Diary Dates

November 2		Scouts 5-a-side Football
9		Trivia quiz and lunch	20th HQ 11:45am - 2:30pm
10		General Leaders' Meeting	Atlasta Hall
12		Cub Scouters' Meeting	DHQ
15		36th Mitcham Quiz	36th HQ
16		Cub Handicraft Competition	Bow Lane
16		Fellowship Bowling	David Lloyd
19		District Scout Quiz	St John Fisher Church Hall
19		District Beaver Leaders' Meeting	DHQ
27		Appointments sub Committee	DHQ
December 6		Fellowship Christmas Party	DHQ
6		1st Morden Quiz Night	1st HQ at 8pm
13		Fellowship helping at Carol Concert	St John's High Path

Congratulations . . . 

To David Johnson who has been awarded a certificate "upon the completion of fifteen years services with the Duke of Edinburgh's Award" Sept 03 with "grateful thanks from the patron" HRH the Duke of Edinburgh KG KT.

Training

First Steps Training Course - 29 January, 5th February and 19th February from 7.30pm to 10pm at the Wallington & Carshalton District HQ, Woodcote Road, Wallington.

Cost is £18 and application forms can be obtained from Dave Johnson

Enrolment Forms

Most Groups have a form which they ask parents to complete when a new member joins.  It is suggested that you ask the parents to give permission for their child to take part in all normal Section night activities, including activities which take place other than in the usual meeting place eg at the Park for games on a summer evening. 

First Aid

As of January 2005, all Warranted adults in Scouting will need to hold a valid First Aid certificate in order to be awarded their Wood Badge and to renew their Warrant. First Response is the minimum. In recognition of the existing knowledge of adults regarding First Aid and the time pressure many find themselves under, in July 2003 it was agreed that holders of First Response would be able to renew their certificate through the attendance of a two-hour refresher course. This is as an alternative to attending the full six-hour course. This means that where First Response refresher courses are run jointly with Girlguiding UK, adults in Scouting will now be able to attend. Further information will shortly be available in Scouting Magazine or from the Scout Information Centre.

Beavers - Evelyn Steele

The Activity Day on 12 October held at the County Base, Bow Lane, was successful and as with all events, lessons were learned.   It was a very busy afternoon with most of the 84 Beavers present making pebble pets from stones, making dinosaurs and grass heads, aeroplanes, pumpkins, sandwiches and decorating a cake.   There was a selection of games outside with some brave Leaders having wet sponges thrown at them by all the Beavers!   I would like to thank everyone who attended the day for all the help given, Beaver Leaders, Parents and the 4 volunteers from The Fellowship - what stoic people!   Thanks must also go to Cliff Condon for bringing the games to Bow Lane.

Please try to be present at our next Meeting in November, or at least to send a representative from your Colony.   If you are unable to attend, please let me know and try and send a Colony Report to me to be included in the Minutes.

The 5-a-side football takes place on 2 November and 13 teams have entered from 9 Troops. Thanks to Colin Stubbs for taking on the organisation this year and for devising an interesting format to ensure the odd number of teams all get at least 3 games. Results are available here.

 
Troop participation in the District Gala was noticeably down again and unfortunately there was insufficient response by the closing date to put together a team for the County Swimming Gala. The first time Wandle will not be represented.

Our final Troop activity of the year is the Quiz on Wednesday 19th November. Questions start at 8pm and the winner will be declared at about 9:45pm. Time is running very short if you still owe me a set of questions, please let me have them by the time you have finished reading this sentence. Thanks.

 
The Scouters' Christmas Meal (and maybe a glass or two of wine!) on 16th December is confirmed as booked for the 15 who have already paid their deposit. It will be nice to have all of Wandle's former ADC's (Scouts) join us for the celebrations.

Sunday 16th November - 10 Pin Bowling at the David Lloyd Centre - 7.00 p.m. start.  Names to Bill by Friday, 7th November please.

Saturday 6th December - Christmas Party at the DHQ - 7.30 p.m. - names to Jean Gould by Monday 1st December please.

Saturday 13th December - Carol Concert at St John's, High Path.  3 Helpers required for the afternoon performance/2 helpers for the evening.  Please contact Brian Whalebone if you can assist.

Saturday 24th January 2004 - New Year Meal - Windsor Castle Public House - further details next month.

Nights Away

A number of presentations have now been held throughout the County to introduce the new scheme.  If you were unable to get to a presentation, or would just like more information, there are a number of factsheets which can be downloaded from Scoutbase or obtained by ringing the Information Centre at Gilwell.

Fly Tipping
Were you aware that you could find yourself in trouble with the law if you dispose of rubbish tipped on the grounds of your Scout HQ by a third party?  Most of us would tend to burn it or take it down the dump but this could result in a fine of £20,000!  (Who said 'the law is an ass'?). There is an article in the November issue of Scouting magazine about the correct procedures to follow - check out www.environment-agency.gov.uk

Inland Revenue

Register now for a new scheme that will allow any individual to nominate your Scout Group to receive their tax repayments as a donation.  This method of giving is only available on Self-Assessment returns from next year ie 2004/2005.  For more information ring 08453 020203.

Mitcham Division Guide Commissioner

Please note that Ms Alison Edwards is now Division Commissioner for Mitcham Division.