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Were you part of the ‘Big Left Handshake’?

The members of 2^nd Cuddington certainly were.  One of the Scouting traditions is that Scouts always shake with their left hand.  Members of Scout Groups throughout the UK were invited to send in a coloured print of their left hand and over 30,000 responded.  The prints were put together at the Tate Modern and the collage is a Scout World Record - the largest single piece of collaborative artwork Scouting has ever produced, anywhere in the world, ever! It's also one of the largest collages anywhere in the world, and certainly the largest in the world made out of cut-out hands! It has been logged as an official record attempt with Guinness World Records.

It symbolises two important things - the international friendships made and kept through Scouting, and a generation's hopes for peace in Scouting's next century. Our pictures show the Cubs producing their masterpieces and a small part of the mammoth finished collage at the Tate Modern.

Leaders Sue Blackgrove and Carol Priddy received the Medal of Merit from County Commissioner Richard Shortman at our Harvest Festival Church Parade in October. The Medal is awarded for outstanding services to Scouting and is well deserved – many congratulations!

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Congratulations to Explorer Scouts Andrew Turner and Laurence Jackson on being awarded the Young Leader badge. They are both working with the Cub Scout Pack and completed the first qualifying module of training recently.

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Join us for ‘Carols for Christmas’ – our own Carol Service at St Mary’s Church on Tuesday 11th December at 7 pm. Bring your family and friends and join us for mulled wine and mince pies afterwards.
Do put the date in your diary now!

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Congratulations to Tom Hutton and Andrew Turner on achieving the
Chief Scouts Gold Award

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Many of you will be aware that the three bungalows behind our site in Salisbury Road have been sold to a developer, who has submitted a planning application to build thirteen town houses on the site. The Group objected on the basis that the houses would overlook our premises (especially being three storeys high) and that the perimeter security behind the hall would be compromised. The planning application was refused by Epsom and Ewell Borough Council, but the developers have now appealed to the Secretary of State and we await the outcome.

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27 miles is a daunting distance, add the fact that it is cross-country and includes ascending and descending over 3000 feet and culminates in the formidable Seven Sisters and Beachy Head and you have some idea of the course for the Beachy Head Marathon. It’s not for nothing that it’s known as the most challenging cross-country marathon in the UK! 2nd Cuddington are the only Scout Group to enter a team for this event and 2007 was the 20th successive year that members of the Group have taken part. It is very much an event for achievement rather than a race and you realise that after the opening climb to the top of Beachy Head! This year 10 members of the Explorer Unit and Leader Team formed our team organised and led by Explorer Scout Leader Jo Blackgrove. James Farrant was our first man home in 5 hours 20 minutes (the challenge of the course is such that completion within 9 hours qualifies for a medal). Congratulations to the hardy team which consisted of Jack Roche, Dan Hyett, Paul Digweed, Sue Blackgrove, Paul Boland, Andy Harris, Stuart Field, Dave Simms, Jo Blackgrove and James Farrant. Karl Nicholas kindly drove the team there and back – nobody feels like driving after 27 miles cross-country!

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Rowe Hall Extension Project Commences

Now that 2nd Cuddington owns the site in Salisbury Road, the Group Executive Committee has started to consider extending the hall. We desperately need more storage space for kit, and our garage is nearing the end of its serviceable life, so we need to plan ahead. The sale of the bungalows immediately behind the hall (see elsewhere) has also prompted us to consider submitting our own planning application. The discussion is in its very earliest stages at the moment, with the “wish list” of what might feature in an extension being drawn up in consultation with Leaders and helpers. This will allow suitable building options to be considered. We are also involving the District, as they have a store behind our hall, so we will be working with them to try and ensure that the changes are mutually beneficial. Much more news to come – we will update you regularly via the Newsletter.