We are really pleased to be able to once again hold our Remembrance Day Parade this year. It will be on Sunday 14th November and full details will be sent out by your section leaders.
After such success in previous years one of our Scouts, Oliver Ward, will once again be selling chocolate poppies in the Scout HQ after the ceremony.
They will be in a sealed bag and all ingredients are listed on the pack to assist with any allergies. The chocolate poppies will be on sale for 50p each with all proceeds going to the Royal British Legion. If people could please bring the exact change it would be much appreciated.
This Annual Report is issued by the trustees of the 23rd Bromley (St Augustine’s) Scout Group in conformity with requirements of relevant Charities Acts and the Policy, Organisation and Rules of the Scout Association. It covers the financial year ended 31st March 2021 and the census year ending 31st January 2021.
Due to a change in personal circumstances one of our current Hurricane Beaver leaders is no longer able to attend meetings on a regular basis. We are therefore looking for an adult to join the existing Hurricane Beavers Leadership Team. The existing team have already got a great programme in place which is fun, messy, loud and jam packed with adventure – we are really looking for an adult who can be present and support at the weekly meetings.
If you are someone who enjoys interacting with young people, and is patient and caring then you are just the kind of person we are looking for. Full support is given by the two Group Scout Leaders, as well as other members of the Beaver Leadership Team.
The Beaver Section is our youngest Section, with Young People joining aged 6 and staying with the section until they are 8. Hurricane Beavers meet on Tuesday evenings during term time – they start at 5.00pm and finish at 6.30pm.
We are also looking for adults to volunteer at our other sections, such as Explorers (14-18 year olds) who meet on a Thursday evening from 7.45pm until 9.15pm.
If you would be interested in joining in the adventure as an adult volunteer then please email gsl@23rdbromleyscouts.org. Please do also share details with anyone who you think might be interested.
It is with very deep sadness that we have to tell you that Tom Manthorpe, our Group President, passed away peacefully earlier this week with his family at his side.
Tom had been in the Group for well over 50 years, he was Scout Leader from the early 1960s (his daughter Helen remembers going to many Scout camps when she was a very young girl). He then went on to be Group Scout Leader in 1973 and then became Group President in 1984.
Whenever there was a group event Tom, with Erica at his side, would be there – he was still counting money at the jumble sales right up until the last one we ever did.
Tom’s service was rightly recognised with the award of The Silver Acorn in 2007 –which is for those who have given “specially distinguished service” to the Scout movement. He also received the Chief Scouts 50 years Service Award in 2012.
Nothing was ever too much trouble for Tom and he was a much respected and loved member of the Group and we send our sincere condolences to Mike, Helen, Tom and their families.
Tom’s funeral will be on Friday 10th September. There will be a service at St Augustines Church at 2.30pm for anyone who would like to come.
Spitfire Beavers had a great day at Frylands Wood campsite on Sunday.
There were 23 young people having a go at Archery, the Assault Course, the Traverse Wall, a Photo Challenge, Grass Sledging and Pond Dipping. We found lots of wildlife in the pond and no one got too wet!
There was a lot of loud singing with actions around the campfire and some yummy s’mores. All beavers are ready for the next big adventure!
Scout HQ Working Party – Saturday 12th June 9.30am – 12.30pm
It is great that Scouting is slowly recovering from its enforced slumbers and its pleasing to see the Scout HQ is being used again. Our HQ however is currently looking a bit tired and unloved, especially outside.
We will be holding a working party on the morning of Saturday 12th June from 9.30am to 12.30pm and invite leaders, parents and friends to come along and lend a hand, even if you can only come for some of the time please do.
There will be a variety of jobs, not just gardening, to be done – all in accordance with current social distancing advice.
If you can, please come along and help us make a difference to make the Scout HQ a great meeting space for our Young People.
Have you ever thought about helping out at the 23rd Bromley but not sure if you have enough time or what you would like to do? We are looking to start the Four Week Challenge with Hurricane Beavers who meet on a Tuesday 5.00pm-6.30pm.
The Four Week Challenge is a gradual introduction to Scouting to show new volunteers just how much they can get out of it, and how many different roles there are. You can come for the whole meeting, but you don’t have to attend every meeting for the whole session. You might be able to help with particular activities or badge work, help with the accounts or complete the register and other paperwork at the start of the meeting for example.
Week 1 – Come and see what we do and meet the team
Week 2 – Help out, maybe run a short activity or a game or help with some administration
Week 3 – Get a little more involved
Week 4 – Decide if volunteering is for you
If you would be interested in giving the Four Week Challenge a go, then please drop us a message or email gsl@23rdbromleyscouts.org
It is with deep sadness that the Group announces the passing of Bill Grierson, our Group Vice President. Bill had been unwell for a few months and passed away at St Christopher’s Hospice on Saturday afternoon.
Bill pictured at the Groups 75th Anniversary in 2014
Bill was a Cub, Scout and Rover Scout in Edinburgh and took up his first adult Scouting appointment in 1954 at the age of 19 as an Assistant Scout Leader with his local Group and even helped by volunteering at another Group whilst he was away on National Service.
He was a pivotal member of the 23rd Bromley for 44 years, joining the Group shortly after they moved to Petts Wood from Edinburgh. Bill’s work brought his family to Bromley from Edinburgh in the mid 1970’s. They met their new neighbours who invited them to a New Year party, at the Scout Hut at 5pm and not even on New Years Eve, but that was the start of Bill’s long and valued association with the 23rd Bromley.
He joined the Group as an Assistant Scout Leader (ASL) in 1977 and subsequently became Group Scout Leader (GSL) from 1991 to 2000. When Bill stood down as GSL in 2000 he became Group Secretary until 2014, when he was given the role of Group Vice President.
Bill pictured as an ASL in 1984
Bill also supported Bromley District Scouts, where he was an active member of the Wilberforce Tuesday Club – regularly acting as Duty Warden alongside his role as Wilberforce Treasurer.
Bill’s service was rightly recognised with the award of The Silver Wolf in 2012 – this is the highest award in Scouting. Its the “unrestricted gift of the Chief Scout and is only awarded for service of a most exceptional nature”. He also received the Chief Scouts 40 years Service Award in 2015.
Bill Grierson – Gone Home
29th December 1935 – 27th February 2021
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