2023-12-31-accounts

Stifford Sea Scouts

Annual Report & Accounts for the Year Ended 31 December 2023

Stifford Sea Scout Group

Group Details

Charity Number	302089
Trustees of the Charity
Sue Dodson	Group Scout Leader
Mark Hooper	Chairman
Vacant	Secretary
Andrew Merritt	Acting Treasurer
Joanne Price	Beaver Scout Leader (Penguin)
Denise Tuffee	Beaver Scout Leader (Puffin)
Andrew Merritt	Cub Scout Leader (Orca) / Group Administrator
Deborah Rowe	Cub Scout Leader (Dolphin)
Ashley Kempster	Scout Leader
Steve Rowe	Quartermaster
Glen Willis	Maintenance Officer

The Group is comprised of 5 sections.

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Members as at:
Section 31 December 2023 31 December 2022
Penguin Beaver Scouts 12 14
Puffin Beaver Scouts 14 17
Orca Cub Scouts 19 16
Dolphin Cub Scouts 36 26
Sea Scouts Scouts 26 34
Total Youth Membership 107 107
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Stifford Sea Scout Group Receipts and Payments Account Summary

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For the year
01/01/2023 To 31/12/2023
from
Receipts and payments
2023 2022
Unrestricted funds Unrestricted funds
£ £
Total receipts for the year 31,392.75 39,442.14
Total payments in the year (34,589.91) (34,694.12)
Net receipts for the year (3,197.16) 4,748.02
Cash, bank and similar funds brought forward 59,309.57 54,561.55
Cash, bank and similar funds carried forward 56,112.41 59,309.57
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Sign Sign Sign Sign Sign Sign	Andrew Merritt Print name Sue Dodson Print name Joanne Price Print name Denise Tuffee Print name Ashley Kempster Print name Deborah Rowe Print name

Stifford Sea Scout Group - Consolidated Receipts and Payments Account

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For the year
01/01/2023 To 31/12/2023
from
Receipts and payments
2023 2022
Unrestricted funds Unrestricted funds
£ £
Receipts
- -
Donations, legacies and similar income
Membership subscriptions 21,867.00 18,695.00
Less: Membership subscriptions paid on (8,777.25) (5,929.25)
Net membership subscriptions retained 13,089.75 12,765.75
Donations/Camp contributions 17,783.34 21,978.47
Jack Petchy Awards - 541.92
- -
Repaid to parents for cancelled events
Loans from Section Leaders - -
Sub total 30,873.09 35,286.14
Grants
- -
Start up grants
-
Other grants (Covid) 3,733.80
Sub total - 3,733.80
Fundraising (gross)
Group Fundraising 519.66 422.20
- -
Group Funds held by Scouts
- -
Section Fundraising
- -
Other fundraising activities
Sub total 519.66 422.20
Investment income
Bank interest - -
- -
Building Society interest
The Scout Association Short Term Investment Service - -
- -
Property Rent income
Other investment income - -
Sub total - -
Total Gross Income 31,392.75 39,442.14
- -
Asset and investment sales, etc.
Total receipts 31,392.75 39,442.14
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Stifford Sea Scout Group - Consolidated Receipts and Payments Account

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For the year
01/01/2023 To 31/12/2023
from
Receipts and payments
2023 2022
Unrestricted funds Unrestricted funds
£ £
Payments
Charitable Payments 24.00 24.00
Youth programme and activities 11,327.68 11,634.94
- -
Adult support and training
Rent 888.41 1,074.76
Water and Sewerage - 40.00
Electricity and Gas 1,485.33 2,226.91
Insurance 2,223.76 1,993.48
Repairs and Renewals 3,939.94 2,064.88
- -
Materials and equipment
- -
Printing and photocopying
Contribution to camp costs 14,325.01 15,118.16
Uniforms 303.78 444.99
- -
AGM and trustee expenses
Web site - -
Bank charges 72.00 72.00
Admin - -
Sub total 34,589.91 34,694.12
- -
Fundraising expenses
Detail 1 - -
Detail 2 - -
- -
Other fundraising costs
Sub total - -
Total Gross Expenditure 34,589.91 34,694.12
- -
Asset and investment purchases, etc.
Total payments 34,589.91 34,694.12
Net of receipts/(payments) (3,197.16) 4,748.02
Cash funds last year end 59,309.57 54,561.55
Cash funds this year end 56,112.41 59,309.57
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Statement of assets and liabilities at the end of the year

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31st December 2022 31st December 2021
Unrestricted funds Unrestricted funds
£ £
Cash funds
Bank current account 55,397.75 53,347.79
- -
Bank deposit account
- -
Building society account
The Scout Association Short Term Investment Service - -
Cash/Floats 714.66 5,961.78
Total cash funds 56,112.41 59,309.57
- -
Other monetary assets
Tax claim - -
- -
Debts due from the County/Area/District/Group
Insurance claim - -
Sub total - -
Investment assets - -
- -
Investment property - detail
Quoted investments - -
Other investments - detail - -
Sub total - -
- -
Non monetary assets for charity's own use
- -
Badge stock
- -
Shop stock
Other stock - -
- -
Land and buildings
Motor vehicles - -
- -
Scouting equipment, furniture etc.
Other - -
Sub total - -
Liabilities - -
- -
Accounts not yet paid
- -
Expenses incurred but not invoiced
- -
Subscriptions not yet paid
Loan - detail - -
Other liabilities - -
Sub total - -
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Contingent liabilities and future obligations

Andrew Merritt - Acting Group Treasurer

Independent examiner's report to the trustees of Sttfford Sea Scout Group I reportto the trustees on my examination of the accounts of the Stifford Sea SeoLrt Group forthe year ended 31 December 2023. Responsibilities and basis of report As the charity trustees of the Sttfford Sea Scout Group you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the CharÈtie5 Act 20111.the Act'i. I report in respert of my examination of the Strfford Sea Scout Group accounts carried out under sertion 145 of the 2011 Aci and in carrying out my examination I have followed all the applicable Dirertions given by the Charity Commission under section 14515llbl of the ACL Independent examiner's ststement I have completed my examination. I confirm that no materiaL matters have come to my attention in connection with the examination giving me cause to be￿eve that in any Tnaterial respect accounting records were not kept in respert of the Strfford Sea Scout Group as required by section 130 of the Act. or 2. the accounts do not accord wth those record I have no eoncems and have come across no other matters in connection with the examination to which attention shouLd be drawn in this report in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached. Signed: sPeo Name.. Stephen Morgan Relevant professional quaLTfication or membership of professional ￿dIeS any): CPFA Address-. 39 Advice Avenue Chafford Hundred Grays Essex RM16 6QN Date.. 29 October 2024

STIFFORD SEA SCOUT GROUP

Group Scout Leader: Sue Dodson, 66 Aluric Close, Chadwell St. Mary,

Grays, Essex. RM16 4NB Telephone: [phone]

Report of the Group Scout Leader of

Stifford Sea Scout Group

For the year ended 31st December 2023

as well as encouraging them to explore their beliefs and attitudes and to be creative. It offers them the independence to put these skills into practice at camps and through different activities

After all the problems that the pandemic brought us Stifford still remains one of the largest groups in the district.

We have 2 Beaver colonies, 2 Cub Scout packs and 1 Scout troop. In January 2025 we will be opening a Squirrels Drey.

Over time we have many Scouts move on to explorers only to return to us one way or another as young leaders, some of which have remained and become adult leaders.

Congratulations to our young members who have achieved a vast number of badges and in particular to those that have achieved their Bronze, Silver and Gold awards. The young members have put a lot of hard work into achieving these badges and awards and we are proud of their achievements.

The main achievements and activities during the year are set out in the individual reports by the Section Leaders.

Cont.….

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Stifford Sea Scouts
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Stifford Sea Scouts Group

Opposite 69 Prince Phillip Avenue, Grays, Essex, RM16 2BX

Registered Number - 41166 as Open Group 1974. Registered Charity Number - 302089

STIFFORD SEA SCOUT GROUP

Group Scout Leader: Sue Dodson,

66 Aluric Close, Chadwell St. Mary,

Grays, Essex. RM16 4NB Telephone: [phone]

Cont.….

There have been various camps and sleepovers arranged throughout the year and all credit and thanks must go to those teams and individuals that have organised these events and to those parents that have given up their time to help set up and dismantle them.

I would like to take this opportunity to thank all our leaders and young leaders that week in and week out put in time and effort into guiding our young members on their Scouting journey. This is no small accomplishment and it should not be forgotten that all our leaders perform their roles voluntarily.

The Scout movement, at present, is going through what has been called a transformation where we will be known as volunteers rather than leaders. We are not all happy about this transition as some of us feel that the essence of what we are is about to be lost. When further information is available all relevant information will be passed on.

Yours in Scouting

Sue Dodson

Stifford Sea Scouts Group

Opposite 69 Prince Phillip Avenue, Grays, Essex, RM16 2BX

Stifford Sea Scouts

Registered Number - 41166 as Open Group 1974. Registered Charity Number - 302089

Stifford Penguins Annual Report 2023

Beavers have had another busy and enjoyable year and between them have gained 173 badges.

We have attended many District Events which include St Renewal of Promise Service held at Hathaway Academy, Jamboree on the trail where we joined Stifford Puffins for a walk around Watt Tyle Park, Pitsea where we take to take phots of objects beginning with every letter of the Alphabet, we attended Play scheme for the day and Christmas Crafts Afternoon

We went to Langdon Nature Reserve to take part in a Nature Trail to do orienteering, we also attended two sleepovers at Monley Buziness visited Grays Fire station

Penguins and Puffins joined Dolphins during their annual summer camp at Thriftwood for the weekend where they took part in various activities including the water roller, earth ball, cave bus, kayaking and rafting.

We also took part in Stifford own Remembrance Day Parade held at Blackthorn Park.

None of this would be possible without the help of my Leaders Janet, Sofie, Rebecca, and our young Leaders Rebecca, William and Zac, my Occasional helper Natalie and a special thank you goes to Denise who looks after the Finance side for me.

At the time of writing this report in June 2024 One Beaver had successfully completed their Chief Scout Bronze award which is the highest achievement for Beavers.

Puffins Beavers Annual Report 2023

I like the fact that we have to write a report from all the things that we’ve been up to the year before. It gives me a chance to reflect on all the wonderful activities we did and remember those Beavers that have now moved on to Cubs.

At the beginning of 2023 we had our usual sleepover at Monkey Bizzness with Penguins and the Cubs. It’s always a good start to the year, to play away those post-Christmas blues.

We had a pioneering evening with Orca, cooked pancakes on tin cans, navigated the streets of Stifford Clays, learning map reading and taking part in our very own ‘I’m a Puffin, Get me out of Here!’

For Founders Day we joined with the rest of the District at the United Reformed Church and 7[th] Grays Headquarters for an afternoon of craft and activities.

Dads came and helped us with the Mother’s Day crafts and stayed for a few silly games, we didn’t realise what good pick pockets the Beavers were.

Alfie, Charlotte and Xander represented Puffins at the District Beaver Quiz and came 3[rd] out of 16 colonies. Well done guys!

We delivered homemade Easter cards with chocolate to the residence of Elizabeth Gardens Retirement Home. They were very appreciative and treated the Beavers to a tin of sweets.

The Easter Bunny was hiding in Sparkle’s house and the Beavers took their Easter craft creations to show him and got a chocolate reward.

Renewal of Promise saw the whole district come together for their annual service and parade. Puffins were awarded FIRST PLACE in the annual District Beaver Scout Rainbow Challenge and we were presented with the big shield trophy. I was so proud of everyone.

We celebrated the King’s Coronation and had a homeless themed sleepover in our own headquarters after walking the streets and sitting outside Mr Pickwicks eating fish and chips. The Beavers had to make their own camping areas out of cardboard boxes to sleep in.

Sparkle and Sunshine took some of the Puffins to Grosvenor Hall Activity Centre, with the rest of the District, where the Beavers took part in many outdoor, adventurous activities. They had a fabulous time.

Jamboree on the Trail was based at Wat Tyler Country Park and Puffins had to take photos of things for every letter of the alphabet and then have a picnic.

We all moseyed on down to Condovers for a Wild West night with gold nugget hunting and line dancing to Cotton Eye Joe.

For Father’s Day the dads joined us for the evening, taking part in wind up horse racing wearing silly hats. They were such good sports and my sides hurt from laughing so much.

We had a visit from the local ice cream man and everyone enjoyed their messy treat.

Puffins invaded Chafford Gorge and took photos for their photographer badge.

Our last night of the summer term had us visit Cherrywood Campsite and have a wet and wild games night. Oh the fun you can have with water. Good job Puffins are water birds.

Our six oldest Beavers joined Dolphins on their first night of summer camp participating in various water activities including kayaking and raft building.

Playscheme, at Condovers, was well attended and the Beavers got to try lots of new, exciting outdoor activities such as zip lining, boulder wall, a ninja warrior course, go karting and many more.

Autumn term saw us sleep at Monkey Bizzness again, we sure do love it there. (For me it’s the fish and chips us leaders have delivered).

We had a return visit from Eden Falconry with their birds of prey. Lily was lucky enough to hold one while she was invested into Beavers.

We attended a Halloween fancy dress party at Belhus Scout Group.

Remembrance was once again at Blackthorn and was well supported.

The rest of the year saw us learning and practising for our Christmas play that the Beavers performed for their families. They acted out the Beaver Friends of the Forest story. They did themselves and their families proud. It was fab-u-lous!

What busy Beavers they were and as a result I presented 425 badges and 12 Beavers received their Chief Scout Bronze Award. What an amazing achievement!

Of course, none of this would be possible without my fantastic team of adult and young leaders and all you amazing supportive parents.

Let’s do it all again in 2024!!

Keeo xx

Oh, to be free like the clown of the sea A bird that soars above spray Oh, make me a Puffin As cute as a muffin In the lovin’ Puffin way

Stifford Orca

Akela - Andrew Merritt

Report to the Parents of Stifford Orca Cub Scouts For the year ending 31 December 2023.

66 Aluric Close, Chadwell St. Mary, Grays, Essex. RM16 4NB Phone: [phone] Mobile: [phone] Email: [e-mail]

every had but growth never the less.

Although numbers were a little low, we still awarded 179 Badges including 2 Silver Awards. That’s almost 10 badges per Cub. During the year, as many as 17 different Activity Badges were covered and awarded. Including 16 Astronomer badges, 15 Money Skills badges and 14 Disability Awareness and Road Safety badges

We took part in all district run events with full team in all.

In January and again in October, Orca joined with our Beavers for nights away at Monkey Bizzness (Soft Play). In May, 8 Cubs went away to Grosvenor Hall for 2 nights and days full of activities and in July we took 14 Cubs (Almost all of them) to District Cub Camp.

Andrew Merritt - (Cub Scout Leader - Akela)

Stifford Orca Cub Scouts - Stifford Sea Scout Group.

Opposite 67 Prince Phillip Avenue, Grays, Essex, RM16 2BX

Stifford Sea Scouts

Registered Number - 41166 as Open Group 1974. Registered Charity Number - 302089

STIFFORD DOLPHINS

c/o Debbie Rowe (AKELA) Tel: [phone] Tel: Mobile: [phone] E-mail: [e-mail] Registered No. 41166 as Open Groups 1974

2023 was another busy year for Stifford Dolphins. We started the year with 28 cubs, with a good mixture of experienced, older cubs and a few younger cubs too. By the end of 2023 we had 36 cubs – which was amazing!

We took part in the District Shooting competition and was pleased that a Dolphin’s cub had retained his winning title with the individual award – bringing home a lovely shield!

The cubs enjoyed celebrating Chinese New Year and cubs even tried their hands at sewing, enjoying creating their own cross stitch patterns and sewing on decorative buttons. Cubs once again enjoyed creating handmade presents for a special person to them for Mother’s and Father’s Day, which parents and carers were very impressed with.

In February, we held another successful Spring Camp at Thriftwood and were pleased that the weather was much nicer, enabling us all to be outdoors much more. During this camp, cubs had the opportunities to take part in a variety of activities, some old favourites and others were newer activities which put their resilience and teamwork to the test. These included the Cresta Run, the Zip Line, Postman’s Walk, Axe Throwing and Crate Stacking. Cubs enjoyed cooking over the open fire and toasted marshmallows as well as some delicious toasted sandwiches. Everyone had a great time and were once again supported by Steve Cootes throughout the camp.

In May, we took 12 cubs to Grosvenor Hall to take part in an activity weekend alongside Explorers, Scouts and Beavers from across the district. This was a huge event and one which the cubs thoroughly enjoyed.

Over the Summer Holidays we held our annual Summer Camp at Thriftwood and the weather was absolutely glorious. Although we had fewer numbers this year, it enabled the cubs to have a longer time doing some of the activities that they wouldn’t usually be able to do. This included Kayaking, Raft Building, the Climbing Wall, Rifle Shooting, the Assault Course and we also had the chance to take part in a brand-new activity – Paddleboarding! We cooked stew on the fire which the cubs prepared themselves as well as making their own toasted sandwiches and eggy bread on the fire for breakfast. It really was great to see some of the quieter cubs come out of their shells, developing new skills and making lasting memories.

When we met again in the Autumn, cubs enjoyed working towards their scientist badge – enjoying finding out about the following: Investigating what happened to their pulse rate before, during and after exercise, seeing who could grow the tallest sunflower, using marshmallows and spaghetti to see who could build the strongest tower (the leaders were quite competitive with this too!), demonstrating how vinegar reacted with different items and they had great fun making an air-powered balloon rocket and seeing whose travelled furthest across the hall. In November, cubs really enjoyed using old film canisters, effervescent tablets and paint to make a giant firework artwork – the effects were brilliant!

Another annual highlight was the children taking part in our Children in Need Bake Off where cubs spent the evening baking, decorating cakes and biscuits and creating persuasive posters, urging parents to part with their hard-earned cash for a great charity. In total we raised a whopping £135 for the charity. Another fund-raising charity we contributed to was the Royal British Legion. Cubs worked exceptionally hard making felt poppy keyrings which they sold to parents, raising an amazing £84 for the charity.

Stifford Dolphins also accompanied the Beavers from Puffins and Penguins as well as cubs from Stifford Orca to the one-night sleepover at Monkey Bizzness – which was a fun-packed evening and a good way to make new friendships.

Although it has been a bit of a challenge trying to fit in Cub Meetings alongside a busy workload, the cubs have had an amazing year and it really is wonderful to see so many of them building confidence, friendship and develop great leadership skills. Cubs have worked hard on achieving not only their activity badges but also worked towards their staged and challenge badges, with 6 cubs ending the year having completed their Chief Scout Silver Award.

Once again, Stifford Dolphins would not be possible without the unwavering support of the whole of the Stifford Dolphins Leadership Team so I would personally like to say a massive thank you to Steve (Baloo) and Jo (Rusty) as well as Max (Hathi) our Young Leaders, Lucy (Rama) and Cameron. Dolphins could not happen… thank you to all of Dolphins leaders!

Debbie Rowe (Akela)

The Scout section has maintained a steady 25 scouts over the ear, but we have struggled occasionally having enough volunteers each week to run a full program. Many of our leaders work different shifts which can prove difficult to ensure we have enough cover; we are always looking for more helpers so please speak to one of the team if you are interested in lending a hand.

2023 began with the scouts trying to get fit by completing circuit training type activities and learning about healthy living. Our first district event in 2023 was the “DC’s challenge” with scouts using public transport to get around London answering questions and getting photos at different locations.

The Troop continued with work on the community Garden project, weeding and planting a garden on Blackthorn Park. This will be an ongoing project that will hopefully benefit the local park.

In March ten scouts took part in the County Backpack hike. This event had scouts walking 13km around the Brentwood area completing challenges as they went. The troop also got to compete in the District Rifle competition with all the troop learning to shoot in sitting and standing positions.

In May we had 22 Scouts join the rest of the District at the Grosvenor Hall centre for a weekend of fun, adventurous, and problem-solving activities, with all sections and groups from Thurrock attending. May also saw the return of Jamborama camp after its absence since Covid. 23 scouts had an Olympic sportsbased weekend at Condovers with the rest of the district, the real hit was the silent disco with scout tuned into whatever music the wanted and danced all afternoon.

The troop entered one team into the District Camping Standards competition which was also returning after Covid. This was a tricky task for the team as they had not had much experience camping for themselves, but we were pleased for our team to come in 3[rd] place. 9 Scouts joined the district for its annual water activities weekend at Dockland Scout Project racking up lots of time on the water.

The summer culminated with a week-long camp at Skreens Park, with scouts getting to take part in lots of onsite activities as well as complete their survival skills badge. They also learnt how to use a knife, axe and saw to cut and chop their wood for their fires and experienced sleeping out in shelters they had made and cooked their dinner on open fires.

We returned after the summer with scouts continuing a water theme with our own sailing and Dragon boating weekend at ESSA water activity centre. The troop completed its sailing stage 1 & 2 and nautical skills awards as well as the Dragon Boating activity badges.

Our Final District event of the year was the district night hike, 2 teams took part starting out at 8pm and finally finishing around 3am. Everyone persevered along the 13Km route but apart from being tiered, everyone made it back and slept soundly until the bacon rolls were ready later in the morning.

We closed the year with a fun event at Flip out with scouts letting of some steam bouncing around for a few hours.

PTO

Stifford sea scout section

Email: [e-mail]

Throughout the year I have been impressed with the high standards of the scouts in the troop, they have shown they can apply themselves to almost every challenge. It was great to review the final stats for the year’s activities, as a troop we have clocked up 329 nights away , 114 activities on water, and 101 days hiking. I am sure you will agree we have some very active scouts. We also had three scouts achieve their Chief Scout Gold award, congratulations to Joesph Moore, Robert Hicks, and Zac Davies who I know will go on to great things in scouting.

I would like to thank the parents for their continued help and support over the year and would like to also thank the rest of the leadership team, without whom, I know the troop would not be going from strength to strength.

Ashley Kempster

Stifford sea scout section

Email: [e-mail]