Author Archive: Ann-Marie Vinnicombe

Farnham District Scouts – Meeting Suspension

Posted on by

Following the Government statement given earlier today, the message below has been sent out by Tim Kidd, UK Chief Commissioner, Scouts.

Based on this Farnham District Scout Groups, District Explorer Units, District Network Unit and Scout Active Support Units meetings will be suspended until further notice.

Further communications will be made in regard to events, training courses and Garner’s Field in due course.

Please do not hesitate in contacting me if you have any concerns.

Thank you

Ann-Marie Vinnicombe
District Commissioner
Farnham District Scout Council

dc@farnhamscouting.com

================================================================================================

Dear all,

I’m writing to share critical pieces of information relating to the developing Coronavirus (COVID-19) situation. This email follows my previous communications with volunteer managers over the past few weeks.

Late this afternoon, the Prime Minister has said that everyone in the UK should now avoid non-essential travel and contact with others.

Suspension of face-to-face activities

Given this guidance, all face-to-face Scout meetings, activities and events must be suspended from tomorrow, Tuesday, 17 March 2020. This suspension applies to young people and adults, and will be until further notice.

We must continue to respond to the developing situation in a calm, measured and appropriate way. We will continue to follow official guidance. The safety of everyone involved in Scouts, both young people and adults, is our number one priority. That is always at the heart of our decision making.

Government advice

The Government’s Coronavirus (COVID-19) webpage is frequently updated as things develop, so please check it regularly at www.gov.uk/coronavirus.

Events

Given the latest Government guidance, we are cancelling the following events:

  • Day of Celebration at Windsor
  • Beaver and Cub Fundays at Gilwell Park and Woodhouse Park
  • Gilwell 24

We will be communicating to specific audiences about these event cancellations over the next week. We’d ask that you wait for this information to be sent out rather than contacting us immediately, due to the volume of enquiries we are currently receiving.

Event organisers

If you or your team are involved in organising any future Scout events, you will now need to review these plans and risk assessments given this new guidance.

Jamborees and other large events

If applicable, we suggest you regularly check the websites of relevant large-scale events, for example, Jamborees and camps, for specific updates from the organisers.

European Jamboree

The organisers of the European Jamboree 2020 in Poland have shared this update and continue to add to their frequently asked questions on the changing situation here. If applicable, please continue to monitor these updates.

Scout trips abroad

We asked the Government (the Department for Culture, Media and Sport) for clarity about youth groups travelling abroad, as the current advice only specifies school trips. We will let you know when we receive an update.

As well as the Government Coronavirus (COVID-19) webpage, the Foreign and Commonwealth Office website has the latest information, guidance and travel advice, along with details of any restrictions – which must be followed.

Travel insurance

The Coronavirus (COVID-19) situation may have implications for your travel insurance. Check with your insurers directly about the levels of cover. If you have taken insurance through Unity, they have provided an update here.

Scout Information Centre

The Scout Information Centre will only be able to deal with emails and web chat until further notice. As you can imagine, we are experiencing an unprecedented level of enquiries at the moment, so please use the Government guidance as your primary reference where possible.

Keeping you updated

The Government have now committed to daily briefings. So we can keep you up to date, we have created a webpage: scouts.org.uk/coronavirus which we’ll update from tomorrow.

Doing our bit

I think we all agree that it’s in challenging times like these, that our Scout values matter most. We are talking to the Government and other community organisations to see how Scouts can support our country during this crisis. We must make sure that we do this in the safest possible way, and don’t put anyone at further risk. We will update you more on this over the coming weeks.

Scouting at home

We are planning to share activities for young people to do at home with their parents if families are faced with self-isolation. We will be communicating more about this soon.

Thank you

As always, I want to say a big thank you for everything you do for Scouts. By checking and following the latest Government advice and by taking a calm and measured approach, we can continue to ensure that young people and adults stay safe.

Best wishes,

Tim Kidd

UK Chief Commissioner

Scouts

 

Farnham District Scouts – Tomahawk Throwing Instructor Course – 10th May 2020

Posted on by

 

The Instructor Course is a day long course, as prescribed by the Scout policy on Tomahawk Throwing (FS120011).

You will learn:

  • How to provide Tomahawk Throwing as an activity for our young people
  • What equipment can and can’t be used
  • How to construct a range
  • Throwing techniques and how to correct them
  • Session plans, targets, competitions and games

  You will need:  Sturdy foot-ware & long-trousers. Training will be inside and out, so dress for the weather with waterproofs, layers, gloves, sun cream etc.!

 We will provide: Coffee, Teas and Biscuits. Bring your own lunch

 Times: 10th May 2020, 9am-4pm

 Location: 11th Farnham HQ, Guildford Road Trading Estate, Farnham,

 Cost: £30. Spaces are limited so pre-register  to book a place.

 Contact: Guy Elliot, 11th Farnham Cubs – guy.elliot@environment-agency.gov.uk

 

MONDAY CREW – Garners Field Campsite Hedgerow Renovation Winter Project

Posted on by

So what has the Monday Crew been up to:

Garners Field Campsite Hedgerow Renovation Winter Project

This winter, as part of the annual maintenance program at Garners Field Campsite, the Monday Crew have been renovating the hedgerow alongside the River, some 35 metres in all.

The main aim of the project is to provide a natural barrier for riverside safety and at the same time create a wildlife friendly, traditional hedgerow.

Hedgerows are very important for wildlife in their own right and as they consist predominantly of native trees and shrubs, they are recognised as a priority habitat for conservation action within England’s Biodiversity 2020 targets.

Sixty species of nesting bird and almost all of our native small mammal species, especially the dormouse, have been recorded as being supported by hedgerows.  Recent studies have shown that they also reduce pollution and absorb carbon dioxide.

The first stage was to clear the bramble and ivy, no easy task, and then the big dig to remove the tangle of roots and perennial weeds to give the new plants the best chance.

We’ve been very fortunate with the weather which has allowed us to get the planting done during February as this will allow the new trees to get properly established before the summer.

To compliment the existing Hawthorn we’ve planted 9 varieties of shrubs and trees (53 plants in total) to provide seeds, berries and blossom, these include Buckthorn, Hazel, Hornbeam and Wild Crab Apple which will build up the width of the hedge.

We need to protect them from rabbits with spiral tree guards and the ones we’ve sourced are 100% biodegradable.

Once established it will provide the ideal habitat for moths, caterpillars and bugs of all shapes and sizes which we hope will then encourage the birds to make the most of the cornucopia of food and even nest in it.

Perhaps it would make a good subject for the Naturalist Activity Badge, guided tours by arrangement with the warden! 

If you would like to help please get in contact: warden@farnhamscouting.com

   

 

Farnham District Training Day – Saturday 14th March 2020

Posted on by

Open to All Adult Volunteers

9am to 11am – Safeguarding course https://farnhamscouting.com/website/event/mandatory-safeguarding-training/

11:30am to 1:30pm – Safety course https://farnhamscouting.com/website/event/mandatory-safety-training/

From 10am (approx. 2hrs) – Raft build training and permit assessment https://farnhamscouting.com/website/event/raft-build-train…ermit-assessment/

2pm to 4:30pm – Skills Bases – turn up and, learn.

  • Backwoods Cooking
  • Fire Lighting
  • Camp Lighting
  • Knives/Axes
  • Hammocks
  • Map and compass
  • Digital Maker

Any queries please do not hesitate to e-mail: dc@farnhamscouting.com

 

Dates to remember

Posted on by

We are extremely lucky to have a raft of Meetings, Training, Events, Activities organised/set-up just waiting for you to get involved; we are all volunteers, we all know time is precious, please take the opportunity to participate – have your say, learn, improve and have fun.

Check out our Website for information and updates: https://farnhamscouting.com/website/

Please follow our Facebook page; https://www.facebook.com/farnhamscouting/

Date to remember:

Meetings

  • 3rd February – GSL/District Managers Meeting – Garners Field – 7:30pm
  • 5th February – SASU Planning Meeting – Garners Field – 7:30pm
  • 10th February – Scout Leaders Meeting – Garners Field – 7:30pm
  • 12th February – Family Camp Planning meeting (part 2) – Garners Field – 7:30pm
  • 3rd March – District Exec – Garners Field – 7:30pm
  • 2nd June – District Exec – Garners Field – 7:30pm
  • 9th July – District AGM – Garners Field – 8pm
  • 22nd September – District Exec – Garners Field – 7:30pm
  • 8th December – District Exec – Garners Field – 7:30pm

Mandatory and Leader Training

Check out the Surrey Scouts Training – https://farnhamscouting.com/website/surrey-scouts-training/

Events

  • 26th-28th June – Scoutabout – South of England Showground, Ardingly – https://www.surrey-scouts.org.uk/events/scoutabout-2020
  • 24th-7th August – European Jamboree – Poland – Good luck to our representatives
  • 2nd-4th October – District Camp – Garners Field.
  • May-21 – Frantic21 – joint Farnham, Hazelmere, Godalming Scouts and Guiding weekend event

Activity Training

If you are interested in any of the sessions in red please contact Dominic – dominic.getting@5thfarnham.org.uk

Check out the Surrey Scouts Activities – https://www.surrey-scouts.org.uk/activities

If you would like to something specific set up please contact me ( dc@farnhamscouting.com) and we can see what we can do; the aim is to have your say, learn, improve and have fun.

Surrey Scouts Training

Posted on by

Book via: Surrey Scouts Training

The following workshops could be useful:

Safeguarding on Thursday 13th February, 7:30 to 10pm, Ripley

Safety on Thursday 5th March, 7:30 to 10pm, Ripley

Mods 1 and 3 on Sunday 15th March, in Guildford tba, 10am to 3pm

First Response Sunday 23rd March 10 a.m to 4p.m, Ripley

First Response Sunday 5th April 10a.m to 4p.m, Ripley

 

 

Farnham District Scout Active Support Unit

Posted on by

SASU Next Event:

5th February 2020 – Garners Field – 7:30pm Planning Meeting; what events are coming up this year, where is support needed and what social events do we want?

 

New Members Welcome

If you are over 18 and interested in supporting scouting you can be a member of Farnham District SASU.

Whether you have Scouting experience or not you can join in.

What is Farnham District SASU

  • behind the scenes and largely out of uniform the Unit provides crucial support to the District.

There is the Monday Crew who maintain and improve our fantastic Campsite; from burning rubbish, field management – cutting back, clearing trees, maintaining wood pile, building maintenance. The crew ensure that the Campsite is set and ready for use throughout the year, and particularly site set up for Family Camp

Every Saturday morning and Thursday evening in term times the Scout Shop opens in Farnham.  Its run by our Manager and a team of volunteers who do one session per month each. The shop serves Farnham and surrounding districts and all profits go into District Funds.

We have catering and skills support for functions such as the District Camps, AGM and group event support.

But it’s not all work at SASU, most months there will be a social event, all activities run and organised within the Unit – such as skittles, BBQ, visit to medical museum, Christmas dinner.

There is always a welcome for new (or recycled) faces at SASU – you can dip in and out, help when you can.

If you are interested please contact us: districtinfo@farnhamscouting.com or just come along to one of our events.

 

Timber!!!!!!!! Thank you Hamish White, Bill Weller, Norman Hopkinson, Philip German and Gary Thain

Posted on by

Big thank you and well done to Hamish White, Bill Weller, Norman Hopkinson, Philip German and Gary Thain for taking down a dead and potentially dangerous tree at Garners Field today and others in the last month or so.

Without volunteers like these it would not be possible to run Garners Field – this crew will be back next weekend to clean up if you are able to help then please get in contact. (dc@farnhamscouting.com)

Remember the Monday Crew meet at Garners Field for maintenance each week 9am until about 12 and always welcome more hands.