World Scout Jamboree Coffee Morning - 16th February

The final World Scout Jamboree coffee morning is taking place on Saturday 16th February, 9am until 12 midday, at the Mechanic's Institute in Whaley Bridge. 

There will be the usual Tea/Coffee, cakes, raffle etc. Any help that can be offered, cakes or prizes grateful received. The last coffee morning was a great success and we expect that this will be just as well supported.

We are on the final fundraising push now, we are within the final £1000 of the target to allow us to attend the Jamboree in the Summer! We should have the required funding by the end of March.

As always , thanks for everyone’s support. It really is very much appreciated.

Chilly Challenge 2019

True to form Chilly Challenge lived up to its name again in 2019.
8 Scouts and 5 adults walked from the Cat and Fiddle pub to Gradbach Scout Campsite for an overnight stay.
Chilly Challenge is an annual county event to spend one night under canvas in January.
In snowy conditions the walk took 3 hours with a lunch stop at Three Shire Heads.
Hot and plentiful food was supplied by Gradbach staff throughout our stay and was very much appreciated.

A roaring bonfire and marshmallows dried us off and set us up for a ‘cool’ nights sleep.
A big thank you to High Peak District and Gradbach staff who organised the event and to the parents who walked and stayed with us.

Tall Ships Race - Ocean Scout

OCEAN SCOUT IS COMPETING IN THE TALL SHIPS RACES AGAIN IN 2019 

They are looking for young people aged 16-24 years old to join the adventure...

Taking part in a Tall Ships Race is an inspirational cultural experience for young people.

In addition to sailing with Tall Ships of many nations, there are exciting shore events in all the ports visited: Young people are encouraged to join in with inter-crew games and competitions, parties, and a crew parade. Every crew will also take part in a parade of sail and see a stunning firework display over their host port.

No previous sailing experience is necessary.

Tall Ships Races are unique, amazing, and totally unforgettable adventures!

HELP WITH FUNDING A TALL SHIPS RACE ADVENTURE :

We recognise that these amazing adventures are beyond the means of the average young person. There is financial help available for Tall Ships Races. Ask us for details. Apply soon for the best prices and best funding opportunities. 

DATES:

• 22June - 5 July: (18 yrs upwards.) MILEBUILDER DELIVERY VOYAGE IPSWICH TO AALBORG (Denmark) to include Opening Ceremony of Tall Ships Races 2019

• 5 - 13 July TALL SHIPS RACE 1. (16-24 years) AALBORG (Demark) TO FREDRIKSTAD(Norway)

• 13-23 July TALL SHIPS CRUISE. (16-24 years) FREDRIKSTAD (Norway) to BERGEN (Norway). Cruise along the stunning Norwegian coastline in company with the Tall Ships of the world. Stop off along the way in attractive ports and enjoy some fun with the crews of other international vessels.

• 23 July - 4 August. TALL SHIPS RACE 2 ( 16-24 years) BERGEN (Norway) TO AARHUS (Denmark).

• 4 August -17 August (15 - 24 years) TALL SHIPS HOMEWARD CRUISE ( Including participating in  the official end of Tall 2019 Ships Races celebrations in Denmark, and then voyage home to England. AARHUS TO SOUTHAMPTON.

We also advise on travel to and from the boat. We always have a suggested travel route and we try to ensure young people fly as a group. Where possible one of our sea staff will accompany them.  We recognise the travel to/from the boat is a big part of the adventure and we do our best to make it safe and worry free (for the young people and their parents!) 

For more details of these voyages and to find out about how to fund a Tall Ships Race voyage please call Judy on 07927 911981 or email judy@adventuresoffshore.co.uk

For a taste of a Tall Ships Race adventure on Ocean Scout see this film made by 16 year old Sophie on her first ever sailing trip in the Tall Ships Race 2018 CLICK HERE TO WATCH!

Coffee Morning Success

We just wanted to pass on our thanks to all who helped and attended the Scout Coffee morning on Saturday. We had a fantastic turn out and managed to raise over £250 through coffee and cake sales, tombola and the raffle.

This money will go towards funding some of our Scouts to attend the World Jamboree in the Summer.

December 200 Club winners

Apologies for the slightly delayed post but the latest 200 Club prize selection was conducted before Xmas.

Many congratulations to our December 2018 winners who are:

• 1st prize = Mrs T Croasdale
• 2nd prize = Mrs H Roberts
• 3rd prize =  Mrs S Wheway

The next draw will be held in February - please let us know if you would like to take part!

100 year Armistice

This years' Remembrance Sunday is the Centennial anniversary of the signing of the Armistice which ended the 1st World War. This makes the day all the more poignant and 1st Taxal Scout Group will be attending the service, as always, as well as assisting throughout the day with other events.

You may not be aware but eleven leaders/boys from 1st Taxal Scouts lost their lives in the second world war and are commemorated by an inscribed altar cross which is still on display at St James Church (see pictures below). A special service was held in 1962 which all the the Scouts attended there was a parade held afterwards. All of the names are also on the cross in the memorial park and will be read out with all of the others who gave their lives. 

Research has so far shown:

George Reekie was a Corporal in the Royal Armoured Corps. He died 30th Dec 1944 aged 21 and is buried in Bayeux War Cemetery.

Percy Jones was an Air Gunner RAF Volunteer Reserve died 13th August 1944 in Germany aged 19.

Thomas Goddard died 12th Feb 1944, aged 25, and has no known grave. He is commemorated on the East Africa War Memorial in Kenya.

  

Bernard Hall was a Gunner in the Royal Artillery, he died 7th Feb 1944, aged 23, and is buried in the Delhi War Cemetery India.

  

Cedric Norbury was a Surgeon Lieutenant on the HMS Sirius for the Royal Navy Volunteer Reserve. He was killed on the 6th Dec 1945, aged 30 and is buried in Moascar Cemetery Africa

Louis Oldham was a Gunner for the Royal Artillery, he died 5th March 1943, aged 31. He has no known grave but is commemorated on the Singapore War Memorial.

Able Seaman Fred Simpson, Royal Navy, served on the HMS Bullen and died 6th Dec 1944 aged 21. He is buried in Orkney, Lyness RN Cemetery.

Sergeant Ernest Thomasson was in the Army Royal Ordinance Corps, was killed 21st June 1942 aged 20 and is buried in Tunisia.

The traditional service will take place at the War Memorial in Whaley Bridge Memorial Park starting at 10.45a.m.  A special poppy will be laid in memory to the Scouts this year. 

Also to mark the centenary of the end of World War I, at 4.30pm, Whaley Bridge Band are holding a Centenary Concert and meal at the Uniting Church (Tickets £3).

At 6.40pm the Friends of the Park lantern parade will start at Reservoir Rd and process to the War Memorial where, at 7.00pm, there will be a further short Act of Remembrance before the lighting of beacons and Taxal bells ring out.

Body Shop party