The annual Troop and Unit Parents' and Presentation evening again attracted a large number of parents, supports and ex and current Leaders. After some of the mums had inspected the Scouts, the Scouts and Explorers had a quick game. Then, battle lines were drawn as teams of Explorers took on teams from the Scouts, Parents and Leaders at Unihoc. The Explorers were victorious against all comers. Following a break for drinks and biscuits, the teams were set a challenge of building bridges from spaghetti and selotape with the aim being for the bridge to carry as much weight as possible.

Finally the annual awards were made -

Explorer Scout of the Year - Anna Kennett
Scout of the Year - Tom Holford
Young Scout of the Year - Calum Birch

Camping Award - Tom Holford
Patrol of the Year - Wolves

A meeting was held with the Leaders and interested parents to discuss the future of the Beaver Colonies. From January, the two Colonies with be combined into one, meeting for one hour from 6.30 to 7.30 on the Wednesday evening. We will look to re-open a second Colony in the future if we find the help we need.

The Group walked through the village to a service at the cenotaph to commemorate Remembrance Day. A good turnout from each of the four Sections (Beavers, Cubs, Scouts and Explorers) showed the strength of the Group to the village as we made up most of the parade. Thanks to all that came along.

The Explorers went back to the bowling alley for their second bowling afternoon. Overall, scores were slightly better and these will now be sent off as the Unit's entry in the National Explorer Ten Pin Bowling competition.

Top scores were -

Chris 103 + 127 = 230
Lisa 101 + 100 = 201
Tim 105 + 78 = 183
Adam 72 + 107 = 179
Carly 71 + 97 = 168

The Scouts and Explorers spent the evening swimming at Hyde Leisure Pool. Twenty members, Leaders and Parents took part in what has now become our 'traditional' half term activity.

This marked the start of the Explorers trying to retain their National Explorer Scout Ten Pin Bowling title. A number of the older members of last year's team were away at University so the scores were not quite as good as last year. We have another go planned for November so we'll see if this practice has made any difference.

Top scores from the Explorers-

Lisa 95 + 81 = 176
Rob 79 + 95 = 174
Alex 91 + 52 = 143

It was the Scouts' turn to try their hand at shooting at the 17th Buxton Scout HQ. During the evening everyone managed to improve their shooting and got a chance to shoot at standard and re-active targets.

The Beaver Leader has decided to retire from Scouting after Christmas so the Group is on the lookout for a new Leader.

The whole Group runs with a very limited number of Leaders who give their time freely, week in, week out to provide fun activities for children that live in and around Whaley Bridge. There is no way that any one of our existing Leaders could run the Beaver Colony, even on a temporary basis. Therefore, if a new Beaver Leader is not found, and approved by the Scout Association, before Christmas we will have no alternative but to cancel all Beaver meetings.

Being the Beaver Leader would mean a great deal of commitment, which would include the following:

• An initial Criminal Records Bureau check
• Taking out a Warrant with the Scout Association and complying with their Policy, Organisation and Rules
• Attending and running the weekly Beaver Colony meetings
• Planning of programmes
• Undertaking training in accordance with the Scout Association’s training scheme
• Being part of the Group Executive Committee and attending meetings approximately every six weeks

Support will be provided by the two remaining Assistant Leaders, the Group and the District – we would try not to throw you straight in at the deep end but you would need to be self motivated and totally committed.

We like to think that there are many advantages to becoming a Leader at 1^st Taxal – the rewards of helping numerous young people, the belonging to a group of friendly, like minded people, being part of the largest youth organisation in the UK to name but a few.

If you are interested in becoming a Leader or you would like more information please contact the Group Scout Leader. We will try to be honest about what would be involved and I would not hold you to anything if you just want more information at this stage

The Explorers spent the evening at the 17th Buxton Scout Group trying their hand at shooting. Over the evening all got the change to try both air rifle and air pistol shooting with varying degrees of success.

The Scouts spent part of thier Thursday evening meeting making models. As part of the Creative Challenge Award all the Scouts got their own pastic airplane kit to make and then take home.

Twelve Scouts and Explorers completed expeditions over the weekend. For several members, it was their first expedition, carrying their own equipment and cooking their own meals. They are all one step closer to completing their respective Chief Scout Award badges.

This year's Christmas Fundraising Catalogue is being distributed to all members. If you have not yet received one then please ask your son or daughter's Section leader.

The Explorers and Network took part again in South Yorkshire's Apex Challenge competition. The Explorers finished seventh out of 48 teams, the Network 2nd, only two points behind the winners. Well done to all that took part. You can find out more by clicking here.

Four Explorers and Network members have today completed their Queen's Scout Award Expedition in the Lake District. They walked for four days, camping three nights and carrying all their own equipment. Their route started at the Kirkstone Pass in and took them down to Brothers Water, over High Street to Glenridding and then over Helvellyn to finish at the Southern end of Thirlmere

The Scouts and Explorer Scouts have just returned from their week long summer camp to Silverhelme Camp Site in Silverdale, near Carnforth, Lancashire. We arrived on the Saturday and spent the afternoon setting up camp. We woke on Sunday to heavy rain, not what we wanted, and spent the morning under cover playing games and trying to keep dry. In the afternoon, we went to Morecambe and played Laserquest just as he sun started to break through. Monday saw us spending the day at Blackpool Pleasure Beach and we took full advantage of the park not being too busy. The Scouts and Explorers managed to go on many of the the big rides a number of times. On the Tuesday we tried to go swimming but a fire near to the leisure centre had caused it's evacuation so we headed back to the site to do some backwoods cooking for lunch and then went into Morecambe in the afternoon. Wednesday was Patrol hike day (nobody got lost this year) and then on the Thursday we went to Beacon Fell to go orienteering followed by a visit to the National Football Museum in the afternoon. On our final full day, we visited Morecambe to go Ten Pin Bowling before finishing the camp with a huge meal of fish and chips. Sadly, we packed on the Saturday to travel back home. In all, thirty-one of us went to camp this year.

It was the turn of the Scouts to go climbing at Windgather. They spent the evening tackling two climbs, one on a face and the other in a gully. The Scouts also learnt to belay each other. Most of the Scouts managed to get to the top of at least one climb.

The Explorers spent the evening climbing on Windgather Rocks near Whaley Bridge. In wet and windy conditions, two climbs were set up with nine Explorers taking part.

The Scouts spent the evening cooking a meal outside. Seventeen Scouts cooking a range of foods on open fires including burgers, sausages, mushrooms and apples.

Following a grant applciation, Whaley Bridge Town Council has agreed to purchase two new Rock Climbing ropes for the Group. Priced at £230 for the pair, this donation will help the Group continue to develop it's outdoor adventurous activity offering. The Group would like to thank the Council for it's generous donation.

Eighteen Scouts and Explorers have just returned from a weekend away at Middlewood Scout Camp near Worsley. The Scouts and Explorers camped as 'Patrols' looking after themsleves including cooking their own food. They took part in activities provided by the Leaders including crate climbing (where the record was broken) and rafting. Even the poor weather on the Sunday could not deter their enthusiasm.

Click here for photos.

Conratulations to Calum for coming first in the Individual High Peak Shooting Competition. Calum beat off all challengers from around the District to win the inaugral competition.

A traditional half term event; the Scouts spent the evening cycling around the local area.

A team of Explorers took part in South Yorkshire's Annual Competition. The team completed a series of challenges and navigation exercises during the night, finishing and excellent third in the Network competition and scoring more points than any team from outside South Yorkshire.

In a break with tradition, the Group decided to honour St. George's day in a different way to usual. Over sixty members of the Group met a ten o'clock to renew their promise before starting a full day of activities. Each member was placed in a mixed team of Beavers, Cubs, Scouts and Explorers (with adult supervision) and challenged to make as much 'money' as possible completing tasks around the Scout HQ and the village. Congratulations to all that took part.

Click here for photos.

The Scouts completed their work with Buxton Opera House by going the see the play, 'Hobson's Choice' performed by Buxton Amateur Drama Society. There was a good turnout to this 'unusual' Scout activity including many parents and other family members who took advatage of the special prices obtained by the Troop.

Joining up with the 17th Buxton Scout Group, we were pleased to send to teams to the Dronfield 6-a-Side Competition. In spite of a low turnout (with us being the only non-Dronfield teams) we had a great time, finishing fourth and fifth in the senior competition.

In preparation for the visit on the 1st April to see 'Hobson's Choice', the director came to visit the Troop. She explained the history behind the play including possible reason's for the meaning of the phrase 'Hobson's Choice'. She then explained what we would see during our trip to the theatre and invited the Scouts to ask questions about the play.

Following last year's closure of Altrincham Ice Rink, we decided to go to Sheffield to Ice Skate this year. Once we had overcome confusion in which rink we were using in Sheffield, several Scouts, Explorers and their families had a great time even if the standard was (best described) mixed !

The Troop is planning a series of activities with Buxton Opera House as part of their Community Challenge Award. Tonight, we visited the Opera House to look both front and back stage at what that theatre is all about. We learnt that it was built at the turn of the twentieth Century and that it is one of the finest examples of theatres of it's type. We also learnt that it has recently had a lot ofwork to restore it and that it is staffed mainly by volunteers. We even saw the river running through the back stage area !

A small band of volunteers spent the day working at the HQ. We removed the hot water tank in the loft (following the work on the new kitchen) and attended to other jobs around the HQ. Thanks to all that helped.

The Scouts have been looking at water use around the world and today tried to build a small 'water purification plant'. We built a filter using sand, stones and charcoal and pured a mixture of muddy water through the filter. Most of the impurities were removed which showed that even this basic sort of filter is useful.

The Scouts and Explorers took part in their traditional half term activity. As usual, we went to Tameside Leisure Centre in Hyde.

The Explorers and older Scouts have just returned from a 'relaxing' weekend away at Shining Cliff youth hostel near Ambergate. After carrying all the equipment to the Youth Hostel (vehicles are not allowed in the woods), the group settled down to watching videos on the Friday evening. On the Saturday they walked down to Ambergate station to catch the train to Derby where the afternoon was spent before returning to the Youth Hostel for a 'curry fest' in the evening. After a 'lie in', Sunday morning was spent playing games and with a quiz before returning home.

The Explorer Unit has won the National Explorer Tin Bowling Team Campionship. With of team score of 1189, they were a clear 38 points ahead of the second placed team. Well done to the whole team. Let's see if you can defend your title next year.

Click here for photos.

Due to circumstances outside our control, Tuesday night Cub Pack will meet with the Monday Pack until further notice. Meetings will take place at the HQ on a Monday evening between 6.45 and 8.15 (the same time as now). If you have any queries please contact the Group Scout Leader or the Monday night Cub Scout Leader by clicking here.