Well, another year almost finished. I am so pleased that I was able to visit so many of you during the year and to hear your views on Scouting.
The overwhelming message seems to be that you are enjoying it and this comes from both the Leaders and the young people, from Beaver Scouts to Scout Network.
During the past month I managed to visit 1st Carlton Colville Scout Group and was able to present a number of my 4Cs woggles and Silver Awards for quite a few Cubs, well done. As always I was made to feel very welcome – thank you. On the following evening I was at 1st Lavenham to judge a Scout Troop Ready, Steady, Cook competition involving teams of four cooking a three-course meal. The contestants were a team of boys and a team of girls from Lavenham, and a team of boys from 1st Clare. I was so impressed! Not only were the menus challenging, but 12 in the kitchen plus the observers could have been a recipe for conflict. There was none! All beavered away producing their bills of fare and one by one they presented the fruits of their labour to the indiviual team tables for sampling. I cannot speak highly enough of the standard. Each team produced a course that stood out from the others. Although everyone deserved a prize the overall winners were the girls’ team by a very narrow margin. While I was pleased to sample everything, my fellow judge, the Sudbury District Chairman, managed to clear the plates.
Earlier this month I was invited by 11th Ipswich to celebrate the 40th Anniversary of the Christchurch Park Firework Display. Having attended the Display last month for the first time, I can only marvel at the work that goes into making such an event happen year after year.
I had the honour to present Silver Awards to Cubs at 1st Debenham. This was a real pleasure. However, a very special presentation also took place. Nine-year old Aluric Humpreys has the distinction of having earned all of the proficiency badges available to Cubs. In recognition of this Leader James Nunn pulled out all the stops and obtained a magnificent collection of gifts for Aluric. He also received the congratulations of everyone present on the evening. This is a magnificent achievement in one so young and shows this is within the grasp of all Cubs if they work hard enough. Of course it does rely on the willingness of the Leaders to encourage their charges to keep striving.
1st Clare Beaver Colony held a Sleep-over in the local community hall and I went along to see them and to present the Award of Merit to their GSL, Ian Robertson. It always gives me great pleasure to acknowledge publicly the hard work that is put in by you Leaders. I also passed on my 4Cs woggles to members of all the Sections for their work in the community.
To round off my visits for the year, I attended the annual Carol service in Stowmarket. A highlight is the fact that the church contained 231 Christmas trees, virtually all of which were lit up. This is an annual event and the trees are installed by the local community groups and traders in the town. It was a breathtaking sight, giving a perfect setting for the members and parents of Stowmarket District to sing their hearts out. The evening was rounded off with refreshements and mince pies – delicious. Many thanks to the Leaders and Supporters for all their hard work and to the young people for making it such a joyous occasion.
On that note, may I wish you and your families a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. See you next year.
Jenny