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Parochial Church Council

Seven meetings of the PCC were held during 2005, including the meeting immediately following the Annual Meeting, and the average lay attendance was just over nine.

Members of the PCC during 2005 were:

For the whole year:
Fr N P Chatfield Vicar
Mrs E N Akehurst
Mrs M D Beesley
Mrs E R Bird Secretary from 25 November
Mr J R Crook
Mr T G Dixon
Mrs S M Ford
Miss F A Hawkins
Mr A C Leach Churchwarden from 6 June
Mr R Mayfield
Mr S N Millar Treasurer until 24 April
Mrs E C Moulton
Mr P P Moulton
Mr D E Munson Treasurer from 24 April
Mrs D J Scott-Brundle Churchwarden; Secretary until 25 November
Until 24 April 2005:
Mr A J Butler
Mrs T A Butler
Mrs J E Dixon
Mr P James
Mrs M Metcalfe
Mrs J A Powell
Until 6 June 2005:
Mrs G B Crook Churchwarden until 6 June
Until 20 September 2005:
Mr F E Ford Vice-chairman, El Roll Offcr
From 24 April 2005:
Mr B Hichisson Acting ERO from 25 November 2005
Mrs F J Moon

The Parochial Church Council is an Excepted Charity under the Charities Act and exists to work in co-operation with the incumbent to further the work of the Church in the parish. Much of the work of the council is necessarily financial, working to support missionary and community work at home and abroad, to maintain and strengthen our worship, and watch over the upkeep and enhancement of the buildings. Members of the PCC are charity trustees, charged with prudently managing its finances in support of its aims.

It is with sadness that we note the loss of our vice chairman to the PCC Fredrick Ford. It is a great loss not only to the PCC that he served for many years, but to the life of the church in general.

At the PCC meeting on 4 February, the Vicar presented a statement on the subject of marriage in church after divorce. He presented the theological reasons for what his policy might be faced with the request for re-marriage after divorce, given changes in the Church of England position. At the same meeting it was decided that we would open the church each morning 9:30–12:00 noon. Thursday mornings would be set aside as surgery time and the vicar would be available in church for those wishing to see him.

At a special meeting after the Sunday morning Mass on 27 February the PCC voted to support Bryan Hichisson in his Lay Reader training. This has proved a good decision, as Bryan has been a great help alongside all those already supporting the ministry of Christ Church.

The APCM was held on 24 April where reports were given, officers and PCC elected and Stephen Brown was appointed as Independent Examiner of the Church accounts. The parish also adopted the ‘Fairtrade Pledge’. As part of our response Sheila Hichisson co-ordinates a Tradecraft stall each first Sunday of the month.

The meeting on 15 May discussed and adopted the agreement for CRB disclosure applications and for registration under the Data Protection Act 1998.

In the meeting of 15 July, the PCC received the Quinquennial report and discussed its recommendations — including work to masonry and gutters as well as the boiler house chimney. Pastoral reorganisation was also on the agenda with the proposed merger of the parishes of Christ Church and S Philip.

16 September saw the PCC discuss on-going topics as well as the introduction of a book lending library and stall, in part response to having the church open and the local library having closed. This is now up and running and will grow to include a children’s section.

At the meeting on 25 November the PCC decided to purchase pew bibles to help people navigate and get familiar with the scriptures. It was also decided to provide a number of large print bibles and hymn books, alongside the enlarged service sheets, to fulfil our responsibilities under the Disability Discrimination Act. The possibility of a Garden of Remembrance was also floated, the plans for which you can now see at back of church.

Further details of the PCC’s activities are detailed in the separate reports of the Mission Committee and in particular the Publicity Officer, together with the Churchwardens’ Report, all below.

The PCC always meets following a celebration of Mass or other service in church, to which all parishioners are invited. The council is working on behalf of the parish. Even if you cannot get to church to offer support by your presence, your on-going prayer support for the work of the PCC is essential as it seeks to maintain and develop the mission, worship and upkeep of the church.

Esther R Bird

Secretary, Parochial Church Council

Electoral Roll Officer’s Report

The number of members on the Electoral Roll is 134. This represents a net increase of eight over the number reported at the Annual Meeting in 2005.

Members of the Electoral Roll who have died during 2005 are:
Frederick Ford; Marie Groves; Joan Honeybourne; David Powell and Beatrice Wood.

Thirteen new members have joined the roll since the last Annual Meeting.

Bryan Hichisson

Acting Electoral Roll Officer

Mission & Social Committee

We held six fundraising social events during 2005: a Music Hall, quiz, Call my Bluff, two race meetings (one with dragons, the other battleships) and a bingo with fish & chip supper. The profit from the battleship racing evening was sent to WorldVision for the Pakistan earthquake appeal. With the money raised at the other events we shall be able to make donations to USPG for the Ahmednagar project (£700); the Agape Care Trust (£300); S Luke’s Hospital for the Clergy (£200); PeopleMatter; Eastbourne Foyer; and Oasis (all £100).

Coffee Mornings held to raise money for specific charities benefited Macmillan Cancer Care, the Diocesan Association for Family Support Work, PeopleMatter and ActionAid. An evening with Adrian Plass raised money for the Agape Care Trust; Lent boxes helped USPG; the Christingle service and remade cards raised funds for The Children’s Society; WorldVision benefited from donations in lieu of Christmas and Easter cards within the parish; and collections were made for the Asian Tsunami and Niger appeals.

Doug Munson

for the PCC Mission & Social Committee

Publicity

Throughout 2005 there were more events than ever to publicise, and a recurring theme during the year seemed to be our patriotic past. The 60th anniversary of VE Day and the bicentenary of the Battle of Trafalgar both provided perfect pegs on which to hang publicity. Our Winter Variety Show in January 2005 saw us ending with a rousing chorus of Keep the Home Fires Burning, as Union Jacks unfurled, and presented me with a chance to tell the audience about the wartime theme of our Summer Fair in May, so that the date could be noted in diaries. Thus following two fundamental rules of publicity: “never miss an opportunity” and “it pays to start early”!

More patriotism came in April when we celebrated St George’s Day with Dragon Racing for the first time. The event proved so popular that we presented a similar fundraising evening in October to mark Nelson’s victory at Trafalgar, racing battleships instead of dragons. Having a slightly unusual angle resulted in some extra publicity from curious journalists and broadcasters.

The 60th anniversary of the end of World War II provided a topical theme for our Summer Fair in May 2005 and the publicity that surrounded it. Andrew’s very striking posters drew a great deal of attention, and more shops and businesses than usual displayed them prominently. Everyone made a superb effort with their costumes and stalls on the day, as we relived VE Day all over again.

Within weeks of the Summer Fair we received a letter from Owen Boydell, organiser of Eastbourne’s annual Victorian Festival, asking if we would put on a Victorian Fair at Christ Church in October. This we agreed to do, and it enabled us to attract more publicity than for any previous Fair. Some 17,000 copies of the Festival brochure, which included Christ Church’s details, were distributed. Even if Mr Boydell did misprint Christchurch as one word, it was still a very good start to the publicity. Instead of the usual advertisement in just the Eastbourne and Hailsham edition of Friday Ad, I also had it included in the Seaford, Hastings, and Newhaven editions too, with a circulation of 277,740. Add to this the details being given out in the Argus, the Gazette and Herald, on every local radio station, plus all the usual outlets, it meant that many thousands of people came to hear about the Victorian Fair at Christ Church. We also had the added bonus of our own Queen Victoria look-alike in Shirley Meader, which led to a feature article in the Gazette, and more media interest when Her Majesty graciously opened the Fair with the Mayor.

One of the most challenging, and yet most satisfying, aspects of publicity is ensuring that local shops and businesses display posters for our major events. Because things are happening at Christ Church every month of the year, I try to be selective about which posters should be distributed and avoid approaching the same shops too often. Any business with a large window becomes inundated with fliers from every organisation seeking free publicity, and from time to time shops that have regularly displayed posters suddenly decide that enough is enough, and they refuse to display anything from anyone. I find that the personal touch is the most effective and for the Victorian Fair, for example, I delivered over 70 hand-written thank you notes to firms displaying our posters. It can be very rewarding walking around the town and seeing the fruits of one’s labours, as posters appear in windows throughout four different parishes. Particular thanks, as always, must go to Andrew Leach for designing and producing all our posters and tickets. His attention to detail makes them very distinctive, and for the Victorian Fair Andrew meticulously selected a typeface that would have been used on nineteenth-century posters.

The arrival of James Thomas in January 2005, as Organist and Choir Director, saw a revival in recitals and concerts at Christ Church. James has not only entertained us with organ recitals himself, but has invited a number of guest choirs and orchestras to perform too. For these, in addition to the usual publicity outlets, I tried targeting all the sea front hotels in an attempt to bring in tourists and holidaymakers. Unfortunately this had only limited success, possibly because hotels already provide so much in-house entertainment for their guests. On 18 December 2005 James took part in a nationwide event, organised by BBC Radio 3, when organists in churches and concert halls throughout the UK all played the same piece of music on the same day. To celebrate the music of Johann Sebastian Bach, James played the composer’s iconic Toccata and Fugue in D minor on the famous 1880 Father Willis organ at Christ Church after the morning service, and attracted some media attention in the process.

During my years as Publicity Officer lack of communication has always been the prime obstacle. If I am not kept informed about activities taking place, then I cannot publicise them. Too often I have learned of an event only when it has been much too late to do anything about it — most local newspapers and radio stations requiring at least two weeks’ notice. This is not only frustrating for me, but Christ Church inevitably suffers as a result. So my plea for 2006 would be to keep me, or whoever undertakes publicity this year, informed of all that is going on in church life. The Publicity Officer is never more than a telephone call or an e-mail away, and even a seemingly insignificant incident can invariably be turned into a news story that will keep Christ Church in the public eye.

I would like to thank everyone who has helped me promote Christ Church over the past year, especially the shops and local businesses that have so kindly displayed posters for us. Special thanks must also go to Patrick Woodward of Sovereign Radio; Emily Kingham at BBC Southern Counties; Juley Ross and Laura Sonier from the Eastbourne Gazette and Herald; Nicole Greatrex at The Argus, and not forgetting Henry Branson and Toby Grist of Eastbourne Borough Council, who have all been particularly helpful in publicising our events.

Paul James

Publicity Officer

The Fabric, Goods and Ornaments of the Parish Church

Churchwardens’ Report

The Quinquennial [five-yearly] inspection was completed by our Inspecting Architect, Richard Crook RIBA, and the PCC has taken note of a number of works which are required on the building. Most serious is the chimney to the boiler-house, which badly needs repointing: the poor quality of the mortar has allowed water penetration, which together with boiler exhaust gases has caused one side of the chimney to show signs of distress. Indeed, at the time of writing flints are starting to spall from the chimney-stack and the work to rectify it has become urgent. This will involve dismantling the outer skin of the chimney and rebuilding it. While the scaffolding is in place, we shall take the opportunity to investigate and line the flue, and replace some worn stonework around the north-west window (the small lancet window facing the Brodie Hall). The Inspection also identified that other work is required on guttering and more eroded stonework around the building, and on the boundary walls. Painting around the building, which was also highlighted as being in a poor state, is being improved as part of a Community Service scheme under the auspices of the Probation Service and NOMS. While those doing the work may not have a great deal of choice in the matter, it has certainly made a difference and it’s right to express gratitude for the effort put in.

Plans have been drawn up by the architect for a Garden of Remembrance in the corner of the churchyard by the Brodie Hall. We have also received plans of the halls and the church ready for an application under the Licensing Act 2004 which will allow regulated entertainment and the provision of alcoholic beverages at social events. The licence itself is free for churches, but there may be associated work required by the Fire Authority.

No items of plate or other furnishings have been disposed of during 2005; a major addition has been the provision of a full set of “pew” bibles. The PCC resolved to satisfy the requirements of the Disability Discrimination Act by purchasing large-print copies of the New English Hymnal and the pew bibles, in addition to the large-print copies of service sheets which are generally available. The PCC also resolved to purchase a display case for a Book of Remembrance. Currently there are no names included, but we hope to be able to start collecting details for this important record and devotional item in the near future.

We should like to put on record our thanks to the band of sidesmen who provide valuable assistance and welcome those who attend services. There is much more to the job than simply handing out books: sidesmen have a real ministry and we are fortunate to have a number of people who fulfil it admirably.

Similarly thanks are due to those who clean the church and the hall; who provide coffee after the main service; who serve at Mass; who staff the weekly coffee mornings; who read lessons or lead intercessions; who provide music; who man the church during the week; who keep the grounds tidy; who help behind the scenes in the sacristy … the list is a long one and there are bound to be more whom we haven’t mentioned. Thank you to all who help — and welcome to those who joined during 2005!

Lastly, it is only right that the churchwardens should record the passing of a former Vicar, the Revd Noel Henderson; of Fr Ron Vaughan, latterly an Honorary Assistant in this parish, whose good humour and wisdom are sadly missed; and of Frederick Ford, who made an enormous contribution to Christ Church as a member of the PCC (of which he was vice-chairman and electoral Roll officer) and deanery and diocesan synods and their various committees; as a former Inspecting Architect; as a former Organist & Choirmaster; as a respected adviser whose wealth of experience was unparalleled. May they and all who died rest in peace and rise to glory.

Andrew C Leach
Deena J Scott-Brundle

Churchwardens

Financial Affairs of the Parish

Treasurer’s Report

The total income for 2005, covering both the unrestricted funds and those devoted to specific objectives, shows a decrease of some £5000 over 2004. We continue to spend more than we receive, and a total shortfall of some £10,000 means that we are eating into our reserves year by year. Unless we manage to reverse this trend, we shall be in trouble — sooner rather than later. It should not be forgotten that we still have debts to repay: one to the Archdeacon (£3000 for hall heating, which we are starting to pay off in 2006) and one to the Victor Dudley Moore Fund (£7886 for the chairs, which we have not begun to repay).

The outlook for 2006 is not all bleak, but the Parish Contribution for this year has increased by £200 per month, and we must soon undertake repairs to the boiler house chimney which will probably require some £8000 to make it safe. We cannot rely on legacies and one-off donations to see us through, and I hope that every member of the congregation will take the opportunity to look again at what they contribute financially to the work of the church. This is not saying that everyone should necessarily give more — I am as aware as anyone that pensions and salaries have not increased as rapidly as other things (gas, water, etc) … But, for those who do not already do so, regular giving would help — the church has bills to pay even when you’re not there! I hope there is no-one who pays the standard rate of income tax who has not taken the opportunity to Gift Aid their giving and increase their contribution at no extra cost to themselves.

So far as the accounts are concerned, the restricted funds continue to be healthy, the contributions of Frederick Ford to the Organ Fund will be sorely missed. The item “Choir & Music” includes the cost of large-print hymnbooks for the congregation. The “Organist’s Salary” item shows the outstanding payments to the previous organist as well as the salary of the current one and payments to locums.

D E Munson

PCC Treasurer

Report to the PCC by the Independent Examiner

This report on the accounts of the PCC for the year ended 31 December 2005, which are set out on pages 9 to 16 is in respect of an examination carried out under Regulation 3(3) of the Church Accounting Regulations 1997 to 2001 (“the Regulations”) and s.43 of the Charities Act 1993 (“the Act”).

Respective Responsibilitites of the PCC and the Examiner

As members of the PCC you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts; you consider that the audit requirement of Regulation 3(3) and section 43(2) of the Act do not apply. It is my responsibility to issue this report on those accounts in accordance with the terms of Regulation 25.

Basis of this Report

My examination was carried out in accordance with the General Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 43(7)(b) of the Act and to be found in the Church guidance, 2001 edition, issued by the Finance Division of the Archbishops’ Council. That examination includes a review of the accounting records kept by the PCC and a comparison of the accounts with those records. It also includes considering any unusual items or disclosures in the accounts and seeking explanations from you as trustees concerning any such matters.

The procedures undertaken do not provide all the evidence that would be required in an audit, and consequently I do not express an audit opinion on the view given by the accounts.

Independent Examiner’s Statement

In connection with my examination, no matter has come to my attention:

Stephen Brown ACCA

109 London Road, Hastings

Proceedings of the Deanery Synod

Representatives of the Laity in the Deanery Synod are Mrs Esther R Bird and Andrew C Leach. Frederick E Ford was a member of the Diocesan Synod and the Deanery Synod until his death on 20 September 2005. The PCC has not yet appointed a successor.

15 June 2005: S John, Polegate

The speaker the Ven Philip Jones, Archdeacon of Lewes & Hastings, spoke about co-operation between churches in deaneries. In any deanery there are likely to be differences of churchmanship and this can hinder collaboration, especially if really getting to know one another is put off by the “We’ll pray about it” response. The Archdeacon used the prayer of S Richard as a basis for our thoughts: for example, “May we know” — what do we know? We must all achieve knowing Christ within our churches, for he is our primary identity. In modelling on him, we love more dearly as he loved with forgiveness on the cross. If we truly know reconciliation with Christ, we can achieve reconciliation between parishes. 2 Cor 8:13–15 speaks of money sharing to promote fairness, but we must also share talents, gifts, skills and resources and be humble enough to ask for help. Self-giving and self-denying begin with prayer.

19 October 2005: The Haven School, Atlantic Drive

Those attending the meeting were divided into groups to discuss how co-operation between parishes within the deanery could be encouraged. Various aspects of church life were considered and seven points were discussed at length, following a reminder from the diocesan Life Together vision, “We long for perforated boundaries between parishes and a greater sharing of gifts and ministries, with the strong helping the weak.”

Dr Chris Savile spoke about Habitat for Humanity at this meeting.

23 February 2006: Holy Trinity

Canon Hugh Atherstone, Rural Dean of Lewes & Seaford, and the Revd Jonathan Frais, Vicar of S Mark, Little Common, spoke at length about the pros and cons of women in the Episcopate. Reference was made to the background of the current debate, eg the Rochester and Guildford Reports and the options the latter had placed before General Synod. General Synod had voted overwhelmingly to pursue the option of Transferred Episcopal Authority. A committee is working on the practical details of this and will report to the July Synod. Probably no Measure could come into force (if agreed by the General Synod) before 2010–2011. Issues Biblical, of the Human Sciences, of Natural Justice and of Mission were raised in favour of women bishops and similarly against the notion. Praise God for his many-splendoured, multi-faceted, wonderful image which we all reflect.

Esther Bird

Deanery Synod Representative

Walsingham Cell at Christ Church

At the time of writing this report I am happy to put that our number of members has risen to 35.The 6pm services on the first Tuesday of the month have an average attendance of 12–15.

On Saturday 19 March we had a Mass of S Joseph the Cell’s patron — followed by lunch. The annual ecumenical pilgrimage was 1–3 July; and on 6 December after Mass of the Immaculate Conception of Our Lady we shared in a buffet to celebrate the Cell’s eighth anniversary.

Saturday 1 October was a one-day Spiritual Pilgrimage to Walsingham within Christ Church, which contained all the elements of a week-end pilgrimage and gave people the chance to see and try what takes place when we travel to Walsingham on our pilgrimage. Thank you Fr Neil: it was a spiritually uplifting day for those who were there. Once more I should like to stress that people do not have to be members to join in any of the services and celebrations. We welcome you!

I finish this report with a word of thanks to Fr Neil for leading our annual Pilgrimage, and to Cheryl Wood and Andrew Leach for the time and effort that it takes to make the arrangements. On behalf of Christ Church Walsingham Cell, “Thank you.”

Freda Moon

Cell Secretary

Choir of Christ Church

It has been an exciting and rewarding year for me working with the choir at Christ Church. I only hope they have all enjoyed it as much as I have! It is always difficult taking over a well-established régime, but the choir has adapted well to a new way of working and have done themselves great credit with very quick turnover of new music and my (rather ambitious!) demands.

We have grown in number over the course of the last twelve months and this has enabled us to tackle an increasing range of more demanding music. It would be invidious to pick out one particular occasion but amongst several significant performances I would like to mention: the Nine Lessons and Carols, with some beautiful singing, notably a smack-bang-in-tune rendition of the first verse of Once in Royal, from one of our new members, Sharon Pegley; also a pretty-secure performance of The Lamb by Tavener, a tricky piece for any choir (and, I might add, requested by the Vicar). The choir also performed two very creditable fully Choral Evensongs in April and September featuring music by Noble, Stanford and Joubert. The music over Holy Week and Easter always makes a big demand on any choir but we managed to pull it all off with dignity and a great sense of style.

We have also tried to ring the changes with the settings of the Eucharist. Not all have been popular with everyone, but I hope as we all become more familiar and confident with new settings, the congregation will enjoy and appreciate the liturgical variety available as we move through the Church’s year. I hope we will continue to grow during the forthcoming months and a warm welcome is available to anyone who would like to join our ranks.

I would like to take this opportunity to thank the entire choir for their continued support and (very) hard work. Especially I would like say a massive thank you to Andrew, Esther and Fr Neil for all their encouragement and practical help in so many ways.

James L Thomas

Organist & Choir Director

Christ Church Guild of Change Ringers

We have had a busy time over the last year. Together with our practice, Sunday service ringing and special services we have also rung for a number of weddings. On a Saturday in the summer we had two weddings to ring for. We ring as the bride and groom leave the church and continue for twenty minutes or so. On this particular day there was a far bit of time in between, so what better to do than all to go down to the beach to partake in a home-prepared cream tea: scones, jam, cream and all. Then back to the tower for the second wedding.

We held a sponsored walk on the Bank Holiday Monday in August to help towards the cost of the new bell ropes that were needed. We were fortunate with the weather, quite surprising really for a Bank Holiday. After a slight delay when some of our number went to the wrong car park we all set off. The youngsters ran ahead not heeding the advice to “pace yourself.” They realised why on the way back!

Lunch at Birling Gap down on the beach gave a well needed rest, then back up on to the downs for the trek back. We raised approximately £300 from this walk and would like to thank all who have supported us.

We had the tower open at both the Summer Fair and the Victorian Fair, and rang a quarter peal before both events. Following these we opened the ringing chamber for visitors. After a slow start we were pleased to see many people come and have a look. Many had a quick pull of the rope (under supervision), just to see what it felt like.

Many bell towers celebrated the bi-centenary of the Battle of Trafalgar. At Christ Church, to coincide with the church service on 16 October, we rang a quarter peal of Plain Bob Triples, but for this one the conductor had composed a calling that extended to 1805 changes, the date of the battle. These type of quarters are called “date touches.” Being longer than the usual quarter peal length, this took exactly 65 minutes to ring. On Friday 21 October, the actual anniversary date, the

Christ Church ringers rang the bells in celebration of the occasion. Towers up and down the country rang on this evening. You may well have heard bells in your own area.

We have managed to raise enough money over the last year to buy a set of muffles for the bells and order a new set of bell ropes.

Some of the ringers went to have a look at a mini-ring that has been built in a garage in a home in Hooe. It was very different ringing these bells as they are so light.

We have twelve adult members and four children currently ringing the bells and who have joined the Association. The children are all working towards their badges in the Bell Club teaching scheme and doing very well. We also have two visitors who help us on a regular basis.

We will always welcome new people who would like to learn or who can already ring — just contact Jane or Marion.

Marion Hollands

Jane Hill

Tower Captains

Shining Lights

The past year has not seen many changes to our group. The number of children attending has remained fairly constant, with some of our older children trying a spell in the choir, but having since rejoined our group.

For the past two years we have been trying a monthly Saturday group, held in the church on the first Saturday in the month. This was fairly successful at first, but since Christmas we have seen our numbers fall, with children becoming involved in other activities at this time. We have, therefore, reluctantly decided to cancel this group for the moment. However, we still hold our Christmas and Easter workshops, which continue to be well-attended.

For various reasons, we have been unable to take the children to other activities held in the diocese over the past year. This is unfortunate as it is good for them to mix with larger groups of young Christians from other areas. We hope that this year we will be able to resume these activities.

Jane Hill

Leader

The Children’s Society at Christ Church

The number of boxholders is now 46, though there are always new boxes available for anyone who would be willing to support the Society in this way. The sale of remake cards at the Wednesday Coffee Mornings continues to increase our giving to this cause; old birthday, Christmas and other cards are always needed.

24 December 2005: Christingle Celebration and Crib Service

Thanks to the generosity of members of the congregation, all the expenses of this service were covered — and especial thanks to Mr Barry Reece, manager of the Langney Shopping Centre, for again donating the oranges. Many thanks also to those who helped assemble the Christingles, and to those members of the choir who added to their work on Christmas Eve by carol-singing in local hostelries in aid of the Society.

Financial Report
The total money raised during 2005 was: Parish boxes £ 636 Christingle/Crib service £ 184 Carol singing £ 58 Remake cards £ 120 Donation £ 100 Total £1098

Meg and Doug Munson

Organisers

First Seaside Scout Troop

The Troop has had a busy time over the last twelve months, with a wide range of activities, including three camps. One, at Osmington Bay in Dorset, was an activities weekend, where the Scouts tried zip-wire, quad bikes, archery and aeroball, among other things. The annual District Camp — at Broadstone Warren near East Grinstead — had a political theme: we were the Custard Pie Party. And our week-long Summer Camp was held at Lyndhurst in the New Forest, where the Scouts got to try out more traditional Scouting activities, like map-reading and hiking, as well as fun stuff like canoeing and a trip to Beaulieu Motor Museum. They also took an evening trip into the Channel on a thirty-foot, two-mast yacht named Sea Scout, where they each got a chance to steer her, which they thoroughly enjoyed.

We ran several “Bike Hikes” through the summer holidays, one of which was an overnight hike. The Scouts worked on their Faith badge, with a visit to the church for a talk with Fr Neil, a trip to the local synagogue, and an introduction to the basics of Buddhism. They are currently working towards the Global Challenge Award, with work on recycling and community projects.

At Christmas, our Scout Leader Peter Cherriman had to stand down due to pressure of work, and the Assistant Scout Leader Paul Edwards took over — in fact, they just swapped places. The number of Scouts has remained stable at around 25.

Peter Edwards

Scout Leader

Rainbow Group

2005 was another great year; we started off with a full group of keen and eager girls. We did various activities and outings, and all the girls are having a great time.

We made various things in some of our evenings:

This year the Guide Association have introduced a badge that the Rainbows can work towards. We had to do four challenges over the year: the girls could choose from a long list of things in four categories, Look, Learn, Laugh and Love. This is to be the girls’ new programme. One of the challenges the girls chose was to come to Rainbows in fancy dress; and while they were there they had to make musical instruments and entertain each other.

For our party at the end of the summer we all went to Fort Fun where the Rainbows played indoors and then had nuggets and chips.

For one evening, we made salt dough. The girls were allowed to make whatever they liked, and some of their ideas were very good.

We had a joint Hallowe’en/bonfire party, did firework paintings and made edible sparklers out of bread sticks dipped in chocolate spread and then into hundreds-and-thousands.

For Christmas, the girls made lanterns, tree decorations and mini-stockings. The year ended with a Christmas party with traditional games and McDonalds for tea.

We have had a busy and exciting year, and I would like to thank everyone for your support and hope it continues.

If anyone has always wanted to work with children but never got around to it, why not apply to be a leader. I know all sections are desperate for good enthusiastic young leaders.

Thank you again.

Angela Funnell

Rainbow Leader

Accounts
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