Summer is where our favourite parts of Scouting happen, and this term is off to a great start. The Explorers got away camping at Belchamps at the end of April with the rest of Southend West District, joined by Cubs and Beavers for an activity day and camp fire; DofE training is well underway with expeditions planned over the coming months; the sailing sessions have been phenomenally well attended, with over 50 people afloat on some days and courses filling up in minutes. And there’s more to come! In this newsletter:

• Summer Term Membership Fees
• Band Night
• New safety boat gets a name
• Summer Camp
• Den Open Day
• This terms activities

Continue reading May 2022 Newsletter →

Welcome back after the festive break. We hope you all had an enjoyable Christmas and New Year and are excited to get back into Scouting at 3rdCB.

Of course the dreaded COVID continues to constrain many parts of our lives, but we’re working hard to minimise its impact on our activities, as we updated in December, we ask young people please not to come to The Den if they’re feeling unwell, and remind Scouts, Explorers and adults that they need to bring/wear face masks to meetings inside.

In this newsletter:

• Spring Membership Fees and Gift Aid
• Presentation Evening
• Boat Sponsorship Opportunity
• Welcoming a new Vice President
• Upcoming activities and dates for your diary

Continue reading January 2022 Newsletter →

Another year is nearly gone, but we’ve got a lot to tell you. With concern about new COVID variants we’re awaiting revised guidance from Scouting and the National Youth Agency and will update you when this is received, in the mean time please keep following national guidelines and avoid attending activities if you feel unwell. In this newsletter:

• 3rdCB’s 90th Birthday
• Christmas Carol and Toy Service
• Smartest Scouts in the Country
• Save the Date: Summer Camp 2022
• Presentation Evening 2022
• Support us when you’re Christmas shopping online Continue reading December 2021 Newsletter →

November saw the Group turn out in full uniform for two major events in our town: parading at Remembrance Sunday and providing the guard of honour for Sir David Amess MP’s memorial service.

Scouting’s focus is rightly on getting active and learning new skills for life, but we are incredibly proud of how the Scouts and Explorers turned out so smartly as the largest contingent to pay their respects to the fallen, and a week later to honour our MP and long time friend of 3rdCB Sir David. Seeing our gold and black scarf in every major paper and TV station in the country was a proud moment, accompanied by many notes of thanks and support which we pass on to our young people.

The Royal British Legion have asked us to pass on their thanks to all those who helped create and decorate the giant remembrance poppies that adorned the library gardens and other areas around Leigh. A wonderful celebration of remembrance that helped promote the RBL’s work and brighten up our town. Donations for the giant poppies alone topped £1,000, which will be invaluable in supporting the legion’s work in the community.

3rd Chalkwell Bay was founded on 6 December 1931, and this December celebrate our 90th anniversary.

There’s no way of counting the thousands of Scouts that have passed through The Den over the years, but we’re proud to be going stronger than ever and still making a difference to young people’s lives in Old Leigh.

On Saturday 20th Nov we celebrated this momentous occasion with a gala dinner and dance at The Boatyard in Old Leigh, with nearly 200 friends and family partying the night away in style, with fine dining, fireworks and dancing to the fabulous Big Yellow Suitcase.

The evening raised around £3,000 for 3rdCB through the raffle and auction, which will help fund new activities and facilities for our young people. Thank you to everyone who supported the evening, and more importantly to Marcus, Ed, Megan, Freya and everyone else who put it all together.

Photos of the evening are available online at https://flic.kr/s/aHsmXg2nYc