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Borders District Scouts

Annual Report 2014/2015

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Explorers enjoying Tea and Biscuits

Picture on Front cover Lauderdale Scout Group

BORDERS DISTRICT SCOUT COUNCIL

ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS FOR

YEAR ENDED 31st MARCH 2015

ANNUAL REPORT OF THE DISTRICT EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE

The District Executive Committee of Borders District Scout Council has pleasure in presenting its report and accounts for the year ended 31st March 2015. These were adopted by the Committee at its meeting on 6th May 2015.

Objects: The Scout Association is a UK-wide charitable body, incorporated by Royal Charter. Scouting exists to actively engage and support young people in their personal development, empowering them to make a positive contribution to society. This is achieved through providing an enjoyable and attractive scheme of progressive training, based on the Scouting values of integrity, respect, care, belief and co- operation, in partnership with adults.

Structure: Borders District Scout Council (Scottish Registered Charity no. SC008565) is an umbrella body to support Scout Groups in the Scottish Borders. Its affairs are managed by the District Executive Committee, which operates in accordance with the Councils Constitution and the Policy, Organisation and Rules of the Scout Association (with Scottish variations). The Executive Committee is accountable to the members of the District Scout Council at their annual general meeting. The members named below served throughout the year, except where otherwise shown:

President: Sir Michael Strang Steel

Ex officio members: Hugh Bain (Chairman)

Graham Coulson (Acting DC)

Eric Nicol (District Explorer Scout Commissioner)

George Young (Treasurer)

Isobel McElrath (Co-Secretary)

Margaret Aitken (Co-Secretary)

Elected Members: Derek Brown (Selkirk)

Lynda Stoddart (Galashiels)

Hazel Garden (Hawick)

Andrew Beaumont (Lauderdale)

Nominated Members: Maggie Allan (Appointments Secretary)

Youth Representatives: Abbie Beaumont and Emily Lawrie both Lauderdale

Address:

The District can be contacted via the Chairman :-

Hugh Bain,11 Langhaugh Crescent, Galashiels TD1 2AX. 01896 756651 or by email info@borderscouts.org.uk.

Accounts: A full set of the Finance Statements will be presented to the AGM in May. Copies of these will be available from the District Treasurer.

Volunteers: Scouting in Borders District depends entirely on the efforts of volunteer leaders and supporters. The District Executive Committee would like to pay tribute to the nearly 400 adults who have given freely of their time to support the provision of positive Scouting for young people in the Scottish Borders.

Chairmans Annual Report

We have reached that time of year again when the Chairman has to consult the calendar and prepare to write his report. Unfortunately I have been under doctors orders for the latter part of the year and have had to rely on others to keep me up to date.

Once again Borders District has had a busy year but for once the census shows that we have suffered a slight loss in

numbers mainly due to losing two Explorer Units and one Beaver colony. However it is hoped to have one of the units

back on stream in the upcoming months. It is also worth noting that if we could have accommodated the waiting list we

would have shown a small rise in numbers. Congratulations to Peebles and Lauderdale for their satisfactory position.

As I said last year if we could only attract more leaders we could have more young people enjoying the fun of

Scouting.

We were all very pleased to see Norrie Allan our now retired Secretary being awarded the Bar to his Silver Acorn and

Maggie being awarded the Silver Acorn at the GM. Congratulations both. Although I have said Norrie has retired he

is helping his wife as Depute Appointments Secretary for which we are all most thankful given the problems caused

by the new registration computerisation. Thank you both.

At this time last year we were looking forward to our young representatives going to the Jamborette at Blair Atholl.

Now that is almost a distant memory which I'm sure was enjoyed by all and thanks to the group of adult leaders who

attended on the support staff who no doubt had as much enjoyment as the youngsters. In this vein we wish good luck

to the young people attending the World Jamboree during this summer and look forward to hearing about it in the

future. These wishes also extended to other groups who are attending international events in the UK.

In conclusion can I express my thanks to all members of the Executive for their support and to all leaders and helpers

who give their time week by week.

Finally I must express my most sincere thanks to our hard working secretaries and again to Norrie for all the help he

has given during the changeover.

Hugh Bain - Chairman

Borders District Report Here we are again at the end of another very successful year for Scouting across Borders District with many varied, fun and challenging activities taking place.

The cluster groupings across the District continue to work well with many successful events for each section taking place across the three clusters and indeed some joint activity across the Beaver, Cub and Scout sections. There has also been a change to the groupings with Melrose moving to the central cluster and Kelso moving to the East Cluster. I would take this opportunity, on your behalf to thank Ruth Smith, Cheryl Turpie, John McCusker, Colin Fraser, Tim Seabrook and Douglas Alan for their support and dedication to this new structure.

Another very successful Brass Monkey was run at Springwood Park, Kelso by a new team leader Chris Swaffield from Kelso with most of the troops and units being represented.

Explorer scouting continues to thrive and grow despite the distance involved across the District. To Eric Nicol a big thank you for your work with these sections.

There are to be some changes to the Network provision which will come into to play within the next few months. Unfortunately due to other commitments Els Nicol has decided to stand down from the role of District Scout Net- work Leader. I am sure you would join me in thanking Els for all her endeavours in supporting the network to date and our best wishes for the future.

It is important to recognise the work of our lay members, without the Group Exec's and the District Exec life as a Leader or Adult helper would be much more difficult and I would therefore take this opportunity to formally thank those teams on your behalf.

Good service has been recognised across the District this past year and the Chief Scout has awarded the following Leaders for their contribution to Scouting with the following awards:

Chief Scouts Commendation for Good Service-Lucy Halley and Lesley Turnbull of Selkirk Scout Group. Chief Scouts Merit Award-Douglas Allan of Eyemouth Scout Group and Tamsin Growden of Hawick Scout Group. In the St Georges Day Awards 2015, the Chief Scout recognised and awarded Eric Nicol with the Silver Acorn for specially distinguished service to Scouting and the bar to The Silver Acorn to Hugh Bain our District Chairman for further specially distinguished to Scouting. Many congratulations to all the recipients and their families for their continued commitment to Scouting within Borders District.

I hope you continue to enjoy your Scouting in whatever form that maybe and look forward to catching up with you during the coming 12 months.

Kind regards

Aye

Graham

West Cluster Report 2014-2015

This year the West Cluster has seen a great deal of positive improvements as well as a few setbacks. We have had a very successful Beaver Cinema afternoon, in January, in the Eastgate in Peebles. Popcorn and Juice and the ever funny Home Alone led to over 50 beavers laughing at the great humor and having a great time.

We had the return of our Swimming gala in Peebles, which this year saw all 4 groups represented from the Cluster. There were almost double the number racing for the trophies! A huge well done to all that tried their best and Congratulations to the Peebles Scout Group for their clean sweep in all sections!

West Linton Scout group saw the retirement from Scouting of Alan Crossley, which meant the group had to temporarily close the Scout section but the great news is that they have found a couple of new Scouters and the section is up and running again and hopefully will continue to build on the groups experience and enthusiasm.

We are in the planning stages for some more leader training drop in sessions, focusing on back to basic skills

which John McCusker has been providing. Hopefully to include some hill walking and navigation training too.

Both the Cub and the Beaver section have plans in discussion for further activity days focusing on fun and challenges! We hope its going to be a productive and busy year for all in this year of adventure!

John McCusker and Cheryl Turpie ADC ( West Cluster)

Central Cluster

The central cluster of Galashiels, Hawick, Jedburgh and Selkirk has seen a change with Kelso joining the East

Cluster and Melrose becoming part of the Central.

The year started with a Beaver fun evening in May at the Haining in Selkirk, Beavers played various potted sports

before making ARMPIT fudge, sounds disgusting but is actually quite nice. The evening finished off with a campfire

sing song, thanks to Selkirk explorers for building the fire and to Deb Smith for bringing so much of the activity

equipment.

Two days later and the cubs were off to Coldingham for a day on the beach, although overcast a great day was had

by all even if some cubs did get rather (VERY) wet, activities included flying kites, looking in rock pools, beach

Olympics and sand cast le building. The Young leaders and Explorers were glad the caf was open for hot drinks.

Makerston near Kelso has proved to be an excellent camping venue, close to home. Kelso had a group camp there

in June while Melrose cubs visited in September. On both occasions it was a hive of activity with pioneering,

backwoods cooking, tent building, night hikes and stargazing to name a few of the activities. Ford was also a

popular choice of campsite with Selkirk Scouts and less travelling than their summer camp to Guernsey.

Beaver sleepovers are always popular and several took place in the Cluster. Melrose for example went to Gala scout

hall sleeping in tents in the lounge area, great fun with various craft activities and green machine racing taking place.

Many beavers earned their first nights away badge well done to all. Proof that you dont have to go far to be away

Kelso have been very busy this year with a community garden project involving the whole group. From scratch,

planters were built, a greenhouse erected and vegetables planted. The produce was then donated to a community

scheme; all this hard work was rewarded with the group winning the Scottish Scout Community Award in November.

Learning about the responsibility of looking after small animals at the Pet Store while getting the chance to handle

them, along with the Farm to Plate Badge at Tesco proved to be very popular activities. The latter was very

informative with a hands on approach to trying new foodstuffs and learning where our food actually comes from. One

of the highlights appeared to be a fish being gutted. At the end of the evening all youngsters get a goody bag,

Beavers and Cubs can earn an activity badge.

In January the District got together for the annual brass-monkey camp at Springwood Park Kelso, in mild but VERY

WINDY conditions where the scouts participated in numerous scout craft and fun activities. Thanks to Chris Swaffield

and his team for organising the camp.

In February a leaders meeting was well attended in Galashiels with many ideas being put forward. As part of the

Cub Year of Adventure, there is an opportunity for some cubs from the District to get together at Longcraig for a fun

afternoon of water activities. The Cub Section is also planning a sleepover at the Secret Bunker in Fife for over 100

cubs. Cubs may also be able to travel on the new Borders Railway for this event. For the Scouts David Growden

agreed to run canoe sessions at Selkirk pool thanks to you David. There are also plans in place e.g. scouts from

Gala, Hawick and Melrose hope to attend the regatta at Lochgoilhead in September. Philiphaugh Estate is the venue

for Lowland Adventure in May which some of the young people from Borders District will be attending. Plans are well

underway for a selection weekend for 2016 Blair Athol, two patrols attended last year and had a fantastic time, many

thanks to Tamsin Growden for co coordinating. Central Cluster sends our very best wishes to the young people from

Borders District who will be attending the world Jamboree later this year in Japan.

This is just a small sample of what has been happening in our Cluster. We hope these links will continue to grow and

thank you all for the time and effort you give to our Young People.

Colin Fraser & Ruth SmithADC (Section Support)

East Cluster

The Borders East Cluster continues to go from strength to strength. The annual Scout Section activity weekend in November was well attended from Scout Troops from across the cluster. This time the weekend was held at the Hawkhirst Centre in Northumberland. A number of activities were experienced by the young people attending, and the weekend proved a valuable opportunity for leaders to meet and socialise.

It is encouraging to see sections beginning to work together between the groups. A prime example of this is the joint visit by Earlston & Lauderdale Scout Troops to the Peak International Scout Camp at Chatsworth in July. The preparations for this trip have included a number of opportunities for the young people from the two groups to mix and socialise. A joint campfire and Christmas party, a sponsored 24 hour event at Smailholm, quiz night and a training camp. It would be good to see more of these joint type events being undertaken by the Beaver and Cub sections across the cluster.

Tim Seabrook and Douglas AllanADC (Section Support)

ADC(AT) report for Annual Report 2015

Weve had a significant number of new leaders attending our Getting Started training over the past year. With the help of Rachel Neville (GSL Peebles and Regional Training Administrator) and Brian Morrison (ARC(comms) )

weve been able to offer courses in the West and East of the District as well as in Galashiels.

Id like to thank all the Training Advisers for their hard work and dedication over the past year. We have 3 new Training Advisers and now there is at least one in every Group except one, though some TAs have a large

number of Leaders in their care. Anyone who has a Wood Badge who is interested in becoming a Training

Adviser should contact me for details.

The advent of the new Compass membership database has meant that I have been unable to update training

records for most of the year since July 2014, and I now have a considerable backlog for input once the system

becomes live again. Im aware that there are several Leaders who should be eligible for Wood Badges once we are back online.

Tamsin Growden ADC (Adult Training)

The Explorer Units partnered with Peebles, Cardrona, West Linton, Selkirk, Gala and Earlston Scout Groups continue to flourish. Unfortunately Kelso Unit closed during the year and Hawick opened again, with Eyemouth awaiting return of the ESL following study time. The Leadership Team running the Explorer Units has increased at Earlston and Selkirk. The District Explorer membership has decreased by approximately 15%, having increased by 20% the previous year. Young Leaders (Explorers) continue to play a major role in supporting Sections throughout the District. Partnership Agreements have been set up with all the Units in the District and these continue to work well with the associated Scout Groups.

Midsummer Madness , Ford Castle & POW WOW Bonaly

Explorers attended three District Explorer Camps; MIDSUMMER MADNESS at Ford Castle in June, POW WOW at Bonaly in September and FROSTBITE Brass Monkey Camp at Bonaly in March. Last summer Explorers took part in the International Jamboree at Blair Atholl and hosted overseas Scouts. Explorers also attended Young Leader Training courses organised by the Region through the year. They continue to have fun packed programmes within their own Units.

FROSTBITE Explorer Brass Monkey Camp, Bonaly

Awards are a key part of Explorer Scouting and the Chief Scout Awards (Platinum and Diamond) continue to be achieved and are an excellent asset to the Young Peoples Personnel Development Plans.

Scouting is a Movement and it continues along the path of change, with Explorer Scouting still being relatively young. I am very proud of the hard work the Explorer and Section Leaders in the District are putting into providing a balanced programme, to keep the Explorers and those in the role of Young Leader enthusiastic..WELL DONE to all!

Eric Nicol Dixie Scott

District Explorer Scout Commissioner District Explorer Scout Administrator

Galashiels Scout Group

The last year has been another busy one for the Group. The Beavers and Cubs have enjoyed a varied programme of activities enabling them to gain their Scottish Challenge badges as well as their top awards and we are looking forward to a summer outdoors. Both sections also participated and enjoyed their respective cluster events as well as gaining the new Farm to Fork Challenge Badge. As well as attending the District's Brass Monkey camp, the scouts joined Hawick Scouts and came a creditable fifth in the National Scout Regatta held at Lochgoilhead, an experience they hope to repeat this year. At the time of writing they are preparing for a survival camp at Meggernie. Members of the Group who also play with the Scout Pipe Band were particularly busy with WW1 commemorations locally and nationally and were the only civilian band to take the salute from the Princess Royal at Armed Forces Day. The Explorers have been exceptionally busy, camping at District organised events, working towards their zodiac badges and top awards; as well as experiencing the magic of the Blair Atholl Jamborette. They have also been building on their relationship with the Ocean Youth Trust undertaking voyages to the Outer Hebrides and Norway. For the first time a mixed group of Explorers and Scouts attended Winter Camp held at Hawkhirst - a weekend of challenging activities including gales, snow and loads of mud! This summer will see some of the Explorers taking up the recommendation of the O.Y.T. to sail as bosuns' and to train in their Young Leader Development Programme enabling them to become Watch Leaders. A year of fundraising and training is almost at an end for two of our Explorers as they prepare for the WSJ in Japan this July, - exciting times!

INNERLEITHEN Group Report 2015

The Innerleithen Group is continuing to work hard at providing a service while trying to increase our leadership. Over the past year we have had many enjoyable events take place. Both the Cub and Beaver Sections have enjoyed an historic Re - enactment evening with a hilarious dressing up opportunity and an evening of Bug investigation and consuming. Particularly appreciated was the Scorpion Lollipops. Cubs have visited Tesco for a Farm to Fork evening which also proved to be a great success and our Beavers took part in the District Swimming Gala. As a group, we held a sponsored walk from Innerleithen to Glentress back in June with almost 30 Cubs and Beavers taking part and we are now looking forward to our second annual walk later this year. Badge work has seen all of our Cubs and Beavers progress well through the programme with numerous Challenge and Activity badges awarded. We were particularly delighted to see some of our Beavers Moving On to Cubs back in November which also freed up space for a number of new Beavers whom we invested in February this year.

We have made a serious effort to recruit further Leaders and have had two parents showing an interest in joining our team following a parents evening we held in February this year. We remain unable to cover the Cub Section for the summer term but are intending to offer a reduced service to keep this section afloat.

Both our BSL and CSL continue to pursue a wide interest of activity for their sections and we hope to work in partnership with Traquair Estates to access some exciting outdoor experiences in the near future.

KELSO SCOUT GROUP

We have 22 Beavers, 1 girl and 16 boys in Cubs and 21 Scouts. Each of our Sections continue to enjoy a packed

and varied programme of activities. Some of our highlights include the Group camp at Makerstoun in June 2014.

The Scouts built a life size obstacle course and once completed were able to play on it, the Cubs made nets and

gadgets for their Pioneering badge and the Beavers worked towards their Camp Craft badge.

For Scout Community Week, the Beavers and Cubs revisited the garden at Kelso Hospital and tidied and

replanted the baskets and containers with some flowers that they had grown themselves in the Groups

Greenhouse. They also planted and looked after a variety of vegetables in the greenhouse which, when ready

were donated to Border Links, a local group who make up vegetable baskets to distribute in the local community.

The young people went back to the hospital garden in the autumn to tidy up and plant some spring bulbs. They

will be back in the Springtime to see how they are coming along and what needs to be done during Scout

Community Week 2015.

We were delighted when we found out that we had won the Scouts Scotland Awards 2014 Community Project of

the Year for our Garden Project. It is great that all their hard work has been recognised and rewarded.

To celebrate winning the award we invited everybody involved in the projects together with representatives from

Borders District Scouts to a social evening to watch our presentation which led to us winning the award followed by

coffee and a mince pie. We also awarded 7 Beavers and 2 Cubs with their Chief Scout Awards which were presented

by Graham Coulson.

At Christmas time the Beavers and Cubs went to Kelso Hospital to deliver the Christmas Cards that they had made

for the patients and to sing Christmas Carols. Afterwards they spent time chatting with the patients and drawing

pictures for them.

In February Kelso Scout Group joined up with the Rainbows, Brownies and Guides in the town for a joint Founders and Thinking Day Service.

Some of our Scouts travelled to Selkirk to watch the Scout & Guide Concert.

Melrose Scout Group Report

Melrose Beavers began a new session in August 2014 after having a few months without the group running but despite this about 12 beavers began the new session and the group has since increased to about 19. The group has one girl and the rest are boys which seems to work well for everyone in the group. Our programme has included remembering religious festivals including Diwali, Christmas and The Chinese New Year and Shrove Tuesday. Each of the evenings the beavers have enjoyed a variety of experiences linked with the festival from tossing pancakes to making Chinese lanterns. In November the group enjoyed a very busy and enjoyable sleep over staying in the hall of the Galashiels scout group.

The theme for the sleep over was space and during the evening the Beavers made and ate astronaut food, designed a

space rocket from newspaper, raced moon buggies, had a bonfire and eventually had some sleep. A good time was had

by all! We were very grateful to Colin, Lesley, 2 Explorers and a range of parents whose help made the sleep over the

success it was. In January the Beavers enjoyed a very interesting and full evening in Tesco experiencing their Farm to

Fork event which they really enjoyed.

Cubs started the term with a backwoods cooking down by the Tweed, we had our 1st Camp at Makerstoun in September which we had a clear sky and we could see satellites, shooting stars, it was a good chance to cover most of the Astronomers badge. We had a visit to the Pantomime in Gala before Christmas. We also went to visit Tescos Farm to Fork tour (How many cubs can you fit in a bakers oven?). We have covered the swimming, Emergency Aid badges. We had a visit to the Ski Slope at Jedburgh. We had a sleepover with Gala Cubs in March, one with Jedburgh and Hawick planned for April. We are looking forward to the rest of our adventure year and moving forward into the Cubs Centenary next year.

Scouts had a few leader changes at the start of the term, we have a number of German Scouts staying in the hall where they attended one of the nights and we swapped games. 6 Scouts attended Hawkhirst in the care of Eyemouth Scout Group at the end of October (Thanks Douglas). With a change of night the troop went from 5 before Christmas to 12 at the start of January. Some of the younger troop attended the Brass Monkey in January which they found it really enjoyable as they didn t have much camping experience before camp. They have also covered Emergency Aid, Swimming, and are attending Survival Camp with Hawick and Gala in March. They are having a Kayaking taster session with David Growden this Sunday (Thanks David). Bring on the next camp!!!!!!!

PEEBLES SCOUT GROUP REPORT.

Another busy year here in Peebles. Our biggest achievement has to be the resurrection of the second Beaver

Colony, thereby dealing a major blow to our long waiting list. Weve welcomed no less than four new Beaver Scout

Leaders to our leader team. We have a growing list of girls in the ranks too. We have even managed to swell the

ranks of the committee, no mean feat as many of you will know! Scouts: Our scout section continues to be very popular and is home to over 30 young people with 3

Leaders. They have continued to work closely with several community groups and have enjoyed several camps.

They had a strong showing at the recent West Cluster swimming Gala, retaining the top prize in their section. They

look forward to the lowland camp later in the year.

Cub Scouts: Both packs have enjoyed camps at Hawkhirst although sleep was a thing to be caught up on return! The Cubs have also been busy helping with group fundraising efforts. They also had a good show at the W.C. swimming gala retaining their title as well. Beaver Scouts: As mentioned earlier, the ranks have been swelled by the addition of a second colony. The Beaver section continue to have a high level of young people achieving the Bronze Scouting award. There must be something in the water (mainly children) as the beavers also had a good showing at the swimming gala by completing a clean sweep and also retaining their trophy. They also enjoyed a joint cinema trip with Cardrona Beavers.

Lauderdale Scout Group.

With growth in adult and youth numbers, newly acquired charity status, a new Beaver Colony, and a new web site, and hopefully the purchase of our hall theres a lot to shout about in Lauderdale.

Last May saw our first car wash, which will be repeated this year, as a great fundraising activity and a good way for the wider community to see the Scout group doing something positive. The summer term also saw the Scout visiting Longcraigs for kayaking and sailing evenings, which they really enjoyed.

Our participation in the 2014 Scout Community week was to team up with Woodpaw community woodland, where we helped clear a new quiet camping area and cut and plant a willow hedge, clear a burn and generally work to make the wood- land a nicer place to use.

June also saw Andy our GSL carry the Queens baton in the relay build up for the commonwealth games. Our group camp continued the theme with CWG activities all weekend, including our very own flag ceremony and team competitions in various commonwealth countries. The camp was a great success with 55 young people from the group attending for the full weekend.

The autumn term saw the sections make full use of the great evening weather, with lots of outside activities. The Scouts completed their foresters badge, the Cubs and Beavers were also outside completing their outdoor and community challenge awards and hiking, the group has also been supporting Lauder in Bloom by planting daffodil bulbs in the gateway to the village.

In September 40 Cubs and Scouts went to Hawkhirst activity centre for a busy weekend of climbing, abseiling and water activities.

Halloween saw so very scary costumes (and some pretty witches) with lots of fun activities. The Cubs also visited Bow Hill for a very interesting tour, and the local Fire Station. In December the Beavers learned some carols to sing for the local sheltered housing residents as part of their community challenge award.

As we entered 2015, we took a massive step in reducing our waiting lists by opening a second Beaver Colony and

welcoming 3 new leaders to the team.

Plans are ongoing to start an Explorer section and hopefully a second Cub pack.

The Scouts have completed their Entrepreneur challenge which has seen five 5 separate ventures designed and

developed, then presented to a team of real Business Dragons who then funded the ventures to raise money for

good causes.

With a group camp planned for June, and a contingent of Scouts going to Peak 2015 international jamboree, and another weekend booked to Hawkhirst 2015 looks like another busy year in Lauderdale.

www.lauderdalescoutgroup.org

Borders District Census 2015