64th Birkenhead Sea Scouts

February 4th/ 5th - RN Swimming Gala

Last year was a busy one; what with an early RN inspection and Gangshow, missing the 2005 gala as a result. This year we again sent a team of leaders and Scouts to compete in the annual RN event held at HMS Raleigh, the Royal Navy's Phase 1 training establishment. As well as the gala, in which teams compete for the coveted Otter Trophy, there were numerous other activities which took place over the course of the weekend.

March 10th - District 999 Competition

As in previous years, this took place at the Birkenhead District HQ with teams from each group competing. The aim of the competition is to assess the way in which teams respond to a variety of first aid situations. Last time we came 2nd but this time the Scouts walked away with 1st place!

March 18th - Distric Skills Weekend

This was in essence an essential skills training event held on McAllester field in Birkenhead. The day was split in to two halves; the first being hands-on practial training and the latter, a competition. Some of the activity bases on offer were:

• Patrol tents
• Axes and saws
• Map reading
• Pioneering

April 9th - District Golf Competition

Once again, this annual golf event was hosted by Harrison Drive Golf Club. Well done to Richard for being a budding Tiger Woods and gaining 1st place. Well done also to Sam and Edd for coming joint 4th.

April 22nd - County 999 Competition

This is a larger version of the district 999 competition in which the winning teams (usually) from each district in the county of Merseyside compete against each other. As with the district event, the aim is to assess the teams response to a number of emergency situations. Our team came 2nd but went on to compete at the North West Regional Lord Derby.

April 23rd - St. Georges Day Parade

This was the first true parade in several years thanks to a turn around in policy. The parade was marched off from McAllester field and finished at Trinity With Palm Grove church for the service. During the service, the traditional receiving of the colours and renewal of the promise took place.

More about St. George and St. George's Day

May 12th - District Orienteering Competition

The idea of orienteering is to find all the check points on an unfamiliar course, with the aid of a map and compass, as quickly as possible. The event was held, as in previous years, at Royden Park, Frankby. The Scouts competed in 4 man teams against others from around the district.

May 13th - NW Regional Lord Derby Competition

The host county for this years North West Regional Lord Derby was East Lancashire and took place at Bowley Camp Site, Great Harwood. Birkenhead district was represented by ourselves as we came 2nd in the County Lord Derby. Out of the 13 teams entered we came in at a reasonable 8th.

May 19th - District Backwoods Cooking Competition

Backwoods cooking is a survival skill in which food items are prepared using natural resources and/ or with the aid of manmade objects not normally associated with cooking. The competition was hosted by the 1st Frankby - Greasby and our Scouts finished within the top three.

July 1st - District Arts & Crafts Competition

This was not like ready-steady-paint! but rather an exhibition during which work completed over numerous Scout meetings was judged. The theme for the competition was 'Fire'.

August 7th to 12th - Sea Scouts Summer Camp

This years summer camp was held at Barnswood Scout Site in Staffordshire. The week was spent doing a mix of activities, both land based and water based, with the intention of getting in as much boating time as possible while still doing traditional Scouting. This split enabled the Scouts to build up their skills base and gain maximum badges.

Although the camp was very much training orientated, the kids still found time for a bit of R&R and a good time was had by all............. especially by the parents who managed to lose their little cherubs for a few days!

Full story and photos from the week

October 4th - RN Inspection

This years inspection was conducted on Oct 4th by Staff Officer Scouts Lt.Cdr David Griffiths at our group HQ. Guests included District representitives, The Coastguard and parents. We achieved a good pass but the evidently low numbers was a bit of a pick-up point.

Full story and photos from the evening

December 4th to 17th - Scout Christmas Post

This year was the 25th consecutive Wirral Charity Christmas Post. The scheme was started in 1982 and covers all districts within Wirral. Money is raised by selling Scout Post stamps, for less than Royal Mail, and posting cards in special bins dotted around the borough. These are collected and sorted in the respective districts prior to being delivered. The whole process is completed by hand.

The money raised is donated to chosen local charities and some of it makes it's way back to the participating groups.