Londonderry County Scout Council
CC County Londonderry Report 2023 -2024
This report refers to the period 1[st] April 2023 – 31[st] March 2024
ADMINISTRATION AND TRUSTEES
The County Londonderry Scout Council is a Charity which has management responsibility for all young people and volunteers involved in the 14 Scout Groups and independent sections in the Londonderry Scout County. The Scout County is larger than the Geographical County and has groups that operate in North Antrim and County Tyrone. The County Scout Council consists of approximately 783 Young people between 4 and 18 years old and 193 adult volunteers.
The current trustees of the Charity are
| Stephanie Meikle | Jean Major | |
|---|---|---|
| Richard Edgar | Joy Greer | |
| Paul Meikle | Adam Meikle |
MEMBERSHIP IN GROUPS
| NGROUPS | ||
|---|---|---|
| Group | 2024 Membership | |
| Youth | Adults | |
| 1stAghadowey | Closed | |
| Ballintoy & Dunseverick | Closed | |
| Ballycastle | 14 | 6 |
| Ballymoney | 96 | 24 |
| 1stBovevagh | 67 | 12 |
| 1stCastlerock | 92 | 42 |
| 1stColeraine | 114 | 28 |
| 1stCookstown | 42 | 14 |
| Derryloran | 56 | 17 |
| 1stKildress | 20 | 10 |
1 | P a g e
Charity Registration Number NIC 103996
Londonderry County Scout Council
| 3rdLondonderry | 54 | 9 |
|---|---|---|
| 6thLondonderry | Closed | |
| 1stMoyola | 10 | 3 |
| 1stPortstewart | 63 | 13 |
| 1stRoe Valley | Closed | |
| Three Spires | 43 | 5 |
| Woodschapel | 12 | 4 |
| Explorers | 74 | 5 |
| Network | 26 | |
| TOTALS | 783 | 192 |
MEMBERSHIP
Following the census taken on 31st January 2024, I am pleased to report a 3.3% increase in youth membership. The County provided an engaging and fun programme for 783 young people. While the increase may seem slight, it indicates steady improvement following the challenges of previous years. This growth in youth membership is reflected in the increased number of nights away and event applications submitted. It's great to see our efforts resulting in more young people participating in Scouting activities across the County.
We saw growth in Bovevagh, Ballymoney, All Saints Clooney, Kildress, Castlerock, Coleraine, and Three Spires, with Bovevagh Scout Group experiencing growth across all sections. Additionally, new sections were opened in Ballymoney Squirrels, Bovevagh Explorers, All Saints Explorers, Portstewart Explorers, and Moyola Explorers, providing youth provision for an additional 33 young people.
Unfortunately, Roe Valley Scout Group had to close due to a lack of adult volunteers. Recognising the need for youth provision in that area, I have asked Paul Meikle, the Strategic Growth and Development Officer for Scouts NI, to revisit the Group's potential need. The loss of adult volunteers in Roe Valley also contributed to a decrease in County volunteers, with a reduction of 15. This highlights the dedication of our current volunteers who often take on multiple roles and stresses the ongoing need to recruit more volunteers.
2 | P a g e
Charity Registration Number NIC 103996
Londonderry County Scout Council
In this reporting period, words like "transformation" and "restructure" have began to be introduced in our Scout discussions. We are pleased to announce that, following the NI restructure consultation, the Londonderry Scout Council will maintain in its current format, though it will now be called a District. This change includes the potential for a new name for the district, though we may need to veto suggestions like "District McDistrictFace."
Our volunteer roles are also evolving, with new abbreviations and titles emphasising team members and trustee roles. This shift highlights a broader focus on teamwork and governance within our movement.
NI Scouts restructure well underway, changes in the County team structure may have slightly impacted County-wide events. Despite these challenges, many Groups continue to provide plenty of fun opportunities for young people, albeit more within their own groups. This shift could be due to the transition to a new format and structure or the decrease in adult volunteers, making it more feasible for volunteers to hold events within their own groups.
On 20th May, the Beaver Rally returned with Beavers from Derryloran, Cookstown, Three Spires, and Woodschapel enjoying the outdoors at Crawfordsburn. The NI Squirrel Day took place on 4th June 2023 at Todd’s Leap, with Coleraine, Three Spires, Ballymoney, Derryloran, and Woodschapel participating in a variety of fun activities.
A County Cub Quiz was held at All Saints Centre, hosted by Carol Mooney, with teams from Bovevagh, All Saints, and Castlerock participating. Castlerock emerged victorious by the narrowest of margins. Subsequently, the NI Cub Quiz was held on 3rd February 2024, with teams from Bovevagh, Castlerock, and Derryloran taking part.
The Groups in the County have continued to enjoy various forms of camping and outdoor activities, sleeping in tents, hammocks, halls, farms, fields, and community halls. The young people in the County have participated in activities such as surfing, bodyboarding, orienteering, hiking, beach days, and activity days. There was even a goose chase in Cookstown – I’m not entirely sure what that involves, but I assume it involves a goose and a chase!
The County were also delighted that the following County volunteers were recognised with the following St George’s Day Awards.
Eric Wilson Silver Acorn Mandy Gourley Silver Acorn Roy Simpson Silver Acorn 3 | P a g e
Charity Registration Number NIC 103996
Londonderry County Scout Council
Colin Rea Bar to Silver Acorn Evelyn Love Silver Wolf
HIGHLIGHTS
20[th] May 2023 Beaver Rally Day, Crawfordsbuen 4[th] June 2023 Squirrel Day, Todds Leap 14[th] June 2023 Presentation of St George’s Day Awards 24[th] September 2023 First Response Training 29[th] September to 1[st] October 2023 YL Training weekend 4[th] October 2024 YL First Response Training 5[th] January 2024 Presentation of Highest Chief Scout Awards, City Hall 27[th] January 2024 County Cub Quiz
FINANCES
Income
-
All membership fees for 2023 were received
-
HQ Training rebate of £366.50
-
YL Training of £80
-
Monies from Roe Valley £550
-
Closure of Aghadowey Scout Group - £5,105.61
Outgoings
-
Underspend for EA Grant of £1,778.69
-
The County assisted with funding of £165.38 for 2 Young people (Josh Dripps and Grace Owens) to attend the Youth Conference
-
Expenses for County Leader Day - £75.35
-
Expenses to run a start up programme for Roe Valley - £550
-
Storage for Eglinton Scout Group Equipment £780
-
Membership fees of £28,766
Last year, we were deeply saddened by the loss of our fellow Scouter, Robert Stevenson, known to his friends as Stevie. However, we are immensely grateful for the legacy payment
4 | P a g e
Charity Registration Number NIC 103996
Londonderry County Scout Council
of £50,000 from Stevie’s estate to the County. This generous donation will be held in reserve funds until appropriate and suitable measures are put in place for its use.
Moving forward, our youth membership has begun to recover, and it is wonderful to see our young people continue their Scouting Journey. We do face a few challenges ahead with the restructure in Northern Ireland and the ongoing transformation of the Scout movement. This includes mastering anew digital system, new learning modules and new team formats.
Finally, I would like to thank all our leaders, supporters, and families for their efforts in helping our young people develop through Scouting. The enthusiasm of our young members gives me great hope for the future of Scouting in the County. While we have further challenges ahead, we look forward to meeting them and continuing to support Scouting for the young people in our County.
Stephanie
Stephanie Meikle
County Londonderry County Commissioner
5 | P a g e
Charity Registration Number NIC 103996