District Commissioner's Report - Laurence Barham - District Commissioner

Once again I will start my report in the same way as previous years by offering my thanks to all leaders and other adults who support Scouting in Wandle.  Without your efforts no children from this area would be having the fun and training that Scouting is currently offering to them.

This year has been a hectic one for me.  I have been trying to organise my wedding and my move to a new house on top of everything else and the business trip count seems to have been higher this year than in recent years past. I would like to thank all, especially the District Team, who have put up with my absences and stood in when necessary. Hopefully things will ease when I am settled in the new house and Kay and I are married.

Sadly during the year our President John Wood passed away. He took over as DC in Mitcham during the late'60s and therefore few of us will be able to remember Scouting before his time. In over 30 years of Scouting in the area, he was a constant figure of support. Although his active roles diminished in the latter years, he was always there to call upon to help and do jobs not least of which was just to be there to listen and give support and advice. He will missed by many but, I hope, remembered with affection for what he gave to Scouting and the community in general.

Also during the year, various other leaders have stepped down or moved away. Each has been mentioned at the time in Free Flow but I would like to thank them collectively for their efforts to Scouting in Wandle and wish them well in the future.

I know details are elsewhere in the annual report but I would like to offer my personal congratulations to those who have received awards and certificates of service during the last twelve months. I know everyone puts a tremendous amount into Scouting and all at zero salary but it is wonderful to acknowledge those that have achieved that little bit more.

During the year, Evelyn Steele has stepped from the District Beaver Scout Leader position into that of Assistant District Commissioner for Beaver Scouts. I wish her well in her new role and know that Beavers will be well looked after in the District. My thanks also go to Nigel Carpenter who, although he has declined an official warrant, has been looking after the affairs of Venture Scouting in the District since Alex Minajew moved on.

St. George's Day Parade this year was again a success, in no little part to the efforts of Paul Atkins, who did most of the organising. Albeit last year's parade went well, it was great this year not to have problems such as losing the use of the venue at short notice. Numbers were up and it was nice to see things go smoothly. The feedback I have had so far has been generally very positive. Let us all look to making next year's parade even better.

During the year we have seen the advent of the new uniforms. The comments I have heard have been generally favourable and it is nice to see the new uniforms in growing numbers as I move from event to event. Supply does not seem to have been a problem and as youngsters move sections I'm sure the changeover will continue smoothly.

Our big opportunity this year is the start of the New Programme.  There will be changes for us all but I am sure that we will all take on the challenge of moving Scouting forward. The new balanced programme will allow us to offer what the youth of today say they want. The Scout Association has spent a lot of time and effort collecting information from youngsters both in and outside the Movement and in producing the new structure and materials. It is up to us to make sure it works and that Scouting increases in this area as well as throughout the U.K. I, like many of you, went to a launch and was impressed with what I saw and, now that the documentation has come through, I can also say that I am impressed with that. The tools are there, we just need to get our act together and put it all into practice.

The 14 to 25 age range will see most changes. We do not have all the answers about the new sections in Wandle as yet but things are moving forward and I have asked Peter Treagust to help by taking on the role of District Commissioner for Explorer Scouts (although he will hold onto his position at the 6/12th). So keep watching Free Flow for news, although if you are about Explorer age I am sure that information will be coming straight to you.

Census numbers are down again and give cause for concern. Often there is a specific reason that can be quoted (usually a leader leaving) but that does not account for the general downward trend. It must be a priority for us all to boost numbers. I know all leaders are putting a tremendous amount in but when a section's numbers drop below a certain point it becomes impossible to provide the balanced, exciting programme that is needed. Without such a programme the attraction of the Movement drops and even more members leave. I know various sections join together to try to redress this problem and that is something I encourage but, at the end of the day, more radical actions may need to be taken unless numbers recover. I reckon that with a specific push, all sections could boost their numbers by 10% during the rest of the year such that the District figures at the next census will look good.

Lack of adult support and lack of money are two of the most frequently quoted problems. The District and County teams are there to support you. We may not be able to magic up a ready-trained section leader at short notice but we are there to offer advice and help where we can. I have also provided information to GSLs about access to grants and other sources of funding.

This year I awarded the District Commissioner's Flag to the 8th Morden Group and I will take this opportunity to offer them my congratulations. There are always a number of Groups who are in the running, as the award is more one for effort and participation rather than just achievement and winning events. The 8th Morden are always involved in things going on in the District and the Group numbers reflect the effort of their dedicated team of adults providing a good programme.

I will close, again like last year, with specific thanks to Bernie, the Executive and to the members of the District Team. Without them there would not be Wandle District to provide Scouting for the youth of this area.

AWARDS

During the year 2001 the following awards were made to members of the Movement.

Finance
Under the stewardship of our Treasurer, Jean Prior, the District's finances continue in a healthy state, this means the we are capable of responding to the changing face of Scouting and to assist the Groups with these changes.
This year the District recorded a loss of £1250 on its activities over the past year and you will see that this is accounted for by the loss recorded by the District Store.  The major factor in this loss was due to the uniform changes implemented during 2001 which required a large investment in stocks with the inevitable loss on the stocks of old uniform.  Hopefully this will reverse in the coming year when the sales for new uniforms come on stream.

Appointments

During the year the committee interviewed and approved 13 new warrants or changes to warrants.
This year saw a drop in the training grants given by the district to assist Scouter training, £260 against £880 for 2000.  Training continues to be a major problem and while we can understand all the problems associated with finding that extra time to start or complete the Training we would remind all Scouters that this is a mandatory requirement of holding a Warrant, and if you do have problems then please advise us a soon as possible so that this can be taken into consideration.

DHQ Development

Work continues on this major project under the watchful eye of Cliff Condon and we are indebted to him and his team of helpers in providing us with a base for carrying out all of our activities.  This work goes on mostly unnoticed by the majority of us and we are sometimes guilty of taking this resource for granted.  So our sincere thanks to Cliff, Bill Vaudrey and Bill Cronk and all those others that give of their time and expertise.
Finally we must thank Betty Cronk for continuing to administer the lettings of the DHQ although she has now moved further away.

Badge and District Store

As mentioned earlier, the District Store faced major upheaval in the past year with the changes to Uniform coming on stream, which with a few exceptions appeared to go reasonably smoothly (despite my spare bedroom looking like the stockroom at BHS - my apologies go to my good lady wife for putting up with it!)
The coming year will see the implementation of the new programme and all the new resource material that goes with it, this is going to mean that there will inevitably be more obsolete stock to deal with.
Next year will also see the new badges being introduced along with the new programme and will inevitably mean extra work and stocks in the Badge store.
Please could I ask all Scouters to liase with Brian and Mary as soon as you know what your requirements will be so that we can arrange the necessary stocks of requested items.

Finally the Executive would like to thank both Brian Whalebone and Mary White for managing both of these enterprises on our behalf and to Leslie Bixby who stands in for both, sometimes at short notice.  And I would personally like to thank the Executive for continuing to give me their support and in particular to Muriel Treagust our Secretary.

Beaver Scout Report -  Evelyn Steele (ADC Beaver Scouts)

It certainly does not seem like a year ago I was writing this report for the first time!   

Beaver Challenge Badge Days

We held two Challenge Days in March and October 2001.   18 Beavers attended in March and 31 Beavers in October.   The days went well but we are always short of help!  A few parents helped and one Leader's Mother plus Linda and Bill Vaudrey from the Fellowship, as well as 'the usual' bunch of Leaders.   It can be a hectic time, but all the Beavers appeared to enjoy themselves.   Not all Beavers complete the Caring section of the Challenge, which is the part their parents need to see that they complete!

Several Colonies complete the Challenge Badge at their own weekly Meetings, very successfully.

Sports Day

I am afraid this day was 'a bit of a disaster'.   The afternoon started off reasonably well, but the weather deteriorated and we eventually cancelled the event after a number of races because of very heavy rain.   It was becoming dangerous for the Beavers running on the grass.  The results were as follows: -

 Sports Joint 1st place:   5th Morden, 5th Mitcham - Badgers, 11th Mitcham, 3rd Mitcham

The Tug-o-War was cancelled.
Again, we were very short of help and it is a struggle to get every position covered, i.e. judges, runners, tape holders, etc.  

Colony Activities

All Colonies ran successful programmes during the year including celebrating the various Saints Days, the Chinese New Year and Easter with interesting and exciting activities.   Outings organised ranged from visits to Mitcham Common Environmental Centre, the Frylands Wood Fun Day and Horniman's Museum Gardens.   One Colony had a very interesting visit from Custardo the Clown who did a Workshop with the Beavers.

District Outing

Three Leaders, Karen Paxton and Paul Drinkwater of the 36th Mitcham along with Mark Gales of the 6/12th Mitcham, organised a District Outing to Drusilla's Zoo to complete the Beaver Leader Training and obtain their Wood Badge.   It was a lovely warm day and everyone enjoyed themselves. Two coach loads of Beavers and Leaders came home very tired, but happy.

Training

I am afraid that the letters that were sent to a number of Leaders who had not completed their Training caused quite a lot of dissent.   The result of this is that a number of Leaders will probably be leaving. However, several Leaders who have completed their Training are still awaiting their Wood Badge.  Training is important and I know all Beaver Leaders are aware of this and that it must be completed within a certain time limit.

Goodbye

We said 'Goodbye' to Rosemary Munson, DBSL, in the summer as she and her family have moved to Goring-on-Sea.   Rosemary ran the 1st Morden Beaver Colony for a number of years and was always around to help at all our activities in the District.    Chocolates and wine were sent by mail order to her as a 'thank you' for all her help.

Finally, I would like to thank all the Leaders who run their Colony Meetings and activities in spite of having busy personal lives. Please do try and attend our bi-monthly Meetings - I try to make them 'short and sweet' because I realise it is yet another evening given up to Scouting, but it is good to get together to discuss points and there are always some less serious moments at the Meetings!!!!!!   Thank you once again to Linda, our Secretary, who sits at the Meetings very patiently taking the Minutes.

I wish you all Happy Beaver Scouting in 2002.

Cubs Scout Report - Val Mills (ADC Cub Scouts)

I often wonder where the time, days and year goes it goes, so fast.

This year I m going to start my report with the thank you's, because without you, the leaders, many events could not go ahead, your time and  effort is much appreciated, not only by myself but by the Cub Scouts.

I would also say thanks to Alan Green and Will Smith for their support and time as DCSL's whom have stepped down due to workload.

Many Cub Scouts throughout the District took part in many of the District events as well as their own pack activities. Which this year consisted of: -

Our July District Camp this year was held at Bently Copes, it has been many years since we have visited this site; over 100 cub scouts and 30 leaders were lucky with the weather  (it makes a change).

During this weekend Cubs had a chance to do Backwoods cooking, shooting, Go-Karting and, a favourite of theirs, the Assault Course. On the Sunday when the weather was at its best, the cubs played many water games, which included water slides, water rockets, and much more, it was great fun trying to get leaders wet which many cub managed .our thank's to Bob and Kathryn who were cooking, thanks to Brian Beckley for your help with the Shopping.

September was once again a wet Sunday afternoon for Cycle cross.

In November we entered a team for the County Gala well done to the team we came 6th?

Our final event of 2001 was the Handicraft competition, for this event we need help with the judging, our thanks to Bernie and Jean Pike. Also thanks to Ron Waro who not only judged as well, but also slips in at our CSL's meetings to make the tea.  My last thank you goes to Brian Whalebone who does a lot of fetching and carrying when needed.

Several Leaders have left this year, my thanks for your contribution to Scouting in Wandle District, and best wishes for the future. A big welcome to the new leaders of which many have started their training.

We all know it would be nice to have leaders coming out of the woodwork, and we know that it is never going to happen, so a last final thanks to all the leaders who give up extra time to go and help with packs on other nights or weekends.

Lastly with the new programme looming around the corner, I would like to wish Happy Scouting to all leaders throughout the section and a happy and well-balanced programme.

Scout Report - Paul Atkins (ADC Scouts)

The number of Scouts in Wandle fell once again in 2001 and there are now 27 fewer young people within our age range enjoying the activities available in our Troops. At the time of the census there were 175 members attending 11 active Troops. Unfortunately the list of dormant Troops has increased to four. The 1st Mitcham and 36th Mitcham have been joined by the 2nd Morden who are without any Scout age members and the 7th Morden whose boys are meeting with the 16th Morden Troop since they have been without a leader of their own.

As the new age ranges come in we can expect a further small decrease as the maximum age reduces from 15½ to 14 so we must renew our efforts in producing active, exciting programmes to ensure that we retain all of the existing members. Each of these Scouts should be viewed as a potential recruiting officer whose enthusiasm for the Scouting in their Troop will attract new members from amongst their friends. If we look after our current membership then the new recruits should come looking for us. Well, that's the theory anyway.

From a practical perspective we offered our usual full range of District events which were generally well supported and offered the smaller Troops a chance to join in with larger numbers of their Scouting colleagues for sports and Scoutcraft events.

The Handball Competition is the traditional opener to the Scout section calendar and in January 2001 10 teams entered the competition with the 5th Morden beating the 6/12th Mitcham 2-1 in the final. This event has been run for a number of years at Greenwood School and arranged by Richard Mainwaring and I am grateful for the effort that goes into setting it up and the reduced hall booking rate that we enjoy.

The Incident Hike was centred around Headley Heath and attracted entries from 9 teams who walked round a 5 mile course tackling 5 challenges as they went. While all of this was going on, the leaders peered expectantly through the haze of rain hoping to catch even a glimpse of a team to make the day worth while. The winners who took home our magnificent "boot on a block of wood" trophy were the 20th Mitcham with the 8th Morden just two points behind them. Thanks to Andy Edmonds & Phil Stentiford for putting the activity together.

Next up was the bi-annual Patrol Leaders' Training Course which was a combined effort with Wallington & Carshalton District at Bow Lane. Neither District could really support such an event on its own so combining forces made sense and the weekend was judged to be a success. This was the last of these events run under the old training programme and a review will be needed to identify the content and aims of the next one post-PRI which would nominally be due in Spring 2003.

The Patrol Camping Weekend in June was not very well supported with only four Troops sending teams along to be assessed against the Camping Standard while enjoying a one-night camp. Those that did go had a good weekend at Bears Wood and impressed the judging team with their high spirits and positive attitude. The 1st Morden Kestrels won the Camping Competition trophy and gained a Gold Standard. Silver was awarded to the 6/12th Mitcham Beavers, 8th Morden Foxes, 8th Morden Kestrels and 11th Mitcham Cheetahs. The 11th Mitcham Falcons gained a Bronze. In the associated Cooking competition the 8th Morden took home the prize for culinary expertise.
It was good to note that all four Troops who had entered the District Camping Weekend also went along to the County event in October. Each Patrol gained a Silver Standard at that level and for the second year running the 6/12th Mitcham were judged to be the best cooks.

We decided to move our five-a-side Football competition to the Autumn and a better venue at Power League. The price included use of the pitches, pavilion building and referees and the facilities proved to be far better than those we have used in the past at Lavender Fields. The one problem with the day was the relentless heavy rain which gave an advantage to any team lucky enough to be playing in the shallow end. At the end of the afternoon the final was played between two worthy teams from the 1st Morden and 8th Morden. The final score was 2 - 0 in favour of the 1st.

The event attracting the best level of attendance was the Quiz with all but one of our Troops sending in a team.  My thanks to the team of adults who provided some very imaginative questions across a wide range of subjects. For the second year running the trophy was won by the 5th Morden who even scored more points than the elderly gentlemen of the 3rd Mitcham leaders' team.

Behind all of this Troop and District activity is a team of dedicated leaders who give their time, talent and enthusiasm for the benefit of the Scouts in Mitcham and Morden. I would like to thank all of those leaders, some of whom are providing Scouting in their Troops on their own, for their continued commitment and dedication.

The coming year will see a lot of changes in the section with the shorter age range, new uniform, introduction of Explorer Scouts and the new progressive training programme. The details of that new training scheme have been made available and I hope that in September all of our Troops will be moving over to the new system. This will allow our Scouts to benefit from the new focus on providing exciting activities and recognising individual achievement. This, in turn, will hopefully prompt them to  spread the word amongst their friends of just how much they could gain by becoming part of Scouting in Wandle.

Scout Fellowship Report - John Smith (ADC Fellowship)

As with previous years our diary has again been filled with a steady flow of activities, some supporting the District, and some being social events.

We have been represented at all the main District events. Many of our members are, of course, leaders and helpers with other sections, so at certain District activities they are present, though wearing their group scarf, and not their Fellowship one. Either way their help is much appreciated.

The Wasp section forms an important part of the Fellowship, and they continue to run and help with a number of section events, as well as hosting their popular quiz nights.

Our social events have included walks, evening meals, the summer barbecue and our Christmas party. At one of our meetings we were given an entertaining talk on the Falkland Islands, and at another we enjoyed a game of Trivial Pursuit followed by a fish and chip supper. Both events were well supported. Our ten-pin bowling continues to be popular, where the standard of bowling is as inconsistent as ever.

Our input to the ongoing development works at District Headquarters continues. With the arrival of summer, the current project is the construction of steps to the rear doors. Bricklayers, carpenters, concreters and tea makers are most welcome to join our workdays which are announced in Free-Flow.

Once again I must thank Bill Vaudrey, our Chairman, together with committee members Betty Cronk, Jean Gould, John Crowhurst and Bill Walden for their continued work and enthusiasm to make the Fellowship run smoothly. I would also like to thank all other members of the Fellowship for their support at our events.

To close this report we must reflect on those members of the Fellowship that we have lost during the year. John and Irene were enthusiastic supporters of our events and were good friends to us. They will be sadly missed.

St Georges Day 
Despite the very late change of venue due to the Cannons double booking, the parade went of smoothly and was a credit to the District.  Our very sincere thanks to Paul Atkins and his team for what must have been an extremely fraught couple of days wondering whether it was all going to come together.

Finally. . .

Our thanks go to all those involved in organising District events.  These are major undertakings and require many hours of planning, letter writing and telephone calls and we would ask all who are contacted regarding any of these events to respond as soon as possible.  Lack of response is one of the reasons that the organisers can find it very frustrating.

And finally, finally. . .

Every month we are kept informed via Free - Flow on all matters regarding Scouting in Wandle and our appreciation is given to Lesley Bixby, Cliff Condon, Tony Webb and Paul Atkins for the editing, production and distribution of our newsletter