The Kestrel Beaver Scout colony at 3rd Alton were thrilled to hear their suggestion for the kit, Bobby, has been chosen named after their own colony mascot.
The two baby beavers, called kits, were born this summer in an enclosure at 925-acre Ewhurst Park, Tadley, and their names were chosen as part of a competition. Alongside Bobby, suggested by the 3rd Alton, the second kit was named Barry by ear 5 pupils from St Gabriel’s school, Newbury.
We at Hampshire Scouts are always happy to see new Beavers, but this was more literal than we're used to! The excitement from the Beavers and volunteer to the competition and the new Beaver kits has been high! It's a great example of young people engaging with nature and the outdoor world.
Speaking at a tour of the Beaver enclosure, former Member of the European Parliament (MEP), author and environmentalist, Stanley Johnson, said:
“I want to congratulate all those who took part in the beaver naming competition, including of course, the winners, and the beavers themselves.”
Stanley Johnson, former MEP, author and environmentalist.
“Education and outreach are essential to our ethos at Ewhurst Park. We are delighted to be engaging the next generation with the wonderful world of beavers and the importance of connecting with nature.”
Mandy Lieu, Ewhurst Park Director.
Ewhurst Park continue to publish the latest updates from Bobby, Barry and their parents on their social media channels, including footage from wildlife cameras that has so far shown them moving around their enclosure, eating plant material and starting to learn how to gnaw and fell trees.
The story has captured heart too, with both the BBC and ITV spreading the good news story to our local community too. All thanks to some Beavers getting involved with their community and learning about the great outdoors too.
The event took place on Monday 7th October at Four Marks and Ropley Scout hall, drawing families and friends from the local area eager to support a worthy cause while enjoying delicious homemade treats.
The Beaver Scouts, aged six to eight years, took part in the planning and preparation, showcasing their baking skills with an array of goodies, including cupcakes and cookies. Parents and volunteers helped supervise the event, ensuring everything ran smoothly. Children enjoyed picking out their favourite treats while learning about the importance of giving back to the community.
"We wanted to do something special for our community," said Beaver Scout leader Lynn Vine. "St. Michael's Hospice provides incredible support to families in need, and we're proud to contribute in our own way."
All proceeds from the bake sale will be donated directly to St. Michael's Hospice, which provides compassionate care to patients with life-limiting illnesses and their families. The hospice is known locally for its dedicated staff and volunteers who offer support in both clinical and emotional capacities.
The event raised over £250, a testament to the hard work and enthusiasm of the Beaver Scouts and their families. St. Michael's Hospice expressed their gratitude for the community's support, emphasising how such contributions make a significant difference in their ability to provide care.
We would like to say a special thank you to Jane Mills, Lucy Kington, Naomi Vine, Chris Willcocks, Teresa Hammond, Lynn Vine and Faith Vine for helping organise and run such an amazing event.
Formed in 1949, 3rd Farnborough is a busy Scout Group with very active Squirrels, Beavers, Cubs, and Scouts sections and a partnership with Spitfire Explorer Unit, offering Scouting from 4 years old upwards to adulthood!
It welcomed around 160 people on Saturday including young people, siblings, parents, grandparents, leaders, former leaders, and community supporters who were able to take part in a number of activities, enjoy a BBQ, take part in the Group’s AGM, and sing songs around the campfire.
They were treated to activities including soft archery, soft tomahawk throwing, soft rifle shooting, rock painting, paracord bracelets, Duplo Lego challenges, bouldering wall, fire lighting, first aid, and a tin can alley.
Dylan McSweeney, a 4 year old Squirrel at the Group was really excited to be taking part in all the activities. His favourite activities were the tin can alley and the campfire, and he said:
“I loved knocking the cans over and got some sweets. The campfire was very loud and fun, and the birthday cake was yummy!”
Rachel Cronin, a former Scout and now Explorer with the Spitfire ESU and a young leader at 3rd Farnborough said:
“I really enjoyed helping by selling raffle tickets, watching the premiere of our Summer Camp video and showing the actions for the songs around the campfire!”
The original 3rd Farnborough actually dates back to 1911 and its base was on Alexandra Road in Farnborough. That Group merged with 2nd Farnborough in 1927 and closed. The 3rd Farnborough that we know and love today opened at on 30th May 1949 with a Cub pack led by a Miss Ethel Sanderson and a Mr Ronald Jackman. 75 years on and the Group feels it goes from strength to strength offering fun, friendship, and adventure to over 100 young people every week.
Iain Roy, Group Lead Volunteer said:
“It was fabulous to be able to welcome so many of our young people and their families and to see them enjoying all the activities. We wanted to celebrate our anniversary with as many people as possible and we were so pleased with how many of our young people and their family members came along.”
Dawn Mahoon, Blackwater Valley District Lead Volunteer was at the Fun Day celebrating with the Group, and said:
“It is so nice to see 3rd Farnborough thriving, all the leaders and young people having so much fun, and the community spirit this afternoon is awesome!”
You can find out more about the group at their website: 3rdfarnboroughscoutgroup.org.uk. Get involved with the Scouts in your local area at scouts.org.uk.
Text: Libby Roy.
Hampshire Scout Heritage are once again taking part in Heritage Open Days, meaning the public can visit the Heritage Centre at Ferny Crofts on this usually private site.
Once there, they can discover the origins and activities of the Scout movement in Hampshire (and beyond) through the years. Inside they have a range of artifacts and items from the past 110+ years to spark the imagination.
The Hampshire Scout Heritage Centre is located at Ferny Crofts Scout Activity Centre, Beaulieu Road, Brockenhurst, SO42 7YQ. For those who prefer their navigation more pinpointed, that's OS Grid Reference: SU3650 0619 or What3Words ///worth.flood.extra.
They are open for Heritage Open Days between 10am and 4pm on Saturday 7th and 14th and Sunday 8th and Sunday 15th September. Their volunteers are running tours of the centre hourly, on the hour, with 10 in each tour.
Book your place online to avoid disappointment.
For over 110 years, the Scouts have been teaching young people skills for life and getting into the outdoors. In that time we've moved with the times (we are a movement after all) but our spirit has remained constant.
The Hampshire Scouts Heritage Team help tell our story, look after our collection and collect the stories of Scouts today for the future.
They got their start in 2007 as the whole movement was celebrating the Centenary of Scouting, capturing the imagination of Scouts everywhere and the wider public. Members wanted to know more about our history. Artefacts started seeing the light of day after being hidden in attics and garages for many years. The Heritage Team took all of this energy and interest and used it to build our Heritage Collection.
They've now got a collection of over 3,000 objects and it continues to grow. In 2019 the team gained a permanent home for the first time at Ferny Crofts Scout Activity Centre having spent many years moving from city centre offices to spare space. With a space of our own to hold events, the future is bright for the Heritage Team.
The team are always looking for people to help us tell the stories - if you think that's you then find out about volunteering with us. Or if you can add to our collection, find out about donating.
Discover more about Hampshire Scout Heritage, and some of the stories of Scouting, on their website.
Test: Steven Osborn and Hampshire Scout Heritage. Images: Dave Jenkins.
The Saturday afternoon of events, run by Art Asia with the aim to create a sustainable, park friendly festival to enjoy international music, dance and family activities. It's got a two decade pedigree and is the largest free festival in the region.
The Scouts welcome anyone from every background within this diverse and interesting country, especially as we know across the 50 million Scouts around the world, we look very different but are united by common values. Events like the Mela are perfect to bring Scouting to parts of our community that don't often think of Scouts as an option, even when it should be.
Showing off the best of Scouting was a team from Hampshire Scouts including volunteers, the Growth and Development team, Sheridan, our lead volunteer for Inclusion, and staff members from Ferny Crofts.
For some of the half dozen Explorer Scouts who chipped in, it helped them tick off some of their Top Awards, such as the community parts of the Chief Scouts Platinum Award.
Kelly, one of Hampshire Scout's Growth and Development team said:
"Saturday’s event was a huge opportunity to showcase Scouts, and we were successful in engaging an otherwise hard to reach community. Lots of fun was had by all, despite the rain!
"The Southampton Mela festival was a great way to showcase Scouting in the South Asian community, engage young people & adults to encourage them to get involved so we can grow and develop Scouts within the community. We're already working with Sheridan to find other events where we can bring the success of the Mela to other communities."
The Scouts have an aim to be as diverse as our communities and to make a positive impact in our communities. For us to do this, we are working to reach areas where Scouting is under-represented, including particularly diverse neighbourhoods, areas of high deprivation and harder to reach communities. You can find out more about the Scouts' vision for equity, diversity and inclusion and race equity on the Scouts website.
Find out more about the Mela Festival on the Art Asia website.
Text: Steven Osborn and Kelly Taylor.
As Scouts we care about our community and think deeply about the challenges around us. In January, Scout volunteers and Explorer Scouts from Bramshill joined forces with the DSM Foundation to raise awareness and fundraise towards their efforts.
The DSM Foundation is a charity that works with schools, teachers, parents and professionals from nearly 500 organisations across the UK, encouraging young people to make safe choices and to have the confidence to stand up to peer pressure, especially when it came to substances like alcohol and drugs.
Jacqueline from the charity, which was founded in 2014 following the passing of 16 year old Daniel Spargo-Mabbs, led interactive activities covering the dangers and legal implications and encouraged questions from the audience.
The Scouts themselves played a part, not only with the hosting and organising which we know was much appreciated, but also in helping raise over £185 for the charity's work through the selling of handmade gifts and blanket badges.
Jane-Louise Dippie, Bramshill District Scout Leader, said about the event:
As a district scout leader, mother, and school worker I would recommend every district hosts a similar event. It was great to see everyone mucked in, a show of Scouting and the community at its finest. The biggest thanks and appreciation go to Fiona and Tim who continue to push forward, making a difference to many youth and adults alike.
You can find out more about the DSM Foundation at www.dsmfoundation.org.uk.
Attended by His Majesty's Lord Lieutenant for Hampshire, Nigel Atkinson Esq, as well as other dignitaries from the County, the last few Queen's Scouts and the first King's Scouts were presented their certificates and, in some cases, award badges at a ceremony in the heart of the county at Ashburton Hall, Winchester.
The ceremony was attended by the young people, their families and dignitaries including Scott Chilton, Chief Constable for Hampshire and Isle of Wight Constabulary, Ben Allen, Area Manager for Hampshire and Isle of Wight Fire and Rescue Service and Cllr. Angela Clear, the Mayor of Winchester.
His Majesty's Lord Lieutenant for Hampshire, Nigel Atkinson Esq, said
I need to thank the leaders who help and guide these young people through their awards with energy, determination and diligence. I also want to congratulate each and every one of you for completing these challenging awards. Very few people complete challenges such as these so you are some of a very select bunch.
The presentation saw Alasdair West from Denewulf district, covering Fareham and the wider Meon Valley, presented the very first King's Scout award and certificate from the Lord Lieutenant. He said about his award:
It would genuinely be impossible to pick a highlight. Something as simple as renovating our Scout hut, some nights until midnight, and being able to stand back and have that good feeling of giving back to your own Scout group which has helped me my entire life. Our leaders are role models and such an inspiration and being able to help the next generation is such a good feeling.
Working towards the King's Scout Award is a massive eye opener and encourages you to take on other opportunities you wouldn't try otherwise and being somewhat forced into those challenges helps you find the things you enjoy for the rest of your life.
Hampshire Scout's final Queen's Scout of the evening was Ruthie Quinn of Hawk district, which covers Havant and Waterlooville. About her award, she said:
I really enjoyed running the section evenings in my old scout group. It was really good to go back and connect with the young people and tell them about international scouting. A real highlight was the evening I ran where they made monuments out of cake with the Great Pyramids, Taj Mahal and the Easter Island heads all making an appearance. Doing the DofE challenges took me to Exmoor, which is such a different terrain to what I'm used to in the South Downs, and allowed me to connect with other people my age outside of school.
It was a nice way to complete and close my Scout journey, ending on a high, which you can show to others. It allowed me to meet other people including at [the National Day of Celebration in] Windsor and see what journey they took to get their award.
It also saw a very emotional and personal testimony from Scarlett Bugler at the presentation of the Queen's Scout Award for Lisa Burns. Scarlett had known Lisa well including several weeks on Suisse Adventure in the Summer of 2022 which Lisa had used for her Residential challenge. Very sadly, Lisa passed away later in 2022, a great loss to all who knew her and to Scouting. Her well deserved award was presented posthumously to her parents.
Lead Volunteer for Hampshire Scouts, Paul Bell said:
I would personally like to thank everyone who supported our young people and worked around your adventures. Please promise yourself that this is only part of your life's journey and that you will keep trying new challenges and shout about your achievements. Well done to you all.
There is one element of this presentation which is unique to Hampshire. All those who had reached the top wore a special Silver Elephant while receiving their award, an emblem that is very rare in the UK. It formerly belonged to Lord Louis Mountbatten and has been worn by Queen and King's Scouts for decades. Find out the full story on the Hampshire Scout Heritage site.
After the presentation was over, everyone networked and shared their stories of how they achieved their awards. However throughout there was praise, including from the parents, for the many volunteers who inspired and chivvied their young people to complete their dreams. From one parent: "This night is as much about the leaders as the young people - you should all be proud."
Volunteer and make a difference today at hampshirescouts.org.uk/volunteer.
Images: Sam Poole. Text: Steven Osborn.
After setting off over a month ago, the Woggle JOGLE enters its final week in their epic quest to travel from John O'Groats to Lands End in aid of BBC Children in Need and the Brickfield Big Build to transform their Scout headquarters.
On foot or by bike and supported by friendly faces, families, Scouts and Guides along the way, they've raised £5,000 so far for their excellent causes. However there is much more to go to complete their target!
Each day's activities has been meticulously detailed on their running blog with pictures of where they've been and the lighter moments of the journey too. They've shared their activities, experiences and evening stays as they go, combining it all into a network of the journey and the memories they'll keep as they go.
They've walked and cycled through numerous towns and cities, along canals and disused railways and taking advantage of the expansive National Cycle Network. They've met good Samaritans helping them on their way, slept in fire stations and joined in with the Worcestershire Show.
Check out some highlights from their journey so far and listen in to their experiences in this interview with BBC Radio Shropshire:
It's been a journey and a half and this is just the shortened highlights! Catch up with daily updates on the Woggle JOGLE Instagram @wogglejogle, Facebook and YouTube. Check out their website for blog updates too going into much more detail then here.
Most importantly, they need more help and support to reach their fundraising target. They've raised an incredible £5,000 so far but this is only a small fraction of the £50,000 target made up of donations and sponsorships for this endeavour.
So please share the story, donate if you can and help 1st Chandler's Ford do amazing things for their Scouts and disadvantaged young people across the UK.
From checking in visitors, helping to manage activities across the site such as the bouncy castle as big as a house and being shining examples of Scouts today at our own Scouts Camp Live our volunteers all played their part in making this event a success.
Plus, a group of young people from Basingstoke Gang Show literally took centre stage with a number of performances across the event on several days and several stages to wow the crowds and show off their talents.
All these efforts did not go unnoticed with astronaut and UK Scout ambassador Tim Peake dropping into to thank volunteers for all their efforts in bringing scout activities to young people and to learn about Hampshire Scouts' efforts with Squirrel Scouts and international trips to the World Scout Jamboree and European road trip.
Created by radio's Chris Evans, CarFest is the largest family festival in the UK raising money for UK children’s charities such as BBC Children in Need, Comic Relief and the Teenage Cancer Trust to name but three.
For the August Bank Holiday weekend, the festival takes over Laverstoke Park Farm near Overton between Winchester, Basingstoke and Andover. With displays of cars throughout the weekend, visitors could also try new outdoor adventures, chill in a spa, try new food and watch cooking demonstrations or send the kids to hang in the kidzone. Plus there were music performances all day from the likes of McFly, Razorlight, Rick Astley and the Village People.
This year around 25,000 people were welcomed to the site with all being impressed, had their day brightened or being helped by our Scouts at some point through the weekend. The festival aimed to raise £2 million for charitable partners and was supported by many different organisations. Hampshire Scouts have been involved in the festival from the beginning.
Led by the team of Hampshire Scouts, including coordination from our Growth and Development officers, the contingent was completed by members of Cheshire Scouts and Kent Scouts.
To bolster the team even further from the adult volunteers, young people joined us from as far afield as Devon, Cornwall and Humberside to name three to use the experience to complete their Residential challenge for their DofE Gold or King's Scout Award. This was a new and very effective part of the event and brought lots of new and eager young people to our ranks this year.
On the Sunday afternoon, Scout Camp Live received a very special visit from astronaut and UK Scout ambassador Major Tim Peake. Fresh from his inspirational talk about his space adventures across the camp, he dropped in to see the display the Scouts had put on.
While visiting the camp he chatted to young people about their experiences in Scouts including hearing from Scouts who joined the units heading to Korea on the recent World Scout Jamboree hearing how they dealt with the challenges they faced and how they had a brilliant urban jamboree instead. Next, he heard about Project 23, the European road trip hosted this summer taking young people across a number of countries and giving those who missed out on the Jamboree a chance of an adventure of their own.
Finally, Tim heard from adult volunteers and young people involved in the many Squirrel Dreys for 4-6 year old Scouts in Hampshire, who now boast a third of the Squirrel Scouts in the UK. The effect these Squirrel Dreys have had on revitalising and energising groups was heard first hand from Hampshire's lead volunteer for Squirrels, Amanda Wallace, who even showed off some of her mascots she's used since the earliest pilots.
As a parting gift, before Major Tim had to return to his adoring crowds, he was presented his own Hampshire Scouts necker as a thank you for all he has been doing for Scouts and to welcome him into the Hampshire Scouts family properly. He was full of praise for the Scout volunteers who give their time so young people can be inspired and learn skills for life every week.
Young people from Basingstoke really showed off their skills as the Basingstoke Gang Show took to the festival to show off their talents and perform for the crowds. Made up of Scouts and Guides, they traded up from the Haymarket Theatre and spent their day heading around the site performing.
From 'Busk stops' at various points around the site to acing 'The Big Early' stage near to the entrance to the festival they made a big impression early on (gaining the approval to Major Tim too!) sharing their performances form this year's show. But they weren't going to stop there.
The pinnacle saw the cast take to the main stage during Saturday evening's headline acts to show the crowd just what Gang Show is about. Over two incredible performances of singing and dancing to an audience of around 25,000 visitors they excelled themselves.
Check out a video summary of their performance below:
As well as being the excellent role models we know they are, our young people were also showing off the very best that Scouts had to offer to anybody who wanted to visit our very own Scout Camp Live!
Visitors of nearly all ages could try their hand at our very popular mobile climbing wall with children as young as 4 years taking on the challenge and brothers AJ and Curtis racing each other up the wall in mere seconds! Our thanks to Ferny Crofts for providing the wall and to all the Scout Teams who helped run the sessions all weekend.
For those that preferred to keep their feet on the ground there was a range of options too with family-friendly tomahawk throwing, sucker archery and nerf target practice to show off activities Scouts can try in their weekly meetings. Plus there was the ever competitive team games, racing to pull their Squirrel, Beaver or Wolf Cub across the finish line first!
For the more creatively minded, they could try making their own rope, see their paper aeroplane fly high, design their own necker or create a woollen dragonfly with the help of our Young Leaders. Showing off an accessible and easy introduction to Scouting today and sharing how far we'd come to share this event together.
A very big thank you to everyone who helped make this weekend such a success. See you again next year!
Young people can find their local group at scouts.org.uk/join. Adult volunteers are vital to what we do and we need more to give young people skills for life. Find out more about volunteering at hampshirescouts.org.uk/volunteer.
Text and Images: Steven Osborn. Video: Gang Show.
Seven intrepid Scouts from Chandler's Ford are undertaking an epic journey from John O' Groats at the northern tip of mainland Scotland to Land's End in Cornwall to raise money for BBC Children in Need and their own Brickfield Big Build campaign.
The dream team leading this epic walking and cycling thousand mile journey includes 9 year old Cub Scout Ollie, 11 year old Scout Hattie, 14 year old Explorer Scout and Young Leader Bethan, and adult volunteers James, Jennie, Phil and Cara.
The group are all from 1st Chandler's Ford Scouts with this ambitious adventure aiming, through their Brickfield Big Build campaign, to fund a replacement for their aging Scout hall. Their existing wooden hall is around 100 years old and has seen refugees from the Second World War share its walls alongside the current skills for life. As it now becomes difficult to heat, maintain and access for those with mobility needs, the campaign aims to replace it with a new adventure HQ with indoor climbing and abseiling facilities, archery range, large hall and smaller meeting space and storage for all the Scout group's equipment.
If that were not enough, they are also raising money for BBC Children in Need, building on the fundamental values of the Scouts and helping young people in need in our communities and those across the UK.
This grand expedition began on 9th July at John O'Groats in Scotland and until early September is working its way South. By the first week they had reached Inverness and within two Bridge of Orchy had been met with each day seeing around 4-5 hours of travel.
The journey will see the group move through many parts of the country, staying in activity centres, nature reserves, mountain rescue huts and community fire stations along the way. They've engaged with groups enroute to bring them on this journey, either joining them for a leg or offering them hospitality overnight.
Catch up with daily updates on the Woggle JOGLE Instagram @wogglejogle, Facebook and YouTube. Check out their website for blog updates too.
