It was with great pleasure that I received this article about recent Scouting activities in Masham submitted by Laura Gibson who is Cubs Leader in the Group and who has been a regular contributor to the Gazette column over the past few years .

After enjoying the long summer break, Masham Cubs returned during the first week of the autumn term to begin a programme of sessions linked to the Save the Children Fund's 'Friendship Passport' in which they have been learning about Scouting in India, studying the similarities and differences between the two systems.
We are planning to find out more about the programme by listening to a visiting speaker from the charity and then raising funds as a Group on an Indian theme during the weeks ahead.
Topics will include health care, education, water and food in India.

Whilst making the most of the light nights before the clocks change we did our final walk in the local area finding things along the way which fitted with the words 'autumn' – unfortunately 'uuugh mud' was one of the things found!

We have completed our pack quiz and are looking forward to taking part in the Ripon District round on October 14 in which our winning Six hope to demonstrate its fantastic general knowledge! Masham Beavers have been completing a range of craft activities and have visited the wildlife area in Mowbray School, whilst dodging the showers, seeing how the school has created an area in which mini-beasts and other creatures can thrive.
They thoroughly enjoyed this visit and hope for more favourable weather next time!

One evening was spent showing what kinds of animals can be made with air and balloons – noisy at times, and it's good to know that such creatures don't exist really – too scary!

Masham Scouts have been continuing with their programme which has included climbing at Brimham Rocks: an exciting introduction to the basics of climbing for many of them and much appreciated by all.

Having seen the fun the Beavers had with balloons the Scouts also demonstrated their skill in making balloon animals one evening.
They have spent time ensuring that they have a varied and active programme for the winter during their planning evening and have been consolidating and improving their Scouting knowledge during each session, particularly map and compass work.

Fiona and John are doing an excellent job in providing a varied programme and, as a result, Scouting numbers continue to grow.

As ever, adult Helpers and Leaders are needed in all three Masham Sections, so anyone who would like to join us in providing exciting, fun sessions on Friday evenings would be more than welcome.
As Laura hints, Leaders in Scouting are not always easy to find and so we highly value the Leaders we have.

This week it gives me pleasure to announce two Leader successes, both in the Boroughbridge Group.
John Raper, Assistant Cub Scout Leader, and Trevor Plowright, Assistant Beaver Scout Leader have completed the full adult training programme for Leaders in Scouting and will shortly be awarded their Wood Badges, the first such awards in Ripon District for quite some time now.

Well done to both of them!

Andrew Roberts, Assistant District Commissioner for Beavers (boys and girls in the 6-8 age range in Scouting) sends us this exciting report about an event which happened recently in Ripon.

Record numbers of Beavers flocked to Holy Trinity C. E. Junior School on Saturday, 12th November.
The news of our ever-popular District Beaver Days had spread far and wide and over 80 children descended on the school.
During the day the Beavers would visit a number of bases culminating in the achievement of not one, but two, badges!
What activities had been planned to gain the Global Challenge and the Creative Challenge badges, the Beavers were wondering.
They didn’t have long to wait because in the furthest room Mike Collins and Will Newton were ready to sing 'Old Macdonald had a Band' as well as making shaker instruments with them.
A lot of shouting and stamping could be heard from the hall where Sue Simms was teaching the Beavers a Haka Dance.

Nearby, Carol and Jim McIntyre had been given the job of planting bulbs.
By the end of the 20 minute session, the Beavers had some beautiful bulbs planted ready to take home and watch grow in the spring (fingers crossed!).

At mid-morning, with all this busyness, it was great to have Margaret Mortimer on hand with her trolley full of drinks and delicious biscuits for the Beavers and the adults to have a breather.
After a short time the Beavers were getting restless so Activity Session two was quickly started!

Anne Collins, ably assisted by Joe Headford and Sam Spencer, took the Beavers on a world tour of food, mmmm!
Soon, food from across Europe and into Asia and on to Canada was being tasted.
Mind you, this wasn’t enough to get the Global Challenge so the Beavers also had to learn a few greetings from around the world as they went!

On the other side of school, Carol Ransome was talking to the Beavers about the importance of Fairtrade.
After an activity involving lots of cutting and sticking they were rewarded with a taste of Fairtrade chocolate.

Magnificent model-making was happening with enormous amounts of lego, courtesy of the Veltman family.
The Beavers all enjoyed the chance to make model houses, cars . . .
David Mortimer always enjoys helping out on a Beaver Day and he was certainly at home with electric circuits and magnets.
Quickly, hands were grabbing all the equipment and gasps of excitement could be heard as bulbs were mysteriously lit.

Food is very important to us in Beaver Scouts so it wasn’t unexpected to find yet another base, this time run by Alex Whitfield and assisted by David Fieldhouse!
A firework theme gave the Beavers a chance to make their own Catherine Wheel and Sparkler, all out of a few things you would find in your kitchen cupboard.

In another room the Beavers had a chance to put their powers of mime into practice expertly led by two Explorer Scouts, Jacob Turner and James Proudlar.

The end of a Beaver Day is never complete without a sing-song although this year we went one better.
Imagine the picture: nearly 100 Beavers and adults all doing a Haka followed by singing "Old McDonald" complete with shaker accompaniment, all of which resulted in a fantastic time and a work out to boot.

2011 has been the 25th Birthday of Beaver Scouts and throughout the year the Beavers and their Leaders have been working on 25 challenges.
In recognition of this each Colony was presented with a certificate by Ian Bardon, our County Commissioner.
Of course, a day such as this could not have happened without enormous amounts of help and a big thank you must go to all the leaders and adult supporters who contributed in any way during the day.

Footnote: Ian Bardon also presented Andrew Roberts with the Chief Scout's Commendation for Good Service, a well-deserved way of saying thank you to Andrew for many years of enthusiastic service to Scouting, especially to the Beaver Section.

Well done, Andrew!

I was delighted to receive the following report from 4th Ripon, a Group that meets at Harrogate Road Methodist Church and which has a long history of successful Scouting.

Annie Gray, who now runs the Beaver Scout Section, supported by Nicky Robinson, writes as follows:

The girls and boys in the Beaver Colony have had a busy and exciting time since September, and we are growing in number!
In September two of our Beavers shared their exciting news that they had, during the holidays been to visit Brownsea Island, in Dorset where Baden-Powell, our founder, set up the first Scout camp in 1907.
Our mascot, Beaver, went with them, and we enjoyed seeing the photographs of their adventures there!

With the wonderfully mild weather we were also able to enjoy our walk, postponed due to poor weather in the summer.
Beavers, Leaders, mums and dads all enjoyed a pleasant stroll from Rustic Bridge to Studley Roger.

We have been working towards our Promise Challenge Badge, and, as part of this the Beavers have enjoyed learning about Fairtrade (and eating lots of yummy Fairtrade goodies) and collecting items to donate to the Harvest Festival Celebrations.
They also collected tinned and dried goods for Open Door, a charity supporting people on low incomes.

A visit from our ADC, Brown Beaver (otherwise known as Andrew Roberts), helped us find out how to earn lots more badges and was a great success, especially as he brought a big chocolate birthday cake to share with us!

November has been a very busy month, one of the highlights being our special guest-visitors: Sergeant Rose from 21 Eng. Regiment and his team who visited us on Remembrance Day to talk about Remembrance and respect for other people, as well as answering lots of questions about army life.
We were proud and honoured the same week to be part of Remembrance Sunday Parade and the laying of wreaths.
We cannot thank Sergeant Rose and his team enough for the excellent work they do, and his visit has had a very positive and lasting impact on the Beavers.

We have also enjoyed celebrating with Susan Richardson, the church minister, who brought a MONSTER Christingle to show us; it was very good indeed!
We are thrilled that we are having such a busy and exciting time.

We have new Leaders, new volunteers and new Beavers.
We have said goodbye and good luck to our Beavers who have moved up to Cubs, and welcomed four new Beavers to the colony: Owen, Eddie, Sam, and Ronnie.
As a Colony, we are now FULL and have a waiting list of boys and girls waiting to join us.
However, we desperately need more adult volunteers so that we can expand our numbers!
If you think you could be part of our team, please get in touch!

Ripon 4th Cubs have a new Leader: Steven Fincham, who took over in September, supported by Janine Toole.
Steven writes: The Cubs got off to a very busy start after the summer break with the completion of their Athlete’s Badge, albeit dodging rain clouds.
The event was very well attended; all the Cubs made a great effort to achieve their badges; and the overall athletic champion was Edward Hoult.
The Cubs visited Holy Trinity Church where they learned about the church's history and prepared a presentation for the next week.

Along with a visit to the local fire station the cubs have been working towards their Community Badge.
On the last day before half term the Cubs completed a night walk from Studley Deer Park to Harrogate Road Methodist Church.
Luckily the weather was good and everyone completed the walk on time.

In the coming months the Cubs are going to receive a visit from officers from North Yorkshire Police and in the New Year there will be an opportunity to do some climbing.

There have been some changes in the Cub pack with Miles Clifford and Henry Hawkes moving to the Scouts and the pack welcoming several new recruits including Laura Isherwood, Ben Needham, Hamish and Lewis Dunn, Max Ross and Connor Hewson.

Overall, the future looks very promising for the pack and we look forward to 2012 with enthusiasm!

I was very pleased to receive his lively and well-written report from Anne Collins of 1st Boroughbridge Scout Group at a time when, on the whole, Scout Leaders are taking a break over the festive period

'Twas the week before Christmas when all through the church could be heard the sound of Cubs and Beavers, Scouts and Leaders, Explorers and parents, brothers, sisters, grandmas and grandpas all raising their voices in a series of well-known traditional carols.
It was indeed a joyous occasion as youngsters and families joined together with great gusto to take part in the Ripon & District Carol Service held this year at St James' Parish Church in Boroughbridge.

The Mayors of Boroughbridge and Ripon and their consorts were honoured guests along with several local Scouting and Guiding figures and representatives of Jennyruth Workshops.
A team of Scouts introduced several of the carols by ringing hand bell choruses and Daniel and Henry also gave a delightful reading of the poem "If I’d Been Born in Bethlehem".
We were led in prayer by a group of Cubs and Dr. Rev. Pat Malham from the local Methodist Church.

But none of that could reach the decibel level of the entire congregation responding to, and joining in with, the interactive narrative of the familiar Christmas Story as told by St. James' vicar, Rev. Philip Smith, who kindly led the service.

Beavers poignantly formed a nativity tableau as Assistant Cub Scout Leader Diane Gallon played a medley of carols on her flute to accompany them and more robust organ music accompanied the singing, courtesy of the District's own musical maestro, Andrew Roberts.

The service provided a fitting end to a term which has seen all the sections within Boroughbridge Group enjoying busy programmes of activities.

Beavers have enjoyed several craft evenings and, not only made junk insects for the local Yore Vision competition, but also provided the Group's impressive entry for the recent Communicare Christmas Tree Festival.

A visit by Cubs and Scouts to RAF Linton-on-Ouse was much appreciated by all who took part and the Group has, as always, come together in recent weeks, not only for the Carol service, but also to enjoy the local pantomime – "Oh yes they did!" – and the now traditional Family Reindeer Drive.

Scouting continues to play a prominent part in the communal life of the Boroughbridge area and members are to be found at most local events.
The Scouts were invited to take part in the Yorevision 'Sow It, Grow It, Eat It' day and learnt how to make hay box ovens so as to be able to demonstrate the original method of economical slow cooking. Whilst waiting for the delicious stew to . . . stew . . . the chefs provided spectators with pancakes, easy for those who had mastered the art of stuffing baked apples earlier in the term!

Scouts also provided shoppers with roasted chestnuts during the late- night shopping evening and all sections came together to participate with pride in the Remembrance Parade in Boroughbridge.

Of course, Beavers, Cubs and Scouts are to be found at all the District events held for each section, from activity days to GPS navigation evenings.
But the real 'grass roots' Scouting takes place in the weekly meetings held at Coronation Hall and the Aldborough Institute where the youngsters learn so many of the skills they need to be able to contribute to their local communities.

Scouting continues to thrive in Ripon & District which extends from Masham in the north to Boroughbridge and its satellite villages in the south.
More Leaders and Supporters are always needed, of course; and currently we are looking for adults who could make a contribution to the Explorer Scout Unit (14-18 year olds).

Remember that we are happy to accept whatever contribution you can make, recognising that not everyone can make a regular commitment, week by week

John Helliwell

On this occasion an excellent report has been submitted by Anne Collins, one of our regular and most reliable contributors.

Anne writes to tell us about the activities of the District Active Support Unit of which she is a most capable manager:

January is a strange month of trying to get back into the swing of things with the frenzy of pre-Christmas activities fading into memory and the promise of the New Year’s adventures tempered by long dark evenings and fears of uncertain weather.
What better time to have a get-together of friends and like-minded fellows for a night of good food and drink, thoughtful conversation and heart-warming laughter!

So, once again, the members of Ripon and District Active Support Unit found themselves taking over the restaurant at that most hospitable pub, The Ship Inn at Aldborough, for their annual dinner.
Experiences, interests and ages mix incredibly well at such social functions when there is a common thread of membership of a world-wide organisation.
Scouting news mingled with anecdotes, memories and ideas about events in the planning as the chatter and laughter filled the room.
A delicious meal had everyone 'fair pogged' but only served to keep the lively conversation going even longer.

DAS member Marjorie McGrath, so well known in the area, was presented with Scouting's Award for Merit for her work over many years in a number of Scouting roles.
Many will remember her particularly for her tireless work in the District Scout Shop; running Scout Link activities; and for her first aid ministrations at Scouting events.
It was therefore a fitting opportunity amongst such a group of friends for Eric Fell, in his role as County vice-president, to make the formal presentation on behalf of the Chief Scout, Bear Grylls.

A few weeks ago, the County Commissioner, Ian Bardon, had made a presentation to another DAS member, Andrew Roberts, in his capacity as Assistant District Commissioner for Beavers.
It was therefore most appropriate that the presentation of the Chief Scout's Commendation for Good Service was made at the end of a fantastic Beaver Badge Day organised by Andrew and enjoyed by dozens of youngsters from the area.

Back in November, members of DAS found time during their 'Pot Luck Supper' (more food!) to plan their social calendar for 2012.
There will be old favourites to satisfy the competitive spirits with Crown Green and Ten-pin bowling as well as Crazy Golf.

A Barbecue is planned and a visit to Greenhow and possibly a team of 'experts' having a go at backwoods cooking . . . . but there will, of course, also be calls for members to provide the 'Active Support' in their title, helping out at Scouting activities whatever they may be.

With a County Camp for Cubs this year as well as Jubilee celebrations and a comprehensive District programme, members will be providing lots of enthusiastic back-up.
The Active Support Unit has as its members adults of all ages who support local Scouting in whatever way they can.
Some are leaders who already run Beaver, Cub or Scout Sections locally or help in the area.
Others, however, are ex-leaders or supporters who wish to keep in touch and help out whenever possible.

This mix ensures that DAS members have a wide range of experience and skills which can be used to help support activities for young people in the area.
Ripon and District Active Support Unit's next social event will be a visit to the panoramic viewing platform at Greenhow, expertly led by Colin Slator and inevitably involving refreshments in Pately Bridge afterwards!

Further information will be circulated and new members – and any District leaders – will be most welcome.

Just let the AS Manager, Anne Collins, know on 01423-322458.

Latest - 10th February 2012

It was good to receive the following interesting report from David Day, Group Scout Leader of the highly successful 6th Ripon Group which meets at Allhallowgate Methodist Church in the centre of the city.

David writes as follows:

6th Ripon is currently one of the largest Scout Groups in the District with 45 Beavers, 39 Cubs, 30 Scouts, 10 young leaders and 12 adults regularly involved on a weekly basis.
The Scouts have recently returned from their January winter hostel weekend where they teamed up with Scouts from 1st Masham and the District Explorer Scouts Unit.
Scout Joshua Pillar, who was attending such a weekend for the first time, reports that loads of activities were undertaken and thoroughly enjoyed: 'The Scouts settled in on Friday evening playing board games in the lounge.
During Saturday they had sessions which included cycle maintenance, photography and GPS navigation.
Next day Scouts had the opportunity to edit the digital photographs taken earlier; lunch was cooked backwoods style, i.e. without utensils; and there was a pistol shooting competition'.

Joshua told me that these last two activities were his favourites as the BB gun equipment was top quality and he never realised that so many different sweet courses could be cooked backwoods-fashion!

6th Ripon Cubs attended the pantomime at Ripon Leisure Centre for their first meeting of the term.
Cub James Appleton said: 'The cast of Sleeping Beauty were fabulous and the character of Muddles was especially funny when the audience forgot to say 'hello' whenever he appeared on stage.
There were lots of good songs including "Always look on the bright side of life" which was a singing contest between two halves of the audience.'
James told me that his side was definitely louder than the other one and that he laughed all the time, really enjoying the evening.

6th Ripon Beaver Colonies meet on Tuesdays and Wednesdays in the church hall.
One of their recent programmes was all about books: each Beaver made a bookmark which was worm-shaped, just like a bookworm!
The Beavers also had enjoyed listening to stories about 'Harvey the Gardener Beaver' and 'Harvey the Carpenter Beaver' whilst enjoying a glass of squash and a healthy piece of fruit.
The children took home a quiz about books and the Beaver with the highest score will be awarded a book token.

Beavers are aged 6 – 8 years but 6th Ripon have a waiting list and any boy or girl over the age of 5 who is thinking of joining should contact Tarka [Elaine Day] on 01765 600941.

Young Leaders, a particular strength of 6th Ripon, are aged 14 – 18 years and assist the adult leadership team in delivering interesting programmes to the Beavers, Cubs and Scouts.

Later in the term the team of Beaver Young Leaders will be delivering a whole meeting that they have devised themselves.
During the current term, Beaver Scouts will be attending the District Beaver Fun Day in March.
The Beavers and their leadership team will also be preparing breakfast for the Allhallowgate Church café style worship on Sunday 11 March.
6th Ripon Cubs have booked to attend the North Yorkshire Cub Camp in May at Pateley Bridge.
There will be a large range of activities based on Olympic venues, Ripon’s base being Mexico City.

Our Scouts will be tackling a 25 mile bike ride in February as part of the Cyclist Badge.
They are also currently designing a soapbox car to enter the National Scoutcar races in July.
This will be the first time that they have attempted to construct such a vehicle but are confident that they can accomplish the task in time.