www.gnscouts.org.uk Remembrance Day Parade On Sunday 11 th November, members of Network took part in the annual Cheltenham Remembrance Day pa- rade held in Cheltenham. Members layered up under their uniforms for the event which was bierly cold – especially when standing sll! It was good for Network to be seen in the public eye along with our younger Explorer counterparts parading in remembrance for all of those who died during the war. Thanks to all of those who turned up and supported the event and cause. Lauren Greening Network enters with a ba...splash! Rob Green organised a swimming evening in the Forest of Dean and, while our numbers were few, we made quite an impression- with lots of amused looks from the lifeguards at the many splashing wars that broke out. The pool itself was beauful, and looked more like an expensive spa than a public pool, making up for the rather long journey to the Forest some Cheltenham mem- bers had made. None of us are likely to be breaking any swim- ming records anyme soon, but it was a very en- joyable and fairly relaxed evening’s fun. With quite a few impressions of jellyfish. Rob and I even managed to coordinate our swimwear, un- intenonally. (Floral camouflage since you ask, though why Rob was wearing flower print, I do not know.) Catherine (Cameras are not allowed in pools… So here is one of Cat instead!) Contact your beauful exec at: Chair - Lauren Greening - [email protected]Secretary - Emily Patrick - [email protected]Treasurer - Rishona Haigh-Neal - [email protected]PR - India Muirhead - [email protected]Events Manager - Jonathan Toovey - [email protected]Cheltenham rep - Cat Langham - [email protected]Gloucester rep - Emma Franklin - [email protected]North Glos (Tewkesbury & North Cotswold North) Rep - Becky Lodwig - [email protected]South East Glos (Cotswold & North Cotswold South) Rep - Luke Thrussell - [email protected]South West Glos (Stroud & Tetbury and Cotswold Vale) Rep - Nicola Davies - [email protected]West Gloucestershire (Forest of Dean) Rep - Rob Green - [email protected]
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www.gnscouts.org.uk
Remembrance Day Parade On Sunday 11th November, members of Network took part in the annual Cheltenham Remembrance Day pa-rade held in Cheltenham. Members layered up under their uniforms for the event which was bitterly cold – especially when standing still! It was good for Network to be seen in the public eye along with our younger Explorer counterparts parading in remembrance for all of those who died during the war. Thanks to all of those who turned up and supported the event and cause. Lauren Greening
Network enters with a ba...splash! Rob Green organised a swimming evening in the Forest of Dean and, while our numbers were few, we made quite an impression- with lots of amused looks from the lifeguards at the many splashing wars that broke out. The pool itself was beautiful, and looked more like an expensive spa than a public pool, making up for the rather long journey to the Forest some Cheltenham mem-bers had made. None of us are likely to be breaking any swim-ming records anytime soon, but it was a very en-joyable and fairly relaxed evening’s fun. With quite a few impressions of jellyfish. Rob and I even managed to coordinate our swimwear, un-intentionally. (Floral camouflage since you ask, though why Rob was wearing flower print, I do not know.)
30/12/2012 Network goes on the hunt for some treasure...
The last event of 2012 for Gloucestershire Network took place in the centre of Gloucester on a very chilly Sun-day afternoon! A few us turned out for the Gloucester Treasure Trail, which starts at the docks, goes around the dock area and through town, and finishes where it starts. Whilst I am not one for walks that do not end some-where with food, it was actually an entertaining afternoon. The aim was to follow the directions, and then to solve the clues in order to eliminate a fictional place name from the treasurer map. We split into two teams and completed the challenge, only to find out from Gareth that he didn’t actually know the answers, so everyone was a winner (or a loser, depending on your outlook)! The afternoon proved that Scouts can still follow maps, as long as the directions are laid out in front of them and they are in a town they know! (joking, of course!)
Emma
16/12/2012 Twas the season... Twas the (9th) night before Christmas and a lot was stirring, as Glouces-tershire Network came to celebrate; The Birth of Tom and the season’s holiday, presents were brought and Santa came along. The GNers dressed up as elves, another Santa and even some M 'n' Ms of all the colours. All the classic games were played; musical chairs and musical statues; and even pass the parcel with added for-feits to do. There was a swapping of shoes, a piggy back ride, a talk about trees and fluffy bunnies too. All the usual dance tunes were played out; the Macarena, Steps and that superman song as well. Pizza was consumed as were sweets and perhaps a drink or three (soft of course) and outside on that starless night one old lad tried so valiantly to build a roaring, glowing yet damp, small fire. The clocked ticked round and soon it was morn and only then did these GNers retire to their sleeping bags and blow up mats they laid down their sweet heads.
The sun came up and the GNers slept; and awoke only when sausages were on offer and after a sweep and a clean they departed their hall clutching their gifts and remembering the night. Charlotte Brewer (Obviously not a poet and she definitely knew it)
Sun Run— 6th-8th July
With some of us volunteer- ing and some of us taking part, Gloucestershire Network definitely made their mark on what turned out to be a very wet weekend but still, as always, the high-light of the summer.
www.gnscouts.org.uk
GN presents A-Z London - 19/1/2013 Saturday 7:55am. Nine Gloucestershire Network members refused a lie-in, and instead set off for London for the A-Z event. Upon arriving at Victoria Coach Station at around 11am, the Networkers’ first priority was finding a fry-up breakfast. Hunger satisfied, they were then handed exquisitely prepared folders containing 5 challenges for the day; the main challenge being the ‘A-Z London Scavenger/Photo Hunt’, the aim being to collect/photograph something beginning with each letter of the alpha-bet.
Two of the groups raced off towards the Underground, whilst the third stayed behind and emptied their pockets onto the table in an attempt to ‘tick off’ as many letters as possible. As the event organiser, I had the tough job of relaxing in coffee shops and pubs with a good book, rather than rac-ing around the capital getting blisters. The teams were instructed to meet back where they had started by 5pm, or else face late time penalties; 2 teams made it, and then a few minutes later the third group appeared looking very red-faced.
After a couple of ticket issues, we boarded a train towards the campsite. A glorious meal of Pizza and chips, followed by a ‘night hike’ to the pub rounded off the evening nicely. Morning came, and with it an unanimous craving for another fry up. We headed back to Victoria and gave Wetherspoons yet more business. With a little time to kill before the coach back, we took a short stroll to Buckingham Palace for an investiture, and found a couple of policemen willing to take our group picture. The group then departed, homeward-bound. An enjoyable weekend had by all. However, if the event happens again next year, I’ll be sure to add blister pads to the kit list! Daniel Hawksworth
23/1/2013 Ten Pin Bowling There was a social and planning meeting in Stroud for South West Glos and South East Glos. The evening started off with a game of ten pin bowling at bowling International in Stroud. The local topography was to blame in some cases for people’s scores, however everyone did well! After this we went to the Lord John for a drink and to discuss ideas for things to in the upcoming term. Some ideas ranged from a spa day to Chinese themed week. So look out for things to come... Alex Bingle
Sun Run— 6th-8th July
With some of us volunteer- ing and some of us taking part, Gloucestershire Network definitely made their mark on what turned out to be a very wet weekend but still, as always, the high-light of the summer.
www.gnscouts.org.uk
The 40th Cotswold Marathon, to the ultimate challenge of 36 miles.
I walked in a team of three, with Leigh Rhoades and Aidian Cross. We left Murray Hall at 5:03pm, we ran half way up to the hill then walked up the hill. The next checkpoint was Upton, got there in no time. We wanted to run from there on but the path was so muddy some of us nearly got stuck. We pulled through in the end and managed to get through to Huccelcote. Then from there on in it was straightforward to Brockworth. Then we went to Coopers Hill, that was knackering but it had to be done. We went on to Birdlip which is the bronze finish for the scouts doing 12 miles. We carried on through Barrow Wake and Cowley no problem at all. After that my group got lost with another group on our way to Elkstone but we all eventually got there in the end. The other two who I was walking with dropped out because both of them injured their ankles. I was determined to carry on and a group of girl guides let me join them. We went through Winstone, Edgeworth, Bisley and Bulls Cross; there were a fair few icy patches on the road so we all had to be careful. I nearly fell over a few times, ac-tually nearly all of us did to be fair. My knees were playing up but I was determened to carry on to get to Edge. We eventually got there but I just couldn't carry on; I wish I did but my knees weren't up for it, so I dropped out there unfortunately. The time I got to Edge was 11 hours and 20 mins, which wasn't a bad time at all .
Luke Bergonzi
Gloucestershire Scout Network 2013 census Our 2013 census is now completed and figures have gone off to County. Overall membership has fallen for the first time since the re-launch of Scout Network back in 2009-2010. The most com-mon reason for members leaving is the unavailability of Scout Network in the towns and cities at which members have gone to University. It was hoped that members could continue their Network membership while away from home, but this is often not the case. The second most common reason was a lack of available time, again for those at University. Pleasingly however the number of members who are Network members only, with no other Scouting roles, has gone up. This is most noticeable in attendance at events which has increased significantly since the appointment of the new Exec Committee, and a real credit to them for all their efforts in organising and effectively promoting more and better events than ever before. Members at University wanting to be put in touch with their local Scout Network can fill in our ‘off to Uni’ form on our website at www.gnscouts.org.uk. Lesley Herbert - County Scout Network Commissioner
Thank you to everyone that has gone to Network events and especially to those who have written up accounts of Network escapades. If any event inspires you to become a journalist, feel free to send me a write up of what has happened!! I can be found at [email protected] If you would like to get involved with Gloucestershire Network, and are 18+, please contact [email protected] to find out more about the Network events in your area.
What you can all be getting excited about: People are welcome to attend any event they like. Area organising event: Gloucester, Cheltenham , Forest, SW April Fool’s Day: Easter egg hunt, 7pm at Westbury court gardens. 5th-7th April: Caving trip to the Mendips 8th April: Value ‘v’ Premium, 7:30pm, Rugby club 13th April: Quiz Night, 7pm, Red Lion Huntley, helping Damien Foster to canoe across the channel. 14th April: Sopio and other board games, Leckhamton Scout Hut, 8pm 20th April: Medieval Afternoon or Day for St. George’s Day 21st April: St. George’s Day Parades in the morning. 21st April: Indian night: Kat and Phil share stories about their time in India, Fairtrade games, 7.30pm, Murray Hall 22nd April: Wii Night, 7.30pm, Rugby Club 28th April: Japanese Evening, Leckhamton Scout Hut, 8pm 4th May: Laser Tag, Battle Spots 5th May: Fencing, Qued, 7.30pm 6th May: Be a beaver again 12th May: Joint Emma Franklin, Catherine Langham Lauren Greening Birthday Party, Leckhamton Scout Hut, 8pm 17th-19th May: Brownsea Island Weekend Camp 18th May: Swimming at Outdoor Centre 19th May: Paper Clip Challenge, What can you trade a paperclip with? Gloucester, 1pm-4pm 20th May: Canoeing and BBQ 26th May: Chocolate Moulding, Leckhamton Scout Hut, 8pm 1st June: Movie Night – James Bond night 2nd June: It’s a Network knockout 17th June: Pizza / Doughnut on Fire
