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2023-12-31-accounts

Annual Report of the Dittons Scouts Annual General Meeting, Friday March 8[th] , 2024

Highlighting the 2023 adventures of our Beavers, Cubs, Scouts and Explorers

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Dittons Mission Statement the Purpose of Scouting at the Dittons

Our values are at the heart of all we do in Scouting:

Integrity - We’re honest, we try to do the right thing (even if no-one’s watching) and we stay true to ourselves.

Respect - We’re thoughtful of people’s feelings and values, treating everyone as we’d like to be treated ourselves.

Care - We’re kind to others, looking after the world we live in.

Belief - We explore our beliefs and attitudes with wide-open minds.

Co-operation - We work with others to change the world for the better, making friends along the way.

Group Activity Report by Suzan Baker, Dittons Group Scout Leader

In this 2023 annual report we are particularly thrilled to highlight the incredible fun, camaraderie, and joy that our outdoor events, particularly camping, offer to all our Dittons scout sections. These events serve as a cornerstone of our scouting program, providing an invaluable opportunity for scouts to immerse themselves in nature, foster friendships, and create unforgettable memories. The Esher District experience enjoyed by so many at Escapade was a particularly cherished highlight of 2023, as it allowed scouts and adults alike to escape the hustle and bustle of everyday life and reconnect with the great outdoors - while basking in the heat wave sunshine!

During these camping adventures, scouts engage in a wide array of exciting activities, from hiking and *) Se map reading to campfire cooking and stargazing. These activities not only promote physical fitness ss > and outdoor skills but also encourage teamwork, leadership, and problem-solving abilities. Moreover, a i> Ain the bonds of friendship forged around the campfire are truly special, as scouts and adults come together to share stories, laughter, and create a genuine sense of belonging to our group – the combined wearing of our splendid Dittons purple helps.

2023 was definitely the year for outdoor adventures on a grand scale. After Escapade we saw three of our Explorer Scouts head overseas with Surrey Scouts to join the World Scout Jamboree in South Korea (Ed) and to camp in Flanders, Belgium (Charlie & Catherine.) Plenty of scouting values were displayed on these adventures and it is through all these events that we strive to instill in our scouts of all ages a love for nature, a sense of resilience, a spirit of adventure, and a deep appreciation for the joys of friendship and camaraderie that scouting uniquely provides.

In the reports that follow each section details their activities and these words, combined with the pictures, show what make us all very proud of our Dittons volunteers and young people and I want, to say a big thank you to all our Leaders who have once again put in a great deal of hard work and freely given up a lot of their time to provide quality Scouting for this past year. A massive thank you also to our 2023 activity planners, badge capturers, cake makers, nail hammerers, lift givers, question asking and OSM answering, bonfire building, BBQ burning, picnic making, uniform washing, sideline cheering, email reading, form filling in helpers from every Beaver, Cub, Scout and Explorer at The Dittons – we couldn’t do it without you .

Enjoying Escapade – it definitely is for all!

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The Group Trustee Board – Annette Williams, Chair of Trustees

The Group Trustee Board plays a vital role in the running of a Scout Group. Trustees make decisions and carry out administrative tasks to ensure that the best quality Scouting can be delivered to young people in the Group. Trustees must act collectively as Charity Trustees of the Scout Group. The committee also exists to support the Group Scout Leader in meeting the responsibilities of their appointment.

All our volunteers get a lot back from their roles, we can tell this from the years of service awards handed out to all our volunteers, leaders and Trustees at the AGM.

Without these volunteers and their hard work and support, the group really would not be able to run.

The Trustees are legally and financially responsible for the running of The Scout Group, maintenance of the Shack, all The Dittons property and equipment along with the raising of funds and the administration of the group’s finances. It is a vital role that enables the Leaders to run the activities. The group reserves policy, agreed by the Executive states that our policy is to build a fund which would enable The Dittons to purchase the freehold and to substantially improve our buildings. This will be reviewed in 2024.

Scouts is just a great place to volunteer.

Every volunteer is welcomed.

Every volunteer is supported.

Every volunteer is valued.

Every volunteer gains skills (and has fun!)

Trustees 2023 Group Scout Leader -Suzan Secretary- Louise O’Gorman Treasurer- Diana Goodhugh
Baker
Paul Bartlett Stuart Jack Melanie Uzunoglu Pamela Forsyth
Matt Davies Julia Hawkins 2 x vacancies

Chair - Annette Williams

Smiles from our Trustees – could you join us?

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- Objectives of The Dittons Scout Group Public Benefit Statement

The purpose of Scouting is to contribute to the development of young people in achieving their full physical, intellectual, social and spiritual potentials, as individuals, as responsible citizens and as members of their local, national and international communities. Scouting uses a method, which is young people in partnership with adults: enjoying what they are doing; learning by doing; participating in varied and progressive activities; making choices for themselves; taking responsibility for their own actions; working in groups; taking increasing responsibility for others; taking part in activities outdoors; sharing in prayer and worship; and making and living out their Scout Promise.

Under the Charities Act 2006 The Scout Association is required to demonstrate that our aims are for the public benefit. Our assessment is that we have met the public benefit criteria under both the advancement of education and the advancement of citizenship or community development headings. The activities outlined in this report highlight the areas of work that achieves these aims.

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Anyone here from Dittons? Fast Finishers at
How loud do you think the YES was! District Cross Country
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Scouts & Explorers Camp for St George’s Day Poppies at Lynwood ‘ll Crush Ye Barnacles!
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More Escapade Adventures!

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The Dittons Fair by Rebecca Walker, Fair Chair

Report on The Dittons Fair – Sunday 14 May 2023

After a shaky looking forecast, once again the sun emerged at just the right time and stayed with us all afternoon! The pigs stayed dry, the arena acts shone, the cakes flew out of the tent and the leaders stayed cool in 'Soak the Leader'. As our only annual fundraiser, the committee and the leader’s smiles (and relief!) matched the sunshine as we worked from sunrise to sunset to entertain up to 5000 people at the largest community event of the year.

A huge thank you is due to each one of you for all your contributions towards making it a huge success: from promoting the Fair by programme selling to stall donations to at = Fs Se oh volunteering on the day (over 200 of you!) – We just couldn’t do it without all your effort and support. And please take a bow, David Wickenden , who is a dad that has been our sound man every year for many years, sitting in the white tent at the heart of it all, keeping the crowds informed and entertained. Many thanks also to our leaders, who work as volunteers week in, week out, for our children, but who also come out in force for the fair and are there from 7am until 7pm when we lock up the Green and head to the pub.

Finally a special thank you to the Committee who work really hard in the months before the Fair to bring in the sponsors, fill the arena, promote the event, confirm the stallholders and juggle all the logistics! Everyone really pulls together and we have a lot of fun along the way. It’s great to have some fresh faces join our team this year. Thank you.

Plans for Sunday 12 May 2024 are well under way and we’re delighted that John D Wood has become our platinum sponsor once again. They really go above and beyond, not only becoming our largest sponsor and running a fabulous stall on the day, but also putting up as many advertising estate agent boards as we could sign up! Please do consider them if you’re buying or selling a house.

This is our only fundraiser and the only ‘volunteering requirement’ we have of all the families that join The Dittons. It is this one day, of maximum effort, that ensures the continuation of The Dittons Scout Group. We keep our Dittons Membership Charge to a minimum and the Fair is therefore our main source of income to keep our beloved and unique Shack alive and well and scouting activities going strong!

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1932 Committee by Paul Bartlett, Chair of Committee & Estates Manager

2023 has been another year of ad-hoc work, minor jobs and a lot of ongoing maintenance.

Our wonderful building, The Shack, which we are so fortunate to own outright, requires a lot of time, love and attention to keep it usable and intact.

Many hours of volunteer time are spent behind the scenes ensuring Scouting activities can continue safely for so many.

The long running saga of kitchen deliberations is finally coming to a close, as we have indicative plans and a builder selected. The aim is now to build a new kitchen within the footprint of the building.

We will remove the existing equipment and units, knock through into Uncle’s Room and create a larger L-shaped kitchen. The intention is to fit it out with commercial grade stainless steel equipment, counters and cupboards, which will ensure its longevity.

A new serving hatch will be created into the hall, with removable panelling to retain

the hall’s character. We hope to install a full height fridge, freezer, commercial dishwasher and an on-demand water heater – no more washing up in cold water!

We continue to look forwards, and whilst we haven’t started this project yet, we are thinking about future projects. Investigations are being made around a variety of options for our outdoor space – perhaps an airrifle shooting range, given that we have now space available on the land we own at the rear of The Shack.

All volunteers at the Dittons continue to strive to provide the best facilities for the Group’s young people and I thank everyone for their hard work.

If you would like to lend your time and skills to the preservation, remodelling and protection of The Shack we are actively looking to recruit new parents at our AGM to help with the ‘1932 Committee’ – could it be you?

The kitchen has served — its time at The Shack… — ates rr But, just like camping, there is always a new dawn!

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Beavers by David Cooper

Montreal Colony Leadership Team for 2023 Toronto Colony Leadership Team for 2023 Section Leader - David Cooper Section Leader - David Cooper Section Assistant - vacant Assistant Section Leader - Pamela Forsyth Group Occasional Helpers - Lisa Jenkinson-Swayne, Jenny Group Occasional Helpers – James Green, Annette Williams, Ripley, Claire Appleyard, Jess Cresswell, Naomi Walsh, Hannah Kate Felton, Terezie Wickenden, Claire Marstin, Becky Lawson, Malone, Nicola Riggs, James Walker & Michel Cerulli Lee McCarthy, Chantal Pilbrow, Nicola Riggs & Amy Packer Explorer Young Leaders: Orson Skittles & Drew Swallow Explorer Young Leader : Joshua Baird

Spring Term 2023

Summer Term 2023

Autumn Term 2023

11 Beavers from Montreal and 12 from Toronto earned their prestigious Chief Scout’s Bronze Award , the highest badge a Beaver can earn – Congratulations!

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Cubs by Matt Davies & Aron Stewart

Mowgli Cub Pack Leadership Team for 2023 Zulu Cub Pack Leadership team for 2023
Section Leader –Aron Stewart & Suzan Baker from Section Leader –Matt Davies & Craig Behrens
September
Assistant Section Leader - Vacancy Assistant Section Leaders -Renato Marchio, Stephen
Wakefield
Section Assistants -Lloyd Smith, Simon Morris Section Assistants - vacancy
GOH –Steve Audsley &from September: Charlie GOH –Alasdair Young
Balbirnie & Wing Yin Wong
Explorer Young Leaders –Ted Ferguson, Josh Baird & Explorer Young Leaders– Neve Davies, Catherine Bartlett &
Orson Skittles Lauren Widdowson

Cubs continue to learn new skills, take on amazing challenges and support the wider Thames Ditton community. We started off the year making rather impressive Newspaper bridges to make even Brunel envious. We worked with Pyro-pens to create lovely wooden drinks coasters. We’ve gained many new badges, including the Air Activities badge, learning about flight and flying our own Chinese lanterns. We’ve taken a dip in the Thames during our Watersports Day at Thames Young Mariners and loved our annual trip to the Lord Amory for yet more wet and wonderful water based fun. This exciting Docklands trip is always a fantastic trip, with all the cubs, leaders and parents enjoying themselves out on the water especially as we were treated to another warm sunny day. iF\ Our knot work has reached new heights, ending with building our own ‘Walking Giraffes. Map reading to Orienteering to learning different methods of communication – cubs tackle a huge range of activities. Cooking with the cubs has always been a winner, from making pancakes and quesadillas and cooking sausages on a fire. We even finished off the year with making our own Christmas Cakes in mini baked bean tins – delicious!

A total highlight for 2023 was the return of Esher District Camp - We camped with over 50 Cubs at Escapade. It was really wonderful to see so many of the Dittons cubs, scouts and explorers camping and enjoying themselves. Everyone was thoroughly exhausted when leaving on Sunday and we sent them all home hot, tired and smiling!

We have transferred older cubs onto the adventures of Dittons Scouts, as well as welcoming new Cubs transferring up from Beavers – we really enjoy watching young people of the Dittons progress through the sections, growing and maturing on their way. Mowgli said a sad but temporary farewell to Aron and in September welcomed Suzan as Monday night Cub Leader to hold the fort while he works in Azerbaijan – we think she quite likes it! We gained other parent volunteers who stepped up to help Mowgli and our Explorer Young Leaders are invaluable in both packs. Renato moved on from Zulu when his sons became Cubs – thank you Renato for your years of cub volunteering. Without all our help we wouldn’t have been able to run as many Cub activities – we look forward to many more in 2024!

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Scouts by Tony Butcher

Scout Troop (Wednesday nights) Leadership Team for 2023 Scout Troop (Thursday nights) Leadership Team for
Section Leader – Jackie Bourne & Tony Butcher 2023 Section Leader –Allen Widdowson
Assistant Section Leader Assistant Section Leader
Will Kendrick Jonathan Yates
Section Assistants - Vacancy Section Assistants
Group Helpers– Gavin Bacon & Martin Brown Richard Hunt, Martin Yates & Phil Hawkins

2023 has been a fantastic year of fun adventures for our Scouts and our Leaders too. We took our winning achievements to the ultimate level and brought home the Esher District Top Troop Trophy. We let you know about winning the Cross Country (and yes we did that) or winning the Night Hike (yes we did that too), but in Esher District against all the other wonderful Scout troops there is the ultimate prize of the combination of all these events. The Top Troop award is an impressive award now hanging in the Shack. Won in 2023 by The Dittons for the first time since 1979!

The Shack is a superb venue in which to teach our Scouts as it’s full of history and tradition stretching back to the very early days of Scouting in the UK, but the main job of us Leaders is to get our Scouts out and about in the great outdoors and explore the Surrey countryside enjoying nature and learning how they can make a difference to this world.

As mentioned, The Dittons ran away with success at the Cross Country in Oxshott with William Brogden, Harrison Davey, Lucas White and Marlin Oxby all finishing in the top 10. The Night Hike was incredible this year with our teams coming home in 1st and 2nd place. Our Scouts have really demonstrated great determination, skill and dedication in all of the events they have taken part in 2023. Our Scouts were exemplary as they returned to Linwood care home to help the residents create a hand-made poppy wreath for the Remembrance Day event on Giggs Hill Green. Dedicated Leaders have sustained this link between the old and young and it’s very fulfilling to see both generations gain so much from the experience.

This was a year for Escapade, an all section District camp, over the sunniest weekend of the year. There were enormous inflatables, camp fire songs, laser tag, crafts and water slides to enjoy. The music on the Saturday evening gave the whole field a festival atmosphere.

We took 10 Scouts sailing with Discovery Sailing Project (DSP) and were onboard the 60 foot clipper for 3 nights along the Solent learning to sail, navigate and moor the boat. It was amazing to see Scouts experience a new challenge and find the strength and fortitude for a hard-working weekend.

2023 also saw us award another Chief Scout Gold Award - Robert Keenes completed the remaining tasks to earn the award prior to moving onto Explorers. It’s been a great year of Scouting and it’s been a pleasure for the whole Leadership team to see Scouts enjoying their time outdoors experiencing new challenges and adventures.

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Ditton Scouts Shooting Club by Tony Butcher

Dittons Scouts Shooting Club Leadership Team for 2023

DSSS Leader – Tony Butcher DSSS Assistants – Phil Hawkins & Barry Walker

The Dittons Scout Shooting Club was established 4 years ago to give Scouts and Explorers the opportunity to learn Air Rifle Target Shooting. Air Rifle Target shooting is an Olympic sport which promotes core strength, balance, coordination, concentration and discipline. There are Group, District, County and National competitions for Scouts.

Last year finished on an incredible high with Emily winning the Individual Country Final . Emily joined the Inter-Counties team to travel to Aldersley, and compete at the National level again. Surrey took the Silver medal. We took our own momentum forwards into the summer and came second in the Scout District Shooting Competition. This was held at the Escapade Summer camp and our team of three competed against other Troops across Esher.

All of the 17 members of the club have joined us outdoors at the Shack garage or at our indoor winter training venue at the Surbiton Postal Rifle Club, which has been so important to helping our young people develop their skills. However, we need to find a new winter home. The redevelopment of the Surbiton Postal Rifle Club is making it necessary to find an all- weather solution closer to the Shack. This year has seen more Dittons Scouts join up with the County team at Bisley for practice. This is a great opportunity to learn pistol and Small-bore shooting under the guidance of the County Leadership team. As the members reach Explorer age they can join ScoutShoot and have the opportunity to learn more disciplines including full bore at 300 yards.

This year saw us enter the National Scout Championship in October. The 4 Scout team entered a variety of disciplines over the October weekend. We had an amazing performance from all of our entrants who did themselves and the Dittons proud. A special mention to: • • Later in the year we entered the County Team Finals, this is a team event for Scout aged members to submit their best scores. We maintained our great performance, scored more than last year and came 3rd. The best individuals were then invited along to Bisley once more to compete in the Individual County Finals for 2023. Emily, Andrej & Finley did really well. It is a very competitive County team this year and some talented Scouts from Fetcham were worthy winners.

As a reminder, our Leadership team for the club is made up of enthusiastic and knowledgeable adults to help run these sessions and train the Scouts to improve their skill. If you are a keen Target Shooter from the past or now, or you are interested in the sport and want to help out, we would love to hear from you.

Please contact Tony.Butcher@DittonsScouts.com

~~Emily winning the 2022 Bisley~~ Individual County Finals

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Explorers by Tom Wilkinson

Explorers Leadership Team for 2023 - Section Leader - Tom Wilkinson with Julia Hawkins from November ‘23

Assistant Section Leader - Stuart Jack & Steve Baird Section Assistant – Aidan McGuinness & Julia Hawkins

Group Occasional Helper & Network – Ro Guildford

In January several Dittons Explorers joined Tom and other District leaders on the first District Winter Activity Weekend since 2020. Very cold weather led to walking through a Terrain Zero winter wonderland and exploring Thor’s Cave in Derbyshire before a proper caving trip on the Sunday.

We continued through the terms with a mixture of Explorer staples, such as a scavenger hunt around Thames Ditton, and a variety of Explorer led evenings. Particular highlights included the whimsical engineering of our Explorers dropping eggs from high heights, a miniature painting competition, Taskmaster (where they had to make a Fleur-de-lis from

items at The Shack), axe throwing, and the ever-popular DittOlympics (random sports on an Olympic theme with Welly Wanging remaining a firm favourite!) At the start of summer, we attended the District camp, Escapade, alongside all other sections. Explorers participated in paintballing as well as activities on site at Walton Firs. It was a scorcher of a weekend and the sight of Drew on Parade wearing a Mexican Sombrero (well, they asked for hats!) was a special moment indeed. Outdoor adventures continued when in August we took a small contingent of Explorers to Parkwood campsite near Brighton for a summer camp with activities that included “Can’t Cook, Won’t Cook”, hiking, canoeing/kayaking/paddle boarding, electric mountain biking and fish & chips by the seaside.

The Duke of Edinburgh award has continued to be a key part of our programme with practice and qualifying expeditions in Kent and the New Forest leading to 4 Bronze and 4 Silver Awards this year. Four Explorers also undertook their Practice & Qualifying Gold award expeditions in 2023! A real success for The Dittons and the result of a lot of hard work by our young people, support from parents and a lot of hours of Dittons Leaders – we thank them all. 4 Explorers have started their Young Leader journey with us this year by starting the Young Leader training scheme. Finally, Congratulations to Lauren who achieved her Young Leader Belt by completing all the training on the Young Leader Award Scheme .

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CHARITY COMMISSION FOR ENGLAND AND WALES Independent examiner's report on the accounts Scctioii A liidcpcrident Examiiier s Rcport Report to the trustses ?IT 'rJS On accounts for the year ended Charlty no (If any) Set out on pag I report to the trustees on my examination of the accounts of the above charity (Ihe Trusf) for the year ended Respon8lbllltle8 and bash of rewt As the charws trust88s, you are responsible for the preparation of th8 accounts in accordance Mnth the requirements of the Ch8rftles Act 2011 (Ihe Act"). I report In resp6Ct of my examination of th8 Trusys ac(x)unts carried out under seG*ion 145 of the 2011 Act and in carying out my examlnatlon, I have followed all the appllcable Dlrectlons glven by the Charrty Commission under sedion 145(5Mb} of the Ad. Independent tThe charitys gross Income exc68d8d £250,000 and l am quallfied to examlnerfs statement undertake th6 examinatlon by being a qualified member of [In88rt name of appllcable Ilsted body]J. Deleta [ ] M not appllc8ble. I have completed my examination. I confirm that no material matters have come to my attention in connection wlth the exam5natlcffi (other than that dlsclosed b81ow ') whlch glves me cause to believe that In, any matertal respect: the accounting records were not kept in ac￿rdanCe V•ith sectlon 130 of the Charities Act; or the accounts did not ac¢￿ with the accounting reths; or the accounts dld not comply with the applicable requirements concemlng the fonn and content of accounts set ujt In the Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulatlons 2008 other than any r8quirem8nt that the accounts give a 'true and fairf v48w which is not a matter considered as part of an independent examinalion. I have no ￿ncernS and have come across no other matters in connection with the examinatlon to ￿lch attention should be dravm In this report in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached. ' Please delete the words in Ihe brackets If they do not apply, Slgned: Dat•: Name: IJILutrnSaO Relevant professional quallficatlon(s) or body IER Oct 2018

(if any): Address: .4-u0￿￿7fi k7J Section B Disclosure Only complete ff the examiner needs to highlight material matters of concem (see CC32, Independent examination of charity accounts: directions and guidance for examiners). Give here brief details of any items that the examlner wlshes to dlsclose. IER Oct 2018