Ware & District Scout Council
Annual Report 2020 Buntingford, Braughing / Standon, Thundridge, Ware, Gt Amwell, Hunsdon, Stanstead Abbotts
www.wareanddistrictscouts.org.uk
01920 320820
WARE DISTRICT SCOUT COUNCIL Annual Report 2020 www.wareanddistrictscouts.org.uk
Contents
Introduction ............................................................................................................................ 3 District Executive Members as of Dec 2020 ....................................................................... 4 District Chairs Report ............................................................................................................. 4 District Commissioners Report............................................................................................... 5 District Management Team ................................................................................................. 6 ADC Scouts ........................................................................................................................ 6 ADC Cubs ........................................................................................................................... 7 ADC Beavers ...................................................................................................................... 8 Scout Active Support Unit ...................................................................................................... 9 Scout Adventure Active Support Unit ..................................................................................... 9 Explorer Unit Reports ............................................................................................................. 9 Armynage (Buntingford) Explorer Unit ................................................................................ 9 Lygean (Ware) Explorer Unit ............................................................................................ 10 Young Leader Explorer Unit ............................................................................................. 10 Treasurer’s Report ............................................................................................................... 11 Ware & District Accounts 2020 Receipts ...................................................................... 12 Ware & District Accounts 2020 Payments .................................................................... 13 Ware & District Accounts 2020 Assets Liabilities .......................................................... 14 Ware & District Accounts 2020 Scrutineer’s Report to The Trustees ............................ 15
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WARE DISTRICT SCOUT COUNCIL Annual Report 2020 www.wareanddistrictscouts.org.uk
Introduction
The Trustees of Ware District Scout Council present their report and financial statement for the year ended 31 December 2019.
The Council’s governing documents are those of The Scout Association. They consist of a Royal Charter which in turn gives authority to the By-laws of the Association and the Policy, Organisation and Rules of The Scout Association.
The Council is a trust established under its rules which are common to all Scouts.
The Trustees are appointed in accordance with the Policy, Organisation and Rules of The Scout Association.
The aim of the Association 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
Council’s method of achieving the aim of the Association is by providing an enjoyable and attractive scheme of progressive training based on the Scout Promise and Law and guided by adult leadership.
Charity law requires the Trustees to prepare financial statements for each financial year that give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the Council and of its excess of income over expenditure for that period. In preparing those financial statements, the Trustees are required to:
- 1) select suitable accounting policies and apply them consistently.
2) make judgements and estimates that are reasonable and prudent.
- 3) follow applicable accounting standards, subject to any material departures disclosed and explained in the financial statements.
4) prepare the financial statements on a going concern basis, unless it is inappropriate to presume that the charity will continue in operation.
The Trustees are responsible for keeping proper accounting records that disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the Council, enabling them to ensure that the financial statements comply with the Standard Statements of
Recommended Practice. They are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the
Council and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities.
Legislation requires the protection of Young People to be scrutinized closely. It is the policy of The Scout Association to safeguard the welfare of all members by protecting them from physical, sexual and emotional harm. We, as a District Organization, are fully committed to complying with this policy in all respects and it is the responsibility of all our members over the age of 18 to ensure that this is done.
Legislation requires Health and Safety to be scrutinized. It is our policy to provide Scouting in a safe manner without risk to health, as far as is reasonably practicable, and to ensure that we comply with all the requirements of The Scout Association safety policy as laid out in the Policy Organisation and Rules of the Association.
The Council has in place a system of internal controls that are designed to provide reasonable assurance against material mismanagement or loss. These include two
signatories for all payments and comprehensive insurance policies to ensure that insurable risks are covered.
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WARE DISTRICT SCOUT COUNCIL Annual Report 2020 www.wareanddistrictscouts.org.uk
The Council meets the Charity Commission’s public benefit criteria under both the advancement of education and the advancement of citizenship or community development.
District Executive Members as of Dec 2020
David Allen (Ex-officio District Chair) District Secretary- Role vacant Pat Horridge (Ex-officio District Commissioner) Phil Clayden (Ex-officio District Scout Network Commissioner) Peter Raymen (Elected 2016 District Exec committee member) Geoff Addy (Elected 2017 District Treasurer) Keith Jennings (Elected 2019 District Exec committee member) Gavin Miles (Elected 2017 District Exec committee member)
District Chairs Report
The last year has challenged us all. It was great to see Leaders engage with Scouts where they could through ensuring meetings could go ahead when possible and with online activities that showed some really thoughtful and entertaining results. The Executive Committee did what it could to ensure activities were compliant with recommendations and ever changing requirements. A great effort was made to get Scouts active, but the need to comply made this very restrictive.
The HQ building in Ware is showing its age and there is a need for some works to ensure it continues to be of service. There is also a need for the shop to be up and running, but the need for a Shop Manager hinders the ability to ensure there is support in this area. If you know of anyone who is able to assist with the management of the shop please get in touch with any committee member.
Let us look forward to getting back to Scouting.
David Allen District Chair
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WARE DISTRICT SCOUT COUNCIL Annual Report 2020 www.wareanddistrictscouts.org.uk
District Commissioners Report
Its been an unprecedented year for scouting during 2020 (and ongoing into 2021) with the Covid-19 Pandemic.
It saw face to face scouting prohibited from March 2020
We all hoped it would be a relatively short pause in scouting activities but of course it became very protracted.
Many sections across the groups eventually switched over to Zoom based virtual scouting and for some this worked ok. Others either couldn’t engage with the technology or were also doing remote zoom sessions as part of their day jobs and couldn’t face that extra hour in the evening.
So sadly many of our Young People missed out on scouting.
Of those leaders that did switch to remote sessions some used it to work on badge work and towards the YPs Chief Scout awards. But most also used it for some fun and the YP really enjoyed meeting up with their friends and messing around.
We had a brief window of allowed face to face scouting after the summer, all be it with very challenging restrictions, but a good number of sections managed a few outdoor sessions before we were once again locked down.
We still have Lynn Isham as our ADC Beavers and Trevor Byworth holding the fort for Cubs. Paul Graham is supporting Scouts as our Scout ADC.
We are were without a Local Training Manager but Karen white agreed to take on the role in June 2021
My thanks to Bob Cooper who stepped down as our Nights Away Advisor in 2020. Bob had been preparing to stand down in that role and with the Covid pandemic preventing any camping for 2020 (and much of 2021) it made sense to end his role during that break. Bob will still be on hand to help the new nights away team which is great.
Once again, I’d like to thank the exec and the district team for their efforts. David Allen for continuing as District Exec Chair and Geoff Addy our District treasurer for his amazing work keeping across our finances.
The GSLs that represent the groups in our district had a very challenging year but have worked hard to maintain things.
And of course my thanks to all the leaders who worked so tirelessly to deliver the remote scouting sessions for our young people.
This is my last AGM as District Commissioner as my wife and I retiring and moving away in early 2022. I hope we have a replacement DC stepping forward and I will do all I can to hand over and support them.
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WARE DISTRICT SCOUT COUNCIL Annual Report 2020 www.wareanddistrictscouts.org.uk
Pat Horridge District Commissioner
District Management Team
The District Team consists of a number of District Scouters who help and support section events. A core of those also have management roles and meet regularly to contribute to the district scouting development are:
Pat Horridge (District Commissioner) Position vacant (Deputy District Commissioner) Position vacant (District Explorer Scout Commissioner) Peter Raymen (ADC Development) Lynn Isham (ADC Beavers) Position vacant. Trevor Byworth acting as liaison (ADC Cubs) Graham Paul (ADC Scouts appointed April 2019) Phil Clayden (District Scout Network Commissioner) Bob Cooper (Nights Away Adviser) Standing down as of 2020 Karen White (District Appointments Secretary) Position Vacant District Youth Commissioner Position Vacant District Local Training Manager Position Vacant (Leader Young Leaders) Jennifer Makewell (District Assistant Commissioner – International)
There are also an additional 25 or so Leaders who also support the District in a number of ways, many in background roles. So, our thanks to all those unsung helper and supporters.
ADC Scouts
This year has obviously been overshadowed by the COVID-19 pandemic, which has devastated some families and had a wider impact on our lives and scouting. We began 2020 as normal, and 2nd Ware won the District Cooking Competition. Face-to-face meetings were suspended in March as we entered a national lockdown; all further district events were cancelled and some troops closed during the lockdown. Other troops found new ways of connecting with their scouts despite technical and logistical challenges, with 2nd, 3rd and 5th Ware, Hunsdon, Stanstead Abbotts and Great Amwell meeting online via Zoom. Most of their meetings included themed quizzes, with most troops marking VE Day. Other themes included National Limerick day, animal-themed events (bring a pet and virtual live zoo visit), Camp-at-Home, Eurovision Song Contest, ‘Friday kitchen’ and the RSPB Garden Birdwatch.
Whilst we were relieved to return to face-to-face scouting in the Autumn, this proved to be short lived with the resumption of social restrictions within the same term. Although attendance at online section meetings began well early in 2020, ‘Zoom fatigue’ inevitably lead to reduced attendance and, in some cases, suspension of meetings later in the year.
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WARE DISTRICT SCOUT COUNCIL Annual Report 2020 www.wareanddistrictscouts.org.uk
There were 4 Chief Scout Gold Awards presented in 2020. Congratulations to the scouts at 2nd Ware for their great achievements.
Thanks to the Scout Section Leaders and Assistant Scout Leaders for their time and commitment to supporting their troops in 2020. I also wish the leaders leaving us all the best with their future endeavours.
Graham Paul ADC Scouts
ADC Cubs
The Cub section in Ware & District started 2020 with another full programme of events and competitions offering our diverse range of popular activities with the swimming Gala at Fanshawe Swimming Pool with a win for 3[rd] Ware Falcons.
Continuing the fun a few weeks later, two hundred Cubs came together from across the district to celebrate Founder Day at Amwell View School, with its usual array of varied activities run by the fantastic team of leaders from around the district.
Next we had eighty Cubs invited to our annual Chief Scout Silver Awards Ceremony at Ware Priory to celebrate and recognise their achievement.
Then things changed and we found ourselves in a situation that was completely new and unknown to even the most experienced leaders.
With everything suddenly changed in personal and working lives, it really highlights the dedication of our leaders as they adapted to the world of Zoom to keep Scouting alive.
Some found it easier than others, some have been very successful, some have struggled, but all need to be applauded for everything they did to keep our young people engaged, it was most certainly appreciated by so many of our Cubs and their parents.
The summer gave opportunity for groups to start meeting face to face again and it was at this point a few leaders realised zoom had one big advantage, a mute button.
I would like finish with my personal thanks to each and every section leader for all you have done and continue to do.
Trevor Byworth District Cub Scout Leader
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WARE DISTRICT SCOUT COUNCIL Annual Report 2020 www.wareanddistrictscouts.org.uk
ADC Beavers
This year has been another challenging year with all the Covid restrictions which meant face to face scouting was not possible for majority of the year and we had to resort back to zoom meetings. All the Districts events were cancelled.
The County ran the Beavers in Burrows event which was very popular with our District and was a great success.
In April we were supposed to celebrate 35 years of Beaver Scouts, the restrictions did not stop us!.. We have our 35th Birthday sleepover with activities throughout the day, i.e. craft and cakes making, camp fire with songs, plus fireworks. A session with Mr Motivator on the Sunday morning finished our celebration.
May I thanks all the leaders that helped with above events and the everyday running of Beavers in our District, you are greatly appreciated.
We now look forward to being able to start back some of our District events in the very near future.
Lynn Isham ADC Beavers
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WARE DISTRICT SCOUT COUNCIL Annual Report 2020 www.wareanddistrictscouts.org.uk
Scout Active Support Unit
This year has been an unusual year for the ASU as, like all other groups, there has not been much going on. We have, however, during the past year, helped where we can and still supported all the groups. Our shop has not been open but we have continued to supply badges through an online system and I have also continued to keep in touch with all online meetings via Zoom and Teams and as many members as possible. Looking forward to restarting our involvement and activities in the future.
Peter Raymen Active Support Unit Manager
Scout Adventure Active Support Unit
With so few opportunities for face to face scouting in the last year and when we could adventurous activities were logistically impossible. The ASU Adventure unit has had a quiet year with little to report. We look forward to something like normality so we can resume supporting our young people in their adventure.
Pat Horridge on behalf of Keith Jennings Adventure Active Support Unit Manager
Explorer Unit Reports
Armynage (Buntingford) Explorer Unit
Armynage ESU Wednesdays Buntingford Scout HQ
2020 started off as planed with Armynage Explorers meeting as normal. Our activities during January and February saw us attend Bayfordbury Observatory, joined by members of Lygean ESU. We also held a Murder Mystery Evening. Mastered the art of relaxation through yoga. Celebrate Chinese New Year & Burns Night rolled into one with Chinese food followed by some Ceilidh dancing! We had also organised a team to participate in the County run Chiltern Challenge, however this was cancelled due to low take up.
Then came the first National LOCKDOWN and from the 16 March, we were no longer able to meet face to face.
We were force to find new ways of keeping Scouting going nationally and many sections/units took to online meetings. Armynage ESU joined in with this new way of conducting meetings and our online activities included an around the house scavenger hunt, quiz nights, a virtual art evening, a bingo night, a virtual music festival, an online escape
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WARE DISTRICT SCOUT COUNCIL Annual Report 2020 www.wareanddistrictscouts.org.uk
room, and an Am Dram evening, in which we performed a play called ‘The Adventure Club’ by Damian Woods. We also joined in with virtual VE Celebration, St George’s Day and the weekly ‘Clap for Carers/NHS’.
Following the summer break and after receiving feedback from the Explorers, we decided not to resume online meetings and we put Armynage ESU on hold. Even though there was a small window during the latter part of the year, when we could have returned to face to face, due to the logistics and scouting restrictions required it was not pursued by the unit. Armynage ESU finally was in a position to restart face to face meetings this year, in May 2021 and we have once again been enjoying getting back together and taking part in outdoor activities.
Yours in scouting
Christine Sharman Explorer Scout Leader
Lygean (Ware) Explorer Unit
Lygean ESU Friday Christ Church Ware
The leader team at Lygean ESU (Jim, Steve, Matt, Will & Sean) have been busy during the past year each of us involved in different work activities such as providing IT services at a school, building/providing critical IT services to the local covid testing and vaccination centres and running our own businesses. Due to this we have not been able to meet face to face.
However we have run some well-attended virtual Explorer meetings which have included quizzes, a map activity evening and drawasaurus! We are hoping to return to face-to-face meetings in September, (restrictions allowing).
Jim Campbell Explorer Scout Leader
Young Leader Explorer Unit
Our Young Leaders are an Explorer Unit that is distributed across the whole District helping support mainly the Beaver and Cub sections. In non Covid-19 times they turn up most weeks and help the Leaders with the sections activities and are our future Leaders. Obviously during Covid-19 its been much harder for them to be involved.
Pat Horridge District Commissioner (YL Leader position vacant)
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WARE DISTRICT SCOUT COUNCIL Annual Report 2020 www.wareanddistrictscouts.org.uk
Treasurer’s Report
Total Income was £11,419 for the year compared to £37,391 for 2019, which is predominately due to the lack of scouting activity in 2020 due to COVID-19. Membership subscriptions were included in this total and the total amount collected was £38,86 compared to £41,677 in 2019.
The District did not receive any donations during the year, whereas in 2019 it received £7,494 in donations with most of this received on a Restricted Funds basis. The Scout Shop generated £4,898 in sales at the beginning of 2020 and the cost of these sales was £2,942 resulting in a surplus of £1,956 in the financial year.
The Scout sections income was £1,816 for the year and the sections spent £2,526 during the year.
Gift Aid in 2020 was £599 compared to £772 in 2019.
Overall, the District made a small surplus of £562 for the financial year and this increased the cash balances from £70,114 at the end of 2019 to £70,676 at the end of 2020, and this includes the Restricted Funds balance of £30,243 as at the 31[st] December 2020.
Geoffrey Addy District Treasurer
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Ware & District Accounts 2020 Assets Liabilities
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WARE DISTRICT SCOUT COUNCIL Annual Report 2020 www.wareanddistrictscouts.org.uk
Ware & District Accounts 2020 Scrutineer’s Report to The Trustees
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