2019 AGM Minutes

 

Boreatton Scout Group AGM 2019

 

Attendees – Joycelin Hoyland, Chair; Kas Bartlett, Drum Corp Rep.; Steve Millington, Scout Leader; Phil Atkinson GSL, Sharron Edge, Cub leader; Hugh Jones , Beaver leader; Owen Herbert-Jones, Pete Lambert, SL and Group Secretary; Sarah Lea, Exec Committee

Apologies – Alan Herbert, Explorer leader; Pete Sturgess, Specialist Sections leader

1.       Welcome and Chair issued thank you to Phil A. for holding the fort for the last 12 months.

2.       Beaver section review –  Beavers numbers stood at 12 before Christmas but have recently risen to 22. New leaders include Laura Redworth who is a warrant holder, Lee-Ann Farrow and regular support from a number of parents. The programme is wide ranging though they do avoid Cub type activities to avoid repetition as the young people move through the sections. PGL facilities have been getting harder to book [The Scout Section have pretty much ceased using the site though did book a climbing session on the PGL indoor wall.] The Beavers complete a night hike each term and are planning a camp for the summer with Cubs. At least one of the Beavers is a real badge enthusiast which helps the rest of the Colony take an interest in the Badge scheme and are usually referred to the Scout website to help them understand requirements and what they can do themselves with leader guidance.

3.       Cub section review – Cubs stand at 26 with a waiting list. Hugh has been collaborating with Sharron to help with the programme, two adult helpers include Paul Pearson-Wright, Gary and a Young Leader Hazel Jones complete the leadership team. Sharron has been developing programme themes around disability looking at dementia, sight impairment, hearing dogs – all working towards the Disability Badge. Highlights have include a presentation by Josh Millington about his upcoming trip to America for the Jamboree. Josh had also given the same presentation to Scouts as part of their World Challenge badge sessions. On both occasions Josh did an excellent job inspiring the Cubs and Scouts, Cub parents particularly liked the presentation. Future sessions to include shooting and Drum Corps.

4.       Scouts section review – Currently the Troop numbers 26 with on average 15 attending each session. We have 5 uniformed leaders, Phil Atkinson, Pete Lambert, Darren Williams, Steve Millington, Tom Cambidge and with regular help from Cerys Dowman.  The last year has been extremely well supported by our team of superb Young Leaders – Owen Herbert-Jones, Thomas Mellor, Leon Humprheys and Josh Millington. All Last year started with the 6 Summits Challenge with three teams taking part and completing the 36 mile, 3 day trek, this year, 2019, we had two teams who also successfully completed the challenge. A fantastic tribute to the months of training and preparation undergone by the young people. In this third year we had a number of Explorers who had completed all three years and had achieved the Training, Expedition and Leaders Challenge award. Boreatton is again the only Shropshire Scout Troop to take part, in recognition of this we were visited by the County Commissioner, Adam Williams on day 3. Over the year we have had a number of day and night hikes, lots of fun bushcraft sessions at Bentley Marsh Coppice in Tedsmore and a very cold but successful  camp at Underhill Farm in Pant.

5.       Explorers review – The Boreatton Explorer Unit is one of the largest in the District and has a busy programme. On average 12 Explorers attend each week. A key part of the programme is participation in the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award scheme with passes in Bronze, Silver and Gold. Owen Herbert- Jones completed his Gold Award community service by attending and supporting the Scout for over a year for which we are very grateful and heartily impressed with his commitment and effort.

6.       Pedal Car – Steve Millington is looking at the possibility of getting a team to the National Pedal car championships and has begun working with other leaders on how to pull this together.

7.       Capitation – Capitation is paid yearly to the Scout Association in the UK to cover central costs. The fee amounts to £46 per Beaver/Cub/Scout. This fee was paid on 26th January and was calculated at the membership at that point 25 Scouts, 12 Cubs and 12 Beavers - £2184.

8.       Group Accounts – notes

Drum Corps are seeking recompense for some of their parade appearances to help cover costs and pay for maintenance of instruments and travel costs top attend District parades. KB is to write to District Commissioner to enquire regarding a contribution.

Scouts to charge more often to cover cost of activities more realistically.

Subs levels – Beavers/Cubs stand at £35 Scouts at £40 Explorers £35 – all to be reviewed at next Executive Committee meeting – 20/5/19

9.       Drum Corps review – The Drum Corps is thriving with numbers good, averaging 8 to 12 members for each practice session with a younger group coming up. Kas Bartlett with support from Caroline and Debbie H provide supervision and support to the Corps. A local musician with Cornet playing skills is helping with bugle development. The Corps has lead events in Shrewsbury, Wem Carnival and West Felton and has recently issued a Parade timetable for the remainder of the parade year.

10.   Appointment of Officers:

Chair – Joycelin Hoyland – Proposed by Sarah Lea, Seconded by Phil Atkinson

Secretary – Pete Lambert – Proposed by Joycelin Hoyland, Seconded by Hugh Jones

Treasurer – Wendy Lloyd – Proposed by Joycelin Hoyland , Seconded by Kas Bartlett

11.   Note of thanks

Formal note of thanks for Phil Atkinson for his hard work in supporting the Group as Chair and Treasurer over the last five years for which all members are truly appreciative and without which the Group would have struggled in great difficulty.

Formal note of thanks to Pete Lambert for his work as Group Secretary.

Formal thank you to all Sections and families for making Boreatton possibly the best Scout Group Ever!!

12.   A special presentation was made to Owen Herbert-Jones of a framed Boreatton Necker in recognition of his exemplary service to the Scout section over the last 12 months and in recognition of his Scouting career through all sections to his current achievement of the Gold DofE award. A splendid young man and a credit to himself and Scouting.

13.   AOB

14.   Campstores – Two years ago the whole Group came together to re-paint the Hut and exterior of the Campstore, it is now the turn of the interior of the campstore. There will be 4 evening sessions on 15/5/19, 22/5/19, 5/6/19 and to finish with a mini BBQ on 19/6/19 – 7pm to 9pm. The aim is to rearrange the shelving and paint interior of the store, sort and list all equipment, dump all surplus or trash gear and do a deep clean of the Hut at the same time.

15.   Group BBQ – it was proposed that the last Scout session which is to be held at Whitemere Sailing Club might be a good opportunity to host a whole Group BBQ. An organising group will need to be found and followed up.

16.   Next Executive Committee meeting on Monday 20th May 2019.

17.   Meeting Closed

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