Autumn 2025

Welcome back everyone for the Autumn update for the happenings with the 61st Wincobank!

First, a quick bit of housekeeping. The Beavers and Cubs merged over the summer school holidays to ensure we had enough cover from the leaders, and it’s good for the members to meet each other in preparation for moving between sections. Due to our numbers being a little low in Beavers at the moment, we are going to keep the sessions merged for the foreseeable (Beavers and Cubs both meeting on a Monday 6:30pm until 8pm)! I have updated our opening hours on the website, and we will update everyone when we plan to return to our usual meeting hours!

Back in July, the Scout section added to the groups winning streak by taking home the Beckford Peg, the annual district Scouting challenge event! Sadly no pictures, but well done to our Scouts for bringing this one home!

The Beavers and Cubs had a few dedicated weeks focusing on fire building and safety heading into the summer, in preparation for camping season. This badge work looks at how to safely build a fire, keeping a clear area, and how to light the fire (with some fire triangle thrown in there for good measure). Our fire was expertly light using a match by a Cub Scout. And what would the point of a fire be, without a sausage sandwich?

The Scout section was also prepping ahead of the summer camp with a few sessions on effective rucksack packing and going over kit lists. The Scouts even had a session where they brought their kit into the HQ to practice packing, and ensuring the members were bringing only what they would need.

Onto Summer Camp 2025! Scout Leader Richard this year treated us to 5 days at Calder Drift Scout Campsite near Bretton – A new site to the Group which was well looked after by it’s volunteer team. We had the whole site to ourselves, and got to finally use our brand new mess tent (the old one was getting a bit too “leaky”!). The mess tent was funded from a generous donation to the group, and was very appreciated by the members and Leaders! Even GSL Joe can stand-up in it now!

The camp itself was an action packed week! Lots of axe and saw work (including some training for the leaders!), rifle shooting, a trip to the National Coal Mining Museum, and a walk around the Yorkshire Sculpture Park. On site, the members had a survival day with ration packs, shelter building – And a camp fire with songs! We will definitely be coming back to Calder Drift!

The group were also issued with matching shirts, with troop name and member’s name on the back. There is a great group photo on our private Facebook page!

Please note, ‘that’ bagel was fed to a leader, not a member! (I was too lazy to find a bread knife at the time!)

Into September, the group held an overnight sleepover in the HQ garden. Due to some clashes with the calendar, we hadn’t been able to arrange a troop camp this year, so this was a chance for newer members to get a night under canvas this year, and work on some badges! Tents pitched, fire lit, and a good night all round! Next day saw breakfast and a pioneered ladder (which was VERY well pegged out), that the older members could try and climb!

Looking forward, we have a few dates for events coming up! The group are being invited back to see the Sheffield Steelers play on the 23rd of November, our Halloween Party happening on the 27th of October, and the Group’s Christmas party is now planned for the 10th of December!

See you all at the end of the year!

Yours in Scouts,
Alex James
61st Wincobank Beaver Scout Leader