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DICTUM
January 2008
I would like to begin by wishing a Happy New Year to everyone in South East Antrim District. I hope that 2008 will be as an enjoyable year as our Centenary year was. By now most groups will have restarted and ideas that were put down on paper in programme meetings will now be taking shape as they become reality.
I know many groups have already plans for another year of fun events and activities.
Move To Europe - Entdeck Europa
Some months ago I was approached by Newtownabbey Borough Council about the possibility of being the contact person for some German Scout leaders who were interested in visiting Northern Ireland with a view to having a camp here in July and August 2008. I agreed and was subsequently contacted by one of their leaders who gave me the details of what they were planning. They are based in the Ruhr region of northern Germany and they are trying to foster relationships with Scouts from other cities in Europe which are already twinned with German cities in their region. Newtownabbey is twinned with Dorsten and the borough already has strong ties with this city. Essentially they are planning a camp in Northern Ireland this summer to explore our country and to make new friendships with Scouts from our District. They would be keen that as many as possible would come and join them for a part of their camp and take part in some joint activities. They hope to stay for about three weeks so there would be ample opportunity for us to join them even for a weekend camp. Four of their leaders arrived last Wednesday and on Thursday I went with them on a whistle stop tour of the District and beyond, eventually ending up at Crawfordsburn to let them see the facilities - see January cover. They were very impressed with what the campsite has to offer and seem keen to visit us. The age group they hope to bring here will be 16 years old and above but I would be keen that we should involve our older Scouts and Explorers in some joint activities with our visitors with a view to taking a group of our young people to Germany in 2010. Ultimately the Scouts in each European twinned city will be invited to take part in a German Jamboree in 2010 to be held in the heart of the Ruhr region.
If anyone would like more information on this visit and the German Jamboree please feel free to get in touch.
Mr Agnew Hamilton
It is with regret that I report the passing of Mr Agnew Hamilton, a former Scout in Larne who died last Thursday, 3rd January. He was very active for many years as both a Scout and later as a leader in Larne Scouts. I had the pleasure of meeting him in his shoe shop in Point Street, Larne last April when I extended an invitation to him to visit our exhibition in Mossley Mill. Despite him being well advanced in years he was still very active in the Larne area being on the committees of various organisations in the town. He told me that he had met our founder, Lord Baden Powell, at a Jamboree in London in the 1920s and had contributed a shilling towards the Rolls Royce car that had been presented to BP as a gift. Our sympathies are extended to his family.
Activity Authorisations
This is the time of year we look forward to the brighter nights and the prospect of getting out and about with walks and camps. Don’t forget that some activities require authorisation so please make sure that you plan any necessary training for leaders and have the necessary authorisation in place.
Congratulations
I would like to congratulate, on the District’s behalf, Claire Jenkins of 1st Cloughfern who was married recently to Brian Robinson. A number of her Beaver Scouts turned up at the wedding to wish her well and form a ‘guard of honour’ following the ceremony. Our sincere best wishes go to Claire and Brian as they begin married life together. See photograph on page 6 of this month's magazine.
David email daholmes@f2s.com)
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