Welcome back everyone, and Merry Christmas from the 61st Leadership Team!
Here’s a look at what the group has been up to over the last few months, and a bit of information about what we have coming up in 2026!
For the time being, our Beavers are continuing to meet on a Monday with our Cub section due to numbers of members. We will be doing a recruitment push in the new year for our Beaver Section, so please do let friends and family know about us for children aged 6 to 8!
Back in early October, the group joined Wincobank’s Light Up the Hill parade, as schools and other community groups from the area carry their lanterns up Wincobank Hill, with story telling about the history of the area! Our Cub section also had an away day at Hazelshaw Spring Woods, a local woodland maintained by Don District and the service team!
As we came up to Halloween, the Beavers and Cubs were pumpkin carving – Including some life skills introduced by GSL Joe, using a drill to carve out the eyes (with supervision!)
We also held a Halloween party for the group with loads of games, however no photos unfortunately!
Our Scout section staying true to form took home the outdoor cooking competition trophy once again, with both teams coming in 1st and 2nd place – Well done!!
The Cubs this year held their first ever indoor cooking competition of their own, with the 61st coming 3rd also!
Into the colder months with more crafting nights for the Beavers and Cubs, we had a night of making fox masks out of leaves:
Once again, the Leadership team joined the ‘brains of Wincobank’ charity quiz night at the Village Hall, coming (joint) 2nd this year – One year we will get it!
ASL Richard once again arranged for the group to watch the Sheffield Steelers play at home against Manchester Storm, with the home team winning 5:0!
The Beavers and Cubs had a crafty December with Christmas decorations, with the Scouts going for more of a ‘Grim Dark’ route, with more Warhammer modelling!
To end the year, the group had their usual Christmas party and games at the Wincobank Village hall, with everyone bringing & sharing food, and playing fun games like “turn a beaver into a snowman using toilet roll” and “push this sprout across the room without using your hands”, you know, the normal things!
We are already planning events for next year, with our annual Winter Sleepover booked for mid-January at Hesley Wood, and a troop camp being arranged for June.
Thank you everyone for another wonderful year of adventure, and we wish you a Merry Christmas and a fantastic 2026 ahead!
Yours in Scouts,
Alex James
61st Wincobank, BSL
61st Sheffield Scout Group 