SCOUTING EAST
No.228 The Journal of East Belfast Scouting FEBRUARY 2002
From The Editor
Hopefully by now you have all recovered from the Christmas festivities? 30th Group for the first time in many years decided to have a Scouters’ Christmas Dinner with more than 20 attending what was a great night at a well-known local restaurant for all the Leaders and their partners leading up to Christmas. Many thanks to Gail and Lorna for organising a super night out. I’m glad to report that unlike some of his unfortunate fellow Leaders, your Editor managed to avoid the food-poisoning caused by the dodgy starter portions of garlic mushrooms and vegetables that he encouraged the others to order and entered 2002 unscathed! Many of you have probably also made (and perhaps already broken) New Year’s resolutions? Judging by my mail, it appears that not many of you resolved to write for Scouting East this year?? Still it’s not too late yet to make my year by sending in news and reports in 2002!!
With 2002 finally upon us and as we gear up for another year of Scouting, it is a time not only to look back and celebrate the past but a time to look ahead and to plan for the future. With that in mind, two events stand out in the calendar for February 2002. The first of these, 6th February, is the official anniversary of the beginning of our Queen’s reign in February 1952 and marks the start of a year of Golden Jubilee celebrations. For those of us in Scouting, a special Jungle Camp is planned at Crawfordsburn when Cubs from across Northern Ireland will have an opportunity to celebrate the Queen’s Golden Jubilee together. This has all the makings of a memorable weekend. 30th Pack plan to attend and I know several other Packs in East do too. Don’t forget to get your deposits in early to book your place.
The second event is the new programme launch at the Waterfront Hall on 23rd February when we will learn how our Movement plans to adapt and modernise to meet the changing needs of young people facing the challenges and opportunities of life in the 21st Century. This promises to be an important milestone in the life of Scouting and an event which as many as possible of the Leaders in East should try to attend. See you there!!
David
From the District Commissioner
On behalf of the District Team can I wish all our members in East District a very happy and peaceful New Year. I look forward to another year in East Scouting when we all work together for the good of the young people in our Groups and District. My congratulations to Lisa Smith (A.B.S.L 10th) and Chris Bryson ( V.S.L 27th) on recently receiving their Wood-badges and to the Deputy D.C Alan Campbell on receiving his Bar to the Long Service Award. I have a number of Service Certificates and Wood-badges, and these will be presented in the New Year.
My thanks also to the 24th Group for recently inviting me to their Group " Going up ceremonies", where Beavers and Cubs moved up to their respective sections. I was also delighted to present a Service Award to B.S.L Pam Murray.The District Christingle Service in December was a pleasure to be at. District attendance was good and with excellent organisation by the Beaver/Cub A.D.Cs and the 24th Group and the Service very well led by the Rev Graham, made an extremely "Festive " evening. My thanks and congratulations to all those who worked together to make it happen.
I would remind all Scouters in East of the New Programme launch on Saturday 23rd February at the Waterfront Hall. It is important that all sections of Groups in the District are represented at this launch of our new programme material in readiness for all the forthcoming changes in Scouting. The District Secretary has by now mailed the new Census information to all G.S.L,s and I would ask that all Group returns are promptly sent to Harry.
On a more negative note I have had to cancel the District Weekend and Day Conference proposed for February 2002 at Lorne due to the lack of interest from the District. The report and recommendations on the District from Brian Laffin and his Team will be given to Alan and I in January and we will be looking at the contents of this report with a view to taking any necessary action on the Team's recommendations. I had however hoped that Groups would have shared the views from the report at the District Conference and helped to shape the future of Scouting in East and I am disappointed at the reaction of the District to this. My thanks however to those few who did return their applications and to Alex (99th) and Joan McCullough (Lorne) who took the time to put together the paperwork and arrangements for the weekend.
The new District Fellowship will commence its programme for the first year and we look forward to their contribution to the life of the district and hope that all East Groups will contribute their support to the Fellowship.The new 28th Group still requires Leaders, helpers etc for Beaver and Cub Section and a Scout Leader to re-form the 28th Troop and Anne Jackson and Pamela Skillen would welcome any help from the District as numbers continue to grow down at Tamar Street. Harry Davison has been appointed to oversee the refurbishment of the Tamar street hall and has made a plea for help from the District. Don’t forget this is our District Hall.
I look forward to seeing you all at various events into the New Year,
Ian
This year, 30th Pack decided to forego our own traditional Christmas party, and
instead rounded off the year by joining with Cubs from other Districts in Belfast
County for an action packed schedule of activities from mid-afternoon to late
evening. We started off in traditional 30th style by being fashionably late. Akela,
coming from a wedding in Ballynure, rushed into the Jack Britton Hall to change
Superman style from his best suit into his uniform, most of the Cubs had come
straight from school , some were meeting us there, others at the Odyssey, some of our
drivers didn’t know the way, others couldn’t find a parking place, in other words,
typical 30th chaos!! And so it was, 20 minutes late, and in small groups at a time, that
we slipped virtually unnoticed into the unfolding mayhem that was Soda Joe’s Diner.
How the staff managed to get several hundred Cubs and Leaders fed with the correct
order we will never know! Having scoffed burgers and chips, washed down with coke followed by ice cream, we
were refuelled and on the march again, ready to join the other Cubs and their Leaders
in the Imax cinema. The film was a documentary about a climbing expedition to the
top of Mount Everest, with some very realistic special effects that had the Cubs
spellbound and on the edge of their seats. Such was the sensation of motion during
the avalanche scene, that we were certain a few of the burgers and chips were going
to make a return appearance just to see what they were missing on the screen!
Then it was on to the Odyssey Arena to watch the Belfast Giants in action against the
Ayr Eagles. For many of the 30th Cubs and Leaders, this was our first time at an ice
hockey match, and we really enjoyed the atmosphere of the occasion, joining in with
the die-hard local supporters cheering on the Giants to an impressive victory and
jumping to our feet in delight whenever we scored a goal (in-between visits to the
shops for popcorn and Giants merchandise and to the balloon artists to get ourselves
decked out in silly balloon hats!!). We were very happy with the seats allocated to us
in the back rows. Particularly at the end when the crowd were persuaded to throw
teddy bears onto the rink to be collected for charity. Unfortunately some of our Cubs
wouldn’t win gold for Britain in the Teddy Throwing event at the Olympics! 30th
Leaders looked on in alarm and concern while ACC Steve, ADC South Gwen and
others were bombarded by 30th bears!! (and no, Akela did not aim any at the ACC!!).
Weary but content, we headed for home. Many thanks to Group President, Audrey
Beggs, who joined us on the trip and to ACC Steve Hoskins for a superb day out, a
really fantastic way to end 2001.
30th Pack at the Odyssey Arena
David, CSL 30th
East District was represented at the County Gala at the Robinson Centre on 12th January by Cubs from 10th, 30th, 33rd and 99th Packs. This was the first time that we had not run a District Gala to select our representatives for the County Gala, and East was well represented, with about 25 Cubs, almost half of the total County entry on the night. This was also the first time the County Gala was run on the basis of timed heats. Well done and thanks to ACC, Steve Hoskins and his team, including our own Suzi and John, on a smoothly run and well-organised event. There was even a little time over for some free time on the diving boards (who knows, we might even be able to run a County Diving competition next year??) and for once I didn’t end up fully clothed in the pool at the end! This new look Gala is an excellent foundation on which to build in future years: how about a few novelty relays or maybe putting the six fastest in the heats into a final at the end, to get the spectators on their feet?? By the end of the night, East had amassed a total of 11 individual medals, but despite having to settle for Silver in the relay, we comfortably saw off the challenge from the other four Districts, to retain the Armstrong Swimming Trophy for the third year. With the medals haul evenly split between 10th, 30th and 99th Packs, we eagerly wait to learn which Group has won the District’s own Bolton trophy this year. Gold, Junior Backstroke: Philip Hawthorne, 30th East Belfast Gold, Junior Freestyle: Brett Hillis, 10th East Belfast Gold, Senior Backstroke: Timothy Quigg, 10th East Belfast Silver, Junior Breaststroke: Niall Morrow, 30th East Belfast Silver, Senior Breaststroke: Patrick McMorran, 99th East Belfast Silver, Senior Backstroke: Patrick McMorran, 99th East Belfast
Bronze, Junior Breaststroke: Michael McMillan, 30th East Belfast Bronze, Junior Freestyle: Philip Hawthorne, 30th East Belfast Bronze, Senior Freestyle: Jeff Gilmore, 30th East Belfast Bronze, Junior Backstroke: Peter McAleer, 10th East Belfast
Bronze, Senior Breaststroke: Timothy Quigg, 10th East Belfast Silver, Relay Team: Michael McMillan, Jeff Gilmore, Timothy Quigg, Patrick McMorran
East Cubs triumph once again at the County Gala
David, CSL 30th
East Belfast District Scout Fellowship
Meetings of the East Belfast Fellowship will be held at 7.30pm on the first Tuesday of the following months:
MARCH, APRIL, JUNE, SEPTEMBER, NOVEMBER
Meetings will be held at 10th HQ, McMordie Hall, Oakland Avenue. Everyone Welcome!
Events in February
9th: Northern Ireland Orienteering Competition, Crawfordsburn Scout Centre
Contact: Colin Turtle, Warden
11th: East District Cub Scout Quiz, 9th HQ
Contact: John and Suzi, ADCs (Cub Scouts)
23rd: New Programme Launch, Waterfront Hall
Contact: NISC HQ, Ardnavalley Scout Centre
Scout Section 5-a-side football
Avoneil Leisure Centre, Friday 8th February 7-9pm (under 13s) and Friday 1st March 7-9pm (under 16s).
Scout Section 5-a-side floorball
St.Donard's Church of Ireland, Beersbridge Road, Tuesday 12th February 7.45-9.30pm (under 13s) .
Belmont Presbyterian Church, Sydenham Avenue, Friday 22nd February 7.45-9.30pm (under 16s) .
Stephen Anderson, ADC (Scouts)
News & Views, Letters & Comments, Reports & Announcements to the Editor:
e.mail: d.bell@qub.ac.uk or eastbelfast@yahoo.com
not later than 6th February for the March Issue please!
