Welcome back from all those fantastic events that the Summer gave us.  Yes there was a little rain at times but that did not dampen Portsmouth Scouts joining 40,000 others at the World Jamboree, 5,000 more at H007, as well as Lyons Copse events plus Group camps.  All part of the 28 million in Scouting worldwide who renewed their promise on Sunrise Day.

For Scouting to continue for the next 100 years what is the key? Get your friends and family involved, get together with like minded people and share experiences and then get planning.  Now is the time to really plan for the future, plan the years programme, plan special events.  Yes, let’s plan for the next 100 years.  A programme that puts the OUT in Scouting to the fore will bring its rewards.  The City aims to now take the next step in its development and to really try and help and assist all Groups that need it . . . read on . . .

All Management posts (that’s GSLs to Commissioners) met on 19^th September to consider the City Commissioners health check recommendations and next steps.  You are now brought up to date . .
Background:  The City has been together over 3 years.  The natural way forward was to find out the needs of Groups and for the City to assist where needed.  All Groups were visited with the aim of collecting information.  From the facts found recommendations were made to overcome problems this leading to changes in the City structure and the support it gives.
Recommendations: 7 were made, in essence:-
City Property Manager, will give Health & Safety and security advice and hold property details / leases and give advice and help to Groups where required.
Essential all Groups have a GSL / Group Manager (a person to accept responsibility of contact at least).
Group Execs.  All must have at least an independent Treasurer, other roles to be flexible but ideally a full compliment of officers wanted.
Group Officers of Execs.  To liaise with City Exec officers for advice.
City Quartermaster position.  To help groups with equipment needs.
Review of Explorer Scouting - this to progress through the autumn.
Establish A Section Support Team.  In essence there will be a new Deputy City Commissioner (DCC) for Events & Resources.  And a DCC for Section Support for Leaders.  The aim is to recruit experienced leaders to visit sections to share ideas, help and give support.  Visiting once a term they will pass on information and ideas.  A chart showing the new structure will be issued shortly, once all appointments have been made.

Next Steps: Group updates and support visits.
Group action plans:  Identify a plan, who responsible, reviews to be made and how the City can offer help.  The above is a simple overview.  In next months Newsletter we hope to be able to give you the structure and the names of the appointees.  This is the natural way forward for a growing City of Scouting, to communicate well and help others.

Congratulations to Matthew Holloway of 5^th Portsmouth Beavers winner of this month’s competition. Your prize will be on its way for your leader to present shortly.  Come on you leaders, remind your people about using their City Card.  Get them to log onto our website, answer simple questions and be in with a chance of winning a scouting prize.  They may find out a great deal about what Scouting has been doing and what is planned in the City for them!

Read a good magazine lately? Want to know about equipment to buy, useful addresses, international camps, new publications as well as some pretty good articles on programmes?  Then I would recommend your free Scouting Magazine.  You do not receive it?  Well if you pay a membership fee you should, if not contact Ron Jacobs who will enquire why not.

We look forward to Craig Wright (the City’s rep) sharing his experiences with us in next months Newsletter (get writing fast Craig).  In the meantime we can give you a glimpse of Peter Duncan's formula 1 co-driver at the Jamboree.  Yes it’s our very own Richard Spearing in the hot seat . . . have the Ferrari team any spare places?

Would you like to be able to instruct and test your young people and get them through their cycling proficiency certificate?  An instructor’s course is to be held at Hilsea Scout Centre on Saturday 29^th  September.  To book your place contact Bernie Clark email: bernjane@btinternet.com

Don’t forget to bring your bike!

The City Fellowship last year claimed £340 back in Gift Aid . . . a gift from the tax man.  Does your Group make a claim for Gift Aid?  It’s very simple for your Group Treasurer to organise and if advice is needed then speak to Bob Miles who made the Fellowship claim.  Any City Team members please consider paying your membership fees next year to the Fellowship so Gift Aid can be claimed.

A few more volunteers are wanted to help on the day.  If you are not involved with a group and are able to help please contact Marilyn Nancarrow. Helpers to arrive at 5:45 pm, evening concludes at 9:00 pm.

Last Chance To Visit City Museum Scouting Display

If you have not managed to get to see our display at the City Museum please get your skates on.  It finishes on 30^th September.  Open from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm daily and it’s completely free.

County Draw

The draw will be made on 27^th October at the County Ball.  Groups keep 50% of the value of ticket sales . If you want further information, or, a supply of tickets please contact Joe Harbour, email: joharo@ntlworld.com.

The City has an Adult Recruitment Commissioner.  Yes a person appointed to try and find leaders and match them to the needs of Groups.  However we still have Groups that tell us that they did not know that this help line existed.  So I hope this will remind you to contact Andy Jacobs email: portsmouthscouts.recruitment@ntlworld.com.  Please include Andy in your plans to expand.  Let him know of your needs for today and for tomorrow.

Ron & Carol Jacobs with the Fellowship ran the shop and all but sold out of stock within the first two days of the camp.  Check the coloured picture section of this month Hampshire Scouting and see if you can find Ron & Carols picture (knees and all)!

The 73^rd Troop invite you to their party at Sandy Acres on Saturday 3^rd November starting with fireworks at 7:00 pm.  Cost is £3 per head which includes hotdogs, hot / cold drinks, fireworks and camp fee.  Contact Bob Miles by the end of September to book your place.

It was 6:00 am when Christine Harper and daughter Miriam arrived at Castle Field last Sunday morning. They found a queue of trader vans stretching along the seafront waiting to enter the field.  Ken George soon arrived and was great at organising plots for all, then he proceeded to organise the volleyball tournament.  Overall it was a great success with money raised for Scouting from all stall holders, like the children’s fun-fare, food stands and ice cream sellers.  Many thanks to everyone who helped on the day. The financial position will not be confirmed until all monies are in and of course will be advised in a future issue of your Newsletter.  Well done and thank you to the organiser Christine Harper.

Attached to this Newsletter you will find the second issue of Lyons Copse News which keeps us all in touch with our camp site.  Proposals for camping charges to be changed were made at their recent meeting, these are really only tying up loose ends and overall no camping increases were made.  The main proposal was that people wishing to use the sites facilities who were not camping there (going solely to use the tower, the raft or the activity trail) would be charged £10 per session.  For full details of charges you can contact the Lyons Copse booking secretary, or, speak to Joe Harbour email: joharo@ntlworld.com.

Over 70 members’ family and friends enjoyed a camp over the bank holiday weekend.  The annual camp was a special one this year as it is the one hundredth anniversary of scouting.  To celebrate this each family put on an activity with the theme of 100. 

Bernie Clark and Ranger Guider Ruth Justice played home stay to two Scout leaders from  the Japanese contingent to the World Jamboree.  They were very honoured to have tea with the City Lord Mayor and Lady Mayoress.  The city supported an action packed three days for Takeshi Koyama a Commissioner from Sendai and Guide leader Tomomi Tachino, both contingent leaders to the World Jamboree.
We were able to show them Portsmouth’s tourist attractions, The Spinnaker Tower, HMS Victory, HMS Warrior, Harbour Tour, Sea Life Centre, City Museum, English beer on the hill, fish and chips on the beach, many ice creams, home cooking and an English style BBQ, finishing with a tour of Winchester.