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Group Scout Leader Recruitment
New Exciting Vacancy
You could be our new Group Scout Leader. See the attached document for details and please contact us to discuss this or any other role within Bradley Stokes Scouts. |
Quartermaster Required!
Proud of our GSL 26 JUNE 2016
Avon Jamboree 2016 26 JUNE 2016
On 27th May 2016, around 4000 Scouts and Guides from the Avon area and beyond gathered at the Windmill Fisheries Showground in South Gloucestershire for the 2016 County Jamboree. Sun, rain, mud, lots of activities and a visit from ‘Bear’ made the weekend a fantastic experience for all. Just over half the Group (105 young people) supported by 31 volunteers attended with Dave Pace (Assistant Group Scout Leader – Cubs) doing a sterling job as our Group lead for this major event. |
Group Scout Leaders Xmas Message 29 DECEMBER 2015
![]() ![]() Well it’s not long until the fat man comes down the chimney, and before anyone says it, I’m not talking about me! t’s that time of year when I traditionally wish all members and supporters of 1st Bradley Stoke Scout Group, a very happy Christmas and a Happy New Year. It’s also an opportunity to update you all on what’s ahead for the Group in 2016. Our Year… 2015 has been another great Scouting year. Our ever enthusiastic leaders have continued to provide diverse programmes delivering fun, friendship, challenge and everyday adventure for our young people…and adult volunteers! Without any doubt, we provide the most diverse range of opportunities and activities for young people in the community than any other organisation…and exceptionally good value for money too! At the beginning of 2015, we opened an additional 2 Beaver Colonies and another Cub Pack (based at Holy Trinity School). This brought our Group sections to 4 x Beaver Colonies, 3 x Cub Packs, 2 x Scout Troops and our partnered Explorer Scout Unit (Trident ESU). ![]() One of the highlights was one of the most entertaining camp fires sing alongs I’ve experienced…it takes a lot to get the GSL dancing! ![]() Our 2nd Remembrance Parade ran successfully in the Town Square and the rain (just about) held off! Even greater numbers attended this year and once again, proved what a successful project this has been not just for the Group, but the community as a whole. The year ahead… Whilst already serving approximately 210 young people, we nonetheless remain a victim of our own success and still have to manage lengthy waiting lists. By no means is this a badge of honour and as a result we are currently planning a 4th Cub Pack by next Easter and a 3rd Scout Troop within the year. This of course will only be possible by maximising current availability at Holy Trinity School (Brook Way has more or less reached maximum capacity), and the successful recruitment of additional adult volunteers to support the new sections. With good strategic planning, these sections and the Group as a whole will be sustainable. However, we will have to give serious thought to any further expansion as there has to be a manageable limit. Undoubtedly some young people will be disappointed that we can’t accommodate them. We routinely guide them in the direction of our neighbouring Groups but not surprisingly…they want to join the local one! As proof that it only takes a spark to make an explosion, further to a suggestion following last year’s remembrance parade that we perhaps formed our own marching band…it’s happening! Following a successful pilot evening and subsequent planning meetings, this new project will be starting in January and meeting at the new BSCS primary school. All ages membership will be from existing section members and led by both new & existing adult volunteers (including qualified music teachers). Now we really will be able to blow our own trumpet! Following our attendance at BJAM15, at the end of next May we will be attending the County Jamboree to be held at the South Gloucestershire Showground at Westerleigh. Keep an eye out in January for invitations to attend and I would encourage all our members to join around 4000 of their Scouting brothers & sisters in a great range of activities over 3 days & nights. Finally, it’s going to be a big year for our Cub & Beaver sections who are celebrating their 100th & 30th Anniversaries respectively. They’ll both be taking in part in some special events and activities to mark this. All the above is obviously in addition to the weekly section meetings and weekend activities…from abseiling to zorbing! Fundraising… Just a quick word about fundraising. Without the continuing support of our fundraising team and their initiatives, we would struggle to financially maintain the Group. Please check out our fundraising page at Fund Raising and in particular, our ‘fundraising’ portal at easyfundraising. By utilising this simple portal when you shop online, you will raise Group donations from the retailers (over 2700 of them) without it costing you a penny extra! This really is a licence to print money and the more we can encourage people to utilise it the better! If you have any ideas for fundraising or perhaps would like to join our fundraising team, please contact us at Contact Fundraising Our volunteers… Of course none of this would be possible without the continuing recruitment of new adult volunteers, and the dedication and support of our existing ones. Nor must we forget our Young Leaders who are a vital part of our leadership teams and are rightly regarded as such. We are always on the lookout for additional support. If you feel you could contribute in any way, large or small to help us out, please let us know by either approaching your section leader, Nick Nelson or myself or by filing in the Adult Volunteer form. All the adults in the Group are volunteers and undoubtedly like you, lead busy lives. However, volunteering with us is easy, fun and flexible – how much time you give is completely up to you...see Join 1st BSS. Recognition… It was particularly inspiring for our latest British astronaut (Major Tim Peake) to be quoted as saying that Scouting was the first step of his long life journey to the ISS. I often say to new volunteers…and those experienced ones who sometimes wonder whether it’s all worth it…never underestimate the influence you can have on a young person’s life. Small acts can transform the world and we should be privileged to have that opportunity to inspire, teach and influence in a positive way. One of the Associations goals (and mine!) is to recognise the dedication of our volunteers and where appropriate/possible, ensure that this is publicised. If you feel that one of the volunteers (whether a leader or a supporter) within the Group deserves special recognition, please do let me know. There are various ways in Scouting that this can be done. I have had the pleasure to present several long service awards over the past year. This proves that our volunteers either don’t learn(!)…or seriously enjoy what they contribute and experience working within the Group. In addition, you may like to nominate them for the annual South Gloucestershire Chair’s Community Awards which recognises local ‘community heroes’ – people who have made a real difference to their community. There is still time to submit nominations for the 2016 awards (deadline 31st January 2016). Web link at… http://www.southglos.gov.uk/council-and-democracy/councillors-democracy-and-elections/council-chair/chairs-community-awards/ Finally… Thank you for choosing our Group for your child to join in the adventure of Scouting. If you would like to discuss anything further, or have any concerns or queries, then please do get in touch. Also, keep an eye on our website and facebook page for up to date Group news and information. Have a very happy Christmas and a great New Year…I’m off to think about an aviation section! ![]() Clive Mason – Group Scout Leader ![]() |
Guide Dogs 22 JUNE 2015
On The Water: Help us by Voting NOW! 16 MAY 2015
Help us get funds to set up and run the Water Based Activities that our young people love to take part in.Go to https://community-fund.aviva.co.uk/voting/Project/View/537 and cast your votes to help us get funding from the Aviva Community Fund ![]() |
Youth Forums Launch 4 MARCH 2015
Tomorrow Evening (Thursday 5th March) our Youth Representative is putting on the very first Youth Forum with Thursday Scouts. Covering topics like the Programme, Badges, Group Events, Section Names and much more!Head over to the ‘Youth Shaped‘ webpage to find out more about how you can help! Follow @BSS_YouthRep on twitter for the latest updates of Youth Shaped Scouting in Bradley Stoke. |
Youth-shaped begins 27 FEBRUARY 2015
The future of Scouts is youth-shaped![]() The event was led and organised by UK Youth Commissioner Hannah Kentish, along with deputies Jay Thompson and Jagz Bharth. Four different topics were covered throughout the course of the day. Discussions included: young peoples’ experience of youth-shaped Scouting and ways in which it could be improved the logistics of running a youth council the topics that matter to young people and what the youth council needs to address first and foremost the ways in which even more Scouts can be persuaded to get involved Hannah comments: ‘I didn’t realise that my own ideas could make such a huge impact on my Scouting experience and the experience of others around the whole country too. This is such a great opportunity for me to have. It’s important that as young people we get the chance to discuss the issues that are important to us, and it’s essential that we are part of the solution too!’ #YouShapeIn the afternoon, the conference was live-streamed, so that people who weren’t in the room were able to join in. The afternoon’s question and answer session, run by the UK Youth Commissioner team, Chief Exec Matt Hyde and UK Chief Commissioner Wayne Bulpitt, was also broadcast on Twitter so that people could have their questions answered no matter where they were! ‘Feeling empowered and enthusiastic after #YouShape today,’ said Sophie, a YouShape delegate. ‘Seeing so many with so much enthusiasm for Scouting, all with views and ideas shared by all around the tables was really special,’ added Ollie. What’s next? The atmosphere at the conference was incredibly lively, and left the team with plenty of ideas to work with in the future. Deputy UK Youth Commissioner Jay Thompson praised the event for bringing so many enthusiastic young people together. ‘Being able to speak up at events like this really gave me confidence,’ he said. ‘I have learnt so much from events where I could speak up and listen to people with the same interest and enthusiasm for Scouting as I do.’ The team will be reviewing all of the thoughts of delegates from the weekend to decide on the best way to make sure Scouting is led by young people all over the UK. Check out the day’s action on our Facebook page, and get involved on Twitter using the hashtag #YouShape. Head over to the ‘Youth Shaped‘ webpage to find out more about how you can help! Follow @BSS_YouthRep on twitter for the latest updates of Youth Shaped Scouting in Bradley Stoke. |
Shaun The Sheep Visits The Beavers 12 FEBRUARY 2015
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