1st Heyford Park Cub Pack

Having been the Cub Leader at Steeple Aston for 5 years, I took a year out and was then persuaded that Beavers and Cubs would be a good idea at Heyford Park! In 2000 we began the process of setting up a new Scout Group with a Beaver Colony and a Cub Pack.

North Oxfordshire Consortium was very supportive during this period and continues to allow us to use the Activity Centre completely free of all charges. During our set-up period they donated 100 tee-shirts printed with 1st Heyford Park Beavers/Cubs and a full team football strip again printed with Heyford Park. Most recently the N.O.C. has allowed us the funds to purchase a much needed mess tent, at a cost of £1,600.00. The N.O.C. continues to be both supportive and generous. We would not be as successful without their financial backing and are most grateful.

Having begun the process of setting up a new group, I managed to secure the help of Marilyn Casford (now District Secretary) who agreed to act a GSL. Marilyn was a great help in applying the Scouting rules for setting up a new group. Unfortunately, after a few months, ill health prevented Marilyn from continuing her Scouting activities and it is only recently that she has returned to the District as its Secretary. When Marilyn left, it fell to me to help the Group expand.

As Heyford Park had formally been the Upper Heyford Air Base home of the American Air Force, I felt it would be a good idea to use the Air Force colours of light blue with a royal blue edge neckers. Keith Watson of N.O.C. agreed that this was a good idea and so we registered this as our Group colours.
Following the 9/11 disaster Cubs at Heyford Park wrote letters and prayers, which we sent to our nearest American Airbase Commander at Croughton near Bicester. The Commander sent us a thank you letter and on the 1st anniversary of the tragedy one of Heyford Parks Cubs was invited to lay the memorial wreath. We were very proud to be asked and our contacts with the base remained until the departure of the Commander back to America.

Heyford Park also needed ceremonial flags and these were purchased by my husband Michael, who has supported the sections very generously over the years. A small ceremony was held to bless the flags and this was conducted by Rev. Paul Hunt from Fritwell.

The Beaver section was initially run by me until a leader came forward. Unfortunately after a year she moved house and for another year I continued to act as Beaver Leader. We were then lucky enough to have Sian Buckle and her mother Brenda to take over but sadly Brenda died and Sian was unable to continue. For the past 2 years I have been running the Beaver Colony myself with the help of Rebecca Sutherland, James Barclay and more recently Helen Taylor and Dave Rudge. Hopefully, Helen or Dave will feel able to take over as Leader and enable me to give my full attention to the Cub Section.

The Cub Section has gone from strength to strength and this is very pleasing. We currently have 18 Cubs. We try and take part in all the District and County events and activities that are on offer. We also have our own annual events, including the Conkerers Cup every October in which Cubs take part in a conker competition to win an engraved cup to keep. There is an annual maggot racing competition, which is very popular. A competition for those who bite their nails! This takes place every January until Easter when we find a winner from those who no longer bit their nails. In reality, as it is Easter every Cub will be receiving chocolate but they don’t know that!

Cubs are encouraged to attempt as many badge activities as they are able. All Cubs are asked to achieve their First Aid, Personal Safety, Road Safety and Bicycle Maintenance. I feel that these badges are essential for my Cubs. Most Cubs have other hobbies and collections. They are encouraged to bring their collection to Cubs or talk about their hobby. Like them to have presentation prepared for their peers and they are expected to speak and field questions afterwards. This I feel, is a life skill which they could need in their chosen career and practice at giving a presentation in front of a peer group gives confidence to Cubs.

Cubs have given several shows to Parents, including a pantomime, puppet show and variety show. We have at least 3 camps per year and have been to Youlbury, Horley and Bablockhythe many times. We have attended all the District camps and Sixers and Seconders camps.

We have had several coach trips, including Lego land, Cadbury’s World, Oasis Swimming Pool, Swindon and the Gang Show.

I could not hold pack meetings without the loyal support of my Leaders and helpers. These are: Dawn Robinson (my daughter) who is a qualified leader and has her wood beads. Mark Robinson (my son) who is a warranted leader and takes care of all the equipment and puts up and takes down all the tents etc. Sebastian Robinson ACSL, Rebecca Sutherland ACSL and Denise Kings ACSL. All the Leaders have been with Heyford Park Scout Group for a minimum of 5 years.

We hold Leaders meetings for every term to plan a programme and every Leader has an evening to organise with a theme or activity of their choice. Our aims for the Cubs are to improve confidence, respect, good manners, tolerance and build lasting friendships.

The Activity Centre has been managed for the past year by Activeten20 (formerly OAYP). Eddie Lofthouse and Nick Duckett have been very supportive of our Group and we have planned a joint trip with Cubs to Glenborrodale, Scotland for the school half term in April 2007. We often share equipment and resources and the arrangement has worked very well to date.

2007 is a special year for Scouting. We celebrate 90 years of Cubs and 100 years of Scouting. It’s great and appropriate that our new Scout Section started up in January this year. We all wish Nigel, Candy and our new Scout Section every success. We are very proud of the achievements here at Heyford Park.