Steve's Blog - April 2010
Hi Everyone!
Doesn't it get worrying? What does? Why, how time goes faster and faster. It only seems a few days since I wrote my Christmas greeting to you all and now here we are with Easter come and gone. I hope you all had a fantastic time.
Congratulations to those of you who took part in this year's NESST Hike. Extra mileage had been added to the long walk for this year and I am pleased that some of you did manage to complete it, well done! To those of you who didn't make it to the end, still feel proud of yourselves as it wasn't easy this year, especially through the Forestry.
Unfortunately I didn't make it to the County M.A.D. this year as my son arrived home from his holiday in Hong Kong and I went down to Heathrow to collect him, but I am told that you all had a fantastic time. That same evening I attended a special dinner to celebrate 100 years of Scouting in Mansfield District, so, HAPPY BIRTHDAY MANSFIELD DISTRICT!
Being Deputy County Commissioner means that I have more of a managerial role rather than a "hands-on", but those who know me well know that I am a bit of both. I enjoy both the managerial side of things, especially supporting our ACCs, as well as the "hands-on". So much so that I am still involved along with your ACC, Malc, and Ian Ellis (District Explorer Scout Leader for Mansfield) with the North Notts DofE Group, which we set up following the forum at County Camp last year, and what a successful group it has already become with over 20 registered to complete DofE through the Group. Well of course, with the approach of Easter came the new DofE Expedition Season and Malc, Ian and I were highly delighted over the Palm Sunday weekend to see a number of Nottinghamshire Scout DofE Groups out in Derbyshire, thoroughly enjoying themselves. Thank you to those who stopped to speak to the three of us, it was great to share your enthusiasm. Keep up the good work!
This month, April, is the time when we traditionally renew our Scout Promise at St George's Day events. Once again, this year, Malc and I will be at Windsor Castle supporting 5 young people from our County who have received the Queen’s Scout Award in the past 12 months. Sunday 25th April is a day when Scouting takes over the town of Windsor and no matter where you go in the town centre of Windsor it is full of people proudly wearing their Scout Uniforms. You too could be one of those proud young people another year if you continue to work towards your Gold DofE and subsequently your Queen's Scout Award (which can be gained without having to complete your DofE Gold, but all the requirements are the same so why not go for both and get a BOGOF?).
We have already set the ball in motion for the County Flag Competition later this year, although we may have to move the date due to a Regional Conference that we would all like to attend which is being held the same weekend, but keep an eye on this website.
In the meantime, the final preparations are being made to the "2010 Nottingham Big Game Live" competition which is being held 9-11th July. Are you putting a team in? If you are, I suggest you do so quickly because this month the Explorer Supplement to the Scouting Magazine carried a full page article about the event and enquiries have been received from Chesterfield (who tell us they are going to win it this year!), Burnley and Norfolk. It's a great fun weekend and all you need is your tent, bed and clothing. The food is supplied and there's no washing up to be done either, so hurry up and get that entry in. Visit the Big Game Live website.
Also in July is the County Activity Day at Holme Pierrepont Water Sports Centre (17th July) and I understand that there are some alternate activities for Explorers to do – again see the link on this website.
Remember - Malc and I (and even Kathryn out County Commissioner) are only too pleased to come along and support you at your events, so please do ask us as we will do our best to get along.
I wish you all a very pleasant summer with plenty of camping and other activities and I do so hope that this year the weather will be much kinder than the extremely wet summer we seemed to endure last year.
Cheers!
Steve Deputy County Commissioner
