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Cub Scout Joshua Pate reports back from Saturday’s gala:

Proud swimmers: Nathan, Joshua, Daniel & Max

On Saturday 5th March 2011 it was the Manchester South District Swimming Gala at Stretford Leisure Centre. There were Beavers, Cubs and Scouts all competing against each other.

First it was the Beavers ‘splash’ where they swam a width of the pool. All the parents were cheering. Every Beaver got a certificate for competing and reaching the other side.

Next the Cubs and Scouts each raced one length of the 25m pool in lots of heats. The races were front crawl, back stroke and breast stroke. One of the races had a false start because the ‘hooter’ didn’t work properly so they had to race again.

Scout leaders timed the competitors and the fastest six swimmers from each event had to race in the final.  I won gold in both the cubs’ front crawl and backstroke races, and Nathan Chambers got bronze medal in breast stroke. All of our scouts, cubs and beavers did really well.

Cubs’ gold: Max, Nathan, Daniel & Joshua

The best bit was when our cubs relay team came first in the front crawl relay. We got a gold medal and a winner’s certificate to put on display in our scout hut. Our four relay swimmers were Nathan Chambers, Max Herrmann, Daniel Pope and me.

1^st Withington (89^th Manchester) cubs came second overall which is brilliant. Everyone came out with a smile on their face and medals clanging around their necks – it was a great night had by swimmers, spectators and all.

We can’t wait for 2012!!!

Thanks for the report Joshua.

We’ve been successful in yet more grant applications!

Hooray!! Here’s news of three more pots of grant money coming our way.

Pot 1. The Manchester Airport Community Trust Fund has kindly approved our application for new benches and chairs for the Group. The £1000 award will pay for folding tables and benches that can be used in the hall for functions as well as out on scout camps. Fantastic! Thank you Manchester Airport!

Pot 2. We’ve also been awarded £10,000 (yes, £10,000) by The Clothworkers’ Foundation towards the renovation of the Scout Hut. We’re going to spend the money on installing a central heating system. At the moment we only have a couple of wall-mounted gas burners that heat the hall and no heating anywhere else. Having a new heating system will go a long way to getting the hut back in shape. Thank you Clothworkers’ Foundation.

Pot 3. Manchester City Council has continued to support the group, awarding us some extra Cash Grant money for this year. We’ll be able to buy some more benches and tables and also all the fittings we need to install an accessible toilet. We’re in the process of raising more funds so we can then convert a room into a toilet for the disabled. Thank you Manchester City Council.

Some of our Scouts joined other groups from South District for an evening of bowling fun at Parrs Wood.

With strikes, spares and splits all over the place, everyone came away happy.

It seems liked a crazy idea, a walk along the River Mersey in deepest November, but it turned out to be a fantastic four hour ramble.

Last Sunday, 28th November, 26 Beavers, Cubs and Scouts and their leaders and family wrapped up warm and met on Chorlton Green for the sponsored ramble. The winter sun shone and everyone was kept warm as we walked along the river, via Cholrton Water Park and Northenden, to Ford Lane in Didsbury.

Thanks to all who came along, and thanks especially to Bethany Wesley from Scouts who took these pictures.

STOP PRESS: Congratulations to all the cubs and scouts: you raised over £600!! Well Done!

As part of the ongoing Scout Hut renovation, work started today on the repair and replacement of new external drains.

We have received a Cash Grant from Manchester City Council which will pay for this work and the repair of the flat roofs and gutters. Depending on the weather, the roof work will start next week.

PLEASE TAKE CARE WHEN COMING TO THE HUT THIS WEEK.

See ‘Our Hut’ for more on the renovation programme.

Several of the Scout Group from 1st Withington attended the annual Remembrance Day service in Didsbury on Sunday 14th November.

Accompanied by their Scout Leader, Dan, the boys and girls meet with other scouts from around South Manchester in the Scout Hut on School Lane before marching to the war memorial outside Didsbury Library for a short service.

Well Done to all involved!

This year’s annual bonfire was really well attended, so thanks to all who came along.

It was the first time our new kitchen had been used and at one point the queue for hots drinks and hot dogs stretched right across the hut.

Thanks to all the leaders and volunteers who helped to make it a safe and enjoyable night!