hoped that registration of boys and girls of Beaver and Cub age will commence and 28th will be up and running. The new 28th G.S.L Jim Stitt along with N.I Field Commissioner, Sinclair Trotter, will initially take responsibility for the two Sections and East Development Team Leader, Brian Laffin, will be putting together a number of Scouters from the District on a rota basis to help out with these Sections . If you could help even one evening per month contact the D.C or Brian. The 28th Sections will probably meet on a Wednesday and Thursday evenings although this will be confirmed by the G.S.L. Over the summer months we hope to organise a number of work-parties at the Tamar Street Hall for general work, painting and work on the grounds and the possibility of a District Bar-b-q courtesy of the 28th. Details will follow. We would ask for 100% support from the District in this project and it is a delight to announce that after a long absence from East Belfast Scouting the "New" 28th Belfast is about to recommence and start work in the lower Newtownards Road area. We wish G.S.L Jim Stitt and his team well for the future and hope to see the 28th again become an important part of East Belfast District Scouting.

Ian

10th Beaver News

We have enjoyed a very busy and productive year so far with parties, outings and creating artistic masterpieces. So much so that the Leaders have not found time to arrange the annual (and much talked about) visit to….the fire station. However the year’s not over yet!! (my spies inform me that the fire brigade were recently called out to 10th Hall apparently to investigate an electrical fault in the hand dryer in the ladies’ loo… can you shed any light on this Elizabeth??- Ed). Our premises have been well used over the past weeks, removing some of the new look and replacing it with a well worn, much loved hue. We also held a very lucrative fund raiser, calling on the services of Sunstone Silver and Mr.Richard Leven. Thanks to all who supported the event and helped us towards £200 profit. During this past few weeks, we were presented with a unique gift by one of our parents, a lovely new Beaver Flag which will be on show on St.George’s Day. There will certainly not be another one like it on Parade. Thank you, Mr.Crothers. We are looking forward to meeting up with all our Beaver friends at the Waterfront Hall at the end of March. Hopefully this busy Leader will find time to write and tell you all about it- as well as keeping you up to date with all the happenings in Oakland Avenue.

Elizabeth Whitley, 10th BSL

Love is in the Air....

Young, free and single? Looking for romance? Well, perhaps you should hurry down to Sydenham. Love is clearly to be found at 9th HQ! Ann informs us that Cupid’s arrow has struck not once but twice amongst the 9th Leaders (either that or GSL Roly’s archery practice at the 9th’s recent trip to the new all-weather archery range at Crawfordsburn is reaping dividends!!) Many congratulations from all in East to new 9th CSL, Simon, on his engagement to Samantha (on St.Valentine’s Day too!!) and to ACSL Helen who beat him to it by getting engaged to David a few weeks earlier.

Events in April

22nd: East District St.George's Day Parade, Stormont Presbyterian Church