What a lot is going on . . . in this month’s issue we can confirm the St. Georges Day awards and congratulate our high achievers as they go to Windsor Castle. We look to what is anticipated at a larger than normal annual general meeting at a new larger venue this year. We can announce that Southsea Scout Centre has been awarded a grant of over £22,000 to re-modernise the premises. And, if the County Commission has allowed, we will announce who is our new City Commissioner.

Plus your last chance to book up to enjoy the City’s free social event of the year. Hear what Gilwell says regarding the phasing out of cheques. How to get your troop into the new super scout competition. Final details on the city camp, the report of our St. Georges day celebrations at QE Country Park and lots lots more . . .

We firstly thank Nigel Valette for doing a fantastic job in bringing the 3 districts into 1 city. Nigel was an "Outsider" . . . he came from miles away in Hayling Island where he was DC of Havant, a position he combined with ours! The job was not an easy one, getting us to try and lose our north, middle or south identities and call ourselves "The City". The best accolade comes from the Chief Scout who has awarded Nigel the Silver Wolf (The highest adult scouting award) for his dedication and service. A great deal has been achieved and Nigel may take up a County post, potentially looking after us and a few other districts . . . So who is the new man? Who is to take us forward, to lead us "over the top"? We welcome the familiar face off Richard Merefield as City Commissioner. Richard has tremendous leadership experience, a former County Commissioner who we "captured" when he retired from that post and in the mean time has taken on the administrative role with our Explorers. Richard has the challenge of now bringing the City forward . . . congratulations on your appointment Richard, everyone will give you their 100% support in making The City of Portsmouth "simply the best".

As well as Nigel’s Silver Wolf "In recognise of services to scouting of the most exceptional nature" we are proud to be able to announce that Bars to their Silver Acorns go to Ken Parkins and Richard Spearing this in recognition of "further specially distinguished service". Also the Silver Acorn is awarded to Mick Edwards (ADC Scouts) in recognition of "specially distinguished service".

We hope that you have had a fantastic day having your awards presented at Windsor Castle. These awards indicate great commitment to Scouting over many many years, thus our congratulations are given with tremendous thanks and gratitude to you all.

    Silver Wolf          Bar to Silver Acorn       Silver Acorn

With our new City Commissioner leaving his job with Explorers we welcome back Ian Porter as our new District Explorer Scout Commissioner. Ian, who achieved his Queen’s Scout award with us before giving his services to another district, has accepted our challenge to move explorers forward. Our very best wishes go out to you Ian.

Do you have a burning desire to be a member of the City Exec, or do you have someone in mind you think could be ideal for the role? The procedure is to firstly ensure that the person put forward is willing to stand, then two people . . . one to nominate, the other to second that nomination, then be passed to the City Secretary, Gail Adams at: adamsclan@ntlworld.com. The final date for Gail to receive such requests is the 1^st June 2008. So do not be shy and give it a go.

What an evening this is turning into. The City Commissioner formally retires on this night and Dick Whittington the County Commissioner joins us as our guest, to present Nigel with his Silver Wolf and then to formally appoint Richard Merefield as the new City Commissioner. You have also seen above that there are other awards to be made and appointments given. It will be the night when Nigel says farewell and we hear from Richard on "where to next". We will have our World Jamboree attendee Craig Wright on hand to let us know how he enjoyed last years celebrations and of course the Fellowship have agreed to organise the cheese and wine goodies etc.

So it looks like being big and therefore the venue has been changed to Langstone Junior School, Lakeside Avenue, Copnor (where the Gala is held) where we have the school hall and facilities available to us. So if you have not done so already please place Monday 9^th June at 8:00 pm in you diaries now and make it a date.

June 28^th Langstone Junior School

Progress is being made . . . we have just been donated lots of breakable plates etc . . . now we need someone to run the plate smash stall. Interested? Then contact Joe Harbour at: joharo@ntlworld.com.

Please keep preparing for this great day . . . have your Scouts got their go karts rebuilt from last year yet?

We are promised some good weather this year . . . so it has to be twice as good to make up for last years rain.

In this world of no win no fee claims and litigation cases trying to keep up with America, its good to know that there are policies available for our every need. Yes via the above we as members have some very good cover . . . but is this enough and does it cover the helper who comes with you to camp, has an accident, subsequently is long term out of work and is then advised to sue you? So when you are planning an event and making out your risk assessment, you may need to check out what cover you actually have. There is a Scout insurance quick reference guide which I would recommend you view . . . it may take a few minutes now, but save a lot of sleepless nights in the future. Get your copy from Lancing.

The event has not been run for about 10 years when a scouter asked Mick Edwards and the Fellowship if they could run an evening for his troop containing mental and physical tests. From this one evening it seems that word has got about of how good it was and lots of other troops have come forward and asked for the event to be run for them . . . so if your troop has not got the event booked in and would like it, then maybe you should contact Mick Edwards asap. The aim is to ideally, after delivering the event to individual troops, to have a District final . . . keep watching this space for details.

Congratulations go to the scout centre committee at Southsea. For many years the scout centre has been in great need of new toilets and kitchen facilities . . . the committee applied to Southsea Town Council who were to be disbanded and their funds were thus to be distributed. After much hard work of presenting accounts, lobbying of councillors, guided tours of the centre to show what was needed, their hard work has been rewarded. Only today have they been contacted requesting "who shall we make the cheque out to?" At just over £22,000 they hope to improve the facility we hold and ensure the Scout Centre comes into the 21^st century. Well done to the team on their hard work on obtaining such a reward.

Ron Jacobs and his team have put together a fantastic long weekend for everyone planning to camp and the Beavers who will join them for one day. Initially the organisers were unhappy that the attendance would be down on there expectations, however this has led to them ensuring the camp will be even better for those of you who will be there. So hang your heads if you have missed out, because that is what you have done. This is the camp of the year, with a programme to match . . . catch up with plans on our website and read next month’s newsletter for a full report.

Well we thought we had this one covered, until the recent Beaver Leader course identified that some new leaders are without a training advisor and as such cannot proceed with training unit 2 which gives help and advice on future training needs. Some GSL’s carry out this role, then we have specified trainers who look after quite a number of new leaders. But, we still have gaps. We still need more trainers! So if you have some scouting experience please could you take a new leader under your wing? It would help them and who knows you may learn a lot yourself.

Mike Read will be inaugurated as Lord Mayor of Winchester of the 14^th May. One of his many duties is to help raise money for local charities and Mick has chosen Solent Scout Training Centre as one of these. He is organising a great number of events through out the coming year to raise funds. Details of all of these events can be found on our website and I would urge you to peruse this list and see how you or your group can help.