Cookham Scout Group

Building improvements to the scout HQ

 

 

We are planning to carry out some building work on the scout hut to improve the use of the space we have, update the facilities and include toilets for potential scouts; cubs; beavers and leaders who may be disabled. This will involve internal and external work at the front of the hut and we would like to take the opportunity to improve the general appearance from the road and if possible improve security. This will be a large project for us. The next step is the production of planning and building regulations drawings and a detailed budget. If you have any experience in this area we would really welcome any help you may be able to give. Later in the project we will undoubtedly be looking for help in other areas but it is production of drawings and quantity surveying that we need right now. If you are able to help please to talk to any leader or executive committee member and we will be delighted to talk through our plans in detail.

 

Cookham Scouts Donation to Longridge

Cookham Scout Group are crucially dependant on Longridge Scout Boating Centre in Marlow. It is at the heart of our Summer Term programmes and we are very lucky to have the country’s best Scout water centre on our doorstep. Moreover, the cost of running our water programme there is dramatically less than it would be at any commercial centre. Cubs, Scouts and Explorer scouts get the chance to try canoeing, kayaking, rafting, dragon boating, sailing and many other activities. But the centre needs to raise £1.5million to stay open and a further £3million to upgrade the facilities to keep up with modern expectations and to encourage people to use it more all year round. A fundraising group has been formed to secure the Centre’s future: Cookham Scouts want to help in every way we can to help save Longridge and you may already have seen events such as the sponsored Night Hike that the Scouts and Explorers did in November. Last week the Group Executive Committee decided to make a financial pledge of £5000 to the appeal. This will become payable when the £1.5million total is assured, so that we know for sure the money will go to saving Longridge. This represents a significant amount of money for a charity like Cookham Scout Group, but we have healthy funds at the moment and we believe that it is a small price to pay to ensure the continuing availability of a centre that saves us almost that much money (versus commercial water activity centres) every year. Effectively, we have decided to pay the profit from this year’s Bonfire to the Longridge appeal. If you have any questions about the donation please pass them on via your section leader and we will make sure that they are answered for you.

Clear Up Day: Saturday 14th January 2pm - 5pm

We have a great Scout HQ and a wonderful set of equipment, but sometimes we struggle to find things because the place is in a bit of a mess! To that end we are hiring a skip in January and having a good clear-out. We need help clearing undergrowth, washing stuff, tidying shelves, doing minor repairs and filling the skip with stuff that we have not touched in the last 15 years. No specialist skills are needed and you certainly don’t need to stay all afternoon. Please just come along and give us any help you can. We will have a big list of jobs for willing volunteers to get stuck into.

Leopards Purr to Victory

COOKHAM LEOPARDS 7   BOYNE HILL/ALTWOOD 1

The final of the Cub Football Cup Tournament was switched to Cookham as the Oaken Grove pitches were waterlogged on Saturday.

The game started with Cookham on the attack but the brave Boyne Hill Altwood defence held out until midway through the 1st half when Michael Davis showed great skill in the penalty area before slotting home.

Kai Walters blasted an unstoppable shot for the 2nd Cookham goal and Peter Watt calmly put away the 3rd before half time.

The 2nd half continued with more pressure from Cookham but the oppostion goalkeeper made several great saves to keep the scoreline down.However the resistance was broken by Davis adding his second and Lewis Baker finishing off a slick passing move.

Raman Sehota poached a couple of goals towards the end and the games final highlight was by William Rosato Dosey who shot hard and low into the corner of the net to bag Boyne Hill Altwoods deserved consolation.

Scout Exec Meeting

Just a reminder that there is a Scout Executive meeting tonight at the Scout Hut starting at 8pm.

Cookham Scout Group welcomes youngest member - Georgina Alice Hellmuth

There are two ways that you can grow a Scout Group either by recruiting or producing.  We are very pleased to announce that Fiona and David have produced a new member for 1st Cookham Scouts - Georgina Alice Hellmuth.  All six pounds and twelve ounces of Georgina was introduced to Scouting (and the world) on Sunday 27th November. 

In true Scouting tradition Georgina chose the more adventurous route racing into this world at 5am in the morning opting for the natural way despite being presented with the Cesarean option that had been planned for the next day.  Needless to say, that this choice required a great deal of assistance by Fiona in particular, with David offering much encouragement.

We have still not worked out if the Scout Association's POR (Policy, Organisation and Rules) permits this type of adventurous activity. In fact it does not mention this activity at all! So we have duly conducted a risk assessment and established that the gains (Georgina) far out weigh the risks and have decided that being born is a most favourable adventurous activity. 

Both adults that assisted the activity have completed CRBs and of course there was a minimum of two adults present. One holds a warrant although it was noted that Fiona was not in uniform. We have decided to overlook this matter.

However, we do not feel that they have had sufficient training to hold the post of parent but then discovered that 'Parenting' is not one of the Training Modules offered by the Scout Association.  Furthermore, we investigated who was qualified to hold the post of 'parent' and alas found nobody - although there appears to be a great number of books by 'experts'.  Indeed, all parents present (including myself) realised that we have no qualifications to hold the post either and so decided that it was best that we 'let sleeping babies lie'. 

We then realised that we had stumbled across the first piece of training and possibly the only piece of training we could offer.  So Fiona and David, our advice to you is to 'let sleeping babies lie' and figure out the rest as you go along.  If you get it right then you can write the missing Training Module for the Scout Association.

Seriously though - Fiona and David, on behalf of 1st Cookham Scout Group, the leaders, helpers and all the parents and young people, we congratulate you on the birth of your daughter Georgina Alice Hellmuth.

P.S. Rest assured that Georgina's name will be placed on the waiting list for Beavers.

P.P.S It is Fiona McWilliam and David Hellmuth who I refer to above, not Fiona and David Baddeley ;-)

LIMA in Snowdonia - 3rd to 5th March 2006

LIMA 2006 is aimed at Leaders and adult supporters within the Maidenhead District, offering the opportunity to enjoy a stimulating weekend in Snowdonia developing their hill walking skills and experience.  For more information Download lima_2006.doc (updated cost is £65 for the weekend).

Cookham's Leopards through to Cub Football Cup Final

Good luck to Cookham's Leopards team who play Boyn Hill Altwood on Saturday 3rd November at Oaken Grove.  Kick off is at 11am so please come along to support our team. Will we win back the District Cub Football Cup ...

Robert Scott Cubs raise money for Longridge

See Robert Scott Cubs News

Remembrance Sunday

Sunday 13^th November is Remembrance Sunday and we encourage all Cubs, Scouts and Explorer Scouts to attend. This is an important day and is an opportunity for us to remember those who have died serving our country in past wars and conflicts.  It is also an opportunity to look to the future and for us to focus on peace and justice in our community, country and world.

If possible please take the time to explain to your child the meaning of Remembrance Day. I have found that my children have related well to the stories that I was told by my grandparents.  It might also help to relate Remembrance Day to those who have lost their lives in recent wars and conflicts such as in Iraq.

Date:                    Sunday 13^th November

Meeting Point:     Just outside the gates of St John the Baptist Church in Cookham Dean

Meeting Time:     10:45

Dress:                   Full uniform with black shoes and poppy

Bring:                  Money for the collection

Please ensure that your child does not have a watch that bleeps on the hour!

Pickup Point:     War Memorial next to the Green in Cookham Dean (please tell one of the Leaders when you collect your child)

Pickup Time:      approximately 11:55

We are expecting a good turnout on this most important of days.