Diary Dates

July 1		District Executive Meeting	DHQ
8		GSLs' Meeting	DHQ
9		Cub Leaders' Meeting	DHQ
12		County Cub Day	Walton Firs
15		District Team Meeting	DHQ
16		Beaver Leaders' Meeting	DHQ
19		Fellowship BBQ	DHQ
August 25		Lions Fair in Morden Park
September 3		Scout Leaders' Meeting	DHQ
7		Fellowship London Walk
10		Cub Leaders' Meeting	DHQ
17		Beaver Leaders' Meeting	DHQ

If you have any comments about sports day please send them to me and I will take them on board for next year, (yes there is going to be one next year).
And one final thank you to the weather - it was great.

David Gould
Sports Organiser

Beavers - Evelyn Steele

Thank you, Andy for running the last Meeting - it's amazing that it was the only meeting I could not attend and the ACC Beavers turned up for the first time!

Thank you also to Jane of the 16th for all the time and effort made in organising the Outing to Frylands Wood.  It was a lovely day, the sun shone, the coaches were excellent again and everyone seemed to enjoy themselves - if  Leaders have any comments on this particular day regarding the activities or lack of information, they should speak or write to the Warden at Frylands Wood so they can be noted for any future events.

Hopefully, now that you can look back on the past year the new programme has not proved too difficult.   Like everything that is new, it takes time to settle into a routine!

I would like to wish you all a very 'happy summer break!' and enjoy any holidays you may be going on. 

See you all in September!! 

The Athetes Badge block testing was held at Sutton Arena on a dull Friday evening at the beginning of June.  Over 70 boys and girls turned up to have a go at jumping, skipping, throwing the cricket ball and running a variety of distances.  Despite the chill wind they all seemed to enjoy themselves and most got sufficient points to earn their badge.  Thanks to the organisers.

The Patrol Camping weekend at Bears Wood proved to be a worthwhile experience for the six teams who entered from three of our Troops. With not a single drop of rain over the weekend for the second year running, everybody was able to enjoy the camp without hiding under shelters.
Congratulations to the 8th Morden on winning the trophy for the first time as part of Wandle District. The 8th Morden Bulldogs Patrol also won the Camp Cooking Trophy and the 11th Mitcham Badgers won the Camp Challenge Certificate. 
Over the 14 years of the District this means a total of 6 Troops have held the trophy, with the 20th and 1st Morden having their hands on the trophy for 6 and 5 years respectively. The 6/12th and 20th Troops from Wandle also went on to hold the County Competition on 3 occasions.
The County Weekend was not held last year and there are no plans to hold it this year. However, I am not writing the above as an epitaph!!
Although only 3 Troops took part this year, it was encouraging to see how the younger Patrols managed. A result of 5 Silver Awards (4 have been awarded in each of the last 2 years) and one Bronze would have been triumphed in any year.
All of the Scouts present were a credit to their Troops, displaying great enthusiasm and a positive attitude throughout the event.
Thanks to Paul and Vince for all their help and to all those Leaders who acted as Judges and got their teams together. 

Those present at the weekend agreed that whatever happens with the new District, we wish to hold a similar weekend next year. It is our hope that as well as possible Troops (and adults) from Wimbledon, that those who did not quite manage to take part in 2003 will be willing to give it a go next year? We now have a very experienced core of 9 adults who have acted as Judges and helped the Patrols and less experienced adults as necessary. Also "thank you" to Vince who has already agreed to cook for us!

The purpose of the Camping Weekend and Standard is to improve camping standards across all Troops and inexperienced Leaders and Patrol  Leaders are welcomed. With the core of adults that we will have next year, I know we can cope with more and / or some less experienced teams.

Our recent Troop Leaders Meeting was a bit thin on the ground and outline decisions have been made as far as District activities for next year are concerned. I would ask that everyone tries their best to attend or send representation to our last meeting of the year at DHQ on Wednesday 3rd September. Please make sure the date is in your diary.

Recent events:

Saturday 14th June:  Summer Meal - nice to see a good number attending at the 4 Horseshoes - very enjoyable evening. Thank you, John.

Forthcoming events: 

Saturday 19th July:   BBQ at DHQ - details from Dave Gould.  7.30pm for 8 o'clock start.

Sunday, 7th September:   London Walk - details from John.

Wednesday, 24th September:   Formal meeting - talk on British Waterway Canals - followed by light refreshments.  8.00 p.m. at DHQ - details from Bill Walden

As there is no Free-Flow in August we hope all members have a good summer.

Training

District Store

The Store will close for the summer break on 24th July and will re-open on Thursday 11th September.  If you require anything urgently during that time, please contact Mary White (badges) or Brian Whalebone (for anything else!).

Summer Camps and holidays