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Click here for the online version of this newsletter. To join or general enquiries contact Simon on 07850 337903 or simontheobald@compuserve.com. Send this on to anyone you think might be interested in joining the group.

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ST GEORGE'S DAY 2010 - CELEBRATING SUCCESS

This year the District St George’s day celebration will take place on Sunday 25th April 2010. As with the previous two years the venue will be Rickmansworth School.

It will be led by the young people who will make up the Rickmansworth and Chorleywood World Scout Jamboree 2011 Contingent. The theme this year is to celebrate the achievements of all sections within the District over the past year. All uniformed members of the District are expected to attend this event as it is an important opportunity for Groups to meet as a District and renew our Promise. Section Assistants, Group Executives and Parents are invited to attend and would be very welcome.

Please be at the school, in full smartly presented uniform, by 2-40pm for a 3-00pm start. The entrance to the site is at the top of Scots Hill as you drive in you will be directed by marshals where to park. For those dropping off their children a one way system will be in operation. Groups will assemble on the Tennis Courts by the entrance unless it is raining in which case please make your way into the School Hall.

The celebration is planned to end with the dismissal by approx 4-00pm. There will be a retiring collection taken on the way out of the hall; please remind your young people to bring a small contribution.

SCOUTS ON TOUR IN LONDON

Ben Taunt, ASL

Scouts topped off London Navigation challenge with a tour on HMS Belfast

7 Scouts split into 2 teams were set loose in London recently with a series of challenges to complete before embarking on HMS Belfast for a tour around this historic former Royal Navy vessel. Starting from Rickmansworth Train Station, each team were handed a list of cryptic clues to guide them on two separate routes around London's famous landmarks taking in such sights as Trafalgar Square, Piccadilly Circus, Harrods and London's South Bank. One lucky team also got to spend some time enjoying the entertainment provided by Hamleys Toy Store, even if learning the magic tricks did put them a little behind schedule!

HMS Belfast is first ship to be preserved for the nation since Nelson’s Victory, which was also visited by a group from Batchworth Sea Scouts last year.

FAMILY SAILING DAY

Steve Middleton

A date for your diary. On Sunday 18th July Batchworth Sea Scouts will be holding a family sailing day at the Bury Lake Young Mariners for Batchworth members, their families and friends. The day will consist of sailing, kayaking, dragonboats and a barbecue.

ENJOY LOW-COST SAILING THROUGH THE BATCHWORTH/BLYM PARTNERSHIP

Ben Taunt, ASL

Batchworth Sea Scouts are one of the 25 youth groups which enjoy an association with the Bury Lake Young Mariners (BLYM) sailing club, situated on the shores of the Rickmansworth Aquadrome.  The Scout Troop make regular use of the excellent training facilities provided by BLYM to introduce our young members to sailing and are able to do so through our Group Membership arrangements with the club.  Using our own team of qualified instructors allows us to operate from the base as a standalone party, merely making use of the BLYM owned dinghy, powerboat and other equipment at a minimal charge.

Another benefit of our membership means that people affiliated with Batchworth can also enjoy the facilities of BLYM at equally low costs, even when our own leaders are not present.  This could be a Bograt Explorer polishing their sailing skills on a breezy Saturday morning, or a Cub Scout family enjoying a gentle sail around the lake on a warm Summer’s evening.  General sailing sessions include Saturday mornings or afternoons, Wednesday evenings, Bank Holidays and Summer Holidays.  Visit www.blym.org.uk for more information including BLYM training courses, location and details on their sailing fleet.

In order to take advantage of this scheme, BLYM must be pre-notified of the members we have authorised to join general sailing sessions under the Batchworth Group Membership, otherwise you will not be allowed on the water.  Therefore, please contact me, Ben Taunt (BMTaunt@hotmail.com) if you wish to be added to our list at the sailing centre.  I will need a brief conversation about previous sailing experience, or alternatively a quick blast around the lake together one Saturday morning!  I can also run a quick induction for those new to BLYM.

RICKY WEEK

Simon Theobald, GSL

Why do Batchworth Sea Scouts distribute the Ricky week programmes? What has that got to do with Scouting?

For a many years, Batchworth Sea Scouts have arranged the May Fair, held each May, on the Bury in partnership with the Rickmansworth Society. The May Fair is traditionally the opening event of Rickmansworth Week when a procession of floats that makes its way through Rickmansworth to the Bury where traditional stalls, local goods, refreshments and music are available as the carnival princess is crowned.

Batchworth Sea Scouts run all the food and drink at the event and provide the tents, water, etc. Other than a wonderful and universally loved local community event why do Batchworth Sea Scouts do this? Well, it is an excellent fundraiser for the Sea Scouts; Batchworth Sea Scouts raise funds from the sale of food and drink and the sale of plots for other stallholders that helps us to buy new equipment, maintain the HQ building and support the running costs of the group.

In addition, in the past, Batchworth Sea Scouts have used the event to help recruitment into the group. In return for taking the monies raised at and by the May Fair, Batchworth Sea Scouts have a committee of adults and leaders that help to organise the event and also help promote the event through the distribution of the Ricky Week programmes. Parents of members of Batchworth are often asked for their help in delivering these programmes, in the same way as they also asked, twice a year, to help promote the Batchworth sea Scout jumble sale through the distribution of leaflets.

WHY DOES IT HAPPEN?

If you have a question about any aspect of Batchworth Sea Scouts, email the editor and we will try to answer it.

JUMBLE SALE RAISED £2,450.35

Deirdre Edwards

Congratulations to all those who helped with the Jumble Sale which raised a record £2,450.35.

Thanks to those who moved boats, set up tables, leafleted, collected, sorted, helped with selling, counted, manned the barbeque and refreshments, helped with the big job of bagging up and dumping the rubbish at the end of a long day. You were all wonderful!

EVERYONE IS VERY WELCOME TO JOIN THIS TEAM

After the sale we donate leftover books, toys, video tapes and bric a brac to other charities.

By leafleting you also let people know the jumble sale is on so do not be discouraged if you feel you have not collected much stuff. It is always worth doing! I receive a tot of phone calls for larger items to be collected from these leaflets and this is where we get our furniture donations from which we made £277 alone. We leafleted 4,700 houses this jumble ...

Many thanks, Deirdre

PARENTS OF BEAVERS, CUBS, SCOUTS

Simon Theobald, GSL

Do you ever wonder what goes on at Beaver, Cub and Scout meetings ?  Batchworth Sea Scouts are always looking for adult help at these meetings and if you feel you can spare the time for your children and could help the Leaders in any way at the meetings, please talk to the section leader the next time you drop off or pick up your children. You will be amazed as to how much fun and how rewarding giving up such a small amount of time, even on an adhoc basis can be.

SOUND PIT

Simon Theobald, GSL

Soundpit returned on Friday April 16th at Batchworth Sea Scout Headquarters. Soundpit is a youth event that provides bands, both experienced and inexperienced, with a place to play to live audience.  It provides a great live music event for teenagers in Rickmansworth and it is also a fundraiser for Batchworth Sea Scouts.

DATES FOR THE DIARY