Twenty Explorers and Leaders enjoyed their Christmas Meal at the 'Memories of India' restaurant in Whaley Bridge. The evening concluded with drinks for the Explorers and their parents back at the Explorer Leader's house.

The Troop had a fun evening playing many of the old traditional party games. After the 'chocolate eating game', musical chairs, pass the parcel and 'pin the nose on the snowman', the evening was concluded with the now infamous 'treacle and rice crispie' game.

Last night, the Scout Troop and Explorer Unit joined together for the seventh annual parents and presentation evening. The evening started with the parents being invited to inspect the Scouts. Following a game for the Scouts, the mums and dads then joined in with their sons for another game before four hockey matches. Firstlt the Scouts Patrols played each other. Then the parents narrowly lost to one Explorer team but the Leaders came through for the adults beating the second Explorer team. Following tea and coffee, the meeting was split into six teams and invited to build a machine from bamboo canes and elastic bands to fire table table balls. The evening concluded with the presentations of the awards finishing with the Scout of The Year and Explorer Scout of the Year trophies. The Explorer Scout award winners can be found by clicking here and the Scout award winners by clicking here.

The Explorers had their second (and final) attempt to put up a good score for the National Ten Pin Bowling competition. Overall scores were better this time. Chris' 'chuck a light ball really hard' approach seems to be catching on !

Top scores were as follows (total afer two ends).
Josh - 278
Chris - 223
Holly - 204
Neil - 190

As some of you will be aware, Buxton and High Peak Districts will be merging in the New Year to form one larger District with eight Groups (four in Buxton and one each at Chapel-en-le-Frith, Chinley, Hayfield and Whaley Bridge). The District Council met for the first time last night at the Buckingham Hotal in Buxton to elect the Executive. The Council also decided that the new District will be called 'High Peak' and will use the design from the current Buxton badge for the new District badge.

The Scouts and Explorers have just returned from their winter camp at Tansley camp site. In all, fifteen Scouts and Explorers enjoyed a range of activities including cooking over a fire, crate climbing and archery. They also braved the 'storm' of Friday night and a very cold Saturday night camping outdoors.

Carr Pack has re-opened on a Monday night. Keith and Lorna now run the Pack which has allowed us to offer places to all those boys on our waiting list.

The Group and the Explorer Scouts attended the Wreath Laying Ceremony at the War Memorial in the park. The Leaders would like to say how pleased we were with the attendance, the smart turnout and the behaviour of all those that attended. Well done.

This year, the Group has decided to attend the Wreath Laying Ceremony at the War Memorial in the park. We will meet at the entrance to the park on Wheatsheaf Road at 11.45 a.m. on Sunday 9th November. Please do your best to support the Group on this day and don't forget, full uniform please.

We will be holding our usual Bonfire night party at the Scout HQ on the 5th November (no surprise there then !). All Explorers, Scouts, Cubs, Beavers and their families are invited. The usual drinks and food will be availble. We will light the fire at around 7.15.

Monday night Cub Pack will be re-opening after half term. All Cub parents have received a letter asking which night their Son would like to go to Cubs on. Most have now replied and a further letter will soon be sent with final details.

The Explorers had their first trip to the bowling alley to try to get a good score for the National Ten Pin Bowling competition. All did not go as planned with scores for a single end ranging from 29 to 141.

Top scores were as follows (total afer two ends).
Chris - 242
Neil - 238
Holly - 214
Josh - 201

Much improvement will be needed next time !

The Scout Group has been awarded a grant of £2957 from the National Lottery 'Awards for All' program. This, together with money already received from Lloyds TSB and Whaley Bridge Town Council, now allows the Group to refurbish the kitchen. The £5500 upgrade includes removing the existing kitchen, replacing the ceiling and then refitting with a six burner gas oven and stainless steel units. We hope to complete this work by Easter 2004.

This weekend saw the latest effort to imrove the facilities at the headquarters. Most of the guttering was replaced and the soffits and facials repainted. We have started to install batons on the hall ceiling with a view to eventually replacing the plasterboard. Finally a lot of work was done round the grounds cutting grass and hedges and well as tidying up and removing weeds. Thanks to all who came to help.

Click here for photos.

Explorers took part in South Yorkshire Scout's Apex Challenge competition. We entered two teams in the Explorer Competition finishing 22nd and 3rd. This was an excellent result given that this was their first time entering the competition. For more details visit their web site by clicking here.