On Saturday 13th January 2001 at Great Eccleston Scout Headquarters there was a special presentation by the Deputy Mayor of Wyre Councillor David Bannister and Deputy Mayor'ess Mrs Glenys Bannister.
The Deputy Mayor re presented Fox Patrol with the Lord Derby Trophy. The patrol had triumphed over many other Scout Patrols from the North of England and the Isle of Man.The Patrol under the Leadership of Brett, consisted of, Assistant Patrol Leader Darren, and Patrol members Kevin, Joe, Paul, and Dan.
In presenting the Trophy The Deputy Mayor congratulated them on the standard they had set themselves as Scouts, he went to say “these young people are a credit to the Scouting movement, their parents, and especially the leaders who encouraged them in the face of adversity”
The celebrations did not stop there, Mr Paul Heathcote, a well know celebrity Chef who has restaurants in Longridge and Preston presented the boys with the new millennium trophy for outstanding achievement for winning the Lord Derby, and the regional backwoods cooking.
Mr Heathcote told the packed headquarters “He started his cooking career as a Scout, and his first attempt to light a primes stove, failed miserably. But this only fuelled his desire to be a chef” furthermore he told us “Scouting helps prepare young people to work as a team”.
West Lancashire County Commissioner Mr Bernard Pendlebury told the audience “The achievement of these Scouts is unheard of, in fact this is the very first time that any Scout Group has won both the Lord Derby Trophy and the Backwoods Cooking in the same year”. Assisted by County Chairman Mr David Thornton he presented the Fox Patrol members with the very special Lord Derby Necker.
The Regional Backwoods competition was held at a Scout camp near Carlisle and the patrol had three and half hours to cook up a meal from ingredients unknown to them prior to the event, a sort of Ready Steady Cook, but on a campfire they had to build themselves. The ingredients included three trout, two coconuts, oranges, and a variety of vegetables, fruit, and some chocolate. The task set was to prepare a two-course meal and a hot drink. They scored 61 points out of a possible 65 points to beat teams from all over the North of England.
A lot of things have happened since the last mag the Fox Patrol were on the Granada TV again with Fred the weatherman. They were back woods cooking at the back of the Scout Hut, and showing off all the trophies, with Brett explaining to Fred the ins and outs of cooking on an open fire. He was well impressed with the trout, and chocolate orange, but trying to make a hot drink in a coconut shell look nice was a bit difficult, but the Scouts had a fantastic time and an experience that will stay with all the Scouts for a long time. (Yes Fred does look taller on television)!
The Scouts were also in the February Edition of Lancashire Life showing off their Pioneering skills, by building a monkey bridge, and tower, not to mention cooking yet more trout, all this was part of a two-page spread.The finished photos in the magazine were of the usual quality, and showed the 1st Great Eccleston off, in a way that all Scouts would be proud of, we also think that this is the first time, that Scouts have appeared in Lancashire Life in a feature by themselves.
Great Eccleston keep on winning
All the teams at the District Swimming Gala were hoping to stop Great Eccleston's winning streak but they still took the trophy home again.
There was also a record turnout for the football competition but that did not stop them from winning all their games and adding the football trophy to there list.
Next were the super teams, this is a circuit of different physical tests, against the clock, a kind of krypton factor in a gymnasium. They managed to win this with a phenomenal lead, this means that the Scouts have 18 trophies, to their name; this must also be a record.
Plans for the new Scout Headquarters are well underway
A new Building Sub Committee was formed after the presentation given by the chairman Peter Welch, in which he talked about the current condition of the building, and what needed to be done to improve our facilities for the better of the community. It was decided that to do this, and comply with all the new health and safety rules, the Scout Headquarters would have to be greatly improved.
Priority will be given to disabled access and toilets, plus modern kitchen facilities, and the biggest possible open area to enabling all the Scout Sections to do there activities without worrying about catching the ceiling and light fittings. The Leaders where consulted regarding their needs and it was decided that an office/common room, would be an advantage, a separate room for quiet activities, separate storage for furniture and equipment, the ability to dry wet tents without disrupting the Main room, pipes that don’t freeze in the winter, and heating that is easy to operate, plus hot water (no more having to boil water). all these items are hoped will be included with the other needs, as well as new drainage facilities, and tar macadam to the car park, and outside lighting for safety, this will increase the outside activities tenfold and enable them in both winter and summer.
The Scouts would like a climbing wall to be included, and new facilities for the computer room.
Beavers would like a room where they could put up all their work without it being knocked down, and the Cubs would also like there own room. With all this in mind a proposed plan, section and elevation, plus estimated costing have been produced trying to incorporate all the needs where possible, it is estimated, the project cost, will be in excesses of £180,000. This means the new Building Committee, have a lot of works to do, and need all the help they can get.
Fundraisings
There is to be a dance at Elswick village hall in June/July
It will be a theme party, fancy dress, at £10 per head including a free glass of punch and cabaret based on the south Pascific Food not included only nuts and crisps
The Celebrity auction
Acting on a suggestion by Sir Norman Wisdom O.B.E. the Scout Group is having a Celebrity auction.
This is planed for later in the year (venue to be arranged) and is coming on very well, with donations of signed items from Motor Racing, Politicians, Sport, Former Scouts, Music. Theatre, and TV Personalities. We are hopeing this will be a big event the collection includes scripts, Running order, Quiz question cards, Photos, Posters, Shirts, Hats, Books, Tickling stick! Menus, Programs, Footballs etc all signed by Celebrities, the response has been overwhelming, proving that Scouting is a very popular Charity among Celebrities.
The Scouts have also received letters of congratulation and support from the Chief Scout George Purdy, and the Prime Minister Tony Blair.
Scouts pickup signed shirt and football from Blackpool football club
The Acorn challenge was cancelled and the County Rally Postponed until later in the year along with the Beaver Scout Picnic to be held in September at Waddecar
Yes the Foot and Mouth has taken its toll in Scouting, with many things having to be cancelled, or postponed, Waddecar Scout campsite, was closed for some time, and has only opened recently with restrictions. All this has had an effect on the beginning of the year, making it difficult to practice Scouting Skills in preparation for the new years competitions, but things are getting back to normal, and as we print this mag the Scouts have just 4 days before they go to Manchester to defend the Lord Derby Comp, against the best Scouts in the North West of England.
The Wyre District Scout Competition weekend is in June, and the new Fox Patrol, under the Leadership of Paul, is hoping to do as well as last year and bring back the majority of the Trophies, but they realise to win 5 out of 6 is a hard act to follow.
Dates for your diary
June 6th Beaver Scouts Sandcastle comp
15/17 Scout competition Weekend
September
8th Beaver Scout Picnic
29th Cub, Scout & Venture Swimming Gala
