Scouting Snapshots

Jubilant Cubs took home prizes at the annual Commissioner’s Flag Competition and Pack of the Year Award.

One hundred and fifty youngsters went head to head in the Commissioner’s Flag contest, which was held at Blackpool Zoo.

This year’s theme was the ‘Global Issues Activity Badge’

There were five bases for the Cubs to tackle: Skills for Life, The Zoo Conservation Project, Products from Around the World, Reduce, Reuse and Recycle, and Natural Disasters.

This year’s winning pack were the 13/16th Blackpool Cub Pack, and were presented with the Commissioner’s Flag by the District Commissioner for Blackpool Scouts, Victoria Da Silva.

Second place went to 7th Blackpool Cubs and third place went to 6th Blackpool Cubs.

At the same event, all the points awarded throughout the year for activities that the Cub packs had participated in were totalled for the Pack of the Year presentation.

This year’s winning Pack of the Year was the 6th Blackpool Cub Pack, who were presented with the Jogwam Trophy.

Second place went to 1st Norbreck and 13/16th Blackpool Cubs while third place was awarded to 1st Bispham Cubs.

Huge thanks to volunteers

Volunteers were recognised during a special presentation at Mowbreck Camp and Training Site, near Wesham.

Over the past year, an awful lot of work has been done to improve the site.

Some of the volunteers are non-Scouting members who just wish to make a contribution to the upkeep of the land.

This was recognised in a presentation by Steve Williamson, assistant district commissioner for Blackpool District for adventurous activities, with an official Scout Association Thank You lapel badge, given to Richard and Linda Parker.

Richard was also given a framed certificate, recognising his special contribution to Scouting.

Fifty years of Scout service

Two Blackpool District Scout leaders have reached a milestone in their service to their organisation.

Stewart Swan and Brian Pendlebury have given 50 years’ service to Scouting, and they were presented with their certificates by the District Commissioner for Blackpool Scouts Victoria Da Silva, on behalf of the Chief Scout, Bear Grylls.

Stewart started as a Scout with the 16th Blackpool Scout Troop, and became a Scout Leader with the 16th Blackpool, before it became the 13/16th, and then joined the 7th Blackpool Scout Group.

He is also the Assistant District Commissioner responsible for the Scout Section programme aged 10-and-a-half to 14.

Brian has been involved all his life in Scouting at the 37th Blackpool Scout Group, first as a Scout, and then becoming a Leader, and latterly as Group Scout Leader.

Thank you to Stewart and Brian on behalf of the Blackpool District Scouts for all your support throughout the years, in enabling the young people in Scouting to reach their goals and give them skills for life.