On Wednesday 4th June, I was honoured to be part of the 1st Corbets Tey Cub Pack investiture night. Just 18 months after the launch of the Beaver Colony it was time to invest the first ever Cubs! 14 young people were to make their mark on the history of the Group. We were lucky to be joined for the occasion by members of the District Leadership Group, members of the GLNE County Team , Colin Arthey Head Teacher for Corbets Tey School and Councillor Georgina Galpin. The Cubs were all very smartly turned out and were a credit to their parents. Most of the Cubs had even memorised the Cub Promise and Law!

Dean Jefferys County Commissioner for Greater London North East Scouts said "This was a fantastic evening and a very proud one for the parents, leaders and the whole school community. Scouting is growing at it's highest rate for 22 years and the opening of this Cub Pack is just one example. Unfortunately we currently have over 2,000 young people in the London area waiting to join Scouting, but they are being stopped by the lack of adult volunteers. Hopefully exciting new projects such as this one should encourage more adults to join the fun of Scouting".

Councillor Georgina Galpin of Havering Council said "I was extremely proud to have learnt that a new Cub Pack has been developed in Havering, the group runs from a special needs school, Corbets Tey in Upminster, Havering, with full support from the Head Teacher and to make it even more exciting this is first new Group in the District for almost 30 years in the area, and includes a number of young people who attend the special needs school. This is really working with and for the community, including everyone. Inclusion in society is vital, understanding each others needs and learning from each other is very valuable, it makes our society happy, a society we can be proud of. For the past couple of years, as Deputy Mayor and then as Mayor I was honoured to have been invited to the annual parade and service with the Scouts. In Havering there are three Scout Districts, and I was invited to all three parades and services. Well over 2,000 young people marched the streets of Havering, what an impressive site, so many proud young people, both girls and boys, and the faces of the parents and grandparents showed their over whelming pride in their children. Scouting has become even more popular - it is about being part of a team, making new friends, and learning so much about society. Meeting the young people, their leaders and organisers was one of the most interesting and memorable times of my Mayoral Year. Young people are our future, we must guide them, support them and have respect for them at all times, so often youngsters of all ages are tarred with the same brush 'yob culture' ' hooligans' - so far from the truth! "

I look forward to returning to the Group in 2 years time for the investiture of the first Scouts!

Paul Fix: ADC (Group Support) |