  Clive Mason – Group Scout Leader Seasons Greetings from the GSL!Well it’s not long until the fat man comes down the chimney, and before anyone says it, I’m not talking about me! I thought it timely to 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 2015. In particular, I’d like to welcome to the Group, all those new members, parents & carers we have been working with over the past few weeks. But more of that further on… 2014 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! In addition, of particular note has been the strengthening of our community ties by finally establishing the war memorial in the town square. My enduring thanks and respect for all that were involved in bringing the project to fruition and in particular, Kath Robinson (Beaver Scout Leader)for her tenacity and enduring dedication to the cause. Those that attended the inauguration and/or remembrance ceremonies can’t fail to have been moved. I for one am immensely proud to lead a Group with such a respected profile in the town.  The year ahead…As we head into 2015, we look forward to some big changes and challenges as the Group increases the number of sections. Many of you will know that as a result of funding by the Pears Foundation, we have been working with the Scout Association Regional Development Service (RDS) to increase the Group capacity. A lot of work has been going on behind the scenes with the majority of those young people on our 200 strong waiting list together with their parents/carers. As a result, at the beginning of January we will be opening an additional two Beaver Colonies and another Cub Pack (based at Holy Trinity School). Our Group will then consist of 4 Beaver Colonies, 3 Cub Packs, 2 Scout Troops and our partnered Explorer Scout Unit (Trident ESU). Serving approximately 250 young people, this will make it one of the largest Groups not only in the District, but also the County and the UK. As the year progresses, we will be reviewing how things are going and there is a possibility we will look at opening an additional Scout Troop as well (we have to give the younger members something to move onto!). We are also considering developing a specialist water activities section which will provide activities across all the age ranges which are often harder to locally organise and participate in. BJAM 2015…The Group have already registered our attendance at the Brunel District Jamboree over the May Spring Bank holiday weekend. This is a fantastic opportunity (once every 4 years) for all our sections to attend a major Scouting event as a Scouting family…literally on our doorstep up the road at Woodhouse Park Almondsbury. If you haven’t already responded to the invitation on MyScout, please do so ASAP. NB All new members in the new sections will be separately invited in the New Year. 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 and in particular, our ‘fundraising’ portal . 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 use the contact form at the bottom of our fundraising page. In addition, if you’re a UK tax payer, please ensure that you are ‘Gift Aid’ registered with the Group. This is another way we can make money for the Group at no expense to yourselves. It is worth many hundreds of pounds a year to us. If you are not registered, please contact us using the contact form on our fundraising page.
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