I hope by now that all our Scouters who attended the recent "Programme Launch" at the Waterfront have had time to take in all the changes that are ahead. As a District we will be working to implement these changes by arranging Sectional "workshops" to look at the new programme and help Sections/Groups implement this. The new District structure to bring in Explorers and Scout Network is underway and over the next few months a number of briefings will take place with Scout Leaders, Venture Scout Leaders and the Group Scout Leaders to implement the new Sections. Our new Explorer Commissioner Ian McLachlan and the new Network Commissioner John Ashenhurst have already met with myself and we have discussed at length the new format ahead. I would ask that none of the Groups in the District take any steps to implement Explorers or Network into their structure before these briefings begin and I would remind all GSLs that the new Explorer and Network Sections are District organised and partnership agreements will need to be implemented with Groups before a Unit can be set up. Our District Change Manager, Colin McShane, will be in attendance at various meetings and briefings to advise Groups on the new structures.

The District Secretary has provided the 2002 District Census figures and I am delighted to be able to announce that they are up by 25 from last year. This figure does not include the figures of membership from the new 28th Group and gives the District a "positive" increase on 2001 figures. With the continued work on development within the District and the new Sections about to come aboard I hope that Scouting is on the increase in East and with the recommendations and suggestions from our "report and research team" whose report is now with Alan and myself I believe that we can incorporate these views and make Scouting bigger and better in East. On a more negative note however I have to announce the closure of the 64th Group. The 64th has had a series of problems recently with loss of leadership and vandalism at the Hall in Kings Drive forcing them to "share" facilities with the 24th. Their leadership have tried to keep the Group afloat but have had to admit defeat. My thanks to Sonia and Elizabeth for all their hard work recently with the Group and hopefully these leaders will continue their Scouting within East District.

Results:

U13yrs,5-a-side Football, Winners:99th;Runners up: 73rd

Let's hope that the next competition is as well attended and as enjoyable. Many thanks to my A.D.C. Scouts colleague, Stephen McCord. Yours in Scouting,

Stephen Anderson, ADC (Scouts)

New Colours for 30th Group

30th Beaver Scout Colony and Squirrel Dray recently dedicated new Flags at the joint Founders’ Day Service with 155th Guides on Sunday 24th February at Gilnahirk Presbyterian Church. Neither Section had previously owned a Flag and we are very grateful to all those whose financial support made this possible. We were delighted that Group President, Audrey Beggs, and former BSL, Heather Stephens, were able to join us on this important occasion.

30th Pack Weekend Camp at Ganaway

Always on the lookout for a new venue for camp, 30th Pack decided to check out the ‘competition’, and booked ourselves into the BB Campsite at Ganaway near Ballywalter during a bitterly cold weekend at the beginning of March. Our instructors led on an excellent range of activities including abseiling, climbing and an assault course, as well as some superb team challenges. We also made full use of the excellent indoor games hall, but passed up the opportunity to sample the watersports until the better weather. On Saturday evening we had our own puppet play and ‘talent’ show and on Sunday we were joined by Tom’s Mum, Julie-May, the Gilnahirk Crusaders’ leader, who had agreed to lead our Cubs’ Own Service. We rounded of the weekend with a trip to Bangor Leisure Centre. The site has excellent chalet and camping facilities and is very convenient to Belfast. We would definitely recommend Ganaway to other Packs and Troops in East.

David, CSL 30th

East District Cub Scout Cross-Country Race

On a blustery, wintry early Saturday morning 2 East Belfast Cub ADCs braved the elements to set up this year's event. Due to restrictions placed on us by Stormont Estate Management we were confined to the 'quagmire' that is part of the green area left of the main entrance. In order to add some mystique & excitement to this year's race it was decided to run it anti-clockwise compared to former years. The course began with a 'slog' - a 3/4 mile slow incline which quickly sorted the "men from the boys" & the "women from the girls" (Yes we were delighted to have 3 girls enter from the 28th for the first time and they showed some of their male counterparts a clean pair of heels !!) Sadly only 38 entrants participated from ONLY 7 packs - What's Wrong???? We do hope all Cubs were told (reference was made to it in the year planner & also in Scouting East) After the initial stampede the race on a very heavy field took its toll and the runners soon began to spread out and after what appeared an eternity the race concluded as follows:

Due to poor support for this year's event it has been decided to chop it from our District calendar for 2003. Any new replacement ideas would be welcomed.

Suzi and John ( ADCs Cubs)

Start of the race at 12.00 noon Saturday 9th March

The winner and the first girl home (from 30th and 28th Packs, respectively)

News from 28th Group

Tamar Street were delighted to be able to take part in their first District Event – and it was even better that the event was a Beaver Competition. It was a great achievement for us to be able to enter a team to the Beaver Uni Hoc Competition this year, and we would like to pass on our thanks to the 2 colonies who ‘lent’ us Beavers to make our team up to six. The boys and girl had a fantastic afternoon and enjoyed the competition and making new friends with other Beavers. Can we also take this opportunity to pass on our thanks to the 7th Group for hosting the event and making us so welcome there.

Pamela Skillen, 28th

News from 30th Pack

This year, 14th February fell on a Thursday, and what better excuse did we need to hold a joint evening with 155th Gilnahirk Brownies… a St.Valentine’s Night Disco at the Jack Britton Hall. So with bouncers in place on the doors, our resident DJ, Graeme Booth, on hand, and the tuckshop fully stocked, it was on with the show. The Cubs appeared, having smothered themselves in hair gel, reeking of deordorant, and sporting their trendiest Levis. Shortly afterwards, the Brownies started to arrive, in multicoloured outfits complete with spangly handbags and hair-bands and seated themselves in little huddles around the hall to giggle as a few of the more adventurous Cubs got up to make fools of themselves warming up on the dance floor while Graeme cranked up the music and released the ‘smokescreen’ for the first song. Akela and Kaa stepped in with an ice-breaker to get things moving, demonstrating how to dance to the tune of the Birdie Song while trying to keep a balloon in the air between yourself and your partner. Soon the dance floor was crowded as everyone boogied away to Britney, Kylie, Westlife, ‘Saturday Night’ and ‘It’s Raining Men’, in between frequent trips to the tuckshop (the Cubs) or to the loos (the Brownies…to talk about the Cubs????). Despite many requests for records to be played for various ‘couples’ and the revelation that Niall was ‘two-timing’ two girls in his P5 class, we doubt if any romances started this Valentine’s Day. There followed a rowdy Conga, detouring via the tuckshop and almost knocking Brown Owl to the ground as she arrived at the Hall, and of course ‘YMCA’- and yes once again, Akela failed miserably to get the actions right. Unfortunately, he was not alone – his ineptitude on the dance floor appears to have been passed on to a few of the sixers and seconders! We rounded off the evening with a short ‘Pop Idol’ competition; while most of the Cubs should come with a Government Health warning and free earplugs, we reckon that young Chris could give Gareth and Will serious competition in a few years’ time. Many thanks to all the parents, to Adam and to Graeme for a super night, we look forward to an return invitation from Brown Owl next year.

David, CSL 30th

EAST BELFAST DISTRICT SCOUT FELLOWSHIP

The next Meeting of the Fellowship will be held on Tuesday 7th May 2002 meeting at 10th Group, McMordie Hall,Oakland Avenue at 7.30pm

Armagh Planetarium’s Mobile Stardome visits Gilnahirk Saturday 20th April

Armagh Planetarium’s Mobile Stardome is visiting the Jack Britton Hall on Saturday 20th April. 2 sessions (about 3 dozen places per session) will run in the morning and a further 2 sessions in the afternoon. Each session lasts about 60-75 minutes. There will be an opportunity to complete all of the requirements for the Cub Scout Astronomer Badge with the help of the Planetarium staff, but any Cubs who already have the badge and all Beavers are also welcome. Price £2 per person. Please contact David or one of the 30th Leaders as soon as possible to reserve your places.

Events in April

19th: St.George's Day Parade Rehearsal, Belmont Presbyterian Church