1st Taxal Scout Group Camp

A nice warming fire

This weekend was the bi-annual group camp and this year we returned to the lovely site at Spitewinter. The theme of the weekend was 'survival' and the weather on Saturday morning lived up to the theme! Fortunately the weather did not stop any of our activities, we learnt some important knots and shelter building, we learnt how to build and start a fire and we cooked our evening meal in the embers of the fire. On Saturday night we had a campfire with some traditional songs and entertainment by each of the sections. 

On Sunday we packed up the camp and then played several wide games, before the closing ceremony and home time. 

Everyone seemed to have a great time and went home happy - if a little muddy!

Many thanks go to all of the volunteers who helped before, during and after the camp. It wouldn't be possible to do so much without them.

Here are just a few photos of the fun!

The group campfire

Snake!

Bonkers Beavers

Winner winner Chicken dinner

Playing on the field

Carnival 2016 - A Scout in Space

Top 3 lamp-post design

This weekend was the annual Whaley Bridge Carnival and, once again, it was a great success. The rain just about held off and the children had a great time.

Can we send out a quick, but huge, thank you to all those who contributed to the carnival float and lamppost this year. We achieved a 1st prize for the float and a 3rd for the lamppost, these are results to be proud of and it would not have happened if it were not for a lot of effort behind the scenes pulling everything together (quite literally up to the last minute!). It was really great to see so many parents coming down to help on Friday night and Saturday morning.

Finally, thanks to the kids who turned out brilliantly dressed for the occasion - there's no point having a float if there's nobody to fill it!

Already looking forward to next year! Here are a few more photos of the day.

A salute to a Scout in Space!

Crowds were lining the streets

The winning float in all its glory

Why have no children heard of the 'Men in Black'???

Beaver Scout Garden

The Beaver Scout Pack at Taxal now have their own little garden. At the start of term all of the Beavers were given a plant pot and some soil, they each planted 4 seeds:  a nasturtium, a courgette,  a broad bean and a sunflower. They took the pots home and cultivated them for a few weeks before bringing them back to the hut last week to plant them out.

All of them had taken fantastic care of the plants and we will now watch them grow over the next few weeks. 

Spring time in Whaley

Well, Spring has sprung once more!!!

The daffodils that Beavers have been planting in the Memorial Park for the last two years have burst into life and look glorious in the sunshine.

Thanks to all the Beaver Scouts involved.

Paul Evans, the Park Keeper, is thrilled with the results and has invited us to plant even more in the Autumn.

First Responders

Last Wednesday Beavers had a visit by Helen and Mark who are Whaley-Chapel Community First Responders.

These Volunteers assist the Ambulance Service by responding to life threatening emergencies.

 

They helped the Beavers towards their Stage 1 Emergency Aid badge by showing them:

• how to check if someone is breathing, 
• how to put a person into the recovery position,
• what to do if somebody is choking
• what to say when you dial 999 for help

A big thank you to Helen and Mark who came after busy days at work.

If you would like to find out more about Whaley-Chapel Community First Responders or become one yourself then follow the link below:

http://whaley-chapelcfr.org/

Beaver Scouts Daffodil Planting

1st Taxal Beavers have been busy in the Memorial Park once again, where we spent a pleasant

evening merrily helping Paul, the Park Manager, to plant Daffodil bulbs for next Spring.

We all got a little muddy but it was great fun and the display next year will make it all worthwhile.

Many thanks to Paul for letting us help, to some of the older Scouts who helped us dig some holes and to Tesco Whaley Bridge for assisting with the bulbs.

Keep an eye out for the results of our efforts next March!!!

1st Taxal help out at the park

The remains of the Balsam

1st Taxal Beaver Scouts lent Paul, the Memorial Park ranger, a helping hand this evening. 

The park has a growing problem with Himalayan Balsam and Paul is working hard to keep the problem under control. Luckily for us, keeping them under control involves pulling the shallow rooted plants up out of the ground and then stomping on them! A perfect job for Beavers! 

A great time was had by all, and we managed to clear several patches completely. The Cub Scouts are going to do their bit next week so hopefully we can stop the Balsam taking over. 

A massive thanks goes to Paul for letting us help out.

Heading to the next patch

Scout's Coffee Morning - Please help support us

We hold a coffee morning each year, at the Mechanics Institute in Whaley Bridge, to raise funds for the Group and we need your help to make the morning a success. You can help in one of four ways:-

1. Help on the day serving drinks, cakes and selling raffle tickets - To help put your name on the list in the Scout Hut, if you can’t help all morning just an hour would be great.
2. Bake a cake/buns to sell on the day - Please bring these to the Mechanics at 9 am on the Saturday morning or if you can’t make it Saturday you can drop your cakes to my house anytime on the Friday 17^th, (I’ll be baking all day) 182 Buxton Rd, Whaley Bridge (yellow house).
3. Donate a raffle or tombola prize,  If every beaver/cub/scout/explorer could donate one thing that would be fantastic, please drop any donations to the leaders room at the hut  before 18^th.
4. Support us on the day and head to the Mechanics for a drink!

Many thanks,

Heidi (cub leader)

Beaver's Opportunity to Camp!

Over the weekend of the 4^th to 6^th July 2014 1^st Taxal will be holding a Group camp at Spitewinter campsite near Chesterfield. Group camp is the Group’s one opportunity each year for all sections to join in one camp together.

The weekend will be packed with activities based on one theme. Every camp has had a different theme from Christmas to the Circus and this year will be no different. As we are currently planning this year’s theme you will have to wait until the camp to find it out.

We are offering Beavers two options for the camp

Option 1 – Beaver Day

Attend group camp for just Saturday 5^th July. You will need to arrive at Spitewinter at 11:30am and can be collected at 7:30pm. The cost of the full day including activities and food will be £15.

Option 2 – Beaver Sleepover

Attend group camp staying overnight in one of the buildings onsite. You will need to arrive at 11:30am on Saturday 5^th July and can be collected at 2:00pm on Sunday 6^th July. The cost of the sleepover, including activities, food and accommodation will be £20.

For both of the above options you will need to arrange your own transport to and from the site.

If you or your parents have any question regarding group camp please contact Stephen Sidebotham on 07732228145 or at ste.sidebotham@hotmail.co.uk

If you want to be part of group camp 2014 please complete the form which can be downloaded here and return it, with full payment to your section leader by Friday 23^rd May 2014.

Two weeks prior to the camp you will receive further detailed information including directions, health form and a kit list.