The opening of the new Scout Headquarters at Paulsgrove and Wymering was just too late to meet deadline day for inclusion in last month’s Newsletter, so we are now proud to be able to report that the 22^nd January 2008 was a day to remember for all at PAWs.

Royal visitor joins in toasting success

HRH Prince Edward, Earl of Wessex met everyone at High Slopes when he opened the Scout Headquarters and Community Centre and showed great interest in all that was going on there. He made an excellent day a great one, making everyone feel at ease and well received. This was the culmination of over seven years hard work by a great team of people who were determined to replace the wooden building that had been burnt down by vandals in 2000. The demand for Scouting in the area has been tremendous which is proven by the two Beaver Colony’s, two Cubs Pack’s and a Scout Troop which are booming there. We all hope that this model can be built in other needy areas of the City where the demand for Scouting is seen when leaders and supporters get behind such a project.

Congratulations to leaders at the 72^nd Group who have been honoured with the above. They are Peter James, Mark Isaac, Elaine Isaac and Tim Cox. The award, previously called the Medal of Merit, will be made to the above recipients at a special presentation evening by the City Commissioner on 4^th April 2008 at their headquarter building. The above all had a great deal to do with the rebuilding of their own new headquarters following a similar fire to PAWs. Very well done to you all.

In last month’s Newsletter we published details of Supermarkets who were willing to have ‘Scouting In’ to bag pack. One Group regularly takes part in this activity and generates easily £500 per day. In Havant district, over 5 days during the Christmas period, £9,500 was raised. (Editors note: Perhaps I should stop writing this Newsletter and get bag packing myself right away . . . ) Jokes aside, there is money to be made and if handled correctly can be ongoing and fun for those who take part. So if its summer camp you are planning for and worried about charging the parents, then get the Scouts (with an adult present at all times) to raise their own camp fees by simply packing bags. Get last month’s Newsletter out for details and get on the phone to the Supermarkets now. Then let the editor know how you got on.

Roy Gardner began his scouting as a boy scout with the 68^th Group. He progressed to Scout Leader there before he was posted abroad with the services keeping in touch throughout the war years. He returned to build up the 50^th Group at Milton United Reformed Church, before it amalgamated and became the 5^th Portsmouth. He introduced his wife Sylvia to Scouting, she becoming ACL with the 68^th Group until she retired at 65. Roy sadly died on Monday 28^th January 2008 after over 50 years in Scouting, still holding an instructor card with the 68^th and still until very recently helping with their cub camps. He will be greatly missed by the Group. Sadly on the very same day the former Group Chairperson of the 68^th Group Doreen Piercy passed away. Doreen was the Chairperson for over 15 years until moving to Ireland about 5 years ago. Again she introduced her husband to Scouting, he eventually becoming the District Chairperson. Our thoughts and prayers are sent to the families of the above who have gone home.

The new activity handbooks have been recommended as giving great guidance in what the requirements are to achieve all the new badges. I am even told that they are cheaper than the old books. Our Scout Shops at Hilsea and Southsea have these books on order as well as the badges themselves and I know lots of you are keen to get hold of them. It is recommended therefore that you telephone or email your Scout Shop to check if they hold what you require before visiting them. But please get your copies as soon as possible and see how your boys and girls will benefit.

All Explorer Scouts and their leaders have been invited to attend a City meeting on Thursday 6^th March 2008, 7:30 pm to 9:00 pm at Hilsea Scout Centre. The aim is to take this section forward with everyone’s views accounted for. So if you are an Explorer or connected in any way then be there!

Having won the County quiz in 2007 Portsmouth Fellowship are to host this year’s event on Saturday 8^th March at Admiral Lord Nelson School. We have two teams from the City entered this year and as the winning team acts as hosts for the following year, this just could be a regular event in Portsmouth? Full report in next month’s Newsletter.

Please help if you can over the weekend of 8/9^th March 2008 even if only for a few hours. There are things to do which everyone can take part in, whatever your skill (or in my case lack of it). Please telephone the warden Alan Crabb who will, I am sure, find the job that’s just right for you, or your Group.

The final date for your fees to be paid to the City Treasurer is 29^th February 2008. Should you have any problem in meeting this deadline then a telephone call to the Treasurer, Liz Burford  explaining the reason would be appreciated. Please remember that you receive 50 pence per head discount for getting your fees in on time and if you are late and have not spoken to Liz the 50 pence per head will be added to you fees.

Over the weekend of 23^rd to 26^th May 2008 older Scouts and Explorers may now apply to join this special weekend in the Dorset/Swanage area for some special adventurous activities. Please contact Neil Miles to reserve your place: email nmiles@avalonnet.co.uk.

Progress is also being made with our own heritage collection. It is planned for a room at Southsea Scout Centre to be firstly redecorated and then, with the new glass counter and shelves that have kindly been donated, for all the Cities collection of memorabilia to be put on permanent show. So if you know of any memorabilia that is lurking about please let Richard know.

It is again proposed that this year we meet up at Queen Elizabeth Country Park on Sunday 20^th April between 10:00 am and 4:30 pm inviting all of our members together with parents and friends. Barbeques will be booked and you simply turn up with your own food and games. Certain activities may be available such as a bouncy inflatable for our younger ones. The Scout Promise will be renewed by all members and Section flags can be paraded. It is intended to charge a nominal fee of £1 per head to cover costs. It will all be very informal, you just turn up on the day . . . it is hoped that if the weather is unkind marquees will be erected so the event can still proceed.

Congratulations to Hannah Wright a Scout at the 8^th Portsmouth Troop on winning this month’s competition by logging onto our web site and answering the competition questions correctly. Your prize is on its way to you Hannah via your Scout leader. Please remind all our young members of this competition, it makes them look at what is going on in the City scouting wise, makes them negotiate on our web site and can win them a scouting prize.

I recommended that you get a copy of this new style newsletter last month. Their second edition is now available and really does give a great deal of information on forthcoming events. For your free copy telephone the City Secretary . . . do not miss out on what’s going on.

49 Cubs from 10 Packs took .part in this years City Chess and Draughts Competition which gave us 5 tables playing chess and 4 tables draughts. There was a break for refreshments and .some run around games in the top hall during the morning session.

At the lunch break the task of sorting out the results from the first round was completed and the best 12 from the Chess and the Draughts went into the Cup Competition with the remainder playing in the Plate competition.

After the second round another games session was held while some playoffs were needed to get the final results, which were:

In last month’s issue we said well done to Amanda McKenzie for obtaining 15 years Service Award. What we didn’t say is that she was an Assistant Beaver Leader with the 73^rd and not Cubs.

On Saturday 2^nd February 32 Beavers from 10 different Colonies took part in the annual Beavers Domino Competition at Hilsea Scout Centre. The main competition was won by a Beaver Scout from the 61^st Beaver Colony and the runners-up competition was won by a Beaver Scout from the 70^th Beaver Colony.
Well done to all who took part and a special thank you to the Leaders who helped to run the event.
Once again we have to thank our loyal Fellowship members who provided lunch, squash and biscuits for the youngsters and tea and coffee for the leaders.

Please can you make sure that all nights away forms are sent to Mrs Jackie Auckland-Jones. Also if you have a nights away permit please get in contact with Mark Dimmick.

The Student Scout And Guide Organisation is a group that is linked directly to the University's Union. The University of Portsmouth now has its own group. We meet Thursdays 7:00 – 9:00 pm usually at the union. http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=7769569115 is our facebook group that anyone is welcome to join. Any students interested in joining can contact us through facebook or by going to our website, which is available on the Scout District website, http://www.portsmouthscouts.co.uk/. As a new group we only have a few members; however we are looking to help out at local groups and support district events and as we grow bigger this support will only get stronger. Any leaders or students that have any enquiries please don't hesitate to contact us.

On Saturday 16^th February 34 Scouts from 10 different Troops assembled at the Copnor Road Methodist Church Halls to take part in the annual City Chess and Draughts Competition. In the morning everyone played eliminator rounds and during the afternoon the competitors were split into two competitions for each of Chess and Draughts: The 'Cup' - being the main competition and the 'Plate' - for those knocked out of the main competition. The Chess and Draughts games were interspersed refreshment breaks with 'fun games' in the upstairs hall. Many grateful thanks to our loyal Scout Fellowship who once again provided lunch and snacks throughout the day.

PSMT was started when Explorers and Network were born, our aim was to provide Leaders with the correct qualifications to take youngsters to climbing walls and towers or to provide training to enable Leaders to gain their qualification for climbing/abseiling.
You may have seen us around providing climbing / abseiling activities at City events. At the present time we have 7 qualified Leaders, one of whom is a Ranger Guide Leader.
If you have a passion or desire to gain your walls and towers qualification then please contact us, as we are trying to get numbers to put together a course. Please be prepared for the training to be done over several months before an assessment would take place.
The cost of providing climbing / abseiling activity for your section, group, patrol or six is as follows based on one session of 3 hours.

Scout Association Rules state 1 instructor per 6 people, so please bear this in mind when booking.

The above costs DO NOT include the cost of the climbing wall or tower.

Contact Details: Sue Lennon - Email ps.admin@ntlworld.com

Copy date for items to appear in the April 2008 issue should be with the editor by 20^th March 2008 at the latest.