Chatline—Issue 4 Page 1

Oct-Nov 08
EDITORIAL
The leaves are falling, summer (?) is now just a memory and Mums are shaking the mothballs out of
winter coats. Was it an adventure for you? Let’s hear about the wild and woolly antics you got up to
during the summer, let’s hear about them so we can get the feeling of a few rays of sunshine back into
the dark evenings of autumn. Must be some stories and pictures from District Camp, Summer Camps,
Fun Days, Expeditions, Hikes, Water and sundry other activities and events. However, autumn and
winter are not all doom and gloom, be positive and look forward to Jamboree on the Air, Blakfoot Hike,
Winter Camp, etc.
Lastly, if you know anyone who would like to be on the distribution list to receive Chatline, send a
request plus their email address to Rob Patheyjohns (rpathey@gmail.com). Back issues available on
request to B-Ed.

Network Presentation OCT 2

WARRINGTON ORIENTALS WIN NATIONAL AWARD -
Mod 11 train 6 THE GOLDEN DRAGON BOATING TROPHY
B/H Mapcheck 8
We made our annual pilgrimage to
Child Protection 9 Marlow and entered 2 teams, an under
Mod 03/04 train 12 14’s and a mixed team. Comprised of
Fellowship 13
Scouts, Explorer Scouts and Leaders
from both Warrington West and East
Dist Team 15 Districts. There were more teams en-
JOTA 18/19 tered this year as the event was
opened up to youth groups outside
Cub Swim Gala
Scouting., a total of 7 Junior teams and
EC 21 10 Mixed Crews.
Blakfoot w/e 24-26 We held 3 practice sessions at Chester
First Aid NOV 2 before the event to perfect the paddling
Troop Ldr Council 3 technique and timing by slowing down the pace, which resulted in the boat going
GS Enrolment 6
faster as all paddles were in the water at the same time. The junior team were fo-
cused, disciplined and “looked the business” and won both their heats convincingly.
Fellowship 10 There were murmurs amongst the spectators and other crews that we were the team
Mod 13 train 11 to watch out for. In the final the race was a lot closer, but we won against Worthing
Sea Scouts who beat us last year.
DHQ Mgmt 12
Pack Ldr Council 13 The mixed team (made up equally of U16s and over 16s) won their heats without too
much difficulty but in the final were pipped at the post by Cookham Scouts. To make
Beaver Ldr Council 14 up numbers for the team, we were having to pinch some of the bigger and stronger
First Aid (2 part) 15/22 paddlers from the Junior crew but in
EC 18
the end it was a race too far for them
as they had already clocked up 7
Dist Camp mtg 20 races including the practice run. The
Centenary Dance 21 medals were presented by Zac Pur-
chase who, together with Mark
CSA Gold 22
Hunter won gold in Beijing competing
Expl Winter Camp DEC 5-7 in the Olympic lightweight double
Beavers to Blackpool 6 scull event. The Dragon Trophy was
presented to us, this being the 4th
Fellowship 8
time we have won this National event
Carol Service 10 and trophy since 1994, the last time
Exec Xmas Social 16 was in 2002.
Chatline - Issue 4 DC’s Bit Page 4

Here we are at the start f another Scouting year. It does not seem long since I was writing to you at the start of the
2007/2008 year. One of the most encouraging things about the last twelve months is the number of camps and pack holi-
days etc. that have taken place across our District. This represents many hours of time given by you all and I am truly
grateful for this commitment.
The District programme running up to the end of 2008 has been circulated as a reminder of the organized events and meet-
ings. Unfortunately I have a change to report on one of the dates. Due to internal examinations at Boteler High School
the Carol Service has had to be moved back one day to Wednesday, 10th December. No change to the timing with a start
at 7,00 p.m. and lasting approximately one and a half hours. It was the Cub Section’s turn this year to choose our District
charity and they have chosen the North West Air Ambulance Service. I hope you will all support this as you have our pre-
vious charities. Each year collectively you have raised over a thousand pounds. Please bring along any money raised from
‘Good Turns’ etc. to the Carol Service where we hope to have a representative of the Air Ambulance to receive the money
I hope to see many of you on the 21st November at our Buffet Dance to celebrate the Centenary of Scouting in Warrington.
Booking forms are out and your GSL or Unit Leader will have one of these. It’s a very good way for the adult members of
your Group or Unit to have a social night out without any organization on your part.
Finally, on a personal note, can I thank the many people who so kindly sent messages, cards and flowers to support my
family and I after my mother passed away on 7th September. Your kindness was greatly appreciated.

BOUNCING BEAVERS BRAVE BEAUTIFUL BLACKPOOL AND SEE SEA-LIFE, SEASHORE. SEE THE LIGHTS
On the 27th September the 7th Warrington Beavers enjoyed an afternoon trip to Blackpool. First stop was the Sea
Life Centre. The tour of the centre started with a “talk and touch” session. This introduced Beavers to some of the
smaller sea creatures, i.e. crabs, starfish, etc., and helped them understand
and learn more about them and their needs and feeding habits,etc.
The Beavers were particularly intrigued by a fish with legs and feet that
could walk as well as swim. They enjoyed the centre very much and had
fun as well as learning new things about the sea world.
The next stop was the beach and a
sand castle competition which was par-
ticipated in enthusiastically by all.
After a break for tea, it was time to
board the coach for a short trip through
some of the lights as time was running
out and the traffic slow.
There were a few sleepy heads on the coach back to Warrington that night. So
ended a great day out which had been enjoyed by all.
DRAGON BOATING NOTICES COMPETITION
In 2009, date to be announced (depending on Write a funny caption to this cartoon, send
spring tides) we will be organising a “Race the it to the DC for a chance to win one of his
Dragon” Event where anyone can “have a go”! ‘fabulous’(?) prizes.
Cheshire County will host the Cheshire Open
Championship at Chester on Sun, 17 May 09.
A social evening is being planned for next Febru-
ary at Stockton Heath Scout HQ to celebrate our
success at the National Dragon Boating at Marlow
and bringing the trophy (which will be on display)
back to Warrington.
Chatline—Issue 4
EXPLORER BELT EXPEDITION—SWITZERLAND 2008
In August 2008, six members
o f Che s hir e N e t w o r k
embarked on a ten-day
Explorer Belt expedition
across Switzerland. Carrying
everything but the kitchen
sink, they travelled through
i m m e ns e m o u nt a in o u s
landscapes, past crystal clear
lakes, through bustling cities
and isolated villages….all to
the clanging tune of cattle
bells high on the hill tops.
Rach, Chris and Eleanor
from CAMO Scout Network
tell us of their experience...
The Explorer Belt is the challenge of a
lifetime and is open to all Explorer
Scouts aged over 16 and members of
the Scout Network. We worked in two
small teams to each complete 10
surprise challenges and a major
project. Team 1 examined the effect of
tourism on Switzerland whilst Team 2
looked at how Switzerland, a country
with such varying terrain, deals with
transportation.
Whilst on our travels we aimed to
develop a real understanding of the
c o u nt r y b y e x pe r i e nc i ng t h e
traditional Swiss way of life.
Page 3
Team 1 swam down the fast flowing and
rather chilly River Aare in Bern, braved
traditional Swiss cheese fondue in Geneva and
embarked on a trek with Swiss Scouts along
the Eiger Trail. Meanwhile, Team 2 travelled
to the top of Mannlichen, rode on the famous
Glacier Express, appeared on museum TV and
experienced a folk festival in Zermatt.
Both teams had an incredible time exploring
Switzerland and its fascinating culture, whilst
gaining valuable experience in team-working,
organisation and leadership along the way!
For information on future Cheshire Network
Explorer Belt expeditions please contact
hilary@cheshirescouts.org.uk, or to join
CAMO Scout Network contact
Rach@networkrocks.co.uk
Chatline—Issue 4 Page 4
B-Ed
Comment:
I noticed when
VACANCY
inserting the
event calendar Your B-Ed has decided it would be advantageous
on the front to advertise the position of
page that there
are quite a few
Swimming
Gala events in
to an interested Explorer or Network Scout, possi-
the offing! So I
bly one who has ambitions for a career in journal-
thought it
ism. You would be responsible for interviewing
might be
Scouts, Leaders, other people who have accom-
appropriate to
plished expeditions, gained awards, contributed to
include a small
community or culture in some way, and dignitar-
tip to help
ies/VIP’s attending some of our functions. Only
those of you
committed and reliable individuals desired. The
aspiring to
pay is rubbish—£0 per article, (doubled after six
become yet
months’ probation! ) but the experience will be
more future ex-
great and will look good on your CV too! Helps if
Scout Olympic
you have transport and can take a photo without
Champions!!!:
chopping people’s heads off! Contact B-Ed for
interview appointment.

HAIL!, THE CHARIOT CHAMPIONS

The racing team members were: Richard Millar, Pete Griffiths, Tom Meadows and Dan Bleuer

Members of two of War- Difficulties encountered

rington’s Explorer Units, included deep mud, lifting
Amazon and Tsunami, the chariot over barriers,
banded together to put in a swimming it across a lake,
team for the North-West etc.
Chariot Races held at
We are happy to announce
Bispham Hall.
that Warrington Explorers
The course, was a tortuous, brought back the Trophy to
obstacle ridden nightmare our town, having won the
which had to be completed race by 163 points and also
without dislodging the gaining the fastest lap time.
charioteer from his chariot
A great race and a great
and with the rest of the
weekend and well done to
racing team providing the
our racing team and their
horse power,
support team.
Chatline—Issue 4 Page 5

The The only way to discover the

GILWELL 24
24 hours of non-stop activity
We left Warrington on Sat-
urday with an early 4.30am
start, arrived in Chingford,
Essex at 7am, and made
our way to Gilwell Park
Scout Activity Centre. By
7.30 we were booked in,
wearing our bright green T-
shirts and raring to go. The
activities ran from 9 am
Saturday and continued
non-stop until 9 am on Sun-
day morning (including an
all-night disco) , hence the
title Gilwell 24 and defi-
nitely not designed for the
faint-hearted. We had
taken a tent in case we
needed to sleep for the odd
hour but most of us carried
on. There was so much to
do, rifle shooting, quad
biking, bucking bronco,
bungee pull, crate stacking,
G-swing and many, many
more. Some we never even
found! There were pink and
neon neckerchiefs on sale
and the donuts were excel-
lent. Would we go
again...Most certainly
YES!
limits of the possible is to go
President’s beyond them into the impossi-
ble.
Patch Arthur C. Clarke
I trust that you all have
Returned safely from your summer camps and that you were
fortunate to have good weather.
The article in the last issue of Chatline, “Why did you join
Scouts” caught my eye and set me thinking about my early
Scouting days.
My best mate had a sister who was the girlfriend of the local
Scoutmaster and because of this he was under some pressure to
join the Scout Troop. I gather he was not all that keen to join
but in the end, in order to get his sister off his back, he agreed
to join if George would also join.
You will note that the rank of Scoutmaster is mentioned, that
dates it, it was in fact 1931 and, as they say—the rest is
history.
Enjoy your Scouting. George Carman

SUMMER CAMP 2008 (report from one of the explorer scouts)

Weather was hot! We were delighted to
phone home and find it was raining whilst
we basked in the sun. The camp was excel-
lent, well good, fabulous, bon bon, etc.
The activities were superb, the high ropes
topping the list for most popular and rock
climbing and swimming pool fun. The
London trip was awesome and we had pets
during the camp as we pitched our tent on
a spider’s nest! Jeremy, the grasshopper,
also caused great amusement. Sleeping
under the stars was a hit and our main
memories are the sayings from camp. We
even sat and repeated them at our meeting
tonight!

Inside Story Headline

Scouts at Camp do things—do you? If not, why not?

Chatline—Issue 4 Page 6
WARRINGTON’S DISTRICT CAMP IN OUR CENTENARY YEAR
(Photo’s courtesy of Ben Pickersgill) 1929

The venue was our own
Scout Camp Site within
Tatto n Park, the
weather held good, spir-
its were high and by the
time the Scouts arrived
everything was ready for
them. We had over 800
on site camping in sub-
camps with their own
Groups. Activity areas
had been set up and
there was a wide range of
activities of all sorts,
canoeing, sailing, wind-
surfing, rafting, poweriz-
ers, rifle shooting, arch-
ery, climbing tower, go-
karts,
THOUGHT FOR THIS MONTH
GOOD ADVICE!
Sitting still and wishing
Makes no person great.
The good Lord sent the fishing
But you must dig the bait.
John Masefield
terns and innovative The Scout Movement celebrated its 21st birthday
by holding a World Jamboree at Arrowe Park,
light displays to adorn England. To commemorate the occasion, Scouts
from all over the World were invited to contribute
one penny towards a gift to the Founder and
Chief Scout, soon to be created First Baron Baden
-Powell of Gilwell. At the Jamboree the President
of the Boy Scouts of Denmark presented the Chief
Scout with a Rolls-Royce motor car, which B-P
nick-named ‘Jam Roll’ (from Jamboree and Rolls
all sorts of craft activi- Royce), a caravan, which B-P named
ties, field games and ‘Eccles’ (after the caravan manufacturer) and a
portrait of B-P in oils by David Jagger. B-P used
challenges, bouncy castle Jam Roll and Eccles on Scouting journeys until
his retirement to Kenya in 1938.
their sites. What a spec-
tacle it was! We cut our
Centenary Birthday
Cakes (every Group had
one, even the HQ staff)
and proceeded to cele- 1945
brate in style. On her return to the UK following the Founder’s
death in 1941 and the end of the Second World
It will be a hard act to War, Olave Lady Baden-Powell gave Eccles to
equal in 2009 but some- the Boy Scouts Association who have displayed it
a roadshow, Warring- how we will, we usually since at Gilwell Park. She then sold Jam Roll
into private hands. From then on until 2008 the
ton’s Got Talent compe- do—weather helping. car was owned by eight different private indidu-
tition, stilt acrobatics, Venue next year will be als, occasionally being lent to The Scout Associa-
drum magic, evening at our Cheshire Scout tion for special occasions such as the 1957 and
disco, visit to the 1940’s Camp Site, Forest Camp 2007 World Jamborees.
Exhibition in Tatton Old at Sandiway. Leaders,
Hall amongst many oth- be prepared to come up
ers. Saturday night the with ideas of what activi-
camp was like fairyland ties your Scouts would
as all the campers had like to have next year
made and brought lan-
2008 and The Future
Inspired by the site of Jam Roll and Eccles re-
united on the lawn at Gilwell Park at the 2007
World Centenary Jamboree, four Scouters, in-
cluding Michael Baden-Powell, a grandson of the
Founder, formed a charitable company with the
aim of purchasing and conserving Jam Roll, The
company, B-P Jam Roll Ltd, purchased the car in
the hope she can be seen and appreciated by to-
day’s Scouts by making her available for major
events around the UK
Further info and bookings at www.JamRoll.org