What a busy month it’s been in Old Leigh! Despite the truly awful weather we’ve all been battling, our Scouts of all ages have still managed to stay active, keep smiling and make great memories. From our annual Presentation Evening celebrating achievements across the group earlier in January, to cooking (and playing with) pancakes, making sock puppets, and learning new skills on and off the water, there’s been plenty to talk about and reflect on over the past five weeks.
Though the weather has felt more like deep winter than early spring, summer really is in sight, and with it a packed programme of adventures and outdoor fun. Let’s keep the energy up and look forward to lighter evenings and warmer days ahead!
In this month’s newsletter:
- Presentation Evening
- Aimée’s Marathon Fundraiser
- Training for the future: New Dinghy Instructors & First Aid Courses
- Group Annual General Meeting
- Events Team
- Gone Home
Celebrating Success
Our Presentation Evening on Sat 17 Jan was a fantastic reminder of what we’ve achieved together over the past year – learning new skills, heading out on adventures, and celebrating the hard work of our young people.
A big thank you to the volunteers who give their time to make every opportunity possible, and all of the parents and families that support our youth members in everything they do.
The activities slide show and 2026 promo video are both on our YouTube channel at youtube.com/@3rdcb if you missed them or want to watch again.
Aimée’s Marathon Fundraiser
Our fabulous Aimée from Solebay Troop is training to run a marathon! She’s entered into the Zig Zag at Haughley Park (coincidently one of our favourite camp sites) on 12 April, raising funds for 3rdCB!
Aimée says: “Running a marathon is obviously a personal challenge, but I hope it will raise enough funds in order to give back to the group, what they have given and continue to give, not only to my children, but an entire community of children. It would be amazing if you could support me and my marathon journey in to raise as much money as we can so we can buy the mentioned equipment allowing us to continue to offer amazing outdoor experiences to children.”
“I’ve never run a marathon before and the struggle is very real. Early morning starts, late finishes, cold, wet and dark. It’s hard. I’m currently at the 12k mark and around 9 weeks to go. Your support will really mean the world and help push me on!”
We’d all love any support you can give Aimée. The JustGiving page is at: justgiving.com/page/aimee-pryor-3
Training for the future
New Dinghy Instructors
We have three newly qualified RYA Dinghy Instructors this week.
The group of Explorers completed 6 days of training in challenging weather conditions over half term, learning how to teach and coach sailing the RYA way.
They’re ready to get stuck in teaching sailing with the Group this summer in Old Leigh – more great #SkillsForLife courtesy of 3rdCB!
First Aid Training
Learning Skills for Life isn’t just for young people. We’ve been holding first aid training sessions for our adult volunteers and instructors to ensure everyone knows what to do in an emergency, ably delivered by Chris McHugh.
If parents and friends would like to learn some of the key skills your children gain at 3rdCB – and develop real lifesaving skills – we have a few spaces available on our upcoming RYA First Aid at Sea courses, which are now open to the wider community.
The next course takes place on Sunday 22 March. The cost is £95 per person, payable to Lighthouse Medical Training, with a contribution donated to 3rdCB.
The course also covers the Emergency First Aid at Work (EFAW) syllabus. EFAW certificates can be issued for an additional £20 if required.
For enquiries or to book, please email Chris at info@lighthousemedicaltraining.co.uk
Group Annual General Meeting
Wed 25 Mar @ 20:30
The Annual General Meeting of the 3rdCB Group Scout Council will be held on Wednesday 25 March at 8.30pm at The Den.
The AGM is a legal requirement of our charitable status, allowing members of the Group Council (that’s all parents, adult members, Sea Scout Patrol Leaders, Explorer Scouts and Guzzlers) to receive formal reports on our activities and accounts for the past year, scrutinise the management team, and approve nominations to the Group’s Trustee Board who oversee the Group’s governance and finances. Sea Scout Patrol Leaders and Explorer Scouts are de-facto members of the Group Scout Council, and are encouraged to join in and have a say in how their Scout Group is run.
We’ll be circulating the annual report and accounts in due course.
The AGM will only last half an hour and so hopefully will not erode into your evening too much. We hope you can attend this event and very much look forward to seeing you on the night.
The Events Team Needs You
Our amazing Events Team is on the lookout for parent volunteers to help plan and run exciting events that bring everyone together and raise valuable funds for the group!
Whether you can:
- Pop along to the odd planning meeting
- Share your brilliant ideas in our WhatsApp chat
- Help gather bits and bobs
- Lend a hand on the day
…we’d be hugely grateful. Big contribution or small — as a certain supermarket says, “Every Little Helps!” 😉
If you think you could spare a little time (or a lot!), we’d absolutely love to have you on board.
Drop Amy a message at acousins@3rdcb.org.uk to get involved.
Come and be part of the fun — we can’t wait to hear from you!
Gone Home
We are saddened to share the recent passing of several of our former adult supporters and leaders, whom parents and grandparents of those in 3rdCB may remember.
Mike Regan
Our Vice President, Mike Regan, recently passed away at the age of 88.
His association with 3rdCB began in 1978 when his son joined Scouts and Ian Johnson asked Mike to help with the Leigh Regatta Committee, on which he served for many years. He subsequently joined the Group’s Executive Committee, becoming Chairman in the 1980s and overseeing the governance and financial management of the Group. During his tenure, he saw the old Den demolished and rebuilt into the HQ we know today, and the Group grow from strength to strength.
Upon retiring as Chairman in 2010, he was named a Vice President of the Group in recognition of his years of dedicated service. His family remain active members of 3rdCB.
David and Wendy Taylor
Dave and Wendy passed away within a week of each other and have “gone sailing off together”.
Having progressed through the Troop as a Sea Scout, Dave became a Venture Scout Leader in the late 1960s and 1970s, for which he was awarded an MBE for his work with the District VSU. Wendy was also a notable supporter, serving as a Sea Ranger Officer under Skipper Angela Cruiks in SRS Solebay.
Our condolences go to Mike’s family and to Dave and Wendy’s families.
Upcoming events and dates for your diary
Save the Dates for 2026
- 21-22 Mar: DofE Training Weekend – All the skills you need for DofE Expeditions this year. See DofE Teams for details.
- 28 Mar-4 Apr: Scouts’ Easter Activities & Hillwalking Trip (Derbyshire) – Our week long hillwalking and activity trip to the Peak District. See 3rdCB.org.uk/event/derbyshire26/ (Now fully booked).
- 25 Apr: Renewal of Promise – Joining Scout from across Southend to renew our Scouting promises to do our best, couple with a day of fun and activities at Garron’s Park. Details to follow.
- 25 Jul-1 Aug: Summer Camp – Save the date for our week long Summer Camps, the highlight of the year. See 3rdCB.org.uk/event/camp26/
- 24-28 Aug: EYC Cadet Week – Dinghy racing and social activities on and off the water, with invite extended to 3rdCB sailors. Details to follow.
- 12-13 Sep: Old Leigh Regatta – Old Leigh’s jam packed weekend of festivities and family entertainment. See 3rdCB.org.uk/event/regatta26/
You can see all our upcoming events and activities on the Group Calendar at 3rdCB.org.uk/events/
Photo Gallery
