Scouting snapshots

From the looks of it we could have a future Torvill and Dean, Robin Cousins or our very own Dan Whiston.

The 5th Blackpool group, which are based at the junction of Newton Drive and St Warburga’s roundabout, visited the ice rink on Bristol Avenue in Bispham.

They were given some ice skating ips from ice coach Adam Jukes.

Gillian Curtis, leader of the group, said: “Beavers and Cubs both went to the ice arena last Thursday and had the use of a private rink and ice coach, Adam Jukes, to teach them some basic skills to help them gain confidence on the ice.”

Smiles from Gang Show stars

The 55th Blackpool Scout Gang Show saw an extravaganza of song, dance and comedy.

More than 100 young people from the Fylde coast took to the stage at Blackpool Pleasure Beach’s Globe Theatre last week.

The show included music from the 1920s, a journey into the Wild West, a nod to Shakespeare, a colourful and tuneful review of the ever-popular Mary Poppins and some jungle sounds.

Cubs taken on a cultural journey to mark Hindu festival

Culture and diversity were the themes of the day for 7th Blackpool Scout Group.

Cubs aged between eight to 10 and a half years enjoyed an evening to listen and then actively take part in the Festival of Diwali.

The Cubs were informed that this faith was also known as the Festival of Lights and celebrated over five days, by millions of Hindus, Sikhs and Jains across the world .

It also coincides with the Hindu New Year, celebrating good over evil, new beginnings and light over darkness – very similar to many other faiths throughout the world.

This year Diwali will be celebrated on Sunday, October 30.

Countries that celebrate this festival are as far away as Africa, Indonesia, Japan, the USA, Trinidad and Tobago, as well as the UK.

The youngsters were shown how to make candles, and decorations to take home and share in the celebrations.

The activities took place in the school hall of Baines Endowed Junior School, Penrose Ave, Marton.

On the same evening, the Scout troop from 7th Blackpool held a meeting of ideas between the leaders and the Scouts aged 10 and a half and 14.

This is part of a new initiative where young people within all sections have a major say in what activities they wish to do, based around the Scout Movement Progressive programme as part of Vision 2018.

The youngsters are encouraged to give their ideas, positive and negative!

And, in joint consultation, they come together with the leaders to provide a well balanced, exciting, adventurous, good humoured, and enjoyable activity wherever.

They learn by doing... anything is achievable

For example, activities can include quad biking, visits to the police headquarters at Hutton, European expeditions, future district competitions and activities, District Patrol Leaders Forum, Weekend Camp, inviting visitors to the Troop meeting, and increasing sections numbers.

The 7th Blackpool Scout Group meet on a Monday evening at Baines Endowed Junior School at these times:

* Beavers - 6pm to 7pm;

* Cubs - 6.45pm to 8.15pm;

* Scouts - 7.30pm to 9.15pm.