Fareham East District Scouts

In 2007 there was a significant amount of publicity around Scouting, as the association reached its centenary, with local, national and international events taking place throughout the year. For the last 3 years the organisation has continued to quietly grow, and locally in Fareham, Gosport and the Meon Valley the average growth has been approximately 15% per annum, reversing a previous downward trend over 10 years. This was helped last year, when Bear Grills, the adventurer and explorer, became Chief Scout, making Scouting “cool” again in the eyes of many young people.

This growth is mainly due to the hundreds of adult volunteers who put in countless hours during the week, and at weekends running section meetings, camping or organising activities for all young people age from 6 – 18 years. This is broken down as follows:

• Beaver Scouts – 6 – 8 years
• Cub Scouts – 8 – 10½ years
• Scouts – 10½ - 14 years
• Explorer Scouts – 14 – 18 years

The excitement doesn’t stop at 18 years old, when young people go on to be adult leaders, or join the Network support section. There are also local Scout Fellowships for the “over 25’s” who offer support to all sections. Girls have become a integral part of the Scouting organisation, with the number of girls joining on a local basis at 12% per year.

Local Scouting, led by the local district, Fareham East, is taking over Fareham Town centre for the weekend on 23rd, 24th & 25th April 2010, with displays and activities throughout the pedestrian precinct, including:

• A camp site
• Boating
• Archery
• Canoeing
• Pioneering and Expedition displays
• Climbing Walls
• Bouncy castle
• Craft
• Stocks
• Badge making
• and much more.....

We will also have displays from Hampshire County and the Gosport Gang Show.

The central attraction of the weekend will be the Scout Association’s Mobile Display Unit, an Articulated Lorry crammed full of activities and interactive information about Scouting in 2010 and beyond, which will be parked in the pedestrian precinct throughout the Weekend. There will also be a display in Fareham Library on Saturday 24th April.

The Weekend starts at 6.45pm on Friday 23rd April when Fareham East District will hold their annual St Georges day parade, marching through Fareham Town Centre from Holy Trinity Church to the Band Stand in the pedestrian precinct, where there will be a short service of dedication. The salute will be taken outside of Fareham Museum by the Mayor of Fareham, Cllr. Ruth Godrich.

On Saturday the displays are open from 10am – 4pm and Sunday 11am – 2pm.

Come along and see what Scouting is like in 2010. For more information go to: www.farehameastscouts.org.uk or www.hampshire-scouts.org.uk

Additional press information can be obtained from Peter Moody, Scouting Day co-ordinator, on 07785528514, or petermoody50@yahoo.co.uk