A letter sent by our older Scouts to our friends in Dartford twinned town Gravelines “EEDF Pêcheurs d’Islande GRAVELINES” came to fulfilment this weekend with a visit of 21 of them travelling to Dartford for Remembrance weekend.
With them departing Gravelines early Saturday morning via minibus and travelling by the channel tunnel they arrived at Dartford Scout House by lunch time, with a warm welcome and a quick turnaround they joined the 5th Dartford Scouts and Explorers for an activity afternoon comprising of archery and target shooting along with tea and biscuits.
That evening we held a fireworks extravaganza with hot chocolate and hamburgers being served, along with the Gravelines Scouts, there were also 130 parents, friends and siblings partake in the fundraising event with monies raised going towards the new hall fund.
Sunday morning we all converged at Dartford War Memorial for the act of remembrance, with three poppy reefs being laid: Gravelines Town, Pêcheurs d’Islande Scouts along with Dartford Districts. All of us joined the parade around town, paying our respects, with the Deputy Lieutenant of Kent, Mayor and leader of the council taking the salute.
After tea and biscuits at the church hall, the English and French Scouts were combined into teams and took part in a Historical Treasure Hunt which span from St Edmunds Pleasance to West Hill, Lock-Up with questions relating from Henry’s V funeral, Henry VIII divorce settlement, to medieval leper hospital.
With everyone back to 5th Dartford Scouts Hall, were we shared some traditional food, with the hosts providing: Roast beef, potatoes and Yorkshire pudding accompanied by gravy, horseradish and English mustard, followed by Jam Rolly Polly and custard. With the Guest providing speciality cheese, biscuits and sweet treats, all of which was shared and enjoyed by all. The Scouts joined in with games which both groups knew until the end of the afternoon.
Monday morning the Mayor welcomed the Gravelines Scouts to the Civic Centre, showing them around the council chamber and Mayors Parlour, explaining about the role and responsibilities being the King’s representative and 1st citizen of the town, followed by tea and biscuits. It was then time to say goodbye along with discussion about a returnvisit for English Scouts to travel to Gravelines.
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On October 5th, 6 of our young people were presented with their Chief Scout Gold Awards frm District Lead Volunteer, Neil Gearing. Congratulations to Tristan, Olivia, Leo, Evie, Olliver & Alex. Congratulations also to Maisie & Meigan who were unable to attend on the day.
Back in June, 13 Scouts and Explorers from the 5th signed up to the National Small-Bore Rifle Association – Youth Proficiency Scheme (NSRA-YPS) course, 10 first timers and 3 retaking to improve their skill level. Starting in July, the young people attended weekly sessions to learn everything from setting up a range, equipment, the law, safety, eye dominance, stance, & breathing to the follow through, sighting, sight adjustment and scoring; concluding with a multiple choice exam and a shooting competition. In order to qualify for the competition a quiz of 10 randomly selected true/false statements was taken, where a minimum of seven must be answered correctly; these points are also added to the 4 scoring cards for the total score. Each card has the potential score of 50 points with 5 shots at each, making the maximum possible score of 210, including the quize score.
For the third consecutive year we participated in Thriftwood #InTents# having great memories of the previous camps. With six leaders and 10 Scouts and 15 Explorers fully prepared and ready to go with new chariots and flags.
Our thoughts and prayers with Marion and her family. A number of current and previous 5th Dartford Scouters celebrated the life of John White, who passed away after a short illness at the age of 86, at Thanet Crematorium and then with a reception at the Spitfire and Hurricane Museum, Manston. John and Marion retired to Palm Bay 22 years ago, but remained active volunteers with the Thanet Scouting Fellowship helping run District events, as well as part of the service crew at Marshside Camp Site as well as Spitfire and Hurricane Museum several days each week. Many 5th Dartford veterans will remember John from his 28 years of Scouting service with 5th Dartford & Dartford District totalling 50 years of Scouting. John was a good friend too many with kind, warm and supportive approach a true gentleman with a great sense of humour. 
