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Issue 2 of Clyde Region's Newsletter
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Clyde Regional Scout Council 21 Elmbank Street Glasgow G2 4PB
tel 0845 094 4391 email [email protected] www.clydescouts.org.uk
Regional Commissioner (Scotland): Stuart J. Imrie Regional President: Alex M. Hamilton Chief Scout: Peter Duncan
Registered Scottish Charity SCO010415
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in this cell
The Newsletter of Clyde Region No. 2 Jan 2009
The Regional Commissioner...
Happy New Year to you. A new year brings new
challenges for us all. With Clyde Region now nine months
old, plans are progressing for the development of Scouting
in the Region. For most of you reading this newsletter you
will probably have little direct contact with the Regional
Team. Your first contact will be with your District
Commissioner and their team which is why the first months
have concentrated on developing the support for these
teams. Working with DCs and others on training
communication and development needs has allowed us to
measure what is required. There is much still to be done
but we have a better idea of where to start.
In the months to come, SHQ will be meeting with Assistant
District Commissioners/DESCs and DSNL‟s at Tulliallan
during February to discuss programme support for the
sections. DCs, have been encouraged to ensure that all
sections and Districts are represented at this event which
will provide an invaluable opportunity to learn of plans for
sectional support, and indeed to influence future plans.
Plans are also well underway for our own local Regional
get together for GSLs/AGSLs, Group Contacts lay
members of Group Executives, District teams and lay
members of District Executives to discuss local needs.
This event will happen at the end of March and those
involved will receive direct communication inviting them to
the day to help develop Scouting in Clyde.
I am pleased to advise that the Regional Team is now
complete. Contact details for all of the team will appear on
the Regional website (www.clydescouts.org.uk) along with
other useful information and support details. Regional
Advisers are on hand to support Adventurous Activities,
Child Protection, DofE, Faiths and Beliefs, Fellowships,
International, Gang Shows, and Special Needs. The team
is here to support you.
The Regional Office, based at 21 Elmbank Street also
works to support Scouting throughout Clyde. As well as
providing a valuable source of information and advice, the
Office has a range of resources such as laptops,
projectors, screens and banners (indoor and outdoor) that
can be borrowed for little or in most cases no cost, to help
with Group or District events. Further details are available
from the Regional website.
The Glasgow Scout Shop has supplies of the new
Regional badge available for sale. These badges replace
the Lanarkshire/Greater Glasgow Area badges on
uniforms. For Groups that did not choose to pre-order
badges, these can be purchased directly from the shop, by
mail order and through secure internet shopping (see
website for details www.glasgowscoutshop.com). The
Scout shop provides a wide range of uniform, badges,
resources and outdoor wear all at competitive prices and
Ally Bower and his staff are on hand to discuss your
needs. Profits from the Glasgow Scout Shop are used to
support Scouting throughout Clyde Region.
Just last week I visited a Group in South East District to
present an Award of Merit to a member of the Group
Executive for her outstanding work for local Scouting. At
the same evening, six former Scouts now in their 80‟s and
90‟s were present to help the Group celebrate its
centenary. They had already spent time talking to the
Beavers and Cubs answering questions about what
Scouting had been like in their day. I also had a chance to
speak for a short time with a few of these gentlemen who
all said that they realised with hindsight, how much
Scouting had prepared them for the challenges that had
been ahead of them. Seventy years on, life has changed
significantly however we are still helping to shape lives in a
positive way, preparing young people for what may lie
ahead for them. Thank you for all that you do.
Stuart J. Imrie
Regional Commissioner
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Awards... Congratulations to the following adults whose contribution to Scouting has recently been recognised by the Chief Scout: Award for Merit:
Sandra Boyle, Deputy District Commissioner (Youth Programme), South East & CSL, 185th Glasgow
Aileen Chambers, BSL, 38th Glasgow
John Cunningham, SL & Group Contact, 50th Glasgow, District Nights Away Adviser, South Western District
Josephine Gorman, Group Executive Committee Member, 113th Glasgow
Brendan Harris, GSL, 145th Glasgow
Robert Howieson, District Appointments Secretary, South East District
Angus Johnston, SL, 38th Glasgow
Karen Johnston, ABSL, 38th Glasgow
Janet McCabe, BSL, 116th Glasgow
Philip Moseley, CSL, 79th Glasgow
Marion Rankin, District Commissioner, Kelvin Valley District
Victoria Rowan, ABSL, 38th Glasgow
Lindsay Sharp, CSL, 145th Glasgow, District Nights Away Adviser, Eastwood District
Chief Scout‟s Commendation for Good Service:
David McCabe, ASL, 116th Glasgow, Explorer Scout Leader (Young Leader) & District Nights Away Adviser, Eastwood District
Thomas McCabe, SL, 116th Glasgow
Kenneth Milton, ASL, 116th Glasgow
Eileen Leahy, ACSL, 116th Glasgow
Annual General Meeting... The Region‟s first AGM will be held on Wednesday 9th September 2009. Watch the Regional Diary at clydescouts.org.uk for further information.
Auchengillan Jamboree 2009...
Some Groups who are travelling to AJ09 from afar have
enquired about the possibility of hiring or borrowing
camping equipment from local Groups. If you would be
willing to lend or hire your camping equipment to someone
else for the duration of AJ09, please contact Gary
Bainbridge in the Regional Office.
Have Your Say!... This exciting event will take place on Saturday 28th March 2009 at Hampden Park. Information about this event for GSLs, AGSLs, Groups Contacts, District Teams and lay members of Group and District executives is now available at clydescouts.org.uk. A copy has also been posted to everyone. An inspirational day that will give key managers in Scouting a chance to discuss current issues, contribute to plans for the future and update themselves; this promises to be an event not to be missed.
Annual Census & Membership Subs... District Commissioners and District Secretaries should by now, have passed information about Census 2009 to all Group Scout Leaders and Group Contacts. Statistical data about the young people and adults who are a member of your Scout Group should be entered onto the Census website by 2 February 2009. The HQ membership subscription for 2009 is £19.10 per person, less a prompt payment rebate of 50p per person for each full multiple of £19.10 which is paid on time. To qualify for the rebate, you must ensure that your subs are paid to your District Treasurer by no later than 2 March 2009.
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Mary Boland... The Region was sorry to learn of the untimely passing of Mary Boland in December. A stalwart of Scouting in Glasgow‟s East End; Mary provided thousands of young people with adventure and enjoyment in her programmes as well as being a source of support and inspiration to adults around South East and the former Easthill Districts. Not content with her roles in her Group and District, Mary was also involved with the Personnel team of Glasgow Gang Show for many years where she turned her hand to many tasks and was held in high regard by the many young people and adults that she worked with. Mary did not enjoy the best of health latterly and she was called to higher service on December 14th. We give thanks for her life and all that she did for many of us. Our thoughts are with her family at this sad time.
South East District... From Carslaw Purdie, District Commissioner
[email protected] or 0141 634 4367
“team work makes the dream work”
Hi, and can I wish you all a very Happy New Year and trust
you will have a great fun packed program with your
sections over the coming months. Can I thank you all for
the commitment you have to Scouting at your Group and
your District team are ready to support in whatever way
they can.
We were all saddened to learn of the death of Mary Boland
in December. Mary„s role was to work with Bob Howieson
on the appointments within the District. There was a good
turn-out of leaders at her funeral showing their respect for
her 28 years of loyal service to Scouting and to support
Mary‟s husband John and the family. We also were
advised that our District President; Alastair Hamilton was
taken into hospital just before Christmas and we wish him
a speedy recovery.
At our recent AGM we focused on “fast forward to
November 2009” and that with support from within the
sections and Group, further supported by District, we
should be in good shape to offer the best Scouting to our
members.
As the TV ads say “our best ever” and there is no reason
why we cannot stand up and say this about Scouting in our
Groups. Remember to use the Clyde Regional, Scottish
and UKHQ web sites for info and support material.
We have just completed a full review of all leaders in the
District and all are now up to date with Disclosure Scotland
checks and all have had an appointment review update.
Progress is now being made on updating the first aid
position with each leader. District Training opportunities
will be offered.
Sandra Boyle (Depute District Commissioner, Youth
Support) is holding a meeting of all the ADC‟s and other
section leaders to draw up a program of events for all
sections over the next 6 months. We shall be using the
data base info held by UKHQ through the scouts.org.uk
website to advise leaders of up and coming events, so
please make sure your details are up to date – not sure,
then ask your GSL/SIC/GC for help.
The District has set a number of objectives for 2009 and I
am pleased to say that we have made good progress on
these. Development, training, appointments and sectional
support all feature and in some cases overlap. I hope that
in the coming months these will become evident to you as
you work within your sections.
Can I just finish by saying “good scouting” to you all.
Archives... For many years now, Robin Hunter has served as Archivist for Greater Glasgow Area then Clyde Region. Robin has stepped down from that role and passed all of the Region‟s archives to us. We are very grateful to Robin for his work in looking after the archives, cataloguing information and responding to enquiries during his time in post. All enquiries relating to the Region‟s Archives should now be made to Gary Bainbridge in the Regional Office.
Gang Show 2009...
Auditions for Glasgow Gang Show 2009
will be held on Sunday 10th May 2009.
To make sure you get full details of
where and what time, log on to
clydescouts.org.uk/gangshow or send an email to
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For Sale...
New Unused
Bateson 240V Box Trailer
£2000 O.N.O
Contact Judith Beastall
0141 776 1565
From Ann Gordon: ARC Adult Training
Happy New Year. I hope everyone had an enjoyable and
peaceful festive season and are ready to start a whole new
Scouting session. For those of you working towards your
wood badge I hope that you will find the training
experiences on offer by Clyde Regional Training Team
both fun and informative.
International: Module 19
Date: Wednesday 11 February 2009 (evening)
Venue: Elmbank Street
Cost: £5
Closing date for applications: Friday 30 January 2009
Almost There Weekend
Dates: Saturday 28 February & Sunday 1 March 2009
(residential weekend)
Modules: 11 (Administration), 12 (Providing a balanced
programme), 13 (Growing the movement),
14 (Young people today), 15 (Challenging behaviour),
17 (Activities outdoors) and 18 (Practical skills)
Venue: Auchengillan
Cost: £45
Closing date for applications: Friday 13 February 2009
Nights Away: Module 16
Date: Tuesday 5 May 2009 (evening) PLUS Saturday 16
and Sunday 17 May 2009 (camping weekend)
Venue: Avondyke
Cost: £35
Closing date for applications: Friday 17 April 2009
Managing Adults & Supporting Adults: Modules 24 &
26
Date: Thursday 28 May 2009 (evening)
Venue: Elmbank Street
Cost: £5
Closing date for applications: Friday 15 May 2009
If you would like to apply for any of the above courses
please send your completed application form
(downloadable from clydescouts.org.uk) along with your
course fee to the Regional Office.
Other modules may be run over the coming months and
these will be notified in this newsletter, on the website and
all ADC(AT) will also be sent information.
Many modules have other learning methods available
including e-learning, workbooks and DVDs. For more
information on these methods contact your Training
Advisor or ADC(AT)
Regional Website...
Keep up to date with all the goings on within Clyde Region
by visiting our Website at:-
www.clydescouts.org.uk.
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Young Scot Awards 2009... From the Borders to the Shetland Islands we want to know about the young people who make Scotland feel proud!
In 2006 the very first
Sunday Mail & Lloyds
TSB Young Scot
Awards was launched,
and now 4 years on the
event is bigger and
better than ever. It will
return to Glasgow City
Halls on Thursday 9th
April 2009 to recognise
and celebrate the
outstanding achievements of Scotland's Young People in
2008. Do you know an unsung hero who deserves to be
recognised? Do you know someone who works tirelessly
to improve their community and/or country? Or is there a
young person in the public eye that inspires you?
If so make a nomination today, by completing a nomination
form, the link is available at www.clydescouts.org.uk
Those that are selected as finalists will be invited to attend
the spectacular awards ceremony at Glasgow's City Halls
on the 9th April.
Please note that all nominations must be received no later
than Monday 9 February 2009. All nominees must be aged
between 12 and 22. The content of your nomination may
be used as part of an editorial feature within the Sunday
Mail, therefore please do not include any points which you
feel are sensitive in nature and would not like to be
published.
Duke of Edinburghs Award... Ron Alexander, DofE Advisor
From [email protected] or 0141 424 3141
Congratulations to the following young people who have all
completed their DofE Award in recent months:
Bronze Awards:
Paul Cruikshank, 80th Glasgow
Emma Mills, 29th Glasgow
Silver Award:
Tom Aitken, 72nd Glasgow
Gold Award:
Stewart Cunningham, 29th Glasgow
Euan Elliot, 29th Glasgow
Graeme Stewart, 29th Glasgow
I have now issued 14 Gold Record Books, 13 Silver
Record Books and 12 Bronze Record Books to the 21st
Glasgow, 29th Glasgow, 72nd Glasgow, 80th Glasgow
and 204th Glasgow as well as Clydesdale District Explorer
Scouts and Uddingston Explorer Scouts.
Expeditions have been carried out at all levels by the
21st/121st Glasgow, 29th Glasgow, 72nd Glasgow and
80th Glasgow.
I was invited along to hear the Bronze report by two
Groups; 80th Glasgow and the 21st/121st Glasgow. Both
were well produced and presented to both parents and
leaders. Well done to the three units.
My Records shows that we have a total 182 Participants
who are currently working tgheir way through the Award;
Bronze = 97, Silver = 54 and Gold = 46. Some young
people have been on Bronze for well over a year. Surely
some must be complete and only need a leader to help
complete the books and get them to me for issue of
certificates?
Two units have asked for a visit from Harry Kilgour (DofE
Adviser) and these are in the process of being organised,
the meeting before the New Year had to be cancelled due
to illness. The Duke of Edinburgh‟s Award will require all DofE Expedition Assessors at Bronze, Silver and Gold level, to be accredited from December 2009. The majority of existing Assessors are currently being brought into the scheme through the accreditation of their existing experience and knowledge. However, for any new Assessors at Bronze and Silver level who are not accredited the process requires completion of a pre-course learning module (available online), attendance on a one day Bronze and Silver Accreditation course and a check of their knowledge of the DofE, usually through attendance on an Introduction to the DofE course. Accreditation costs £5 and lasts for 5 years. Applications to these courses need to be endorsed by DofE Managers (new title for Award Officer) or Wild Country Panel Secretaries. The accreditation is geared towards people intending to assess groups at Bronze and Silver levels. Bronze and Silver Assessors may also wish to go on to become accredited at Gold level and for expeditions abroad, both of which are achieved through online learning modules.
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These new requirements are not designed to put more pressure on already busy Assessors but to enhance the consistency of assessment to offer participants the best possible experience during their expedition. Assessment courses will be available in Scotland. The number of available courses will increase in response to demand and with the development of a tutor team. All the courses have registration from 9.30am and will finish around 4pm. The course fee will be £30.00 and course application forms are available from the Scottish DofE Office. Further information on Assessor accreditation is available from the website: www.DofE.org/training Now is the time to start planning Bronze, Silver and Gold Expeditions to allow sufficient time for practice journeys and training. Remember it is not the leader‟s job to plan the journey; it is the participants as a group who should do this. Leaders should only give advice. Bronze is required to be in Normal Rural Countryside which can be familiar to the participants. Silver should be in normal rural, open countryside or forest which is unfamiliar to the participants. Gold should be in Wild Country, remote from habitation and it should be unfamiliar to the participants. If the journey is to be in Wild Country, the Panel Secretary requires to be informed by using a Green Form. This form has to be with the Panel Secretary four weeks before the journey if no assessor required and six weeks if an assessor is required. Unaccompanied practice journeys need to be on a green form. Note this requires the route plans, times, camp sites, names in party etc. Supervisors for expeditions in areas classed as Terrain 1 or 2 require to hold the relevant Scout Authorisation. This is not the case in Terrain “0” but they do require to have their own Nights Away permit to be able to give
permission to Camp to one of the party as a leader.
Forms and other information can be downloaded from the
Award website at www.DofE.org
The Regional Team... [Part 2]
Activities Advisor
Andrew Sharkey
Child Protection Adviser
Moira Aitcheson
Duke of Edinburgh‟s Award Adviser
Ron Alexander
Duke of Edinburgh‟s Award Adviser
Harry Kilgour
Faith & Beliefs Adviser
Dave Smith
Scout Fellowship Adviser
Jim Murdoch
International Adviser
Graham Haddock
Gang Show Adviser
Moira Fletcher
Special Needs Adviser
Sinclair Scott
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Auchengillan... From Andy Wilson, Centre Manager
Happy New Year from all at Auchengillan! Wow, what a year 2008 was! May I firstly say a very sincere thank you to everyone who sent good wishes and the dozens of cards I received throughout the year whilst I was ill and off work? It has been a very humbling experience and has again shown the warmth and friendship that Scouting is all about. Thanks must also go to Scott, Claire and the team at the Centre for doing such a great job in keeping the place thriving (I wasn‟t missed at all!). So many new things have happened here that if you haven‟t been for a while (or heaven forbid, haven‟t been at all – surely not!), now is the perfect time to come and see for yourselves. Don‟t forget that Clyde Region Scouts get discounted rates making it even more of a bargain! Also, as an AALS licensed Centre, you can be sure safety, your comfort and excitement for all are at the top of our priority list. New activities – have you tried the pedal karts, or the gyro cars? How about the indoor climbing wall in the barn, or the sports barn itself (everything from badminton to uni hoc)? OK tried those, how about on-site mountain biking on the new track or parachute games? The pond is proving to be spectacularly popular with kayaking, canoeing and raft building (brrr just now, but got to get better –hasn‟t it)? With over 30 activities to choose from, you‟re definitely going to need more than one visit!
Ok, you’ve been to Auchengillan loads of times (and who wouldn’t with so much to do!) and tried most of these – now try walking on water! Seriously, not joking, try it in 2009!
Watch this space for even more new activities planned for 2009! New additions to buildings – The Kyle Cabin now has additional showers and super new toilet facilities - very swish indeed! The Providore Building also has new showers and smaller bedrooms – much more comfortable and a lot more flexible for mixed groups. Two new cookers and a new hot water boiler will be in the Allander Chalet by the time you read this. Our centrally heated buildings will accommodate groups of 30, 38 or 60 in a variety of dormitory layouts, so every group will find one to suit their needs. We still have a few vacancies between now and the summer and are taking bookings right up to the end of the year and beyond if you like to plan ahead. Camping – is available throughout the year in our extensive camping grounds, with unrivalled views of the surrounding hills and countryside. Drinking water taps are available in every field and toilet blocks and hot washing facilities are never far away. Don’t know how to go about a visit? Don‟t worry, start by going to our website www.auchengillan.com or getting us to post or email a brochure ( [email protected] ) – information and booking forms can be with you in minutes – or just give us a call (01360 770256)and we will guide you through the process. We‟ll even plan your programme of activities for you if you tell us what you want to do and how many of you there are.
Auchengillan Jamboree (AJ09) This fabulous, exciting event takes place from 1st-8th August and details can be found elsewhere in this issue of Clyde Connections. AUCHENGILLAN – It’s definitely where the action is!
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Strathaven Explorers in Zambia...
“A life changing and never-to-be forgotten experience ..”
The final words in a report from one of the Explorers who
attended this summer‟s Zambian Expedition.
The visit to Zambia in August by twelve Explorer Scouts
and four leaders of the 1st Strathaven Explorer Scout Unit
proved to be a fitting final event in the Group‟s programme
of activities celebrating its 100th Anniversary. This will go
down in the records as probably the most challenging and
successful of all the many international camps and
expeditions undertaken by Strathaven Scouts over the
years. The Explorers coped superbly with the problems of
an extremely poor African country where electricity and
water supplies were disrupted frequently. The daily rations
of very basic food were far removed from the luxuries
taken for granted at home and everyone worked extremely
hard from dawn to dusk under a hot African sun to achieve
in just under two weeks everything they had set out to do.
The visit took them to the village of Monze where the
Charity, Health Help International, (HHI) has its Zambian
HQ. It had been arranged with Ron Prosser, the founder of
the charity a former member of the Strathaven Scouts.
Here they were to undertake various practical projects
including the construction of a steel water tower and of a
blockwork building to house a Hammer Grain Mill. They
were also to help with the underprivileged and deprived
children of the local community and to work in a
handicapped community some distance from Monze with
people there of all ages with a wide variety of disabilities.
The tower carrying a 2,500 litre tank was successfully
completed despite many setbacks and day to day
problems which demanded all the ingenuities and skills of
the boys and their leaders‟ Scout training to overcome. It
was a proud but nerve-wracking moment for everyone
when it was finally raised into position. The building of the
Hammer Mill House was equally successful and, though
not completed through lack of time, the Explorers training
in bricklaying back in Scotland proved its worth and they
raised the walls to almost roof height in just two days. The
funds for the water tower had been given previously to HHI
by the Explorers but they were able to hand over, while
they were at Monze; sufficient money to enable HHI to
have the Mill House completed after they left. This has
now happened.
Overall the Explorers contributed a total of £3,400 to fund
these projects and to support HHI‟s other activities in
Monze, this magnificent sum having been raised in various
ways by the boys in the months prior to the trip and
received in donations from supporters of the Expedition in
Strathaven and further afield.
In addition to these practical achievements, which will
continue to provide long term benefits to the people of
Monze and the surrounding community, the Explorers
entered wholeheartedly and enthusiastically into their
meetings and activities shared with the local people, of all
ages. These included a Zambia v. Scotland football match
in which the barefooted local teenagers soundly defeated
their visitors, lots of Scout games and singing with children
as young as three or four, some memorable campfires with
the local Zambian Scouts and attendance at a church
service equally memorable for the quality of the
harmonious singing of the African women in the
congregation.
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Apart from their work the Explorers had time to enjoy a
short visit to a local Safari Park and to end the trip with a
day in Livingstone into which they fitted an early morning
game drive, a mid day visit to the Victoria Falls and, as a
fitting conclusion to it all, a Sunset Cruise on the Zambesi
river.
The Explorers owe an immense debt of gratitude to the
Wood Family Trust in Aberdeen for the very generous
grant which they received from the Trust without which this
trip would not have been able to take place.
Kelvin Valley District... From Marion Rankin, District Commissioner
May I first wish a Happy New Year to all in the Region
from the 15 Groups in Kelvin Valley. Groups from Kelvin
Valley had a busy finish to 2008. In November, at the
Region‟s Annual Review, members of the District looked
BACK and recognised the achievements of young people
from the 12th, 36th and 231st in gaining Chief Scout‟s
Awards and Gold Zodiacs.
The 12th Glasgow (1st Lenzie) looked further BACK to
celebrate the end of their Group‟s Centenary year by
collecting archive materials about the Group and, at an
evening in November attended by supporters past and
present, the memorabilia from 1908 onwards was
displayed. The night was well attended and greatly
enjoyed. One of those present was a Scout Leader in the
Group in 1944! The Group also had a Group Summer
Camp, Group photo and a special end of year party for all
sections
The 1st Kilsyth Cubs looked even further BACK in time as
they hiked the Antonine Wall from Auchinstarry Basin over
Barrhill, stopping en-route to explorer the Roman Fort and
then to Kirkintilloch along the Forth and Clyde Canal.
Throughout, the Cubs carried a Roman Standard and a
sleepover with Roman themed activities followed at the
32nd Scout Hall in Kirkintilloch. Thanks to them for the use
of their hall.
The 230th (Condorrat) Beavers and Cubs looked further
OUT as they visited the Airdrie Observatory and learned
more about the Solar System and used the large
telescope. On a separate evening, I visited the 140th
Beavers who also showed their knowledge about the Solar
System and paper aeroplane construction working with a
new resource pack.
Scouts from the 231st looked WIDER, to support from
other resources, and had the use of Glengoyne Lodge to
allow two members of the Scout and Cub sections who are
wheelchair users to participate in a Winter event.
Cubs, Scouts and Explorers from the 10th and 231st
looked a little DEEPER into the meaning of worldwide
scouting as they attended the Bethlehem Peace Light
service in Rutherglen and took part in spreading the
message of Scouts working for Peace.
Finally, at the District AGM we welcomed Jim Mclaren as
the new District Chairman and looked FORWARD to
developing Scouting in our District in 2009.
Your news…
Do you have any stories about what your Colony, Pack,
Troop or Explorer Unit has done?. If so, why not send
them in for inclusion in the next issue of Clyde
Connections to [email protected]. Please include
any photographs as a separate file. The closing date for
the next issue is 6th April 2009.
Clyde Connections © 2009 Clyde Regional Scout Council Editorial Team: Graeme Kinnear, Gary Bainbridge & Stuart Imrie
