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Chatline—Issue 5

Dec 08-Jan 09
EDITORIAL
So here we are, coming up to Christmas so fast it makes your head spin when you think of all the little jobs
and arrangements you still have to make before the day itself is upon us! With all the razz-a-matazz and
hype about writing cards, buying gifts, putting up decorations, stocking the larder with seasonal goodies,
etc, etc; it’s hard to take time to pause and reflect on the true meaning of what we are celebrating. The
greatest gift we can give the world is P*E*A*C*E, and that starts with each of us celebrating the good in
every other person instead of criticizing or feeling threatened by them. Spread this attitude around, and, if it
grew to encircle the world, Peace would follow as a by-product. Make it your New Year Promise to ensure
that your Scout Group learns about and earns the World Friendship Badge. For now, I wish you all a very
merry Christmas full of fun and friends and kindness; and hope you will have a blessed New Year of
Scouting excitement and opportunity and adventure, with the health and will to enjoy it all. B.Ed

DC’s BIT
We are fast approaching the end of 2008 with only the few weeks running up to Christmas left.
By now you should have seen next year’s District Diary and noted the events which you hope
to take part in. District events and activities are there to assist our Sections; Groups and Units
with programme planning and to strengthen its content. They have all been discussed at the
Exec Xmas Social
Christmas Eve DEC 16
various District Section meeting before inclusion. I look forward to see you all at these events.
Chrisatmas Day 24
Boxing Day 25 Our District Scout Shop is a major contributor to both Warrington District’s funds so I take this
New Year’s Eve 26 opportunity to remind you all how important it is to make sure all our members use it for pur-
2009 31
chase of uniforms, etc. Please make sure that parents of all new starters are aware of the shop
New Year’s Day JAN 1 and its contribution to our District. Anyone using other outlets is depriving Scouting of in-
GS Rehearsal 8 come and giving profit to commercial concerns.
Cub Rehearsal 9
Fellowship 12
Beaver Scout Ldr Mtg 14
Our Christmas celebrations have got off to a great start with the Carol Service
Pack Scout Ldr Mrg 15 at Boteler High School. It was pleasing to see so many of you there. I can
Exec Comm 20 inform you that this years District Charity (North West Air Ambulance) was
GSL/DT Mtg 21 given a cheque for £700 on the night. After the retiring collection the total
Troop Scout Ldr Mtg 22
Dist. Camp Comm 29
for the evening with this and the Group and Unit contributions was nearer to
___________________ ____ ____ £800. I think there is more to come in so I hope to be able to send another
cheque early in the New Year. Thank you to all who contributed.
Other Notable Forth-
coming Events
Finally, I would like to wish you all a very happy Christmas and best wishes
Cub Craft Competition Feb 7 for the New Year together with my thanks for your contribution in time and
Explorer Swim Gala 22 effort to Scouting in 2008.
C. S. Awards B & C Mar 4
Gang Show 31
Gang Show Apr 1-4 Cont…... Tony Warburton - District Commissioner
St. Georges Day 19 B’foot Mapcheck Oct 7
District Yomp 26 Cub Swim Gala 18
Back to Basic w/e May 8-10 Blakfoot Hike 23-25
District AGM 14 Gang Show enrol Nov 5
Cub 5-a-side 17 Scout Swim Gala 15
Expl DofE Expedition 30/1 District Dance 21
County Parade Jun 7 Expl Winter Camp Dec 4-6
County AGM 9 Carol Service 8
District Camp 26-28 EC Party 15
Beaver Fun Day Jul 11
Expl Summer Camp 25/1
Gilwell Reunion Sep 4-6
Mingle 18-20
Cub Activity Day 26
Chatline—Ed 5 Page 2
Warrington West District Explorer Christmas Camp
Southport, 5—7 December 2008
Reported by Zak Preston

When we arrived at Waterside
Lodge it was late and the seagulls
were struggling to fight the coastal
breeze. As the rest of the explorers
drifted in, some drifted off to the
local McDonald’s (we were their
best customers that weekend) and
soon came back loaded with
McFlurrys and Big Macs. In the
morning we woke to a beautiful
cooked breakfast and then went into
Southport. There were some good
places to go like the skate park
(which was greatly improved with
the use of a wheelchair), cinema,
town centre, swimming pool, bowl-
ing alley and of course the pier and
beach where the sea was not even
visible. After coming back from
our activities we enjoyed a Christ-
mas dinner with the DC and then
had a frivolous time playing the
games Brenda had prepared for us.
We eventually fell asleep and were
awakened by Rob in time for a big
clean up and goodbye. We would
certainly go back again and would
definitely recommend the Water-
side Lodge. On behalf of all the
Explorers we would like to thank
all of our leaders who took their
time in organising, cooking and
coping with us over the weekend.

The President’s Patch:

Christmas is a time for giving when gifts are exchanged and worthy
causes supported. This was certainly the case at the District Carol Ser-
vice when a cheque for £700 was presented to the North West Air Am-
bulance Service. This was money raised entirely by our younger mem-
bers and I offer my thanks and congratulations.
It was also pleasing to see the Carol Service so well supported by a “full
House”.
Finally, may my wife and I wish all our members of District a Happy
and Peaceful Christmas.
Yours in Scouting
George Carman
Chatline - Ed 5 Page 3

WINTER WONDERLAND
So, now is the time of year when the nights go dark practically before we get out of school. and it can be very
cold, windy, snowy or just miserably wet. This puts more stress on providing good, fun programmes for meet-
ings when we are more likely to be restricted to using indoor facilities during evening activities. Therefore,
here are a few ideas we have gathered to try and brighten up a dark night or two.

Visit your
nearest kart
track; or build a
Scoutcar and
have it ready for
your own races
come next
Spring

Book an
evening on
the District
Climbing
Wall and
learn Rock
climbing
under
proper in-
struction.

Learn to play tunes on some

musical instruments (you can
make some of these your-
selves) and have a little Why not challenge another Troop. A
Youth Club, or even the Army to a
‘combo’ ready to perform at game of some sort?
your next Group AGM
Chatline - Ed 5 Page 4

WET WEATHER WAYS IN WINTER TO WAKE UP WEARY EXPLORERS

Chatline - Ed 5 Page 5

Near the end of November a ceremony was held at Forest Camp to name
and dedicate the newly built retreat situated on the site of the previous
open-air chapel. We were happy to have the Warrington West ex-
Chaplain, Rev. John Reed, back with us for this. The single wall of the
retreat has been covered by a beautifully painted mural depicting Scouting
symbols and activities the full length of the wall. As a result of a request
by County for suitable name suggestions for the new edifice, THE HAVEN
was the chosen contribution. Its contributor, Mr. Vernon Henry, performed
the unveiling ceremony of the mural; and its young lady artist from
Manchester was presented with a bouquet . Widnes Fellowship provided
very welcome hot drinks and refreshments as we returned to the Lakeside
Activity centre with cold hands and red noses. Subsequently I received a
poem written by Vernon Henry as follows:

Saturday, 22nd November (2008)

To Forest Camp, we made our way;

An invitation on this dry; cool day,
To the unveiling, in a chapel, rural;
A lovely; long; hand painted Mural.

The lady artist; cameras and many guests were there,

And our County Chaplain to close with a prayer!
We were then fed and watered,
Thanks to Gods, and Fellowship hands.

From the Mural, our Scout Founder looked upon us,

As ever to guide us in our Promise to show young people,
How to be Trusted; Loyal and Helpful;
And to enjoy all the adventures; shown in Brush and Paint.

At home, on the eve of that memorable day,

And in our church, on a hill, on Sunday
To my Lord, I sincerely wanted and did say;
“Thank You for that precious time,
I shared with our Sisters and Brothers
In a Movement which goes your way.”

Bless you all,

Vernon Henry

A one week course with the National Scout &

Guide Symphony Orchestra is to be held in
Chester, 2-9 Aug 2009, with professional
orchestral conductors and tutors. Applicants
must be Scouts/Guides aged 13-25 years and
proficient players of orchestral instruments. A
great opportunity and, as far as I know, the first
time the NSGSO have held the course in the
North-West. Enquiries by email to: djnsgso@yahoo.co.uk. Application
forms can be downloaded from: www.nsgso,org.uk Public performances
will be on 7 & 8 Aug to include works by Holst, Grieg, Shostakovich,
Tchaikovsky, Copland and Bizet.
Chatline - Ed 5 Page 6
Diggerland Day Out

On Sunday, 5th October, the 28th Warrington Scout

Group made a visit to Diggerland, Chapelford. It was a
fantastic day. The forecast wasn’t great, but the sun came
out about 10 a.m. and stayed out, all day! Beavers, Cubs
and Scouts alike were all kept thoroughly amused. You
could sit in and actually operate real JCB diggers.
Leaders too joined in but it took them a little longer to
master the controls!

There was a giant digger called ‘Spin Dizzy’ which did

just that! You could ride on a digger round the course,
test your dexterity by knocking down skittles, pick out
bricks buried under stones. There were cars rather like
ones used by clowns in a circus where you could dodge
each other. You had the opportunity to sit in a 4wd,
while you were taken off road and shown
exactly what playing in the mud is all about.
Everyone received a certificate of compe-
tency and were all asking when they could go
again.

NEW YEAR - NEW OPPORTUNITIES - NEW EXPERIENCES