A service of celebration and thanksgiving for Scouting

The Service of Celebration and Thanksgiving saw five Scouters and one Guider from Blackpool amongst over 1,000 other volunteer leaders gather to honour the shared traditions and values of the two movements.

The service also celebrated volunteering, and marked the 100th anniversary of the senior section of the Girl Guides, and the 100th anniversary of the Cubs.

The founders of the movement, Robert and Olave Baden Powell, are memorialised in the Nave of the Abbey

Blackpool Scouters, Phil and Irene Wheatley, along with Gordon Clark – holders of the bar to the Silver Acorn, which is the second highest adult award in Scouting attended – and were joined by Stewart and Joan Swan– holders of the Silver Wolf, which is the highest award given to adult leaders in Scouting.

They were accompanied by Joan’s sister, Anne Miller, a member of the Guide Association Blackpool, Fylde and County, who was a recipient of an outstanding long service award of 40 years service to Guiding.

The service was led by The Very Reverend Dr John Hall, the Dean of Westminster Abbey, and the theme of the address given by the Dean of Gloucester Cathedral The Very Reverand Stephan Lake, was ‘If you cant beat them, join them.’

The 1,000 Scouters and Guiders then renewed their Movements’ Promises led by chief Guide Valerie Le Valliant, and Tim Kidd, the UK chief commissioner.

Stewart Swan said: “It felt really special, the whole theme of the day was thank you for everything people are doing for Scouting and Guiding.”

Cubs reach for the stars to gain their astronomy badge

It was a thrill for the 45th Blackpool Cubs and the 13/16th Blackpool youngsters to visit the world famous Jodrell Bank Discovery Centre.

Based at The University of Manchester in Macclesfield, the centre features an observatory, where you can explore the wonders of the universe and learn more about the workings of the giant Lovell Telescope.

The group was accompanied by Bernard McKibbin, Cub Scout Leader with the 13/16th, who is also the a District Badge Instructor for the Astronomy Badge.

The youngsters made the special trip to finish off their Astronomer’s Badge, which involves completing the “Sky At Night” project.

It means the youngsters have to do a number of activities including make a model or Draw a simple diagram of the solar system, identify three constellations, identify the difference between stars, and planets and observe the moon by either using binoculars, or telescope.

A really exciting day was had by all.

Science at work!

44th Blackpool Cub Scouts tried their hand at some experimenting,

The youngsters had an evening of experiments, in order to gain their Experimenting Badge.

They were required to learn about three of the following eight items: density, how air rises, the reaction of different substances such as bicarbonate of soda and vinegar, which made the volcano effect.

Other activities include growing cress, experimenting with oil, and white light spinners.