Scouts
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Annual Report
2020121
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Istcopthorn•.scoutsit•s.org.uk #SkillsForLife

## **Message from our Group Scout Leader** 


Well, what a year. It has been a very strange year and for parts of it we haven’t been able to meet but I am so so so glad that we are all back to face to face now. 

We have had to adapt to different way of scouting and learning how to use different ways of delivering scouting, with zoom, delivering parcels out and other ways of engaging with the young people. The only way we have been able to do this is an absolutely fantastic leader team that stepped up to the challenge whilst dealing with home school, working from home and some leaders working on the front line. 

So, I would like to say a big thank you to all the leaders and the supporters who made this happen and came up with amazing programmes and activites. I would also like to say thank you to parents for supporting us in delivering scouting, without you we couldn’t have done it. 

But I will not miss the buzz words of “You are on mute”, “What’s the Kahoot code” or “how do I turn my camera on”! The activites that have been done online have been fun, engaging and hopefully with this the young people haven’t felt alone going through these strange times. When we have been able to meet face to face I would like to say a big thank you to group exec for getting the scout centre ready, supporting the sections, keeping the young people safe and applying for grants. 

We have had a leader change in smugglers, Becky moved away and Nick Sargant returned and took over as Section leader and Jo Sargant returned as assistant beaver leader. In Scott troop Becca Hardcastle has become the Section leader and James Naylor has moved to Matterhorn to become an assistant explorer’s leader. We welcomed 2 new leaders in Oak pack Hannah and Suzanne Few.  A big thank you to all of them for their help and support. 

We managed to take part in a couple of events in the village this year, several scouts joining in the social distanced VE day celebrations and all the sections helped to make poppies and took part in remembrance day although this ended up being on you tube and facebook rather than face to face. 

Fingers crossed scouting will get back to a more normal way and we will keep the smiles on the young people’s faces. 

Owen Cheesmur Group Scout Leader Contact: owen.cheesmur@egscouts.org.uk 



## **A Year Like No Other…….** 

As always we started the year with a Calendar packed full of activities, events and new adventures but all of that had to be put on hold in March with the start of our first lockdown. 

Even our Scout Leaders could not have **“Been Prepared”** for all the changes and restrictions that the Covid pandemic brought with it. 

So what did our Leaders do: 

- Put everything on Hold ? 

   - Cancel all scouting activities ? 

      - Abandon all our Young Members to a life in Lockdown ? 

**…. of course not !** 

They just moved online and **Zoomed** their way through Lockdowns and then adopted Covid Safe protocols when it was possible to hold limited Face to Face meetings again. 

To start with we all had to learn how to use the technology, how to login to Zoom….. it all looked a bit serious….. 

## **But we all soon learnt and then there was no stopping us!  So we did…..** 


**----- Start of picture text -----**<br>
Made bird<br>boxes and<br>feeders<br>Talent Shows<br>And Earned 439 Badges<br>**----- End of picture text -----**<br>




Our Annual Report usually contains photos of all the wonderful activities that we have done during the year, but this year that is difficult because most of the photos are just screenshots of grids of our members and you can’t really tell what they are doing. 

But this poem from one of our parents gives a good idea of what we did, and more importantly, what it meant to our young members. 

## **Scouting Through Lockdown** 

In March 2020 the whole country stood still, Coronavirus arrived; it was making us ill. Shops, offices and schools - all had to be shut. No longer could the Scouts go along to their hut. No dancing, no swimming, no football, or gym, The chances to meet friends, increasingly slim. Boris was saying “stay home everyone.” “No more going out, no more having fun.” Children who loved to go out and to play, Now had to stay in for day after day. The parents all wondered; what could be done, To allow their bored youngsters to still have some fun? To see all their friends, and still get to share news, To be creative and work hard for the badges they choose. Then came the answer; they were always prepared. The unmentioned heroes who continually cared. Scout Leaders weren’t phased by this new way of life, They changed and adapted to this medical strife. Wide games and gang shows were all put on hold, But the show would go on, the youngsters were told. A knock on the door - who could it be? 

A jolly Scout Leader with an activity bag for me! Full of crafts and chocolate and fun things for us all. Scouts would still go on with a lively Zoom call. Scavenger hunts all over the house, The excitement of Scouts with the click of a mouse. An RNLI visit, a reptile or two - Great things to do when we can’t get to the zoo! Making pizzas in mugs and carving from soap, Quizzes, Lego and catch-ups that helped us all cope. Maybe we couldn’t camp out with our friends, But logged on in our dens, the fun never ends. Looking back, this pandemic will be one to remember… For Scout Leaders who made it fun for every Scout member. With challenging activities, you really impressed - Scout Leaders of Copthorne you really are the best! 



## **Group Executive - Chairman’s report** 

The Scout group executive committee’s role is to ensure that scouting is carried out in a safe environment and with suitable equipment, to be able to offer the children a balanced and varied program. The Executive committee takes the lead in the fundraising events and other activities through out the year. 

The last year has been very different in so many ways. We started the year under a lockdown and here we are still under some restrictions. I would like to thank all the leaders for all they have done to keep the children active, whether it was on zoom or face to face you have managed to provide each section with such a varied program of activities which has kept them interested and active in scouting. 

We have not been able to run any fundraising activities at all in the last year or been able to hire our facilities to other organisations. As a result we lost valuable income. I would like to thank John Dawson our treasurer for all his hard work in claiming various government grants which has reduced the impact of this reduction in income. 

The Executive committee has continued to meet online each month to ensure that business continues. I would like to thank all of the executive committee for their time and commitment over the last year and I look forward to the day when we are able to meet face to face. 

One last request to the parents, If you have time and skills that you feel could benefit the group then please contact Owen or myself. 

**Contact: Mark.hammond@egscouts.org.uk** 


## **COPTHORNE SCOUT ACTIVE SUPPORT UNIT** 

## **ANNUAL REPORT 2020-2021** 

This time last year no–one could have anticipated what the last twelve months would bring and the impact this would have on Scouts. 

Our section leaders and assistants have done a tremendous job maintaining contact and providing support and online activity with the young people throughout the pandemic and as restrictions eased they have been able to return to Face to Face meetings too. 

During the lockdowns there was little that the Active Support Unit members could help with in the Group but many volunteered in other roles outside Scouts to give individual support to others. 

With restrictions easing the Scout Active Support Unit can once more give the leaders the support they need to provide the best Scouting experience the youngsters. 

If you feel you would like to help, but perhaps cannot commit on a regular basis, or have feel that you have just a specific skills that could support the Scout Group the Copthorne Scout Active Support Group would welcome you as a member. 

Gwyn Cheesmur Copthorne  Scout  Active  Support Manager Stephen Hammond      Copthorne Scout Active Support Co-ordinator 





## 1[st] Copthorne Scout Group 

Our Group Scout Leader, Owen Cheesmur would like to say 

THANK YOU **To everyone who made this year so amazing** 

## **So Thanks go to** 

**Our Beaver Leaders Our Cub Leaders Our Scout Leaders Our Explorer Leaders Our Young Leaders Our Active Support Members** 

**Our Group Executive members** 

**Who give so freely of their time, enthusiasm and skills** 

**to provide so many different experiences for our young members.** And to all the other volunteers and parents who helped meetings, on activities and events and fundraising 

And to all our parents/carers for your support And finally to our wonderful 





who make it all worthwhile! 




Young people are the future. They’re the doers, the dreamers and give-it-a-goers. As a volunteer you can put your skills to use and learn new ones, while giving something back to your local community. And with full support and training, you can volunteer in way that suits you. To find out more contact us on 01293 410752 or email owen.cheesmur@egscouts.org.uk 




Independent Examln•fs R•port to th• Trust••8 of 1st Copthorn• Scout Group
I report on the accounts of the 1st Copthome Scout Group (Chaiity number 291680 - Ihe Group.) for
the year ended 31 March 2021 which are Set out on the attached 8heets and which comprise the
statement of receipts and payment8 for the year from 1 April 2020 and the statement of assets and
liabilities at the end of the year.
This report is made solety to the trustees in accordance wrth section 145 of the Charities Act 2011 ('the
Charites Acr). My work has been undertaken so that I might state to the Group's trustees those matters
l am required to state to them in an Independent Examiners report and for rm) Other purpose. To the
fullest extent permrtted by law, I do not accept or assume responsibilty to anyone other than the Grwp
and the Group's trustees for my examination work.
R•sp•cUv• rn8pon•lbllltl•8 of trust••s and •xamln•f
The Group's trustees are responsilk for the preparation of the accounts. They consider that an audit
18 not required for this year under section 144 of the Charitie8 Act and that an independent examinab'on
is needed.
It is my responsibility to:
examine the accounts under section 145 of the Charities Act;
to follow the procedures laid down in the General Directions given by the Charty
Commissioners (under section 145(5)(b) of tt)e chariti.es Ad); and
to stste whether particular matters have come to my attention.
Basls of Ind•p•nd•nt •xAmln•fs r•port
My examination was carried out in accordance wrth the General Directions given by the Charity
Commissioners. An examinatlon indudes a review of the accounting records kept by the Group and a
comparison of the accounts presented with those records. It al80 indudes consideratson of any unusual
item8 or disdosures in the accounts, and seeking explanations from you as trustees concerning any
such matters.
The procedures undertaken do not provide all the evidence that would be required in an audit and
consequently no opinion is given as to whether the accounts wesent a Irue and fair view and the report
is limited to those matters set out in the ststement below.
Ind•p•nd•nt •xamln•f• stst•m•nt
In connection with my examination, no matter has come to my attention:
(1) which gives me reasonable cause to believe that in any materfal re8pect the requiremerft.q:
to keep accounting records in accordance with section 130 of the Charlties Act; and
to prepare accounts which accord wrth the accounting records and ￿rnpty with the
accounting reqU1￿MentS of the Charities Act
have rK)t been met; or
(2) to Nthich, in my opinion, attention should be drawn in order to enable a proper understanding
of the accounts to be reached.
Douglas R Logan Bsc, FCA
Fermandy House
Fermandy Lane
Crawley Dovm
West Sussex RH10 4UB
14TH July 2021

1st Copthorne Scout Group
Receipts and Payments Account
For the year
0110412020
To
3110312021
Receipts and payments
2020121
2019120
Unrestricted funds
Unre8trlcted funds
Receipts
Donatlons, legacles and slmllar
Income
Membership subscriptions
6,677
13,176
Less.Membership subscnpbons paKY cm (NationaVCountylAr8alDi8tnct)
Net mernbership subscnptths retsined
14,9491
(4.ti3hl
1,728
8,540
Donations
Legacies
Gift Aid
Other similar income
Sub total
1,100
470
3,587
14,TlO
3,217
Grants
Maintenance grant
Other grants
22,918
Sub totsl
Fundralsing (gross)
Jumble Sales
Bonfire
Carnival
150
4,510
5,736
676
Sub totsl
Investment Income
Bank interest
Building Society interest
The Scout Association Short Term
Propety Rent income
Other investment income
Sub total
19
143
247
93
4,149
9,919
Total Gross Income
Asset and Investment sales, etc.
Total receipts
I LT700002 (1st January 2017)

1st Copthorne
Receipts and Payments Account
For the year
0110412020
To
3110312021
Receipts and payments
2020121
Unrestrlcted funds
2019120
Unrestrlcted funds
Pa
ments
Charltsble Payments
Youth programme and activities
Adult support and training
Rent
Water and Sewerage
Electricity and Gas
Insuran
Repairs and Renewals
Materials and equipment
Printing and photocopying
Contribution to camp costs
Uniforms
AGM and trustee expenses
Online, PRS, LI￿nceS
Mis￿lIaneOUS
3,868
21,939
329
1,102
939
758
954
1,084
1,039
6,173
5,849
82
1.030
335
606
1,028
2,218
213
2,589
512
305
(684)
926
Sub totsl
Fundralslng expenses
Jumble Sales
Bonfire
Carnival
2,309
4,775
180
Sub totsl
Total Gmss Expenditure
Asset and Investment purchases, etc.
Total payments
Net of receipts/(payments)
Cash funds last year end
Cash funds this year end
73,664
71,841
2 LT700002 (1st January 2017)

Statement of assets and liabilities at the end of the year
31 March 2021
31 March 2020
Unrestricted funds
Unrestrlcted funds
Cash funds
Bank current account
Bank deposit account
Building society account
The Scout Association Short Term
CashlFloats
Total cash funds
23,078
27,056
40,190
20,172
27,401
26,436
In addition to the cash funds, the Group owns assets not recognised as assets above.
The major items that are not recognised above include the following :_
* The Group minibus ( a 2006, 15 seat Ford Transit) and trailer for transport
* A lease (until 2041) over the land in Humphrey's Field comprising the site of the scout and guide centres
and access thereto. The rent payable from l April 2020 is £1,069 per year with a increase every
5 years calculated by the change in the retail price index since the previous increase. The Group
has entered into a sublease with Copthorne Guides at 50% of the rent payable on the same terms as
the head lease.
Camping and other equipment for use in scouting activities
Furniture and fittings for the Scout centre, including tables, chairs, kitchen equipment and computing/
video equipment.
All assets are insured for loss and other risks under insurance contracts
The above receipts and payments account and Statement of assets and liabllltle8 were approved by the
Trustees on 14th July 2021 (the date of the Executive Commlttee meeting that approved the accounts) and
8lgned on their behalf by
nature
Print Name
IUALt
Chair
DFM,.d
Treasurer
3 LT700002 (1st January 2017)