Happy New Year.  A new year for Scouting in Portsmouth.  What will happen in 2008? . . . Well what do we know so far? . . .      

=           A New City Commissioner, elections are underway, vote today.

=           HRH Prince Edward opens the new PAWS Headquarter building.

=           Group Health Checks get implemented, with mentors for leaders.

=           Explorer Review kicks in giving our Explorers City identity.

=           City Camp 2-5^th May 2008, Lyons Copse.  Yes we all camp together.

=           Social Event for all our adults. Watch out for details of special event.

=           Fundraising Initiatives e.g. Supermarket bag packing, read our article.

=           Local Training for Group Executive Officers. 

Well, the above is planned or being planned, so what are our aims for 2008? 

=           Increase Scouting in Portsmouth, this by an increase at all levels.

=           To increase the offering of adventurous activities to our young people.

=           To make a difference to our young people and the locality we live in

               through the implementation of the Scout Law and Promise.

=           To have fun.

We are 5 years old today.  Yes this Newsletter has been produced and distributed for 5 whole years.  But does it say what you want? Does it get to everyone who should read it? Should our young people be more involved with the content?  Its aim is to be the main source for the distribution of information to everyone in the City.  So if you know anyone involved with Scouting who should get a copy but does not receive it then send the Editor their email address.  If you want an event publicised, to share an idea, to call for help, (we even print offers of marriage and its 29^th February soon ladies) then please send in your contribution . . . It’s your Newsletter for you.

Wood Badge Congratulations

Well done Martin Mackey on the award of your Wood Badge, this to be presented by the City Commissioner shortly.  Martin has also qualified as a mountaineering instructor and will be enlisting the help of Portsmouth Scout Mountaineering Team to deliver some long weekends away for Explorers and older Scouts later in the year to discover mountaineering and develop skills.  Watch out for news of dates for your Groups and Units to take part.  This is what we have been waiting for . . . adventurous activities to take off in 2008 . . . literally upwards.

Laine West, Fellowship Member and Hilsea Scout Centre helper recently came out of hospital after her operation and we hear she is recovering well.  That’s the spirit Laine, we all hope you get fully fit very soon.

Dave joined Scouting in Portsmouth in 1954, he was formerly Scout Leader at the 47^th Tangier Road Baptist Group then Scout Leader at the 28^th Group before being ADC General Duties in the old Kingston District.  More recently he was Duke of Edinburgh Award Advisor for Central Portsmouth, then the City and a member of the Cities Scout Fellowship also National Chairman of the Baptist Scout Organisation.  Dave sadly passed away on Wednesday 28^th November 2007 after a cancer battle; his funeral was well attended by past and present Scouting friends.  Our sympathy goes out to his wife and family.

40 Year Service Decoration goes to Keith Rowe – Beaver Scout Assistant at the 24^th Colony.  That’s a lifetime of service to Scouting Keith, we hope the 24^th ensure you get truly honoured – you deserve it.  15 Year Long Service Award goes to Amanda McKenzie A.C.S.L. at the 73^rd Pack.  5 Year Service Award goes to Dawn Wright E.S. Assistant at The Pirates E.S.U.  Also to Emma Greentree – C.S.L. at the 64^th Pack and Jackie Harris – A.B.S.L. at the 21^st Colony both of whom have recently attended an Appointments Committee and completed their initial training requirements. 

Well Done To You All 

Chief Scout’s Long Service Decoration Awarded to Keith Rowe

The latest quarterly edition of Lyons Copse News is attached with this newsletter.  Please support the cleaning weekend at the site on 8/9^th March 2008.  It’s your camp site, Portsmouth City owns the biggest part of the site, so please contact Alan Crabb, the warden and agree what you can do to help, even if it’s just a few hours over the weekend, or, why not get a team together?  Remember Pro-Badge work out of Lyons Copse and run all sorts of activity badges for cubs, scouts and explorers.  Why not get a copy of their list of courses for this year, and then get your young people involved.  Visit www.lyonscopse.org.uk for information about the site, how to book, etc.

Lots of research has been done to aid Scout Groups or Explorer Units interested in bag packing at the following choice of Supermarkets.  You should contact Billy Porter: billy_d_porter@hotmail.com for details of the list. A responsible adult MUST accompany groups at all times.

Our thanks go to Billy Porter for his time in getting the list together for us.  Please make good use of it, then please let the editor know how you got on, what you made, etc.

On 22^nd January 2008 we are to be honoured with royal presence to formally open Paulsgrove & Wymering Scouts beautiful new Headquarter building.  By the time you are reading this edition of the Newsletter the event will just about be taking place so it may be difficult in bringing you all the details this month.  Rest assured pictures and full details will be with you soon.

By now all Groups and Units have been requested by the City Secretary to submit details of numbers.  If you have not heard from her, or, are unsure of anything, then please contact Gail Adams as soon as possible.  Please then ensure that payment is made by the due date to the City Treasurer.  If you have a problem with this then please contact Liz Burford to discuss.  Failure to take this action will mean that the 50 pence discount on each persons membership fee will not be given, thus the fee, normally £25.10 will become £25.60.