Following the good news that schools and shops are opening again following the fall in Covid-19 case numbers and the roll-out of the vaccine, 1st Little Stoke Scout Group are getting ready to welcome children and leaders to meetings at their headquarters off Rossall Avenue, next to the children’s play area in Little Stoke Park.
The group is open to children who wish to join from 5.9 years to 14 years. There are three sections: Beavers 5.9 years to 8 years, Cubs 8 years to 10 years and Scouts 10 to 14 years. Any child who has a parent willing to help the leadership team will not have to join the waiting list and can start immediately.
Our leaders are busy people with full diaries, but they find the time to enrich and develop the local boys and girls who are looking for an outlet for their enthusiasm and wish to do something constructive and fun with their leisure time.
One such leader at Little Stoke is Irishman Simon Guy. Simon hails from Belfast and came to Little Stoke via Greece with his wife and three children, two girls and a boy. Simon as a boy was a Cub in Belfast at 1st Ballymacash and then a Scout and Explorer at 74th Belfast. Many years ago now – but Simon has really good memories of camps and friendships to this day.
Simon joined the 1st Little Stoke Scout Group because he wanted to put something back. He fondly remembers his days of being a Cub, Scout and Explorer. He said that had been possible only due to others giving their time. He didn’t think it was fair that he expected others to do that for his kids whilst he sat at home, so decided to get involved at Little Stoke and support his children.
Scouting has provided Simon with new experiences. From kayaking in Bristol’s floating harbour and cooking a skate and cockles at camp, there have been many. Simon really enjoys seeing the confidence and resourcefulness of the young people grow during their time with Little Stoke Scouts. He also says he has seen his and other children make many friends and learn to work as a team. Simon remarked that seeing a teenager exist for a week without a phone is a real collector’s item!
Simon is looking for others to bring along their children and get involved. He says:
“Come along and see what we get up to. Before I got involved in 1st Little Stoke it had been a very long time since I had last camped. I was nervous at the start, the Scouts and other leaders made it easy though – and I am really glad that I got over my nerves. We all bring something different to the team – no need to be the next Bear Grylls! There is a role for everybody and no special skills are required – only a desire to have fun.”
If you think that you and your children (you can of course be involved if you have no children!) would like to be involved, contact Group Scout Leader Tony Edmonds at tonyedmonds108@yahoo.com or call 07957 880503.
Tony says:
“We are a friendly team and will give you a warm welcome, Scouting will cost you nothing – uniform and training are provided.”
“Good fun and new friendships guaranteed everybody is welcome, male or female 18 to 108 years old.”
“Bear Grylls, the Chief Scout, said: “Scouting plays a fundamental role in the lives of thousands of young people, giving them skills and hope for the future. That is now more vital than ever.”
“We have a long waiting list of many young people wanting to join but we can only let them join with the help of people like Simon and yourself. Do something positive today and pick up the phone or send that email to get involved.”
This article originally appeared in the March/April 2021 issue of the Stoke Gifford Journal magazine (on pages 26 & 27). The magazine is delivered FREE, nine times a year, to over 5,000 homes in Stoke Gifford, Little Stoke and Harry Stoke. Phone 01454 300 400 to enquire about advertising or leaflet insertion.
