1HP Christmas letter 2023
One of the big achievements of this year has been the affiliation of Chingford Explorers with 1st Highams Park Group. That closer relationship will make it easier for Scouts to continue scouting with the section that is designed for teenagers approaching adulthood. We are already seeing the Explorers Unit go from strength to strength under its fantastic volunteer leader team of Cameron, Andrew, James, Manisha and Julia.
This year had a lot going on. For a start, we are very proud of our 4 Explorers, Jacob, Maya, Eloise …
The weekly gatherings of Beavers, Cubs and Scouts this year have covered a huge range of activities, with far too much to cover here. But the annual highlights include:
The Beavers had a visit from the Fire Brigade, and got outside a LOT: canoeing, litter picking, archery, and even celebrating the Summer Solstice.
After the long COVID enforced absence, Cubs burst back into action early 2022 with a medley of greatest hits: Night Hike, Glow Stick Challenge, Quiz Night and Board Games. All of which are proper floor fillers that the public …
Unsurprisingly, it has been a rough twenty months for 1st Highams Park Scout Group, but we seem to have made it through in decent nick. Thank you to the families who supported us with kind messages and continued to pay subs throughout the lockdowns. This ensured that we were able to pay our bills and meet our commitments to other community groups who are dependent on our income, such as rents to the Church Hall and the Mally.
It is also right to acknowledge the dedication of the 1HP volunteers, …
In 2019 we were able to do all of this:
• 2019 will best be remembered as the year watersports returned to Highams Park Lake, and every section got a chance to enjoy. With those glorious sunsets and sounds of laughter, you had to pinch yourself to remember that we are so near to central London. Huge credit to everyone who made it a reality – Ben Marcus, John Goodman, Robert Edwards, but most importantly Jess Snell and Teddy Edwards.
• On the same theme, we had our band of …
It’s been another brilliant year for the Group. We remain incredibly popular and simply cannot accommodate all who want to join us. Here are some of the year’s highlights:
Beavers enjoyed a brilliant early summer weekend with our neighbourhood Vikings learning how to fight and pillage. Unsurprisingly there is no badge for that.An evening of indulgence and sophistication when the church hall was transformed into ‘Cubs’ Café’ with high tea and cake served to parents. It was a full house, and the Cubs did absolutely brilliantly. Thank you to everyone …
Two of our Explorers, Jess Ceeney and David Baxter have been selected for the 24th World Scout Jamboree in North America 2019. Only 36 places were available from the 129 people shortlisted for the selection camp in sub-zero temperatures, so it’s a top drawer achievement. Inevitably, not all of our candidates were successful, but they should feel proud of themselves.
A stack of Beavers secured Chief Scout Bronze Awards, their first step towards greatness: Eddie and Diachi Penny, Shruti & Shreya Nair, Sam Kennedy, George Stiff, Jamie Jones, Max Grand, Max …
As part of the Highams Park Spring Festival, the Ulflag Viking Re-enactment Group came to Highams Park.
1st Highams Park beavers, cubs and scouts enjoyed the fantastic chance of a private gathering with the warriors as they set up camp and practised for the following day’s battle.
Despite a wet St Georges Day weekend in April the 1st Highams Park beavers, cubs, scouts and explorers joined with other groups in the district to camp, have fun and renew their promise.
Belated congratulations to Peter Rogers who was in the Waltham Forest news this week after being awarded an OBE for service to young people in the New Years honours list.
Congratulations to Hollie Edwards and Peter Baxter who have been appointed as Deputy District Youth Commissioners, supporting Matthew Bird who will be the first District Youth Commissioner for Waltham Forest South Scout District.
