Go-Karting, Tree Climbing Archery, Crate Stacking, Low Ropes. Cubs also achieved their Athletics Badge and took part in a Crazy Olympics session activities included egg throwing blow darts, wellie wanging parachute games, dry grass skis and stilt walking.

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Photos courtesy of Sharon Whittlestone

]]> http://www.newcastledistrictscouts.org.uk/site/2012/05/district-cub-camp/feed/ 0 http://www.newcastledistrictscouts.org.uk/site/2012/04/2012-st-georges-day-parade/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=2012-st-georges-day-parade http://www.newcastledistrictscouts.org.uk/site/2012/04/2012-st-georges-day-parade/#comments Mon, 23 Apr 2012 11:49:43 +0000 Nick Wood http://www.newcastledistrictscouts.org.uk/site/?p=402 Congratulations to all who took part in yesterday’s St George’s Day Parade.

Despite the threat of poor weather and a likely soaking, St. Giles’ church was filled to capacity with a mass of Scout uniforms after the St George’s Day Parade through Newcastle. A very quick reckoning, made as flags passed the saluting base, suggested that at least 12 of the 15 Scout Groups were “on parade” plus a good number of Explorer Scouts from around the District and, for the first time this year, both members of Keele Network and our own Newcastle Network (Narwhals) very proudly sporting their new name tapes.

The District should feel, and is, very proud of the Explorer Scouts who talked of their experience of representing us in Sweden last year at the World Jamboree; of the members of the cast of Castle Capers 2012 who sang a song from the recent show so professionally; of the Porthill Drum Corps who provided such lively support to the parade – it is hard to believe how young some of the members of the Drum Corps are and how recently formed the Corps is itself; of the sheer number of youngsters prepared to turn up on a wet Sunday.

Steve Broadhurst – DC

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Photos courtesy of N A Wood

Basford and Madeley raced together and Porthill had some Scouts from 1st Weston and Weston Point Scouts from Runcorn with them. Sixteen teams in total took part and both our teams were in the final. In the final, Basford and Madeley came fourth and Porthill came third!

Well done to all who took part. You can see more about this on Basford’s site, Porthill’s Site and Porthill’s photo gallery.

The parade will assemble in the Queen’s Gardens at 2.30 pm for a 2.45 pm start.

UNIFORM: Please encourage all Members to wear correct uniform with GROUP SCARF and NO JEANS. Youngsters should be asked to wear adequate underclothing beneath their uniform so that they may parade without an assortment of coats if the weather is dry (protective clothing should be worn if it is wet).

PARADE ROUTE: (Subject to police approval) The parade will proceed up the Ironmarket, turning right into the High Street. The salute will be taken by the Mayor at the Cenotaph, after which the parade will move directly into the church.

Hope to see you all there!

Please take a look at it here.

Castle Capers 2012 can be judged in a number of ways -

• Firstly as a Scout Activity it was an incredible success – the County Commissioner gave us a useful framework when she said: “…the opportunity it affords of being part of a team to achieve a successful end.” So many youngsters had that opportunity and gained so much confidence in doing it. They will remember their part in the team for a very long time and it will have a lasting effect.
• Secondly as an Artistic Activity it was an unqualified success according to the audience members who stopped as many people as they could on exited the theatre. Many people commented on the slick production, the quality singing, the originality of ideas, the humour and just how many cast members (and very much not just the seniors) who carried an impressive solo slot.
• Thirdly as a Publicity Activity it was a great success. Newcastle District was able to present an activity to which it could, and did, invite both Civic and Scouting leaders. The Mayor, our new County Commissioner (and at least two past CCs), County Chair, County Secretary, at least three neighbouring District Commissioners and many, many friends from both inside and outside the area. It would have been nice to get Bear Grylls to “nip in” but he sent a very nice message in support!!
• Fourthly as a Financial Activity it looks like being a success. There are still a few (big) bills to pay but it does look as if the activity is “on the right side” of the line financially. Castle Capers is not a fund-raising activity but it has to pay for itself and can help every single group in the district if it does make a profit.

So…. by at least four measures Castle Capers 2012 has been a very great success.

Can I thank all those who were involved and I am being purposefully name non-specific.

The production team, the cast, those working backstage, those working front-of-house, those supporting in the thousand-and-one ways behind the scenes, the show executive committee, those who ferried youngsters to rehearsals and to the Mitch, those who came to see the show …..the list is very very long.

Steve Broadhurst – DC

Some of their performance can be seen on this video.

1st Porthill’s Drum Corps is the first Scout band in Newcastle District and they can be seen at the St. George’s Day Parade in Newcastle on 22nd April.

Please see our Castle Capers website for more details.

Good luck to all involved!

Anita was ‘in charge’ of the Screamline Costume Hire department for many years until her health problems worsened and was a past long serving member of the Divisional Executive Committee representing Newcastle District as well as representing Costume Hire.

In Newcastle, she was a long serving member of the Ladies Committee (the female section of what became the Fellowship before it joined with the male section, the BP Guild, and before it changed its name a second time to SASU), involving herself with fundraising for and supporting a great range of activities in the District. She will be especially remembered for her Ladies Committee work supporting Castle Capers in its early years.

 Steve Broadhurst
District Commissioner