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DICTUM

May 2008

Here we are again at the busiest time of the Scouting season. The organisation of camps and major outdoor activities is well underway and the young people in our charge are eagerly awaiting these events. This is the time of year when we really do put the ‘OUT’ in Scouting. Hopefully as many as possible will get the opportunity to take part and that the weather will be kind to us all as we make our way to various venues around the country.

St. George's Day Parade

On behalf of everyone in the District could I offer sincere thanks to everyone involved in the organisation of the parade and church service. In particular I would like to mention Rev. Scott Woodburn who conducted the service and was enjoyed by young and old alike and which put across an important Gospel message at the same time. This was Rev. Woodburn’s first Scout service but I’m sure he’ll be asked again in the future. Our thanks again to Joanna Finlay who organised much of the detail of the day behind the scenes.
There were approximately 350 people on parade and the church collection amounted to £355 that will be divided between the Hospice and the Children’s Hospice.
Click here to see Parade photographs.

St. George's Day Awards

Congratulations to Alex Powers (AGSL, 1st Ballyclare and District Badge Secretary) and Oliver Townsend (CSL, 1st Monkstown, Editor of Greenseas and ADC Cubs) on being awarded a bar to the Silver Acorn in the recent St George’s Day Awards.

District Leaders' Meeting

A lot of useful sectional business was carried out at our recent leaders’ meeting held at 1st Monkstown. Leader numbers were down on previous meetings but hopefully the relevant information will have found its way out to everyone since. Thanks to Oliver and his team for their hospitality.

New Appointments

I am very grateful to the following for taking on new roles on the District team and I look forward to working with them in the future;

Linda Cherry (1stCloughfern) – ADC (Beavers)
Cherry Townsend (1st Islandmagee) – DBSL
Stephen Stanley (1st Islandmagee) – DSL

Presentations

I had the pleasure of presenting a number of gifts and awards recently at the St George’s Day church service;

Brian Herron – outgoing ADC (Scouts)
Geoff Hegarty – outgoing DSL
Marina Powers – outgoing DBSL
Nan Dunlop (1st Ballyclare) – 25 years service award
Anne Nicholson (1st Islandmagee) – 15 years service award
Wendy McCloughlin (2nd Larne) – 10 years service award

First Response Training

I would like to draw your attention to the article on 1st Response renewals in the May issue of Scouting Ulster. As it mentions in the article it needs to be renewed every three years unless you have an alternative, valid work based qualification. If there was enough demand within the District or County I could investigate the possibility of having the course run locally instead of at Greenmount and perhaps over two evenings instead of one day. Please let me know if you are interested.

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Move To Europe - Entdeck Europa

I attended a meeting with Newtownabbey Borough Council recently about the visit of German Scouts in the summer. Newtownabbey is twinned with Dorsten where many of these Scouts are from and the council is keen to help in the organisation of some events that will include the German Scouts as well as many from SE Antrim. I mentioned before that the age group they are bringing here will be 16 years old and above so the activities will be geared to suit 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. The finer details have still to be worked out when we get more details from Germany. The activities are likely to be on two separate days during late July and early August so please keep this visit in mind when planning summer activities.

District barbecue and Quiz

Keep Friday 13th June free in your diaries as this will be the night of the District barbeque in Ballyclare Rugby Club. All leaders and friends are invited. We had a very enjoyable night last year with over 60 people coming and we would like to build on that this year. The cost has been set at £7.50 per person. Geoff Hegarty has kindly agreed to organise this event so please let him know numbers coming from each group. If there are any special dietary requirements please let Geoff know (I’m assuming that most people enjoy steak although some alternatives such as chicken, burgers and sausages will be available). Some help will be needed on the night so could each Group please nominate someone to give a little assistance.

Geoff’s contact details are;
Email : gheg1@aol.com

David email daholmes@f2s.com)

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