uk.rec.scouting :: Discussion of Scouting and Guiding in the UK

uk.rec.scouting :: Discussion of Scouting and Guiding in the UK http://www.nnseek.com/e/uk.rec.scouting/ Posts for uk.rec.scouting Thu, 15 May 2008 13:39:32 PDT http://www.nnseek.com/ http://www.nnseek.com/ http://www.nnseek.com/img/64.png 64 64 NNSeek <![CDATA[ScoutBox]]> http://www.nnseek.com/e/uk.rec.scouting/scoutbox_73509342t.html http://www.nnseek.com/e/uk.rec.scouting/scoutbox_73509342t.html scoutbox.co.uk) It's in a blog format, and I'll be filling it with lots of resources which might be useful to people in Scouting. I know there are sites offering similar things, but I think they tend to be more 'archives' than an ongoing thing. Because I want to keep it ongoing, I'm encouraging people to submit their resources, tip me off on things, offer suggestions etc. through the contact page. I've also enabled registration for a trial run, which means anyone can register, write a post and submit it for review. So, what do you think? - Graeme

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]]> Thu, 15 May 2008 13:39:32 PDT <![CDATA[- WELCOME: New members please read]]> http://www.nnseek.com/e/uk.rec.scouting/welcome_new_members_please_read_73502942t.html http://www.nnseek.com/e/uk.rec.scouting/welcome_new_members_please_read_73502942t.html http://www.drabble.me.uk/usenet/urs-faq.shtml The FAQ explains what the newsgroup is for, answers Frequently Asked Questions, describes some of the guidelines and etiquette for posting here and shows the official charter for the group. This newsgroup, by charter (see FAQ part 2) and in spite of its name, is open for the discussion of both Guiding and Scouting, centred on the UK. It covers programme activities, administration, equipment, etc. and is used to solicit advice and opinion from other members on what to do in certain situations. It is also used to generally seek and provide support and encouragement with respect to Scouting and Guiding in the UK and its associated dependencies. Therefore... "The Scout and Guide Laws are the Laws of this Newsgroup." Please post within the spirit of the Laws and the Spirit of Scouting and Guiding. URS is intended to be for both youth members and adults, although most of the posts are from Leaders, younger Members are encouraged to use this group to exchange ideas and ask questions. Therefore all contributors should bear in mind the possible presence of younger members when posting. Please read the netiquette guidelines (see FAQ part 3) carefully so that you understand what the expected standards are. Thank you for your co-operation and once again welcome to URS. Paul Harris on behalf of URS

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]]> Thu, 15 May 2008 12:10:35 PDT <![CDATA[Spare Tent Pole]]> http://www.nnseek.com/e/uk.rec.scouting/spare_tent_pole_73428190t.html http://www.nnseek.com/e/uk.rec.scouting/spare_tent_pole_73428190t.html http://www.drabble.me.uk/

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]]> Wed, 14 May 2008 14:40:51 PDT <![CDATA[Walking in the road]]> http://www.nnseek.com/e/uk.rec.scouting/walking_in_the_road_73368542t.html http://www.nnseek.com/e/uk.rec.scouting/walking_in_the_road_73368542t.html >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Our District Cub leaders last night discussed the new Highway Code and revised advice that for organised walks, large groups and people walking together we should walk on the left ie *with* the traffic not facing oncoming traffic as before http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/TravelAndTransport/Highwaycode/DG_070108. I always explain the reason for this to Cubs is that you become aware of approaching cars sooner and can get out of the way. It just makes sense. If it is now considered safer to walk on the left - then fine - but we need to explain the reason to the Cubs - none of us could think of a reason though. I (foolishly) volunteered to research it and report back. Advice from our local road safety team is that a 'large group' would be 6 or more. Lesser groups and individuals still walk on the right. However the Ramblers Association on their website state that 'large groups' comprise organised marches and recommend that all of their groups walk on the right. http://www.ramblers.org.uk/volunteer/walks/leading.html#Starting I am worried that the Highway Code is vague and advice is not clear. It strikes me that if you are walking towards the traffic you (the leader not the Cubs!) becomes aware much more readily of approaching traffic. If walking with the traffic then the backmarker - no matter how dressed in reflective clothing he is - is facing forwards towards the group and not as aware of traffic approaching from the rear. If he or she is built like the rest of us, their ears are pointing forwards not backwards! My personal risk assessment for 20 or so Cubs and associated leaders is walk on the right. However if there were an accident I know I would be held to task because I had not followed the Highway Code advice. I would just add that we would not normally use a carriageway to walk Cubs - but it is sometimes necessary for short lengths between two footpaths, if used by less than two cars a fortnight!

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]]> Wed, 14 May 2008 03:46:12 PDT <![CDATA[Scouting Unitary Authority for Cornwall]]> http://www.nnseek.com/e/uk.rec.scouting/scouting_unitary_authority_for_cornwall_73236446t.html http://www.nnseek.com/e/uk.rec.scouting/scouting_unitary_authority_for_cornwall_73236446t.html http://cornwallscouts.net/News1.aspx New Appointment Assistant County Commissioner (Special Projects) (11/05/08) Stuart Robertson been appointed to the new position of Assistant County Commissioner (Special Projects). Stuart will intially be looking at the CCC Unitary Authority Process, and seeing how it fits in with our Scouting County Plan. I am sure we all wish him well in his new role, and that we will Endeavour to assist him in any way possible. So that means that Scouting in Cornwall might become Unitary as well, great I can just imagine it all districts and groups close and form a huge mega group, 1st Newquay Scouts renamed to 9999th Cornwall Scouts and have no say in how anything runs or am I thinking too much. Thats without saying how much of a hash has been made to the Cornwall County Council Unitary Authority and the recent threat that they are planning to cut 70 out of 200 jobs from the IS Department With any luck I might lose my Scouting Job. Why cant we just stick to what we are good at? -- Frazer Mountford SL - 1st Newquay Scouts

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]]> Mon, 12 May 2008 14:22:01 PDT <![CDATA[Passport checks]]> http://www.nnseek.com/e/uk.rec.scouting/passport_checks_73133278t.html http://www.nnseek.com/e/uk.rec.scouting/passport_checks_73133278t.html http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/British_subject you need to be a lawyer to work this one out... although it is mostly A person who is: (a) a British citizen, a British Overseas Territories citizen or a British Overseas citizen; or (b) a person who under the British Nationality Act 1981 is a British subject; or (c) a British protected person (within the meaning of that Act).

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]]> Sun, 11 May 2008 14:22:08 PDT <![CDATA[OT: virgin newsgroup won't work now]]> http://www.nnseek.com/e/uk.rec.scouting/ot_virgin_newsgroup_won_t_work_now_73109214t.html http://www.nnseek.com/e/uk.rec.scouting/ot_virgin_newsgroup_won_t_work_now_73109214t.html news.virginmedia.com Any ideas what to do? I'm sorry is off target but trying to find info via virgin is a joke. They haven't even bothered to update their webpage, and I'm too tight to pay the rip off phone charges. thanks Amanda

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]]> Sun, 11 May 2008 10:00:14 PDT <![CDATA[Beta 350 - Quick review.]]> http://www.nnseek.com/e/uk.rec.scouting/beta_350_quick_review_73106654t.html http://www.nnseek.com/e/uk.rec.scouting/beta_350_quick_review_73106654t.html http://www.outdoors.co.uk/acatalog/1-3person-tents.html#a1024663 I bought one for myself, with the view that if they are any good I will buy 4 more for the unit to use on weekend camps. I used it for the first time this weekend and this is how I found it. 1+ Pitching: three sets of poles coloured coded to fit an a pocket over the tent, its outer first, which is my favourite. IT took 20 minutes, but I had to read the manual before I realised about the colour coding system. I could do it in 10 minutes now. It is easiest to insert the poles, peg out the back corners, and then out in the pegs in the door frame, farthest away from the back, which gives you a nice straight rectangle with the tapes and everything else just falls into place after that. 2+ Size: its 3 man, but I only just had room lengthways, but at 6'2" I suppose that's not too bad. There is a good 3" gap so its not a problem. Nice big awning so three people should be comfy, 2 people would be OK for a week and it is just right for me by myself for a weekend :-) 3+ Build quality: As most Vango kit, it was neat, the seams are generous, and I wouldn't expect any to come undone any time soon. The one problem with this tent is the zip on the main doors gets very stiff at the right angle bend and you really have to take the tension with your other hand. I can see that being a failure point for an impatient person. 4+ Spares: extra pegs, guys patch kit etc, but sadly no pole. The bag is generous with compression straps to make stowage easy. 5+ "Feel": it was light and airy due to the light blue (not grey as shown) panels, and ventilation vents. It collected a little condensation in the roof over night but it didn't drip. I would go to bed in a gale quite happy that it will look after me. 6+ Value for money: Its not the cheapest 3 man tent around, BUT it feels to me to be made better than most others in its price range. OK so all very good, did I like it, yes definitely, and I will buy some for the unit, assuming they still have them at that price when the subs arrive, but its too heavy for hiking. The only downsides are the zip that I mentioned and it is one giant groundsheet for the main tent and porch, which is pain because I don't normally use that bit. I keep boots and wetsuits etc in the porch or cook in it during foul weather, all of which are more difficult with the ground sheet fixed in place :-( As for the cookset, it is stainless steel with copper bottoms and big enough for two to do spag bog, but definitely not 3 (explorer scouts). The frying pan is also stainless steel and copper bottom and was joy to use. You could use them with a 3 man trangia base, and it would pack down nicely, but I don't have a 2 man one to try instead. -- Stephen Rainsbury ESL Agathoid Explorer Scout Unit www.agathoid.org.uk(remove this bit)

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]]> Sun, 11 May 2008 09:31:16 PDT <![CDATA[Brilliant weekend]]> http://www.nnseek.com/e/uk.rec.scouting/brilliant_weekend_73104862t.html http://www.nnseek.com/e/uk.rec.scouting/brilliant_weekend_73104862t.html www.agathoid.org.uk(remove this bit)

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