Butterton

 

Newsflash! The Peak District isn't only in Derbyshire, a good chunk is to be found in the Staffordshire Moorlands and this idyllic place is Butterton, a village extremely fortunate not lost anyone during both World Wars.

The stone properties are very typical of this mainly agricultural area.

Welcome to Egypt!

 

You can see the world around here without going very far because just out of the town of Biddulph, there is a Country Park and absolutely amazing Biddulph Grange Gardens with plants that are just out of this world, literally having been collected and planted to give an impression of whole countries with structions that enhance it.

Here we are at the entrance to Egypt with two big cats.

Biddulph Moor

 

Picture credits: Mark Swindles.

Sunset over Biddulph Moor, like chunks of this area part urbanized though industry and yet part rural, it has a particular charm of it's own such as the granite rocks and views which were well captured in this picture.

Nature it must be said is lovely in the Staffordshire Moorlands, and that's not me sticking up for my backyard, many outsiders have said as much with hills, farmland and even Wallabies in the far north.

Some of that industry, coal mining has ceased although its legacies can be found, some replaced by modern tech and service industies that support a village with many facilities just a couple of miles from the town, which is part of our vast highly urban sprawl running through "The Potteries" and Newcastle Under Lyme.

It's very fortunate for Guides and Scouts here to have such a resource "on tap".

Timbersbrook

 

Timbersbrook is a popular area for short walks and picnicing near Bosley just on Congleton Edge forming the boundary between that part of Cheshire and Biddulph here in Staffordshire.

It bisects the Gritstone Trail and the Cloud, a pleasant short walk 

While today it may seem unspoilt unlike much of this area from industrialization actually it has a industrial past like much of the adjacent Staffordshire Moorlands.

The tall chimney of the Silver Springs Bleaching and Dyeing Works could be seen for miles around before it was demolished by Blaster Bates in 1966. Today Timbersbrook Picnic Area is a peaceful spot where families can picnic on the edge of young woodland.

The towns of Leek, Congleton and Macclesfield were centres for silk production with many mills.

Water from Timbers Brook was once used to power the silk mill and the old Mill Pool is now a locally important breeding pond for toads.

The Cloud

 

 One place many in Scouts here do visit is The Cloud, near Bosley, Congleton, Cheshire with a distance of around a mile and a half it's not too taxing but a great introduction.

The Cloud, often referred to as Bosley Cloud, is a well-known gritstone rise close to Congleton, sitting on the boundary between Cheshire and Staffordshire. 

Many people valued for its wide-reaching views and is cared for by the National Trust. 

The hill is a popular destination for walkers, forming part of the Gritstone Trail, and features a trig pillar and viewing indicator at the top. A network of footpaths leads to the summit from nearby locations such as Timbersbrook.

Explorers II

Part of the changes in Explorers reflects the breath of the program and awards you can work towards.

The new Explorers Democracy Activity Badge has been added reflecting more the changes in the involvement of children in the democratic process across the UK with voting in Wales and Scotland at 16+ and being able to stand for election at 18 learing how voting happens, peoples rigths and responsibilites

Part of the revamp involves topics such STEM which now going to have an Award in its own right reflecting it's emportantance not least in further eductaion and employment.

Explorers (Post 1,350)

Recently a following a review with input from 14-18 year olds, revisions were announced within Scouts Explorers effecting awards and resource materials

The core Explorer Scout (ages 14–18) uniform remains the classic beige/stone-colored button-down shirt or blouse. While a major rebrand and introduction of new badges (focusing on AI, digital skills, and mental well-being) were recently launched, the official uniform requirements haven't fundamentally changed, maintaining the traditional base layers.

Core Uniform ElementsTop: The classic beige long or short-sleeved shirt (or blouse) with an embroidered Scouts Fleur de Lis on the sleeve. Stretchy cotton-polyester blends are available to improve comfort and fit.

Scarf (Necker): Paired with your specific Unit or Group scarf.Bottoms: Official navy blue Scout activity trousers or skirt.Belt: Official Scout leather or vegan belt with the brass buckle.

The emphasis on planning for your awards such as the Kings Award and the more individual style of the unit does aid that awkward transition from school or college to employment both by what the individual has done and by being able to see planning, taking responsiblility and achieving when they mention this in interview.