Category Archives: Chairman’s Blog

A New Year of Scouting

Blog, Chairman's Blog

After what seemed a long summer break, we are now back with a
full programme of scouting activities, with our Beavers, Cubs,
Scouts & Explorers. The 2023 group camp at Tolmers Activity
Centre, at the end of last term, saw over 100 young people enjoy a
great weekend, and my thanks to all involved.

A number of our long serving leaders have stepped down this
summer, and our thanks go to Jez Farmer, Steve Brandon & Chris
Baker for their huge contributions to the group. We welcome Angie
Farmer & Marco Vittur to our leadership team, plus a number of
parents have joined the ranks of occasional helpers, without who
we could not operate. Its very much a team approach, and we
would always welcome more ! Thanks also to our “maintenance
team” who keep the Wadley Hut, in superb condition.

Sadly Jenny Ford nee Wadley “ went home” unexpectedly in July,
she had devoted most of her life to the 1 st , following her parents,
who were the key drivers behind the building of the Wadley Scout
Hut. She held most roles during her time, and is perhaps best
remembered as a inspiring Cub Leader, and our Group Scout
Leader. She retired finally to her favourite “happy” place, the Lake
District, where she enjoyed 15 happy years. She will always be
fondly remembered.

If you would like to join us, please do not hesitate to contact me.

Thanks

Steve Lindsay 07775 544344 / ordosteve@btinternet.com

News update

Blog, Chairman's Blog

Well so far , so good, slowly the UK is coming out of lockdown / social restrictions, and life is returning to the new normal.

Firstly i want to really thank our leaders for keeping the flame of Scouting alive during the dark days, not easy when you were coping with home schooling / working at home and 100 other challenges !

Secondly, can i thank all our parents / carers who responded to our request to confirm that their young people will be returning as and when we are able to restart F2F meetings, it was a magnificent response, and enabled the group to confirm to the Scout Association our strong membership numbers.

Our leadership team are currently working up their own sections restart plans, doing Covid Risk Assessments etc. Naturally we will be doing everything to ensure we are operating in a Covid safe manner, and parents will be advised of the guidelines / operating instructions in due course.

HELP REQUIRED

Not surprisingly a number of our volunteer leaders have stepped down during the closure period, and we now urgently need some new leaders / occasional helpers !

So, if you feel you would like to help, let me know. Full Training will be provided, and as important  is the fact that you will be joining a scout group committed to equipping our young people with life skills, and having lots of fun at the same time.

I look forward to hearing from you

Steve Lindsay  07775 544344 ordosteve@btinternet.com

 

Covid – 19 / Membership Update

Chairman's Blog

I hope you are all keeping well, during Lockdown 3, sadly with all face to face Scouting once again suspended, and our Wadley hut locked up.

PARENTS – We have recently asked all parents to confirm their sons and daughters continued membership, once we are able to re-start face to face scouting, by making a payment of £20.00.  This will be off-set against future subs payments. But importantly signifies the number of members we have for the Scout Associations Annual Census, which is due as at the 31st January 2021.  We will then be making a capitation payment of over £50.00 to the Scout Association for each young person as normal.

Can I thank those parents who have already made this payment, a large number have  !  If you have any questions or difficulties re this payment feel free to contact me on – ordosteve@btinternet.com

You will all understand that as I write this blog i have no idea when we will be able to restart face to face meetings, but I remain hopeful that the lockdown and the vaccination roll out will help us return to normal, although what the new normal will look like we are all unsure. Please keep in contact with your individual section leaders or contact me for updates

Regards & Stay Safe.

Steve Lindsay

Online purchases – support Scouting !

Chairman's Blog

If we weren’t spending online before Corvid 19, we are now !

So please support scouting , at NO cost to yourself, whenever you buy online – its just a few extra clicks, and could generate substantial amounts to support Scouting in Hertfordshire & at the 1st

If using Amazon – go to smile.amazon.co.uk  and register your charity as – Hertfordshire County Scout Council – then it will credit them with a small percentage of what you buy – everytime !

For other retailers -please register at the Giving Machine – supporting – !st St Albans Scouts , then whenever you want to buy anything, click onto the Giving Machine first – then find the retailers website.

Thats all folks – its simple but effective

Thanks

AGM and reopening update

Chairman's Blog

I am delighted that during the lockdown, scouting has continued in the virtual world, and our Beavers, Cubs and Scouts have been meeting online. Well down to our inspirational leaders.

As a registered charity we must hold our AGM, and this will be online via Zoom on Thursday 23rd July, so email me for the Zoom login codes, and join us, as we review 2019/20 and look forward to face to face scouting restart.

Steve Lindsay

Group Chair – ordosteve@btinternet.com

New Date for the Annual Camp

Chairman's Blog

We have decided to cancel this years Annual Group Camp,  which was booked for 19th – 21st June 2020 at Phasels Wood Activity Centre to the 4th – 6th June 2021. Sorry to all who were looking forward to this great weekend. Hopefully we will all be in a better place by then. Take care and stay safe.

Covid-19 Update

Chairman's Blog

Its been a unreal period as everybody seeks to come to terms with the virus and its impact on us all.  Scouting has been no exception and on the 16th March the Scout Association notified us that all face to face Scout meetings and activities should cease until further notice. We must stay strong,  and more importantly keep safe and take care.

Please do.

Help needed

Chairman's Blog

Hi Folks

For many years a group of parents / leaders / supporters have been providing a Marquee hire service to the local community, using the groups tents, and in doing so raising vital funds for the group. Indeed this activity has contributed over £30,000.00 to date.

We are looking for volunteers to join this team, its a fun activity, usually undertaken at weekends or sometimes in the week, erecting / dismantling marquees.  We have a small number of regular customers, schools, fetes etc  No experience is required, as on the job training will suffice !

Contact me if you would like to get involved.

Thanks

Steve