38[th] Rossendale Scout Group ANNUAL REPORT & ACCOUNTS – 2022/23
38th Rossendale
38th Rossendale
Group Chairman
Dear all.
I can't believe it's that time of year again. It's been a busy year at the 38th Rossendale (Open) Scout Group.
seem to have gone above and beyond the line of duty.
On top of the usual committee meetings where items are particularly challenging, they have scheduled extra focus meetings, and these are producing exceptional results. The development projects that they are embarking on are going to ensure the stability and growth of the Group for tens of years to come.
I am aware of some of the challenging issues that certain Section Leaders have been having and would like to compliment them for the professional and competent way they have gone about dealing with them.
I would like to thank Lisa and her team for the way they have made our newest section The Squirrels such a huge success. Finally, my congratulations to every single person who has helped to make this huge phenomenon we call the 38th Rossendale (Open) Scout Group such a wonderful thing.
Michael Churnside
Chairman
Group Lead Volunteer (Group Scout Leader)
We have also had to say goodbye to some Leaders whose commitments outside of Scouting have taken them away from us.
A special mention to former Leader and Trustees member, Chris Taylor on his appointment as County Lead (County Commissioner). Many congratulations Chris.
Another year has passed us by and once again we have had 12-months of fun and adventure.
We successfully launched the Squirrel Scouts in November 2022.
Whether you are a current or past Leader, I am personally very grateful to our volunteer teams who give their time week in and week out to bring life changing adventures to the young people.
The Squirrels aged 4 or 5 soon settled into the routine and are a delightful bunch of young people.
Their age has not held them back and their adventures over the last year have included the Christmas Experience at Bowley, an Easter Sleepover at the Warren and visits to both Eureka in Halifax and Jump Works in Accrington.
They say it is “only an hour a week” but it can be as little or as much as you are able. Next year the volunteer journey is to be revised by a whole new structure and training programme from the Scout Association. We are told this will attract more volunteers.
The demand for places in the younger Sections of the Group has reached a new peak not helped by the fact that we are the only Group that runs Squirrels not just in Rossendale but much of the wider area.
Whatever the format or the role, all I can say is that it is #GoodForYou
As successful as we are, like all walks of life increasing costs and the upkeep of our building has taken its toll. Our income over the past two years has been less than our outgoings. It was with this in mind that from September this year our subscriptions have been increased the aim being to balance our books moving forward. This is the first increase since January 2015.
I would dearly love to be able to accept more Members into the Group, but we are pretty much at our full capacity across all eight Sections with approaching 200 young people on our books.
Not just the Squirrels but the Beavers, Cubs and Scouts have all been busy with their programme of activities throughout the year, this includes copious amounts of badge work and in every case at least two nights away from home.
our aging cooker and the other was to replace an emergency exit door at the side of the building. It is hoped as I write this document in August that the planned sponsored walk in September will have covered those costs.
I reported last year that we had completed another successful international camp in France. The search was then on for our next international adventure for 2024.
of July next year. We will be stopping at the De Kluis Scout Campsite where we will participate in activities and visits in the local area. Mid-week we will be off to Disneyland Paris which has become a highlight of our international camps. 50 young people accompanied by 10 Leaders will be participating. In November we will be celebrating 1-year of the Squirrel Scouts, but this will be upstaged when in the early part of 2024 we will be celebrating 40-years of Beaver Scouts at the 38th Rossendale.
We have other areas we are considering for the improvement of our facilities and therefore we hope everyone will get behind this and future fundraising activities.
One easy way of supporting the Group on a regular basis is by joining our 100 Club. Speak to me or any Leader for more information.
Congratulations to the Young People who have recently received their Chief Scout Awards. Also, to the Scouters of the Year from each Section and the overall winner who went on to win the “Jean Smith Award” for the outstanding Scouter of the year in memory of our former Group President.
The occasion will be marked by a special Sleepover for the Beavers at the Blackpool Tower. They will visit the Sea Life Centre, see a Circus performance, visit the Tower Eye, dance in the Ballroom and most unusually they will sleep in the circus ring of the Tower.
continued support not just to us but to your children. By being a member of the 38th Rossendale, you are giving your child the opportunity to develop personally, learn new skills and to become model citizens of the future.
2024 is also a special year for me as I will be celebrating 40-years as a Leader at the 38th Rossendale and I am pleased that I will be joining the Beavers in Blackpool and participating in our international camp to mark the occasion.
Andrew Cooper
Over the past 12-months including very recently, we have welcomed some new Leaders to the 38th Rossendale. We are always interested in talking to potential volunteers whether that is working in one of our Sections or maybe behind the scenes.
Group Lead Volunteer (Group Scout Leader)
Grey (Monday) Colony Beavers
We have 25 in our Section currently with 5 Young Leaders. Badges completed over the last year have been:
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Photographer
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Teamwork
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Astronomy
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Book reader
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Global Issues
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Sports
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International
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First Aid
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Faith
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Explore
We did a joint hike with the Wednesday Beavers where we walked from Snig Hole to Irwell Vale, we had some sore legs at the end, but the Beavers had a good hike with some amazing views.
We had a fantastic joint camp with Wednesday Beavers at Bowley all Beavers had a great time achieving the Outdoor and Adventure Challenge badges and added 2 Nights Away to their records.
We have completed more of the Challenge badges this term so more Beavers could achieve the Chief Scout Bronze Award. We also entered a team in the District Akeema Shield competition, the Beavers visited different bases such as problem solving, memory, skills etc. We came 5th and the Beavers really enjoyed the day having lots of fun.
So far this year we have started on the Animal Friends Badge which the Beavers have had to look after their pet of a family’s pet for 6 weeks, walking and feeding them, cleaning them out. Those who borrowed a pet may now stop asking parents for one after having to do these chores.
We also did the Money Skills activity badge learning about different types of money. The Beavers asked lots of questions and learnt lots of different skills and enjoyed the money game where they had to buy different items from our shop. We have just done the Explore activity badge were the Beavers had to follow clues to find places in the Rawtenstall town centre and lots of fun was had.
We took part in the St Georges Day parade which was a fantastic turn out and 4 Beavers got the Bronze Award. We had an International evening where the Beavers wore American colours and had Hot Dogs and S’mores. The Beavers really enjoyed it especially the food. To complete the badge, we tasted foods from all around the World and learnt about Scouting around the World and what uniform they wear we also learnt Frere Jacque and sang that.
Beavers joined Squirrels Cubs and Scouts. All the Beavers enjoyed themselves. For the last night we had a fun night playing party games and eating hotdogs and sweets a fun night to an end of term.
Mark Guest (Harrier) / Louise Cooper (Merlin)
Section Lead Volunteers - Grey Colony Beavers
Purple (Wednesday) Colony Beavers
I am proud to report we have had another fantastic year at Wednesday Beavers. This includes earning plenty of Bronze Awards and a great variety of badges.
From the start of September 2022, the Beavers completed their World Challenge Badge / Global Issues Badge including a visit from both the Police and Paramedics to talk about what they do for the community. We also tried different food from around the World, focusing on Chinese food and the history behind it. The Beavers also completed lots of fun science projects for their Experiment Activity Badge. The Beavers had great fun at their Halloween party where there were plenty of spooky costumes. Shortly after they also completed their Space Activity Badge, learning all about the most recent mission to Mars. As Winter approached, we completed our Communicator Activity Badge, making coded messages to each other and phone calls home to parents.
As the nights got darker, we went on an adventure to the Halo. This was a great experience for the Beavers who had never hiked in the dark before. During December the Beavers were festive as usual, attending the District Carol Service, the Christmas Experience at Bowley and of course a Christmas party to finish the year off. For the start of 2023 we completed our Sports Activity Badge which ended in a big competition between the Lodges. We also completed our Money Skills Activity Badge, the first time this has ever been completed at Beavers. The Beavers had a great adventure at Eureka with Beavers from all around East Lancashire.
I am proud to say Wednesday Beavers attended the District Akeema Shield and came 1st! This was thanks to great teamwork from our Beavers. We continued our badgework, earning our Faith Activity badge that finished with our trip to Church with St Georges day. We also had a night of Bowling in Burnley as well as a Hike around Snig Hole and the Ramsbottom Viaduct. This year our Beaver Camp took place at Bowley. This involved lots of fun activities including the Leap of Faith, Crate Stacking, Splatterpults and a campfire. To finish up before the summer we completed a trail around Rawtenstall for our Explore Activity Badge and joined the group in the chaos of Jumpworks which was great fun.
As always none of the adventures we had, the memories made, the confidence built, or the skills gained would be possible without the amazing Leaders and Young Leaders that give up their time every week.
I would like to say a big thank you to the Leaders Hattie, Pippa, Bev, Andrew, Emily, Louise, Mark and Abbie. As well as this my young leaders Evie, Grace, Emily, Millie and Erin. Both Abbie and Erin are leaving Beavers so thank you so much for all you have done for us over the years.
The Beavers are more excited than ever to start the next term and celebrate our 40th Anniversary by camping at Blackpool Tower! Onwards and upwards (literally when we go up the tower!).
Oliver Cooper (Hawk)
Section Lead Volunteer - Purple Colony Beavers
Grey (Friday) Pack Cubs
Grey Pack have been very busy over the last 12 months. We have learnt some fire lighting skills, done the physical badge and the artist badge. We have also tried out various disabilities to try and understand how it impacts people’s daily lives. The Cubs have also learnt about astronomy and some road safety. We have covered the Emergency Aid badge so if ever you need medical assistance, you know who to call.
We have also been out and about on hikes and even squeezed in a whole 38th visit to Jumpworks. Our young leaders Abi’s dad Lee is a fire fighter, so we went for a visit over to Burnley Fire Station. They let us use the hose and we even got to go into a smoke-filled house, it was scary but amazing! The Cubs went for a bike ride over at Nuttall Park and even though it was summer the weather did not disappoint, and we all ended up very wet and muddy, I’m sure the parents appreciated us messing up their cars haha.
The Christmas party at the end of 2022 was a whole lot of fun with party games and we even had reindeer donuts. The summer party was the usual wet affair of games rounded off with water balloons, guns and sponges. Akela looked like she had had a shower but luckily there were a couple of helpful Cubs who helped protect her in the end.
Our 2023 camp experience was a little different this year as there wasn’t a campfire in sight: however, we did get to sleep in a nerf battle arena as we visited Gulliver’s World. Akela was more excited than the Cubs and almost lost her voice with all the screaming. We had a tour of the theme park after hours and went on the hunt for Dinosaurs don’t worry though we didn’t lose anyone, well apart from Raksha and she soon caught up! We then settled down on beanbags for a movie or two before all going off to sleep in the battle towers. The following day we spent the day on the rides before parents picked up at closing time. The Cubs behaved amazingly and all in all the Leaders were exhausted but very pleased, you did 38th Rossendale proud.
Purple (Tuesday) Pack Cubs
adventure, fun and chaos!
Over the last year the Cubs have worked really hard towards their Challenge badges. We had a visit from a Police Inspector and Police Detective which was super exciting. We learned the Countryside Code and cooked outdoors as part of our Outdoor Challenge.
At present time we have 34 cubs and have just gained 2 new adult Leaders and 4 new Young Leaders so thank you. We couldn’t do what we do without your help and support, it is greatly appreciated.
We also did plenty of activity badges including Disability Awareness, Astronomer, Home Safety, Local Knowledge and the new Money Skills activity badge. We also made plenty of use of the outdoors. We have been on a number of hikes, done lots of fire lighting, pioneering and athletics. We also joined the Group at Jumpworks for a crazy night of fun!
Vanessa Feather (Akela)
Section Lead Volunteer - Grey Pack Cubs
In the last year we have taken part in 2 camps! First, we had a Christmas themed camp at the Warren where the Cubs pitched tents to sleep in before taking part in lots of Christmas activities and we even got an early visit from the big man who filled stockings with lots of treats! In summer we spent a weekend at Bowley Campsite and took part in lots of adventure like crate stacking, leap of faith, splatapults and air rifle shooting. We obviously ended camp with the traditional Cubs vs. Leaders water fight! These camps were so much fun, and we can’t wait for the next one.
What’s next? We look forward to planning another Autumn/Winter camp, tackling yet more Challenge and Activity badges and continuing to do our best trying new adventures every week.
Our Purple Pack team is as dedicated and amazing as ever. Our adult leader team now consists of myself, Michael, Dave, Alison, Grace, and Oscar. Our young leader team is Emily, Emilia, Bella, Dot, Halli and Summer all of which are huge assets to the team. We are incredibly lucky to have the fun, caring and crazy team we have. I would like to say a huge thank you to our amazing team and the consistent support from our GSL. Here is to another brilliant year of Scouting with Purple Pack!
Emma Cooper (Akela) Section Lead Volunteer - Purple Pack Cubs
Purple (Wednesday) Troop Scouts
Purple Troop currently has 18 Scouts, 13 Boys, 5 Girls. The Troop has been running independently from the other Troops for a year and the Leadership team have become more established. I’d like to take this opportunity to formally thank Pete and Tim for their invaluable help and guidance since taking over the Section Leadership in June 2022, as they stepped back in December to focus on the running of their own Sections.
There have been two joint events with the other Troops: The Christmas Party at the Adrenaline Centre, Haslingden which was attended by members of Purple Troop despite the poor weather, and the now almost traditional end of year summer water fight at Bowley.
Scouts from Purple Troop also attended the Group trip to Jumpworks in Accrington.
A member of the Troop took part in the District Baden Powell Trophy in May, unfortunately the second member couldn’t make it at the last minute.
We have been running activity badges at the rate of about one per half term.
Over the last year we have run six activity badges: Chef’s, Electronics, Emergency Aid level 3 Astronomer, Navigator and Pioneering. Some parts of some badges have had to be carried over due to poor weather, or other restrictions on the time available.
It was intended to hold a Patrol Leaders training camp in late June / early July however scheduling conflicts meant this couldn’t take place, however a full Section camp in late September/ October is being planned for.
The Scouts were also allowed to plan and run their own activities as part of the Leadership Challenge with some successful – Curry night and a Murder mystery game, and some less so.
The focus for the coming year is to complete Challenge Awards in preparation for the Chief Scouts Gold award, as a sizeable number of scouts turn 13 over the next few months. Still haven’t managed to feed a Capybara yet either…
Nick Lowe
Section Lead Volunteer - Purple Troop
Grey (Thursday) Troop Scouts
We currently have 32 Scout members, split 50/50 between the girls and boys.
When we returned in September 2022 the Scouts started their Chef’s activity badge, learning how to store and transport food. They then visited Rawtenstall Fire Station, where they got to learn how a fire station operates and look at the equipment, they also got to try the uniform and hear the siren. The Scouts started learning about maps and started their Entertainer badge. At the end of the term the Scouts dressed up and had a Halloween party. We had party games and the Leaders learnt that flour and Scouts don’t mix well as it got everywhere and took a long time to clean up. When we returned from half term the Scouts started their Electronics badge. They learnt how to solder wires together and make a circuit. They each made a toothbrush figurine that moved itself. And they learnt how to use a multi meter and how to read resistor ratings and other electrical components. Up to the Christmas break we carried on with the Chef’s badge before coming together with Wednesday and Friday Scouts to have a Christmas party. 70 Scouts took part where they competed in teams to win points in mini games. The winning team being awarded treats before all the Scouts were given a selection box.
badge with pizza’s. The Scouts also came together for a Winter camp at the Warren. 17 members came and made some clay models, then started to dig out Jeans Garden. New plant boxes were made, the ground levelled out and the new planters laid down. The grounds were swept to remove the fallen leaves and the wood store emptied and repaired. The Scouts enjoyed a chip shop tea and learnt some skills during the weekend. The Scouts started planning a hike in their patrols each week. Learning how to read an OS map and to plot a suitable, safe route. The Scouts also started their Artist badge and learnt some pioneering in anticipation for the Baden Powell Trophy Competition.
In May we had a hike over Marl Pits, we anticipated nice weather, but ended up with rain hitting us horizontally. The Scouts ended up wet but still enjoyed the walk. We took pictures of Rossendale to use for a section of the Artist badge. The Scouts also learnt about Eid in this term, learning about why its celebrated and trying foods eaten during the celebrations. This took us to Easter half term.
After Easter we started the DIY badge, where the Scouts learnt how to isolate water, gas and electricity. They looked at consumer units and how to change lightbulbs. They also looked at fire safety and what to do in an emergency. After an evening of enjoying Smore’s around a campfire the Scouts started the Mechanic’s badge. Here they learnt how to remove a tyre safely, how to check the pressure of a tyre, how an engine works along with the gearbox, clutch and differential. They got to check the fluid levels in an engine and changed lightbulbs in a car. The Scouts also looked at the MOT test and what the requirements are for a vehicle to pass.
Red (Friday) Troop Scouts
Since our last report Red Troop has been busy with its members and leadership working hard to produce another successful year.
October saw members join other Scouts from the Group, District and County at Bowley for Jamboree on the Internet / Jamboree on the Airwaves contacting Scouts from across the globe. The weekend was full of international activities and challenges, a very satisfying couple of days.
The programme leading up to the Christmas break included the Mechanics badge, a visit to Burnley Fire Station, a Halloween party, Guy Fawkes cook-out, Christmas craft and not one but two Christmas parties. The first with their fellows from Grey and Purple Troops at the Adrenaline Centre Haslingden, taking part in team challenges and games. The second a more relaxed affair of food and music with their Troop mates.
The New Year brought new challenges. The Chinese New Year was celebrated as was Burns night (with haggis) along with the Patrol Leaders taking on the Youth Shape challenge by running an evening of activities as did the Young Leaders. Post Half term it was pancakes followed by mini pioneering, then our Senior Patrol leader ran his final evening of activities before moving on to Explorers (it included sweeties). The following week saw the Groups annual fundraiser, the ‘Chocolate roll’ and games with the final night before Easter being a visit from Rossendale Fell Rescue.
Coming into July, Thursday Scouts descended on to Bowley Scout Camp Site. The weather forecast before camp looked terrible but thankfully the weekend turned out drier than predicted. When the Scouts turned up, they erected their tents and event shelters before settling for the night with a campfire and hot chocolate. On the Saturday the Scouts woke up, had breakfast, flag break then proceeded to take part in the planned activities. They got to try air rifle shooting, grass sledging, tomahawk throwing and soft archery.
At the end of the day the Scouts had a BBQ, followed with a campfire with Tuesday Cubs who were also camping at Bowley that weekend, then culminating in dancing to finish the night. On Sunday the Scouts woke up to have breakfast before tidying the site and putting their kit away before being picked up. At the end of July all the Scouts came together for a water fight again at Bowley Scout camp site. Here they had games finishing with a drenching from the Leaders.
The team have plenty planned for our return this year which we hope will keep the Scouts interested and willing to try new things.
I would like to thank all my team for all their help this past year. Their support really makes the difference in running a successful Section.
Tim Feather
Section Lead Volunteer - Grey Troop
Summer term saw the Troop focus on the upcoming Survival themed camp at Bowley, these included safe knife usage, fire lighting, shelter building, basics of survival and first aid. Outside the programme Friday Scouts took part in the Rossendale District Scout competition, The Baden Powell Trophy, with teammates from Wednesday and Thursday Scouts.
Camp was well attended, with the Scouts challenged to put what they had previously learnt into practise. Building shelters from tarps and scavenged rope, cooking their own meals over open fires in mess tins or catering sized cans. They revised use of axes, saws and knives, an introduction to animal traps, signalling, and health and hygiene in survival situations. The weather was kind though the sun rose early waking, everyone an hour or two before their usual time. This gave them plenty of time to decamp and sort breakfast.
The summer break was rapidly approaching, yet the Troop joined the rest of the Group at Jumpworks, did an evening of duck related craft and finished the summer back at Bowley with Wednesday and Thursday Scouts for our annual team challenges (better known as a mass water fight). As always, I am extremely grateful for the support of Troops Leadership team both adults and Young Leaders, without their support, hard work, and motivation we couldn’t achieve everything we do. Thank you.
Pete West
Section Lead Volunteer - Red Troop
Our Finances
The financial status of the 38[th] Rossendale has seen a renewed focus for the Trustees this year.
Not accounting for international trips, the Group’s operating income for FY23 was £36.8k and expenditure of £39.3k. The main source of income remains to be monthly subscriptions paid by members.
With the Group’s trip to France taking place in this financial year, it was expected that nearly half of our total expenditures related to that trip with income for the trip occurring over the previous four years.
To mitigate the rising energy costs of this financial year, the Trustees engaged with an external energy consultant who reviewed current contracts and provided advice, which saved our energy costs from doubling overall.
Following last year’s operating deficit, the Trustees reviewed all income and expenditure with a forecasting exercise highlighting that our yearly income didn’t cover our normal expenses. The Trustees, therefore have increased the subscriptions payable by members from September 2023 which will help balance the books.
During the year, Gift Aid was highlighted as a source of income that could increase. Gift Aid was not claimed for this financial year although a claim has now been made and will appear in next year’s financial accounts.
The Trustees opted to retain the reserves policy of 1 year of full spending which currently sits at £32k.
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