Nothing stays the same for long – and that’s certainly true when you have a Scouting group as popular as the one in Littleport!
Now the biggest group in the East Cambridgeshire district, Littleport Scout Group exists to broaden the horizons of young people by giving them the opportunity to spend time in the great outdoors, develop new skills, make friends, and give something back to the community. Volunteers are crucial to the group’s success, and with some key members moving on to new challenges within Scouting recently, the group needs more people to come and join in.
Julie Double – known to many in Scouting as Dove – chose to step down from her role as Beaver and Scout leader due to personal commitments. However, she is still very much involved with Scouting because she is the new Group Scout Leader, overseeing the running of the whole of Littleport Scouts. She took over from Mike Philbey, who gave an impressive 25 years of his time for the young people of Littleport – thanks so much, Mike, and we wish you well in your new role in the Ely Scouting District.
Brilliant current volunteers have stepped up to lead the weekly meetings: Jane Hipkin runs the Tuesday Beaver colony; Ben Barrett runs Tuesday Scouts; and Chris Twinn and Dan Seaman run the Tuesday and Wednesday night Cub packs. Luckily Tanya and Phil Watson, who are the new Friday night Beaver leader and Wednesday night Scout leader respectively, have just moved to Littleport and are keen to keep their Scouting going.
The executive committee without which there would be no Scouting in Littleport, also welcomed a new chair, Danny Swain. Many thanks also to Darrell Gardiner, who was chair for more than five years, and who has recently taken up a role with Explorer Scouts in the Ely district (for those aged 14-18).
But these great volunteers need support to continue running the evening meetings and extra activities. If you want that feel-good feeling from helping others while meeting some amazing people, having fun and developing new skills yourselves (always good for the CV!) please get in touch. It doesn’t have to be a weekly commitment: the odd hour here and there is great – perhaps to sit on the Exec Committee, which meets every six weeks for an hour. You could be helping the Scouts build a raft to sail down the River Cam or adding up the group accounts. And yes, the group needs a new treasurer: all offers of assistance are welcome. Please email info@1stlittleportscoutgroup.org.uk or get in contact via Facebook, search 1st Littleport Scout Group. Thank you so much.
Why we love Scouting
New leaders Tanya and Phil Watson tell us a little more about what Scouting means to them…
We’ve been a part of Scouting for a few years now over at Warboys where we lived until recently. Phil remains involved as their Group Scout Leader, but is also taking on a new challenge as Scout leader here in Littleport. We are a Scouting family: we have five children ranging in ages from 8 to 21 and they are all involved in Scouting!
Phil and Tanya were asked: What are your best Scouting memories?
Phil answered: My best Scouting memory is when we had a group camp at Phasels Wood Campsite in Hertfordshire. I managed to reach the top of the Cube High rope activity, which is 11 metres high and not good when you don’t like heights! All of my Cubs were cheering me on and encouraging me to reach the top and then jump off the platform at the top.
Tanya replied: My favourite Scouting memory is taking the Beavers for a sleepover at Hunstanton Sealife Centre. They were all so excited, and it was an amazing experience sleeping around the ray tank and watching the various fish and rays swimming next to you.
Then they were asked: Why have you chosen to get involved with Scouting in Littleport?
And they said: We still want to be involved in Scouting because it is such a big part of our family life. The week we came to look at our new home, we saw on the Littleport community Facebook page that they needed leaders in Beavers and Scouts, and we just knew that our decision to move was the right one.
In conclusion they stated their three favourite things about Scouting:
- Teaching the young people new skills.
- Watching them achieve their goals.
- Having fun.