It’s a time for saying thank-you to all our leaders, helpers, exec members, fellowship members, administrators and even parents who are helping us, in fact to all adults linked to Scouting in Portsmouth. Without you people, Scouting would not exist and our young people would not get the chance to do so much which helps in their development.

Your Newsletter can therefore reveal the details of the forthcoming social evening and with it your invitation, with partner, or friend, to attend . . . It’s free. It’s a chance to socialise with likeminded people. It’s a time to enjoy yourself, for someone else to organise an evening rather than you. We need to plan your meal (yes we are paying for the food, so its free for you and the bar is at club prices too) and therefore I would ask you to complete the tear off slip at the bottom of this page and return it to Gail Adams who is collating details. The event will take place at the Broad Oak Social Club (formerly Marconi Club) on Saturday 10^th May. We have use of the skittles room and hall, so be ready for a challenge. Also a friendly quiz will take place during the evening.

Please ensure everyone connected with Scouting in Portsmouth receives an invitation and therefore has the opportunity to attend. There are a maximum number of 60 places available which will be taken up on a first come basis. Please contact Gail Adams to book your places.

Vic sadly suddenly died on 18^th March. He was a very long standing member of Hilsea District working at the 38^th Group as GSL, before taking over the caretaker role of the then Hilsea HQ. The funeral will take place on Tuesday 1^st April at Portchester Crematorium. Our thoughts and prayers go out to his family at this time.

The City are members of Craft Bank, we have a paid up membership which is available to all in Scouting in Portsmouth. If your Group would like to access this facility please contact Barbara Miles, e.mail babs.miles@talktalk.net, who will register you so that you can go along and purchase your craft goods at special prices.

Raffle books will soon be with you again for the City Draw, to be held at the Gala. Please help Hazel Paice who is co-ordinating the draw, by getting your money and tickets back to her before Gala Day, and if you can donate a raffle prize that would be super as well. Are you doing the same stall as last year? Doing something different in 2008? Are your young people taking part in the arena events? Start planning now (especially if your Scouts are planning to build a new go-cart.) In the next month or so your Group and Unit will be contacted for their plans, so get your acts together . . . Now all we need is some good weather . . .

Portsmouth Lions are to run a Market Fair on Castle Fields, Southsea on Sunday / Monday 25^th & 26^th May and have asked if we would like to have some stalls? In essence for a charge of £5 you are given an area of the field where you can promote Scouting and raise funds; there is also the opportunity to demonstrate activities in an arena. If you would like more details and an application form please contact Joe Harbour e.mail: joharo@ntlworld.com.

Bank accounts in Scouting are run with a minimum of two signatures for obvious reasons. It seems that some shops are starting to not accept cheques as a way of making payment, so how do we pay for goods from our accounts in future? The above is the problem which at present we have no official guidance on (although a letter from the City has just been sent to Gilwell to seek their thoughts). The easy answer is I expect what many of us do now; put the purchase on our personal credit card, then submit the receipt to the Treasurer and get the funds back in the shape of the Group's cheque. This may be to many not ideal, or practical, even possible. The reason for the mention here is to let you know that the problem is being assessed and should we receive guidance then your Newsletter will be the first to bring it to you.

The total number of people in Scouting in Portsmouth was 1,001 according to the latest figures, this slightly down on last year. The City Commissioner pointed out that the progress of some areas he was holding back on whilst waiting for his successor to be announced, as to make changes now would be pointless without the agreement of the new City Commissioner elect. There have been some great success stories over the past year which the figures highlight and this coming year will be great for Scouting in Portsmouth and its long term future.

Following the success of the initial City Explorers and leaders meeting the next one is planned for Thursday 3^rd April between 7:30 pm and 9:00 pm at Hilsea Scout Centre. We would like to see as many Explorers and Explorer Leaders there as possible so this section can really move forward and everybody’s views can be considered.

Thanks are given to Chris Bowen on agreeing to change his appointment from 64^th SL to GSL.

The following will shortly be issued with provisional appointments. Full appointments will be made when the relevant training has been completed, so can we welcome into the District:-

Nicole Jefferies who by agreeing to become the BSL at the 62^nd, has allowed the colony to re-open.

Philippa Rickard who by agreeing to become the BSL at the 64^th, has allowed the colony to re-open. Philippa will be supported by Robert Nicholson, Joanna Nicholson and Louise Lochrane who were all successfully interviewed as BS assistants and will be issued with permits.

Garry Bryant as an ACSL and William Jones as an ASL at the 43^rd.

Kristle Bennett as an ABSL at the 68^th.

Robert Simms as an ASL at the 64^th. Robert will be issued with a full Appointment as he has almost completed his Wood Badge with Basingstoke.

Lou Greentree as CS Assistant at the 64^th

Robin Jones as a Scout Assistant at the 43^rd. The latter two will both be issued with their permits.

Many thanks to all of the Appointments Committee of Tony Fitzgerald, Dave Goldfinch, Bill Riach, Mark Dimmick and Beryl Young.

(Sent in by Ron Jacobs their secretary . . . so well done to you too Ron.)

There must be lots of our young people who have collections? Traditionally it was cigarette cards or stamps, perhaps now its scout badges or postcards? Well now there is to be an opportunity for our members to display the ‘Things They Collect’ and to view others collections, all which can be placed on display. It is hoped we can even have some experts on hand to discuss the collections. The event will take place on Saturday 6^th December between 10:00 am and 4:00 pm at Southsea Scout Centre. A 50-pence entrance fee covers light refreshments. This may also help towards the hobbies / collectors badges. Watch out for the entry forms which will be issued shortly.