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20th Southgate Scout Group
Up and running x2!
The new autumn/winter term is up and running with lots of new names to remember - a very warm welcome to all of our new Cubs. Our first meeting back was a typically lively and noisy introduction to what Cubs do session and our first weekend activity was the annual Sixes football competition. This was won by the team of Alessandro, Feliks, Henry and Massi with special congratulations also to Howie and Joseph for their top effort and player of the tournament awards. Our second meeting was spent with the fantastic crew of Blue Watch at Southgate fire station, learning all about the amazing work they do and how to keep safe in the event of fire. Just before the end of the session Blue Watch were up and running, responding to a call-out - a huge thank you to them for everything.
Nearly half-term already?!
As is so often the case, the first half of term seems to have gone by in a flash. There has been lots going on though including taking part in the District 5-a-side competition. Unfortunately this was tough going with only 10 of our Cubs available (so no subs) but as always everyone tried their best and we still went away as winners of the 'Brian Shield'. Other weekend activities included a practice for the District Cub Trek competition (more about that in another post) and our annual visit to Grovelands pitch-and-putt course. The usual variety of weekly meetings included a visit from Blane Stoker,a fantastic magician, and the not to be forgotten Scientist Badge evening where I am sure that film canisters and Alka Seltzer will never get viewed in the same way again!
Southgate District Cub Trek 2025
The annual District Cub Trek competition is something which I think every Cub should try at least once. It's the most traditional of all the District activities with the Cubs working their way in teams for 3-4 hours around an 8km countryside route. It's not just a walk in the countryside though and the Cubs are kept busy taking bearings and grid references which are some core skills. In this year's competition a huge 21 teams took part which included 4 from our Cub Pack. Whilst the performance from a couple of our teams was affected by them 'going up the stairs' before 'along the corridor', our first ever all-girls team came an excellent 8th place and our team of Charlie, Laith and Theo, all first-timers taking part in Cub Trek came a fantastic 3rd place, and only one point away from being runners-up. Well done to all our Cubs who took part and thank you to the parents who walked with them.
Stars shine from the 20th on the 20th!
The evening of Thursday 20th November saw many of our Cubs performing in a variety show in the famous St Monica's Hall (formerly the Intimate Theatre). It was a true evening of variety including singers, dancers, magicians, instrumentalists and a demonstration of taekwondo. For those Cubs not performing individually this time there was also a group song of the campfire favourite "everywhere we go". At the end of the evening it was a huge congratulations to Ayda whose performance of "Count on me" wowed everyone, with an equally big well done to all the other Cubs who entertained us all throughout. A big thank you to our judges Anna and Mary-Lou, plus former Cubs Jacob and Mathieu who were good enough to also give us two stunning performances of their own.
A visit to the planes despite the rain!
Some lousy weather on Saturday 22nd November didn't deter many of our Cubs plus parent helpers (thank you) from visiting the RAF Museum in Hendon. This was for the second part of the Air Activities Stages 1 and 2 badges which the Cubs had started working on earlier in the month. The 2½ hours at Hendon seemed to fly (no pun intended) in a flash but the Cubs all worked hard to learn about the history of flight and many of the fantastic exhibits at the Museum. The effort which they all put in was clear from the very detailed completed worksheets and I am delighted to report that (no pun intended) they all passed with flying colours.
'Doctor Who' again?!
I think 'Doctor Who' has been at work again. At the start of the new term I said how Cub meetings and activities often seem to be in a different time zone given that they go by in a flash! That was way back in September and yet in the blink of an eye here we were heading into December - it's as though we hitch a ride with Doctor Who on Thursday evening and at Cub weekends! Our November Thursday meetings included a night hike around Trent Park, actually a filming location many years ago for Doctor Who, and a bowling evening at Hollywood Bowl in Finchley. Some heavy rain meant the postponement of our Scout Park wide games evening until the New Year but in its place our "in the tent" challenge was a great way to remind ourselves of all the fantastic new Cubs who had joined in September. Weekends included Church Parade, some football sessions including one at Power League, and the Southgate District Quiz where an excellent turnout of 12 of our Cubs took part. I am delighted to report that we finished in second place in this competition.
Our 2025 Charity Challenge
This year's Charity Challenge took place during November and December in support of the amazing local charity, Help for Hunger. Part 1 saw all the Cubs given a Smarties tube at the end of our night hike and they had a fortnight to return it with the sweets replaced by coins. This raised £150. We had also received a donation of £100 on condition that the Cubs completed a 20 minute non-stop musical challenge - this was achieved at our meeting on 11th December with a combination of singing (Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer), dancing and many of our Cubs playing a range of different instruments, keyboard, guitar and violin all made an appearance. Finally, and watched over the by the 'Grand Owl', we ran the St Monica's Church coffee morning on 14th December. This generated £288.50 and a total amount of £550 raised. Very well done and thank you to everyone.
In spite of the Sprouts!
And so the end of term arrived on Thursday 18th December and one Cub very kindly said in a Christmas card message that she was being inspired to try new activities. This is what it's all about, giving all of our Cubs a range of different opportunities be it playing football, learning about the world of science, having the confidence to use a map and compass or having the confidence to do a dance or singing routine in front of an audience. Hopefully planting some seeds which they can choose to explore further in the future. More about that in the New Year. Meantime I am delighted to report that despite being made to wear funny hats and throw Brussel Sprouts at each other, I think all of our Cubs want to return in January. It will be a pleasure to welcome them back for another busy term.
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