Richard Mainwaring (20th Mitcham), Colin Stubbs (8th Morden), Nigel Hewitt-Cooper (16th Morden)

AE opened the Meeting by asking for a volunteer to keep notes. In the absence of any offers, AE kept the Minutes and IN agreed to Chair the Meeting.

None

St George's Day

DB commented about the Leaders from all Sections and one Group who were "cracking wide cracks and singing the wrong words to hymns". His efforts to bring them into line had met with derision. AW felt that it may be appropriate to limit the number of Leaders who could sit next to their Members to two per Group. This would prevent a large number of adults from one Group taking up all the front chairs and others still being a long way away from those for whom they wish to take responsibility. DB felt that the sorting of the Groups after the Service went quickly and very well. Additionally, there was no traffic control at Worlsfold House to counter the early arrivals who caused some traffic problems. It was felt that the gates should be manned by adults as soon as they are opened.

District Patrol Camping Weekend

AE commented about the general running around as darkness approached and the safety issues of tripping and large fires. This was felt to be down to the larger number of younger Scouts and CH felt we should consider a wide game or such like to let off steam before bed. DH commented that one of his parents had commented that her daughter had noticed the lack of provision for sanitary towels in the ladies toilets. AE will raise this with Bears Wood as it was felt this is likely to be an isolated incident because we have not had any previous complaints. It was generally felt that the weekend went very well and that the set programme with times set out in advance helped. DH thought that Leaders wandering around throughout the weekend helped the Patrols feel they could ask questions.

Later in the evening a lengthy discussion ensued as to how the weekend should look next year. Opinion was evenly divided between those who felt we should offer the chance to camp from Friday night and those like JR who felt "it ain't broke so why fix it?" GE said that the 23rd Troop had not taken part this year as it was only one night. IN commented that a two night camp would qualify towards the Outdoor Challenge. JR also made the point that the weekend as currently held is very intensive with little chance for relaxation. With the inevitable lack of sleep on the Saturday night, the Scouts are generally dead on their feet by Sunday afternoon. No conclusions were reached as AE felt it important to consider all views as we wanted to see more Troops from Wandle next year and Wimbledon & Merton.

District Sports

Details have already been published and all had seen them. DB raised the question as to why the older age range started at 12 ½ rather that 12? IN said it maybe because in practice Cubs do not come up until 10 ½ and Scouts probably not move to Explorers until 14 ½.

5aside Football

AE has had problems for the last 3 years with venues and had previously told Paul Atkins that he did not wish to organise this year's event. Also as a non Scouting event it did not rank high on his priorities. No one at the meeting wished to offer the services to run the Event, nor were they particularly concerned if it did not happen. AE concluded by saying that as this was likely to be the last such activity he will try and make contact with Powerleague. If by the time of our next meeting, he has experienced further problems and no one else wishes to organise the Event, it will be cancelled.

AE reported he had nothing to report! The general opinion of the meeting was that we should just get on with it. GE thought it will be a good thing, however was concerned about the number of teams that will be able to enter certain district competitions as the problem with a lot of troops may mean teams of people wanting to take part being turned away as a maximum manageable entry number has been reached. IN advised that as far as he knew, the thinking and impetus behind the decision revolved around Laurence's wish to resign and also other key figures on the District Executive. One Executive across the two Districts will reduce necessary manpower. However, he felt that support at ADC level would be more limited in such a larger area. It should make representations to the Local Authority easier. He advised that Scout Section Leaders in Wimbledon had been impressed with Bob Prescot's efficiency. Wimbledon had a stronger Explorer Section but Wandle a stronger Scout Section.

Prior to the meeting Colin Stubbs had suggested organising some kind of joint event. IN has suggested we invite Tim Cerridge (TC) the DSL from Wimbledon to our next meeting and AE attends the Wimbledon meeting on 11th September. IN will advise AE of the contact details.

The meeting felt it appropriate that we plan ahead and allow some flexibility for County events and possible suggestions from Wimbledon. To this effect, the Quiz night and 5aside Football have initially been dropped from next years Programme. We are unsure at this stage whether the District Sports and / or Gala will continue with the enlarged District.

In addition, dates for Leaders Meetings have not been set as these will need to be tied up with Wimbledon. AE will try and sort this with TC before our next Meeting.

1st Morden - DB

25 Scouts. Very successful camp at Thriftwood over Bank holiday w/e. Had work party at HQ to prepare for Health & Safety inspection; the Scouts worked very hard; especially clearing rubbish for the bonfire! Two teams entered the Camping Weekend. Held our annual Family Day in Ravensbury Park; rafting, canoeing, pioneering, large organised games and BBQ. Very successful. Summer camp planned for August at Lydney Deer Park.

2nd Morden

Believed Troop not meeting at present.

3rd Mitcham

No report or contact

4th Morden - AW

Restarted Troop two week ago. Five Members, with four from Pack, working on two more. Going to w/e camp with Pack in fortnight. Plan investiture for September. Will see if they can do some form of activity over the summer. Have a parent helping on Thursday evenings.

5th Mitcham

No report or contact

5th Morden

No report or contact

6/12th Mitcham

No report or contact

7th Morden

No report or contact

8th Morden - CH on behalf of CS

We have a membership of 22 boys and three Explorer Scouts helping on a regular basis. We held a PL & APL's camp at Polyapes at the end of March. We visited Spectrum centre in April to take part in Ice Skating and Swimming. In May we took the Troop and some older Cubs to Longridge for their Water Activities weekend which was excellent and would thoroughly

recommend it to any other Troops who don't get an opportunity to do water activities on a regular basis. We also held a Friday night sleepover in Patrols at Bow Lane and again would recommend the venue as it was ideal for this purpose. All three Patrols thoroughly enjoyed themselves at the recent Patrol Camping weekend and learnt a great deal from their experience. We have a Group Camp with the Cubs in July and we're now full steam ahead for

our Summer Camp in Belgium with 24 people attending. With regards to the new programme the majority of the Troop completed their Creative Challenge and a handful completed their Adventure Challenge. The Troop also worked with the Colony and Pack towards their Environment Award, which was presented by the DC at our recent AGM.

11th Mitcham - DH

Had a weekend camp at Bears Wood, learnt a few skills. Summer Camp planned at Broadstone Warren w/c 25th July, so far only five interested. Joint activity w/e planned with 8th Troop bivouacking in September.

16th Morden

No report

20th Mitcham

No report

23rd Mitcham - GE

Group Camp held at the end of May to celebrate 50th Anniversary, parents attended and former Scout Leader. Camping this weekend near Stoke-on-Trent and will be visiting American Adventure and Cadburys World. Summer Camp in North Yorkshire with Group from Scarborough at Birch Hall, expect total 30 Scouts.

IN advised that CSL Mark Patrick had been asked to look into possibility of arranging long weekend abroad in reasonably close Europe. Will be as cheap as possible, a figure of £20 was mentioned. Idea to "get under the skin of the country and not go as tourists". Will also help Leaders learn about overseas trips.

IN mentioned that Outdoor Challenge Weekend was being trialed this year, with plans that next year Scouts will be able to turn up in minimum of twos and bring a tent.

IN confirmed that the Nights Away Permit packs were on their way to DCs. Five one hour presentations are planned in October, one in each Borough. It is expected the system will be fully operational from September 2004.

AW advised that the 4th Morden radios licence ends in September. Replacement with modern longer range versions would be expensive. AE and others at the meeting felt that contact on outdoor events over longer distances is even more important with such a younger age range. Mobile phone coverage is not extensive, even in the South East. AW will obtain a pricing and advise AE to see if we can make a representation for finance from the District Executive.

DB made a final plea for a good retirement home for his canoe mould. Can provide matting and lessons as necessary.

Next Meeting

Wednesday 3rd September at DHQ. Paul Atkins has passed a key onto AE, but AE needs to find out the alarm code!

Thanks were extended to the 11th Mitcham for their hospitality.