3rd Chalkwell Bay Sea Scouts

Leaders' New Year Social
2024-01-06 19:00 - 23:30 (Europe/London) | Essex
Social event for all leaders in the Group. Details and location tbc.

Private Event
2023-12-27 08:00 - 23:00 | Essex
Den hired for a private event.

Boxing Day Sail
2023-12-26 10:30 - 13:30 | The Den, Victoria Wharf, High Street, Leigh-on-Sea, Essex, SS9 2EN, United Kingdom
Back in the days when there was a Lighthouse on Canvey Point, 50+ years ago, the Sea Scout Troop would sail over to the Lighthouse every Boxing Day with a hamper full of food and pass it to the Lighthouse Keeper stationed there as a Christmas present.

Despite the fact that the Lighthouse was taken down in 1957, the Troop continues this tradition of going sailing on Boxing Day. We’ve missed the last couple of years due to COVID and tides, but are bringing it back this year and would love to see you there.

Sea Scouts, Explorers, adult members and families are invited to come out onto the water with us, or just pop in for a drink and a mince pie on Boxing Day. We will be meeting at The Den at 1030 and will be finishing around 1330. As always this is weather dependant and if the weather is bad we will not be going out sailing. If you do come along make sure you have plenty of warm clothing as it will be cold and wear sensible footwear such as trainers or boating shoes.

HW 1147 – 5.5m

Renown PLs/APLs Night Hike
2023-12-15 21:30 - 2023-12-16 10:00 | The Den, Victoria Wharf, High Street, Leigh-on-Sea, Essex, SS9 2EN, United Kingdom
Christmas night hike and sleep over for PLs and APLs of Renown Sea Scout Troop. Please sign up and pay via OSM.

GLT Meeting
2023-12-13 20:15 - 21:30 | The Den, Victoria Wharf, High Street, Leigh-on-Sea, Essex, SS9 2EN, United Kingdom
Meeting of the Group Leadership Team (Section Heads).

December’s postponed by 1 week to 13 Dec.

At The Den, on the first Wednesday of every other month (Feb, Apr, Jun, Oct, Dec) unless otherwise advertised.

Please contact Amy with any agenda items by the previous Sunday. Virtual option available via Teams.

Sunday Duty Patrol
2023-12-10 12:00 - 13:30, 2023-11-19 10:30 - 12:00, 2023-10-15 10:30 - 12:00, 2023-09-17 10:30 - 12:00 | The Den, Victoria Wharf, High Street, Leigh-on-Sea, Essex, SS9 2EN, United Kingdom
We all have a responsibility to keep The Den clean & tidy, and to ensure that the boats are bailed regularly, particularly during the winter months. On the third Sunday of each month the Scouts and Explorers take it in turns (by Patrol / Division) to be the Sunday Duty Patrol and keep our HQ and equipment running properly. Please make a note of the day your patrol is on duty – it is only once a year and makes a big difference in keeping our HQ running well.

Sunday Duty Patrol starts at 10:30 and lasts for about 1½ hours. Where there is a Church Parade on the same day, duty patrol will start on completion.

Wear old clothes that you can clean in. Please let your PL/DL and section leader know if you can’t attend.

2023 Rota

MonthDatePatrolsDuty OfficerJanuary15thPenguins and DolphinsRenownFebruary19thSeagulls and SharksSolebayMarch19thExplorer UnitEndeavourApril16thGannets and OttersRenownMay21stCurlews and StingraysSolebayJune18thDauntlessDauntlessJuly16thSeals and TurtlesRenownAugust–No Duty Patrol–September17thMerlins and PiranhasSolebayOctober15thExplorer UnitExplorersNovember19thPuffins and BeaversRenownDecember10thStormy Petts and WhalesSolebay

Christmas Toy & Carol Service
2023-12-10 10:30 - 12:00 | The Den, Victoria Wharf, High Street, Leigh-on-Sea, Essex, SS9 2EN, United Kingdom
Each Christmas we host a carol service at The Den with New Road Fishermen’s Chapel, and collect toys for troubled and needy families in the Southend area.

We will be collecting toys for those less fortunate on behalf of the Marigold Centre. We ask for donations of gifts of toys and children’s books, these can be new, as new, unwanted gifts or something out-grown, all unwrapped please. These can be brought down on the morning, or in advance to your child’s normal meeting night.

The obligatory mince pies and refreshments will be served after the Service.

We usually get a full house and have had enormous selections of gifts donated in the past, please make the same excellent effort this year too and as always, your contribution is much appreciated.

After the service there is Sunday Duty Patrol for Stormy Petts and Whales.

DofE Introduction Evening
2023-11-22 20:15 - 21:00 | The Den, Victoria Wharf, High Street, Leigh-on-Sea, Essex, SS9 2EN, United Kingdom
Alongside Scouting, 3rd Chalkwell Bay gives Sea Scouts and Explorers the opportunity to complete the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award (DofE) with us, building on their Scouting skills and encouraging them to learn new ones.

We are holding an information and registration evening on Wed 22nd November from 20:15 where you can find out more about what the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award Scheme is.

Participants must be minimum of Year 9 currently to register for Bronze. We have run this at 3rd CB for the past 6 years and participants have successfully completed Bronze, Silver and Gold Awards, we plan to run all these award levels again in 2024.

Participation will involve 3 weekends of training, practice and assessed expeditions as well as some evening calls to support with their completion of the Skills, Volunteering and Physical sections.

You can find out more about the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award at 3rdCB.org.uk/dofe/ or on the DofE website at www.DofE.org

If you would like to register interest and you can join our evening session please could you drop us a return email to dofe@3rdCB.org.uk so we can make sure there are enough chairs and literature available.

Tandoori Parlour Fundraising Meal
2023-11-19 16:00 - 20:00 | The Tandoori Parlour, 61-63 Hart Road, Benfleet, Essex, SS7 3PB, United Kingdom
We’re holding a fundraising dinner at The Tandoori Parlour in Benfleet, as a nice opportunity to get everyone together socially, and raising funds to support activities at 3rdCB in the process.

The price is £15 (and £12 for children under 12), open to all families and friends of 3rdCB. This includes a set mixed starter, followed by an unlimited buffet. We will be able to keep a few tables after the meal for those who would like to stay on for a drink.

This is always a very well attended event which is great fun, so be sure to book in as soon as possible (& definitely by the deadline of 31st Oct) using the buttons below.

We’ll be running a few games and fundraising activities during the evening as well – 100 square, Heads & Tails Game, etc., so please bring some cash with you.

We look forward to seeing lots of you there on the night!

Young Leader Training
2023-11-14 19:00 - 21:00, 2023-10-10 19:00 - 21:00, 2023-09-12 19:00 - 21:00 | The Den, Victoria Wharf, High Street, Leigh-on-Sea, Essex, SS9 2EN, United Kingdom
Monthly Young Leader training sessions open to all Explorer Scout Young Leaders within 3rdCB and across Southend West District on the second Tuesday of each month (unless advertised otherwide).

The Explorer Scout Young Leaders’ Scheme is the training programme for Young Leaders. It contains 11 modules and four missions for them to work through whilst volunteering in their chosen section. Modules give Young Leaders the skills and knowledge to be successful in their role, while missions allow them to put everything into practice with support.

As well as developing valuable life skills, the scheme is an opportunity for Explorers to make a positive impact in their communities and to fulfil the service elements of many of the top awards in Scouts, or their Duke of Edinburgh’s Award. Recognition of achievement is available along the way, and on completion of the Scheme, the Young Leader is awarded with an Explorer Scout Young Leader belt buckle.

Trustee Board Meeting
2023-11-13 19:30 - 20:15 | Online, Online meeting. Invites have been sent via email.
Meeting of the Group’s Trustee Board (formerly the Executive Committee).

Online only (Teams invites have been emails).

Private Event
2023-11-12 10:30 - 15:00 | The Den, Victoria Wharf, High Street, Leigh-on-Sea, Essex, SS9 2EN, United Kingdom
The Den Hall hired for a private event.

Remembrance Day Parade
2023-11-12 10:15 - 12:00 | Southend Cenotaph, Clifftown Parade, Southend-on-Sea, Essex, SS1 1DL, United Kingdom
Each year the Group represents the Scouting and the youth of our city at Southend Cenotaph for the annual Service of Remembrance. All Sea Scouts and Explorers are expected to attend this service (one of only two events a year we place a greater emphasis on all members attending), to pay our respects to those who made the ultimate sacrifice.

When: Sun 12 Nov – 10:15 to 12:00.Where: Clifftown Parade, by Prittlewell Square Gardens (SS1 1DW).Wear: Full uniform, with poppy. Dark coat only if raining.Who: All Sea Scouts (Renown & Solebay Troops) and Explorer Sea Scouts.

We will meet on Clifftown Parade, Southend, by Prittlewell Square Gardens and the Queen Victoria Statue at 10:15. The service and parade will finish at approximately 12:00 back at the start. Parents and friends are very welcome to watch the parade and service.

Full uniform is to be worn, including a poppy that should be worn above the bow on the cap tally band (or on the left breast if you don’t yet have a cap). It is generally cold so please make sure that you have a good hot breakfast before coming and that you wear a few layers under your uniform jumper. Coats will only be worn if it rains. Those members with long hair should wear it fastened up in a bun with a hair net. If you are concerned about the weather, bring a coat with you as they can be left in a leader’s car if not needed during the parade. If possible, please make sure that your coat is black, navy or a dark colour, not bright colours.

This is an important day where we are in the public view and as the largest Sea Scout Groups in the county it is right that we make a good effort to attend and pay tribute to those who lost their lives for their Country during the two World Wars and other conflicts. If you cannot make it, please let your section leader know. A good smart turnout would be appreciated both by me and the Veterans who attend the Service.

Leaders Meeting
2023-11-08 20:15 - 21:30 | The Den, Victoria Wharf, High Street, Leigh-on-Sea, Essex, SS9 2EN, United Kingdom
Meeting for all leaders within the Group, including young leaders.

At The Den, on the first Wednesday of the second month of each term (Feb, Jun, Nov) unless otherwise advertised.

Note November’s meeting delayed by a week to 8 Nov.

Please contact Amy with any agenda items by the previous Sunday. Virtual option available via Teams.

Trafalgar Dinner
2023-10-21 19:00 - 23:59 | Essex Yacht Club, HQS Wilton, Leigh-on-Sea, Essex, SS9 1BD, United Kingdom
Celebrate the 218th anniversary of Admiral Lord Nelson’s glorious victory over the French & Spanish Fleets at Cape Trafalgar, with a black tie dinner on board Essex Yacht Club’s HQS Wilton – a very fitting naval venue – all raising funds for Scouting at 3rd Chalkwell Bay.

Starting with a welcome drink and canapés, followed by a formal three course meal, then after dinner entertainment.

Open to all members, parents, Guzzlers, family and friends of 3rdCB (over the age of 18 only please).

Dress: Mess Dress, Black Tie or Cocktail Dress.Carriages at 0100.

Tickets are £35 per person, available at https://bookwhen.com/3rdcb-activities/e/ev-si9t-20231021190000

Section Heads Meeting
2023-10-11 20:15 - 21:30, 2023-09-06 20:15 - 21:30 | The Den, Victoria Wharf, High Street, Leigh-on-Sea, Essex, SS9 2EN, United Kingdom
Meeting of the Section Heads Team.

At The Den, on the first Wednesday of every unless otherwise advertised.

Please contact Amy with any agenda items by the previous Sunday. Virtual option available via Teams.

Harvest Church Parade
2023-10-08 10:30 - 12:15 | The Fishermen’s Chapel, New Road, Leigh-on-Sea, Essex, SS9 2EA, United Kingdom
Parade Service to New Road Fishermen’s Chapel in Old Leigh, celebrating and giving thanks for the Harvest.

Meet at The Den at 10:30 in full uniform.

To celebrate the harvest, for October’s Church Parade we’ll be collecting donations of tinned, dried and long-life food, snacks and toiletries, which will be donated through our friends at HARP Southend to our city’s less fortunate residents. If you can, please bring a donation of one of the items above, either on the day or beforehand on your usual meeting night, which will be donated to HARP to support their fantastic work.

We parade through the Old Town with colours flying to the chapel, returning to The Den on completion. We are normally finished by 12:15. Family and friends are welcome to join us in the chapel for the service. All sections are welcome to attend, and it counts towards several challenge & activity badges.

Boating Team Training
2023-10-04 19:00 - 21:00 | The Den, Victoria Wharf, High Street, Leigh-on-Sea, Essex, SS9 2EN, United Kingdom
A training evening for members of the water activities team, giving a run-through of the group’s boating procedures and updates to our standard operating procedures.

The subjects we plan on covering involve:

Briefing and debriefing

Defects

Lifting operations and use of the pontoon

Safe use of boats

Allocation of boat crews

Safeguarding

VHF procedures

Any questions or comments

Guzzlers AGM and Social
2023-10-03 20:00 - 23:00 | The Den, Victoria Wharf, High Street, Leigh-on-Sea, Essex, SS9 2EN, United Kingdom
The Guzzlers’ AGM at The Den at 2000. A Zoom will be set up for those unable to practically attend.

Followed by a Pub Night at a local Old Leigh hostelry on completion.

DofE Silver Exped
2023-09-30 00:00 - 2023-10-02 23:59 | Parkwood Scout Campsite, Poynings Road, Poynings, Brighton, BN45 7BA, United Kingdom
3 day assessed expedition for Silver DofE Group based on the South Downs.

Exec Ctte Meeting
2023-09-20 19:30 - 20:00 | The Den, Victoria Wharf, High Street, Leigh-on-Sea, Essex, SS9 2EN, United Kingdom
Meeting of the Group’s Executive Committee.

Short meeting of the Group Executive Committee ahead of the Annual General Meeting.

Please contact Sarah with any agenda items by the previous Sunday.

End of Summer Band Night
2023-09-09 18:30 - 23:00 | The Den, Victoria Wharf, High Street, Leigh-on-Sea, Essex, SS9 2EN, United Kingdom
Celebrate the end of summer in Old Leigh with the return of one of the hottest social events of the year: the Old Leigh Sea Scouts’ Band Night, hosted jointly between 3rd Chalkwell Bay and 4th/6th Leigh-on-Sea Sea Scouts.

Watch the sun go down with friends and family, and dance the night away to some great entertainment, including the fabulous Big Yellow Suitcase live on stage.

On site food wagon and bar available, serving awesome street food, great cocktails, and soft drinks. Or feel free to bring your own drinks & nibbles.

All proceeds go towards supporting Sea Scouting and activities for young people at Old Leigh’s two Sea Scout Groups: 4th/6th Leigh-on-Sea and 3rd Chalkwell Bay.

Children and young people are welcome and encouraged to attend, but under 18s must be accompanied by a responsible adult. Adults are very welcome to bring their own drinks and snacks, but please remember that under 18s are not permitted to consume alcohol on Scout premises. The Den is a no smoking site.

Guzzlers Barge Trip
2023-09-07 18:00 - 2023-09-10 17:00 | Essex
The Colne Barge Match 2023 from Thursday evening 7th September to pm Sunday 10th September.

We have made a provisional booking for the 12 places, open to all Guzzlers and leaders in 3rdCB. The provisional cost per head is £310.

Please confirm to Stuart Clay no later than 17th February if you are interested in going and would like to book a place. Once we have a full crew you will be asked to pay a deposit of £80.00, to secure the booking. The balance will be needed a month before the trip when I will also ask for your next of kin details to complete the ‘passenger’ list as before.

Previous arrangements have been pretty much right in the last couple of years. You can take a look at Robin’s account below to see if you would like to take part.

Colne Barge Match 2022

Account by Robin Stephens via his Blog.

For me, the opportunity to sail on a Thames Barge was a

dream come true. To sail in an east coast barge match was wonderful, but to be able to do this with some of my closest and oldest friends, and fellow Leigh Creek Guzzlers was just perfect.

We sailed on the SB Centaur, which was launched in 1895 – a very fine old lady, owned and operated by the Thames Sailing Barge Trust out of Maldon, Essex.

We met on Thursday evening. After loading our kit onboard and being allocated our bunks, we had a fine meal ashore in the Queen’s Head, followed by a few beers onboard.

Some of the crew mustered at 04:00 on Friday morning to slip and leave the river on the tide. Personally, I was one of the slackers who only emerged on deck once it was light, the sails were hoisted and there was a brew on the go! We had a wonderful day sailing out of the river Blackwater, up the east coast past Mersea Island to Clacton. The wind was a very pleasant Force 3 to 4. We were gently introduced to the technicalities of sailing a traditional sailing barge. After a splendid time at sea, we came into the river Colne off Brightlingsea and masterfully sailed up to our anchorage without using the engine. A magnificent meal onboard was enjoyed by all, followed by beers and a nightcap.

Early on Saturday morning we had a fine breakfast, then went on deck to prepare for the Barge Match. In the river Colne there was a profusion of the most beautiful traditional sailing craft – barges, smacks, bawleys and various others. The wind was very light and the race start was delayed until a breeze came in. Jostling for the start line amongst so many lovely boats in a confined space was both magical and, at times, a little tense. Centaur steadily made her way towards the first mark as most of the rest of the fleet got away from us. We had a great time, but steadily the wind diminished and the tide turned to push against us, with ever reducing chance of us getting around the course. Poor Steve then had an altercation with a steel lee board winch handle, which was considerably harder than his nose. At that point we decided to retire from the race and get him off to hospital. Thankfully they were able to patch him up and he was waiting for us smiling, with a pint in his hand, at the Brightlingsea Sailing Club by the time that we got ashore for the prize giving supper.

There were a few sore heads on Sunday morning. After yet another fine breakfast onboard, we sailed off the anchorage, again without engine, and had another great day’s sailing. We steadily made our way back to the Blackwater. Tony, the skipper, demonstrated his immense skill in sailing Centaur right upriver into Maldon. With absolute calmness, we reduced sail and tacked across the narrowing entrance to Maldon, dropping anchor close to the other moored barges to swing around then gently motored the final few feet to come alongside. It was a masterclass of seamanship, cool headedness and lifelong experience.

It was a truly splendid trip. Thanks to Tony and the crew of the Centaur, Stuart, Martin and Paul for organising everything, and for all my Guzzler shipmates for a marvellous time. I can’t wait to go again!!
Robin Stephens. http://robinsbloggins.blogspot.com/2022/09/leigh-creek-guzzlers-colne-barge-match.html?m=1

Merchant Navy Day Service
2023-09-03 09:30 - 10:30 | The Den, Victoria Wharf, High Street, Leigh-on-Sea, Essex, SS9 2EN, United Kingdom
Merchant Navy Day is observed on 3 September each year, honouring the sacrifices made during war and conflict by merchant seafarers in two world wars and since. As this year’s event falls on a weekend, we’ve been asked by Leigh Town Council to provide a guard of honour and colour party for the town’s ceremony on Strand Wharf in Old Leigh.

When: Sun 3 Sep – 09:30 to 10:30.Where: Meet at The Den, parade to Strand Wharf.Wear: Full uniform (dark coat only if raining)Who: PLs and APLs Renown & Solebay Troops (+ any others who wish to join) and Explorer Scouts.

We will meet at The Den at 0930, parade the short distance through Old Leigh to Strand Wharf for the short ceremony starting at 1000, where we will provide a guard and piping colour party, then return to The Den on completion. Parents and friends are very welcome to watch the parade and service.

Full uniform is to be worn. The weather is still warm, but there is a small chance of rain so consider bringing a coat (to be worn only if it rains).Whilst not on the same scale as Remembrance Day in November, this is an important opportunity to show our respects to the merchant mariners who keep our island nation supplied, as well as showing the vibrancy of Scouting in Old Leigh to local councillors and other dignitaries.
