2nd Brewood Scout Group

Scout Job week is back

Rob — Thu, 10 May 2012 14:35:36 +0000

Bob-a-Job week returns this week, two decades after the Scout Association scrapped it over health and safety concerns and the rise of compensation culture.

For generations of Scouts, it was a time for raising money by performing good deeds – until health and safety fears and the rise of compensation culture saw it scrapped.

Now, 20 years after the last one, Bob-a-Job week will this week be revived by the Scout Association, as leaders attempt to rebuild the movement’s traditional commitment to helping others.

The scheme, which starts on Saturday, will see more than 144,000 children take part in thousands of community projects across the UK.

The revamped scheme has been designed to comply with health and safety laws and to avoid the risk of compensation claims that saw its previous incarnation halted in 1992.

Then, unsupervised children, would knock on strangers’ doors to ask if they wanted jobs done. Now, the scouts will operate in groups while carrying out work and will be supervised all the time by their leaders.

And instead of washing neighbours’ cars or mowing their lawns, the new scheme will see groups work on larger tasks, designed to help the wider community.

Among the projects planned to take place next week are cleaning out a 1930s tidal swimming pool, on the Cornish coast at Bude; clearing woodland to help create a habitat for rare bees on the Isle of Wight; building bird tables at a home for dementia sufferers in Eastleigh, Hampshire; planting 1,000 new trees on the Orkney Islands; cleaning up the trans-Pennine cycle trail, in Derbyshire; creating a “fossil trail”, on the Jurassic coast, in Dorset; removing vegetation from an overgrown part of the Grand Union Canal, in Hertfordshire; and planting wild flowers along a new tram route in Greater Manchester.

Traditionally, Bob-a-Job week took place close to Easter, as a way to keep children busy during their school holidays.

As the new format relies more on adult participation, it is taking place during term time, with work carried out at weekends and during the evenings.

As before, the Scouts will collect donations and sponsorship for their good deeds.

A quarter of the money raised goes to the Scout Association’s central body, to be used to set up new groups.

The remainder stays with local groups.

However, many have already pledged their proceeds to local charities.

More than 2,500 scout groups are taking part – comprising 144,000 children and 36,000 adults. The association hopes that within three years, all of its 7,000 groups will take part.

Simon Carter, from the movement, said: “Bob-a-Job week is one of the things people like to remember about the scouts and since we stopped it, people have been saying we should do it again. Now, we think we have found a model that works. We have always been a community based organisation and this is really a case of back to basics.”

The revived scheme, officially known as Scout Community Week, is being sponsored by the retailer B&Q, which is providing some materials for some projects.

Bob-a-job week was first introduced as a good turn day in 1914 by scout movement founder Lord Baden-Powell.

In its previous format, officially known as Scout Job Week, it was started during Easter week 1949 and became an annual fixture.

The scheme got its nickname from shilling, colloquially ‘bob’, that the youngsters were paid for completing their good turn – which would now be worth 5p.

Cub Scout’s footsteps for the future

Rob — Thu, 10 May 2012 14:33:01 +0000

A Cub Scout has raised over £2,500 to help rebuild his Scout HQ by completing a 32 mile walk, just another example of Scouting’s impact in local communities.

Matthew Hill, aged 8, from 2nd Guildford Scout Group, walked from Guildford to London to raise money to help rebuild his Group’s Scout meeting place. His efforts means Scouting can continue to deliver high quality activities and opportunities for young people.

Starting his trek at his Scout meeting place, Matthew finished up at Baden-Powell House in Central London over the course of the Bank Holiday weekend, 4-7 May.

In the weeks leading up to the walk, Matthew surpassed his goal of £1,000 in donations and by the time he reached Baden-Powell House, had raised £2,615 with more donations still to come.

Well prepared

Though the walk was a wet one, Matthew was well prepared, having completed several practice walks with his supportive mum, Anne.

His favourite leg of the trip was at Hampton Court where he was surprised by well wishers and also took in some sightseeing. Rather than hosting an event within his community, Matthew opted for the hike, saying ‘There’s no cost for a walk. You just say what you’re doing and if people think ‘yeah, I like it’, then they’ll give you some money.’

An investment in the future

The 2nd Guildford Scout HQ was deemed unfit for purpose earlier this year. ‘Our scout HQ was condemned,’ Matthew said. ‘We’re not allowed to use it anymore.’

While it has undergone remedial repairs, the building will need to be completely rebuilt to ensure Scouts’ enjoyment for many years to come. The new facility will be more environmentally friendly and offer improved facilities for those with additional needs. The rebuild is at an estimated cost of £114,000 and the group hope to return to their HQ in 2013.

Find out more

For more information about 2nd Guildford and their plans for a new HQ, please visit their website where you can also find out how to donate.

Find out how you can join the adventure of Scouting, or get involved in Scout Community Week our national fundraising initiative, taking place from 14-20 May 2012.

Beaver with beavers

Rob — Mon, 30 Apr 2012 14:27:34 +0000

The beaver colony in the village is booming!

To join in the fun click here and complete the online enquiry form.

Scout leader Beccy in Olympic success

Rob — Mon, 26 Mar 2012 14:02:42 +0000

Beccy Jones-Reading has two achievements to celebrate this month. Firstly, on 19 March, Beccy received confirmation that she had been chosen to carry the 2012 Olympic Torch as it makes its way through Wolverhampton on 30 June. Whilst this is a personal ambition come true, it is also due recognition of Beccy’s significant contribution to a number of charitable and community causes. She was nominated by her work colleagues in Birmingham, an application which was supported independently by a number of other people who are aware of her charity work

Beccy has been on tenterhooks for some weeks, awaiting the news, and is still a little stunned that she really has been selected.

Despite suffering herself from a muscle disability called Distoner, which requires a programme of constant medication, Beccy will run in her tenth consecutive London Marathon this April. Over the years she has raised almost £8,000 for the Progressive Supranuclear Palsy Association. PSP is similar to Motor Neurone Disease.

In addition, Beccy became aware of an organisation called “Happy Child” a few years ago. This charity provides holiday experiences to abused and deprived children, to give them happy memories in what might otherwise be a bleak childhood. Beccy simply volunteered to assist in the provision of one holiday experience and was so impressed by the work done and the spirit of the children she met that she continues to give up her own time each year in support of this charity.

Beccy joined the Scout Group as a helper when she first came to live in the village three years ago, as a means of getting to know people in Brewood and also to continue her work with children. Her second achievement this month is that she has also just completed her training and will shortly be presented with the Scout Association’s Wood Badge, marking her qualification as a Leader.

Beccy has become a key member of the Leadership team at Brewood Scout Group, helping to plan activities and camps and supporting the children and other Leaders. Beccy is never afraid to take a lead in activities, showing everyone just what can be achieved, disability notwithstanding.

Everyone at the Scout Group is extremely proud of her and we hope as many people as possible will turn out to support Beccy as she carries the Torch.

AGM – scouters recognised for long service

Rob — Fri, 16 Mar 2012 11:44:16 +0000

Three Brewood scouters were recognised at last nights AGM.

Cub Scout leader Cheryl Caton was recognised for her 5 years service to scouting

Assistant Cub Leader Rob Davies was recognised for 10 years service.

Group Secretary Peter Plowright was presented with his 30 year service award by Group scout leader Ian Morris, see below.

In his introduction speech Ian commented, “this is a first for Brewood?” before presenting Peter with his certificate, badge and some small tokens of appreciation from the group.

Peter Plowright receives his gifts of thanks from GSL Ian Morris

Peter Plowright receives his 30 Year Service award from Ian Morris

Rob Davies receives his 10 year service award from Ian Morris

Cheryl Caton receives her 5 Year service award from ian Morris