In the Hafren Forest

Jumping or wading across the infant River Severn up to seven times was just one of the challenges faced by teams of Scouts from all over Montgomeryshire on Saturday 24th September 2011.

The Scouts were taking part in the annual Operation Commando event, this year held in the Hafren Forest, near Llanidloes. The teams of 4-6 Scouts were tasked with finding eight bases scattered about the forest. As well as navigating through dense vegetation they had to evade teams of catchers who were searching for them throughout the day.

The event lasted seven hours and it rained for the latter five hours, so everyone got wet as they walked, crawled and waded across the damp terrain, but it didn't bother them much. Each of the teams had to be self-sufficient for the day, carrying everything they needed in their rucksacks. But as a bonus, hot dogs and drinks were served at one of the bases.

The Explorer Scout catchers worked in small teams, often being dropped off by patrolling vehicles. The bases were manned by Leaders and parents from the various Scout Groups and Explorer Scout Units in Montgomeryshire.

Taking up to two hours to travel from one base to another, most of the competing teams completed their mission within the seven hour time span of the event. The competing teams had two challenges: one to get to all the bases as quickly as possible, and the other to be caught as few times as possible. This year the team gaining the 'Speed Award' was from Welshpool, and the team gaining the 'Stealth Award' was from Montgomery.

The full-day event was held in the Hafren Forest, near Llanidloes, courtesy of the Forestry Commission.

Michael Smith, one of the Leaders organising the event, commented:

"This is a true Scouting event where good teamwork is essential for a successful outcome. The Scouts make their own decisions and navigate their way from base to base with a minimum of supervision. What makes this event so different from many others is that the Scouts are not following paths; instead they have to find their own way cross-country through forests and bogs and have to cross streams a number of times. The need to evade the catchers adds that extra element of excitement for everyone."

Scouts Katy and Moya said:

"It was fun. We did better than last time and found every base, even though the weather wasn't as good!"

Huw, one of the Explorer Scout catchers, commented at the end of the day:

"We chased through the forest all day. I got wet, I stood in a bog and I fell down a hill. It was excellent!"

The Area Executive Committee were very pleased to welcome around 40 of our Leaders to the Annual Review and AGM, which was held at Abermule Community Centre on Friday 8th July 2011.

As well as the formal business of the AGM, there were short presentations from Area Commissioner Roger Eagles, District Commissioner Arthur Colerick and Wales Chief Commissioner Jill Gloster. Long service awards were presented to:

A very successful Safeguarding awareness session led by Senior Field Commissioner Clive Bracewell was held on 7th February 2011, with 37 Leaders and Area personnel in attendance. Attendance certificates were provided to all attendees. A further session is being held on 2nd March 2011. Further details are available from the Area Commissioner.

Investiture of 16 new Cubs at the new Cub Pack at Four Crosses.

As a result of a recent ScoutsWales Development Project, the 1st Four Crosses Scout Group now has a new Cub Scout Pack . After a project started in August 2010 the local community were empowered to create this new Scouting Section to answer the requests from the existing Beaver Scout Section.

After a presentation in the Four Crosses Primary School, new interested boys and girls were invited with their parents to attend an open night for Cub Scouting. This event secured the interest of four adults, who after some training and vetting, have formed the new leadership team: welcome and thank you to Kim Negri, Donna Breeze, Chris and Julie Gilliard. They have been joined by a band of eight helpers who fill the gaps and provide cover for absences - thank you to them also.

Kim, the Cub Leader, has with the help of her assistants awarded badges for Faith, Home Safety and Swimming. The Pack has enjoyed an outing to a local adventure park, had a talk from the local church and busied itself towards the completion of its first term with seventeen children including five girls.

The Annual General Meeting and Review was held at Abermule Community Centre on Friday 9th July 2010.

Area Chairman Hugh Anton-Stephens welcomed everyone to the meeting and especially Chief Commissioner for Wales, Jill Gloster and Wyn Williams, who was representing Area President, Mick Bates.

Certificates were awarded in absentia as follows:

A five year certificate was presented to Louise Davies (Abermule) with apologies that this was in fact two years late and Louise had in fact been a Beaver Leader in Abermule for seven years.

A thirty year certificate was awarded to Phil King (Newtown).

The Area Chairman presented an engraved tankard to Bob Robinson on his retirement as District Commissioner.

After the standard business of the AGM, a short speech was made by the Chief Commissioner, followed by a buffet supper.

Photos from 2009 AGM by Michael Smith.

Jan Lloyd and Chris Roberts are congratulated on their awards by Area President Mick Bates, Chief Commissioner for Wales Jill Gloster, Area Commissioner Roger Eagles and District Commissioner Bob Robinson.

The Annual General Meeting and Review was held at Abermule Community Centre on Friday 10th July 2009.

The meeting was welcomed by Area Chairman Hugh Anton-Stephens, followed by a short prayer read by Area President, Mick Bates AM.

Awards were presented as follows:

Recipients were congratulated by Area President, Mick Bates AM and Chief Commissioner for Wales, Jill Gloster.

After the standard business of the AGM, short speeches were made by the Area President and Chief Commissioner for Wales, followed by a longer presentation on Area Guidelines for Scout Groups and a buffet supper.

Photos from Operation Commando 2008 by Michael Smith.

In the Hafren Forest

Saturday 20th September 2008 was a busy day in down in the woods. Teams of Scouts from all over Montgomeryshire were navigating through the trees and across bogs and streams on their mission to find seven bases. But it wasn’t as simple as that, because they were being hunted by 'catchers' - teams of Explorer Scouts.

To evade the catchers, the teams of Scouts had to stay undercover and use map and compass work to find their way through the undergrowth. The more experienced teams wore camouflage clothing, used face paint and attached vegetation to their clothing. Each of the teams had to be self-sufficient for the day, carrying everything they needed in their rucksacks.

The Explorer Scout catchers worked in threes, often being dropped off by patrolling vehicles. The bases were manned by Leaders from the various Scout Groups in Montgomeryshire. Taking up to seven hours to reach the last base, all 12 of the competing teams completed their mission.

The full-day event was held in the Hafren Forest, courtesy of the Forestry Commission. Michael Smith, one of the leaders co-organising the event, commented:

'This exciting event is always very popular, and this year it attracted over a hundred participants. The attraction of the day is the adventure of using skills on a real task with a minimum of supervision. How the Scouts get from one base to the next is up to them, and getting wet and covered in mud is all part of the attraction. It’s a real challenge and the catchers add that extra element of excitement.'

Katie and Emily, two of the Scouts from Llanrhaeadr-ym-Mochnant described their day:

'Today was fabulous. We’ve been hiding in the forest, running, getting lost, getting wet and even swimming in the river. But I think we got caught more than anyone else!'

Two Welshpool Scouts added:

'Today was really good. We jumped across ditches, hid in the forest and got chased by Explorers. I liked it. I’m in Welshpool Scouts, and today our team of five didn’t win, but we had great fun all the time.

Ken Whitmore a Leader in Montgomery, helped out with one of the younger teams:

'We got very involved and soon found ourselves running for our lives away from the catchers just like our Scouts were!!!'

The Annual General Meeting and Review was held at Abermule Community Centre on Friday 4th July 2008.

In the absence of the Area President, Mick Bates AM, who was indisposed, Area Chairman Hugh Anton-Stephens opened the evening with a welcome and short prayer.

Long service awards were presented by District Commissioner Bob Robinson as follows:

Mark Woodhouse was invested as Group Scout Leader (Newtown Group).

After the standard business of the AGM, awards were presented by Area Commissioner Roger Eagles as follows:

A presentation was made by Senior Field Commissioner Clive Bracewell on behalf of Jill Gloster, Chief Commissioner of Wales, followed by a presentation on the 2007 Centenary celebrations by District Commissioner Bob Robinson. The evening concluded with a buffet supper.

Area President Mick Bates (left) and Area Commissioner Roger Eagles (right) present Mr Bill Jones with his 40 year long service award.

The Annual General Meeting and Review was held at Abermule Community Centre on Friday 22nd June 2007.

After a welcome and short prayer by Area Chairman Hugh Anton-Stephens, the meeting approved the recommendation by Area Commissioner Roger Eagles that Mick Bates AM be appointed as the new Area President.

After the standard business and appointments of the AGM, long service awards were presented to Bill Jones (40 years) and Mark Woodhouse (10 years). John-Paul Lawrence has also qualified for his 10 year award.

This was followed by a short DVD of the Centenary UK Tour, refreshments and Sectional Meetings.