2008 - What a year!
Kevin, Assistant Group Scout Leader at 1st Horsell Scout Group, relives a fantastic year of Horsell Scouting.
I know it must nearly be Christmas as my not quite three year old has started chomping on his chocolate advent calendar and regaling us with efforts of "Jingle Bells".
So what did 2008 bring to Horsell Scouts? A huge amount is the answer, as usual made possible by all those who give up so much of their time both in uniform and behind the scenes. The Gang Show in February was, as usual, a great success. We filled the Rhoda McGraw Theatre three times and even nearly managed it on our Thursday night performance. All of the youth members who took part had a fantastic time. The leaders, while finding the whole experience hard work also excelled on the stage. Thanks to Janice Worgan and co for their usual hard work and direction both for the show and beforehand.
The May Fayre raised one of the highest totals in recent times. The weather was perfect and with the help of mums, dads, youth members and of course the ever present leaders nearly Five Thousand Pounds was added to our building fund. While the day was good fun, our thanks need to go to Richard Mackie and his team who spent the previous year organising the event.
The Basingstoke Canal walk organised by one of our leaders, Debbie Found, raised approximately Eight Hundred Pounds to support Scouting in Malawi. We were joined by members of other local Groups and the Mayor of Woking. All those who took part were also able to gain their Group International Award.
Various camps were held throughout the year, including one by the Explorers in some typical British weather of high winds and torrential rain in the "Summer". Fortunately not much damage was caused, but a certain hot water urn will never be the same again!!!
We held our very own Olympic Games in Woking town centre. This was in partnership with LA Fitness and various challenges were completed by the youth members and leaders alike, as well as members of the public. Yet again we received excellent mayoral support.
We also had a wine tasting evening. Copious amounts of wine were "tasted" and everyone who went had a fun evening, even if the next morning wasn't so enjoyable. Thanks to Laura Marsden, Darryl Hessey and the rest of the fund raising committee for their inspiration and ability to think up original fundraising events.
Our Fireworks night also really did go with a bang. Not only did an event that is not designed to make money show a profit, but everyone agreed the fireworks were fantastic, as were the burgers and hot dogs. Thanks to Carole Croft and the rest of the team for arranging an amazing time.
As well as all the things mentioned above, the units have continued to provide a well balanced and fun program, thanks to all the leaders and helpers. It really does fall to a very few individuals to make the units at Horsell work so well. They know who they are and that they have my personal gratitude for constantly providing such varied meetings and giving all their members the chance to have fun, make friends and be rewarded for their achievements.
I would also like to say a huge thank you to Ruth Lambert, our Chairperson. She has built a wonderful team around her over the last year and as a result we have now filled all the vacancies on the committees that support Scouting behind the scenes. Ruth and her team really do make Scouting possible and let the leaders get on with their front line work So, what did 2008 bring to Horsell Scouts - fun, friends, rewards and a bit of sweat without too many tears.
I wonder what will happen in 2009...