Almost an Olympian!

We, as a district, were very proud today as our very own District Commissioner took part in the London 2012 Olympic Torch procession. Les Cowell, who is the District Commissioner for the North Manchester and Medvale district which we are part of, was nominated to carry the Olympic Torch. He carried the torch through the streets of Bury on the afternoon of Saturday 23rd June before the torch made its way into the centre of Manchester.

224th Manchester Scout Group have a lot to thank Les for as he took over the reins of the group when our previous long-standing Group Scout Leader, Keith Booth, became ill and could no longer run the group. He organised trying to get the group back up and running and then ran many of the beaver and cub nights until we could get leaders in place.

Over 100 members of the district (including scouts, cubs and leaders) lined the streets of Bury to cheer Les on, and as we waited for the torchbearer to arrive, a chant of 'We Want Les!' could be heard ringing along the A56!

And then the moment arrived! We could see Les trotting his merry way down the road - torch held proudly aloft. The cheers grew louder as Les approached - and he responded with an almost regal-like wave! And then he was passed... off into the distance... to hand the torch to the next torchbearer. 

For Les, this was a job well done and probably deserved a celebratory meal and maybe some cold liquid refreshment! Les later told me "I can not believe how emotional this feels! Loved it! huge thanks to everyone who came to watch".

Well done Les - you deserve it!

Phil
Assistant Cub Leader

STOP PRESS!!! We will have Les and his Olympic Torch at the Church next Thursday (5th July) from 6 - 8.30pm. Everybody will have the chance to have their photograph taken with the Olympic Torch at the bargain cost of £1 (all monies to Group Funds). So don't forget to bring some extra money and your great big smiles for your photo!!

www.224manchesterscouts.co.uk

Cubs keeping the country tidy!
 
Most of you will be old enough to remember 'Bob-a-Job' week where cubs and scouts would go out into their communities and undertake jobs such as tidying gardens, painting a fence or simply putting the rubbish out. When this scheme ended 20 years ago there was no longer an official route for members of scout groups to help out in their neighbourhoods. 

This changed this year with the introduction of Scout Community Week. Taking place from 14th - 20th May, it was an opportunity for Scout Groups to raise funds whilst delivering real benefits to the local community.

As a group, 224th didn't undertake any fundraising community events this year (possibly next year!!). However, the Cubs tried to do their little bit for their community by all taking part in a neighbourhood litter pick during the Pack Night!


So on 31st May 16 Cubs set out from the church - all decked out in gloves and rather fetching hi-visibility jackets and all carrying  'Litter Grabbers' and black bin bags. Walking along Ashton Road East you would never have seen so many excited cubs as these were in picking up litter!. Our route took us along Ashton Road East, up Woodford Road, then up Richmond Road and onto Westminster Road.

With plenty of rubbish-packed bags the litter pick ended in Westminster Gardens Park. To use up more of their energy the cubs took part in relay races (well it is nearly time for the Olympics!!) and other games. After a refreshing drink and biscuit break we then took the short walk back to the church to finish with Grand Howl.

With a small part of Failsworth now looking a lot tidier, the Cubs can feel very proud of themselves and the effort they put in to picking up the litter.


Thank you Cubs!


Phil


PS: Our Chief Scout, Bear Grylls, praised the efforts of Scout Community Week, read story here


www.224manchesterscouts.co.uk