During that time he learnt new physical skills which for Tom was golf and archery. We have all seen him over many years taking a major role in the Gang Show and also working behind the scenes. This has given him the necessary skills to progress to Stage Management as well as fulfilling part of his D of E requirements.
All three stages of the award require an expedition to be undertaken over rough terrain. North Cornwall, Exmoor and the Brecon Beacons were an ideal choice for these.

Tom also chose to work with some disabled youngsters when he helped for a week at the Olyssians annual camp.

He has also completed his Queens Scout Award, which has placed him alongside those members that have reached the pinnacle of the training programe that Scouting provides for the youth of today.

It is at least five years since a D of E Gold Award has been gained in North Devon. Let us give as much encouragement and help as we can to our young people in working toward these awards which will stand them in good stead for life

John Jarvis
Assistant County Commissioner
Fellowship/Scout Active Support

For the third year we held our Annual District Beaver Picnic and It’s A Knockout at Snapper. The weather stayed fine for us and a great time was had by over 100 Beavers 10 out of 11 colonies joined in the fun.

It’s A Knockout this year was won by 1st Chivenor Beavers- Well done.

As to be expected, the waterslide was a firm favourite . Parachute game is always a must and a big thank you to Mike Plowman from Braunton Beavers who runs this base each year for us.

Blindfold string tail, bamboo cane pioneering, welly wanging, and crafts were just some of the afternoons activities. The weather was kind this year and it was good to see so many parents and siblings join us for the picnic. The event was rounded off with a campfire during which there was a moving rendition of Kum Ba Yah, sung as a tribute to the late Carole Coleman who was a Beaver Leader with the 50th North Devon for many years.

There are certainly some bright Beavers in the District, judging by the answers that were given on Saturday afternoon. The 60 questions ranged from easy to quite difficult – even for some of the adults present

This is an annual event, organised by 1^st Fremington and held at their HQ. It was good to see so many children as well as parents enjoying themselves.

Winners were the 1^st Bratton Fleming .

Mike Hedges (D.C.) also judged the DC’s Challenge now in its second year. The challenge to ‘build a typical Devon village’ was considered quite difficult, but something that a lot of youngsters could participate in. Only 4 colonies submitted models for judging

The standard was very high and Mike said “ that it was very difficult to come to a decision therefore this year there will be joint winners”

These were 1^st Tawstock and 1^st Fremington .

Runners up were 1^st Chivenor and 1^st North Devon

IMG 1543 1^st Bratton Fleming Winners of Beaver Quiz

IMG 1545E 1^st Tawstock and 1^st Fremington winning teams

IMG 1549 1^st Tawstock with their winning model

IMG 1550 1^st Fremington with their winning model

On Sunday 29th September 4 Taw Explorers and one leader set out onto

On this occasion the Explorers were able to help by pretending to be a lost and injured Duke of Edinburgh Team. The story was: - the team had gone walking for their practice expedition but had not reached their planned campsite as one member had blisters, so they camped along route, ringing their leader to let him know.

In the morning when preparing breakfast there was problem with the meths stove. One team member was badly burnt, another then burnt his hands putting out the fire on his friend. The two remaining members of the team went for help but on climbing towards high ground to get a mobile signal one fell, resulting in head and spinal injuries as well as a broken leg. The remaining member of the group is suffering from Hypoglycaemia. What an unlucky bunch, but for ESRT an excellent training exercise to get their teeth into.

So the Explorers are positioned in the woods below Webbers post and make up applied to give the scenario an edge of realism. In the meantime the rescue team arrive and are given some details from the Scout Leader. Mike spent the day in the teams control vehicle asking questions and giving the team information to assist them in their search. The Explorers waited while the rescue team designated search areas and deployed themselves to search along the route the Explorers were walking.

Just after 12pm Search Party Exmoor 04 found the first two scouts camped near the track. Sammi, the Casualty Carer, began to treat Jacob for burns and shock and requesting equipment from control, Chris, another team member, treated Chris’s injured hands while other search parties continued to look for Emily and Nick who had gone for help. Using information given to them by Chris and Jacob, they narrowed the area they were searching in.

Equipment arrived and Jacob was give oxygen and placed in a casualty bag before being lifted onto a stretcher. The stretcher can be fitted with a wheel, making it easier to evacuate the casualty although as Jacob said “it was a bit bumpy”. Team members took turns to carry/push the stretcher to the road and the teams Landrover. Jacob was loaded into the Landrover ready to be taken off to hospital.

In the mean time Search Party 01 find Emily and Nick in their location on the side of the hill. Emily with suspected back and head injuries is treated very carefully. This is difficult as she is laid awkwardly and is slipping on the steep ground. Her head is held still and airway checked. Equipment is called for and a neck collar fitted. Then a vacuum splint is applied to her injured leg and  a full body vacuum mattress keeping her whole body still and allowing a log roll to get her positioned on a stretcher ready to be evacuated. Nick is also treated with gluco gel to bring his blood sugars up. Again ESRT work together to carry the casualties to the road and the waiting Landrover.

The exercise ends and the team and our Explorers return to control for a debrief, the team report back what went well and areas to work on. All of the Explorers are asked how they felt while being treated by the team. Emily summed it up saying “I felt well looked after by Mandy my casualty carer”. The Explorers also have a chance to look around the control vehicle and meet team members.

Many thanks to Exmoor Rescue Team for giving us the opportunity to see them in action, more information about the team can be found at http://www.exmoor-srt.org.uk/

11 Taw Explorers and 5 Leaders have just returned from their International Summer Camp in Ireland. They were based at the Irish National Scout Campsite, at Lough Dan in the Wicklow Mountains.

A few days before the camp, Leaders Kate and Mike set out from our campsite at Collard Bridge with a car full of equipment. Many thanks to Della from 50th North Devon Scouts for the loan of her car for the week, the Explorers are much indebted as without this the equipment would never have made the journey via ferry from Fishguard to Rosslaire and then onto the site.

Once the mess tent and kitchen area were set up ,we went to meet the main party who arrived at Dublin airport at 15.30 on Sunday 26th July. It was spitting with rain (Irish Mist) as the Explorers were transported by minibus back to the campsite. A BBQ tea was cooked on open fires, tent groups assigned and personal tents pitched.

The following day began with Explorers working in patrols to plan the weeks menu. Each patrol deciding within a budget the menu they would prepare for the group on the day when it was their turn to cook. Each patrol nominated a “shopper” who was taken to the local supermarket in nearby Greystone to purchase provisions. This proved an excellent way to arrange the catering for the trip. The Explorers commented that they liked being able to choose their own menus. Cooking meals they had decided upon themselves proved much easier.

Those left on site explored the area and made friends with some Irish Scout staying on the site. Later in the afternoon the Explorers walked the 5kms to the village of Roundwood. Reputed to be highest village in Ireland, it  isn’t very big. After a look around and a take away tea we returned to the site. It was raining so games and songs in the mess tent passed the evening away.

Tuesday we had planned a big hike into the mountains, however the weather forecast had other plans. We cancelled ours and instead walked 4km to a local crag. Macer set up climbing ropes and those Explorers who wanted to, had a taste of Irish rock before the expected weather front arrived and rained us out. The rock being too slippery to climb, we made a soggy retreat to our camp and a game of “big booty” (ask an Explorer how to play!)

Wednesday the outlook was not much better but our planned trip to Dublin went ahead. We caught the local bus from Roundwood into Dublin to visit Dublinia. This centre tells the story of Dublin’s Viking history and of the many archaeological excavations of Viking and Medieval sites across the city. This was followed by free time in the city,where the Explorers had their chance to “Explore”.

Thursday, finally the murky weather passed and the planned hikes could go ahead. Walking two routes out from Glendalough, Explorers covered 10 or 15kms of steep terrain around one of the most spectacular parts of the Wicklow mountains. Clearer weather allowed us to make the most of the panorama, while occasional showers reminded us we were in the mountains. An amazing day resulting in a very tired but satisfied Unit.

Friday our final day saw the usual attention given to cleaning and packing away kit ready for the return journey. Investing Paul Turbull as a leader with the Taw Unit by the lake at the site (in the rain) put the finishing touches on the camp. The minibus returned everyone to the airport for the flight back to Exeter. Apart from a few missing bags the trip ended well. I’m sure no one will miss the midges however.

Taw Explorers have enjoyed another amazing experience….. What next I wonder? Anyone fancy Scotland?

One of the aims was to encourage youngsters to apply for a place in the Devon Contingent for the next World Jamboree in Sweden 2011.  With this in mind, the 2007 UK Jamboree contingent were on site to talk and share their experiences with everyone .

52 members from this District comprising - 50th North Devon, 1st Ilfracombe, 1st Chivenor and Taw Explorers enjoyed the long weekend. A full catering service was provided by John and Margaret from North Devon Fellowship

Torbay Monopoly, one of the activities on offer, involved travelling around Torbay on Stagecoach buses searching for clues.  Both teams from Taw Explorers were accompanied by a 6ft inflatable banana!! One team however did manage to go in the wrong direction and ended up in Newton Abbot!

Splash, another of the activities, gave people the opportunity to either sail or use a kayak on the sea.  Karaoke, Outdoor cinema, Hog roast. Shooting, Archery, Welding, Woggle making, Climbing Tower, and a Camp Fire were just some of the other attractions.

The queue for  600 free ice creams was also a sight not to be missed

Probably the two highlights for the youngsters were the Abba theme party and the Foam Party, which continued well into the early hours and had everyone putting on their best gear – see pictures.

There are suggestions that this experience may well be repeated in several years time.

MAKE SURE THAT YOU ARE THERE

This year’s inter-group football competition was again hosted by 50th North Devon and proved to be  an exciting day. Beaver, Cubs and Scouts had the opportunity to compete in this annual contest to find out which group had the best football team.

Despite the hot weather, all teams gave it their best. The standard was high and the teams evenly matched which made for a great competition.

The winners were : 50th North Devon Beavers, 50th North Devon Cubs, and 1st Fremington Scouts shown here wearing their winners medals.

Big thanks once again to 50th for hosting the event and for keeping everyone supplied with food and drinks. Thanks also to Jim Green for presenting the awards.

Last weekend, six Taw Explorer Scouts lined up along with 2,400 other young people to take part in the 35 mile Ten Tors challenge walk on Dartmoor.

3 members of the team took their Scout promise at the start line, being invested into Taw Explorers in time to begin the challenge. At 7am the gun fired and they were underway. The weather conditions were perfect and the team made excellent progress along their route whilst anxious leaders and parents tracked their progress over the Internet.

Saturday’s route saw the team track down the West side of Dartmoor, visiting Soutons Tors, Kitty Tor, Chat Tor, Lynch Tor (where this photo was taken) Staple Tor, South Hessary Tor and Great Mis Tor. Making excellent progress, the team camped overnight at Great Mis, the 7th Tor on their route.

A bright and early start on Sunday,had the team making excellent progress again. Unfortunately one of the team members was not able to continue walking with the team due to sore feet. She made the difficult but valiant decision not to continue. The five remaining members continued to Beardown Tor, Sittaford Tor and on to the finish at Okehampton Camp.

Arriving at 15.02, the team carried the Taw Explorers colours over the finish line to clapping and cheering from friends and family.
Well done to all of those who took part in this amazing challenge, the months of training paid off, and all the members of the team should be proud of their achievements. Many thanks to all the leaders and parents whose work and support made it possible.
Kate Taylor DESC

As the time came round for the picnic, the sun started to shine and each colony chose their favourite spot. It was good to see so many parents there taking part and enjoying themselves.

The highlight of the afternoon was the ” Its a Knockout” challenge. This was held over a very well devised course, with the fastest team of the afternoon being the 1st Fremington Colony.

Margaret presented them with the shield, which was new for this year.