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DICTUM
March 2007
Isn’t it refreshing to see a stretch in the daylight hours in the evenings as we approach spring after the bleak days of winter? It will soon be time to put the clocks forward and then we can really get into outdoor Scouting activities again. There is a lot planned for the coming months especially in terms of Centenary celebrations. I hope everyone will feel they can contribute to the organisation of the events being planned but please don’t sit back and wait to be asked – volunteer your skills and time and let’s make the year 2007 one to remember for a long time to come.
Centenary Celebrations
Publicity
– we are still looking for local sponsors to assist with the cost of Scouting posters in return for some advertising.
St. George's Day Annual Parade, Lisburn
– this County event will be held in a number of large churches in Lisburn. A number of bus companies have been approached regarding a block booking to take each group to Lisburn. However it soon became apparent that there was no significant discount available for booking up to 10 buses. It has therefore been decided that each Group should organise its own transport to the event. Buses are still the preferred option to reduce the parking requirements. Parking will be available in Wallace Park and in the grounds of Wallace High School and Friends School. The organisers are suggesting a staggered arrival time with some refreshments being made available for the earlier arrivals. There is still not a definite parade start time but it is likely to be around 2.15pm.
County Antrim Centenary Camp
– numbers for this camp were required, together with a deposit, by 28th February. If you haven’t already done so please forward them to our District Chairman, Peter Dawson as soon as possible.
Scouting Display - Mossley Mill
– this display will be for the entire month of April and as April is rapidly approaching the display material needs to be ready very soon. Volunteers from each group will be needed to set up the display. I will notify each group when details are finalised with the Mill.
Scouting History
– a small number of articles about the history of Scouting in various parts of the District have already been published in Greenseas. Some Groups haven’t contributed as yet and as time is moving on could these Groups please try to put something together for inclusion in Greenseas, preferably by the last edition before the summer break, ie June.
Scouting Sunrise
– as I mentioned in last month’s Dictum we need to get the Centenary message out to old Scouts and leaders to give them a chance to take part. A number of Groups are already doing this using Church and Parish magazines.
Centenary Service, St. Annes Cathedral, Belfast
– St Anne’s Cathedral.
It was good to see such a good turn-out from SE Antrim at the Celebration Service held in St Anne’s Cathedral on 18th February. The service was led by the Dean of St Anne’s, Rev Houston McKelvey, with the address being given by the former Archbishop of Armagh, the Most Rev. Dr. Robin HA Eames. Our own District Chaplin, Rev. Mark Taylor, read a Scripture reading. It was a very uplifting and motivating service in celebration of 100 years of Scouting. If anyone is passing the cathedral take a few minutes to go inside and look at the Scout Association stained-glass window in the Chapel of Unity. Well worth a visit.
Tree Planting
Well done to 4th Carrickfergus. Young people, parents and leaders from all sections of 4th Carrickfergus combined forces to help the Woodlands Trust plant trees in Bashfordsland near Carrickfergus. An enjoyable 2 hours was spent in the mud doing a little bit to help our environment and having fun at the same time. Another opportunity is available on 1st April in Whitehead if anyone would like to get involved.
Contact Ken Gillespie in Scout HQ for more details – Tel. 90492829.
Presentations
I had the pleasure of presenting the following awards in the past few weeks;
Wendy Halligan, GSL, 1st Whitehouse – Group Scout Leader Warrant
Adrian Halligan, District Explorer Scout Leader – 15 Year Long Service Decoration
Claire McKeegan, BSL, 1st Whitehouse – 10 year Certificate of Service
Stephen Ferris, SL, 1st Whitehead – 10 year Certificate of Service
Wilf Lewis, CSL, 1st Whitehead – 15 Year Long Service Decoration
Paul Spence, ASL, 4th Carrickfergus – Scout Leader Warrant
Ian Boyd, SL, 4th Carrickfergus – Woodbeads and Certificate
Congratulations to everyone and especially Ian on completion of his Wood-badge training.
David– email daholmes@f2s.com)
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