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.

NEW YEAR - NEW ADVENTURES!

After a short break over the Festive holidays, the Scout Troop have launched themselves back into an action packed programme! Over the next few months, the Troop aim to tackle several activity badges, compete in a Rickmansworth-wide Monopoly game, brush up on essential 1st Aid skills, learn some new household skills and of course get out on the water. We also have plans for a weekend away walking in the hills and a fantastic camp focused on completed RYA endorsed sailing courses. Watch this space for reports of our adventures!

KINGFISHERS RULE THE ROOST

Congratulations to the Kingfishers Patrol of the Scout Troop! Over the Autumn Term, the Kingfishers scored the most points in the weekly inter-Patrol competition meaning that they exhibited the highest levels of attendance with the best turned out uniforms! As a reward, the Patrol took a trip to the 10-pin Bowling Alley whilst the rest of the Troop were brushing up on knotting skills. All points are now reset and the Patrols are reminded to bring full uniforms to each weekly meeting in order to win the this term's contest!

HERTFORDSHIRE SCOUTS LOTTERY

During 2010, Hertfordshire Scouts secured the freeholds of both Phasels Wood and Tolmers in order to protect their futures, which had been in doubt for some time. These 2 sites, will now continue to play their vital role in the training and enjoyment of so many of our young people for the foreseeable future.

These purchases have come at a cost, as will the improvements that are planned for them. Hence the need to raise considerable funds to payoff the mortgages and make the improvements that we would all like to see.

To fund the purchases and the planned improvements, Hertfordshire Scouts is launching a major lottery to raise funds towards the Capital Appeal and local Scouting.

So do please help Scouting in Hertfordshire raise funds by buying at least one chance in our lottery for the over 16's in your family.

For more details contact Narinder Sian, the groups’ Lottery Champion, on lottery@narinder.org.

Thank you for your support.

LAST COMMANDING OFFICER OF HMS CUMBERLAND

An experienced Royal Navy Captain from Liverpool is playing a key role on operations in the Arabian Gulf but soon the ship he commands will bid farewell to the Royal Navy.

Captain Steve Dainton, 43, serves as the Commanding Officer of HMS Cumberland, a Royal Navy Type 22 frigate affiliated with Batchworth Sea Scouts.

The ship is currently based in the Arabian Gulf where her duties include helping to protect the Iraqi oil platforms that account for nearly 90% of Iraq’s national income. HMS Cumberland has also been involved in counter-piracy operations on her way to the Arabian Gulf. But after nearly 22 years of loyal service, HMS Cumberland is to be decommissioned at the end of April as part of the changes announced in the recent Strategic Defence and Security Review.

This will make Captain Dainton the final Commanding Officer of HMS Cumberland upon her return to the UK in April 2011.

Batchworth Sea Scouts will be seeking another ship to be affiliated with.

IPOD Shuffle in the Scout Hut

If anyone has lost an IPOD Shuffle and thinks this may be it, please contact Brian Hansford on 07801909392 or e-mail brian.hansford@ntlworld so that it may be returned to its rightful owner.

DATES FOR THE DIARY