May 2007 - Wivenhoe Scout &
Guide Association - AGM Report
Chairman’s
Report: Scouting and Guiding in Wivenhoe has enjoyed
another stable year. This has not been the case though for our Scouting
district, Central District, which was disbanded and merged into East and
West Districts last September, so that Colchester now has just two
Districts of approximately 15 groups each instead of three districts each
with 10 groups. I am not clear why this action took place but it
has been done, and so we look forward, welcoming Stuart Gibson as the new
District Commissioner of what is now called Estuary District. And we must
thank Derek Tatum, previously District Commissioner of Central District,
for all his support of our Scouting sections over the last 5 years. There have been changes too in the Wyvenford
Guiding District with two of our leaders, Vanessa Reed and Carole Boyd
becoming the new District Commissioner for Wyvenford Guides. It may be a
little unusual to have two people sharing a job but as Vanessa and Carole
always seem to do things together in Guides, then why not share the DC’s
role! Well done both of you. I am sure our Association will do what it can
to help you both in your new and challenging role. And likewise to you too
Stuart, as I know having responsibility for 15 groups is a daunting task. So our Association continues its traditional role
of looking after the Hall, making sure we have a well-stocked QM store and
enough money in the bank to meet any eventualities. My thanks as always to all the Leaders and their
teams, who, once again, have worked so hard during this last year to
provide active programs of activity. For me, the Leaders and their team are the most precious people, for
without them, the youngsters would not be able to enjoy the benefits and
the fun that being members of these organisations brings. Both
organisations offer youngsters an incredible range of potential
activities. In their Units they get a taste of responsibility and
leadership that probably they do not get at school or elsewhere. I wonder what Lord Robert Baden-Powell would think
if he were still alive 100 years after starting Scouting for Boys. Of
course, he would have to get used to calling it Scouting for Boys and
Girls, as we have girl Beavers and Cubs, and very soon Girl Scouts here in
Wivenhoe! I hope as many people as possible from Wivenhoe
will be able to attend the World Scout Jamboree taking place very soon in
Hylands Park in Chelmsford. It is incredible to think that 40,000 people will
be there, 4 times the population of Wivenhoe, a town of 10,000 people! Having thanked the Leaders, it is necessary I
remember everyone else who all play a vital role in making things happen.
My wife Bonnie of course who works hard during the year letting out the
Hall when not being used for Scouting and Guiding activities (subs would
be double what they presently are without this letting income); Pat Green
who visits the Hall every day keeping it clean; Trevor Wilson our
Treasurer and Chris Thomas Secretary; John Belcher who does small
maintenance jobs, Dave Horan, Quartermaster, and Jenny Pilgrim and other
members of the Spring-Cleaning team who do their bit every now and again. For my part, I continue to take pride in our
achievements, as I have done every year since becoming Chairman in 1977.
Hopefully we all share in this pride, as our ‘Association is a
joint effort. I think we all feel it when we stand together around the War
Memorial in November, remembering the past but praying for peace in the
world. One final word of thanks goes to Lis Iles who is stepping down as Leader of 5th Wivenhoe Brownies after 17 years. You have done great job. Well done from us all. Peter
Hill
|
