Latest News from Paul our DC

Happy New Year to all our volunteers. I hope you all had a wonderful Christmas.

As we move into 2022, it looks like scouting will be easier for most of us as lockdown eases and we hope to get back to the outdoor activities we all love best.

***Events and News***

*Bristol South Gang Show Wednesday 23^rd to Saturday 26^th February 2022. Bedminster Down Secondary school

I visited the cast in rehearsal last week and saw our talented young people and adult leaders performing some great musical numbers.  It is going to be a great show. Come and marvel at the talent of our young people and laugh at the sketches.

Maybe you could be in the show next year too! It is easy to book and tickets are excellent value.

Book now! www.ticketsource.co.uk/bristol-south-district-gang-show

*St George’s Day Parade Sunday 24^th April 2022

I am delighted to announce that, back by popular demand, we will be holding St George’s Day parade once again this year followed by a scout church service at St Mary Redcliffe, Church. Please get your flags and colour parties ready. This year we hope we will be joined by our colleagues from Bristol South West Girl Guides. Full details will follow, parade is planned to start around 1-1:30pm

*The Big Fiesta Friday 10^th to Sunday 12^th June 2022. 

Bookings are now being taken for this exciting district event. Bristol South and Cotswold Edge District will be attending. It is priced competitively at £20 per young person for camping and activities (adult leaders attend free), food and transport decided by your own groups. Places are limited so book early to avoid disappointment.

https://woodhousepark.org.uk/events/fiesta-cotswold-edge-bristol-south/

*New District Explorer Scout Commissioner- Joe Derrick

I am delighted to announce Joe is our new DESC. Many of you will know Joe as he is currently the scout Leader at Windmill Hill. I mentioned in my last message that we have big hopes for the Explorer section which is small but perfectly formed! Joe has already held the first meeting for all leaders with an interest in our Explorer section and now he and his leaders are putting together a plan.

If you know any young people aged 14-18 who would like to join, or indeed know any adults who would like to volunteer for Explorers, just let me or Joe know. joe.windmillhillscouts@hotmail.com  A new e-address of desc@bristolsouthscouts.org.uk will soon become live to be able to contact Joe.

 *Free HM the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee badge for all our members. 

The Board of Trustees has kindly approved a free badge for all our uniformed members (Adults and young people). This is only available through our Badge Secretary so please place a Group order for one badge per member with Alan Nicholls, our Badge Secretary. He is looking forward to hearing from you all!

NB: The badge design (currently being offered by some suppliers) is NOT the official uniform badge the design which will be available in early March (tbc).

You can also find lots of ways to get involved including programme ideas here – https://www.scouts.org.uk/national-events/celebrate-the-platinum-jubilee-of-hm-the-queen/ – This link has now been closed by The Scout Association

***Finance and Management***

*The Scout Recovery Fund 

It may not be immediately obvious, but this is available to ALL Scout Groups who are struggling to afford the costs of keeping scouts going locally. It’s £100 per young person for groups in IMD1-3. ALL OTHER AREAS its £80 per young person.
If your Group needs this grant, please apply. scouts.org.uk/recoveryfund  This fund is now CLOSED
Affordability Grant – The group or unit should meet one of these criteria:
1. Cannot afford to pay its bills and other commitments for six months
2. Cannot afford to meet the basic needs of its young people

*Omicron Hospitality and Leisure Grant for owner & occupiers

A new grant, unfortunately only for those who pay* Business Rates with is now open for applications https://www.bristol.gov.uk/business-rates/lrsg-and-arg [This fund is now CLOSED] ‘Omicron Hospitality & Leisure Grant’ (eligibility T&Cs will apply). Those who rent their meeting venue are encouraged to look at the link, as the ‘ARG’ grant may be applicable to you. (*even if you get 80% or 100% rebates).

* Mandatory Training

Thanks to all our leaders who have ensured their Safety, Safeguarding and First Aid training is up to date. For the few who have something still outstanding, please move quickly as we need to ensure we keep everyone safe.  See First Aid Training – Woodhouse Park Activity Centre for the availability of First Aid training. If you have a group of leaders requiring this, they may be able to come to you, make contact with the Woodhouse Team to discuss.

*Recruiting adult Volunteers

This will be a key priority for most of our Groups this year. The plan will follow soon. I have not forgotten! See www.scouts.org.uk/volunteers/growing-scouts/ready-to-recruit/recruitment-toolkit/ for ideas.

*District Vacancies

We are recruiting for the following roles, if you or someone you know may be interested, please let me know! We will also soon be sharing a letter for your use to parents about recruitment to help groups

• ADC Cubs and/or team to support Cubs across the district
• District Treasurer – supported by a team of ‘account signatories’
• District Secretary – taking the minutes at our meetings, but getting involved in a whole lot more (if you want).
• Social Media Manager – Managing this website and our social media platforms
• Appointment’s Secretary – Managing the process to get new volunteers onto the database and through the appointments committee. The role can be split between multiple people.

And finally, a big Thank you for everything you all do for our young people

Paul Harper
District Commissioner- Bristol South District
mobile 07768 952212
paul.harper@avonscouts.org.uk