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.