Despite poor forecasts ahead of our AGM and Activity Day on Sunday, June 17th, the weather was spectacular for us, all the activities were up and running ready for the 11am start and quite a few families arrived early to make the most of all that was available. Being Father’s Day, it did not take too much encouragement to get the Dads joining in with their kids.
Dartford’s Mayor, Ann Allen and escort Miss Kim Cooper arrived shortly after the start, visiting all the activities, meeting and speaking to the leaders and instructors and taking time to speak to our young members about their scouting experiences.
The activities were suspended for the duration of the official AGM, which included reports from the Chair, Treasurer and GSL and the formal accounts were ratified by all in attendance. Parent representatives to the Executive Committee were elected and promised that they would be made very useful during the year.
Minutes of the AGM, all of the various reports and the financial statements will soon be available from the download area of our website and the financial statements and an annual report are also lodged with the Charity Commission. Our registered Charity Number is 303370 and you can search for us at www.charity-commission.gov.uk
Ted Essex ‘Cougar’ was elected to a unique position as the new President of 5th Dartford Scout Group. Ted has over 40 years of service in the Scouts, starting in Deptford in 1969, moving to Dartford in 1981, fulfilling leadership positions in Cubs, Scouts andVenture Scouts and has now accepted a Group position, providing insight and experience to young leaders and promoting scouting to the wider community.
The Group’s Head of Fundraising, Karen Hannah, provided an update of the many activities that have taken place over the year, including the 777 Challenge and thanked Lyn Medcalf, Lesley Bauckham and the many other people who have helped with fundraising for their considerable efforts. We were delighted to welcome some guests to the event who made donations to the Group including John, Stuart and Piers from Dartford Freemasons for £425, raising their contributions to £1,000 for this year and Rags & Av from Amar Hall,who handed over £296 raised at a recent Curry/Disco evening.
The Mayor congratulated the young members and leaders of the 5th Dartford for their achievements over the past year and also pledged £500 for our New Hall Fund. District Scout Leader, Wayne Tomkinson congratulated the Explorers, Scouts, Cubs and Beavers for their commitment and involvement in Scouting over the year and thanked the parents for their active support, bringing their children into the Scouting movement.
Activities continued through to 3pm, with leaders making sure that everyone who wanted to, got to take part inthe activities on offer, which included Abseiling, Archery, Ice Climbing, Climbing, Bouldering, Rifle/Pistol Shooting, Face Painting, Fake Wounds, Bracelet/Necklace making, Puzzle making and Burgers. And thank you must also go to the helpers who provided Tea, Coffee, Cold Drinks, Home-made Cakes, Krispy Kreme Doughnuts and the ever-popular Chocolate Fountain.
Our AGM and Activity Day, was a wonderful way to celebrate Fathers Day with the whole family, andprovided an insight into some of the activities that Scouting offers. The official business of the AGM gave the wider 5th Dartford family a chance to see how the Group is being managed and was still completed promptly within 45 minutes. If you have any suggestions for the next AGM, please let me know.
Paul Boreham – Group Scout Leader
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