Things to do

 Another day in wetville not that gardens and fields here don't need it, they most certainly do but not weather for being out in.

There are things you could do such as research an area to explore on foot, noting route, prominent buildings and things you may need with you so at least you'd be ready when things are better.

You could read your books around scouting too which I have a fair number including some old annuals that have tests and quizzes.

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Introducing Rangers

Rangers in Girlguiding are children aged 14 to 18 who meet to hang out, learn new skills, and take part in adventures as they move towards womanhood.

What Rangers Do.

Activities and Badges: Members work on interest badges, skills builders, and top awards like the Ranger Gold Award or the Duke of Edinburgh's Award. 

Leadership and Volunteering: Many Rangers act as Young Leaders, helping run units for younger sections like Rainbows, Brownies, or Guides. 

Travel and Adventure: The section offers local meetups, UK trips, international travel, and outdoor camps. 

Community Action: Girls make a difference by supporting local causes, speaking out on issues they care about, or joining advocacy panels. 

Apart from all of that you hang out together and have fun!

Girlguides core principles

 

As a Guide, members strive to follow these core values:

Respect yourself and others.

Be considerate, honest, and trustworthy.

Be friendly to others.

Make choices for a better world.

Use your time and abilities wisely.

Be thoughtful, optimistic, and live with courage and strength

Alternative uses

 

In former industrial areas, there are often legacies that can be spotted even if the buildings such as many of the former Salt Mines themselves were either demolished or sank beneath the ground.

Here we have the trackbead of the railway that served the salt mines along the Wheelock Rail Trail that would link up to the old North Staffordshire Railway line bringing the salt to the potteries, very much as it was with just the track taken up.

Today people walk it in relative peace and tranquility going around farmland.

The whole route to Ettiley Heath is link to salt.

Out!

 

Roses are a strong memory with me, Grandad was a keen amateur gardener and frequently grow them from cuttings and in this recent extreme weather these two have done well just around a modern housing development locally.

Resting

 

Not the best of starts to the week with a really bad migraine that hasn't completely shifted in three days which isn't new with me as I has this as a child affecting school attendence unless it started in school in which instance I'd be responsibility of the School Nurse and put in the Sick Bay.

It tended to cut into those organized activities too so no guess my mind has been more focused on those times and how I looked as that helps keeping the spirits up.

It came out!

 

It has to be said the recent heatwave weather conditions haven't been kind to any living thing human or natural this survived fairly well.

Taken on the Sony DCS RX 100, it shows the advantage in being able to set the aperture by hand and through that throw the background out of focus so only what we want in focus is.

Eclipse and adventures

On Wednesday we had a Solar Eclipse of the Sun, the sort of thing that no doubt would appeal to many Cub, Scout, Brownie and Girl Guide. 

Certainly at that age space and astronomy were things that interested me at that time and Scouting has for a good while had badges connected with Space.

Recently Mr Socks at the UR Forum made this little cartoon based around the adventures of group of Cubs out exploring where upon they encounter the eclipse.

Their reactions are so realistic.

Camp

 

Camping as depicted by the great twentieth century American artist Norman Rockwell who really understood what scouting was all about.

This was a post from a long gone Tumblr of mine.

Glimpses of the past

 

Very much as we were Cubs and the odd Scout in the legendary Mushroom trousers and buckled belt all nicely lined up in Barrow In Furness, North Lancashire around the 1970's looking smart.

"Give it to him!"

 

A past in an era where legally at least I was an adult but still had some connections to Scouting as a movement Cubbery wasn't so far removed from where it was during the 70's when one first encounted, these cubs and scouts from Oswaldtwistle, Lancashire are enjoying a authorized pillow fight rather than the sort some of us had in our school dorms!

So long for another year

 

The end for another year or so, the majestic scenery notwithstanding the heatwaves that have caused issues in many other areas with loss of grassland will be remembered.

This break helped taking my mind off other more troubling matters while the fresh air helped my breathing alot.

Baa

 

Just tucking into grass and unlike much of England the grass was a lush green wather than badly scorched with the recent heatwaves so they didn't require additional feed.

Many sheep and lambs roam free in this part of Lancashire, so much so you have look when you're driving in case they've strayed to sides of roads.

Jubilee Tower

On the drive in I stopped at Over Wyresdale in the Trough of Bowland to stretch my legs and enjoy the views such as Jubilee Tower which is a folly.

The Jubilee Tower is situated on the edge of the Forest of Bowland and has stood there battling all weathers for nearly 140 years. 

It was built in 1887 by James Harrison, a successful shipbuilder, to celebrate the Golden Jubilee of Queen Victoria. 

Morecambe Bay

 

Morecambe Bay is famed for it's sandy beaches and the shifting sands as surprisingly there are period when you can walk from end to end across them so long as you are mindful of when the Tides change as sadly a fair number have lost their lives due to that.

A basic requirement of traditional electricity generation is water so many are often sites near rivers or coasts and here is Heysham Nuclear Reactor recent having its operating period extend for a few years just opposite the side of the coast where I was staying.

At the far right hand side you'll spot the more modern Wind Turbines.

Westmorland

 We're away today.

One of my favourite trails is Jenny Brown's Point,Silverdale just on the Lancashire/Westmorland Border circling the coast.

This is lovely trail from Hollins Lane, along the side of Leighton Moss, then onto the shore, it can be muddy, so you really need your boots on. 

This walk starts in woodland and then there is some pleasant estuary walking, some road and beach. If you venture further, you can go through the Jack Scout nature reserve which is a cliff that provides some excellent seascape views. 

The "Pepper Pot"

 

The Queen Victoria Jubilee Monument in Silverdale, Lancashire. Nestled in the ancient Eaves Wood, this quirky 20-foot tall stone tower sits atop Castlebarrow Hill and offers sweeping, panoramic views of Morecambe Bay and the surrounding countryside.

Getting set

 

As I get to go away on Friday, here is a good example of the kind of landscape I'll be seeing in Westmorland this weekend as explored by some local scouts.

A Sports Day?

 

Sports Day might also be on a group’s summer bucket list, but why not ditch the egg and spoon for a Sports Day with a twist?

Do a space themed sports day 

Host your own mini olympics

Organize a Highland Games event

Try some tennis activities

Play some footgolf

Remember to take time to warm up and cool down before and after playing.

Scram!

 

Imagine a celebration of Cubs with loads of activities, non stop music showing all it has to offer you?

Well a few years back in Surrey, South East England well that's what they did cos there are times we're not so good at sharing that message and that it's the start of an adventure that'll carry on as you grow with fresh things to do and fresh challenges along the way.

Rudyard Lake

Today we're looking at an often overlook gem here.

Rudyard Lake provides some of the most dramatic scenery to be found in the Staffordshire Moorlands near the market town of Leek and over 500,000 visitors come to her shores each year.

The Lake covers some 168 acres and is over 2.5 miles long on which you can take a round trip aboad and where there are facilities such as at ea room.

It is owned by the Canal & River Trust and the commercial leisure activities are managed by Rudyard Lake Ltd.

The Lake was built as a reservoir in 1797. Indeed even to this day the Lake still supplies the canal system for which it was designed and remains an active working reservoir.

The Lake is the place where Rudyard Kipling’s parents first met, where Captain Webb, the first channel swimmer, came to demonstrate his skills and where The African Blondin (Carlos Trower) appeared several times amazing the crowds 30m above the Lake on a tightrope.

You can go canoeing.

It was at one point a resort served by the local railway with tea parties and arts events taking place.

Rudyard was visited by the Novelist George Orwell in the mid ninteen thirties enroute for the coal mines across this part of Staffordshire before moving to Lancashire for his social study The Road To Wigan Pier examining the appalling conditions of people in the Midlands and North of England during what was dubbed the Great Depression.

The Rudyard Lake Steam Railway is a Victorian style narrow gauge steam railway which gives a delightful three mile return trip from the free car park at Rudyard Station along the side of Rudyard Lake on a line originally built by the North Staffordshire Railway company

The track guage is 10.35 inches and the rolling stock of former Isle of Mull Railway, including engines Frances, Victoria and Glen Auldyn in the fleet.

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.

The Girl Guide Annual

I spent much of 1982/3 outside school on various trips and parades where you encountered the species, the Girl Guide who was the female equal of a Scout.

As with all branches within Scouting and much else to do with children and young people back then you had annuals which you'd get for Christmas so we'll take a look at one.

The "This annual belongs to bit" is quite important as back then we did share things so you'd stick your name and maybe that of who gave it  as a reminder. As was normal then you always sent a Thank You note to that person!

Annuals of this sort are meant to be inspiring so we have an article on the Silver Fish Award, Ice Craving,looking after Tropical fish (I had tropical fish-keeping them and cats apart was fun!), brass rubbing, trees and the history of bicycles with tips to stay safe.

As you might expect there is a couple of inspiring stories but not as many as you'd get in a Brownies annual reflecting the girls ages and unlike Scouts annuals tehre are tips on making making your own clothes, hair and personal care, weaving and cookery.

There is a article about Guiding in The Gambia as with Scouts, Girl Guiding does operate beyond the U.K. and transitioning to Rangers, the 14-18 program back then looking at what you'd expect.

It is well pitched for the age group and does reflect what Gitl Guiding was about them whereas today there is more around environmental activism and girls rights.

Llandudno

 

There are few places in the UK that really match the polished but not uber commercialized appeal of Llandudno, North Wales with something for those of all ages, the attractive hotels overlooking the beach, the geographic features of the Great and Little Orme and even Alice in Wonderland.

Here we can see the Cenotaph listing the war dead with flower displays in front.

Rainforest Day

 

This week in Scouts we're think about the Rainforest  which is one the most important climates on planet earth for us and to which over the last few decades has been decimated for highways, agriculture, specifically cattle raising for fast food and building new settlements often at the expense not just of the enivoronment which matters a lot but also for the natives of this part of Brazil.

Losing your land, your food source and culture as yours going back thousands of years to a mainly european imported one from the sixteenth century that has survived through isolation from the mainstream is sad.

In scouts many will be encouraged to play in a game role playing and through that learning about what's happening, how that impacts all and what can be done about it.

Rainforest-rescue

Knots

 

Knots are one thing that most of us recall being taught in Scouts and Guides as "Gorilla Glue" as useful as that is today has it's limits so know how to make each knot and what each is best for so we make the right choice.

This is a lovely colourful collection of properly made knots.

Swimming

 In scouts we do swim and this is very popular with cubs which is as well as an Island country with many lakes and canals being able to swim really is important to your welfare.

Swimmer Staged Activity BadgesThe badge requirements scale as the Cubs get older and more capable:Stages 1 & 2: Focus on basic water confidence, entering and exiting safely, blowing bubbles, and moving short distances with aids.

Stage 3: Requires independent swimming (15 metres on front/back), treading water for 15 seconds, and safe diving or entering.

Stages 4 & 5: Progressively increase distance (e.g., up to 200m or 400m depending on the stage), refine strokes, and teach advanced survival skills.

Many groups hold sessions or Gala's which you can take part in at the appropriate and age and level in your district competing for cups which I did as a youngster.

It also is an equalizer for those with physical disabilities as one your in the water nothing can stop you.

Peeping out

 

Wherever the soil and conditions are right things will grow and this is true of lane that run alongside the canal where there is soil so these flowers just shot up a few days agoin among other vegetation.

 

A view

 

Looking towards lock 54 with have on the left cottages built for those on the canal in the late ninteenth century while on the right what were privately owned fields were developed in nineteen nineties with some gardens going to the edge of the canal.

While an attempt was made to kepe buildings more in keeping with the rest of development, nonetheless it does intrude on the scene.

That sinking feeling

The drops in the level of the landscape show with the stream feeding the River Wheelock in the background where subsidence has and is continuing to have an impact in the area.

Three streets including a Pub and a Salt Works collapsed into the ground and a number of properties a good half mile away are "underpinned" as during construction in the 1970's started to sink apart from twists and turns in our roads and pavements.

You need to be on your guard as pathways have had sink holes - I encountered one in the mid 1990's - and a dog had to be rescued too.
 

Foxgloves

 

The Foxglove was a constant summer companion growing up wherever we lived  from the lanes we walked to school to the streams and canalside.

It was also on the great summer reminder list at school of things not to do like jumping in pools, scrumping apples from the orchard by the school because if it gets in you it is poisionous apart from being very popular with bees which you don't want anywhere near your shorts legs.

These were just coming out near a canal lock by the start of an official walkway that does have the odd seat at regular intervals of you legs are needing a rest.

It reminds of a slide I took in 1996 at Hassall Green on a walk on my trusty Minolta XD7 manual focus film camera carrying tripod in bag.

Out and proud

 

The last few days have been a bit cooler and actually wet unlike last week which is probably as well given the ground was starting to get rather solid which isn't much good for growing things or for things that came out this time of year such as wild flowers.

Unlike yesterday when I got up I didn't see the odd honey bee about.

Recharging the batteries

 

A quiet morning before everybody is on the move you know just beyond the bridge somebody is moored up and will be planning to be using the facilities here on what's a beautiful morning aiming to cover several miles.

Others go through along the towpath such as cyclists, and joggers of which there are a good number around here of all ages and both sexes and dog walkers too so often you'll find yourself in conversation with others.

Getting things about

 

One way of getting your feed and that to the allotment where earlier on in the week the horses were based in but I suspect part the reason for moving them was the field they went to had better shade from the extremely hot heat and sunshine that given we're now in June there will be more of.

Buildings by the cut

 Canalside architecture is interesting, some was built for those who came "ashore" perhaps finding life onboard a narrowboat "barge" designed mainly for transporting goods with space for sleeping and eating at a premium just too much as they got older.

Others were built by the canal company for its employes providing services such as looking afte the many locks that enabled the narrowboats to navigate the ups and downs of the local terrain as it affected the canal system.

This is one such one, converted over time into a private residence, looking great on a warm sunny day.

The neighbours

 

Well in the early hours of the day we did get out this weekend before it got unbearable with extreme heat and humidity  on a walk across the area armed with liquids where in realatively undeveloped batch between the edges of two settlements this horse was out grazing.

The previous day it was in a different field so I was surprised to see it and its mate out but there was a bit more shade to be had there.

The things we do...

 

One thought you might have is "What's this doing here?"

Organizing any event takes a lot of people and a fair number of groups and providers and that's where our Scouts come in as they don't just have fun, earn their badges they do things for real that show their abilities.

And what we do is marshall the car parking collecting fees, seeing people are parked properly in lines and can actually get out without much faff so just think of all the skill sets they are using and developing while also showing we're very much a part of the community.

In a week where lack of skills in being able to get and hold down a job have been talked about here in the media and people in business and politics we are actually doing something that will help.

On the hike

 

On the hike can mean different things but a hike through a wood or forest is very different than through a field and requires a bit more preporation  as they may be insects whose bites may cause issues and some vegetation can cause at least irritation of not stinging or infection so you need to have tablets with you and definately a working mobile phone in case further assistance is needed.

An intrusion?

 

A modern sight on a scouts outing, checking websites, especially social media while away and before anyone says it no you can't remove access to a phone for safeguarding reasons as children have a right to report anything they feel isn't right to bodies such as Childine free from being overseen or intimidation.

I do feel a plain 4g phone would meet these needs but reduce the intrusion of social media when we are trying to get away from things and enjoy being out in country, focussed very much on making our adventure.

The uniform debate

Things are different in 2026 compared with 1986 or 1970 when it comes to both what's available to wear for more casual out of doors activities when back then often it was cast offs from our sunday best or school uniform unless it involved winter hikes that might of had some bought especially kit like boots, thick wollen socks and the like.

What you wore in Scouts while away did differ, there werre many among the leaders who having served in the service were more for Uniform at all times, believing it a desirable discipline in its own right  and today where only the  more formal activities might require it (and things like caps aren't a thing anymore in the Scout Association).

While I'm pragmatically minded not least for some of us who know how dressing can be difficult, somehow modern pictures of such occassions just don't have the same sense of smartness or even purpose when jeans or track suit bottoms are in (and there's nothing like wet denim for feeling cold).

Sometimes I feel we ought not to feel akward about wishing to stand out and be recognized in the community dressed in a practical rather than "cool" way with review after review.