Slough Scouts

Chairmans Message 2009

Ladies & Gentlemen,

2008 was a difficult year for many of us and Slough Scouts did not come out of it unscathed. At the end of the year we all suffered in the credit crunch, whether it was issues with work and redundancy, increasing utility and fuel costs, or the dwindling value of shares and investments. We have all felt the pinch in some way.

But despite the troubles in the world I’m very pleased to report to you that Slough Scouts have delivered a successful years’ Scouting.

One of the main highlights of the year was the achievements starting new groups within the district. In last year’s report I gave details of a new group to be opened in Colnbrook. I’m very pleased to say that this group has continued to grow, and they had their first camp at Walton Firs earlier in the year. They currently have more than 70 young people of Colnbrook taking part and they have become a key part of the community. The team are now working with the local council to find them a more permanent location as they currently meet in a school halls.

On the subject of meeting places and Scout HQ’s, in my report to you last year I criticised Slough Council who at the time were looking at building on the site of 1st Britwell’s current site. We have had a number of meetings with the council including an open and very vocal meeting where many of the people in this room attended. I’m very pleased to report that since this time Mark Foster has worked very closely with the Council. After many long meetings we have reached a mutual understanding. I think it’s fair to say that James Swindlehurst and his team are fully supportive of what WE are trying to achieve, also that we are now fully supportive of what THEY are trying to achieve. Though we have not finalised the detail I am certain we will reach a mutually beneficial conclusion which will mean that we can continue to provide quality Scouting for young people in the Britwell area.

Mark has also been very busy working with some of the more ethnic communities in Slough. The aim of Scouting has always been to promote the physical mental and spiritual development of young people and this is as important today as it was when Scouting was first introduced some 100 years ago. I’m very pleased to report that after many years work behind the scenes we have recently opened the 99th Slough Scout group. It is based in Chalvey and though it is predominantly a Muslim based group, it is as all of our groups are, open to any denomination. Though it was opened just a few weeks ago it has grown from strength to strength and I very much hope they will also enjoy their first camping experience later this year.

Scouting is all about young people and encouraging them to grow up into the well rounded citizens of tomorrow. But it cannot happen without the adult leadership and I believe that in Slough we have one of the best teams in the county. As with any team, sometimes the members move on and there is one person in particular that I want to recognise today.

Ken Clark initially joined the District team as Badge Secretary and has been the District Secretary for the last 8 years. Ken has done a wonderful job for us recording everything and he is a great loss to the team. I’d like to formally thank him for his commitment and determination over the years. It has been a pleasure to work with you and the youth of Slough are indebted to you for this. I’m pleased to say that whilst he is stepping down from his position as secretary he will still retain his position as Badge Secretary so we will still see him around and about.

Whilst on the subject of the Clark family I wanted to formally recognise the work of our DC Bruce Clark. Most of you know that he has had a number of challenges in his life recently but Bruce works tirelessly for this district and I think that we owe him a great debt. I firmly believe Bruce has grown into one of the best DC’s in the county and I wanted to make it clear to you how lucky we are to have him – Thank you Bruce on behalf of all the Scouts in Slough – And also sincerest thanks to Clare for lending him to us!!!!

Looking forward, Wings 2009 is just some 10 weeks away. For those of you that don’t know Wings is an international Scout and Guide camp in Windsor Great Park. This time Slough Scouts are playing a key part, many of the leaders are on the organising team and most of the groups are going. We have more than 5000 Scouts attending from across the globe and I’m certain all will have a fun time and learn a lot about other people and the world we live in.

I’d like to close by thanking the whole leadership team that makes Scouting happen within Slough. I believe that we are growing together and that together we deliver exceptional Scouting to the youth of Slough. As we do this we become more successful and more people join us, seeing that we can make a real difference. I can assure you that sitting at home watching Eastenders really doesn’t make you feel good and forget the troubles around you, but working with others and seeing the things that young people can achieve is the best tonic for the recession ever invented.

I URGE YOU TO GET INVOLVED IN WHATEVER CAPACITY YOU CAN AND MAKE A DIFFERENCE TO THE YOUTH OF SLOUGH.

Yours in Scouting

Ian Goldswain

Chairman Slough District Scout Council