The unit spent a fantastic time amongst the pines and lakes of the great Nordic outdoors! Superb weather conditions only made the total experience that much more memorable. For a revealing insight into our adventures (and the truth about Joyce's legs and the 'Thong of Norway', click on the Elk!
On the evening of the 10 April 2002, the Gloucestershire County Reception for the Queen's Scout Award was held at the new Gloucestershire University Park Campus in the presence of HWG Elwes JP HM Lord Lieutenant of Gloucestershire.
At the reception, Adam, Matt and Rachael were among the 14 Venture Scouts from Gloucestershire who this year have earned their Queen's Scout Award and who were presented before the Lord Lieutenant.
Rachael, Matthew and Adam will officially receive their awards at the national presentation evening, a prestigious event to be held in the Guildhall in London later this year.
Stepping out in style for the annual St George's Day Parade at Windsor Castle, the Queen's Scouts were proud to be reviewed by Her Majesty The Queen, who is Patron of The Scout Association.
Accompanied by HRH the Duke of Edinburgh, some 550 Queen's Scouts were inspected today (Sunday 21 April). It was among the Queen's first weekend of public engagements after the official period of mourning following the death of HM The Queen Mother and the memorial service for HRH The Princess Margaret.
Also especially invited were 60 Venture Scouts who carried out ceremonial duties at Westminster for HM The Queen Mother's funeral. They assisted with the signing of Books of Condolence and in receiving floral tributes from the public as well as with duties in Westminster Hall.
To mark this year's Golden Jubilee theme of the Commonwealth, the occasion was also made extra special by the presence of over 50 Scouting representatives from Commonwealth member countries sporting an array of different uniforms.
VIP guests included the Secretary-General for the Commonwealth, the RT Hon Don McKinnon, as well as High Commissioners of eight Commonwealth countries; Major General Michael Walsh, Vice President of The Scout Association and Mr William Legge-Bourke, President of the Welsh Scout Council.
The Queen's Scout Award is the highest and most prestigious award presented for personal achievement within the Scout Movement. Venture Scouts aged between 16 and 20 are eligible, and it is gained only by those showing the highest level of personal commitment. Holders have demonstrated extremely high standards of self-discipline and achievement in community service, activities and interests.
Escorted by the Chief Scout George Purdy, CBE, and by Derek Twine, Chief Executive of The Scout Association, Her Majesty and His Royal Highness also met a group of young people from all sections of Scouting who have been recognised with a Scout Award for Gallantry. These ranged from acts of heroism to those recognised for their courage during illness.
As the day was also the Queen's 76th birthday, she was presented with a posy by 13-year-old Heather Bender from Greater London South and Tom Strickland aged, 11 from Nottinghamshire, both of whom are Gallantry Award holders. Heather has bravely coped with a genetic disorder involving thickness and hardening of bones. Tom Strickland gained his Award for rescuing his toddler sister from drowning.
The Scouts gathered in Windsor were part of the UK's largest mixed youth movement, which boasts some half a million members. On Sunday morning (April 21) they were put through their paces with a full rehearsal at the Barracks and a practice marching session conducted under the eyes of the Drill Instructors from the 1st Battalion of the Grenadier Guards.
Venture Scouts from Wales had the honour of forming the Colour Party. The Parade was accompanied by the 2nd Rossendale Scout Band, augmented by a Corps of Drums from the 3rd Davyhulme Scout and Guide Band as well as the Band of The Irish Guards.
The Parade was followed by the National Scout Service in St. George's Chapel. This was planned by the Venture Scouts themselves with guidance from the Dean of Windsor, The Right Reverend David Conner. The service and final dispersal concluded the day.
For a personal reflection on his big day see Matt's article in Edition 90 of 'Venture44'
The unit has taken advantage of the school's language college status by embarking on a series of after school lessons in basic Norwegian. This has been part of the preparation for their summer expedition to Norway.
A party of 15, including leaders Pete and Phil, will be spending time working on various projects based in the forests of eastern Norway. We hope to put our new-found language skills into practice working alongside some of Norway's Rover Scouts!
In spite of atrociously wet and muddy conditions, the school's 44th Venture Scout Unit took top honours in the 2002 Cotswold Marathon.
Over the 38 mile full course, our senior team of Adam Griffiths, Dan Wright and Pete Lloyd won the Lowery Cup by clocking the fastest time of the night of 8 hours 48 minutes.
Pictured left are Adam and Dan holding the Lowery Cup.
Matthew Key, Geoff Coombs and Richard Holland came in overall third with a time of 10 hours 15 minutes to lift the Junior Section trophy while the Male Novice Trophy was jointly awarded to Alasdair Burchill and Sam Davies (on loan from the 38th!!).
Pictured right is Rich Holland receiving his team's trophy from newly appointed County Commissioner Joan Goldsmith.
In their first experience of "The Marathon" the unit's year 10 members took on the shorter (20 mile) Scout course and all but one managed to complete this demanding event. They introduced some novel navigation techniques involving mobile phones and 'recursive route recovery'.
The following received their certificates for competing -
Rob Hayes, Chris Gallant, Sam Coe, Andrew Hitchcock, Michael Joyce, Richard Ellison, Matthew Bick, Daniel Whisson.