Home page
For previous Dictums click here
DICTUM
November 2007
It’s that time of year yet again when the clock moves back one hour and we drive home from work in the dark. Still it is a beautiful time of the year as the trees change colour and the air freshens with the definite change to autumn. It is a good time of year to get our young people out and about either during the darkness, which is always good fun, or during weekends allowing for the demands of sports and hobbies. It’s the season for the dark night activities and I’m looking forward to visiting all of our Groups during the next few months as we all go about making life fun and interesting for the young people in our charge.
Nights Away Permit Scheme
There has been a review of the scheme and there have been some changes made. It is intended that the implementation of the updated scheme will be carried out between now and 1st May, 2008. With this in mind it will be my intention to review everyone’s permit by then. There is more information in the form of fact-sheets on Scoutbase (www.scoutbase.org.uk/ps/nightsaway/naps.htm) .
Your existing permit is still valid until reviewed when a new one will be issued.
Fact-sheet numbers FS120800, 1, 2, 3, & 4, Assessment Checklist number AC120990 and application forms are available at this website address.
Tree Planting
I have been contacted again about the tree planting opportunity at Monkstown wood. This time it was the Ulster Wildlife Trust that is helping run this event together with Newtownabbey Borough Council and the Woodland Trust. There will be two days when we can take part, namely 1st and 2nd December. I know some have shown an interest already but it’s a great chance for all Groups to get involved.
Contact myself or Tessa Stock on 44830282 (email tessa.stock@ulsterwildlifetrust.org). The sessions are both mornings but if there is enough demand Tessa has said that they can be extended to the afternoon to accommodate sports, etc.
Centenary Celebrations
Gala Night in the Waterfront Hall on 24th November – Tickets are available for this event in November from either the Scout Shop or Scout Headquarters at Ardnavalley.
Vision Aid Overseas
For anyone who receives the ScoutingPlus newsletter via email you may have noticed in the recent edition no. 83 that a Scout Group in Hull is collecting second-hand spectacles that are eventually sent to countries such as Ethiopia where they are dispensed to suitable patients after appropriate eye tests. Vision Aid Overseas (VAO) is the charity that organises this very worthwhile venture and they receive used glasses using a network of participating opticians across the UK. I think it would be a good idea for us as a District to support this charity, even as a one off. Many of us have glasses that have been discarded for a variety of reasons and no doubt many are thrown out when they have the real potential to help people in developing countries improve their lives through being able to see better. I am suggesting that over the course of the next few months that we ask our young people to bring in any unwanted glasses (without cases) and we will forward them on to VAO for processing. I would be keen for someone to volunteer to help with this so if you feel you could give a little time to this worthy cause please let me know. One person per Group would be an ideal scenario. Please let me know your thoughts on this suggestion by email. More information on the website – www.vao.org.uk .
Appointment cards
Everyone who receives the Scouting magazine will already know that the days of issuing warrants are officially over and that the new system takes the form of an appointment card. This should have arrived with the last magazine and should have all of your details printed on it together with review dates. If your details aren’t accurate could you please let our District Secretary, Joanna Finlay, know and she will arrange for them to be updated through HQ. Channel these through your GSL where possible and appropriate. The card will be reissued next April and then annually.
Leaders'Social Event
Ten-pin bowling. A total of 20 leaders and friends attended this thoroughly enjoyable evening. The ten-pin bowling was well contested with everyone really enjoying the light-hearted fun of the competition without taking it too seriously. The new District Champion is Steven Ball, Scout Leader in 1st Ballyclare with a very credible score of 140. The Italian cuisine in the Little Sicily restaurant afterwards was excellent with everyone the food and the craic. My thanks to Charlie Moore for co-ordinating this event and to our District Chairman, Peter Dawson, for supplying the prizes.
I would be very keen for more of us to get together for some more fun events next year so if anyone has any good suggestions for activities and venues that might gather a good crowd of leaders and friends please let me know.
David email daholmes@f2s.com)
top of the page