3rd Hampton Hill Scout Group

All the Sections have enjoyed yet another fantastic and varied programme. There have also been successes and achievements in District, County and National Events – well done all. As well as personal awards and recognition for service and commitment. 2008 has been a great and very memorable year for the Group and we continue to live up to our Motto of ‘Moving On, Moving Up!’ Just take a trawl back through some of the earlier web posts to see how much we have achieved this term and for the whole year.

I would like to say a very Big THANKS to ALL The Section Leadership Teams, Group Executive Committee and everyone that has supported us both this term and for the year. Everyone at 3rd Hampton Hill are volunteers who freely give up their time to help Young People enjoy Scouting and develop skills for life.

Our two highest priorities for early in the New Year are the recruitment of Assistant Beaver Scout Leaders and a Booking Secretary.

Planning is underway for a couple of big camps next year: CubJam in May at Gilwell Park and Twickeree at Marble Hill Park in June. We are also in the early stages of planning an International Trip in 2011! There is an initial interest sign up sheet posted up at the Scout HQ.

May I take this opportunity to wish everyone a merry Christmas and a happy, prosperous and healthy 2009. I am certain that 2009 will be another fantastic year for Scouting at 3rd Hampton Hill.

I look forward to seeing you all in the New Year. Kindest regards and very best wishes.

Yours in Scouting and friendship

Rich M
Group Scout Leader

We need your help. The Mayor of London is offering to invest 2 million pounds into the 10 most needy parks in the London area; One of the parks on the list of potential winners is Crane Park.

As you will be aware the Richmond upon Thames District Scout Air Rifle Association uses the premises of the Twickenham Rifle and Pistol Club. The Twickenham Rifle and Pistol Club are members of FORCE (Friends of the River Crane Environment). If Crane Park were to win the 2 million pounds it would safeguard the Twickenham Rifle and Pistol Club, which would mean a continuing local venue for shooting activities.

Please encourage all members of your families to vote at this link. Everybody who lives in London has the right to one vote.

The voting started on 25 November 2008 and will close at 5pm on 30 January 2009. Postal votes must be received no later than 30 January 2009. Votes received after this date / time will not be counted.

Many thanks for helping to safeguard this local asset for the Scouting community.

Ian Hardy
Assistant District Commissioner (Scouts)
Richmond Upon Thames District Scouts

The Cubs had great fun and enjoyed their end of Year Party!

In what is most Scout’s favourite church service of the year, we celebrated the Christingle and lit candles together while lined up around the church.

Young members from both the Scouts and the Sunday School delivered a first class reminder of what Christingle represents as well as a powerful reminder of the generousity demonstrated by others despite their modest backgrounds.

A volunteer working party from 3HH’s scouts had great fun helping out with the annual leaf sweep at St. James’s church today.

After lots of clambering over the building and hooking out of leaves from the guttering, there were some pretty empty stomachs and rather dry throats. Luckily Kirtsie was as ever on hand with bread pudding, heaps of chocolate brownies and a gallon of hot tea that slipped down very nicely!

(Thanks to John O for the photos – click on the collage above to see more)

The Scouts celebrated the end of 2008 with a party and discussed their achievements and awards. They had an end of year feast followed by one of their favourite games: Noughts and Crosses!

Following the team and individual successes at the recent national scout shooting event at Bisley, 3HH have made the Richmond and Twickenham Times. Thanks to Sheila L for writing and submitting the Article.

3HH also grabbed a second feature in the same edition when there was a major splash on the Christmas celebrations at the Hampton Hill parade.

Well done guys!

The Cubs had a fun evening making some cakes!

Many of you will have known Sue Blay. She was a great friend to 3HH, led the Hampton Hill Duke of Edinburgh Award group and for many years was the Guide Leader at 3rd Hampton Hill. Sue recently lost her long courageous battle against cancer on 11 November 2008. Her funeral service was held at St James on 26 November 2008.

3rd Hampton Hill Scout Group will be hosting a memorial service for Sue in the spring of 2009. Those youth groups and adults that Sue worked with will be very welcome to come along and celebrate what she stood for and achieved. The intention is to plant a tree and place a plaque in recognition of all that Sue did for young people in Hampton and Hampton Hill including: 3rd Hampton Hill Guides, 3rd Hampton Hill Scouts and the Duke of Edinburgh Award Group. Details of the memorial are being worked out with Sue’s family and will be published once finalised.

3rd Hampton Hill have begun a memorial collection which will be used to buy the tree and plaque. The remaining money will then be divided equally between Sue’s two nominated charities: Christian Aid and ‘Maggie’s’ (cancer charity). Any contributions will be gratefully received. Cheques should payable to 3rd Hampton Hill Scout Group with the words Sue Blay Memorial Collection on the reverse please.

Our thoughts and wishes are with all of Sue’s family and friends at this time.

Regards,

Rich M
Group Scout Leader