Annual Re ort of the Dittons Scouts p Annual General Meeting, Friday March 1 3[th] , 2026
Highlightin g the 2025 adventures of our Beavers, C ubs, Scouts and Expl o rers
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Dittons Mission Stateme n t the Purpose of Scouting at the D ittons
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 watchin g ) and we stay true to ourselves. Respect - We’re thoughtful of peo p le’s feelings and values, treating everyone a s we’d like to be treated ourselves.
Care - We’re kind to others, lookin g 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, makin g along the way.
friends
Group Activity Report b y Suzan Baker, Dittons Group L e ad Volunteer
The 2025 annual report is one of the most packed I h ave ever overseen! Wh a t incredible fun, camaraderie, and adventur e s have been enjoyed by our you n g people and volunteers. We spend time with the Beavers, Cubs, Scouts and Explorers (and each other!) because volunteering gi v es us something back too. We are proud when badges are awarded; delighted when someone succeeds at so m ething they didn’t think possible and enjoy plen t y of new discoveries together. Tur n the pages to read, look and find out what we w ere all up too last year…
In 2025 Ro paraded at Windsor with her fellow Kings Scouts, Paul ensured the wo n derful new kitchen was installed, Rebecca and Sarah oversaw another splendid May Fair, David retired after 35 superb y ears and we threw the most ma g nificent party! In July we bought not one, but t w o minibuses, to take us all on mo r e adventures and outings in 2026. In Nove m ber the group marched on Re m embrance Sunday and marked with our c ommunity the very special co m memoration of 100 years of the Giggs Hill Gree n War Memorial.
The bonds forged together around our many cam p fires are truly special - we all co m e together to share stories, laughter and creat e a genuine sense of belonging to o ur group – the combined wearing of our splen d id Dittons purple helps. Once again I am overwhelmingly proud of all our Dittons volunteers and of each of our you n g people and I want to say a big thank you to a ll our Section Team members and leaders who have yet again put in a great deal of hard work and freely given up hours of their time to provide qua l ity Scouting at the Dittons over 2025. A massiv e thanks once again from every single Beaver, Cub, Scout and Explorer at The Dittons – we definitely could not r un scouting without you, our Dittons community .
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Enjoying Volunteering – 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 Group Trustee Board also exists to support the Group Lead Volunteer 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 throughout the year and at our 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 Dittons 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 Trustee Board annually, states that our policy is to build up a fund which would enable The Dittons to purchase the freehold of our field if possible and to substantially improve and extend our buildings. This will be reviewed again in 2026.
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Membership is open to all through elections at the AGM or by co-option throughout the year.
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All 12 Dittons Trustees in 2025 are registered with the Charity Commission as Trustees of The Dittons.
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All Dittons Trustees are DBS checked, have completed mandatory scout association training and understand their roles in Safeguarding and Serious Incident Reporting.
Scouts is just a great place to volunteer.
Every volunteer is welcomed.
Every volunteer is valued.
Every volunteer is supported. Every volunteer gains skills (and has fun!)
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Group Lead Volunteer Secretary Treasurer
Trustees for 2025
Suzan Baker Louise O’Gorman Diana Goodhugh
Paul Bartlett Stuart Jack Melanie Uzunoglu Pamela Forsyth
Matt Davies Julia Hawkins Jess Cresswell Tom Goodacre
Chair - Annette Williams
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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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The Dittons Fair by Rebecca Walker & Sarah Morris, Fair Chair
Report on The Dittons Fair – Sunday 11th May 2025
The sun shone and the crowds flocked to the Green for another fantastic Fair on Giggs HIll Green! 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 Giggs Hill community event of the year.
We’re always grateful to all of our sponsors, stall holders and arena acts who join us on the Green, some of whom come back year after year to support the event and keep the focus local, there’s a real sense of community on the day and it showcases just how much is on offer in the local area.
The real pride of the event though is just how much is delivered by Team Dittons!
Absolutely everyone plays a part; from the Beavers and Cubs delivering the programs, the Scouts performing in the arena to the Explorers on the stalls. Then there are Parents and Carers who come out in force on the day to deliver the games, stalls and tombolas, the BBQs & the Tea Tent, the Plant stall, the Books and Toy stalls – it’s a truly amazing team effort! But without a doubt, the heroes of the day are the fabulous leaders; as well as their year round commitment to ensuring a fun packed agenda for the kids, they are the first at the shack at 7am on the day and they are the last to leave a full 12 (or more) hours later! Surely they deserve a badge?!
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 but we can always have more!
Plans for Sunday 10th May 2026 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 supporter 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. Please help. 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!
The ever popular Soak A Leader – Who Can Resist!
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1932 Committee Committee & Estates Mana er by Paul Bartlett, Chair of g
The Shack, an asset we are fortunate to own outright, requires ongoing care to ensure it remains safe, functional and welcoming. Throughout 2025, we continued to invest significant time and attention into its upkeep. Our volunteers have overseen and carried out essential maintenance, including fire alarm servicing, fire extinguisher checks, improvements to wireless Internet access, and a wide range of ad-hoc repairs.
The kitchen refurbishment was successfully completed in June 2025. Clever craftsman and builders knocked through the small kitchen into the room next door, re purposed the original wood paneling into the toilet corridor and installed a much sought after new kitchen in the large new space. We are all grateful to Elmbridge Borough Council for a £25,000 contribution from the Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL), and to Surrey County Council for supporting the project through ‘Your Fund Surrey’. With the endorsement of Councillor Nick Darby, the Dittons Scout Group also received an additional £27,658
towards the cost of installing a commercial-grade kitchen. Importantly, our applications to these funds did not disadvantage any other organization, as all requests were fully granted. The remaining costs were met through funds raised at the Dittons Annual Community May Fair on Giggs Hill Green, a vital fundraiser for the group.
The refurbishment has significantly enhanced our building. The kitchen has been fitted out with our long wished for stainless steel equipment: durable counters and cupboards, plus a thoughtfully designed serving hatch with removable paneling which cleverly keeps and preserves the unique character of our hall. The
space now includes a full-height fridge and freezer, a commercial dishwasher and an on demand water
boiler. Feedback has been extremely positive from everyone who has used the kitchen, confirming that it is now a much more practical space. Huge frost free fridges and freezers, plenty of ant free cupboard storage and best of all - no more washing up in cold water!
Looking ahead, I am keen to re-establish the 1932 Committee. I have compiled a list of tasks needed in and around the Shack and would greatly appreciate support in prioritising and coordinating this work. The intention is for the Committee to act as a project coordination group rather than a team expected to carry out all tasks themselves. If you are interested in contributing in any capacity, please do get in touch.
All volunteers at the Dittons continue to work tirelessly to provide the best possible facilities for the young people in our Group. My sincere thanks go to everyone who has contributed their time and enthusiasm over the past year.
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?
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Goodbye old Kitchen! Temporary kitchen space in Hello new Kitchen!
the Cub Den! We are so happy to welcome you!
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Dittons Beavers
| Montreal Colony Leadership Team in 2025 | Toronto Colony Leadership Team in 2025 |
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| Team Leader - David Cooper / Nicola Riggs & Abigail Lynch | Team Leader - Pamela Forsyth & Katie Tiller |
| Staunton | |
| Team members in 2025: -Aileen Widdowson, Marc Cohen, | Team Members in 2025: -Annette Williams, Anuj Gaur, Becky |
| Jon O’Sullivan, Jess Cresswell, Tom Goodacre, Cyrus Leung, | Lawson, Rachel Surgeoner, Joshua Baird, Nick Saunders and |
| Jasmine Chan and Raymond Tse | Joanna Lee |
| Explorer Young Leader: Charles Stewart & Jem Uzunoglu | Explorer Young Leaders: Jack Briscoe, Mylo Kendrick |
Over the past year, the Dittons Beavers have engaged in a wide variety of activities that highlighted the spirit and dedication of our group. In weekly meetings we introduced new Beavers and revised our code of conduct ensuring that everyone is on the same page regarding the values we uphold. Creative sessions included making artwork from recycled Christmas trees and preparing Mother's Day cards. We tackled important life skills through sessions on problem-solving and money management while thematic explorations like the Disability Awareness Badge helped enhance understanding and inclusivity. Throughout the year Beavers always find time to play games, sometimes in teams and sometimes individually. A favourite is the water day, when Beavers carry water through an obstacle course, glide along a water slide and always, somehow, end the afternoon soaking each other and leaders with water shooters!
Several thrilling events also took place: The Esher District Beaver Party kicked off our year, followed by participation in the District Cross-country races which Toronto Beavers proudly won. Our annual highlight included the Cowboy Camp and Sleepover, where camaraderie flourished under the stars. Additionally, our involvement in Thames Ditton in Bloom and the regular community Litter Picks showcased our community spirit, all helping to develop those Scouting Values further.
2025 marked a significant, but bittersweet, milestone for the group as we celebrated David Cooper’s extraordinary commitment to The Dittons and its Beavers 35 years. He retired in July and the occasion was commemorated with a heartfelt party at The Shack, featuring a wonderful performance from Cats Grin Theatre Company that paid tribute to these years of service. This outstanding, unique event was graced by the Elmbridge Mayor, Councillor Steve Bax alongside the Esher and Walton MP, Monica Harding, who reminded us all of the incredible contributions one individual can make to our community.
We are pleased to announce that alongside this farewell, we welcomed new leaders who stepped forward to volunteer— Nicola and Abby are now leading Montreal Beavers, while Katie and Pamela together tackle Toronto Colony. Their willingness to take on these roles is invaluable to the continuity and growth of our group. Looking ahead, we are excited to celebrate 40 years of Beavers as part of Scouts UK in September 2026. It is a testament to the legacy and positive impact made by countless individuals and the adventures shared across generations.
We express our gratitude to all the children who bring joy and enthusiasm to our meetings and events. Their energy makes leading truly rewarding. We would also like to thank the parents for their unwavering support and the other volunteers involved in ensuring the smooth running of the group. Your contributions are deeply appreciated.
15 Beavers from Montreal and 15 from Toronto earned their prestigious Chief Scout’s Bronze Award in 2025 , the highest badge a Beaver can earn – A record breaking year – Congratulations to you all!
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Dittons Cubs
Mowgli Cub Pack Leadership Team in 2025 Team Leader – Suzan Baker & James Green
Zulu Cub Pack Leadership team in 2025
Team Leaders – Matt Davies & Craig Behrens
Team members – Charlie Balbirnie, Wing Yin Wong, Team members - Natalie Graham, Alasdair Young, Lee Amy Packer, Karen Faulder, Ted Ferguson, Josh Baird McCarthy & Alexander Hockie & Sarah Woodthorpe
Explorer Young Leader –Anya Taylor
Explorer Young Leaders – Catherine Bartlett, Charlotte Briones-Edwards, Emily Hawkins and Jack Briscoe
This past year has seen a number of exciting activities for the Cubs, showcasing the enthusiasm and dedication of both the leaders and the members. A notable highlight was the District Cub Camp held in June 2025, which provided the Cubs with a wonderful opportunity to experience camping, teamwork, and outdoor challenges in a supportive environment. This camp not only fostered friendships but also allowed the Cubs to develop essential skills that align with their values in scouting. We took nearly 50 cubs assisted by a team of 7 volunteers to eat bugs, sing at campfires and not see a screen all weekend!
In November we ran a successful weekend camp at The Shack for the Cub Sixers and Seconders focusing on leadership skills alongside knife and axe work, air rifle shooting and tomahawk throwing. This smaller group of the older cubs enabled us to showcase higher order skills and we hope to repeat the experience next year. Throughout the year, all the Cubs participated in a variety of carefully planned meetings that catered to their specific
interests and skills. Activities ranged from outdoor games and pancake night fun to practical skills such as navigation and fire safety. The Cubs also demonstrated their creativity through den making, model painting, and cooking. Special events, such as the Easter Egg Hunt and visits to the Esher Fire Station, added excitement and learning. The culmination of the year's activities included a memorable wet final July meeting featuring water games that left the Cubs in high spirits as many prepared to move on to new adventures in Scouts.
The cub volunteer teams for Mowgli and Zulu have worked well together this year and the events and camps rely on us all to deliver. A special mention goes to Amy Packer, whose expertise in admin and badge skills has not only benefited the Cubs at meetings but has also inspired them to achieve badges at home and deliver on personal goals. We extend our gratitude to all our volunteers who have given their time, for their hard work and commitment throughout 2025 and the special environment created for the Cubs.
Looking ahead, we hope to camp at Escapade and Cubs Cause Chaos as well as repeat the Sixers and Seconders experience. The growth we have witnessed over the past year, including the presentation of thirteen Chief Scout Silver Awards, underscores our commitment to supporting each and every Cub in their personal development.
As we reflect on our achievements, it’s important to acknowledge the Cubs themselves, whose energy and enthusiasm make every meeting worthwhile. We also thank the parents and volunteers for their constant support and involvement, which are invaluable to the success of our group. Together, we look forward to another rewarding year of scouting adventures and experiences, full of opportunities for learning and friendship.
A strange shaped carrot is Chief Scout Silver Awards always funny, especially presented by The Mayor of when you grew it yourself! Elmbridge
Learning our table laying skills in style!
Cub in a Bucket - Cooling off at camp!
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Dittons Scouts
Scout Troop (Wednesday) Leadership Team in 2025 Scout Troop (Thursday) Leadership Team in 2025 Team Leader – Jackie Bourne, Tony Butcher & Martin Team Leader – Allen Widdowson Brown Team members - Will Kendrick & Gavin Bacon Team members - Jonathan Yates, Richard Hunt, Martin Yates, Phil Hawkins, Stephen Wakefield, Alasdair Young & Louise O’Gorman
2025 saw a solid team of volunteers delivering excellent weekly activities, along with memorable expeditions and camps for the Scouts. The dedication of our leaders has facilitated such interesting and diverse experiences for the scouts throughout the year. Highlights included sessions on pioneering, lively fire-lighting evenings with scouts fire time favourites, s'mores, Chinese New Year games, and the ever popular Pancake Day. Activities such as Squid Games, scavenger hunts and other S themed meetings like sushi night and a laser smoke night offered fun and engagement; while skills such as axe and knife work and first aid training contributed to wider
skills for life learning opportunities.
Several noteworthy events took place contributing to the enjoyment of both the volunteers and young people in the group. The Derbyshire Camp provided a fantastic three-day adventure, while the France summer sail offered an eight-day expedition filled with exhilarating and enriching experiences along the English Channel. Scouts participated in the Esher District Cross Country Race, District Day Hike, and braved the tiny muddy tunnels while caving at Merstham. The charity BBQ volunteering and Remembrance Poppy Wreath making at Lynwood highlighted the scouts' commitment to community service. A Christmas party wrapped up 2025.
A special thank you goes to Allen for his exceptional commitment in arranging the camps, and to Tony for leading activities and fostering a spirit of adventure within the group. Their efforts, along with those of the many team volunteers who have been with the Dittons for around ten years, have been invaluable.
February saw Harrison Davey collect his hard earned Chief Scout’s Gold Award, the highest badge a Scout can earn, at Surrey County Awards evening followed by Finn Butcher collecting his Chief Scout’s Gold Award in November – congratulations indeed.
Looking ahead to 2026, scouts can anticipate a February camp up in the Northern hills, sailing trips organized by Tony and the Discovery Sailing Project on the Thermopylae along the coast of Wales and much, much, more hiking!
All the team wants to express our heartfelt gratitude to all the scouts for making the activities enjoyable and to the parents for their ongoing support. Additionally, we acknowledge the efforts of other volunteers who work tirelessly behind the scenes. Together, we look forward to more adventures and laughs in a wonderful year of scouting ahead.
Ever wondered how the kit Fishing team! Cooking Competition team Bentley Copse Camp, let’s eat gets to camp? – we survived Storm Amy!
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Explorers
Team Leaders - Tom Wilkinson & Julia Hawkins
Esher District Explorer Support – Philippa Guildford
Team Members - Ro Guildford, Aidan Mcguinness, Stuart Jack and Josh Baird
This year has been quite remarkable for the Dittons Explorers, fondly known as the Grey Wolves. Among the highlights was the excellent summer of 2025 camp. This trip to Germany provided a true adventure as the group travelled by bus and trains all the way from Surbiton to Rieneck making this experience not merely about the destination but also firmly about the journey, the sheer enormity of which will surely remain a cherished memory for all participants.
Throughout the year, the Explorers engaged in numerous meetings that fostered their skills and comradeship. Activities ranged from fires to scavenger hunts, board games night, and various excursions held at the Shack. The Explorers also took part in district events, including an incident hunt and various pioneering exercises. Notable educational evenings included lessons on first aid and hiking skills, as well as opportunities for the younger Explorers to run sessions, fostering their leadership abilities.
The summer term was bustling with activities: a district barbeque, investiture ceremonies for new scouts and cooking evenings. Christmas saw the Explorers bringing the handmade Dittons wooden pallet tree down from the loft and enjoying an evening of Christmas tree decorating alongside making gingerbread houses. The district painting competition hosted at Dittons was another proud moment for the group, showcasing the talents of the Explorers. The Explorers who attended the army training session at Longmoor found it challenging and educational. The icing on the cake for the year was a trip to the ice skating rink at Hampton Court, which added a festive touch (with thankfully no cancellations or injuries!) as the year came to a close.
As we look forward to the coming year, there is much to anticipate. The team has expanded with Josh joining the leadership which promises fresh ideas and energy. The summer camp for 2026 will take place in Brighton, and we can also expect a packed schedule of Duke of Edinburgh training and trips. There are many exciting adventures ahead for our Explorers.
We would like to express our gratitude to all the Explorer team volunteer members: Tom, Julia, Ro, Aidan. They are proud of and the whole group is grateful for, the Young Leaders who have continuously shown their commitment to Dittons Scout Values. Their hard work and dedication make a significant difference in our group, and we deeply appreciate their efforts.
We have the largest unit of Explorers in Esher District and as always are in awe of the enthusiasm and spirit that makes them attend, our meetings enjoyable, as well as to all their parents for their continued support. Here’s to more volunteers to join to enable us to provide more of the same in 2026!
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German River adventures Gold Duke of Edinburgh congratulations Painting Competition
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Further highlights from our 2025 adventures showing our commitment to Scouting Values
Intrepid adventures – Scouts Caving
Earning our Badges - Cub Skills Challenge Badge
Summer Sailing – thanks Tony!
2025 Beaver District Party
Overcoming challenging weather on our hikes…
Thames Ditton Station – Beavers in the Community
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