63rd Aberdeen (Cove Bay) Scout Group
Trustees’ Annual Report and Accounts for the year ended 31 March 2026
Current Trustees
(Vacancy) Trustee Board Chair Alistair Gilmore Trustee (Treasurer) Andrew Catley Trustee Jill Lepre Trustee Marie Milton Group Scout Leader
Contact address
c/o Alistair Gilmore, 9B Dunlin Road, Cove Bay, Aberdeen, AB12 3SD
Recruitment and appointment of Trustees
All of the Group’s Trustee Board (non-uniformed) trustees are currently appointed or reappointed by the members at our annual general meeting which is normally held in May or June each year. At present, the role of Chair is vacant.
Governing document
This Group is part of, and governed by the Policy Organisation and Rules of, the Scout Association which exists by Royal Charter granted in 1912.
Charitable purposes
The primary purpose of the Group is the advancement of Education, Health, Citizenship or Community Development, Environmental Protection or Improvement for young people aged 6-14 years old in the community of Cove Bay.
Activities and Achievements
Beaver Colony (6-8 years)
This year we have worked on various badges in our programme. Most Beavers have managed to work on a badge or two at home each term. Some of the older Beavers are working towards achieving their Personal Challenge Badge so they can be awarded their Bronze Challenge before they leave.
In September we had our sleepover and had 16 Beavers attend. All that attended got their Outdoor challenge award. We have also covered numerous activity and challenge badges throughout last year.
The colony numbers have stayed constant between 18-20 Beavers.
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Over the past year, our leadership team has worked very hard and put a lot of effort into the section. Vikki Scott-Brand continues in her role of our Colony Assistant. She has been a great asset to our team.
We have two young leaders that help when they can, Logan and Rohays.
Last of all, thank you to the parents for their continued support.
Anne-Marie Lussier and Ann Clark, Beaver Scout Leaders
Cub Pack (8-10 years)
Over the past year, our Cub Pack has enjoyed another busy and exciting programme packed with opportunities for learning, adventure, and fun. The Cubs have continued to challenge themselves, develop new skills, and make lasting memories throughout the year.
During the autumn term, the Cubs earned their Fire Safety badge, which included a successful and engaging visit to the local fire station. We were also fortunate to welcome Love Citadel, who helped the Cubs complete their Faith badge through a thoughtful and interactive session. To round off the term, the Cubs enjoyed a Christmas visit to AirHop, which was a huge success and thoroughly enjoyed by everyone who attended.
In the winter/spring term, we were delighted to welcome Kirsty as a new full-time leader. Her experience, enthusiasm, and commitment have already made a tremendous impact on the Pack, and she has quickly become a real asset to the leadership team. Having another full-time leader has also enabled us to welcome more young people from the waiting list into Cubs.
Throughout this term, the Cubs took part in emergency first aid activities, completed their Space badge with lots of support from our Young Leader Isaac and enjoyed an excellent visit to the Aberdeen Science Centre, where they learned about artificial intelligence. The term finished with the Cubs completing their Athletics badge, giving everyone the chance to challenge themselves physically and work as a team.
This current term has seen the Cubs continue to make excellent progress towards both activity and Challenge badges. We recently held ten investitures in one evening, highlighting the continued growth and enthusiasm within the section. We also organised a summer camp at Templars’ Park, where the Cubs enjoyed a fantastic experience camping in tents which for most was a first. Despite some very wet weather, the camp was full of fun, adventure, and great memories for everyone involved.
The Pack continues to grow steadily as we welcome Beavers moving up each term, while also saying farewell to Cubs transitioning on to Scouts. We currently have 24 Cubs in the Pack, supported by two fantastic Young Leaders, Jack and Isaac, whose help each week is greatly appreciated. We are also very grateful to Bruce for his ongoing support as a regular parent helper, alongside a great group of parent helpers who continue to volunteer their time whenever needed.
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It has been another fantastic year for the Cub Pack, full of achievement, growth, and memorable experiences. We look forward to continuing this momentum and providing even more opportunities for adventure and development in the year ahead.
Katie-Rose Macklin, Cub Scout Leader
Scout Troop (10-14 years)
In the Summer term the Scouts went on a large group camp with other sections, where they did various outdoor activities such as firelighting, axe and saw safety, backwoods cooking, etc. During session nights we focused on the pioneer badge and constructed bridges, flagpoles and gateways using knots and lashings. Towards the end of term we went on a Summer camp to Fordell Firs, which involved activities on site, as well as an excursion to Edinburgh for a museum trip and some sightseeing, and a hike along the coast.
Leading up to Autumn the Scouts completed the naturalist badge, we went fly fishing with a local angling club, rockpooling at the harbour and went bat hunting with the Scottish Wildlife Trust. Over these fun activities the Scouts learned about the local wildlife in the area, and found out a lot about conservation and the pressures faced to protect these environments.
In the winter term the Scouts were given a challenge to build Santa’s Sleigh, and over the course of a few weeks designed and constructed a small sleigh to carry items on a line across the room. The Scouts also completed the model maker badge, with a session dedicated to painting Warhammer models and tabletop gaming.
In the Spring term the Scouts focused on mapwork and orienteering, and took part in several map based activites as well as a small orienteering course. Towards the end of the term the oldest Scouts took part in a patrol leaders training camp where they learned some advanced camping and pioneering skills to teach the younger Scouts in their patrols.
If you have any questions regarding the Troop please get in touch with any of the Leaders. Ross Gilmore & Michael Doherty, Assistant Scout Leaders
Group
The Group’s founding Scout Leader Ian Wolkoff sadly passed away in September 2025. To honour his memory, the Group leaders and trustees decided to change the Group’s neckerchief to the Stewart of Appin Hunting tartan which was chosen for the Group when Ian founded it in 1979. This had only been used previously for dress kilts worn by leaders but will now be worn with pride by all Group members. A stock of the neckerchiefs has been purchased to cover future needs over the coming years.
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Trustee remuneration and expenses
The trustees did not receive any remuneration or expenses during the year.
Approved by the Trustees and signed on their behalf
M. Milton
Marie Milton, Group Scout Leader
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OSC r
Office of the Scottish Charity Regulator
’ Independent examiner s report on the accounts V2
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| Independent examiner’s report on the accountsV2 | |||||||||
| Report to the trustees/members of Registered charity number On the accounts of the charity for the period Set out on pages Respective responsibilities of trustees and examiner Basis of independent examiner’s statement Independent examiner’s statement Signed: Name: Relevant professional qualification(s) or body (if any): Address: |
63rd Aberdeen (Cove Bay) Scout Group | ||||||||
| SC036454 | |||||||||
| Period start date | Period end date | ||||||||
| Day | Month | Year | Day | Month | Year | ||||
| 1st | April | 2025 | to | 31st | March | 2026 | |||
| 6 - 8 | |||||||||
| The charity’s trustees are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the terms of the Charities and Trustee Investment (Scotland) 2005 Act and the Charities Accounts (Scotland) Regulations 2006. The charity trustees consider that the audit requirement of Regulation 10(1) (d) of the Accounts Regulations does not apply. It is my responsibility to examine the accounts as required under section 44(1) (c) of the Act and to state whether particular matters have come to my attention. |
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| My examination is carried out in accordance with Regulation 11 of the Charities Accounts (Scotland) Regulations 2006. 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 seeks explanations from the trustees concerning any such matters. The procedures undertaken do not provide all the evidence that would be required in an audit and, consequently, I do not express an audit opinion on the accounts. |
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| In the course of my examination, no matter has come to my attention 1. which gives me reasonable cause to believe that in any material respect the requirements: • to keep accounting records in accordance with section 44(1) (a) of the 2005 Act and Regulation 4 of the 2006 Accounts Regulations, and • to prepare accounts which accord with the accounting records and comply with Regulation 9 of the 2006 Accounts Regulations 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. |
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| M D Johnston | Date: | 15 May 2026 | |||||||
| MARY D JOHNSTON | |||||||||
| 2 MAPLE PLACE | |||||||||
| COVE | |||||||||
| ABERDEEN | |||||||||
| AB12 3FZ |
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63rd Aberdeen (Cove Bay) Scout Group
Statement of Receipts and Payments for Financial year 1 April 2025 – 31 March 2026
| 2025-26 | 2024-25 | ||||||
| Receipts | Notes | ||||||
| Subscriptions | £6,435.00 | 1 |
£7,010.00 | ||||
| Programme Activities | £539.00 | £220.00 | |||||
| Camps & outdoor activities | £2,783.00 | £2,116.00 | |||||
| Donations received | £1,150.00 | 2 |
£307.00 | ||||
| Gift Aid | £3,339.91 | 3 | |||||
| Badges & Uniform | £28.00 | ||||||
| Bank Interest | £55.72 | £57.78 | |||||
| Total Receipts | £14,302.63 | £9,738.78 | |||||
| Payments | |||||||
| MembershipFees | £3,276.00 | 1 |
£3,245.00 | ||||
| Programme Activities | £1,475.75 | £1,095.45 | |||||
| Camps & outdoor activities | £2,209,61 | £2,259,09 | |||||
| Badges & Uniform | £2,709.61 | 4 |
£944.77 | ||||
| Hire of halls | £1,835.39 | £2,216.50 | |||||
| Management & Administration | £283.21 | £284.28 | |||||
| Equipment Purchase & Maintenance | £797.89 | 5 | £164.98 | ||||
| Donations | £200.00 | 6 | |||||
| Gifts | £11.75 | £87.75 | |||||
| Total Payments | £12,799.21 | £10,297.82 | |||||
| Surplus / (Deficit) | £1,503.42 | (£559.04) | |||||
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| 63rd Aberdeen(Cove Bay)Scout Group | 63rd Aberdeen(Cove Bay)Scout Group | 63rd Aberdeen(Cove Bay)Scout Group | 63rd Aberdeen(Cove Bay)Scout Group | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Statement of Balances | ||||
| 31 March 2026 | ||||
| 2025-26 | 2024-25 | |||
| Cash & Bank Balances (Unrestricted) | ||||
| Opening Balance at start of Financial Year | £26,596.56 | £27,155.60 | ||
| Surplus/(Deficit) for the year | £1,503.42 | (£559.04) | ||
| Closing Balance at end of Financial Year | £28,099.98 | £26,596.56 | ||
| Bank Current Accounts | £28,099.98 | £26,596.56 | ||
The Group owns a quantity of camping and other sports equipment which has been acquired over a number of years.
Liabilities
The Group has no other material liabilities or obligations.
The Notes on Page 8 form an integral part of these Accounts.
Approved at the Group agm on 27[th] May 2026 and signed on its behalf by:
M. Milton Alistair H. Gilmore Marie Milton Alistair Gilmore Group Scout Leader Treasurer
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Notes to the accounts
1. Subscriptions and Membership Fees
The Group received £6,435.00 from member subscriptions, of which we paid out £3,276.00 to Aberdeen District Scout Council as annual Membership Fees for the Scout Association.
2. Donations Received
The Group received a donation of £800.00 from the Cove & Altens Community Council’s Sport and Activity Fund towards the purchase of camping and sports equipment.
A further donation of £350.00 was received from the Wolkoff family in memory of the late Ian Wolkoff, founding Scout Leader of the Group.
3. Gift Aid
A payment of £3,339.91 was received from HMRC in respect of Gift Aid for 2023-4 and 2024-5.
4. Badges and Uniform
The Group leaders and Trustees decided to replace the Group neckerchief with a new tartan pattern in memory of the late Ian Wolkoff. There was a one off purchase of a stock of neckerchiefs costing £1,823.00 partially funded by the donation from his family mentioned in Note 2.
5. Equipment Purchase and Maintenance
Monies from the Sport and Activity Fund (Note 2) were used to purchase 2 dining shelters, sports equipment and a new First Aid kit.
6. Donations Given
The Group made a donation of £100 each to two former members attending an international Jamboree and camp in Norway.
The 63rd Aberdeen (Cove Bay) Scout Group is a charity registered in Scotland, No: SC036454
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