Yes - it’s finally happened. On the 31st January 2003 the 44th Gloucester (STRS) ceased to be a Venture Scout Unit and as from the 1st February 2003 became the 44th Gloucester (STRS) Explorer Scout Unit.

Friday 11th April 2003 saw the unit meet for its Annual General Meeting - the first as an Explorer Unit. All the usual AGM-y things were covered. Main points of note were the successful programmes and major activities the unit had enjoyed over the year, including the Norway trip of summer 2002, successes in the Cotswold Marathon, district Swimming Gala and Dragon Boat regatta, the Survival Challenge Event; also that we had recently topped the £1000-mark for money raised during the year for charity by the unit.

The turnout was good - over 90% of current members plus an ‘old boy’ or two (thanks Matt!). The ESL emphasised the need for ongoing fundraising pointing out that all of the annual subs paid by each member goes directly to the scout movement as capitation fees so the 44th is totally reliant on its own fund raising for activities and equipment.

The elections for executive positions were keenly contested, each candidate being put on the spot and asked to deliver a brief "speech" supporting their decision to stand for office! It was decided that the position of Treasurer was no longer required as the ESL and the school accounts office do most of the ‘financial stuff’ - so the Secretary would take on any occasional money collection duties as needed. The Executive committee for the coming year is:

Chairman - Gavin Hardy; Secretary - Sam Coe; Quartermaster/Hut Manager - Sam Johnson; plus the unit leaders.

The usual thanks to the retiring Exec - especially Chairman Jon, who kept a steady reign on everything and introduced us to some interesting and exciting events (viz "King of Sports", "Scavenge Hunt" & "Let’s Lose Joycey").

Some of the high points of the year included ……

Once again the 44th brought home winner trophies from the annual Cotswold Marathon.

The fastest team around the 36 mile course in 7hrs 54mins brought home the Lowry Trophy - Peter Lloyd, Dan Stone, Phil Hanson & Adam Griffiths.

The 44th also won the Lowry Junior Male Team trophy - Andrew Hitchcock, Gavin Hardy and Tim Dalton completing the course in just over 11 hours.

The unit entered several other teams in both the 36 and 18 mile events and everyone completed their respective courses in good times.

Assisted by the miserable wet and windy weather conditions, the teams underwent a true examination of their hardiness, initiative, leadership and character as they moved from one challenge situation to another over the 3-day period.

They had to build their own shelters, light fires, prepare and cook their own meals "backwoods" style, test their mettle on various ropes courses, rock climbs and a cave crawl, beat the clock over a variety of navigation exercises, execute a ‘military style’ operation on a paintball range, all the while keeping a level head and sense of humour!

Dartmoor February 2003

Sam Coe, Alasdair Burchill & Robin Griffiths display their medal haul which secured the 44th’s position as outright winners of the U18 section of the District Swimming Gala held on Burn’s Night at the new GL1 pool.

The evening was hosted by Major Wills at his splendid home Misarden House. The wood-panelled drawing room provided a wonderful setting for this informal reception. HM Lord Lieutenant of Gloucestershire, HWG Elwes JP, attended to receive the newly appointed Queen Scouts and present certificates signed by Her Majesty The Queen to those who missed the Guildhall reception last autumn. National Commissioner Hamish Stout joined the occasion and passed on some well-chosen words of advice in his entertaining address. Will Godwin offered the vote of thanks and then parents, leaders, dignitaries and Queens Scouts all enjoyed a splendid buffet and spent a pleasant hour mingling and socialising.

A proud moment for the 44th as recent and current chairmen Jon Ellsion and Gavin Hardy were chosen to carry the St George's and Union flags at the head of the annual parade along Gloucester's streets and into the St George's Day service at the cathedral.

Meanwhile at Windsor, Will Godwin was representing Gloucestershire Scouts in the National Parade.

This year has been an expensive one - firstly our regular fundraising activity the Year 7/8 Disco had been usurped by the school; we regularly grossed more than £600 pa which we split evenly between the Unit and one of our supported charities (usually The Cobalt Appeal or The National Meningitis Trust). The school intends to run more discos each year, most of the proceeds going directly into the School Fund. Secondly the First Aid course was wholly subsidised by the unit for all its members to the tune of £756. Thirdly, the Survival Course turned out to be far more expensive than budgeted - we anticipated making a (slight) loss but planned a District Survival Course over the Easter which should have recouped some of the shortfall. However we were badly let down by the other units who (with the exception of Beaufort) registered no support whatsoever.

So our capital reserve took a somewhat large (£924.07) bashing this year.

The new unit executive therefore agreed that as with expeditions, for all major activities and courses, careful budgets must be prepared and adhered to with the participants covering all the costs, unless specific fundraising has been organised prior to the event - as we did for the Norway 2002 expedition. Also we must make the most of our fundraising opportunities next year to restore our reserves to the £1000+ mark.

Phil Brown

ESL
44^th Gloucester (STRS) Explorer Scout Unit