Dear parents,

Welcome to the latest edition of the 1st Oxted Scout newsletter, dated 23 October 2007.

There are a number of things to cover - please read all the boxes. This newsletter is designed to be read as an email or directly off the web. It should print OK but the boxes will not be in colour, and it may not print right in some browsers.

Try it.

Please let me know if there is anything that you think could be done better on this newsletter page.

After half term we will be:

building a guy, and having a bonfire

Having a cooking competition and getting the newest members of the Troop past the Cooking badge

Climbing

Going out for a walk

Film night

Other fun too!

British Legion, 10.40a.m, Sunday 12th November at the British Legion, Church Lane (finish approx. 12.30)

Remembrance Sunday (and St Georges Day) are the two important ceremonial events in the Scout calendar. All Scouts serious about going to camp and doing other exciting activities will be willing and able to come along on these two Sundays.

If your Scout cannot attend and you have not already informed me, please do so before the day

SCOUT UNIFORM

Scout Uniform consists of the following:

Scout shirt

Scout trousers or shorts (dependent on season)

Scarf with woggle (provided by Group)

Scarves and woggles are provided free to all uniformed and invested members of the Troop...once.

Subsequent loss of these items will incur a small charge for replacement (£1 for a leather woggle, £2 for a Scarf) which I suggest is docked from the Scout's pocket money - not for full cost recovery, but to encourage Scouts to look after their property. I am sure you will agree with this policy.

Uniform can be obtained from the Scout Shop at one of the following places:

1)Scout shop at the Lagham Scout HQ on Lagham Road at South Godstone, from 10-12 on a Saturday morning

2) Off the web at www.scouting.outdoors.ltd.uk/acatalog/Scouts.htm

3) from outdoor clothing shops in Croydon and elsewhere.

East Surrey District will hold its annual Swimming Gala at the leisure centre at Edenbridge on Saturday 1st DECEMBER in the evening.

Last year 1st Oxted Cubs and Scouts took part and covered themselves in glory. This year we plan to do the same and put the 1st Oxted right at the top of the leader board - where we belong!

I personally cannot attend this event. If a parent is willing to contribute three hours of his or her time to enable this to go ahead, please let me know soonest.

SCOUT CAMPS

Assistant Patrol Leaders and Patrol Leaders camp

We will consider running a weekend for the PL's and APL's which will give useful and needed training on cooking at camp, raising tents and other camp-related activities. This will take place early spring next year.

"Scout a bout"

Scoutabout camp will take place 20-22 June 2008. This is open to all Scouts.

Summer camp - Drum Hill 2008

The Scouts and the Cubs will attend a joint summer camp at DRUM HILL in Derbyshire, a Scout site giving easy access to the Peak District. This will take place Saturday 26/7/08 to Saturday 2/8/08. All Scouts are welcome. The camp will cost £200 per head. I will be contacting you formally asking if you would like your son or daughter to go to camp, and asking for a non-returnable deposit of £50.

Parent Rota and help

For a Troop of nearly thirty children to function properly, parental assistance is required. We operate a ROTA of parents who give up one Monday once or twice per term. As all three of us cannot make every single meeting owing to work or family commitments, this is essential.

We will set up a rota as before and approach all new parents to ask them to join the rota. It will be necessary to fill out some CRB Check forms to do this; this is a legal requirement today.

Any parent who feels that he or she has something to offer the Troop or the Group, please come forwards. The Group needs all the volunteer assistance it can get, and would be particularly interested in hearing from anyone who could be a QUARTERMASTER.

We also need to create a rota for the CLEANING of all parts of the Stafford Hut, not only the kitchen and the loos, but also the main hall itself. This rota will be shared with the parents of the Cubs and the Beavers, and will be organised by Mrs Pat Leveridge, tel. 01883 714494

THIS September we held a bike sale, and made over £700 clear profit for Group funds. We will hold another such sale next May, after which the Sales will be held annually.

I would like to thank all of you who helped on the day or before the day in making this event work - thanks!

Contact telephone numbers (in case of problems:)

Chairman of the 1st Oxted Scout Group

Malcolm Kirk, 01883 713195

Scout Leader scoutleader@1stoxtedscouts.com

Nick Hough, 01883 371935 and 07851 001940