Clubs and Community (including multiple scouting adventures)

The latest news from clubs and community groups in your area.
1st Gadebridge Beavers and Cubs in hoop-la fundraiser1st Gadebridge Beavers and Cubs in hoop-la fundraiser
1st Gadebridge Beavers and Cubs in hoop-la fundraiser

On the evening of Friday, October 24, 11 new beavers were welcomed into Hemel Hempstead’s scouting family at the first investiture into the recently reopened scout group 5th Hemel Hempstead, based at Adeyfield Free Church.

The beavers were joined by family and friends who came to witness them making their promise.

The new members were also very excited at their other special guests; Dacorum Mayor and Mayoress Allan and Wendy Lawson, along with councillor William Wyatt-Lowe came to join in with the celebrations.

1st Gadebridge Beavers and Cubs in hoop-la fundraiser PNL-141031-1526370011st Gadebridge Beavers and Cubs in hoop-la fundraiser PNL-141031-152637001
1st Gadebridge Beavers and Cubs in hoop-la fundraiser PNL-141031-152637001

All three special guests have been heavily involved in scouting in the past, so they were very keen to come along.

The beavers had a wonderful evening and went home proudly wearing their new yellow and luminous green scarves, and clutching their certificates and badges wearing huge smiles. Well done to everyone involved with the newly invigorated group, especially the new Leaders!

Also on that Friday evening, 1st Gadebridge Beavers and Cubs successfully completed a fundraising exercise, raising money for The British Heart Foundation and Home Start charities, under the guidance of LsdyXsize. The event involved children and leaders power hooping for 30 minutes continuously.

The LadyXsize Hoop-a–thon fundraising initiative provided a really enjoyable learning experience and offered the young members the chance to learn a new exercise.

1st Gadebridge Beavers and Cubs in hoop-la fundraiser PNL-141031-1526570011st Gadebridge Beavers and Cubs in hoop-la fundraiser PNL-141031-152657001
1st Gadebridge Beavers and Cubs in hoop-la fundraiser PNL-141031-152657001

The activity also helped the children to earn the Fitness Challenge Badge. Sponsorship donations will be collected over the next month so that money can be presented to the charities before Christmas.

Thanks must go to LadyXsize, whose real name is Nana Akua, for her help with instructing and making the challenge possible.

If you would like to find out more about Scouting or exciting fitness programmes visit www.hemel-scouts.co.uk or www.ladyxsize.com

Scouts get soaked during October activities

1st Gadebridge Beavers and Cubs in hoop-la fundraiser PNL-141031-1527070011st Gadebridge Beavers and Cubs in hoop-la fundraiser PNL-141031-152707001
1st Gadebridge Beavers and Cubs in hoop-la fundraiser PNL-141031-152707001

Whether you are six or 66 there is always an exciting challenge that needs to be conquered in scouting, and very often the consequences can be quite soggy as many Hemel Hempstead members discovered during a recent weekend event.

From the smallest six-year-old beavers, through cubs, scouts, explorers and leaders, mid-October is never a time to go indoors.

Explorer scouts and adults from across Hertfordshire battled through horrendous weather conditions for the county’s annual Peak Assault Challenge. After a seven-hour ‘mystery’ coach journey on Friday evening, they found themselves in Pooley Bridge (Lake District). They pitched tents in the dark and blustery rain to get some sleep before embarking on an eight-hour hike on Saturday, carrying their own equipment and cooking their own meals on the fells.

Meanwhile, in the sunshine of London, 1st Apsley’s scouts and cubs boarded the Lord Amory for a weekend of water activities at the Dockland Scout Project.

1st Gadebridge Beavers and Cubs in hoop-la fundraiser PNL-141031-1527170011st Gadebridge Beavers and Cubs in hoop-la fundraiser PNL-141031-152717001
1st Gadebridge Beavers and Cubs in hoop-la fundraiser PNL-141031-152717001

Sleeping in the bunks of this Dutch former North Sea pilot vessel, the young people tried their hand at sailing, canoeing, kayaking and rowing over a two-day course, with Canary Wharf and the O2 as a backdrop.

Not to be outdone, our youngest members from 1st Apsley aged 6-8 had a wriggly adventure at their Beaver Sleepover.

The theme was ‘A Bug’s Life’, and on arrival the beavers wriggled through a series of tunnels before embarking on an insect hunt, bushtucker trial and more action-packed games.

They also made bug boxes and dangly insects. After singing round the campfire and a lovely film, the little people settled into bed.

As always, they were up early for bacon rolls, and more fun before being presented with a certificate to confirm that they survived the challenge!

All these activities can only be possible thanks to a team of dedicated leaders, who are trained to the highest level in order to be able to supervise and safely offer young members opportunities that are not easily accessible outside scouting.

Eleven new beavers welcomed into the 5th Hemel Scouts PNL-141031-153255001Eleven new beavers welcomed into the 5th Hemel Scouts PNL-141031-153255001
Eleven new beavers welcomed into the 5th Hemel Scouts PNL-141031-153255001

While young members were enjoying their adventures over the weekend, new leaders were being trained in practical skills, planning an exciting programme and swapping ideas.

If you would like to join the adventure of scouting, either as a youth member, a leader, an adult helper, or even if you can only spare a few hours here and there to help with admin, Hemel Hempstead District Scouts would welcome you!

Please contact 07860 848603 or email [email protected] for more information.

Please join our club

Stoneycroft Ladies Club is looking for new members.

It is a friendly ladies club that meets at Warner’s End Community Centre in Hemel Hempstead, usually on the fourth Monday of each month.

The meetings last from 2pm until 4pm. The club organises speakers and entertainers, and arranges occasional outings for our members.

Membership for the year is £14, and each monthly visit is just £2, which includes, tea, coffee, biscuits and a raffle.

All of its members are retired ladies and they would be delighted and very welcoming, if any would like to join them.

Please contact Jean Box on 01442264645.

Weekend singing visit

Over the weekend of 5th/6th/7th December, Dacorum Community Choir will play hosts to a group from the Melodia Choir from Neu Isenburg, Hemel’s twin town in Germany.

This is a return visit. A party of choir members visited the town last year and were treated to a splendid time.

On the Friday evening Dacorum CC will be holding a Barn Dance and social evening to welcome their visitors.

On Saturday 6th December they will be joined by the Melodia singers and the Dacorum Youth Orchestra in their concert, The Song Goes On, at St. John’s, Church, Boxmoor in Hemel Hempstead from 7 pm. Tickets at £10 and £5 for under 18s are available by telephoning 07597 195814. It promises to be a wonderful evening in a beautiful church.

A collection will be held at the concert for local homeless charity DENS www.dens.org.uk

For more details on the club visit www.dacorumcommunitychoir.org or phone Dianne on 01442 874988.