Eccleston Scout Group
Annual Report 2023
Page 1 of 13
Contents
| Report from the Chair | 3 |
|---|---|
| Group Scout Leader Report | 4 |
| Squirrels Report | 6 |
| Beavers Report | 7 |
| Cubs Report | 8 |
| Scouts Report | 9 |
| Explorer Report | 10 |
| Quartermasters Report | 11 |
| Finance Update | 12 |
| Annual Review in Pictures | 13 |
Page 2 of 13
Report from the Chair
Welcome to the annual report for Eccleston Scout Group’s 19[th] year. As we look back on 2022/23 we have again had a great year with family camp, group camp, operation twilight, and the group trip to Manley Mere. A successful maintenance programme continues to deliver the planned improvements to the Scout Hut. In addition, we also completed our community support activities such as remembrance parade, the toy service, St Georges day parade, and the village walking day. Once again, this was obviously topped off with a successful the trip to Kandersteg in February, which saw the Scouts and Explorers, skiing, snowboarding, hiking and sledding, undertaking arctic survival training, curling, and generally having a great time. We have already started the planning for the 2026 trip, which has the potential of being our largest ever, as we also now have two Scout troops.
We also had two massive achievements this year as both Nina Allen and Jack Taylor achieved their Queens Scout awards - one of the last before the change to the Kings Scouts Award, and the first for ESG. Nina and Jack were the only two representatives from Chorley District to achieve this pinnacle award, and massive congratulations go to both of them, and also to Alison and the ESG leaders who supported Nina and Jack throughout their development as Scouts and their achievements.
Once again, the Trustee Board puts on record the whole group’s thanks and appreciation of our operational leadership team - led by Alison - but again the success of the group depends on having the leaders who give so much of their spare time to lead all the sections. So again, I encourage all of you to get involved where you can – we need the support of everyone in the community if we are to carry on growing. As for the Group, we are going through the Scout Association transformation process and are now known as a Trustee Board. This is a big step for us and the Scout Association and brings ESG closer to the alignment with the requirements of being a registered charity.
As ever, the Trustee Board have worked hard to support Alison and the leaders. We meet quarterly to make sure that group governance, and issues which support the various sections of ESG, are kept on track and pushed forward to completion. I would like to formally put on record my thanks to the Trustees and other nominated members who continue to support me, and in turn support Alison, the leaders, and the whole scout group. The 2022/23 Trustee Board and Group leadership team were:
| Trustee Board | Leaders | Young Leaders |
|---|---|---|
| Mike Taylor - Chair | LyndseyPennington - Squirrels | Matt Dewhurst - Beavers |
| Jane Taylor - Secretary | Hannah Hunter - Squirrels | Matt Slater - Cubs |
| Pauline Elton - Treasurer | Janet Lawson-Marsden - Squirrels | MollyPennington - Squirrels |
| Alison Kirby- GSL | Alison Kirby- Beavers | EmilySavage - Squirrels |
| Paul Kirby- Scout Leader | Sarah Cleasby- Beavers and Scouts | Matthew Cleasby- Beavers |
| Phil Metge -Quartermaster | Jane Taylor - Beavers | |
| Chris Cote - Beavers | ||
| Alison Riley- Cubs | ||
| Steve Mellor - Cubs | ||
| Natalie Bidder - Cubs | ||
| Ryan Ashton - Cubs | ||
| Stuart Reeves - Cubs | ||
| Oscar Williams - Cubs | ||
| Paul Kirby- Scouts | ||
| Dave Cousins - Scouts | ||
| Nicola Williams - Scouts | ||
| Russ Clifford - Scouts |
Happy Scouting - Mr T.
Page 3 of 13
Group Scout Leader Report
Well that was another spectacular year in Scouting!! Massive thank you to the leadership team for making it all possible.
We currently have the largest number of young people we have ever had enjoying and benefiting from Scouting, which is absolutely amazing. We have started a 2[nd] Scout Troop this year and continue to grow.
As always a little shout out for anyone that could help us out on meeting nights (never miss an opportunity to ask)
The highlight has to be our KISC 23 Winter Trip to Switzerland – Skiing, Chocolate factory, Winter Survival, Curling to name a few - but it this does blur in with all the other amazing trips and camps - Group Camp, Family Camp, Group Trip to Manley Mere, Panto, Twilight and many more.
This year has seen the first full year of Squirrels – they have been an amazing set of leaders and kids – with plenty of adventures had and still to come!!!
Each section has delivered a full and varied programme of events, camps and activities and the AGM gives me an opportunity to give thanks and appreciation for how much time and effort the volunteers put into the Group with the leaders running the meeting nights but also the Exec Committee.
The Exec are facing a transition to a new more formal way of working. This brings us more in line with the Charity Commission and will now be called Trustee Board. All these roles are voluntary and carry a responsibility for the Group and enables the smooth running of the activities. I have to offer another HUGE thank you – without them we wouldn’t have the thriving group that we do.
Special recognition from Scouting to our Group Chairman – Mike Taylor this year – He was awarded a Commendation for Good Service – and how very well deserved.
Also quite embarrassingly I was awarded Commendation for Exceptional Service at the St Georges Day Service in Chorley – it is nice to get the recognition as to how much time and effort goes into Scouting.
I am looking forward to hearing how much fun the kids have and how much they have learnt. I am reminded regularly of the benefits of Scouting for young people. Not only do they have fun and adventure, but these activities provide them with life skills that they take forward into their school, college and working lives. I feel proud of every one of them.
Each section is working hard to develop skills within the Young People to prepare them to move to the next section, the next adventure and ultimately towards their Chief Scout Awards. With the disruption of Covid a distant memory we have seen a growing number gaining top awards and our very first Acorn Award.
| ACORN | BRONZE | SILVER | GOLD |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jacob McEvoy | Peter Traynor | Nathan Riley | |
| Elliott Black | Matthew Kirby | ||
| Lucas Vinden | |||
| Archie Haddon | |||
| Oliver Higginson |
Page 4 of 13
Watch this space next year – there are lots more nearly there!!!
We will also hold our breath as to who will be awarded; Squirrel, Beaver, Cub and Scout of the Year 2023. I don’t want to spoil the surprise by naming them here, but an amazing achievement for those who receive these awards.
I do hope you will continue to help and support us through into 2024. I’m looking forward to it already!
Yours in Scouting
Alison
Page 5 of 13
Squirrels Report ssquirrels Eccleston Squirrels We have completed a full year at Squirrels and what an action packed year its been! From pantos to pond dippingi parades to police visits we've done it all and collected many badges along the way. Being the first Drey in Chorley we were a big attraction at St Georye's Day parade with our flag and we got a special mention from the District Commissioner! Squirrels also made their first appearance at Walking day with the Ecdeston Scout Group l¢)oking super sma Squlrrels first trlp to Manley Mere was a blg hii what an advenre we all had and finishing off the day with most squirrels and leaders in the mud bath- best part of the day if you ask any squirrel (and leader}. We have been out and about in the Summer term taking in our amazing village, local walk$ litter pick and visiting Sainsbury's to find out where some of our food comes from. We have just had our annual gnjup scout camp at Bibby'$ Farni. we thrnw ourselves into all the activities with the Beaver4 Cubs & Scouts from Ahery, Whittling, Grass Sledging not letting our size hold us badt. Our Squirrels have taken on so many challenges this year with their deterniination and abundance of energy we have completed lots of badge induding Local Super Hero, Let it Grow, All About Adventure to name but a few. With one of our original squirrels completing their Chief Acorn Award!! Page 6 of 13
Beavers Report
Winter Term 2022
Many of our Beavers attended our Group Camp in September and had a great time doing loads of activities. We’ve visited Leyland fire station and exercised doing cross fit, and designed and made machines. During this term we celebrated Halloween, Diwali, and Thanksgiving, took part in the Remembrance Parade, as well as lots of crafts. We finished the term off by taking a trip to see Cinderella in pantomime in Blackpool. Oh yes we did!!
Spring Term 2023
During this term we made music by making our own instruments. We had made tie died re-usable tote bags and we made our own pancakes and they tasted yum! We did science experiments, visited some new born lambs at a farm, and ate smores!
Summer Term 2023
Family camp saw a few Beavers and their families experiencing a weekend at Waddecar Scout Camp – it was a lovely weekend. As the weather got better, we spent time outdoors wherever we could. We learned about first aid, grew cress, took part in Walking Day and celebrated the Kings coronation. We learnt the Green Cross Code and did a litter pick and climbed trees, which counted towards our World and Adventure badge. The Beavers did archery at Bibby’s farm and learnt how to tie knots and made kites. Our Group Trip to Manley Mere was a great success and to finish off our busy year, we had a water fight.
Phew.
Page 7 of 13
Cubs Report cubs report Our cuk)s liave continued to work ard on their badges whilst having lots ol fun. We have even had two cubs earn their CLJb SCOLJt Silver award (congratulations Nathan and Matthew), with lots ol cubs on track to gain this award In the next year. Our advenb]res this year have seen SOTne old favourites as well as sonie newL*ctivities (thanks for theTae KwoE] Do, Natalie). The eubs have been th8llettgea with their hteral thxjjkng and teatn buiidins skills {resulting in some impr&55iYe pyr4uoid&). Wehthve leamed Jxwiy 5kill$ ititludxng JXL8king rope, tying kts Rnd usins them to build pioneeriDs projects everyones favourite-the Taft ra. We have pulled out the old Style patrol tents and learned to putthem up but we thought better to take then) on camp-the niodern ones are much easier. We 8lso Itad four dedicated cubs hthe 8.5 miles on the Chorley4 peaks- well done toADDa. PA0, Mowgli aDdAleL The cubs have made their leaders so proud with their helpfulness and kindness. They are now expert tea makers and their enthu51asm lor litter picking 15 a5tounding1 Page 8 of 13
Scouts Report
2022/23 has been an exciting and memorable year.
During our weekly meetings, we have done badge work, knots, local walks, pitching tents, pioneering, cooking, and of course played games.
In September we had group camp attended by all sections, this was a huge success and a most memorable weekend at Bibby’s Farm Scout Camp, our Scouts took part in a variety of activities. In addition to this we have taken part in the 4 peaks challenge organised by Chorley Healey.
In November our group organised the now annual ‘Twilight’ a walking/ manhunt competition across the local area. It is a tremendous event where we competed against other local groups. This event continues to grow, and we are looking forward to this year's event on the 25[th] November 2023, and we have been practicing our map reading and walking at pace. We also had Remembrance Parade and the Toy service.
December saw having ski and snowboard lessons and our Christmas party and celebrations.
In January we competed in ‘Operation Moonlight’, another walking / manhunt competition with teams from all over the North West. This is a really challenging event and saw our team’s come 2[nd] and 3[rd] overall which was brilliant.
Our biggest event was our trip to Kandersteg, Switzerland in February. We had a great time, skiing, snowboarding, hiking and sledding, as well as visiting the chocolate factory where we made our own chocolate bar and the cheese factory. We tried curling, built igloos, and joined in the campfire singing with other scout groups from other countries.
In April we opened a new scout colony on a Friday night so we could reduce our waiting list.
We did bike maintenance and cycle rides around Mawdsley and Croston. The One Match Challenge – Scouts had to build and light a fire with only one match and keep it lit. We made and ate pizza, we learned climbing skills and attending walking day, which unfortunately was very wet.
In July we had a group trip to Manley Mere, Cheshire where fun was had by all swimming in the lake, completing the
on-water inflatable assault course and then the trail on land.
The summer saw our annual family camp and beach party, which was wet and windy; we had a giant game of Manhunt with Explorers; played Frisby with Croston scouts; and we finished the year with a water fight.
Scouting, join the adventure and develop skills for life!
Page 9 of 13
Explorers Report
It's been another busy year for Yarrow Viking Explorers, with 3 Chief Scout platinum awards and Duke of Edinburgh Awards, with more to be signed off in the next few weeks! Members of Yarrow Vikings went on two international trips first to Kandersteg with Eccleston as well as Haarlem Jambourette in the Netherlands. We attended West Lancs County Explorer Camp as well as Mersey Moot with a handful of our own camps thrown in for good measure.
All of these experiences have given our young people the opportunity to meet Scouts from all over the world as well as more locally. This is a key part of Scouting and I'm sure the memory of these experiences will last a lifetime.
We are beginning to see Scouts filtering up from Eccleston to bolster our numbers, which is a relief as we will unfortunately have to say goodbye to some of our current members as they turn 18. With two Scout Troops feeding us these days we expect the next couple of years to get busier and busier!
We are all looking forward to an exciting year of scouting ahead with our new members to come and lots of adventures yet to come!
Mersey Moot - Spot the knackered Explorer Leader...
Chilly camp in Pendle
Cable Car to the Hike and Sledge in Kandersteg
Page 10 of 13
Quartermasters Report
The year can be summarised as a 'doing the basics'.
Kit purchases have been low with our insurance figure estimated at £25k.
We are looking to set longer term (10 year) budget forecasts in the next 3 months to better understand how we prepare for the larger value purchases of items that we have or need to replace over their longer period of life, including those items that have a life expiry. In particular we will be looking at marquees, canoes and climbing equipment.
Maintenance days have been held. The weekend we position in March requests parental help (no u18 for safety reasons) for a couple of hours over the weekend. In general the open call to parents attracts little support but thanks go to the 1-2 usual helpers and 1 'first timer' earlier in the year.
The next major issue is the replacement Scout Hut doors but were held up by the recent price hikes that means we need to raise additional funds to suitably replace them.
The change in POR has resulted in us more formally confirming the controls, risks and safety around our hut and equipment. The trustees are available to explain any details about our controls over safety of children whilst in our care.
Page 11 of 13
Finance Update
Eccleston Scout Group Accounts as of August 2023:
Annual Review in Pictures
Page 12 of 13
ECCLESTON SCOUT GROUP KISC, KANDERSTEG February 2023 The Journev Chucolate & Cheese 4P Snowbo &Skiin8 In8 Hiking & Sledging. r*, Survival, Curling&18loos C3rnpfi're. Pi2za- Ihen Home........ Page 13 of 13