We would love someone to volunteer to help look after our communications, and keep news flowing on our web site. Meanwhile, please forgive the lack of recent news pages while our volunteers focus on delivering the programme, looking after our HQ, and keeping everyone safe and solvent.
Please get in touch with using our contact form if you can help!
2020 has been a challenge for everyone. Our Beaver colony has done a fantastic job of keeping going with fun activities, using Zoom when necessary. They’ve taken every opportunity to meet in person, in a very carefully managed and safe way, and get out and about while they could. We think all our sections (Beavers, Cubs and Scouts) have set a fantastic example of how the Scout movement can keep going and bring some variety and fun to a difficult time. The Beaver colony is no exception and the whole group is proud of them.
In the easier days before lockdown, the Beavers took part in Challenge Day where all colonies from Winchester come together to compete in activities like geo-compassing, wall climbing, caving, and building a bridge. We also had a trip to Pets at Home with games on how to look after pets and even had guinea pigs and hamsters for the Beavers to hold.
We had a trip to our local fire station where they showed us around the fire engine and even let the Beavers climb inside. We also had a tour of the station and our Scout helper was able to put on all the fire gear they had to wear, to show the Beavers how much they have to put on when attending fires.
2020 started with Space Camp, when we met at the Winchester Science Centre for a sleepover. We were allowed to use all the equipment and had some great presentations in the planetarium – a talk about space and some science experiments, and finally a showing of Wallace and Gromit before bed! In the morning, after breakfast the children had another chance to explore and play.
Our last big event before lock down was in evening of indoor archery run by the the activities team from Pinsent (our local outdoor Scouting centre).
Lockdown was a big challenge for all group activities but at the 12th we were determined to keep going. We hope we set a great example for other groups, too, inventing ways to do scouting remotely with lots of amazing activities.
We had zoom meeting every week with lots of games. We also took part in the world record-breaking Big Camp at Home. The beavers could pitch a tent or build a den in their own homes, sharing the experience over Zoom. We played games, did quizzes, had a singing competition and a virtual campfire.
We also did a Teddy Bear’s Picnic on zoom, with every Beaver bringing a teddy bear to the virtual picnic.
It was great to come out of lockdown and get some safe but exciting outside activities. We played lots of wide games (active outdoor games): obstacle course, egg and spoon races (with a few hurdles for extra fun), pirate map game and river/road. The Beavers also did a hike at St. Catherine’s hill and did some map reading.
Also when back in HQ (our Scout hut) we played games: Hot Potato, Simon Says, Follow the Leader, Pin the Legs on the Spider and Bash Ball. Finally, at the end the winter term we had a Christmas disco, with Christmas lights, our tree, and lots of fun games too: relay races and the Waddling Duck game.
We will be holding our Carol Service on Tuesday 19th December at 7pm.
All parents, guardians and families are invited to attend this special event.
Christine Smith the Curate, has kindly invited us to join her at the St John The Baptist Church of England Church, which is in St Johns Street near the Scout Hall.
Beavers, Cubs and Scouts, we will be joining the veterans again this year at the Kings Royal Rifle’s Company memorial outside the Cathedral on Sunday 12th November. We will be parading with our flags at 8.45am, and at 9am there will be a short prayer by the army chaplain, followed by a two minutes silence and then an army bugler will play the last post.
A representative from our Beavers, Cubs and Scouts sections will lay a wreath alongside the veterans. It is a small and moving ceremony, and we are the only Scout Group invited to attend.
As you may be aware, our Scout Group has had a long association with the Green Jackets, going back to the Second World War, when our Scout Troop raised money for the Regimental Prisoners of War Fund.
In recognition of the efforts of our Scouts, towards the end of 1943 our Group was granted an honorary affiliation with the Rifle Depot, and we changed our necker colours and insignia to model those of the Rifle Brigade. We still use those colours and insignia today, and have continued to proudly turn out to lay a wreath at the war memorial every year since then.
This means a lot to the young people who attend, and the veterans, and it is really important that as many of us attend this as possible to show our respect and to keep this tradition alive, and we look forward to seeing you there.
Winchester has a small but thriving Network Scout section (18 to 25 year olds).
They need someone to help co-ordinate their programme of activities and to help grow Network Scouts within our District, so our young people can continue Scouting after they leave Explorers at 18.
If you think that you might be interested in this, then please do let us know, using the contact page !
We will be holding our Carol Service on Wednesday 21st December at 7pm
Christine Smith the Curate, has kindly invited us to join her at the St John The Baptist Church of England Church, which is in St Johns Street near the Scout Hall.
As part of our commitment to improving parent communication, you can now find the upcoming Cub and Scout section programmes on this website, on the Cub and Scout Section pages.
If you want to know where your section is meeting this week, then this is the place to look !
Beavers, Cubs and Scouts, we will be joining the veterans as usual this year at the Kings Royal Rifle’s Company memorial outside the Cathedral on Sunday 13th November. We will be parading with our flags at 8.45am, and at 9am there will be a short prayer by the army chaplain, followed by a two minutes silence and then an army bugler will play the last post.
A representative from our Beavers, Cubs and Scouts sections will lay a wreath alongside the veterans. It is a small and moving ceremony, and we are the only Scout Group invited to attend.
As you may be aware, our Scout Group has had a long association with the Green Jackets, going back to the Second World War, when our Scout Troop raised money for the Regimental Prisoners of War Fund.
In recognition of the efforts of our Scouts, towards the end of 1943 our Group was granted an honorary affiliation with the Rifle Depot, and we changed our necker colours and insignia to model those of the Rifle Brigade. We still use those colours and insignia today, and have continued to proudly turn out to lay a wreath at the war memorial every year since then.
This means a lot to the young people who attend, and the veterans, and it is really important that as many of us attend this as possible, and we look forward to seeing you there
Saturday, October 8th & Sunday, October 9th
pinsent-working-weekend-oct-2016
Pinsent is widely used by all the Groups in the District but is managed and maintained by a very small group of people. The day-to-day maintenance is fine but it is not possible for all the larger projects and jobs to undertaken by those few people. To enable these larger jobs to be tackled, we hold two weekends a year, one in both the Spring and Autumn when we ask for as many volunteers from the District as possible to come along and help.
Although it is good to have the Young People along, under supervision, the real aim is to encourage adults to get involved. We are not fussy and will welcome Leaders, Helpers, Parents, Exec members, etc. in fact anyone with a remote association with Winchester District Scouts.
In the past, we have had a small, but very enthusiastic, group of helpers turn up but we would really like to get more people involved. Two of our uniformed volunteers, Andy and Martyn already do a great deal to support Pinsent in addition to all the work they do with our Cubs and Scouts, and it would be great to see some more parents turn out on the day to help maintain this amazing facility for our youngsters and to show some support for all the hard work done by a small band of volunteers !
Depending on how you vote in-store, Tesco will provide a grant of £2,000 or £4,000. This is to provide the materials for our volunteers to replant and rebuild more hedgerows and fences at Pinsent Camp Site.
PLEASE HELP! Between Monday 26 September, and Sunday 9 October, please vote for Winchester Scouts when shopping at Tesco. Do ask for a token at the checkout.
