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.

FAMILY SAILING DAY 2011

Batchworth Sea Scouts invite you to our annual Family Sailing Day, 2pm to 5pm on Sunday 17th July at Bury Lake Young Mariners (BLYM), Rickmansworth Aquadrome.

Come and try Sailing, Kayaking and Dragon Boating with your family; all Batchworth members are invited and you can bring friends along too. Last year over 100 people took to the water, giving family members of all ages a chance to experience fun on the water and relax with friends.

There is no entrance charge nor for trying the activities but we will be selling some delicious barbecue food, soft drinks and snacks to cover costs. A picnic rug and a change of clothes may be useful, plus a splash-proof top. This is a family event so no alcohol please.

BLYM is the water sports centre 5 minutes walk from the main Aquadrome car park, where cars should be left. Access is via Frogmoor Lane, just off Harefield Road. The centre is then along the path running to the left of the café.

To give us an indication of numbers for catering, or additional information, please RSVP to: stevemiddleton@hotmail.co.uk. We hope to see you there!

Helpers needed for Cub Meeting

We are currently struggling with the Wednesday evening Cub meetings because we haven’t got enough helpers. If we are to avoid meeting being cancelled then more people need to come forward and help ease the burden on both Brian and Louise.

We need several Occasional Helpers, a Parent Co-ordinator and someone who is willing to become an Assistant Cub Leader. No particular skill set is required all the training will be provided.

If you are able to help, even if is just for a little while, then please speak to Brian, Louise or any other leader in the group.

Parent Co-ordinators

We now have parent co-ordinators for both Beavers and Scouts. Sally Marriott for Scouts and Helen Webb for Beavers. These are new roles aimed at improving support for and communication between the group, Scouts and parents about the many events that happen throughout the year.

Sally and Helen will be acting as a vital link between the leadership team and all our parents, encouraging support and providing information on events where you can get involved. The leaders can then concentrate on delivering exciting and fun activities to the group week to week. We are still on the lookout for a parent co-ordinator for cubs.

Annual Cubs Sports day

Amrit, Cub Scout

On Friday the 10 of June it was the annual Cubs Sports day where all of the cubs come together to compete in different types of races. Batchworth had some strong players in our team but unfortunately we only had four players so we all pulled together as a team.

The races had begun and first up from our pack was Louie who took part in the flat sprint 9.5 years and under and came first. It was a strong start and a great win to begin with.

The races went buy and each time we were not disappointed. We had no time to lose when we needed to compete in the tug of war competition. We were first up and our parents were cheering for us to pull and win. It was a definite struggle but we didn’t lose. Our hands were bright red but we carried on.

Now for the awards ceremony and we were huddled together with our eyes shut saying to ourselves that we were going to do well. We didn’t come third but we did however come second! A great achievement and our team ran up with screams of the happiness. We all took a corner of the certificate and smiled to the camera as we all went home knowing we were all proud as well as tired.

Volunteer Log Book

A Volunteer Log Book is situated in the entrance hall at HQ. We would like to use it to record volunteer hours worked at HQ, general comments about health and safety as well as building maintenance issues. Records also need to be kept to help the group secure in-kind funding for future projects.

When volunteering at HQ please record the time spent in the book.

RYA Awards to Scouts and Explorers

Eight intrepid members of Batchworth spent an exciting week camped on Mersea Island, near Colchester, over the recent Whitsun Half-Term. They were there to participate in the annual Herts County Scouts sailing week which sees over 100 young people from across the County supported by a huge team of instructors and volunteers descend on a sandy beach on the Essex shoreline.

Making use of equipment which is transported to the spot from a variety of locations, which included dinghies and powerboats from Batchworth’s own fleet, all eight of our members were able to gain recognised RYA qualifications, ranging from beginner sailing through to performance racing!

Well done to all who attended the courses.

Group Subscriptions due

The 2011 subscriptions are now due. If you have not received your subscription notice or have any queries regarding subscriptions please telephone Deirdre Edwards on 01923 771626.

From the subscriptions we pay a 'capitation fee' to our District for each Beaver, Cub, Scout, Leader, Assistant Leader, Skills Instructor, Helper and Committee member to cover insurances etc and our membership of the Scout Association. The balance of the subscription pays for all maintenance and bills of our building, equipment and boats and many of the activities for our members.

If you are a UK taxpayer please Gift Aid your subscription if you have not already done so.

The bell tolls for Cumberland

With dark clouds looming, the White Ensign was lowered for the final time on HMS Cumberland as the frigate formally bowed out of service.

The ship’s bell resounded three times before sailors hauled down the Royal Navy’s standard on the Type 22 frigate with the solemn tones of the Band of HM Royal Marines echoing around Devonport.

Around 100 guests, families and friends of the Fighting Sausage, and crew members past and present were invited to attend the poignant last act in Cumberland’s proud career.

The ship, and her three sisters – Campbeltown, Chatham and Cornwall – were all axed under last year's Strategic Defence and Security Review.

Cumberland's most recent duty – a mission which reverberated around the world – was to rescue civilians caught up in the Libyan Civil War, plucking them from danger in Benghazi just a matter of weeks ago.

For more click here.

DATES FOR THE DIARY