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.
 

World Password Day

There can be little denying that unlike previous generations of girlguides and scouts, computer and smartphone use is front and centre in their social lives however future usage may be shaped by 16 and under social media polices being considered by the U.K. Government and others in Europe.

From that it's entirely understandable that both wings of Scouting in the U.K. do talk about and have in their programs for children sections covering the Internet and Computer usage looking at bothe opportunities the internet provides and awareness of the risks we all face.

May 7th was World Password Day which was used by some to discuss and practise setting strong passwords in Scouts.

In the earlier days of the internet which I dare say some of us recall keeping our accounts such as email accounts and that of any sites we used was focussed on a single strong password that had upper and lower case characters, numbers and punctuation not just "password" or "123456".

Modern thinking around online security has changed as computer programs used by people who want access to accounts to exploit for fraud and such like automatically run though thousands of combinations to the belief that a a specific pass though you have created is harder to break provided it has at least several words in it.

The choice of suitably hard to crack ones is the kind of thing that would be discussed and how frequent we should change them.

Getting about

 
 That dash across the ground can cause me the odd cramp or two if I'm out which I have been between the odd shower or two this week where grass has been mowed which does nothing for my hay fever but still you do it for the buzz you get from a sense of achieving something.

When you spent part your early life  in a wheelchair and struggled when upright, setting yourself a target and going the distance really means something even if I may need to rest for a short while afterwards.

Rest

 

Despite what the weather forecast said, actually it was quite pleasant to be out yesterday so after a few chores I was out taking a gentle stroll in our local green spaces taking in the fresh air and sun watching the hedge sparrows, pigeons, butterlies and odd bee about.

Beeston Castle, Cheshire

 You don't have to travel far around these parts to see some great sites or experience fantastic scenery on a good hike.

Beeston Castle is perched on a rocky sandstone crag 350 feet above the Cheshire Plain and boasting spectacular views that on a clear day stretch from the Pennines to the Welsh mountains you can discover the castle's 4,000-year history and explore the 40-acre woodland park.

It's popular with Guides and Scouts apart from school trips which I remember well being close to the Shropshire, Cheshire border.

At the Castle you can climb to the top of the castle and peer down into the spiraling well below.

One of the deepest castle wells in England, it is steeped in legend as the hiding place of Richard II's lost treasure has been missing for centuries and is thought it was buried in the Castle well in 1399, however, despite many attempts to find it, it remains missing.

Exploring

 

Spring is a time for exploring, ideally in a small group along paths and on to your destination with supplies well packed.

Just remember to have a map, compass, a fully charged mobile phone with all your important contacts entered and your senses fully on. 

Out and about

 

It's a bank holiday Monday here, a bit warmish but what are YOU doing?

I find being indoors especially if it involves staring for long hours at the Chromebooks screen isn't good for either getting to sleep later, my miagraines or general well being so I've been out to the tow path and adjacent countryside.

Apart from fresh air - and the tendency to burn things here results in bad air often - I find it helps to get to notice more gradual changes, the movements of birds, various species of butterfly hovering about apart from enjoying the meadows on what was a former industrial site.

Shooting up

 

Things are very much coming up here and things have been planted in the far edges of the area where moving from the built up to open countryside is abrupt, terracotta brick to greens.

It's a windy, rather warm day sat out enjoying the views and that conbination of what you get in vast conurbation and the access to green spaces, nay countryside makes for a good balence.

Erasmus+ is back!

 

When we left the European Union in 2020 following the 2019 General Election it had consequencies beyond trade and travel and one was the Erasmus program that allows for inter-Europe youth exchange programs to study and broaden depth of understanding between young people across the continent.

It didn't strictly speaking had to - arrangement to pay in could of been made - but politics and postering by interested parties put an end to that.

Fortunately there has been a change of heart and it is being restored.

This is great news for international movements like Scouting supporting international exchanges, joint projects and discussions that explore global issues. This aligns directly with Scouts Association strategy and ambition to be a place to belong, where young people feel connected not just locally, but globally too.

It also supports our commitment to helping young people engage with the world around them, understanding different cultures and their role in creating a better future. 

Moving on be learning to be "Part of the team"

 

What could be more fun than learning to plan, see through and complete a project in the great outdoors discovering new skills like leadership, being engage from the get go in it rather than just letting others set the pace, stepping up to offer to do something?

These kinds of things are very much what we need to do so to do this, outside while having a fun time is just so useful.

People can't help being set less than good examples but we can help change that and change those peoples lives.

St Georges Edition

Yesterday was St. Georges Day which was something that was marked in school when I was younger and is in Girlguiding and Scouts.

We celebrate St George’s Day because Baden-Powell chose St George to be the patron saint of Scouts. He wanted St George’s Day to be a time to reflect on the Scout Promise and what it means to be a Scout.

Many groups run competitions, talk about the life of St George and even march!

Here's one group of cubs out parading from a few years back with our Standard.

Earth Day

Today is Earth Day which is an annual global event celebrated on April 22 to demonstrate support for environmental protection, featuring over a billion people in nearly 200 countries. Founded in 1970 to combat pollution, it focuses on climate action, sustainability, and conservation through activities like tree planting, cleanups, and advocacy. 

This is something marked in Scouts and Girl Guiding

What is the theme of Earth Day in 2026?

The theme of Earth Day 2026 is “Our Power, Our Planet.” It highlights the urgent need to accelerate the shift to renewable energy and empower individuals to take action for a sustainable future.

Intergrating disabled children, their schools and scouting

One running sore growing up was the disconnect between school programs for those of us with disabilities and those in the wider community as often it seemed they were almost two different countries apart neither knowing of and about each other to our detriment.

It might be things like Swimming Clubs with sessions specifically for the disabled and access to disability swimming competitions in your region or across the whole country, Holiday clubs where you could get involved in things with support be they days out arts and crafts or sports or Scouting which strangely enough in my experience is seldom mentioned to you.

It does appear today some in the world of what is termed "Special Needs Education" are getting together with Scouting because some issues stem from our past experience of being excluded or just not wanted so we don't seek out things are available and those we look for to help us with such as school just don't have the knowledge.

Some schools now are working on things like creating activities related to just those at a school such such as in Explorers where because the program is centred more around individual independence you actually need more assistance with than say in Cubs or Scouts where things tend to more pack based.

Evidence has shown an offer can lead to more movement of those individuals toward getting involved within the mainstream scouting activities such as activity days and camps where staff at the school join scout leaders delivering which is the ultimate goal.

Few of us want to be segregated from mainstream activities especially when you're young but we do need assistance and leg up to get involved.

Schools doing this find not only does it help children and young people but it is often singled out for praise by the schools inspectorate OFSTED, for the difference it makes given the idea of special schools is to meet those needs that a mainstream school with some adjustments simply cannot.

Let's bridge the gap between the sectors and help disabled children and young adults make the most of their lives.

Locks

Canals in many ways were the information superhighway of the eighteenth and nineteenth century enabling goods, often mass produced to get to markets and ports.

Staffordshire, my home county was very much at the centre of the Industrial Revolution with coal, iron ore, clay all together enabling iron works, coal and pottery production to take place on a vast scale,

Here on Bratch Lock on the Staffordshire and Worcestershire canal we see one of the many locks you had to navigate along the way as a barge driver taking your wares on behald of the company you worked for.

Ready for summer

 

Almost over, the local bluebells will be back this time next year.

Fun Day

 

As we exit Easter, here's an example of an event held that sounds like a load of fun

On the hunt...

 

Friday and we're off for a weekend of fun involving a Egg Hunt if we can keep pesky ants away from the sweet chocolate, quizzes and outdoor games.

They may well a pause on Monday as my hands rather swollen at times and so not up to typing.

Enroute

Making plans to be away for a few days so they may be a gap in publishing while these two might well of been off to camp, which I wouldn't blame being the sort that lives fun and games outdoors and camp fires.

We may even have one.

The Scouts Bunny Bash!

 This is being assembled Easter Day between some storm damage so things are a bit hetic.

Anyway many Scout groups around the world do have what I'd call whole events days that cover making Easter connected arts and crafts things like bonnets, bunnies (never can have enough bunnies!) egg decoration and various games.

This one poster from American Girl Scouts showing the sort of event day that can be done with a bit of planning and goodwill. Obviously you do have a "Plan B" should rain or be windy outdoors.

That to me sounds very much like FUN!

Easter fun

 

Easter is with us and so across the Easter weekend scouts up and down the country will be holding Easter Egg hunts often with a prize.

Running around looking anywhere within the target area fur them is just fun and I just love it!