The Mighty 4th Ashby Scouts

WEIL’S DISEASE (LEPTOSPIROSIS)

Weil’s disease is caused by an organism which is carried in rats urine and contaminates water and moist soil. (Cattle host a similar infection).

Infection can occur in any water, and the likelihood of becoming infected is greater from stagnant or slow moving waterways, contaminated moist soil, vegetation, especially rubbish.

The organism is absorbed through the skin, mouth and eyes and gets into the blood stream more readily through cuts or scratches on the skin or feet. Rarely infection follows animal bites or swallowing contaminated water.

It begins with an influenza-like illness about 10 days after exposure and common signs and symptoms include:

§ A Sudden high temperature and shivering

§ Intense Headache

§ Severe muscle pain in the back and legs

§ Eye Redness

§ In severe cases there may be jaundice

To minimise the risk of infection of Weil’s disease:

1. Wear appropriate protective clothing, eg. Rubber gloves and boots, never touch dead rats with unprotected hands.

2. Thoroughly clean cuts and abrasions and cover them with adhesive waterproof dressings.

1. Careful washing of the hands and forearms especially before eating, drinking or smoking. If clothing is contaminated, wash thoroughly.

1. Seek appropriate first aid if suspect any symptoms and show them this card.

1. Maintain a good standard of personal hygiene. This can considerably reduce the chance of becoming infected.

Keep this card in a safe place, report any illness.

The month a May was a good one for Scouts, The group that went to the District camp came away with many trophies. On Saturday they took turns to toil in the kitchen preparing the evening meal, as we were representing Barbados the preparation involved food and spices they had not come across before. They cooked meats, fish, made crab soup and baked cakes, all on gas in the mess tent. Sunday was supposed to be a repeat only this time they were to cook on open fires, unfortunately, in true Whit camp tradition, the rain came down and put a stop to that.

We retained the chariot design trophy but were disqualified from the race for taking shortcuts, we also won the volley ball, Tug-of-War and Kart race, I’d like to thank Angie for all the time she spent organising the food and showing the Scouts what to do with it.

June is going to be a busy month, most activities being on the water. Please note that we will be using the Katakanus on Thursday 22^nd and 29^th, the Scouts will be told which session they are on. If not on the water the Scouts will be at Willesley.

There are still places for the District Canoe camp and County Splash Camp.

17th June Katakanus – Moira furnace 7:00

20^th June District Canoe Camp Cost £50

24^th June Katakanus – Moira Furnace 7:00

29^th June District Raft Race Conker Canal Basin.

26^th July Summer Camp Birch Hall

12^th September County Splash Camp Cost £50

To confirm;

Scouts are meeting at Willesley each Thursday from 5th June until 10th July

17th & 24th July will be at the HQ

No meeting 31st as we’ll all be on camp….

Dear 4^th Ashby Members,

Thank you for the great attendance at the recent AGM; it was very pleasing to see the parental support.

We are pleased to inform you that 43 votes were submitted for the Subscription payment method, and the resounding favourite was monthly standing order, with 30 votes.

As well as discussions on subscription, rent etc at the recent committee meetings, we have also been working towards standardising banking for the group, and opening a new account. Unfortunately, this has turned out to be more bureaucratic than we had first hoped, and we will not have the new account up and running for the 1^st of June. Rather than have standing orders set up for one account, and then change them a month or two later, we would like to ask everyone to start with the new £9 a month subs from the 1^st of June, but to pay by cheque or cash until the account is set up. At this point, we will issue a letter to everyone with a standing order form to complete.

The leaders and committee appreciate your understanding in this matter, and would ask if the first £9 cheque/cash can be paid the first week back after half term, Thursday 4^th June, in an envelope with your child’s name on. The next monthly payment due will be Thursday 3^rd July, by which point we will hopefully have more news for you.

Thanks again to everyone who voted and attended the AGM.

Jonathan Bloor - GSL/Acting Beaver Leader

Andrew Leake - Cub Leader

Bryan Nevin -Scout Leader

• 1-2-1 Camp (7/8^th June). None of the CRB forms completed this year have been processed so we will be unable to take part however
• We are proposing to have a Beaver family camp on 19-21^st September instead.
  • Adults will need CRB checks completed through Leicestershire Scouting – please take forms as required.
  • At least one parent per Beaver is required although more may attend, as may brothers and sisters.
  • We will be doing group cooking for which there will be a small charge.
  • The camp will be held at Willesley (www.willesley.org) and camping fees will apply. You can use your own tent or borrow one of our modern stock.
  • We will complete a number of activities on a theme – there will be light hearted competitions for everyone taking part.
• Meetings are 5.30 – 7.00 at Willesley each Thursday between 5^th June and 10^th July – there is no meeting on May 29^th as it is half term for most Beavers.
• Whilst we are meeting at Willesley, can you make sure we know your children are here by registered in the Cabin before you leave.
• Rabbit (Katie) is off to Camp America soon, the 5^th June will be her last meeting. Giraffe (Chris) is still attending when he can but he is working on his A levels at the minute before heading off to Uni next term.

This means that Beaver meetings are being run by:

· Mole (who is really a Cub Leader and can only help for the first part)

· Bear (who is presently spending one day per week doing Scout things as well as working full time, running a business, keeping house and helping with Scouts)

· Hare, Fox and Tiger who are 14-15 year old Scouts/Explorers – whilst they are very useful they cannot run meetings on their own.

· Karen – awaiting her Beaver name (!) – has offered to help whilst her son is a Beaver but childcare will be difficult when he moves up

We need your help!

We now need people to help on a more regular basis – how can you help – Don’t assume someone else will. Maybe you know someone who would be ideal? It is good fun, it isn’t scary (honestly) and there is lots of support available…

Please contact Jonathan Bloor to discuss your contribution. A parents meeting will be held on 3^rd July at 6.45, Willesley to let you know how we are doing prior to the holidays.

Bear, Rabbit, Giraffe, Mole, Hare, Fox & Tiger

*** Act now – pester your parents – there are just a few places left! ***

• When? Saturday 26^th July until Saturday 2^nd August (8 full days)
• Where? Birch Hall Scout Camp in the Langdale Forest, North Yorks (nearest town: Scarborough)
• Who can go? This is open to all 4^th Ashby Scouts
• Why? It’ll be amazing. We get the run of the site in the middle of nowhere. We can make as much noise as we can and be as silly as we like.
• What will be doing?

• • Survival skills – building proper bivis, foraging for food, lighting fires.
  • Big style pioneering – they’ve finally relented. I’ve done zip wires, platforms in the trees (we slept on it), bridges over rivers, 60 foot (18 metres?) towers. Who knows what we’ll come up with this time!
  • The Mighty 4^th Ashby inter patrol sandcastle contest. Ever played “Romans and Barbarians” or “Capture the flag” on a beach before?
  • We’ll need to damn the water flowing through the site. Last time this resulted in cycling up the stream (they claimed it was the only way to wash the bikes)
  • An expedition – possibly including “wild camping” – the scariest thing I did as a Scout!
  • After the back packing weekend and some Scouts’ difficulty in using maps the other leaders weren’t keen on putting you in the minibus, driving you round and dropping you off leaving you to find your own way back….
  • A trip to Scarborough, possibly including fish and chips on the seafront.
  • Depending on final costs of transport and food etc, we hope to have other activities going on…

• How do I get a place?

The camp will cost £130. To secure your place bring a £30 deposit as soon as possible. Places are limited – there only so many people we can put in the super-duper minibus we’re hiring!

Any other questions – talk to one of the leaders. The answer is probably 42!

Jon

8th May – Willesley Campsite – 6.45 – 8.00
(A.G.M and games, all welcome)
15th May – Willesley Campsite - 5.30 – 7.00
22nd May – Willesley Campsite - 5.30 – 7.00
29th May – Half term, no meeting
5th June – Willesley Campsite - 5.30 – 7.00
12th June – Willesley Campsite - 5.30 – 7.00
19th June – Willesley Campsite - 5.30 – 7.00
26th June – Willesley Campsite - 5.30 – 7.00
3rd July – Willesley Campsite - 5.30 – 7.00
10th July – Willesley Campsite - 5.30 – 7.00

11th May – Beaver & Cub Fun Day
7/8th June – Beaver 1-2-1 Camp

Directions to Willesley:
http://willesley.org/campsite/how_to_find_us.php

We’re seeking new adult help, can you help? Do you know someone who might be able to help now and then? Please let us know…

Don’t forget it is our AGM tonight (7:oo pm at Willesley Campsite)

We’ll be glad to see you there.

For wider viewing we attach the annual report and accounts.

2008-agm-booklet
2008-agm-accounts

As Bryan is off on holiday I get the dubious pleasure of jotting something for you this month.  Hopefully he’ll be careful abseiling off Table Mountain in South Africa so he can resume his duties next time!

I’ve been told to make sure you all know about “Dovedale” our annual backpacking weekend, summer camp and that there will be no meeting on 14^th February (we’ve noticed it’s half term but it’s got more to do with the fact we’ll all be pursuing other interests!)

Hopefully you’ll all agree with us that the new approach to Thursday night meetings is working out – we think that having younger and older Scout training means we can make sure it’s interesting and applicable for everyone.

Jon

Backpacking Weekend (4^th – 6^th April)

This year we thought that we might aim to make this weekend more of a backpacking weekend by using Youth Hostels or camping barns to avoid younger Scouts carrying heavier tents.  The older Scouts may use tents so they can work towards their expedition challenge.  As always there are the traditional elements of the weekend which we will uphold; fish and chip supper on Friday in Ashbourne, Pasties from the hatch in Milldale (we haven’t quite figured that part out yet!).  You won’t need any specialist equipment for this weekend and it will be suitable for all of the Troop.  It might reassure you that the leaders have a lot of experience at this sort of thing, for instance I first had authorisation to lead parties at the age of 14 (which really was a long time ago now!) and have trained lots of Scouts to compete expeditions all over the UK.  The cost is £50 per Scout and a £10 deposit secures your place.

Summer Camp (26^th July – 2^nd August)

Early on a cold December Saturday we went to check that Birch Hall was still standing.  It should be enough of a recommendation that we are going back.  Bryan doesn’t generally allow such things but for Birch Hall he makes an exception.  I’ve seen photos of your current leaders aged about 10 riding bikes in streams, clambering on bridges and having all sorts of fun.  We’ve got some new ideas to mix in and the whole thing will be unmissable.  Bryan forgot to tell me the overall price as he packed his bags but £120 - £150 sounds like the sort of figure he could live with.  We could use expressions of interest and a £20 deposit (we have to book the site which is quite expensive) as soon as possible please.

Summary of the Scout Troop Calendar as at 7^th February

A full colour planner is available from the website | A few more items to add yet, check for updates

Note; we can’t accept signups from the website as we really need to have a deposit.