Troop Thank You Meal
17th December 2004
PLs & SPLs who Organised the Event
SPL - Toby Ayre's Speech
So, another very successful year here at PG Scouts has passed, and I think I'll start off by running through some of the things that we get up to.
Toby Ayre
Click here
for Photos of 2004 Troop Dinner
As usual, we started of the year with some training weekends back in the cold months of January. Then, in February, there was the district cooking competition which PG won. The team then expanded to four members: Harry Ayre, Mark Courtier, Rhys Howell, and me, Toby Ayre, as we moved on to the county competition where we came second. We then went on to the regional cooking competition in Glousteshire for the South and South West of England. We came third overall, so congratulations to the team. Also in February, there was the swimming gala which PG won for the ninth year in a row! Well done to everyone who participated
In March, PG held the annual pantomime, Dick Wittington. This was a great success, and a lot of hard work went into it, with writing and photocopying the script, building the stage, and of course the rehearsals. Thank you in particular to Raksha who was the director.
In May, the annual troop camp was held in a very muddy field in Holyport. The winning patrol was Panthers by more than 100 points. Little did Oli, the PL know that it was a set up to get him to go on summer camp.
The annual summer fair in June was very successful, and the tombola alone raised £350. we had 100% turnout from all scouts, except those playing in a match, or those on a school trip. Thank you to everyone who helped with that.
This year, our annual summer camp was held on Bodmin Moor in Cornwall. We camped for two weeks, and we were joined by a Cornish patrol, run by two of PG's young leaders, Andrew Wilcox & James Dorell, as most of the scouts had never camped before. Some of the activities we did were hiking, going to the beach, go-karting, visiting the local caverns, mountain biking, water sports, and visiting the Eden Project. This year we had an epidemic in camp, a bug that went round eight people including two leaders. A diabolo craze was started, and lots of scouts bought diabolos at the beach. Some scouts got quite good at it. This years winning patrol was Cobras. The camp was a great success, and most people had a great time.
Other events that PG Scouts have taken part in this year are:
· Football comp - Juniors 3rd Seniors 2nd
· X-Country - won
· Orienteering - won: Mark Courtier + James Kirk
· Longridge water sports weekend
· Cycle Orienteering - 2nd
· JOTI/JOTA
· Night hike
PG also took part in the St Georges day parade. We turned out in full force, and very enthusiastic about the event, only to find out that there was no trophy to be won as the dragon had been killed many years earlier by a scout named George.
The Scouts have done very well this year, and have won ¾ of the district events, and have come in the top two in the other events. Very well done to the scouts.
Of course, as well as the events that PG runs and takes part in, a lot is done behind the scenes eg. Photocopying, stage building etc. All this couldn't have been possible without the help of all the people sitting here tonight, and of course, the leaders.
Firstly, I would like to thank John Bannerman for cooking all of the food here tonight. It's not easy preparing and cooking a 3 course meal for 100 people! John has also been helped by Bob Weingarth and Chris Parker, so if Bob, Chris and John would like to come up and receive a token of our appreciation.
Finally, there is Simon, who, as you know, does far more than just coming up and helping with the meeting on Friday's. Simon does an unbelievable amount for the troop, much of it behind the scenes eg. Managing the website. Simon is the main driving force behind the troop. So, if Simon could come up and receive his token of appreciation from us.
The reason all of you have been invited here is because of the help that you have given to the Scout section of PG in particular. And I think everyone here deserves a round of applause. The Scouts for their achievements at district events, and all of you for all your help
Once again, thank you, and we look forward to seeing you all here next year, hopefully after an even more successful 2005. Goodnight.
SPL