The 107th 2022 AGM

On Tuesday 11th October 2022, the 107th hosted its AGM, attended by all the group leadership, representatives from district and a few parents.

The treasurer outlined the group was currently operating in a financially stable manner. Steve outlined we had a few large expenditures in the past year, these include the renovation of the toilet facilities, and the renovation of the kitchen and some electrical work. These we’re large expenditures therefore fundraising drives and ideas are most welcome. If you have an idea for fundraising, please get in touch.

The event gave the opportunity for the section leaders to surmise the progress made since Covid restrictions were lifted, and detail what each section had been up too!

Beavers

Beavers started April 21 with enrolling our 4 Zoom Beavers to the group. Beavers ended up doing a week of zoom and the following week challenge week which the children loved. Beavers had some joint meetings with the cubs where one week a wildlife rescue lady showed us animals she was looking after.
June 21, Beavers held our first meeting back at the hut making sure everything was covid safe. Beavers were fortunate for good weather which allowed us to be outside
September still under covid rules Beavers were able to continue our meetings at the hut. Activities included raising money with the Cubs to help with the twinning toilet project, bonfires and a good number of beavers attending remembrance Sunday.
Beavers were also glad to have the District Youth Commissioner attend our beaver meeting where she enrolled Kieran as a beaver leader.
January 22 saw us back on Zoom for a couple of weeks due to covid but back for the end on Jan where we enrolled 9 new beavers.
Trips up to end of march included skittles at John Harvey and a movie at Cineworld.

Cubs

April to July 2021, saw the continuation of fortnightly Zoom meetings for Cubs.
We returned to face-to-face meetings in September 2021 with 23 Cubs but finished March 2022 with 13 Cubs.
In October, we were tobogganing at Mendip Activity centre.
In November, Cubs attended the Whitchurch Royal British Legion Remembrance Day Parade. Also in November, Cubs & Beavers raised money to twin one of our toilets with a latrine in Honduras, South America (as part of World Toilet Day Activities).
We had to return to Zoom meetings during January 2022 but returned to face-to-face meetings in February to continue with work towards a number of activity badges.

Scouts

Due to restrictions imposed on Face-to-Face meetings, and organisational struggles within the Scout section, meetings were suspended from April to July 2021.
From July there was some changes in leadership, and we saw back the eldest Scouts who were due to be leaving. These were socially distanced meetings with the aim of preparing those Scouts for their expedition in order to complete their Gold Scout Awards. In August they successfully completed the expedition, and the remainder of the criteria for the outstanding Challenge Badges. Subsequently these Scouts were presented with the Gold Award upon return to full Face to Face Meetings in September.
Throughout the autumn/winter period and into 2022, the Scout section enjoyed engaging with various activities working towards key badges, these included, Orienteering, Assault Courses, Cooking Nights, Winter Hikes and Wide Games and Skiing at Mendip Activity Centre just to name a few.
May 2022 saw the return of Camping for the Scouts, with a “Back to Basics” style camp at Chelwood. This event had a great turn out with the whole group taking part, and was well received by Scouts with everyone thoroughly enjoying themselves. We then attended The Big Fiesta the following month, which again had a great turn out and the Scouts had a great time trying all the different activities.
Last weekend we took our current eldest Scouts to the Quantock Hills to complete their Expedition. Despite adding a few unnecessary miles through some, interesting, detours, they completed the walk and therefore completing the remainder of their Gold Scout Award Criteria (subject to a successful presentation).
Looking forward we have a varied programme planned up until December, with trips to Woodhouse for an Archery evening and Planet Ice Bristol for Ice Skating.

District Commissioner report

Paul Harper, the Bristol South Scouts District Commissioner, commended the 107th Volunteers for their work in getting the organisation back on its feet after Covid. He also expressed remarks on the importance of “looking forward” to out “leaders of tomorrow”, and detailed some help and schemes coming through in the next few months.

Paul Harper then presented Paul Duckett with a Volunteer Service award. Congratulations Paul.

Roles and Elections

There are some key roles to be elected for the group. Bob highlighted the issue that the group currently has the key roles of Chairperson and Group Scout Leader (GSL) vacant. Paul Harper reflected the issue that these are roles which are key to the running of the group. Therefore the 107th are actively looking for these roles to be filled, and this will be advertised on the website in the coming days. If you are interested in the role, or know anyone who may be, please get in touch.

Steve Bangham agreed to continue in the role of Group Treasurer, thank you Steve.

Clare Broad agreed to continue in the role of Group Secretary, thank you Clare.

It was also raised that the 107th currently does not have a group Executive (Friends of the 107th) committee. If you are interested in the role, or know anyone who may be, again, please get in touch.