Posts by: Philip McGaw

Christmas post 2015 – how did we do?

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Thank you to everyone who made this another successful year

The Scout post has raised £2224.54 for 1st Swindon Sea Scouts.

Sales of stamps were bustling at Morrisons with 10,082 stamps sold, sorting was frantic and confusing at times at Shaw Ridge (especially for those not being experts in Swindon streets!) and deliveries of 6,151 cards kept in good order in Haydon Wick by Bryan supported by members of the Beavers, Cubs, Scout and Explorer sections, leaders, parents and carers.

Working with the other groups in North Swindon District and Swindon Ridgeway District for every stamp we sold we earned 10p and for every card delivered we received 17p.

Stamp selling therefore raised £1081.20 and deliveries raised £1045.67.

We also received £97.67 from donations whilst selling the stamps.

The 1st Swindon Exec and all of the members of scouting in Swindon would like to thank Morrisons for allowing us to sell stamps again and everyone for their help and time in supporting the sales of stamps, sorting of the envelopes and delivery of all of the cards.

Happy New Year!

This now just leaves us to wish you a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year and see you all in 2016!

Working with Swindon College

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The Wick’s Community Challenge Certificate

Students from Swindon College on two different courses came together in 2013 to help renovate part of The Wick.

Eight students on Building Craft Occupations and Wood Trades courses carried out the work. Areas which were improved included the main door and entrance area, the outside signage, kitchen and toilet areas including the floors, walls and units. Please see below some of the photos of the work carried out. We are very appreciative of the help and support from Swindon College

Link to article in Swindon Link magazine

Defense Academy Sailing Club Supports local Sea Scouts

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Wg Cdr Tom Whittingham, Chairman of the Defense Academy Sailing Club, recently arranged for 2 of the club’s Laser 2 dinghies to be donated to the local 1st Swindon Sea Scout Group.

The Scout Group, headed by Stephen Iles, sail at Bowmoor Sailing Club and were thrilled with the donation that will considerably boost their capacity to develop the sailing abilities of the 1st Swindon Sea Scouts, Swindon Explorer Sea Scouts and Black Pearl Network – indeed the boats were put to use immediately as part of a 24 hour sailing marathon.

The boats were handed over to Stephen Iles, Richard Iles and Richard King at the Defence Academy on 12 Jun2 by Wg Cdr Tom Whittingham, Cdr Sarah Johns (Athletics Union Secretary), Sqn Ldr Andy Mockford and Lt Col Steve Williams.

From Defense Academy News

Network Rail provide Highvis

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First Swindon Sea Scouts has received a package of orange high visibility clothing, part of a project by Network Rail to donate over 1600 pieces of surplus kit to organisations such as scout groups, schools and railway heritage groups.

Robbie Burns, Network Rail’s Western Route Director, said, “This scheme will not only benefit the First Swindon Sea Scouts, but also other charities, and will avoid the needless waste of vital safety equipment.”

Rail workers across the West Country have been collecting their surplus kit, including high visibility vests, jackets, body warmers and coats that were no longer needed, as the company has gradually introduced its own branded equipment.

Bryan McGaw, Explorer Leader for First Swindon Sea Scouts, said, “It’s great that organisations such as Network Rail are able to put old kit to such good use. We have already used the donated jackets and vests as part of cycle training.”

From Railway People

Haydon Wick Sea Scouts raise Money for Charity

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SEA Scouts have raised a fantastic £700 for the Swindon Cancer Appeal.

The First Swindon Sea Scouts based at Haydon Wick marched and rowed under cloudy skies before putting on a spectacular fun-day at a sailing club in Lechlade.

For many of the Scouts, the day began at 8am outside Asda Wal-Mart in North Swindon where they prepared their canoes for the long march to the River Thames at Cricklade, which took two hours, before rowing their boats to Lechlade and then marching to a fun day at the Bowmoor Sailing Club.

Mike, assistant scout leader and one of the organisers of the event, said: “Despite the weather, everyone had a great time.”

The scouts raised £1,400 in total, half of which will go to the cancer appeal and half to the group’s own funds.

So far, the Swindon Cancer Appeal has raised just more than £132,000, in the past few months with the grand total close to £750,000. The Swindon Cancer Appeal is also hoping to provide a training post for a Macmillan specialist breast care cancer nurse. In addition we want to provide a training post for another nurse specialising in gastrointestinal cancer.

For more information about the Swindon Cancer Appeal call the appeal office on 01793 432252 or 01793 432253.

From HaydonWick in touch