Fylde Beaver Scout Section Report   -   AGM 2002

The past year has been another busy one with a few new events tried.

We received our annual sandblasting at our Sandcastles competition at St. Annes in June. Tom and Stan again had a hard time judging the results of hundreds of buckets and spades. This was followed in July by our first visit to the County Network Fun Day at Waddecar. This was very successful – easy to organise and the Beavers got wet and filthy. We will go again. 

Camelot did not disappoint in September and was quieter which made it much easier to get on all the rides without big queues. Everyone had a very busy day.

Gill Ainsley organised a brilliant trip in September to Blackpool Zoo whose staff laid on a variety of activities for us. The Beavers loved it, even as it poured down.

In October, five Colonies took part in the District Quiz, excellently hosted by Gwen Hughes at 2nd Freckleton. Congratulations to 1 K&W who won. Surprisingly every other Colony tied for second place. Our thanks also go to Gwen and Geoff Crozier who again asked an excellent and challenging set of questions.

Our popular Party and Campfire in November was on a clown theme – consequently many leaders had little dressing up to do!

We started 2002 with a new event in February – ten pin bowling at Premier Bowls, Blackpool. We underestimated numbers; instead of 95 Beavers, 145 wanted to bowl – too many for the sausages, ramps, balls and shoes available.  We therefore went on two evenings. It was hugely successful and extremely noisy. We shall repeat it.

In May we again joined the international Jamboree on the Trail event, aimed at getting Scouts worldwide out hiking. Over 70 Beavers walked around Beacon Fell and visited a number of activity bases on another hot day.  We allowed more time this year and ran the cafe as a base which helped to make it a relaxed and very successful event.

In March the leaders put on two bases at the County Leaders’ Information Day at Leyland. This event gave lots of ideas to leaders and received superb support from Fylde Scout Fellowship – the number one Fellowship in West Lancashire.

The only potential cause for concern for the Beavers section is the number of leaders per colony – typically two, sometimes only one. In addition, some colonies have lost regular helpers who have left for university. Clearly, parental help is essential to keep things running but recruitment of new, and - in particular – younger, leaders is vital to the future. 

That said, with the enthusiastic leaders that we have, the section continues to enjoy a wide variety of well organised, smooth running events. Above all, we all get on extremely well together and have fun, which it what it is all about.

Kevin Jacomb / John Perkin

District Beaver Scout Leaders