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  • Multi-Faith Evening    (05/03/2010)
    The Explorers turned out in force for a Multi-Faith evening on the 26th February. All bar one turned up, along with members of Coggeshall Guides. The evening was supported by Fr Philip Banks from St Peter ad Vincula Coggeshall, presenting a Christian view, and Dr Mateen Durrani from Colchester University, presenting a Muslim view.

    During the evening a general discussion took place around the differences and similarities between the three main religions, Judaism, Islam and Christianity. This was an excellent experience, in which everyone was able to take a part, ask questions and discuss answers. A whole variety of aspects of faith and life were aired, including war and peace, women’s rights, science and religion, creation, scripture, ethics and the human spirit. There was also discussion on the idea that the practice of all three religions was often tainted by the culture of their country, and this sometimes negatively affected the true teachings of their scriptures – a good example is that all religions have strong teachings encouraging non-violence, and yet the culture in which they are set sometimes distorts this. At the end of the evening everyone came away having learnt something, and having a better understanding of each others views, thoughts, and religions – and there was an acknowledgement that the many things that we have in common far outweigh the things that divide us.

    A big thank you goes to Fr Philip Banks and Dr Mateen Durrani for giving up their Friday evening to help us.

    ----
    edited by sdonnelly on 05/03/2010

  • Happy Birthday - Lord Baden Powell    (22/02/2010)
    Lord Baden Powell - Founder of the international Scouting Movement born 22 February 1857



    Full Name: Robert Stephenson Smyth Baden-Powell
    Title: 1st Baron Baden-Powell
    Nickname: B-P
    Place of birth: Paddington, London, England
    Place of death: Nyeri, Kenya
    Service/branch: British Army
    Years of service: 1876–1910
    Rank: Lieutenant-General


    More information can be found on Wiki-pedia.
    edited by sdonnelly on 22/02/2010

  • Legend Essex and ShelterBox Challenge    (11/02/2010)
    The Legend Explorer Scout Unit have taken up the Essex Scout Challenge by building bridges out of rubbish found in and around the 1st Coggeshall Scout Hunt.
    During the evening two rolls of Carpet was used to emulate a river, being told that the depth and speed of the river was unknown.

    The bridge was built from old chair, broken tent poles, rope and carboard boxes. After construction all members of the unit needed to cross the river and pass over a pretend box of supplies.

    - Young ShelterBox
    - Essex Scout Challenge
    edited by sdonnelly on 11/02/2010

  • 1st Coggeshall Census    (20/01/2010)
    We have been asked to complete the annual census of all members. To make this easier for everyone can you please email Bradley Rawling with the following information for each child you have at 1st Coggeshall Scout Group:

    - Forename
    - Surname
    - Date of Birth
    - Ethinic origin
    - Male/Female
    - Phone No.
    - Mobile No.
    - Address
    - If you've signed a gift aid form

    Thank you.
    edited by sdonnelly on 20/01/2010

  • Coggeshall Christmas Scout and Guide Service    (10/12/2009)
    I just want to say a big thank you to you and everyone for making Monday night so good – it was such a great mixture of Christmas/scripture and other fun – all the young people did so well! Also, it seemed good to do the service in this earlier part of December.

    Very best wishes and thanks – and – MERRY CHRISTMAS when it comes!

    Fr Philip

    The Reverend Philip Banks
    Rector & Vicar, Parish of Coggeshall with Marks Hall
    Rural Dean, Dedham & Tey Deanery
    Co-ordinator, Chelmsford Course for Spiritual Directors

  • Coggeshall Scout and Guide Christmas Service    (30/11/2009)
    At 6.30pm to 7.30pm on Monday 7th December 2009

    - Welcome & Opening Prayer - Father Philip

    - First Carol - O'Little Town of Bethlehem

    - Readings - Guide and Scout
    - Jingle Bells - Rainbows
    - 12 days of Christmas - Beavers
    - Jingle Bell Rock - 1st Brownies
    - Nativity Rap - Cubs
    - Winter Wonderland - 2nd Brownies

    - Prayers & Christmas Sermon - Father Philip
    - Second Carol - Holly and the Ivy (during which there will be a collection)

    - 12 Christmas Challenges - Scouts
    - Marys Boy Child - Guides
    - Tommy Styles - Explorers
    - Presentation of Awards - Leaders
    - Thanks - Tim Styles

    - Final Carol - Ding Dong Merrily on High
    - Closing Prayer and Blessing - Father Philip

  • PODCAST 007 - WINTAC Message From The Queen    (30/11/2009)
    Join the WINTAC Team for a speech by HRH The Queen who sent a special message to all Explorer Scouts for the closing ceremony of WINTAC.

    Unfortunately, the closing ceremony didn't take place due to the poor weather conditions on Sunday lunchtime. Her message is now available online for you to enjoy and share, and hope this makes up for the lack of closing ceremony to the event.

    View on YouTube

  • Braintree Explorers Headline WINTAC!    (23/11/2009)
    Niall and friends from Braintree were handed a sheet and commanded to create the greatest rock band ever. After much deliberation they decided on the name "Organised Chaos". Band practice ensued at haste.

    The first songs were mostly about anger at being woken up by pans. However they decided on doing an acoustic version of 'Buck Rogers' by Feeder. When they took the stage the crowd roared, the atmosphere was electric.

    As the events were drawing to a close Joe the musical element of the band played a solo version of 'La Roux's' song 'In For the Kill' and it was brilliant.

    Mikey Cohen the voice of the band said, "It was great! The adrenaline was pumping and I really felt alive when I was up there. I am King!"



    Essex Scouts report on WINTAC - http://www.essexscouts.org.uk/news/articles.php?storyid=8h1B
    edited by sdonnelly on 23/11/2009

  • New Scout Hut - Latest News    (17/11/2009)
    On Thursday 12th November 2009 members of all sections of Guiding and Scouting in Coggeshall gathered at Honywood Community Science School to mark the beginning of construction for their new headquarters building. Construction is due to complete in July 2010 and a formal opening ceremony will take place in September 2010.

    The project, being jointly funded and run with the school is the culmination of over four years work by many people to ensure that young people in Coggeshall have a first class facility to use for many years to come.

    There are currently over 200 youngsters involved and all sections have waiting lists but lack of available space has restricted growth. The new HQ will have two halls instead of the one at the existing HQ and total floor area is more than twice that available now. The building is designed to the latest standards including accommodating disabled access and will have a fully fitted kitchen as well as a small meeting room.

    Funding for the building has come from the Scouts and Guides, Honywood School, individual donations and grants from Braintree District Council and Essex County Council.

    Commenting on the new building Tim Styles, Group Chairman said "This is a very exciting development for Coggeshall and a huge achievement for all involved that construction has now started and will result in a building to support Scouting and Guiding now and in future".



  • Remembrance Service    (11/11/2009)
    Over 100 Scouts and Guides attended the Remembrance Service at St. Peter's Church Coggeshall, giving a guard of honour to the local parishioners as they arrived in the church. Standards where presented along with those of the local Royal British Legion.

    Fr Philip and the Bishop of Colchester Rt. Rev'd. Christopher Morgan performed the services and thanked the young people for attending and welcomed them to this important act of Remembrance.

    After the server all sections where represented at the reading of the names at the War Memorial, where a brass salute was played my members of Honywood School.

  • Thank you from St. Peters    (11/11/2009)
    We have received a large thank you from the members from St Peters PTA, for the team of 6 Legend Explorer Scouts who assisted with the stewarding during the Firework display on the 7th November.

    Various parents and helpers also commented on how nice it was to see ex-pupils back willing to help out.
    edited by sdonnelly on 23/11/2009

  • JOTI - 13th Jamboree On The Internet 17-18/10/2009    (13/10/2009)
    The World Scout Jamboree On The Internet (JOTI) is an international Scout Meeting on the Internet which takes places every year on the third weekend of october. This is an official event of the World Organization of the Scout Movement.

    During that weekend, thousands of Scouts from all over the world meet and communicate with each other over the Internet, using any technologies locally available, from web browsers to e-mail, chat programs, microphones, scanners and digital cameras. Scoutgroups can combine this event with the Jamboree On The Air (JOTA), an event where Scouts can communicate with each other over radio amateur frequencies with the assistance of a local radio amateur crew.




    Most of the communication takes place over E-mail and in a chat network called IRC, the Internet Relay Chat. JOTI allows you to build friendships with Scouts in other countries and to find out more about their civil and scouting life. Often, these contacts last for years and build the base for upcoming group trips and entreprises.

    Since 1996, JOTI is an official WOSM event and has a permanent place on the Web Site of the World Scout Bureau. To get the full text of the World Scout Bureau's Memorandum on this year's edition of JOTI (2009), click here.

    If we've raised your interest, just get a few suggestions from our web site and participate in this year's JOTI.
    -----


    Check out what places Legend Explorers spoke to over the weekend http://gmaps.kaeding.name/saved/LegendESU-JOTI2009



  • Cub Leaders earn their Wood Badges    (30/09/2009)
    During a ceremony following last weeks Cub pack meeting (28th Oct) both Steve and Karen Lawrence where presented with their Wood Badges from David Cohen District Commissioner for Braintree District.

    - WELL DONE STEVE AND KAREN -
    A Wood Badge is only presented once a Leader has completed a set of 19 Modules covering all aspects of Scouting. This is a big achievement for everyone undertaking their Leader Training, and requires a lot of support from Leader, Training Advisers, and their families.

  • Over 60 Teams Begin Their Black Mountain Adventure    (28/09/2009)
    Hundreds of Explorer Scouts, Scout Network, Leaders & Fellowship members travelled yesterday to Wales to start the two day self sufficient team backpacking and overnight camping competition.

    It's the ideal event for expedition practice and includes a non competitive and assisted category for new walkers.





    With bases spread out across the countryside around Sugar Loaf mountain we hope to bring you updates all weekend on the adventures of the teams from Essex.


  • County Adult Awards Reception    (16/09/2009)
    County Adult Awards Reception
    16 September 2009 7:00pm

    County event to be held at County HQ & Training Centre, Thriftwood.

    Uniformed event by invitation only for new Wood Badge holders, recipients of Service Awards and presentation of Group Growth Awards.

    Attended by Peter Awad and Stuart Donnelly from 1st Coggeshall.








  • Cub Programme published    (14/09/2009)
    The new Cub Programme has been published ready for the new term - view the programme.

  • Scouting refutes knife ban claims (ScoutBase)    (09/09/2009)
    Scouting refutes knife ban claims - 08/09/2009

    Several incorrect stories have appeared in the media this week reporting a knife ban in Scouting.

    In fact, Scouting's rules on the subject have not significantly changed since the late 1960s.

    Knives may still be used by young people and adults during supervised camps and other outdoor activities.

    Scouting encourages young people to learn to respect knives, and use them sensibly to learn outdoor skills such as fire lighting, shelter building and backwoods cooking.

    The Movement provides a safe supervised environment in which young people can learn how and how not to use them - including how to avoid injuring themselves and others.

    The Scout Association does not condone young people carrying knifes on their person as a matter of course, unless there is a specific need for one.

    Scouting recommends training in the handling of knives not only for young people, but also for their adult leaders. Advice on the use of knives in Scouting is updated periodically and most recently an article appeared in Scouting magazine, the publication that goes out every two months to Scouting's 100,000 adult members.

    This is part of regular advice and guidance offered to the Movement since the wearing of a knife with uniform was discontinued in the late 1960s. Over the years the advice we have offered is always based around two key points:

    i) We need to comply with the law of the land (so we remind people of the current legislation).
    ii) We remind people in which situations it is appropriate to teach young people how to use knives safely and when it is not appropriate to use a knife.

  • Green Footprint Award    (06/09/2009)
    We have been awarded the Silver Award as part of the Green Footprint Award.

    This makes Legend ESU one of the very first Scout Sections to complete the award in Essex.



  • Leader Training    (06/09/2009)
    I (Stuart) have now completed my Leader Training and have received my Wood Badge from David Cohen. This tool place at the first Explorer meeting after the summer break. Thank you to EVERYONE who has assisted me in obtaining this award, specially David Hewitt.



  • Explorers Programme published...    (27/08/2009)
    The new Explorer Programme has been published ready for the new term, including District and County events - view the programme.

  • Beaver Programme published...    (27/08/2009)
    The new Beaver Programme has been published ready for the new term - view the programme.

  • Leader Changes at Coggeshall    (04/08/2009)
    - Bridgette is stepping down as Beaver Scout leader, and will become Assistant Beaver Scout Leader.
    - Paul Chapman is moving from ACSL to become our new Beaver Scout Leader.
    - His wife Bernadette is becoming a new Assistant BSL.

    best wishes

    David Hewitt
    Coggeshall GSL

  • 100 Club Launched    (06/07/2009)
    As launched at the AGM & Parents Evening, Wendy has offered to run a 100 club in support of the new HQ. Please see the attached flyer for more information - 100 Club Letter.

  • Peter Awad receives his Wood Badge    (03/07/2009)
    At a small ceremony during the closing of Beavers last night Peter Awad received his Wood Badge from David Cohen (DC). This makes Peter a fully qualified Leader.

    What is the Wood Badge?

  • "I Want" - The Prayer Of A Leaders Wife    (29/06/2009)
    I want the tent in my bed room gone
    I want the plastic boxes of books and notes gone from the living room
    I want one night without the S word
    I want to go on holiday without taking other people's children
    I want to spend my anniversary without ironing a fawn shirt
    I want to be able to accept an invitation without having to check his diary
    I want my front door painted
    I want a car that doesn't have a tow bar
    I want to feel more important that strangers
    I want to hear my husband laugh when we are alone
    I want to know that he is only thinking of me when we are alone in the dark
    I want him back

  • Lost your woggle?    (28/06/2009)
    Explorers who have either lost their woggle or prefer to wear their scarf with a friendship knot. Take a look at the following link, it is a step by step guide to putting a friendship knot in your scarf.

    Friendship Knot Instructions.

  • Scouts hoping to meet Bear Grylls    (25/06/2009)
    Coggeshall Scouts are hoping to meet Bear Grylls next year, if he visits to open the New Scout and Guide Headquarters being built in Partnership with Honywood Community Science School.

    The project to build the new HQ is now well advanced and construction should start later this year, finishing in July 2010. David Hewitt Group Scout Leader said “it would be fantastic if Bear could come, he is already a real hero to the Scouts, and to meet him face to face would be incredible for the all the young people we serve.”

    The Scouts, Guides and School have raised most of the money they need but a final fund raising push will start at the Scout and Guide AGM on 17th June. The meeting starts at 8pm at the current Scout & Guide HQ Windmill fields, Coggeshall. Anyone interesting in supporting can attend the meeting, or donations can be made online at www.justgiving.com/coggeshall.

    Bear Grylls will be the new Chief Scout of the UK Scout Association. The famous adventurer takes over when current Chief Scout, former Blue Peter presenter Peter Duncan completes his five year tenure in July 2009.

    When asked why he chose to volunteer for the UK’s largest mixed youth movement, Bear said: ‘In short, because I love adventure and I love hanging out with good friends. For me this is what Scouting is about.’
    Born on 7 June 1974, Bear Grylls will be the youngest ever Chief Scout.

    He first got involved in Scouting aged eight as a Cub Scout. Bear attributes this time as part of the inspiration behind his adult adventures presenting TV shows such as Born Survivor: ‘So much of who we are as an adult is formed when we are kids,’ said Bear. ‘What Scouting says to people is: “it’s okay to go for it in life”.’

  • Bear Grylls appointed Chief Scout    (25/06/2009)
    The Wiltshire adventurer and TV personality Bear Grylls has been named as the UKs latest Chief Scout.



    At 34 he will be the youngest person to hold the position. Mr Grylls says he aims to inspire more adults to volunteer as leaders, so the 33,000 young people currently on waiting lists can join Scout groups. He was the youngest Briton to climb Mount Everest, aged 23, and has presented television programmes such as Born Survivor and Escape to the Legion.

    Mr Grylls from Ramsbury, near Marlborough, was appointed by The Council of the Scout Movement at a special meeting in London and will be expected to promote the policies and benefits of Scouting. He will be invested at a handover ceremony with outgoing Chief Scout Peter Duncan later in the year.

    "I feel hugely honoured to be asked to take up this role as Chief Scout - it really is a dream come true"
    "I have always loved helping young people live their dreams and to taste real adventure… as well as getting caked in mud!"

  • NEW 100 Club coming soon    (25/06/2009)
    100 Club coming soon to help raise funds for the new Scout Hut. More details will be announced shortly.

  • New Scout and Guide HQ    (25/06/2009)
    Thanks to all who gave their comments on the draft Heads of Agreement. This has now been sent to our legal prior to being sent to Simon Mason

    Olivia Pattison, George Styles, Wendy and Tim Style went to support our grant application to Braintree District Council. Both Olivia and George spoke to the meeting and the vote was unanimous so we have another £15,000 towards our target.

    There will be an article in the Link Magazine next month highlighting our plans.

  • Scout IT Badge    (25/06/2009)
    All levels of the Scouting IT badge are now online at www.itbadge.org.uk



    This site will help you earn your Staged Activity Badge!

  • New Web Site    (25/06/2009)
    The new 1st Coggeshall Web Site goes live, thanks to everyone involved.