January 2015
30
30 Years of PG TIPS
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Cover Designed by Alex Robins
PG Tips January 2015
PG TIPS
- PG Tips is the News Letter of Pinkneys Green Scout Group.
The first PG Tips Group Newsletter was produced at the beginning of 1985, after all the Scout Leaders decided at a leaders meeting at
our then G.S.L.'s (Nick Hinchliff) house. We were producing different News sheets for each section and items were being duplicated.
Parents etc. we’re asking to have copies of all the news sheets. August/September 1985 we decided that the Newsletter was working well
and that we would hold a competition to choose a Name for it. We had over thirty entries, the judging panel had no choice as "PG Tips"
stood out from all the other entries, as it was the only one that had "PG" in the title and as we are known in the local area as PG Scouts it
was a good name. (Our Scout Leader submitted the winning entry under a pseudonym).Simon started to type PG Tips on an old battered
typewriter and it was full of composing errors, which made it interesting to read. The only problem we had was to have to pay for the
photocopying (nothing changes).PG Tips is now typed on a computer, which helps with layout, and some reports are now submitted by
email. (Simon still manages to get errors in the report – he has the biggest personal spell checker diconary you could have) We
introduced line pictures (cartoons, in 1995).and photos in 2011 PG Tips is now printed by parents and on Simons Laser Printer the
quality is a lot better and we get more information on the page. PG Tips is printed every month - We would like to thank our sponsors
for printing it, plus Simon for the copies he does on his printer.
Some facts:
We print 250 copies of PG Tips each month, plus Approx. 170 Copies are email out
Every Beaver, Cub, Scout, Young Leader & Leader gets their own copy. (Stop disagreements)
We have got a permanent record of event/activities including reports written by the boys, parents! and friends!
PG Tips has saved the Group a lot of money, with all the items
that we have asked for FREE! Everything from computers to Ice Cream Containers.
It also keeps every one up to date with future events/activities So NO ONE has an excuse that
they didn't know something was going to be held.
We Hope that you find PG Tips interesting and that you read all the Sections - NOT JUST THE ONE RELATING TO YOU OR
YOUR CHILD !!
From the Archives:
JAN 1984 Thirty years ago
The Annual Pantomime had been a great success "Jack and the Bean Stalk" had been put on just before
Christmas, had been a complete sell out. [We now put on the Pantomime just before Easter]
Link Badge - The troop welcomed Nic Segger, Matthew Milston and James Twitchen, who have just started their "Link
Badge" with the Troop.
[Note: Mathew is now a Troop assistant with the Scouts - See Photo below]
Christmas Fair - 1984's Christmas Fair raised over £780
Blue Dress Is Ian Ruffell, his son a Scout
1984 Scout Computer Event Sinclair ZX81!
1984 Summer Camp Monmouth
Scouts Pantomime
1984 Cub Camp
1984 Ventures Trip Sweden
Feeding Time in Orange Marquee
Simon Investing Matthew Milston April 1984
Matthew is now a Assistant Scout Leader with Troop
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PG Tips January 2015
GROUP NEWS
On behalf of all the Leaders, we hope that you had an enjoyable Christmas and
We Wish You All A Happy New Year.
Attached to this months PG Tips is an outline of the major events for 2015
Please make a note of the dates that affect you and your child(s).
Christmas Fair
Our Christmas Fair is, one of our major fund raising events of the year. We have managed to raise over £620. Some of the money
raised is used to provide Christmas parcels for the elderly around Pinkneys Green, the rest goes towards the running cost of
the Scout Hall. A big thank you goes to Jane Courtier for organising the fair, all the parents, friends, Beavers, Cubs and Scouts who
helped at the fair or came along to support us.
Christmas Parcels
Some of the money raised at our Christmas Fair is used to purchase parcels for the local elderly. The parcels
were delivered by the Cubs before Christmas. The Cubs went carol singing and delivered the parcels. Thank you
goes to Jane Courtier for purchasing the contents of the parcels and to Akela and the Cubs for delivering the
parcels and organising the Carol singing.
Thank You Letter
I would like to thank PG Scouts for the lovely box of biscuits delivered to me by PG cub
scouts, just before Christmas - really excellent assortment.
May I take this opportunity to wish PG Scouts a Very Happy New Year,.
Sincerely,
Betty Smith.
New Littlewick Scout Troop
Some good news.
Littlewick Scout Troop will open on Monday 12th January 2015 at 19.30 until 9pm
Kate Marshall is going to be Scout Leader and she will have a Troop assistant Charlotte Geen, there will be about 12 children to start
and will also run a parent rota to help.
Erica Hunter GSL
Christmas Trees
Can we Thank Ken Knight and Ali Fyffe for organising our Christmas tree project, plus to all the Scouts /
Parents for delivering the promotional, plus to everyone who delivered the tree and collected them for
recycling and to everyone who purchased a Christmas tree this year.
We sold over 200 trees and raised over £4,600
Maidenhead Pantomime – Rapunzel
This year over 100 PG Beavers (Littlewick & Winter Hill) Cubs (Littlewick & Winter Hill) plus
Scouts attended this years Maidenhead Pantomime at the week after, 100 members of the group
attended the Maidenhead pantomime to see Rapunzel.
Two members of PG were in the cast Rob Harris (Bagheera) at Leader at Winter Hill Cubs and
Patrick Ashe (PG Young Leader)
The production was put on by Maidenhead Drama Guild
With some Magic Tricks by Patrick, cheesy jokes, fabulous attire, and a good old sing-a-long,
come to finish with it was a great pantomime to go along and see.
Well done to Rob & Patrick for giving us all a good evening
Parents – Can you spare 45 Minutes - Once a term
We are looking for more parents volunteers to join a Parent Rota to clean the Toilet area and kitchen area and a quick sweep over the
main hall floor, wash the kitchen Mitchell room and toilet floors once a term. We need to sort a rota out for this term.
If you can spare approx. 45 minutes once a term, time to suit you, please email [email protected] for more information
A big thank you goes to all the parents who helped us last term, it was a great help. The cleaning can be done to suit you.
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PG Tips January 2015
YOUNGSTERS SAFTEY DROPPING OFF TO MEETINGS
PINKNEYS GREEN - Scout Hall Winter Hill Road - Can we remind Parents to operate a
One Way System when dropping off or collecting your son(s) from Beavers on Monday evenings,
Cubs on Wednesday evenings or Scouts on Monday/Friday evenings, also please don't turn your
cars around in our neighbours driveways and DON’T PARK or PICK UP where the WHITE
LINES are outside the hall
Please Don’t park in the drive way of Christmas Cottage or Pond House
LITTLEWICK GREEN - Gilchrist Village Hall - can we also remind parents dropping off and picking
up Do not park in Gilchrist Way as this is strictly reserved for residents.
We ask parents to please park a little further down on Jubilee Road or on Coronation Road and walk up; you
may need a torch! Please ask your Childs leader if you are not sure.
Thank you for your support in keeping our neighbours Happy.
2015 Panto – Sleeping Beauty
This years Scouts Pantomime will be Sleeping Beauty, it will be on Friday 27th March, 7pm and Saturday 28th March 3pm &
7pm. A big thank you goes to all the parents who have offered to help support this years production; we do need more offers
of help.
URGENT We are looking for HELP with printing the Scripts
Approx. 75 pages - anything from 1 copy to 40 copies
Also we are looking for help binding the Scripts.
If you can help do any binding, please email me. (We do have a binding Machine)
We hope Cubs who want to, will be take part in the Cub numbers
We are still looking for the following Help:
Sort Back Cloths and repair them
(2 people)
Go through all our back cloths (some when end January / beginning February - up to you)
sort out the Sleeping Beauty ones, repair them (made out of old sheets - so might need
some tape on them) Replace any broken bits of wood (top / bottom) make sure that the
Cup hooks (to hold them up) are in the right place
Building (Putting Together) the Stage (8-10 people)
We will be putting the stage together Friday 13th February, 6pm onwards and Saturday
14th February 2015 and we are looking for help from Dads (& Mums) with an electrical
Screw driver - you don't have to be an expert to put it together - we are just looking for
people to hold things and screw the bits together
Transporting Boxes to Hall
We need to move 25 plastic boxes containing the costumes from Camley gardens to Scout
Hall also we need to move the back cloths from Pinkneys Road to the Scout Hall. These
are 6ft – 8ft long (Sheet rolled around a piece of wood) They need to be moved beginning
of February
If you can help with any of the above, please let Simon know
either email [email protected] or leave a message on Mhd 771991
Christingle Service
Thanks go to all the parents; friends and members of the Group attended the Christingle Service at our parish church at St James the Less,
Stubbings. Special thanks go to: Revd. Keith Nicholls for organising the service. Also to parents & youngsters who made the
Christingles and to everyone who supplied the mince pies, for the refreshments afterwards. We had traditional carols as well as the
Christingles.
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BEAVER NEWS
Littlewick Colony
Well we’ve had a busy month at Littlewick Green. The young leaders planned and arranged one meeting where all the beavers did
experiments including mixing water with cooking oil in a plastic bottle to see what happened. Blowing balloons up and learning how
we can make static electricity. We all had crazy hair by the end of the evening. Thanks to Jonathan Otun, Alex Garitty and Nicole
Ruffell for organising such a great meeting.
We then worked towards our first aid badge and were then visited by Sarah Hollingsworth from BCA who runs first aid courses for
the college. Sarah taught us all about Hazards in the home, how we can identify hazards and how we can prevent accidents. We
watched Sarah perform mouth to mouth resuscitation and CPR on a dummy and also learnt how to call for ambulance , what
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PG Tips January 2015
questions we would be asked by the operator and that we all needed to know our home address to tell
the operator. Thank you Sarah for doing such a great job.
At the start of December Bubbles taught us all about Advent and we made a fantastic pin-wheel advent
calendar from Pegs. We added numbers 1 – 24 decorated with snowmen and anything Christmassy
and then added delicious sweets as a daily treat. Thank you Bubbles for working so hard and making
the pin wheels.
The following week we were visited by Hawkeye’s sister who is a cake maker. We had great fun
decorating cakes with icing, sprinkles, Debbie bought some icing cutters so we could make some
lovely Christmas shapes to put on our cakes. We then wrapped them up so that we could give them to
the parents but I don’t many parents received them as they smelt so good.
Last week of the tem we had a our Christmas party and played games. Thank you to all the parents that
bought in food, we had a great night.
Hope you had a great Christmas and we look forward to seeing you all this year.
Keo (Emma Hurley)
Winter Hill Colony
Welcome back to 2015! We are looking forward to a lovely term full of beaver fun. We have the
Beaveree to look forward to this term not to mention the legendary PG Scout pantomime! Watch this
space!
Thank you very much for all the parents who have helped on the beaver rota this term. We appreciate
it so much!
Hathi (Catherine Weeks).
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CUB NEWS
Littlewick Pack
Welcome back, we hope you had a restful Christmas and haven't eaten too many chocolates!
We saw out the end of the year with a fun Christmas party and lots of 'he's behind you!' At the Panto...
Still trying to work out who Dame Trot was??
We also said goodbye to Rama (Retiring Cub Leader Sarah Jones) - after helping to set up Littlewick
Green cubs and 2 years of hard work she's taking a well-earned rest.
We have some beavers swimming up to join us this year so welcome Rueben Bharj and Dylan Williams-Lock.
We have a packed programme ahead and are looking forward to filling up those arms with badges.
Happy New Year
Rikki (Jo Taylor)
Winter Hill Pack
After our meeting on remembrance, we spent an evening making chocolate treats. Matthew and Aiden Milston instructed the boys to
make the truffles and I think every cub went home covered in chocolate! The following week, a few boys brought in their collections
to be tested for the collectors’ badge. Chil and Raksha enjoyed hearing about the collections of football cards and fossils.
On 3rd December, the cubs made treats for our feathered friends. Raksha worked with the cubs to make bird food to put in the garden
over winter. The week after, 100 members of the group attended the Maidenhead pantomime to see Rapunzel. PG were a great
audience!
Although I was unable to attend, I hear a few cubs attended the Christingle service on 14th December. It’s always a lovely service
and I am sure the cubs all enjoyed the sweets.
The first meeting of the New Year will be on Wednesday 7th January. We will be having a New Year’s party. The theme is green
and yellow – prize for the best fancy dress!
Best Wishes for the New Year.
Bagheera (Rob Harris) 07739 832442 [email protected]
SCOUT NEWS
Swimming Gala
The District is holding the Swimming Gala on Saturday 31st January 2015 at 5.40pm. We are looking for Scouts to help us defend the
Myer Shield (Which we won for being the overall Winner). Any Scout interested in representing the Troop contact Tarka Mhd 620655.
We hope Scouts who are not in the Team will come along a support the Troop. Young leaders, please let Simon know if you are interested
in taking part in the Explorers event
Patrol Swimming
We will again be taking each Patrol to High Wycombe, so that every Scout can be re-tested for the
minimum standard for taking part in water activities, as well as been given the opportunity in doing the
Swimmers proficiency Badge. Scouts need to wear Full Uniform, plus take their Swimming gear. Bob
Weingarth will be organising this activity, with help from a young leader We will require help from
parents with transport.
Training Weekends
We will be holding training Weekends for Scouts, which will be held at the Scout Hall depending on age of
Scouts (as per the letter you should have received)

Year 6 part year 7
27th – 28th February

Part Year 7 & year 8
6th – 7th February

Year 9 ( and above)
23rd – 24th January
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PG Tips January 2015
Pantomime – Sleeping Beauty
We hope that we will be holding auditions on Thursday 15th and Sunday 18th January, for those Scouts who would like to take part in
this year’s Pantomime. Rehearsals will be on Thursday evenings 6.45pm – 8.15pm and Sunday afternoons, 3.00pm – 4.30pm.
The dates of the performances will be Friday 27th March, 7.00pm + Saturday 28th March, 3.00pm & 7.00pm.
Make sure that you are available on those dates, if you wish to take part
2015 Medical Forms
All Scouts and Young Leaders will be receiving the annual (2015) Medical & Personal Detail Forms.
Can parents please complete and return these forms to Simon by 23rd January. It is important that we get the
updated forms, as medical conditions change, plus at least one Scout has moved house (without telling us)
Tombola
Thank you to the Parents & Scouts who provided items for the Tombola Stall and to the Scouts and Leaders who helped set the stall up on
the Sunday morning and those who wore uniform and manned it in the afternoon, also thanks go to the Scouts who helped on other stalls
Christingle Service
Special thanks goers to Jordan Day-Hunt for carrying the Troop flag, and to Frank Williams who did the readings, plus all the Scouts
who made the effort to attend this special service. The church was full. The Christingles looked very good when the candles were lit
and the lights were dimmed.
Scouts Annual Dinner
This is where the Scouts invite people who have helped the Troop over the past twelve months. On Friday 19th
December the PLs invited us to join the guests they had invited. Over 80 Scouts and guests, sat down for a
three-course meal. We had Tomato Soap & a role starter, followed by Savoury Mince and Rice, then with
cream for dessert.
A big thank you goes to Alex Robins, for organising the meal, with Help from Michael Crown, BoB
Weingarth, John Bannerman and Chris Parker and Scout Organiser Harry Bennett for organising the event,
with the PLs & YLs
Chris Parker
Troop Assistant Chris Parker is retiring and moving to Crete
At the Scouts troop Dinner Raksha (Sheila Stinton, our president) presented Chris with a Thanks
Badge on behalf of the Scouts
Chris was a PG Cub (Raksha was his
Akela for some of the time he was in
Cubs), Scout and Venture Scout. Chris as
well as helping with the Scouts, was PG
Treasurer for a short time. We would like
to wish him and his wife Phil, good luck in
Crete
Leader Service Awards
Congratulations goes to the following Troop leaders who received there service
awards from our New District Commissioner Graham Parkins at the Scouts
Troop Dinner

20 Years - Rob Ayre, John Bannerman & Chris Parker, 10 Years Matthew Milston, 5 Years - Michael Crown
Can we thank them for all the support they have given the Scouts at PG over
many years
Troop Camp
The first big camp of 2015, when the whole Troop goes away for the weekend,
will be at the beginning of May
Date: Friday 15th May to Sunday 17th May 2015
We hope that all Scouts will attend this camp, especially the ones, who have
joined us in the last six months, as it is important that you attend at least one
camp, before you go on Summer Camp in July to Wales.
Simon Wheeler (Scout Leader)
Produced monthly by Pinkneys Green Scout Group, Winter Hill Road, Maidenhead, Berks SL6 6NS Tel: (01628) 771 991
Sketches by Scouting
Web Site: www.pgscouts.org.uk Copy to Simon email: [email protected]
Registered Charity
Number 3005015
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PG Tips January 2015
Pinkneys Green Scouts
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1/1/2015
Jan 2015 PG Tips
2015 Outline Programme
1 January
2 January
15 January
23-24 Jan
31 January
Group
Scout
Scout
Scout
Cub/Sct
-
New Years Morning Walk - 10.30am
Scouts New Year Party
Auditions for Scouts Pantomime Sleeping Beauty
Training Course (Older Scouts / YLs)
District Swimming Gala – Magnet [Cubs 3pm – Scouts 5.40pm]
6-7 Feb
13 February
13-15 Feb
18 February
20-21 Feb
22 Feb
27-28 Feb
Scout
Scout
Group
CubWHLG
-
Training Course (Part year 7 plus Year 8)
Special Troop Activity Swimming at Windsor Pool
Build Staging etc. for Pantomime Parents Help required
Incident Hike (Run by Scouts PL's & APL's )
LAN Weekend
Paint Staging etc. for Pantomime Parents Help required
Training Course (Year 6 plus part Year 7)
2 March
7 March
7 March
7 March
9 March
20 March
27-28 March
29 March
BeaverWH Scout
Beaver
Cub
BeaverLG Scout
Group
Group
- Scouts Pantomime Sleeping Beauty
- Help Dismantling PG Stage Area – 10.30am Parents Help required
20-21 April
Scout
- LAN
26 April
Group
- District St Georges Day Event - All Beavers, Cubs & Scouts
2 May
9 May
Group
Cub
- Jumble Sale 10.30am
- District Cub Incident Hike – run by PLs
15-17 May
Scout
-
16 May
27 May
29-30 May
- Jumble Sale 10.30am
Group
CubWHLG - Litter Clear PG Triangle (Run by the Scouts)
- LAN
Scout
19 June
21 June
Scout
Group
- District Orienteering Competition
- Summer "Fair On The Green "
27 June
28 June
Cubs
Scouts
- District Cricket Competition
- District Water Activity Day - Scouts
5 July
6July
Group
Beaver
- Fun Day & AGM
- Tent Pitching (Run by the Scouts)
Scout
Group
Scout
"We Entertain " – Beaver meeting run by Scouts
District Cross Country Competition 11am at PG Hall
District Beaveree Altwood School
Flag Competition
"We Entertain " – Beaver meeting run by Scouts
Swimming Trip (Scouts not in Panto)
Troop Camp
12 Noon - 4.30pm
- Summer Camp – Brecon - All Scouts
21 Jul - 2 Aug
Scout
[This is the most important Activity in the Scouting year - puts Scout previous training in to practice]
- LAN
30-31 August
Scout
4-6 September
11 September
12 September
Cub
Scout
Group
- Cub Camp
- Evening Mystery Trip
- Jumble Sale 10.30am
19 September
26 September
27 September
Scout
Group
Group
- District Land Activity Event
- Jumble Sale 10.30am
- Harvest Festival 3.25pm at Stubbings Church
3 October
4 October
11 October
12 October
13 October
14 October
17-18 October
19 October
24-25 October
28 October
Scout
Cub/Sct
Scout
BeaverWH
2 November
7 November
8 November
13-14 Nov
27-28 Nov
Beaver
Scout
Group
Scout
Scout
-
4 December
Scout
- Trip – (Pos Ice Skating/Swimming ) All Scouts
4 December
6 December
9 December
13 December
14 December
18 December
20-21 Dec
Scout
Group
Group
Group
Beaver
- District Quiz
LG
CubWH
Group
BeaverWH Scout
CubWHLG -
Scout
Scout
-
District PL's Training Course
Rotary Boundary Walk
Scouts Cycle Orienteering event 10am - 1pm
Computer Event (Run by Scouts)
Computer Event (Run by Scouts)
Computer Event (Run by Scouts)
JOTA & JOTI Jamboree's - PG Scout Hall (All Welcome)
Halloween Party (Run by Scouts)
LAN
Halloween Party (Run by Scouts)
Firework Evening
District Chef Cooking Competition – Cookham Scout Hall
Remembrance Sunday Parade - 10.35am ALL Beavers Cubs & Scouts
District Night Hike - Parents Welcome
Older Scout Activity Weekend
Christmas Fair On a Sunday 12 Noon - 3.00pm
Trip to Maidenhead Pantomime
Carol (Christingle ) Service 3.25pm at Stubbings Church
Christmas Banquet
Troop Dinner Thank You meal for supporters of the Troop
Computer Weekend
Check www.pgscouts.org.uk for latest diary
Email: [email protected]
Scout Hall Tel: (01628) 771991