News

Tuseday scouts have had a great weekend sailing at Llandegfedd Reservoir near Pontypool with the brilliant Chris, Claire,  Oscar and Alan from the Newport SWAT sailing team.

With a bright and early start meeting at Beaver Lodge, before a short journey over to the reservoir. 

Upon arrival there was much discussion; it was windy, very windy, which yes is good for sailing but not so great for our beginners, although good for practising man overboard with the safety boat.

Decision made, safety kit on and it was out to the luggers a nice sturdy boat for the gusty conditions each fitting 6 crew and our captains Chris and Alan. 

Scouts split into two groups. We were straight into Moby the power boat for a short trip to the luggers which are moored in the deeper waters. Taking it in turn, two scouts controlling the jib sail and one taking the helm. A lovely morning tacking up and down the water.

After lunch it was onto the much smaller RS fevas, spliting the scouts into three boats. First teaching them to rig the boats it was then onto the water, with sails reefed as still windy. The afternoon spent crisscrossing the reservoir with Chris ,Alex and Scott as captains taking the helm and showing them the ropes. Athough I question two of the captains for knocking some of their own crew out of the boats with the boom!! No names Chris and Alex. 

Whilst in the back ground was our own Steve M (who kindly helped transport kit) battling the conditions around the lake on his paddle board.

After a night at CRIA scout campsite it was back on the water using the RS fevas. This time, as the winds had subsided the scouts were on their own getting to grips with sail and tiller. With Steve C on shore duty looking after scouts who hadn’t quite found their sea legs. 

The afternoon was lead by Oscar with all the scouts on one gaint paddle board playing a range of games which mainly meant all the scouts falling off and jumping competitions where we had some interesting dives and belly flops to judge. 

An excellent weekend messing about on the water with 10 worn out scouts,  what could be better. 

More rice anyone!

Monday Scouts spent a great weekend at PGL Tregoyd House in the Brecon Beacons.

We did archery, fencing, zip wire, climbing, orienteering and the sensory trail.  The Scouts showed great courage and determination to overcome their fears and meet their personal challenges which made the leaders were very proud. 

Some superb teamwork and communication skills were shown, and, most importantly,  great fun was had by all!

Well done to everyone from 1st Royal Forest that turned out for the St Georges Day parade!

The parade is run by the town council to celebrate the youth movements in and around Coleford and the Forest. Scouting uses the parade as an opportunity to showcase the movement and to renew our Promise.

12^th March 2022 saw 1st Royal Forest Wednesday Scouts return to overnight camps after a long break due to Covid 19 restrictions.

Based at Beaver Lodge the 11 Scouts enjoyed a morning of adventurous and challenging activities, making use of the Dean Field Study Centre, thanks Reuben for being a fab instructor. The afternoon saw us hiking and den building, lots of teamwork involved.  The evening weather meant the plan for a large camp fire was adapted and Scouts enjoyed toasting marshmallows and smores around a fire pit instead.

As leaders, we were really pleased how all the Scouts worked together cooking the meals, washing up and keeping the camp tidy.

We look forward to many more camps.

Test your general and music knowledge and help the kids going to Haarlem raise funds for their trip.
The bar may even be open to help lubricate those brain cells!

Wow!!
Our team from Tuesday Scouts on their first go at the Cotswold Marathon came 6th out of 51 teams on the Bronze 10 mile Route!!
Outstanding teamwork taking over an hour off their full practise hike on the route.

The night started at the Beaver lodge where we met up and then drove to Murray Hall in Gloucester for registration and the start. Registration involved each team member being signed in, given wrist bands with our walker numbers on, a race tracker for the team and a strict kit check of the emergency items and kit list.
Then after waiting in the tents each team jostled forward to get their cards marked with their start time and then set off. Over Robinswood Hill, thankfully at that point not too wet so not a complete mudfest as it was on their first practise walk. CP1 at the top of the hill, down past the ski centre to CP2, then the climb up to Painswick Beacon CP3, half way, they stormed up this climb! Great view of the lights of Gloucester and beyond, but by then the weather was starting to close in and a constant drizzle accompanied the wind.
Onwards to Cranham Scout Centre for CP4 then another sharp climb out of Cranham to CP5 at the top of the hill, nearly there. Race across the top when they realized they may get under 4 hours to CP6 and Bronze finish at Birdlip dead on 4 hours, medals all round from the County Commissioner Mark Spiller.
Hot chocolate and short wait for the bus back to the start and our transport home again with some very damp, tired, sleepy but happy young people.
A great event, well organized and run, thanks to all that take the time to volunteer to run it and man the checkpoints etc.
Onwards to the Silver 20 mile route hopefully for this team next year, and looking forward to putting in some more teams from the group hopefully.

Visual memory to take away? Looking back from Painswick Beacon at Robinswood Hill and seeing the chain of torches in the distance as teams further back were making their way down.

Monday and Wednesday Scouts had a great morning at BattleSports on the 12th February.  It was a great exercise in teamwork!  The blue team won overall, but the reds were worthy opponents!
Thanks to all who organized and took part.

Final practise, night walk along the full route, again in great weather (which is a worry as it’s bound now to throw it down on the night!). Everyone made it in a good time and were treated to some stunning views and a great night sky along the way.

The 3rd practise hike by the kids from Tuesday Scouts, the second 5 miles of the Bronze route in daylight.

Just the one serious climb this time out of Cranham onto the ridge then onto Birdlip. Weather was kind to us again making for some spectacular views.