Posts by: NEWS

Top Awards at the Hippodrome

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Scouts from across East Norfolk celebrated their achievement of Top Awards today at the Hippodrome Circus in Great Yarmouth.

The afternoon was hosted by East Norfolk Youth Commissioners, Harri and Jake, and East Norfolk’s District Commissioner, Shelly.

Young people were recognised for achieving many different awards: the Chief Scouts Bronze, Silver and Gold Award; and the Chief Scouts Diamond Award. There were also some Young Leaders who celebrated receiving their Young Leader Belt. Young people in the District who went over and above their commitment to Scouting were recognised and Shelly presented them with a District Commissioner commendation.

The Scout Association also recognises the adult volunteers that dedicate their time to enable Scouting to happen in East Norfolk – those volunteers go over and above what is expected. At the Hippodrome today, Shelly recognised adult volunteers from the East Norfolk Active Support Unit, 1st Bradwell and North Yarmouth Scout Groups as well as a member of the East Norfolk District Team with a District Commissioner Commendation.

The Chief Scout, Bear Grylls also recognises the contribution that volunteers give to Scouting and as such, has awarded a Chief Scouts Commendation award to volunteers from 1st Caister, 1st Gorleston, 1st Great Yarmouth, 1st Martham, 2nd Gorleston and North Yarmouth Scout Groups as well as a member of the East Norfolk District Team.

The Scout Association has a national award scheme that recognises adult volunteers for exceptional contributions to Scouting. The Award for Merit is given for outstanding service over a minimum period of 12 years. It was a privilege for Shelly to recognise six people with their Award for Merit today. Peter Clarke, Julie Southgate, Elizabeth Tyler, John Saddington, Teo Utting and Roger Pumphrey were all recognised this afternoon.

For those volunteers who continue their exceptional service for a further five years, we are able to award The Bar to the Award for Merit. Shelly recognised Michelle Jones today for her Bar to the Award for Merit.

The Silver Acorn award can be awarded to adult volunteers after at least 20 years of service which is especially distinguished and better than outstanding. It was with great pleasure that Shelly was able to recognise Linda Hansby Patterson with her Silver Acorn today.

Finally, The Bar to the Silver Acorn Award can be given for a further 5 years of distinguished service after receiving a Silver Acorn Award. Mark (Danny) Daniels was recognised today for achieving this award for his service and contribution to Scouting far over and above what is expected for adult volunteers.

The afternoon concluded with a special visit to the Hippodrome Circus Museum where adults and young people were able to spend some time looking around the artifacts and displays from across the years.

Shelly, District Commissioner said “It was a great pleasure to recognise so many young people in the district with their top awards. They have all worked so hard so it was nice to celebrate with them all”

Harri and Jake, Youth Commissioners added “presenting the awards at the Hippodrome made it really special for the young people. Hopefully they enjoyed the afternoon in such an iconic venue which makes all their hard work worth while”

East Norfolk Scouts is always looking for new volunteers to help deliver a youth led scouting experience for young people. If you feel you want to be part of our adventure, please get in touch! www.eastnorfolkscouts.org.uk or email [email protected]  

AGM Good Service Awards

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Within the East Norfolk Scouting District, we feel it is extremely important to recognise adult volunteers for their service to Scouting.

Awards are an opportunity to make that occasional ‘thank you’ even more special, they are for those volunteers who, over time, you find yourself thanking more frequently.

District Commissioner Commendations are for those members who go over and above their role within the District and the National Good Service Awards recognise outstanding contribution to Scouting at Group, District, and County which is at a considerably high or outstanding level.

Training is also a large part of what we all do as volunteers, continuously learning new skills and making sure we are the best Leaders we can be.

It is important to recognise this learning and so we award a Wood Badge to signify the completion of this training, the effort and the commitment that our members give.

At the AGM on Wednesday 15 June, we recognised some the Scouters that are part of the District Team and presented them with the following awards:

Denise Goldspink – Young Leader Team

Wood Badge (Young Leaders)

Sheila Bakewell – District Active Support Unit

District Commissioners Commendation

Jennifer Chetwynd – Local Training Manager

District Commissioner Commendation

Teo Utting – Nights Away Coordinator

Award for Merit

Michelle Jones – Assistant District Commissioner Cubs

Bar to the Award for Merit

Mark (Danny) Daniels – District Chairman

Bar to the Silver Acorn

Scouting is a great way to have fun whilst gaining Skills for Life and East Norfolk has ten Scout Groups and five Explorer Units that meet to offer opportunities for fun and adventure to over 400 young people aged 6 to 18 in the Great Yarmouth and surrounding areas, supported by 150 dedicated adult volunteers.

If you would like to join our adventure, please visit www.eastnorfolkscouts.org.uk or email [email protected].

A Royal Jubilee!

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On Saturday 4th June East Norfolk Scouts celebrated HM The Queen’s Platinum Jubilee. As she reaches this historic milestone, HM The Queen has served the nation for 70 years as monarch.
HM The Queen is one of the Patrons of Scouting, so this makes it an extra special occasion for us in East Norfolk. Many Scout groups have marked this special occasion by planting a tree for the Jubilee, lighting a beacon or writing a letter to the Queen to say Thank You.

East Norfolk District Scouts wanted to show their appreciation in their own special way. 200 members of East Norfolk Scouts gathered at The Minster Church of St. Nicholas, Great Yarmouth to celebrate Her Majesty The Queen’s Platinum Jubilee and enjoy an afternoon of Royal themed activities.
Beavers, Cubs, Scouts and Explorers, aged six to eighteen, have joined together in Royal Fancy Dress for a Platinum Picnic and Pudding Party, with some Royal activities on offer too.

There were Posh Picnics and Platinum Puddings to be shared “street-party” style, Royal Bingo, Jewelled Crowns and a Queen Treasure Trail. There was also a Jubilee Photo Booth where everyone could have a special commemorative photograph taken to remember this unique occasion.

Shelly O’Keefe, District Commissioner said, “Today has been a great day! It has been wonderful to see so many young people having fun and celebrating the Queen’s Jubilee!”

James, a Beaver Scout, said “It has been good. I have enjoyed writing a letter to the Queen and eating my lunch.”

Harriet Goldspink & Liam Segust recently gained their Queen Scout Awards and attended the Windsor St George’s Parade this year. “It is an honour to be Queen Scouts and have been invited to Windsor Castle to be recognised for our achievements, made even more special by celebrating the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee this year”.

In years to come everyone will remember exactly where they were during the Jubilee celebrations and East Norfolk District have helped to create those memories of young people and adults in Scouting joining together to celebrate.

Scouting is a great way to have fun whilst gaining Skills for Life and East Norfolk has ten Scout Groups and five Explorer Units that meet to offer opportunities for fun and adventure to over 400 young people in the Great Yarmouth area, supported by 150 dedicated adult volunteers.

If you would like to join our adventure, please visit www.eastnorfolkscouts.org.uk or email [email protected].

DC Challenge – Community Impact

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North Yarmouth Scout Troop are the first to complete the Badge.

The D.C. Challenge is a revisit of a local badge that was available in the 1980’s, with a twist to make it relevant for today.  
The theme for 2022 is Community Impact in our local area and the wider world.
Everyone including Leaders and Active Support Units can take part in the D.C. Challenge along with Beavers, Cubs, Scouts and Explorers.

Read how the North Yarmouth Scouts completed their Challenge HERE

Well Done to Lola

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Lola from 1st Caister Scout Group is the first young person to receive a Thank You and Well Done Card and Badge for doing her best as a Beaver.

Lola used her pocket money to buy a meal for a person in need when out with her mum, proud leader Gemma.

Without prompt Lola asked if she could help someone in need – what a great example of how Scouting values act out in everyday life.

If you have a Beaver, Cub, Scout or Explorer who does something special, please let the District Team know and nominate them for a special Thank You too.

Scout “Have A Go” Activity Day

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Over 50 Scouts from Groups across East Norfolk enjoyed a day of “Target Activities” on Saturday 30 April.
Leaders delivered sessions for Air Rifle Shooting, Tomahawk Throwing and Archery to introduce the skills to Scouts who had not experienced them before and to advance the skills for those who had previous experience of the three activities.

Circus the Dragon & St. George

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St. George’s Day on the 23 April was the day that Circus the Dragon was tamed by East Norfolk’s very own St. George.

Over 300 Beavers, Cubs, Scouts, Explorers and Scouters from across our District took part in an activity afternoon to celebrate St. George’s Day, and met Circus the Dragon.

Three St. George’s Day Awards that were given during lockdown, were represented by the former District Commissioner, Jennifer Chetwynd:

Robert “Trooper” Trueman – Bar to the Silver Acorn

Gillian Mays – Bar to the Silver Acorn

Janet Rope – The Silver Wolf

The District Flag was given into the care of 1st Acle Scout Group for the year as it starts its circulation of East Norfolk, and the following Flags were awarded to recognise achievement during the last year:

The Union Flag – Nelson Explorer Unit

The St. George’s Flag – 1st Gorleston Scout Group

DC’s Commendation

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A District Commissioner’s Commendation was presented to Robert “Trooper” Trueman to to recognise the support that he and the 1st Bradwell Scout Group gave to others during the Covid-19 pandemic.

Trooper gave a the Bradwell HQ as a meeting place to another Scout Group, to enable them to restart Scouting for their young people.

Join the Team

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We currently have opportunities to join the East Norfolk District Team.


District Explorer Scout Commissioner – Working with the District Commissioner to support the operation of the five Explorer Units of the District and offer quality programme opportunities.

District Explorer Scout Administrator – Coordinating information for the 14 to 18 age provision of the District, including the Young Leader Training Scheme.

Network Programme Coordinators – Helps to organise a social programme for the 18 to 25 age provision of the District.

Meet the DC!

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I am so pleased to return to East Norfolk as your New District Commissioner and have the opportunity to support the adults and young people of the District.

For those that don’t know me, I have worked for 24 years at Group, District and County level, my last role as Deputy County Commissioner led to a wide range of experiences that I am hoping will stand me in good stead as I take up the challenge of leading East Norfolk, as we continue to strive to emerge from the effects of the Covid-19 pandemic.  I have also been involved with delivering  the NORJAM Jamboree for many years. In 2006 and 2010 I led sub-camps then more recently, I was accountable for the activities provision of the Jamborees of 2014 and 2018, and this has equipped me with skills for life in the wider Scouting sense.

If I had to say why I am a Scout and what it means to me, my answer is simple: I like to see young people given the opportunities that Scouting provides and sometimes life does not. And the Scout Promise and Laws are the guidelines for how I choose to live my life.

The words of our Founder, Robert Baden-Powell are often a source of good advice and these words of wisdom made me think…

“The Scoutmaster teaches Scouts to play the game, by doing so himself.”

Scouting is a great game, and I strongly believe the more the adult leaders enjoy their Scouting, at weekly meetings or night’s away experiences, the more the young people in their charge will benefit from Scouting. To explore skills for life with young people or just have fun in a setting that allows everyone to be themselves in a safe environment is key to our success. 

Good programme is vital in growing our movement and the growth in numbers that we are striving for together, coupled with the benefit of sound management and support via Group and District Executive Committees are the keys to success that will ensure that Scouting in our District is sustainable and thrives.

I look forward to sharing many adventures with everyone Scouting in East Norfolk in the years to come