New
rules and guidance for high ropes activities have been confirmed and are for implementation by 31 March 2012.

If you hold a current climbing permit with artificial walls/towers authorisation then you are automatically permitted to construct and operate a Temporary high
ropes structures on any artificial structure e.g. inside scout halls. If you hold a current climbing permit with natural rock authorisation then you are automatically permitted to construct and operate a Temporary high ropes structures on any natural structure e.g. trees.

If you know anyone who would like to gain an authorisation, please let me know and I will arrange a training & assessment session for them. If you have any questions, please ask.

Nick
Lake

Avon
County Scouts Climbing Adviser

http://www.scouts.org.uk/activitiesupdates

Over one hundred and fifty countries sent representatives to the Jamboree. A total of 38,000 young people camped on an enormous field, over four miles long. Emma said: “I have made lots of new friends, particularly with Scouts from Egypt and France, and I hope to meet up with them again sometime.” Daniel said: “It’s a wonderful feeling that, at a Jamboree, you can go up to a complete stranger from any country and just say ‘hello’ and be greeted as a friend.”

The opening ceremony was led by King Gustav of Sweden who is their chief Scout. UK Chief Scout Bear Grylls made a spectacular entrance by descending on a rope from the top of the enormous outdoor stage.

During the week, the youngsters had the opportunity to take part in many fun activities, as well as some more serious ones. During the Jamboree cultural day, Alice’s blonde hair was sprayed to make a Union Jack. Unfortunately, not all of the blue dye washed out. “I don’t care.” she said, “It’s just another reminder of the great time we had.”

After the closing ceremony and firework display, the Scouts enjoyed a further three days of relaxation in Portugal hosted by scouts from that country. Michael said: “I’m going to maintain contact with the many Portuguese friends I made at the Jamboree and afterwards in their homes.”

All four youngsters intend to continue with their Scouting and pass on some of the experiences they have shared with younger children. They hope to be able to attend the next Jamboree in Japan as members of the International Service Team which is responsible for running the event. District Commissioner Janet Turner said: “I am very proud of these four young people. They have been excellent representatives of Scouting in Wansdyke.”

World Scout Jamborees take place every four years and rotates around the world. To attend the event and meet young people from nearly every country in the world is a dream come true for all Scouts. Participants must be aged 14-18; this means that this each Scout only has one opportunity to be part of the World Scout Jamboree experience.

The Jamboree in Kristianstad, Southern Sweden, with the theme ‘Simply Scouting’, aims to encourage solidarity between Scouts from all around the globe, promoting respect for other people whilst emphasising equal rights and peace.

The chosen site, in an immense field surrounded by trees and woodlands, will encourage appreciation of the natural world, another of the ‘Simply Scouting’ aims, with participants able to get really close to nature whilst living in wild Scandinavian grassland. In fact the site has been deliberately designed to bring together strangers from around the planet who can become friends. With a fantastic programme of activities from fun challenges to environmental projects, and from small camp fires to huge arena events, participants will get to join with and interact with a truly worldwide family.

After the Jamboree ends on 7^th August, the Avon team fly south to Portugal to enjoy a further five days of relaxation and home hospitality. This will be based at a school in the town of Barcelos, noted for its enormous street market. A programme of fun and cultural events has been laid on by their Scout hosts.

One of the Wansdyke participants: Alice aged fifteen from Saltford said, “I feel so lucky and privileged to be chosen to attend the largest gathering of the youth of the world. I’m going to learn so much about other cultures and countries in such a short time I could not have done it anywhere else but with through Scouting.”

Bear Grylls, Chief Scout, said, “While lots of people know that Scouting is all about adventure, they often don’t realise that adult volunteers get to do just as much as our young members through their involvement. The World Scout Jamboree is a great example of this. Over the course of the Jamboree Scouts will be able to meet people from around the world, take part in amazing adventures and experiences and be challenged to think about global issues in a new light. That is why Scouting is one of the greatest youth movement on earth and why I am so proud to be part of it.”

Derek Bayliss MBE, received the Silver Wolf which is the unrestricted gift of the Chief Scout and is given for ‘services of the most exceptional character’. Mr Bayliss, a resident of Saltford, has given fifty-two years’ service as an adult to the Scouting movement, much of it as a warranted leader in London, but more recently as a lay adviser on legal and charity matters. He said on receiving the award: “Scouting is all about fun and teamwork, and I have been privileged to work with many other adults over the years. I share my award with them.”

Keith Rudyard, holder of the Police Long Service Medal, who lives in Wells, received the Silver Acorn for ‘specially distinguished service’ and a certificate to mark twenty-five years service to the movement. He has been chairman of four of the district’s Scout Groups, and for the past three years chairman of Wansdyke District. He said: “This award means a great deal to me, and I value greatly the many friends I have made through Scouting.”

Both awards were presented on behalf of the Chief Scout by Neil Salter who recently retired as County Commissioner for Avon Scouts. Among other awards he presented were long service certificates to Graham Dix (Beaver Section Assistant of 1^st Midsomer Norton – 40 years), Tony Stringer (District Administrator – 20 years) and Ralph Jefferis (Scout Leader of 1^st Midsomer Norton – 5 years).

Despite the soggy start, everyone enjoyed this fun event, and newly formed Scout group in Chew Stoke had the biggest share of awards including winning the Beaver competition, the Cub fair play award and two match footballs.

1^st Saltford won the Cub event after a tense penalty shoot-out against Keynsham Quantock pack, and Saltford triumphed again in the Scout competition. The organiser, Phillipa Cozens, in congratulating the teams, said, “Well done to everyone: players, leaders and parents, for a fantastic fun day.”

A spokesman for Radstock Scouts said, “We owe a great debt of gratitude to Rob, Robin and Geoff for giving up time to help us. Scouting relies on adult volunteers, not just to become leaders, but also to support the work they do, of which this is a good example. Thank you all.”

1^st Radstock Scouts will celebrate their centenary in July next year and would like to hear from former members and borrow Scouting memorabilia. If you have any memories you would like to share, please contact John Mander – john.mander@avonscouts.org.uk.

Group Scout Leader Clare Spearman said “We have had a fantastic week, helped by the good weather, and every Scout has undertaken a
challenge and tried something they have never done before.”