Plans to open new Beaver, Cub and Scout Sections
Due to long waiting lists of children wanting to join all Sections of the Group, plans are being made to open a new Beaver Colony, Cub Pack and Scout Troop later in 2010. This will increase the number of young people in 2nd Thatcham from 102 to 144 members. The Beaver Colony will cater for boys and girls aged from 6 to 8 years of age, the Cub Pack will be for children aged 8 to 10.5, and the Scout Troop for youg people aged 10.5 to 14.
To be able to open all three new Sections soon, the Group is looking for more adults to become Leaders. No experience is necesary, as full training will be given, and a CRB check will be needed.
The Group is also hoping to raise £2,750 to purchase indoor and outddor equipmemt, including tents, and for training. They are being supported in their fund raising efforts by localgiving.com.
Story Added: 22nd February 2010S
Loss of Michael Scott, Group Chairman 1992 - 2002
Former 2nd Thatcham Chairman, Michael Scott, sadly lost his battle against cancer on 20th December 2009, aged 65. Michael became involved with 2nd Thatcham Scout Group in the mid eighties, when his son, Oliver, became a Cub. Oliver was a keen Cub, and then Scout, and Michael's offers of help with transport to football competitions, camps, and activities were soon taken up by the Cub and Scout Leaders. Several people have remembered Michael using his horsebox (daughter Rosie is a keen rider and horse owner) to take the Group tents and kit to the District Camp at Wasing Park, near Aldermaston, in 2002. He also took the Scouts equipment to Longridge Scout Campsite, on the Thames, at Marlow around the same time, assuring the leaders he had given the horsebox a thorough clean beforehand!
Michael also offered assistance with the Group newspaper recycling scheme, regularly helping to load a van with 4 tonnes of newspaper and offloading it at Colthrop Paper Mill. He continued to help until the Paper Mill closed in July 2000, and the recycling scheme ended, having raised £18,000 over 17 years.
In 1991 Group Chairman, Pierre Payen, asked Michael to join the Executive Committee as Vice Chairman. When Pierre stood down in May 1992, Michael was invited to become Chairman. He continued in this role until 2002, when he decided to concentrate on his other interests. Many changes occurred within Scouting and 2nd Thatcham during Michael's ten years, and his support was much appreciated by the Group. His sense of humour and dry wit often helped to calm an awkward Executive Meeting.
Michael was also on the Board of Governors for Whitelands Park School and Newbury College. As a member of Thatcham Town Council, he also became a member of the Spurcroft School Board of Governors. He had worked for the Capital Taxes Office in London until taking early retirement, when he joined Vodafone in Newbury for a further 10 years.
Story Added: 31st December 2009S
Beavers, Cubs and Scouts at the Madejski Stadium
Members of all Sections of 2nd Thatcham went to watch Reading play Ipswich at the Madejski Stadium last Saturday. They formed the Guard of Honour for the teams to walk through on to the pitch.
Photos courtesy of Reading FC and P Swynford.
Story Added: 12th November 2009S
Cubs visit Reading Wind Turbine
2nd Thatcham Cubs visited the wind turbine in Reading on Monday 14th September 2009. The Cubs were given a talk about global warming and how the wind turbine works. The turbine can provide power to 1000 homes, it is 85m tall, the blades are 35m long, and the tower is made of steele, these are just a few of the things the Cubs learnt.
The Cubs had a great evening and behaved superbly and were a credit to 2nd Thatcham Scout Group.
Report and photos from GSL Pete Frost
Story Added: 15th September 2009S
Beavers and Cubs trip to Wookey Hole
The Beavers and Cubs from 2nd Thatcham visited Wookey Hole last weekend. The journey to Wookey Hole was a bit of a nightmare, but the caves and other attractions were suberb. Our guide took us all into the cave together and was able to tell a spooky story about the witch of Wookey Hole. We were then shown several caverns, and told about the cave divers who were in the caves at the same time as us.
We all then walked out into the dinosaur park, and then onto the paper mill, where a few Cubs had a go at paper making. They all ran off some steam in the ball pit, before leaving for Thatcham.
All the Beavers and Cubs slept over in the Scout HQ on our return to Thatcham.
Report and photos by GSL Pete Frost
Story Added: 14th September 2009S