News - 11th Spen Valley (Hunsworth) Scout Group

New Group Scout Leader / Covid-19 Update

14/09/202014/09/2020 by Webmaster

Dear Parents/Members and Supporters,

Firstly I would like to introduce myself as the newly appointed Group Scout Leader. I have been involved with Scouting here at the 11^th since I was 6 years old. I moved through all the sections as a young person then became a leader and ran the Cub pack for several years. After a short break to spend more time with my family I am now returning to help develop the group further.

I would like to reach out to you all during this strange time that we are facing at the moment and re-assure you all that we are still here as a group. Currently we are meeting virtually each Friday evening via the Zoom platform, but myself and the rest of the leaders are working on ideas to get back together and restart face to face Scouting.

As you can imagine we have to prepare risk assessments and have those signed off by the Scout district , and also ensure that we meet certain covid-19 criteria for our meetings.

This should hopefully all start coming together in the next few weeks but until then please do carry on supporting the group by joining the Friday Zoom meetings and hopefully we can get back to together in a safe manor very soon.

If you have any questions or issues please feel free to reach out to me, my contact details are at the base of this email.

Hopefully I will see as many of you as possible this Friday for our joint all sections meeting.

Kind Regards

Michael.

Michael Holroyd | Group Scout Leader

Group AGM & Joint Sections Meeting

18/08/202018/08/2020 by Webmaster

Good Morning Parents/Members & Supporters,

I am writing to formally invite you on behalf of the Group Scout Leader and Group Executive Committee Chairman to the AGM and joint sections evening for the 11th Spen Valley Scout Group.
Due to the current Covid-19 restrictions we are unable to have our usual AGM face to face therefore we will be hosting the meeting “Virtually” via the Zoom platform.

The AGM is a legal requirement which as a group we have to have each year to comply with Charities Commission rules and this year we will be holding the meeting on Friday 4th September 2020 at 19:00. Following the AGM we will be hosting a joint all sections Zoom in replacement for our usual Friday evening meetings.

The AGM is your chance to hear from the Group Executive and Section Leaders who will all present reports and its your chance to ask any questions.

I have attached to this email a copy of this years reports and formal accounts so you have chance to read them prior to the meeting.

One of the items on the agenda is election to the Executive Committee, this is an important, but not onerous role. It involves attending three or four meeting a year and helping to oversee the running of the Group. We now meet on Tuesday evenings to avoid clashes with our normal meeting night duties. I enclose a leaflet from the Scout Association outlining the role. If you are interested in helping in this way do let myself or one of the section leaders know.

The meeting will also look back at the last twelve months and celebrate the young people achievements, please do support the Leaders and Executive Committee by attending the meeting, it will start at 19:00 and should take no longer than one hour.
A further reminder and Zoom login details will be sent nearer the time.

Please do help us and support us by joining us on the 4th for the meeting

Kind Regards
Michael.

Michael Holroyd
11th Spen Valley (Hunsworth) Scout Group

Virtual Big Camp (23rd – 24th May 2020)

17/05/202017/05/2020 by Webmaster

Hi Everyone,

Following on from the Facebook posts from West Yorkshire Scouts, please see here for an overview of the information provided by W Y Scouts regarding the Virtual Big Camp which will be help on 23rd – 24th May 2020.

The information includes an overview of the event, a virtual kit list and a list of foods required for the camp menu.

Please Click HERE to download an open. If anyone has any questions, please feel free to contact me or any of the Section Leaders.
A Big Thanks to Kevin from the 65th Bradford South for this guide.

Virtual Big Camp 2020

14/05/202014/05/2020 by Webmaster

Please see below some information from West Yorkshire Scouts about Virtual Big Camp.

On the original weekend of BIG Camp 2020 (23rd-24th May) we will be holding Virtual BIG Camp. The event is open to all in Scouting (not just West Yorkshire Scouts).

How do I get involved?
On the weekend itself (23rd to 24th May) you just need to go to our Facebook page (@wyscouts) and our website www.thebigcamp.org.uk (the website will go live on the Saturday morning). Over the weekend on the website there will be BIG Camp activity zones with challenges or activities to do at home. In addition we’ll be running ‘Live on Stage’ a series of pre recorded and live content hosted by our Youth Commissioner Team (with a number of very special guests). This will be streamed live on both the website and Facebook page from Saturday lunchtime to Sunday lunchtime. On the Saturday evening we invite you to take part in our camp, with members camping out in gardens (or living rooms) and watch the virtual handover when our CC Mark Stageman steps down after 10 years.

Do I need to do anything in advance ?
Most of the activities you will be able to do from materials sourced at home, however we will be releasing a Virtual Kit List in the next few days which will be on our website (www.wyscouts.org.uk) and our Facebook page @wyscouts.
To share or upload outputs, we will be using a google form, so would be helpful if those taking part had a Gmail account (or had registered their emails to use on google beforehand). We will issue instructions on how to do this with the Virtual Kit List on the website.

The full ‘Live on Stage’ Schedule will be published via Facebook and the website next week before the event.
For those young people taking part from West Yorkshire Scouts we will be issuing an occasional badge (to qualify a young person needs to register and upload material from activities). Badges wont be available until after face to face scouting resumes and will be available for leaders to pick up (for their entire group) from the shop at Bradley Wood.

We look forward to you joining us on the weekend

Kind Regards
West Yorkshire Scouts

Uniform Update – October 2019

12/10/201912/10/2019 by Webmaster

Dear Parents and Carers of all members of the 11^th Spen Valley Scout Group,

As you are aware, the Scout Association is a uniform organisation. All members, including leaders, wear the OFFICIAL uniform as follows.

Beavers – Turquoise crew neck sweatshirt, navy blue activity trousers and group scarf.

Cubs – Dark green crew neck sweatshirt, navy blue activity trousers and group scarf.

Polo shirts are an optional item for both Beavers & Cubs but are only classed as activity dress, i.e. not official uniform.

Scouts – Teal green long sleeved shirt or blouse, navy blue activity trousers, leather scout belt & buckle and group scarf.

When a new member is invested into the group, they are presented with a group scarf & woggle.

Every member is also provided with a group polo shirt, which may be worn as activity dress, i.e. not official uniform.

Unfortunately, in recent years, the standard of uniform worn by many of our members has become a cause for concern.

As a result, the leaders would appreciate your co-operation in improving the standard of turn out of your young people.

The major problem is leg wear – Jogging bottoms, leggings and even jeans have become a common sight amongst our members.

It would be great if we could get our members into official scout trousers, but in the meantime, school type trousers would be acceptable.

The group has a number of pairs of pre owned official scout trousers, which, if suitable can be purchased for £5.

All items of uniform can be purchased from the Heavy Woollen District Scout Shop in Batley, official scout trousers are £15 and are available in Youths, age 4, 5/6, 7/8. Youths & Girls – 9/10, 11/12, & 13. Please support this local, not for profit shop.

The leaders would greatly appreciate your co operation in this matter. If there are any problems, please speak to you child’s leader in confidence.

Many Thanks

11th Leaders & Exec Committee

Big Camp 2020

07/10/201920/09/2019 by Webmaster

WHAT WILL YOU BE DOING DURING THE SPRING BANK HOLIDAY 2020? (22^nd– 25^th May)

NO IDEA?? – THEN READ ON.

You and all members of the 11^th are invited to join up to 5000 other Beavers, Cubs, Scouts, Explorers & Leaders at the West Yorkshire Scouts BIG CAMP to be held at the Yorkshire Show Ground, near Harrogate.

There are over 250 on site, exciting daytime activities planned, with something for all age groups, along with lots of entertainment in the evenings.

Scouts & Explorers will arrive on Friday, for 3 nights of camping; Cubs on Saturday, for 2 nights. Beavers will also join us on Saturday to camp for one night.

See the video’s below for an idea of the activities on offer and what has happened in previous years.

Big Camp 2020 Promo Video

Big Camp 2015 Highlights

Costs
The cost of the camp will vary, depending on whether your child is a Beaver, Cub, Scout or Explorer.

i.e. The charges being made by West Yorkshire Scouts for the campsite facilities and activities are as follows:-

Scouts & Explorers – £50
Cubs – £40
Beavers – £30

Clearly, on top of these figures will be transport and catering, which would increase the cost quite considerably.
However, Spen Valley District has agreed to pay the transport costs and because the group is in a healthy financial position, the executive committee has agreed that all members attending the camp will receive a 50% subsidy, which brings the overall cost down to:-

Scouts & Explorers – £25
Cubs – £20
Beavers – £15

If you would like your child to attend the Big Camp during the weekend of 22^nd – 25^th May 2020, please speak to one of the section leaders, on or before Friday 1^ST November.

District Field Day 2019

28/06/201928/06/2019 by Webmaster

Saturday the 6th of July is Field Day, the annual district event!

Scouts will be camping Friday – Sunday. Beavers and Cubs can come for the day on Saturday, please meet by the Frank Harris Centre at the top of the campsite at 1:45 for the start of the parade at 2pm.

After the parade the Beavers and cubs can explore the various stalls and activities on the day, all we ask is parents stay with the members who are visiting and not camping!

Any questions please just ask any of the leaders.

We hope you can make it!

Summer Gala 2019

05/08/202019/05/2019 by Webmaster

Sunday 19th May 2019 was the date for this years Annual Summer Gala.

A Big Thanks to everyone who came along this afternoon support us at our Summer Gala.
Especially to Spen Valley Scout & Guide Band, and the PM Gibson School Of Theatre Dance (Hunsworth)
The weather was good to us and we hope you all had a good time, we managed to raise just over £1000.00 for group funds.

A selection of photos is below:-

Remembrance Parade 2018 – Sunday 11th November 2018

06/11/2018 by Webmaster

Once again we have been invited to join with the people of Hunsworth, East Bierley & Birkenshaw to come together to mark remembrance Sunday.

This is the day when people who have lost their lives in conflicts and wars all over the world are remembered, but this year is special because 2018 commemorates 100 years since the end of world war 1.

Please meet in the yard in front of Birkenshaw Church at 09:50 am, to parade to the memorial garden at East Bierley for a memorial service, followed by a two minutes silence at 11:00 am,

Parents and families are welcome to join us in the parade.

All members – wear smart uniform please, if you do not have official uniform trousers please wear school uniform type trousers.
It is likely to be cold so you should wear a warm coat (waterproof if wet) and perhaps a T-Shirt or similar under your uniform top.

Members should be collected from East Bierley at about 11:15 am.

Your Attendance would be much appreciated.

Thanks

11th SV Leaders