2024 Message

A year end message to all our young members, Parents and Guardians, Young leaders, Leaders, Admin Support Teams, and Trustee Board from our Group Lead Volunteer Mo Barker.

 As we near the end of 2024 and look forward to embracing 2025 in a few hours time, I wanted send a brief message out to offer thanks and wish everyone a Happy and Prosperous New Year.

We have all achieved a lot over this last 12 months and this would not be possible without the support and dedication of a number of people.

I would like to say THANK YOU

–       to all our Leadership Teams who work tirelessly to provide exciting and unique activities, giving up much of their own time in preparation, planning and execution of these activities whether it be crafts in the hall to a night hike. They all have individual qualities that ensure adventure is never far away for our young people, but we are always on the look out for similar individuals, who feel that they can provide similar enthusiasm.

–       to our Skills Team, who provide the outlet and capability for our young people to take part in many adventures involving Camping and overnight stays, Sailing, Canoeing, Paddleboarding and Kayaking, rifle shooting, hill walking and many more. There are many more activities, that we can take part in, if anyone currently partakes in an outdoor adventurous activity and would like to gain a scout permit.

–       to our Young Leaders, who provide much needed support to all our leadership teams and provide fresh ideas and that ‘extra pair of hands’, while we look to develop their own leadership, confidence and communication skills through our Young Leader programme.

–       to our Admin Team, who work tirelessly in the background ensuring that all permits are in date, that training of all leaders and supporters is current and most recently, in ensuring the transition over to our new Database system has been a smooth transition. As well as assisting with badge ordering, finance planning and other tasks that would otherwise fall to our busy leaders.

–       to our Treasurer Team, who have been ensuring that all monies into and out of the accounts are checked and confirmed as per legal requirements for a charity. They have also been working tirelessly to ensure that the Norway payment schedule is kept up to date with all fundraising carried out and also making applications for Gift Aid that will benefit the whole group (thanks to your agreement to Gift Aid your subscriptions), which will provide the group with additional funds. Please do consider ticking the gift aid box if your income tax amount is greater than the annual subscription.

–       to our Fundraising Team, who, with all your assistance, have run numerous events this year and been able to raise an amazing amount that will be going towards the wish list of 4 tents and 2 new boats. Our 100 club had the last draw at the Winter Fair with Winners, Caroline James, Oscar Bishop and Jack Baker. We are now taking requests for next years 100 club with the first draw to take place in March. 

–       to our Building and Equipment Team, who have made an excellent start in reorganising the extra space in the Tithebarn to enable our  equipment to be stored safely and taking an inventory of all the newly acquired equipment.

–       to our Trustee board, who have managed to transition easily from an executive committee and will be keeping a close eye on all our governance issues for the foreseeable future.

–       to all our Parents and Guardians, for providing support and assistance when needed and encouraging all our young people to be the best that they can, even when it seems a little daunting.

We celebrated a number of 1st Anniversaries in 2024, with the Squirrels in April, the Warhammer group in September and our second Scout Troop, The Harding Troop in October. This is a great achievement for all involved and shows that 4th Heswall continues to grow, reaching even more young people than ever before.

Whilst we now look forward to 2025 and the excitement of the many activities the wonderful leaders have already started planning, I would ask that you continue to support and assist in whatever way you feel you can.

January is our Census month and we will be asking you to complete some information, which takes only a short time. This information enables us to confirm and verify that we are truly an inclusive and diverse group and that scouting really is for ALL. Please do your best to complete the information as accurately as possible and ensure that your young person’s details are kept up to date with any new information, so that we can take the very best care of them all.

I would also like to reach out to those that have lost loved ones in this past year, our thoughts are with you all and please know that the 4th Heswall family will always be here to support you.

Wishing you all the very best for the New Year and many more adventures to enjoy.

Mo Barker

Group Lead Volunteer

4th Heswall Sea Scout Group RN44