The 2006 County Report from the County AGM.

County Chairman’s statement There is a stunning lack of awareness of the size and quality of Scouting. This came to me at the Kilmeston Showcase in November, where the universal reaction was “I had no idea Scouting was so wide, so alive and doing all these things.” Philip Gwyn, the owner, to whom we express many thanks, said to me at the end. “Tony this is great, the Scouts are really professional, they know what they are doing and we must do this every year.” My thanks to Craig Gregory and all those who braved the weather to put on such an excellent show, from the Gambia, Uganda, Nepal, The Spitfires, the victorious Shooting Team to the impressive Cub and Beaver demonstrations. In the end what got to everyone was the sincerity, commitment and sense of fun shown by the County Commissioner’s interviewees, across the whole spectrum. The key to the future of Scouting is good Leaders, so I have concentrated my funding efforts on Leadership training. The response from our friends in Hampshire has been really encouraging. They know they are getting a big bang for their buck, because of the multiplier effect. Train a Leader and you develop a whole bunch of youngsters, keep up the momentum of Scouting in Hampshire, and reduce waiting lists. None of this would be possible without the enormous efforts of Martin Rudd, the Local Training Managers and Training Advisers, to whom many thanks. Here also, the Network is key as the main road to future Leaders, as well as providing the vital bridge taking the principles and activities of Scouting into a wider world of gap years, universities, adult training, the work place and using our unique global capability to generate understanding between races and religions and in getting cooperation on life threatening environmental issues. We are very fortunate in having Ray Noice and his team. Over the past year mention must be made of 1st Shedfield’s rebuilding of their burnt down Scout H.Q., a model of cooperation between Scouting and the local community; the award to the 14th Eastleigh for creating a delightful community garden out of a heap of rubble; the very successful August County Camp at Lyons Copse; and the 14th Basingstoke’s canal challenge, competitive fun for the whole County. Last year in a moving ceremony a plaque was erected in the National Arboretum in memory of The Hampshire Fellowship and their work for us over the years. As I directly experienced at the ‘Showcase’, these wonderful people really make things happen and we must never cease to show our appreciation. Runways End had a resounding year, thanks to Leslie and Anne Hall. Mike Hughes has made a breakthrough in getting the business plan adopted as policy by Rushmoor Borough Council. Lyons Copse, under Alan Crabb, and Ferny Crofts, under Jamie Kelly, sported new facilities and had record years, turning problems into opportunities as Scouts do. Thanks are due to our County Commissioner, the District Commissioners and all our Scouters and adults who support Scouting. Last year was a turnaround with an increase in numbers, which gives us ever increasing confidence as we go into our centenary. Let’s knock the socks off them next year with our own Hampshire 007 Jamboree and Birthday Party, which will be huge, so that the awareness problem alluded to above, is consigned to history. A special thank you to the Chairman of Hampshire County Council for throwing such an enjoyable party for us in the Great Hall to celebrate BP’s birthday. We say farewell and many thanks to Andrew and Monica Moore, who not only distributed ‘Hampshire Scouting’ and ‘Scouting in Hampshire’ for countless years, but also did more than anyone to widen our contacts throughout the County. Lastly so many thanks to our President for her unstinting support. Tony Chambers County Chairman County Commissioner’s report My first full year in post has been one of consolidation and foundation building. If we are to build a bright and growing future for Hampshire Scouts we need to establish that our foundations are firm. Much work has been done in past years to achieve this, and as in all historic buildings that have stood for many years, it is very often just a job of strengthening what already exists. However, I feel that we have achieved much more than that. Change does not come easily to any organization but is necessary if we are to achieve our objectives to attract more young people and adults into Scouting. We now have a strategic direction that encompasses all of the key areas, and that we can use to direct us through the task of addressing the challenges that we face. Success is still all around us though, and this year has seen some very high quality Scouting achievements. It would take far too long to identify them all here, although some will inevitably appear elsewhere in this review. However I must make note of the HSX Nepal Expedition and Sky High Expedition to mount Cho Oyu. These young people took on all sorts of extreme challenges, sometimes in difficult conditions. Their perseverance to succeed is a credit to their character, and a fine example of what Scouting exists to achieve with young people. Projects to Uganda, Croatia and the Gambia are further examples of what Scouts are capable of achieving. Achievement does not have to include climbing mountains and forging rapids – thousands of young people throughout Hampshire, Southampton and Portsmouth have been regularly achieving in their own right. These achievements include attaining badges, Chief Scout Awards, Duke of Edinburgh Awards, Queen Scout Awards, Gang Show performances and yes – even cooking your first twist over a wood fire! As we move towards one of the most important milestones in our history, 2007, I am confident that Hampshire is in good state to take on the challenges of the future. Shortly after we closed 2005, our annual census recorded the first overall growth in membership for 13 years. That is something we should all celebrate as it demonstrates the foundations have been strengthened and are ready for new growth! My thanks to all those who have made this possible, and who have committed to supporting Scouting now and into the future. Dick Whittington County Commissioner Financial statement At 31st December 2005 Hampshire County Scout Council's net assets were £613,386 comprising restricted funds of £64,293 and unrestricted funds of £549,094. The net assets comprised fixed assets of £330,342 and net current assets of £283,044. These summarised financial statements contain information from both the Statement of Financial Activities and the Balance Sheet for the year ended 31 December 2005, but are not the full statutory report and accounts. The full financial statements were approved by the Trustees on 26 April 2006 and subsequently will be submitted to the Charity Commission. They received an unqualified audit report and copies may be obtained from the charity's county office. Signed on behalf of the trustees Tony Chambers County Chairman 13 May 2006 How we raised £427k in 2005 Ferny Crofts Camping, Activity & Training 42%  County Events 9% County Sections 22%  Grants, Donations & Interest 8%  Subscriptions and Training Levy 19% How we spent £415k in 2005 Ferny Crofts Camping, Activity & Training 45%  County Events 9%  County Sections 20% Grants, Donations & Projects 7%  Support 14% Governance 5% Independent auditors' statement to the trustees of Hampshire County Scout Council: We have examined the summarised financial statements of Hampshire County Scout Council. Respective responsibilities of Trustees and Auditors. The trustees are responsible for preparing the summarised financial statements in accordance with the recommendations of the charities SORP. Our responsibility is to report to you our opinion on the consistency of the summarised financial statement with the full financial statements and Trustees' Annual Report. We also read the other information contained in the annual review and consider the implications for our report if we become aware of any apparent misstatements or material inconsistencies with the summarised financial statements. Basis of Opinion We conducted our work in accordance with Bulletin 1999/6 "the auditors' statement on the summary financial statement" issued by the Auditing Practices Board for use in the United Kingdom. Opinion In our opinion the summarised financial statements are consistent with the full financial statements and the Trustees' Annual Report of Hampshire County Scout Council for the year ended 31 December 2005. FIANDER TOVELL Ferny Crofts 2005 has been a year of change for Ferny Crofts which can only be a good thing, but we are looking forward to 2006 and the potential consolidation that it will bring. Staffing -numerous changes in staff, the first of which was the appointment of Jamie Kelly as Centre Manager in April of 2005. Then came Dan Jordan, from Liphook, as the Campsite Manager. Unfortunately, we lost Richard Brimelow to a career in teaching but Richard Bramwell took his place as Activity Supervisor. Bursary Scheme -The first Bursary Scheme finished in June 2005. The two students on the scheme (Richard Brammall and Rhys Jones) had a good year where they achieved a great deal. Both of them did well- Richard is now employed at Ferny Crofts and Rhys is now attempting to scale Mt Everest. The second bursary scheme has started. Neil Soutar, from Winchester, and Robert Kedge, from Farnborough, have already achieved a great deal and are working hard towards their final expedition. Crofters -The site Fellowship team continues to work extremely hard and is an extremely valuable asset to the centre. Thank you are due to the members for all their hard work over the past year. Centre Business -2005 saw the introduction of the “New Forest Experience” package deal, which proved very popular over the summer period. To aid with the booking of all site activities and accommodation a brand new booking system has been introduced which has proved extremely useful.  Discount System -In 2005, Hampshire Scouts received 55% discount on camping, 35% on indoor accommodation and 10% on all activities. These discounts worked out at a total of £13,000! This discount is being increased for camping and so in 2006 the discount for camping is 60%, making camping £1.33 per person, per night. County Spearhead Support Unit What do we do? We simply help other people across a whole range of activities for Group to County events. Public Address. The Spearhead Public Address Team offers PA communications to Scout events throughout Hampshire. Be it audio / visual presentation at your local head quarters, or outdoor sound for your District summer fete, we have been helping at many District events through out the year. Radio Communications. The Spearhead Radio Communications Team has had a very busy year by providing mobile radio communications to Scout events throughout Hampshire. These included activities such as sponsored walks and cycle rides, Scout night exercise, District camps, and Beaver days. Event Logistics. We have been busy helping not only Scouting sections, but networking with external organisations and other charities. As well as PA and Radio Communications the support we offer is almost endless. Over the past year we have also provided our services by marshalling at events and competitions, providing help on marathon and charity walks (handing out drinks), providing messaging service where activities cover a large area and installing and setting up a Field Telephone Network for super size camps. As a spin off, we are able to offer Scouts ‘service’ as part of their awards, including The Duke of Edinburgh’s Awards. Safety Management report. – Ferny Crofts. An audit of the Safety Management System has been carried out as required and a full report made to the County Executive. Risk assessments and safety inspections have been carried out on a regular basis. The use of the buildings at Ferny Crofts needs to be addressed carefully, especially the nature of the accommodation provided for the support team. The safety culture at Ferny Crofts is proving to be very positive and, in practical terms, much has been achieved over the past year. Wally Stamper County Health and Safety co-ordinator. Cub County chess competition. Cub Scouting caters for all interests as proved by the County chess competition when 33 Cubs representing 17 Districts took part. Six-a-Side Football. This annual event gives Cubs the chance to demonstrate their prowess with a football and spectators the opportunity to let off steam as they cheer on their teams. Scrap Heap challenge. Modelling from rubbish – Cubs can produce the most inventive creations from items their parents would normally throw out! Uganda 2005 Just before Christmas 2004, Scouts, Cubs and Beavers from four Bramshill groups, aided by members of the Uganda 2006 Hampshire contingent, raised over £1000 to provide clean water for a village in Uganda by packing bags for shoppers at the Yateley Waitrose Supermarket. The work to renovate the wells is carried out by local contractors under the supervision of the Ugandan water board, and the maintenance of the wells is monitored by local Ugandan Scouts. This project has been in operation since 2000 and up to last year, six wells have been renovated in the Masindi district providing clean water for approximately 20,000 people. County Archives Report  2005 2005 saw Arthur Martin MBE hang up his ‘Archives Hat’ after eight years – 80 years of life and a lifetime of outstanding service to Scouting – how can we replace someone like that? Chris Scott kindly joined the office but has now switched to ‘Special Projects’ Recording of County, District and Group ‘doings’ continues, where we have received the information. With the Movement’s Centenary being celebrated next year, many Groups are looking at writing their own histories. Please remember to send a copy to the ‘County Archives’. The ‘gem’ of the year is taken from Bishops Waltham District Executive minutes for January 1937, which reads, ‘In the absence of a quorum the meeting was abandoned and those present went home after a whisky and soda’. What very sensible people were our predecessors. Ken Sherman. County Archivist. Get Active! 170 Scouts from around the County  A day of activities at Lyons Copse  Activities -rafting, pedal carts, climbing, fire lighting, water rockets, cooking, archery, air rifle shooting, County Camp 130 Scouts and Explorers  Camp designed for those who can't get to a summer Camp  The Camp is a traditional troop camp with patrols cooking for themselves  Activities include Survival skills, hike, cycle expedition, pioneering, coracle making, pedal cart racing, scrap heap challenge, swimming Skills development including hand axe and knife, first aid, fire lighting, lashings, cooking Mountain Bike Challenge Teams took part in a half day challenge to complete a course around the new Forest Survival Skills weekend 65 Scouts  A weekend at aimed at completing the survival skills badge Including making a bivi and sleeping on it, cooking without utensils on an open fire, skinning and gutting a rabit, preparing fish, camp ovens, water filtration, signalling and burning properties of wood County Winter Camp 400 Scouts and Explorers and 70 leaders  A weekend of fun, skill and challenge activites Activities included Climbing, Archery, High ropes, Air Rifle shooting, Bucking bronco, surf board simulator, fun Zone, remote control cars, pedal cars and, big screen films County Lightweight Hike Teams took part in a day challenge navigating around the New Forest Explorer Scouts decide, along with the rest of their Unit, what they want to do - whether it is power boating, socialising, hiking or enjoying a trip abroad. Some Units hold their meetings in a hall, or at someone's house, or even at camp sites. Notable events during 2005 were: Shooting In April retaining the Andrew Hill Memorial Shield at the National Indoor Shooting Centre, Aldersley, Wolverhampton. The team included Explorer Scouts: Matthew Carrig from Liphook, Rebekah Pidgley from Meon Valley, Steven Waters from Hook, Nick Peacock and Josh Peacock from Yateley. They took the shield with them, having won it last year, and brought it back, with a total score of 1842 to win the Competition, beating Cheshire with a score of 1837, a margin of only five points! Trek Carting This was held the first weekend in July at Thruxton Race Circuit, near Andover. The Trek Cart weekend is not just about the physical and mental effort of dragging your trek cart around the 10 mile course, it’s a very important social occasion where Explorer Scouts can meet and have fun. The weekend included “activities” such as Live entertainment and DJs, Movies, Gun Carriage Race, Pushball competition, Volley Ball competition and Fancy Dress disco. Who won the trek cart competition for the various classes? – Does it really matter when we made new friends and enjoyed ourselves. EuroJam EuroJam 1st week of August - the biggest Scouting event in the UK since 1957! This was a youth festival for peace taking place in Hylands Park, Essex which promote international friendship, understanding and self-discovery. Explorer Scouts form Hampshire Units were there along with 10,000 other participants. During the event, participants camped alongside Scouts from across Europe and learnt about the many global cultures from their peers. They took part in adventurous activities, spend time on community action projects, and took part in environmental education programmes. They met people they would have never had the chance to meet normally, had fun and built friendships that will last a lifetime. Explorer Scout Camp County Explorer Scout Camp held at Lyons Copse, Shedfield in August . A joint camp with the Scout section. Needless to say that the Explorers had a great week and although they went home tired out (probable through lack of sleep rather than physical exhaustion) they made many new friends and had endless fun. Roll on the next one! Kudu Overnight hiking and initiative test competition in October. This year's theme was Monopoly and teams of Explorer Scouts from through out the County took part. Districts, either single or jointly with other Districts, held similar eliminating competitions prior to the County Kudu These were generally based on hikes in rural areas during the late evening / night involving a variety of incidents such as First Aid, cooking, code braking, reading brail on their way around the course. One District set up HQ in an Ostrich Farm with the Explorers camping out in adjacent pens to the big birds. Not sure if egg was on the menu for breakfast at this one! Winter Camp A winter camp was held at Ferny Crofts in March for older Scouts and Explorers. Besides the County Lightweight Hike and the Mountain Bike Challenge there were a whole host of other activities available for the Explorers to participate in from Archery & Climbing to Surf Board simulation and Disk Golf. The year started with members of Pirates Network in Romsey enjoying snow sports at Kandersteg international Scout camp in Switzerland. In April at EVO, an annual national Scout Network activity weekend run by Itchen South Network members, we held our first County Scout Network Conference. We thanked Robin Sharpe, CSNC 2002-2004 and Jon Williams CSNA 2002-2004 for all they had done setting up Scout Network in Hampshire and launched our new website. Pirates Network from Romsey unveiled their activity wear, which included the County Network scarf being turned inside out, and a printed scull and cross bones added. Network had fun at Trek Cart mixing with Explorer Scouts and Scouts. Our annual black tie Ball was again well attended and we also welcomed guests from neighbouring Counties. We also presented the Extreme Ironing Trophy to the first winners, Pirates from Romsey. For the first (and not the last) time we invited Explorer Scouts to enter teams into Kudu, an overnight stunt hike. Finally, Hamble Sea Network won the South West area Network challenge cup scoring the most points against five other local Networks at Indoor Olympics, Skittles, Ballooning and Water Activities. Ray Noice County Scout Network Commissioner It is hoped by now that District members have got used to the fact that the Fellowship is there to help and give support within their District or Group, depending on the set up of the Fellowship concerned. Sadly, there are still some Districts in the County which have not got an active Fellowship. We are trying to work on this. The service given to the District may be borrowing of skills, extra bodies or organising an event. Asking around the County, we have found that Fellowships have provided the following in the last year as well as running their own varied social events.  Catering for the County Camping Competition Refreshments for the Scouting Showcase at Kilmeston Planting the tree at the National Arboretum dedicated to Hampshire Scouters past and present Supporting Eurojamb Ho Ho Running District Scout Shops Supporting District Camp sites Providing support through "Crofters" at Ferny Crofts Distributing the "Peace Light" through the county at Christmas Supporting St George's Day events Making and dedicating three Kneelers to a church in Winchester with the Scout Logo on them S Supporting awards presentations Custodians for the Roll of Honour - names of Hampshire Scouters who have "Gone Home" How many of these things did you know about in your District? Thanks to all members of Fellowship for their dedication and service. Richard Spearing Chairman - Fellowships in Hampshire Activity and Programme Highlights 2005 Beaver Fun Day at Poulton’s Park. 700 Beavers and Leaders went to see Santa! 24 Beavers from Portsmouth and Winchester took part in the Scouting Showcase Cub and Beaver Leaders’ “Swap Shop” – a chance to meet and network and to exchange programme ideas. Kick-start Hampshire – a market place of programme ideas and inspiration Scout Winter Camp at Ferny Crofts – All-the-year-round Scouting! “Get Active” at Ferny Crofts – a chance to try new and exciting things. Cub and Scout Pro-Act -Activities and Skills:  Camping, Cooking, Hill walking and many more. Pro-Badge at Lyons Copse -Practical Scouting skills made accessible. Scout Summer camps – The County Camp ensures that all Hampshire Scouts have the opportunity of Scout Camping each summer Scout Camping at its best – The Emlyn Competition proved that Patrol camping is still at the heart of camping for the Scout section. Ken’s Kayaking -training dozens of Scouts in canoeing every year. The Basingstoke Canal Canoe Challenge – a canoe race supporting boating for the disabled. Hampshire Scout Expeditions (HSX) 10 Explorer Scouts, Scout Network members and Leaders spent 6 weeks in the Khumu Valley, Nepal. 9 Scout Network members and Leaders spent 6 weeks in Tibet climbing Mt Cho Oyu. 26 Explorer Scouts, Scout network members and Leaders spent 10 days in the Scottish highlands. The HSX Explorer Scout Unit now has 7 members, the Scout Network 20 members. More Activities Specialist Explorer Scout Units -Sharpshooters (Target shooting) and Hampshire Hawks (Gliding) allow Explorers to focus on specific activities whilst also promoting access to these sports to Explorer Scouts throughout the county. Hampshire Scout Caving Club – introducing dozens of Hampshire Scouts to the exciting subterranean environment under the Mendips and elsewhere – and to the skills of rock climbing too! Hampshire Scout Mountain Team – An MLTE Centre, training and assessing Leaders in mountain skills and preparing Explorer Scouts and Network members for Expeditions in wild country. Hampshire Scout Archery Club – Delivering archery to Scouts locally and nationally. Recognised as Scouting’s leading archery club; in 2005 it provided the activity not only in Hampshire but at major Scouting events such as Eurojam, the Gilwell Winter Gamp, Gilwell 24 and “Scoutshoot”.  Hampshire Scout Rifle Club. Scouting’s biggest and best targetshooting club. Provides air rifle, small-bore rifle and claypigeon shooting. Trains and accredits Range Officers onbehalf of the NSRA. Runs the National Scout Air RifleChampionships at Bisley. Hosts the National Scout RifleSquad. Scout Inter-County Airgun Champions again! Chris Lacey, Hampshire Explorer Scout, selected to shoot for England at the Melbourne Commonwealth Games.   Scouting’s National Activity Advisers for both Shooting and Archery come from Hampshire. Financial support for activity instructor training (over £3,500 in 2005) "For the first time in 13 years growth of the Scout Movement in the UK is up! " "In line with the overall growth of the movement, membership in Hampshire is also up! " Hampshire Scouting, County Office, Ferny Crofts, Beaulieu Road, Beaulieu  Brockenhurst, SO42 7YQ Tel: 023 8084 7847 Fax: 023 8084 0789 county.office@scouts-hants.org.uk  www.scouts-hants.org.uk www.scouts-hants.org.uk  <address />