Overland Hike 2013

4 teams of Scouts, Explorers from 1^st Roffey Scout Troop, Phoenix and Young Leader ESUs entered the Overland Hike which proved to be one of the most demanding for many years.
Despite the very wet, cold and freezing conditions experienced on both the practice and event hike weekends everyone was pumped up and excited about taking part in the challenge.

The morning of the Overland started with Snow falling as the teams tavelled to Plumpton Green for the start. The kit check was a breeze and all teams came
through with maximum points.

The Horsham Weald check point at Jack & Jill windmills above Pyecombe, which was well supported by leaders and other adults, was also very cold and gloomy but compensated by a great view down the valley.

The teams arrived during the course of the day and running repairs to the odd blister were made to keep everyone on the road. One of the Scout teams, after a confused start arrived full of smiles and the Explorers skipped their way through the car park. The Young Leader team had to withdraw due to an injury to one of the members – but they are determined to give it another go in the Downsman and next year’s Overland. A lot of positives have been taken from this all girl team;

• Getting the team organised in a very short amount of time.  
• Very strong willed girls that worked together well as a team even though they hardly knew each other before getting together as YLs.
• Two more Explorers want to start the YL training.
• Friendship and support to all team members

After a very cold night in the base camp the teams set off on Sunday
morning for the finish line.

1st Roffey Scouts 7th place	1st Roffey Scouts 9th place	Phoenix ESU 16th place	Young Leader ESU DNF
Oliver Whorwood   Louis Timperley  Christian Smith   Paul Ambrose	Heather Lindfield India Belfield Oliver Field   Owen Duda	David Ambrose Ethan Belfield Oscar Rhodes James Lindfield	Zoe FitzPatrick  Megan Longdon  Julia Feltham Annabel Light

Well done to everyone taking part in and supporting this year’s Overland hike.

District Beaver Scout Easter Egg Hunt

Unfortunately, the annual Easter Egg Hunt had to be cancelled due to the extremely muddy ground and torrential rain, however we were able to go ahead with the Magician Show which was a great success with Beavers and adults alike!

1st Southwater Sea Scouts - Devizes to Westminster marathon

Leaders from 1st Southwater Sea Scouts, Owain Edwards, Sue Howell and Yanna Peck, are taking part in the Devizes to Westminster International Canoe Marathon this Easter. 

The race is one of the hardest Canoe/Kayak marathons in the world covering 120 miles in four days. The team have been training every weekend throughout the winter in all weathers, covering many miles of river, to build up their fitness for the main event starting on Good Friday and finishing on the steps of Parliament, Westminster on Easter Monday. 

This is a very gruelling and tough event and it's great that they are having a go in order to support the Scout group.  They and their families have given up a good deal of their time to take on this challenge and raise much needed funds for the group.

Please show support by using the link below to sponsor them and also to send the link to friends, family and colleagues, to make as much of this opportunity as possible and support the development of Scouting for the young people of Southwater.

Donate through Just-Giving page at http://www.justgiving.com/teams/1stSSSDW

Track the teams progress at http://www.facebook.com/1stSouthwaterDevizesToWestminster

Iain Boyes

ASL 1st Southwater Sea Scouts

Congratulations to Billingshurst Scout Show - March 2013

Billingshurst Scout Show has gained the accolade of full Gang Show status following this year’s production. Well done to their production team and we wish them success in the future as they continue ‘….riding along on their crest of a wave’!

Horsham Weald Newsletter - March 2013

With John Morton's departure we now need someone else to look after the distribution of news and information to the members of the District. Now that we have a website how we communicate will be different and so we are looking for someone with IT and web experience to work with Gill Wraith-Carter (webmaster) and the DC to ensure that information is brought to everyone's attention effectively.

If you would like to be involved in this important work please contact Peter Scofield (Horsham Weald District Commissioner) on 0779 267 2443 or dcweald@gmail.com.

Online NAN forms - March 2013

Those who have the responsibility to submit NAN (Nights Away Notification) forms now have an online system if camping for I night or more at Beacon Hill.

When you book an overnight event on the campsite booking system the NAN form will automatically appear and when completed sent to the DC.

A great step forward and thanks to Jamie Finch (Campsite webmaster) for developing the system.

This does not apply to nights away activities elsewhere – the normal NAN form must be completed and sent to the DC preferably by e-mail.

St George's Day Parade - Sunday 21st April 2013

St George's Day Parade

This is the  one day in the year when the public have the opportunity to see Horsham Scouting in all its splendour.

This year’s event will be on 21st April with a parade down North Street followed by a gathering around the bandstand in the Carfax.

Help is needed to marshal traffic and ensure the young people taking part in the parade are safe. Each Group has been asked to provide volunteers – please let Mark Cullen know urgently if you are able to assist on the day.

The nominated charity for this year’s event is CCHF: All About Kids – a Sussex based organisation that helps disadvantaged children enjoy the sorts of activities that we as Scouts take for granted. Please help 1st St Leonards Scout Group, who are leading the parade this year, raise some funds  to support this worthwhile organisation.

Donations should be sent in advance to Mark Cullen so we can present the proceeds to the charity’s representative on the day.

Contact Mark Cullen -

e-mail: m_cullen@sky.com        call: 01403 255574

Comings and Goings March 2013

Comings and Goings

Bill Williams and Brian Barker

Bill Williams is retiring from his role of maintaining membership records. Bill has served both Scouting in Horsham over many years and his records have helped to ensure the information provided for adult awards is accurate and complete.

Brian Barker will be taking on this role in the future .

Sarah Nicholson and Vince Mitchell

Sarah Nicholson has stepped down from her role as District Treasurer. We are grateful for all that Sarah has done to support the District Executive.

Vince Mitchell has taken up the role again. Vince has continued to be involved with Horsham Weald assisting the Appointments Secretary by monitoring membership records held on the Scout Association's membership database and reminding GSLs when appointment reviews are due and helping to ensure all CRB/DBS checks are up to date.

John Morton

John will be leaving the District in the near future to be closer to his family. John has had many roles in Scouting including DC of Horsham District. In recent times he has been the County Badge Secretary and looked after the Horsham Newsletter.

John’s contribution to Scouting has been enormous and he will be greatly missed.