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2024-12-31-accounts

5th Christchurch (Highcliffe) Scout Group Scout Council

Trustees’ Annual Reports and Statements of Accounts Year Ending 31 December 2024

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Trustee’s Annual Report

For period of 1 January 2024 to 31 December 2024

Reference and Administration Details

Charity Name 5thChristchurch (Highcliffe) Scout Group
Registered Charity Number 302216
Charity Registered address Scout Hit, Chewton Common Road,
Highcliffe, Dorset, BH23 5LZ

Trustee(s)

rustee(s)
Name Role Date of appointment
Annabel Neal Chair 14thJune 2024
Charlotte Smith Trustee 30 October 2023
Andrew James Hewitt Trustee 16 July 2023
Stephanie Tomkinson Trustee 27 May 2023
Graham Budd Trustee 01 November 2022
Keryn Hallett Trustee 01 September 2022
Courtney Fereday Trustee 01 January 2020

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Name Role Date of appointment Jamie Grant Trustee 01 January 2020

Structure, governance, and management

Highcliffe Scout group is 1 of 8 groups that belong to the district of Christchurch, the Group's governing documents are those of The Scout Association. They consist of a Royal Charter, which in turn gives authority to the Bye Laws of the Association and The Policy, Organisation and Rules of The Scout Association.

The Group has adopted the constitution set out in the Scouts Policy, Organisation and Rules and is managed by the Trustee Board, members of which are Trustees of the Charity. Trustee selection methods - The Trustees are appointed in accordance with the Policy, Organisation and Rules of The Scout Association.

The Trustee Board exists so that the Trustees work together to make sure Scouting is run safely and legally within the Group. The Trustee Board supports the other volunteers run the Scout Programme that gives young people skills for life.

The 5th Christchurch {Highcliffe) Scout Group provides Scouting to young people aged between 4 and 14 ½ years of age and through a Partnership agreement with Christchurch District also provide scouting to young people aged between 13 ½ and 18 years of age. Activities take place from the headquarters in Chewton Common Road Highcliffe. Young people take part in activities based on the section they belong to and their age. The Group currently have 4 sections within the Group 1 Squirrel Drey, 1 Beaver Colony, 1 Cub Pack, 1 Scout Troop. The group are also in partnership with the District Explorer unit {Nyeri).

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Objectives

Our objective is to promote 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

The section reports at the end of this Annual Report shows some of the activities undertaken by the young people involved in scouting in Highcliffe.

Achievements

2024 was the Groups Centenary year, having operated continuously since 1924. The Group celebrated with an open day; it’s first family camp for several decades and a trip to Brownsea Island where all the sections renewed their vows and discovered the birthplace of scouting.

2024 has seen a wide range of activities with all sections continuing to offer a wide range of activities including nights away to the young people in their sections.

Squirrels took awarded 211 badges and 11 Chief Scout Acorn Awards.

In Beavers 7 youngsters completed their Bronze Chief Scouts Award

Cubs competed in the District scrap store challenge competition, with a winning team and the 5-a-side football competition.

Scouts took place in the annual Emlyn (scout skills) competition, supported the Highcliffe Cliff Top Music festival and the New Forest Marathon

Explorers have had a change in leadership and are continuing to build a comprehensive program of activities with a focus on the higher scouting awards, with two explorers achieving the Chief Scouts Platinum award and three completing four Young Leader missions.

Further details of the section activities are appended to the Report

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Finance

As per the groups accounts (attached) Highcliffe Scout Group are in a good financial position. Income was outstripped by expenditure this year which was caused by additional spending on the Centenary celebrations and a significant piece of maintenance with the refurbishment of the halls wooden floor. Cub expenditure was also high as they caught up with submitting receipts for previous years expenditure and undertook a great Christmas project. Subscription income is up very slightly on 2023. The group are in a fortunate position to have sufficient funds in reserves to continue scouting even if the current economic environment deteriorates and at a time when we are forecasting expenditure to rise quicker than income. Subscription rates have not risen for a number of years and were reviewed in 2025 with an increase to £17.50 a month. The Trustee Board have taken the decision to draw down on some of these reserves in 2024 rather than add further financial pressure to our families and have continued to hold our subscriptions as they were prior to the Covid Pandemic.

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5th Chrlstchurch (Highcliffel Scout Group Receipts for year ending 31st December 2024 1024 2023 Recelpts Membership Fees Membership Fees- Nyerl 15,102.83 999.00 14,820.00 803.(M) 16.101.83 15,623.ry) Bank Interest 104.13 104.13 67.92 67.92 Income Hall Hire Nyeri Rent 0.00 0.00 Grants and donatlons Governrnent Covid Grant5 Donation Gift Aid 0.00 281.50 0.00 281.5D 0.00 413.80 2,956,89 3.370.69 Activities Events Centenary Camp Events Squirrels Events- Beavers Event5- Cub5 Events- Explorers Events - Sco*tts 195.15 4,435.85 355.00 495.00 1,513.00 0.00 1,991.85 B.985.85 217.90 581.00 400.00 560.00 135.00 2,385.00 3.480.00 Fundraising Plant Sale Fundraising other 15.010.51 0.00 15.010.51 15.571.80 15.571.80 other Income Corrections Broadband DD Refund Car Project Brand Unrform 289.86 21.86 loo.00 104.66 516.38 9,635.16 1,285.06 18.50 10,938.72 Total rècelpts for year 41,000.20 49,851.03

5th Christchurth IHighcliffel Scout Group Payments for year endin8 315t December 2024 Payments 20.24 2023 p￿mIseS Rent Rates 0.00 0.00 1,706.80 $49.69 486.41 3,601.06 0.00 0.00 222.94 1,790.66 8,357.56 73.72 2,742.94 555.57 387.36 1,912.86 475.60 640.40 119.76 1,282.95 8.191.16 Waste Collections Broadband Insurance Contents insurance Occasional helper Insurance CCTV Carneras Venue Maintenance Actlvities Events Events- Beawers Events- Cubs Events- Explore Events- Scouts Events Squirrels Meetings Meeting5- Beaver5 Meetings- Cubs Meetings- Explorers MeÈtings- Scouts Meetin85- Squirrels Centenary Qmp District D of E Support Car Project 419.36 138.88 778.58 1,209.47 431.22 576.65 1.318.79 401.10 2,721.12 816.50 10.40 662.41 777.63 6.78 1,105.77 819.20 1,106.65 2,535.79 724.35 809.52 8,659.31 123.25 0.00 0.00 0.00 17,015.58 9.137.15 Fundraisin8 Plant Sale 9,S81.78 9.581.78 9,562.16 9,562.16 Administratlon Expenses Bank Fees Go Card1ess / Paypal fees Hardship fund OSM Fee5 Admln Website pitation Hi8hcliffe Capitation Nyeri 275.04 808.39 0.00 232.68 688.55 75.00 4.140.00 0.00 6.219.66 470.69 680.15 0.00 297.77 153.75 iio.00 3,408.00 390.50 5,510.86

5th Christchurch (Highcliffel Scout Group P8yments for year ending 31st December 2024 2024 2023 Equipment Equipment Attivity equipment Camping Equipment 2,030.82 119.83 249.76 2,150.65 249.76 Other Expenses Training Motor Cost Gifts Sundry Corrections Refreshments Trophie5 and engraving 338.60 164.98 884.68 1,130.79 7.76 9,260.16 107.79 333.50 11.724.68 304.86 122.98 931.42 Bad8es & Unlfiomi Badges Activity Wear Leaders Uniform 1,090.37 1.018.30 218.CKI 2.326.67 1,003.35 605.49 77.09 1.685.93 Payments for the year 46.583.32 46,061.70

5th ChT15tchurch IHighclittel SCO￿ Group Summary for year ending 31st December 2024 2024 Summary Account balance brought forward Total illcome Total expenditure Net income A(¢ount balance carried forward 2023 37,433.13 41,0(10.20 46,583.32 -5.583.12 31,850.01 33,643.30 49,851.53 46.061.70 3,789.83 37.433.13

5th Christchurch (Hsghcliffel scout fjroup Statement of Assets & Liabilities as at 31st Decernber 2024 2024 2023 Currert Asset5 IBankl SCOUTS CAF 244 574.13 5,026.60 310.32 791.03 5,594.06 PAYPAL BEAVERS CAF 245 CUBS CAF 243 GROUP CAF 242 25.14 NYERI CAF 32 LLOYDS BANK GROUP ACCOUNT EXPENSE ACCOUNT 2,999.57 2.754.84 5.779.55 500.00 12.796.14 FiJNDRAISING CAF 246 LLOYD5 FUNDRAISING ACCOUNT LLOYDS DEPOSIT ACCOUNT I LLOYDS DEPOSIT ACCOUNT 2 24,216.71 6,070.46 10,000.00 io.000.00 26M70.46 24,Z16.71 Cash in hand Ipetty C ashl GROUP Petty cash Scouts Petty Cash 359.58 60.70 420.28 Total Cash Assets 31,850.01 37A33,13 Fl¥ed Assets Van FGII XBE Equipment for insurance purpose 3,015.00 31,132.00 34,147.lJO 3,015.00 31.132.00 34.147.00 Total Assets 65.997.01 71￿80.13 The above Attouftts were opproved by the Trustees on.. 1510512025 And signed on their behalf by.. S Tomkinson

Independent examiner's report to the trustees of 5th Christchurch (Highcliffe) Scout Group I report to the trustees on my examination of the accounts of the 5th Christchurch (Highcliffel Scout Group for the year ended 31 December 2024. Responsibilities and basis of report As the charity trustee5 of the 5th Christchurch IHighcliffel Scout Group, you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Charities Act 20111'the Act'l. I report in respect of my examination of 5th Christchurch (Highcliffel Scout Group, the accounts carried out under section 145 of the 2011 Act and in carrying out my examination I have followed all the applicable Directions given by the Charity Commission under Section 14515llbl of the Act. Independent examiner's statement 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 believe that in any material respect- accounting records were not kept in respect of the 5th Christchurch IHigh£liffel Scout Group as required by section 130 of the Act- or the accounts do not accord with those records. I have no concerns and have come acr055 no other matters in connection with the examinalion to whlch attention should be drawn in this report in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached. Signed: Name= Susan Divall Address.. 82, Exbourne Manor, 37 Christchurch Road, 8oLJrnemouth, BH13NX Date: 03 June 2025

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5[th ] Christchurch (Highcliffe) Scout Group

Annual General Meeting (AGM) (for year end 2024)

13[th] June 2025 @ 18.30 Highcliffe Scout Hut Chewton Common Road Highcliffe

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Highcliffe’s Squirrels Drey has had around 18 members throughout the year which is a number we find works well. We have welcomed new Squirrels and new Leaders and continue to look for new people to join our team of adults as some move on to other activities or are away at university.

Our two Young Leaders – Dom and Mia – continue to be invaluable to the team. They are super helpful each week and run at least one of our meetings each term. They attended a District Young Leader training weekend, and we can see them putting their skills to good use.

The Squirrels themselves are fantastic. They have great imagination and are happy to try lots of new things whether that’s new food as we learn about other countries in the world, or adventures in the outdoors, or even a sleepover. More on that later. Between them they have earned a massive 211 badges during 2024, including 11 Chief Scout’s Acorn Awards which is the top award in Squirrels. Many of the recipients moved on to Beavers and will be enjoying new adventures there.

As well as lots of badge work, we’ve also been out and about. We visited Highcliffe Nursing Home at the start of the year to sing campfire songs, joined with Squirrels from the rest of the District for a visit to Moors Valley Country Park and visited Mudeford Lifeboat Station as part of our Local Superhero badge. We also joined the rest of the Scout Group on the visit to Brownsea Island in the Autumn Term. Highcliffe Nursing Home enjoyed our visit and invited us back for some Christmas songs and we again joined with the other Squirrel Dreys in the District for a Christmas Party.

During the Spring Term we held our first ever sleepover. All Squirrels were invited to a full day of activities, and nine Squirrels were brave enough to stay overnight. Our theme was local superheroes, and we had a visit from a GP, decorated superhero cookies, learned first aid and then put it into practice on an incident hike where we found various toys with injuries that needed help. The Squirrels showed their skills admirably.

As in previous years, we joined the rest of Christchurch District for St George’s Day celebrations at The Priory and took part in the Remembrance Sunday service in Highcliffe.

As we look back on 2024, the highlight must be our sleepover. As well as good fun at the time, it paves the way for even more adventurous sleepovers, camps and expeditions as the Squirrels continue their Scouting journey.

We have some amazing Leaders in Squirrels – and room for more. None of us can attend each week due to other commitments but it doesn’t matter. We plan the programme, and everyone plays their part to have fun and ensure a balanced and exciting range of activities for the Squirrels.

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We started the year with a visit from some Explorer scouts from Burton and Highcliffe which was a fun evening. Later that term we celebrated Chinese New Year, and we made pancakes for Shrove Tuesday. We did lots of badge work including First aid, painting, and skills. We went for a visit to Christchurch Guide and Scout band and all the Beavers got to play the various instruments and learn about the band gaining their Music level 1 badge. Also in March, three of our older Beavers took part in the district “Beavers at Braggers” where they had a great time. We finished the term with a traditional Easter Egg hunt.

In the Summer term we took advantage of the lighter evenings and went out and about in our area. We did a Litter pick on the cliff top, and a trail at Steamer point. We did some gardening; back woods cooking and spent a couple of evenings utilising the school grounds. Firstly, for a mini sports day and then Cycling, where the Beavers bought their bikes/scooters to have a peddle around but also to learn about bike maintenance. We finished off with our annual water games.

Our Autumn was a term for lots of visits. We again took advantage of the light evenings by doing a some more outdoor activities. We visited to our local McDonalds where we helped them with a litter pick, and Kirsty from the store explained their ethos to keep the area tidy and the recycling process and we of course finished the evening with some yummy food. We also visited New Milton Tesco’s, and had a full tour behind the scenes, and some Beavers got a chance to work on the check out. As well as all this we managed to collect quite a bit of money in donations for the group. We had a visit from Small Creatures who bought lots of snakes, lizards, and creepy crawlies for us to hold and learn about. We did cooking, experiment, and builder’s badges when the evenings started to draw in. Another three of our beavers attended the second “Beavers at Braggers” for the year. We continued the fun with a joint Halloween Camp with the Cubs at the end of October with spooky fun and activities. Our last visit of the term was a night at Snowtrax with all the Beavers and Leaders enjoying the Ringo’s. Then of course we finished the year with a Christmas party with lots of games and party food.

Most important to mention our Beavers Drew, Harriet, Reuben, Hazel, Rhys, Warner, and Rowan all completed and were rewarded with their Chief Scout Bronze awards in this year.

We’ve already had lots of fun so far in 2025, with many activities and adventures planned for the coming terms.

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2024 has been another exciting and adventure-filled year for Highcliffe Cubs, packed with new experiences, skill-building, and community spirit. We kicked off the year working towards our Gardener Badge, learning about planting, growing, and caring for plants. Throughout the year, we also completed the Environmental Conservation Badge, with multiple trips to Lakewood Open Space, where Cubs explored the local environment and helped contribute to conservation efforts through litter picking and habitat care.

In the Spring, we celebrated Chinese New Year, taking part in themed crafts and activities to learn about Chinese traditions and culture. We also visited the Christchurch Food Bank, where Cubs had the opportunity to see how donations help families in need and gained an understanding of local community support. We worked on our Naturalist Badge with a creative twist — using natural dyes and wax-resist techniques to make colourful, eco-friendly fabric bookmarks, which the Cubs loved making (and using!).

A particular highlight of the year was our Irish-themed camp for St Patrick’s Day, where we fully embraced the spirit of celebration with green, white, and orange bunting and food inspired by the colours of the Irish flag. It was a memorable event that combined fun, culture, and lots of team spirit. As the weather improved, we focused on our Athletics Badge, taking part in various track and field-style activities that encouraged healthy competition and fitness.

We also had a fantastic musical experience this year, starting with a visit to try out instruments with the Christchurch District Band, followed by a visit from the band to our hut. This inspired one of our Cubs to join the band — a great example of how new opportunities can spark long-term interests. In the run-up to Christmas, Cubs enjoyed some Advent DIY evenings, making festive crafts and decorations while also building practical skills.

We took part in a number of District Events this year, including:

The District 5-a-side football tournament, District Camps, with plenty of opportunities for adventure and teamwork, the Scrap Store Challenge — where we’re proud to say Highcliffe Cubs took first place!

It’s been a fantastic year, full of hands-on learning, teamwork, and fun — and we’re incredibly proud of everything the Cubs have achieved. A huge thank you goes to all our leaders, helpers, parents, and of course, the Cubs themselves, who bring energy and enthusiasm to every meeting. We’re looking forward to even more adventures, badges, and memories in 2025!

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5th Christchurch (Highcliffe) Scout Group – AGM Report 2024

Prepared by the Scout Leadership Team: Rob Neal, Courtney Fereday, Adam Hallett, Robin Abbott, Kerry Smith, and our Young Leaders, Jacob Grant and Alex Hewitt.

Introduction

2024 has been another outstanding year for the 5th Christchurch (Highcliffe) Scout Group. Scouting provides young people with skills for life through fun, adventure, and challenge, helping them grow in confidence, resilience, and teamwork. Our Scouts have continued to thrive through a varied and engaging programme, gaining skills, friendships, and memories along the way.

This report summarises the activities, achievements, and development of the Scouts section over the past 12 months.

Programme Highlights

With 2025 marking 100 years of continuous scouting in Highcliffe, we have delivered a packed programme of weekly meetings, camps, competitions, and community events. Sessions have focused on core Scouting skills, creativity, adventure, and learning through doing.

Spring Term (January – March 2024)

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Special Events and Camps

Throughout the year, our Scouts also took part in:

These events gave Scouts a chance to bond across the District, challenge themselves, and represent our group with pride.

Achievements and Progress

This year, many Scouts have worked toward Activity Badges in areas such as:

Our patrol system continues to encourage teamwork, leadership, and responsibility. Inter-patrol competitions have increased healthy competition and skill-sharing. The SuperScout challenges in particular have brought out the best in our young people. Behaviour:

During 2024, the troop faced a period where ongoing poor behaviour impacted the experience for others, resulting in a small number of Scouts leaving the section. The leadership team took swift and coordinated action to address these challenges, working closely with parents to reinforce expectations and restore a positive environment. We are pleased to report that these efforts were successful—our current troop is confident, respectful, and thriving. While we will continue to monitor behaviour

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closely, we would like to sincerely thank all young people, parents and leaders for their support in helping us resolve these issues and ensure a strong foundation as we move into 2025.

At the end of 2024, the troop had c. 26 members, 2 YL, and 6 Leaders. A number of scouts moved up to Explorers, and we welcomed a number of Cubs.

Leadership and Thanks

A huge thank you goes to our dedicated leadership team:

Your energy, consistency, and commitment to providing an varied, safe, and enjoyable Scouting Programme, and experiences for the Scouts is appreciated by young people and parents alike.

Thanks also go to our supportive parents, Group Executive Committee, Group Scout Leader, and Parents for your ongoing encouragement and involvement.

Looking Ahead

As we move into 2025, we’re excited to expand on the successes of this past year. Plans are already underway for more adventurous camps, skill-building evenings, and District events, including the International Camp to Germany (with a handful of Highcliffe folk attending). With continuity of leadership and support, we’re confident the 5th Christchurch (Highcliffe) Scout Group will keep growing and inspiring the next generation of Scouts.

Prepared by:

The 5th Christchurch (Highcliffe) Scout Section Team Date: May 2025.

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2024 to 2025 has seen a new leadership team, Julie Langdown, Jenny Garland, Stuart Barnes and Juliet Gregson have taken on the leadership of Nyeri. Nyeri Explorer Scout Unit have an expanding and increasingly engaged unit, with young people taking a leading role in shaping and delivering their programme. We have investigated how we can implement the program to achieve the Platinum Award, Diamond Award, and Kings Scout Award. We hope that we can implement a program where we can encourage all our explorers to achieve these highly recognised awards.

We would like to take this opportunity to congratulate Jacob Grant and Dominic Hallet for achieving their Platinum award.

We also congratulate Jacob Grant, William Stevens, Daniel Tomkinson for completing their Young Leaders Missions 1 to 4.

With the below members nearing completion we hope to award their badges soon, Isabelle Langdown, Emily Grant, Dominic Hallett and Joseph Barnes. Programme Overview

Our calendar has been given an overhaul with the aim of completing the ICV List (International, Community and Values List). This list is the purpose of the Platinum, Diamond and Kings Award.

Each award has a set number of tasks to complete. With this in mind we have built a program to enable us to achieve these tasks. We also like to keep the program fun and engaging and include games and skills, with the favourite game of hunted.

Our program for the past year has included:

Games Nights, Fire Lighting, Cooking Challenge (Chilli con Carne without a recipe), Outdoor Skills – backwoods cooking, pancakes, Community service: litter picks Mudeford to Highcliffe beach clean-up, wide games, fire lighting, matchstick rockets, Hunted, pioneering, circus skills, gingerbread men.

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Special Events

Frostbite Camp – Cold-weather resilience and outdoor skills

This year our team of 4 showed great Skills, Teamwork and Knowledge and have won the Frostbite Camp challenge. We congratulate

Joseph Barnes, Dominic Hallett, Elliot Holkham and Ted Storey

St George’s Day Parade

Many of our Explorers are Young Leaders within the Christchurch district so although we did not have a huge turnout for Nyeri many of our explorers were supporting their Young Leader Section. This year 5th Highcliffe Scout Group were duty group and had the pleasure of organising the church service and performance. As Nyeri are in a partnership with Highcliffe we had the pleasure of join them in the performance.

Leadership Changes

We extend our sincere thanks to the leaders who stepped in. Your time, energy, and enthusiasm ensure Nyeri Explorer Scout Unit continues to be a place where young people can continue their Scouting journey, learn skills for life and thrive.

Looking ahead to the rest of 2025

Our goals include:

Supporting more young people through DofE at all levels; Encouraging badge completion for Top Awards up to an hopefully inspiring the young people to take on the Scouting Associations top award – the King’s Scout Award; Expanding outdoor and overnight experiences/events; and Increasing Explorer involvement in District and County events

To our young people—thank you for showing up, stepping up, and making Nyeri what it To parents/guardians and carers—thank you for your patience while the new team settle in and implement a working program

To our leadership team—thank you for giving your time, week after week, to inspire the next generation of adults with values rooted in Scouting.

We look forward to continuing this journey together into another year of challenge, achievement, and adventure.

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This has been my second year as Group Lead Volunteer and as last year I am in awe at the tremendous amount of fun and hard work our young people, team members and parents put into achieving the wide range of experience that are delivered across the sections. On top of all the great weekly section meetings and regular camps and events the Group also took over as Duty Group at the St Georges Day parade. Not only did we have to look after the Districts Colours, but we also had to find a way to be at two Remembrance Parades and services at the same time, as well as organise the next St Georges service, but I’ll save that for next year.

2024 was our Centenary Year. The Group initially started in 1908, but closed a few years later, reopening in 1924, and has been open continuously ever since. To celebrate this milestone, we ran an Open Day in May, with history, skills and activities for the community to enjoy. We held our first family camp, The Centenary Camp, at Braggers Wood, with a barn dance and other more traditional scouting activities over the weekend. We finished the celebration with a Group trip to Brownsea Island, where we all renewed our promise at the Promise Stone. It has been a busy but wonderful year as Highcliffe goes from strength to strength.

This year through the efforts of Annabel and myself we now have a lease for the first time in nearly 10 years, possibly longer. The garage roof no longer leaks thanks to Mark Young and we have a new sound system thanks to Graham Martin and his boss at Twisted Pair. Thank you both.

We ran the Plant Sale again this year and raised a significant sum thanks to the efforts of Emma and her team. The support of parents in this way and others is invaluable. I’d like to end by thanking all the volunteer leaders and young leaders, parent volunteers, and Trustees for the many, many hours you give to enable scouting in Highcliffe. You are all amazing.

Andy Hewitt (Woody)

Group Lead Volunteer 2024

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