# **14TH BROMLEY SCOUT GROUP ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING** **FRIDAY 12TH SEPTEMBER 2025 CAREY SCUTT HALL 93 PLAISTOW LANE BROMLEY BR1 3AR TIME: 6.30PM** |**Item**
1.|**Welcome and Introduction**
**Agenda**|Chair| |---|---|---| |2.|**Apologies for Absence**|Chair| |3.|**Approve the minutes of the AGM held on 3rd July 2024**|Chair| |4.|**Presentation of the Trustees Annual Report**
a. Chair of the Board of Trustees’ address
b.
c.
Group Lead Volunteer’s Address
Group Treasurer’s Address|Chair
GLV
Treasurer| |5.|**Governance Matters**
a. Re-adopt the 2024 Group Constitution
b.
c.
d.
e.
f.
g.
h.
Note the Group’s financial year
Approve appointed and community members of the
Group Scout Council
Agree the number of members to be appointed to the
Trustee Board
Appoint Group Chair and Group Treasurer
Elect members or maintain members of the Group
Trustee Board
Appoint the independent Inspector (Group Accounts
Examiner)
Agree the Quorum for future meetings of the Group
Scout Council|Chair
Chair
Chair
Chair
GLV
Chair
Chair
Chair| |6.|**Any Other Business**|Chair| |7.|**Closing Remarks and formal close**|Chair| |||| ## **Chairman’s Message 2025** Members of the 14th Scout Group Council whom I took over as Chair of the Board of Trustees earlier this year, and 3 of our Section Lead Volunteers who are standing down as Trustees. They are Elizabeth Bostock, Michael Rayment Johnson and Paul Musk. I would like to - - the Leadership Team, concerned with the day to day running of the group. sessions well supported by parents and supporters. Added to this they also - funds for any work required to be done on the premises and have allowed the purchase of new equipment for the Group as required. it is. ## **Trustee’s Reports** ## **Reference and administra on informa on** ti ti We present below the reference and administra tio n details of the charity as required by law. **Name: 14[th] Bromley Scout Council Registered Charity Number: 303551** ## **Registered Address: Carey Scu** tt **Scout Hall, Plaistow Lane, Bromley, BR1 3AR** ## **Trustees** The charity trustees who managed the charity from 3[rd] July 2024 to the date of signing this report were as listed below. Steven Holman – Chair Shelley Falcon – Treasurer Sarah-Jane Durman – Group Lead Volunteer Elizabeth Bostock Ma tt hew Lo ft ing Michael Rayment-Johnson Joseph Collier Paul Musk Marie Sripha* Tom Bostock Andrew McClellan* ## **Previous Appointments** Alexandra Leroye Sakurai – Chair (to 25 March 2024) *Have provisional trustee role ## **Bankers** Current Account CAF Bank ## **Accounts Examiner** Mr. Peter Eastwood ## **Governance and management** The charity is governed by it’s governing document and, also follows the requirements of the Policy, Organisa tio n and Rules of The Scout Associa tio n (POR). The governing document being the 14[th] Bromley Scout Group Cons ti tu tio n which was adopted by the 14[th] Bromley Scout Council at the AGM held on 3[rd] July 2024. Restructuring, in line with guidelines from The Scout Associa tio n con tin ues to provide greater clarity and segrega tio n between Group opera tio ns and governance, with good progress being made in establishing both a Trustee Board and a separate Opera tio nal Team. ## **Risk and internal controls** The trustees are following The Scout Associa tio n’s POR and by using a Risk Register have iden ti fied what are believed to be major risks to the charity and these risks will be reviewed 6 monthly, annually or bi-annually dependent upon severity of risk. The risks are categorised as Legal & Regularity, Governance, Financial, Opera tio nal or External. A Finance Management Policy is in place ensuring the group’s income is managed properly and put to best use. A financial report is reviewed at each Board of Trustees mee tings providing sufficient informa tio n so that good decisions can be made. ## **Key ac** ti **vi** ti **es since the last AGM** tio n allowing the various sec tio ns to be supported both financially and with resources for their ac ti vi tie s and camps. Monitoring the premises for safety and good maintenance along with managing the le tting of the halls have been key ac ti vi ties as has the safe-guarding of our members. ## **GLV report for the 14th Bromley Scout Group Sept 2025** ## **Group Lead Volunteer report for 14th Bromley Scout Group Sept 2025** This year there have been big changes within the UK scout movement as we move into the team led vision of scouting. There is now a trustee board and an operational board within our group. Hopefully this will help with the efficient way of running this excellent group. All our sections-Squirrels, Beavers, Cubs, Scouts and Explorers have healthy numbers and enjoy activities carefully thought out and arranged by their relevant leaders. Thanks, should go to these volunteer leaders who often spend hours of their own free time attending training sessions and thinking up amazing and interesting sessions for all the young people. The young people have attended camps, night hikes, climbing sessions to name a few of the activities. There have been visits from outside groups demonstrating skills such as animal care, safety on the beach etc. All the sections have enjoyed the District Events arranged by the Youth Events Team, some of which are our own leaders. These events are age appropriate and are both fun and challenging for our young people. Maybe some of our scouts or explorers will attend the 26th World Jamboree being held in Poland July/August 2027. Our buildings and grounds are still in relatively good shape although we are going to have to reroof the Thompson Hall due to leaks. This will be big blow to our budget but needs must. Regular working parties are held with leaders, parents, scouts and explorers helping out. This year has been the usual successful one for the Group and we are hoping to welcome some more volunteer leaders soon. Volunteers are always welcome. There are always challenges but we strive to conquer those and continue in vein of Scouting as Baden Powell first set out over 100 years ago. Scouting continues to be one of the largest youth groups in the world and is enjoyed by millions of youngsters daily in over 200 countries. Sarah-Jane Durman Group Lead Volunteer Financial Review 2024-25 The underlylng princlple of 141h BToml8y Scout Group 18 to support and 8S3iSt all the functions and activities undertaken by our members. To this end. we do not set outto make an annuel cash 8urplu8. W6 aim to at least break even on our day to day 6xp8n888 and maint81n sufficlent fundg for repair8 to our 88set8. We hav8 a FinanciaL Managemént Pollcy in place which outllnes the accèptabl8 res8rve levets which we aim to maintaln at all tlm6S. Income The totsl scouting 8ubS for the year incr8as8d by 1496, which18 very r8assurlng for th8 future ot th6 group (from £10.3k to £11.7k). Unfortunately the l8rg8 increase in Dlstrict capitatlon fees ( Up from £44.80 per chlld per ￿Par to £54.90) has oftset the increase. We ben8fitt8d from the increased bank int8re8t which Th*nt from £374 to £841 for the year. We were fortun8t8 to have another strong ye8r from hau rentsl Income. Thero was a 396 fall In this income. but we believe thls will increase next year. Most running costs remained slmilar to lest year apart from m8inten8nce costs which increased ty 110%. This w86 due to 8d-hoc r8p8irs that were needed to the premlses to ensure the safety of all users. These included roof repairs (È3k), door r6p8irs1£2.1 k). fence replacement (£1.2k). electrlc8l work (£1.2k} and plumbingwork (£680). 1am pl888ed to 88y that the hall rental Income cov8r8d 9796 of the bulldlng runnlng costs whlch allowéd each 88Ction to mak8 fvll u8e ol thé Subs gen6rat8d. Fin8ncl81 Outlook The year ¢nded wfth a small l06s of £1.8k. The 14" Bromley Scout Group remalns In a very strong flnanclel position wlth reserves of £44k available to th? group which exceed8 the minimum agreed reserve fund 8tated in the ￿nancIaL Management Policy. Th18 wlll enable us to eontlnue our workwlth our memb8r8 and b8n8fit our community. Declaratlon TheTrustees declare tr￿t they heve approved the Trustees. report above Chair-steve Hoknan Treasurer- Shelley Falcon Septémber 2025 Septembor 2025 14th Bromley Scout Group Receipts & Payments Accounts Year start date Year end date For the year from 1st April 2024 31st March 2025 Receipts 2023-24 Unrestricted funds Restricted funds Total funds Total funds Membership, activities and other Membership subscriptions 11.728 11.728 10,279 Less . Membership subscriptions paid on lo District I Counlyl HQ 6,423 6,423 4.386 Net rnembership subscriptions retsined by Group 5.305 5,305 5.893 Donations 700 700 1.078 Gift Aid 1,746 1,746 1.848 Activity Income Icampsllfips) 16,222 16,222 20.348 Sub total 23,973 23,973 29.167 Grants Jack Petchy 200 Govt Grants Sub total 200 Fundraising (gross) Fundraising for Group l Olhers Sub total Other Income Bank interest 374 Hall Rentals 24.000 24,000 24,809 Sub total 24,840 24.840 25.183 Total Receipts 48,813 48,813 54.551 Year start date Year end date For the year from 1st April 2024 to 31st March 2025 Payments 2023-24 Unrestricted funds Restricted funds Totsl funds Total funds Activity costs CAMPSIAclivilies 22,871 22,871 26.207 Scouting equipmenVBadgeslScarves 2,977 2,977 3.459 Sub total 25,848 25,848 29.666 Headquarters running costs Rates 277 277 259 Water and Sewerage 415 415 170 Gas, Electricity 5,158 5,158 5.040 Telephone, Broadband 871 871 723 Insurance 2,005 2,005 1,999 Maintenance 11.868 11,868 5,644 Cleaning 4,125 4,125 3,896 60 Bank Charges 60 60 Sub total 24,780 24,780 17,791 Administration ADMIN (Printing, poslage.AGM expenses, presentations. elcl Donations Sundries Sub total £££ Total Gross Expenditure 50,628 50,628 47.457 1,814 1,814 7,094 Funds as at 1 Apr 2024 Funds as at 31 Mar 2025 45,908 45,908 38,814 44,093 44,093 45.908 Statement of assets and liabilities at 31 March 2025 2023-24 Unrestricted funds Restricted funds Total funds Total funds Cash funds Bank current account 42.514 42,514 28.252 Beavers Account 830 830 1,361 Cubs Account 2.020 2,020 6,770 Scou15 Account 2.631 2,631 5.029 Explorers Account 2,985 2,985 7.617 CashlFloals 765 765 765 51,745 51.745 49.794 Other monetary assets Monies prepaid by members for future activities {nel) Accrued Income re￿ieVd in May 6,075 6,075 3.255 1,746 1,746 205 Prepaid Income (for 2025-26) 1,856 1,856 Prepaid Activity costs (Camp 2025) 1.262 1,262 Accnjed costs 2,729 2.729 835 Funds available for Group use 44,094 44,094 45,908 Other Assets Land and bLJildings at insurance declared valuation Equipment, fumilufe etc al insurance declared valuation Other 774.924 753,084 774,924 52,283 51,510 52,283 Sub total 827,207 827,207 804,594 The above Receipts and Payments Account and the Statement of Assets and Liabilities were approved by the trustees on and signed on their behalf by S Holman Chaimian S. l Falcon Treasurer Independent examiner's report on the accounts Report to the trustees 14" Bromley Scout Group On accounts for the year l April 2024 to 31 March 2025 Charity no 303551 Set out on pages 1to3 Iien'.enibr.r to Respective The charity's trustees are responsible for the preparation of the accounts. responsibilities of The charity's trustees consider that an audit is not required for this year trustees and examiner under the Charities Act 2011 (the 2011 Act) and that an independent examination is needed. It is my responsibility to.. examine the accounts under section 145 of the 2011 Act, to follow the procedures laid down in the general Directions given by the Charity Commission (under section 145 (5)(b) of the 2011 Act, and to state whether particular matters have come to my attention. Basis of independent My examination was carried out in accordance with general Directions given examiner's statement by the Charity Commission. An examination includes a review of the accounting records kept by the charity and a comparison of the accounts presented with those records. It also includes consideration of any unusual items or disclosures in the accounts, and seeking explanations from the trustees concerning any such matters. The prO￿dureS 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 present a 'true and fair, view and the report is limited to those matters set out in the statement below. Independent In connection with my examination, no matter has come to my attention '. examiner's statement 1. which gives me reasonable cause to believe that in. any material respect, the requirements: to keep accounting records in accordance with section 130 of the 2011 Act; and to prepare accounts which accord with the accounting records and comply with the accounting requirements of the 2011 Act have not been met . or 2. to which, in my opinion, attention should be drawn in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached. Signed: Date: Si L)2) Name: Peter Eastwood Address: 1 Sidewood Road New Eltham London SE9 2EZ Section B Disclosure Only complete if the examiner needs to highlight material problems. Give here brief details of any items that the examiner wishes to disclose. ## **Section Reports** ## **14[th]** ## **Friday 12 September 2025** This update covers the period from July 2024 to September 2025. We have had a very busy year with the Cubs and I would like to thank all my leaders for their enthusiasm and dedication which they bring every week. This report summarises some of our key highlights over the year. ## **Summer term 2024** We held ‘The 14[th] Bromley Cubs First Olympics’ on 1 July and some of the cubs wore togas. We hiked around Beckenham Place Park and held another Restaurant night. We finished the term on 22 July at Norman Park with wide games and rounders. Our summer camp was 7 nights on the Isle of Wight in August which was a lot of fun. ## **Autumn term 2024** We returned after the summer holidays on 9 September with an evening of team games. We were working towards the Skills challenge badge and had evenings covering healthy We also held a ‘Cubs got Talent and Bring a pet night’ which was a lot of fun. We held another restaurant night, inviting parents and carers to join us to eat spaghetti bolognese. We held a one night camp in October at Waylands (with the squirrels and beavers) and held a World War Two themed sleepover on 16/17 November with a trip to Chislehurst Caves. A number of cubs took part in the District Athletics badge day at Norman Park on 12 October and then the swimming badge evening on 23 November. ## **Spring term 2025** We returned after Christmas on 6 January, with an evening of team games. On 13 January, we had a camp night with knot tying. On 20 January, we did the Book reader activity badge, based on World Book Day. On 27 January, we celebrated Chinese New Year and on 3 February, we completed the International activity badge. We returned after the holiday on 24 February, with a night hike around Jubilee Park where On 3 March, we made pancakes. On 10 March, we did the Scientist activity badge and on In the term, we took part in the District DIY badge on 8 February. We also ran a 1 night camp at Waylands on 8 March which 13 cubs attended. We had 10 cubs join the St. George’s Day district event at Frylands on 27 April, which was a lot of fun. I was at Windsor Castle with Liz (Chil) and Tom, celebrating him receiving his Meritorious Conduct Award. ## **Summer term 2025** We returned after Easter on 28 April, with an evening of team games. On 12 May, we practiced map reading by turning the hall into a giant map grid with the aid of masking We also invested 5 new cubs who had come up from Beavers. We also invested our young leader ‘Owl’ and reinvested Tom Bostock (aka Tigger) as he is now an adult leader. We also awarded Christopher Nye-Jones with his Chief Scout Silver Award and wished him well as he continues his scouting journey at Scouts. We finished the term with our 5 night summer camp to Adamswell (with 32 nd Bromley) in July. ## **Autumn term 2025** We have another exciting term planned including a one night camp at Bears Wood (with the 32[nd] Bromley) and a trip to the Lord Mayors Show and Tower of London on the day before our Group Remembrance Service on 9 November. Once again, I would like to thank all the leaders for their time, energy, and commitment to running the 14[th] Bromley Cub pack. **Michael Johnson (Akela) Cub Team Leader, September 2025** ## **14th Bromley Squirrels – report for the Annual General Meeting (AGM)** This update covers the period from July 2024 to September 2025. We have had a very fun and busy year with the Squirrels. This report summarises some of our key highlights over the year. ## **Summer term 2024** - In the Summer term, we: - Held a world safari - Went on a nature walk - Made a bug hotel - - Created a vegetable patch - Started learning how to read a map - Had an indoor Teddy Bear’s picnic (due to the weather) - Iced biscuits and created summer holiday scrapbooks. We also took part in the Squirrel District event at Cudham on 23 June. We presented our ## **Autumn term 2024** - In the Autumn term, we: - Painted our favourite thing - Found out about scouts around the world - - Held an indoor camp with hot chocolate - - Went on a night walk to Keston Ponds - - Made Christmas cards and decorations We visited the Clairleigh Nursing Home on Plaistow Lane on 11 October and then St John’s Church on 6 December. We held a pirate-themed one-night camp at Waylands on 12/13 October. We took part in the Group Remembrance Service 10 November. Nutcracker. ## **Spring term 2025** In the Spring term, we: - Made friends and created a giant oak tree - - Celebrated Squirrel Appreciation Day by making chocolate nest cakes - Started working towards the Exciting Experiments badge with sensory boxes and making cress heads - Had a Pet themed evening, where we learned how to look after our pets and then we painted our favourite pet/animal - Had a Valentine themed afternoon tea and invited parents/carers to join us for tea, sandwiches and jam scones - Made pancakes - Made bird feeders - Made models out of junk - Went bat hunting at Keston Ponds - Made cards and presents for Mother’s Day - Went to soft play at the Pavilion We also went on a trip to the British Wildlife Centre on 15 March. This was originally supposed to be a District-led event, but no other Dreys signed up…so we went on our own instead and had a fab time! On 22 March, we hired a mini-bus and went on a trip to Godstone Farm which was loads of fun. We came back to the hall for dinner, watched Thomas the Tank Engine and then a sleepover. We took part in the St. George’s Day event at Frylands on 27 April. Five squirrels came along and one read the Promise which was great. We awarded four Chief Scout Acorn Awards at the end of term. ## **Summer term 2025** - In the summer term, we: - Had a pirate themed night - Made our best buildings out of lego for the Brilliant Builder badge - Made feeling faces and feeling jars for the Feel Good badge - Made dens in Elmstead Woods - - Had an evening all about World Ocean Day and made a giant whale out of recycled materials - Welcomed the Judo - tennis coach to teach the squirrels - Went pond dipping at High Elms - Designed a palace for our favourite teddy bears - Had an emergency aid evening led by Sarah-Jane - Had a Teddy Bears picnic - We awarded two Chief Scout Acorn Awards at the end of term. ## **Autumn term 2025** We have an exciting term planned including a one night camp at Bears Wood (with the cubs). I would like to thank everyone for their support with our Squirrel drey, in particular Emma Morton-Turner and Emma Kerr who are fantastic leaders and Camilla Kerr and Lewis Hitch, our young leaders who are a great help. Liz Bostock Squirrel Team Leader, September 2025 ## **14th Bromley Beavers – report for the Annual General Meeting (AGM)** ## **This report covers from the 2024 Autum term to the start of Autum 2025.** It has been another successful year for Beavers, with plenty of hard work put in behind the scenes from all the team. By the end of this term, we would have delivered 80+ hours of scouting, not including time spent for planning, organising and admin. My last report noted we ended that year with 17 beavers, this year we hit the limit of 24 beavers, averaging 22 regularly attending each week. We are certainly seeing an up tick from Squirrels moving up as well as new starters. I recently read somewhere that nationally beaver numbers are falling, however we seem to be doing something right with our younger sections. **Autum 24** , we made good use of the climbing wall, it’s a firm favourite with beavers. We also learnt some Knots and made fires to cook dampers on. The dampers went down well after the second attempt as our first mix of dough didn’t go so well. A scavenger hunt around the local area had beavers trying to spot a few things and answer some questions along the way. They even had a go at navigating. If we followed their directions we would have been in the Oak Pub instead of back on Plaistow Lane. Wide games are another popular feature as the days get shorter. 200 glow sticks and 20 Beavers results in a lot of In the middle of the Autumn term, we had a very successful sleepover at Waylands campsite. This was a joint effort with the squirrels and cubs spear headed by Liz Bostock. The pirate themed weekend was enjoyed by all the ages, with den building, flag making, treasure hunts and tasty food. I think there must have been over 40 young people attending with 10 from beavers. > **The spring term,** we completed the first aid, navigator, international and camp craft badges. We made mini catapults with lollipop sticks ticking off the pioneering challenge. Later, we learned about Chinese New Year and their lantern festival by making our own paper lanterns. We also tried a few foods from around the world as well as what beavers are like around the world for the international badge. Meeting on Tuesdays we couldn’t ignore Shrove Tuesday, many pancakes where expertly mixed, flipped and devoured. A visit to the fire station was great fun despite the crew getting called out 3 times within hour! Beavers had just enough time to have a look around oneofthere fire engines and in the driver’s seat. **The start of the summer term** was the annual St George’s day event at Frylands Wood. A great day was had by all the beavers; we split down into two groups and raced around as many activities as we could. This is always a great event and the first time it hasn't rained. We completed the health and fitness badge by making a giant poster about the different food groups followed by several agility activities to measure how the heart rate changes. One evening we set the beavers a challenge to protect and egg from being drop from height. They where very resourceful only having a few cups, straws, newspapers and cello tape to work with. A couple of eggs did survive. The communicator badge was completed **Coming full circle as we enter this autumn term** , we plan to redo some firm favourites and attempt the experiment badge with baking soda rockets. Toilet roll mummies are coming up later in the term with decorating gingerbread biscuits for Christmas. Over this reporting year we have awarded 4 Chief Scout Bronze Awards to Luna Cowling, Mallory Tate, Zachary Lowe and Finley Hollands. The Beaver of the year trophy was presented to Zachary Lowe, at Novembers Remembrance Day service. Beavers have been ticking along with the dedication of Liz, Alex and Maire always bring fresh ideas and enthusiasm to the table each week. Without them beavers wouldn’t be what it is today, so my big thanks go to them for another amazing year. This has also now been a full year of using our family rota. It’s been great having at least one parent helping us each week, it has not only helped us out but has given parents the opportunity to see what we get up to each week and the effort that goes into making it. | hope this continues to grow and who knows, hopefully we get an extra leader out of it. Matthew Lofting Beaver Scout Leader ## **Scout Section Report 14[th] Bromley Group Trustee Board – Annual General Meeting (2024-25)** It has been another busy year for the 14[th] Bromley Scout Troop. January 2025 saw the section produce a strong census return with twenty-five scouts on our books. This represented a loss of six scouts on our 2024 return. Fortunately, since census, we have returned to growth with thirty-one scouts on our books as we head into the 2025-26 academic year. Maintaining healthy membership numbers remains a priority for the leadership team. We remain supported by five full time leaders – one ‘Team Leader’ and four ‘Team Members’. We also continue to count on the regular support of two regular helpers. Unfortunately, we expect one of our current ‘Team Members’ to partially step back from scouting this year. Leader recruitment will therefore also be a priority for the forthcoming year, with a potential new leader joining us for a trial as we return for the Autumn Term. Summer Term 2024 began with games and a visit from the District Youth Commissioner Team, focusing on ‘Youth Shaped Scouting’. In April, fourteen scouts attended the District ‘St George’s Day Funday’ at Frylands Wood’. Scouts also earned their ‘Model Maker Activity Badge’ through a Warhammer-supported session, where they built and painted figurines. The first half of term concluded with scouts practising knot skills. In May, we held our Spring Camp at Thriftwood Scout Activity Centre, offering activities including cave bus, crossbows, climbing, kayaking, cresta run, and leap of faith. Additionally, three scouts participated in the District ‘Water Sport Activity Day’ on in June, earning various ‘Time on the Water’ and ‘Paddle Sport’ Staged Activity Badges. In the second half of the term, scouts visited the Bromley Environmental Education Centre at High Elms (BEECHE); practised knife, axe, and saw skills; enjoyed backwoods cooking and wide games; and took part in our annual rounders match against the 11th Bromley. The term ended with egg-protection challenges and a water games evening. Due to low uptake, we did not hold a summer camp in 2024. Autumn Term 2024 began with games and a fire essentials evening, where scouts experimented with various fire-lighting methods. Ten scouts attended Bromley District’s ‘Survival Camp’ in September, participating in knife, axe, and saw work, survival kit making, distress signals, fish gutting, and backwoods cooking. Other highlights included a visit from the UK Owl and Raptor Centre, where scouts handled and flew birds of prey, followed by a photo scavenger hunt, team-building activities, circuit training, and the annual ‘submarines’ evening. At Frylands Wood, scouts tried air rifle shooting and an assault course. The term continued with the District’s Swimming Badge Assessment Evening, creative sessions making woggles and Lego models, and ended with ice skating at Ruxley Manor. Scouts also took part in the annual Remembrance Sunday service, where four Chief Scout Gold Awards were presented to Leo Roberts, Kayhan Durmush, Lucy Scarsbrook, and Zoe Scarsbrook. Lola Gawen received the Geoff Pinniger Trophy for most improved scout, with honourable mentions to Benjamin Palmer and Sam Lindsey for their contributions. Spring Term 2025 began with games and a well-received bowling evening at the Pavilion Leisure Centre. Scouts celebrated Burns Night with highland games and haggis tasting and marked the Lunar New Year with themed games and cultural learning. Navigation and orienteering skills were developed through map work in preparation for the term’s night hike. Pancake night wrapped up the first half of term. In the second half of the term, scouts prepared for the ‘Scouts of Steel’ competition with a mini-assault course, cooked chocolate brownies in orange skins over open fires, and built mini catapults. A yoga session promoted mindfulness, and the term ended with the high-energy ‘Pirates’ game at the 22nd Bromley scout hall. At Bromley District’s ‘Scouts of Steel’ in March, thirteen scouts competed across three teams. Notably, Hari Hughes won the under-12-and-a-half individual race. Later in March, seventeen scouts completed a 9km night hike from Keston Common to Waylands Scout Campsite, earning their ‘Hikes Away’ badge. In April, ten scouts attended the District’s ‘St George’s Day Funday’ at Frylands Wood, enjoying over fourty-five activities including JCB driving and Lego robot wars, with a modern retelling of the St George story. The event was the District’s largest ever and ran smoothly thanks to improved logistics and sunny weather. Summer Term 2025 began with games and a ‘rescue mission’ evening during which scouts had to build a stretcher and ‘rescue’ a member of their team from danger. An evening servicing tents and quatermastering kit ahead of summer camp followed; as well as an evening off site playing volleyball at Kings Meadow. Critical thinking challenges; knife, axe, and saw work; and fire building followed, with scouts preparing and cooking ‘pitta bread pizzas’ on open fires. An evening on cracking cryptic puzzles followed in preparation for the return of Bromley District’s ever-popular ‘Moonwalk’ event. Moonwalk took place in June with ten scouts attending the overnight ‘incident hike’. Unfortunately, we did not bring any silverware home this year, but all scouts had a great time. Our annual rounders match against the 11[th] Bromley Scouts; a blind taste test evening; and our traditional end of term water fight rounded off the term. Nineteen scouts and seven leaders joined us for Summer Camp 2025, held at Kibblestone International Scout Centre in Stone, Staffordshire. The seven-night camp saw scouts take part in activities including axe throwing, jacobs ladder, high all aboard, climbing, eliminator, and crate stacking. Day trips included a hike along the River Dove (following the Dovedale trail in the Peak District); a trip to Waterworld in Stoke; Tubing at the Stoke Ski Centre; and a (very popular) day out at Drayton Manor Resort. Four of the scouts joining us were from the 15[th] Bromley. A great time was had by all, and we look forward to beginning work on Summer Camp 2026! I have been well supported this year by Steven Lofting, Chloe White, Sophie Durman, Sarah-Jane Durman, Amy White, Steve White, and Adam Channon. This would have been a difficult year without them, and I extend my thanks, and the thanks of parents, to them for their continued support and dedication to the 14th Bromley Scout Troop. ## **Joseph Collier** Scout Leader – 14[th] Bromley ## 14[th] Bromley Explorers – Section report for the Annual General Meeting t’s been another busy year for the 14th Bromley Explorer unit.I’m pleased to say that we have 32 explorers registered and we continue to have a strong weekly meeting with approximately 18 to 20 Explorers turning up on a regular basis. We remain supported by four full-time leaders, one team leader and three team members. We also continue to count on the regular support of three regular helpers. Unfortunately, one of the regular helpers will be stepping down as we start the new term in September 2025. ## **Autumn Term** First week back for the term we went to laser tag, which is always thoroughly enjoyed by all of the Explorers. The following week we did a fashion night where they all had to spend £5 on some fancy dress costume and we then had the judges to see who had the best costumes. The following week we had a cooking skills night teaching them how to use the gas bottles, how to use the gas cookers, hooking them up and taking them off the gas as well as basic cooking skills. This is always an enjoyable evening and we always run it with a competition to see who has come up with the best dish as they work in teams. The following week we did a night hike orienteering race at Pratts bottom deep in the countryside. They were set off in teams of 4 with a small time gap between them and to practice their night navigation skills round a 2 mile course. This was a great evening and we had two teams complete the route and two teams that didn’t. This has highlighted some gaps in their navigation which we will work on in the spring time in 2025. The following evenings we did pumpkin carving which again is always enjoyed and we had some amazing creations. The next week we went down to cudham Shaws campsite and we did wide games in the dark. Again it’s another night that they all really enjoy and it’s good to get them out in the countryside in the dark playing lots of good old scout games. The next week they went rock climbing at The Reach. This is always well attended and it’s a very fun evening for everyone and again very well attended. We then ran our winter camp. However storm Bertie was in full force and so we were unable to run the overnight camp, however, we did a risk assessment and deemed it okay to run the day part of the event in gale force wins and driving rain. We did fire lighting skills and we divide them into three teams and took them completely back to basics. How to find Wood, how to chop wood, how to saw the wood and then how to build a fire. We had quite a small group and 4 leaders so we had really good ratio to explorers so we could really teach them some great skills. And despite the driving rain and the wind each team manage to get their fires to light. They were wet through to the bone by the end ofthe day but warm and happy. We then went ice-skating at Ruxley Manor, which is another great evening. We also invested several Explorers on the ice rink which is always good fun. We formed a circle on the ice - rink and it was quite a spectacle. We always enjoy invest in our Explorers in different loca tions. The last night of the term was spent making Christmas decorations and having a Christmas themed evening. They got wine bottles and decorated them with napkins and we put LED lights inside which makes a great centerpiece for the table. Christmas jumpers, food, music and some games ## **Spring Term** Returning back in January 2025 we had another veried program which included building the tallest tower which was a great team building and team bonding event as well as We then did a night hike to teach orienteering skills which always goes down well and the - Explorers always love to get out into the countryside at night. It’s a very different environ ment for them. The next week we had a pioneering evening making it fun by making rope stretchers and chairs so that they learn the knots in a fun and productive way. We had the legendary hunted evening which all the explorers really enjoyed. This involves in placing them in two different locations in the countryside and then they have to make their way from one point to another are using their map reading skills without getting caught by the leaders. It’s always an extremely fun evening. We also entered the Scouts of steel assault course and one of our teams managed to come third, which was a fantastic result considering how many teams there were competing. We had a very good turnout for St George’s Day all of them enjoying the events that were there for them . This was the districts largest ever event and ran smoothly thanks to the improved logistics and sunny weather. ## **Summer Term** evening and the Explorers really love this type of event. We had one team that was able to had to make their burgers from scratch, mix and all the ingredients together and then represented. A very fun evening. First aid is always an important evening to run and we were very lucky to have a local GP come down and run the first aid evening to include CPR. Unfortunately, this wasn’t that well attended but they all got to practice their skills. We did another night Hike, as we were preparing for moonwalk. We entered three teams into moonwalk which was a very strong Showing and we were one of the Explorer units with the most teams there. It’s a fantastic evening and all of the Explorers love going to this event. They start at 10 o’clock at night and then go all the way through to 4 in the morning trying to get to as many bases as possible and then completing challenges at each base to earn points. have an intergroup competition with the 15th Bromley. This was a great opportunity to meet other Explorer scout in the evening went really well. Finally, we had our summer camp and we went to the Peak District. We had a very large group of 22 Explorers supported by 4 Leaders and one occasional helper. The camp was a great success. We were in a fantastic location and they managed to do some really exciting activities such as caving, rock climbing and abseiling. We did a cycle round ladybower reservoir which is where the dambusters used to practice ready for their mission. ## Paul Musk Team leader 14 Bromley Explorer group