The nights are drawing in, but there’s still been plenty going on for us in and around Old Leigh. October’s programme was been dominated by Halloween and Fireworks – dressing up in spooky fancy dress and creating ghoulish pumpkin jack-o-lanterns, and the two Sea Scouts Troops coming together for their big fireworks party. In November we’ve turned towards Remembrance, making poppies, getting out collecting for the Royal British Legion, and brushing up on marching and drill for Remembrance Day.
Keep an eye on your emails as we start gearing up for the various Christmas activities. We’d love to see you at The Den both for our AGM tomorrow evening, and our Christmas Carol Service in December.
In this newsletter:
- Annual General Meeting – Wed 20 Nov
- Christmas Carol Service and Toy Collection – Sun 15 Dec
- Activities Roundup
Annual General Meeting
Wed 20 Nov @ 20:30
The Annual General Meeting of the 3rdCB Group Scout Council will be held on Wednesday 20 November at 8.15pm at The Den (postponed from the planned date in September).
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.
Key documents:
- AGM Agenda
- Annual Report 2023/24 (accounts to follow)
- Draft Group Constitution (for agreement)
- Minutes of 2023 AGM (dated 10 Jan 2024; for agreement)
Further detail is available at 3rdcb.org.uk/event/agm24 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.
Christmas Carol Service and Toy Collection
Sun 15 Dec @ 11:00
Each Christmas we host a carol service at The Den for all youth members and their families, along with the congregation of the Fishermen’s Chapel. The service starts at 11:00 (please arrive in good time and be seated before then).
This year we’ll be collecting toys & gifts for Little Havens, and the children in our city who need a little more hope at this time of year. We ask for donations of toys or children’s books, these can be new, as new, unwanted gifts or something out-grown. Unwrapped please to help the Little Havens team give them out appropriately.
The obligatory mince pies and refreshments will be served after the Service. We look forward to seeing you there. After the service there is Sunday Duty Patrol for Scouts in Stormy Petts and Whales.
Activities Roundup
Explorer Regatta
The Explorers have been brushing up their sailing skills at the Unit Regatta in October. 11 sailors in 8 boats battled it out on the water for top place over a series of three races. Despite a grey start, the sun still came for us as the day went on, with perfect wind conditions. After racing there was the obligatory BBQ to satisfy the permanently hungry teenagers.
Well done to all the competitors, and congratulations to Sam S for taking the top spot overall – clearly a much more prestigious award than minor events like cadet week. We’re looking at more racing next year for the Explorers, so get practising!
Collecting for the RBL Poppy Appeal
Scouts and Explorers were out in Leigh Broadway on Sat 2 Nov, selling poppies and collecting donations for the Royal British Legion’s Poppy Appeal in the run up to Remembrance Day.
24 young people, along with 4 leaders spend the day in shifts in our towns main shopping street greeting the many passers by. Over the day they collected over £800 in donations from the generous residents of Leigh, and we were so proud of the many comments about how engaging, polite and smart they all were. Thank you to everyone who gave up their time for this worthy cause.
Cubs Sleepout to Support HARP
The Cubs have braved the cold to learn about homelessness, sleeping outside at The Den overnight in early November, with only cardboard boxes (and Akela’s dog Drago) to keep them warm.
The Pack was raising money for HARP, Southend’s homeless charity, with whom 3rdCB has a long association. Donations are still coming in, and are up to £260 so far – well done to all who slept out, and thank you everyone who donated for your generosity.
Scout Fireworks Night
Our two Sea Scout Troops had a rare combined meeting in November, to celebrate Guy Fawkes night with an epic bonfire and fireworks party. The Scouts made Guys in joint patrols, then took them down to the bonfire on the mud to be burned and snacked on burgers from the BBQ. They were treated to an incredible fireworks show (part sponsored by Kemp’s Castles, who almost doubled the firework budget – thanks Tom & Ed!), filling the jetty & balcony to watch the display, with a crowd of families gathering on Victoria Wharf to see the show as well. The night was finished off with a big party in The Den, including some impromptu line dancing by Solebay Troop.
Remembrance Day Parade
On Armistice Day, we remembered those who have given their lives for our country, joining with veterans, local dignitaries, uniformed youth groups and the public at Southend’s Cenotaph to mark the 2 Minutes Silence.
3rd CB’s Sea Scouts and Explorers were the biggest contingent present, numbering around 120 of us, all very smartly turned out with bright poppies in their caps. Well done for doing your best!
Harvest Festival Collection
October’s Church Parade traditionally celebrates the Harvest Festival with our friends at The Fishermen’s Chapel. The Group proudly paraded through Old Leigh with colours flying, filling the chapel for a family-friendly service, and bringing donations for food for those in need in Southend.
Thank you to all who joined us for the day and brought food along for the collection, which was donated through HARP to help our City’s homeless.
Upcoming events and dates for your diary
- Wed 20 Nov: Group Annual General Meeting. Requirement of our charitable status to provide reports and accounts on the Group’s activity over the past year, and set the direction for next year. See 3rdCB.org.uk/event/agm24/
- Sun 15 Dec: Christmas Carol Service and Toy Collection. Festive cheer at The Den, and a toy collection on behalf of Little Havens. See 3rdCB.org.uk/event/xmas-cp24/
- Sat 18 Jan: Presentation Evening. Celebrating our youth members successes and achievements over the past year. See 3rdCB.org.uk/event/presentation25/
- 5-12 Apr 25: Derbyshire (Scouts). Our week long hillwalking and activity trip to the Peak District. See 3rdcb.org.uk/event/derbyshire25/ (Now fully booked).
- 26 Jul – 2 Aug: Summer Camp 2025. Save the date for next year’s camping experience. See 3rdcb.org.uk/event/camp25/
You can see all our upcoming events and activities on the Group Calendar at 3rdCB.org.uk/events/
Snapshots from the last month
More photos of our adventures on our Instagram: @3rdcb
