Month: September 2019

UPGRADE OF LIVSEY SCOUT HALL

This process, that started approx. 13 months ago, with external wall insulation being applied to the outside of the Scout hall in Llanishen, is nearly finished.  We have undertaken a big list of renovations, including a new heating system, extra wiring, moving storage cupboards, new roof ladder, sanding and varnishing floor and full decoration of all areas.  Photos next month when fully completed.

There is also a list of things we would like to complete in the near future, which includes a patio, porch over front door, new disabled entrance, new drainage on the driveway, shower and sound system.  With the new hot tub, we will be able to let it as a luxury pad on Airbnb (joking!).

Huge thanks to those Leaders and Parents who have given their time up to make this happen.  It has been a difficult time, trying to fit the upgrade around running our sections, fundraising and taking into account when the hall is being used. 

GRAND OPENING OF LIVSEY HALL AND SUMMER RAFFLE

This fabulous and fun event happened Saturday 29th June, when the Scout Hall was nearly completed.  The weather was good, the BBQ was tasty, the raffle prizes were never ending, the music was good, (provided by The Nobodies) and the drinks were cold.  Everyone enjoyed themselves.  Thanks to John Lancaster, who was a Scout in the Group for many years and is now a Councillor in Llanishen, who officially cut the ribbon, shook the champagne and opened Livsey Hall.  We discovered that the date chosen was the 60^th anniversary of the original official opening of Livsey Scout Hall in 1959.

YOUR SCOUT GROUP NEEDS YOU!

Could you volunteer to help with Llanishen & Lisvane Scout Group? Have fun, exciting and amazing times as part of a thriving Scout Group. Full time or part time positions. Support and training available. Change your life! Come to section meetings for 4 weeks, before committing to be a Leader or Section Assistant.

Roles available @ Livsey Hall, Station Rd, Llanishen Scout Leader or Section Assistant,       Thu 7-9pm. Scouts are 10-14 years Cub Scout Leader or Section Assistant, Tue 6.15-7.45pm. Cubs are 8-10 years

Roles available @ Lisvane Scout Hall, Heol y Delyn, Lisvane Cub Scout Leader or Section Assistant, Wed 6.45-8.15pm. Cubs 8-10 years

We also require an extra volunteer to join the Lisvane Hall Committee (meetings about 4 times a year).  Get in touch if you can help with any of these roles.

6-8th September 2019 was the date of the Gilwell Reunion. 4 lucky Leaders had a wonderful weekend exploring all that Gilwell Park and the Reunion had to offer. They had sunny days, fun, fellowship with Scout Leaders from around the world and a chance to sleep in without being disturbed by young scouts. But what is the Gilwell Reunion?

100 years of Gilwell Park

On the edge of a clearing in the woods, behind a bright white manor house on the edge of an ancient forest just outside London, stands The Gilwell Oak. Unbeknownst to many, this tree is deeply rooted in Scouting history, and remains a symbol of its growth. For 100 years, Scouts and adult volunteers from around the world have gathered beneath its boughs while undertaking training at Gilwell Park. If Brownsea Island – the site of Robert Baden-Powell’s first camp for just 20 boys – is the birthplace of Scouting, then Gilwell Park is its lifelong home.

This year will mark 100 years since Gilwell Park opened and, in true Scouting style, the century of success will be celebrated with a variety of events at the historic site, exhibitions of Scouting souvenirs through the ages, and a wealth of information on Gilwell Park’s heritage.

Gilwell Park was originally bought as a campsite in 1919, using donations from a Scottish Scout Commissioner who wanted to give East London Scouts some outdoor space for their activities. However, the First World War (1914-18) had lost the country thousands of young men, including over 5,000 Scouts and adult volunteers. A new generation of leaders was needed to guide the 200,000 strong youth membership, and so a training centre was established alongside the campsite at Gilwell. The first course ran in September 1919, and the occasion is commemorated every year with the infamous “Gilwell Reunion”.

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A century of success

The early training courses, led by Baden-Powell himself, taught leaders practical skills such as pioneering, campcraft, games, fieldwork and pathfinding – activities which remain at the heart of Scouting. One hundred years on, successful participants are still awarded the Wood Badge, which was originally made using beads from a Zulu necklace Baden-Powell picked up on his travels. The founder was determined that Scouting be open to all and believed that anyone could be a member if they had “a good stout heart”. In 1982, on Scouting’s 75^th anniversary, Gilwell Park hosted Extoree ’82 – the first international camp to offer equal access to all Scouts. In 1995, the Queen came to open a newly refurbished training centre and in 2001, Gilwell became the official HQ of The Scouting Association. In its first 100 years, Gilwell Park has gone from modest estate to state-of-the-art training and activity centre that welcomes more than 60,000 youngsters from across the globe every year.