Well can you believe its May already and a busy first quarter of the year has flown by fast. Peter Ager and I have over the last 2 months had some interesting Group review meetings with the GSLs ensuring that Group Development planning is on track and that the District Development plan is reflecting the needs of the Groups, Leaders and of course most importantly the young people we look after. If you haven’t yet seen your Group Development plan contact your GSL to share this with you. The District Development plan can be found in the resources area of the District website.
Whilst I am talking about the Development plan I am pleased to announce completion of one of the tasks which will have a knock on affect to all our Leaders. We have relocated our District Badge shop and revamped the District shop with some new management. A huge thanks needs to go to Jan Faiers and Jim Berry for all the hard work they have put in over the years at the District shop.
So those of you who haven’t seen the email communication the District shop and District badge shop now meet on the same night, Mondays every week term time based at the 8th Hornchurch Group HQ, Chelmsford drive between 5pm and 8pm. The consolidation of both shops onto one site will hopefully benefit many of our Leaders in cutting down the number of nights out and petrol required to visit both shops. Future enhancements overtime will include some form of online ordering system, so watch this space!
On a training front it was pleasing to read out so many names at this years st. Georges Day parade for those who have completed their woodbadges. Although we have taken the woodbadge presentations away from St. Georges Day we have not remove the importance placed on this and Leaders should expect to be presented with their woodbadges locally by members of the District Leadership Team.
Open Training sessions are continuing to prove popular but as reminder those individual Leaders who would prefer to have an assigned Training Advisor throughout their woodbadge can request this by contacting the Local Training Managers on training@hornchurchscouts.org.uk
As a reminder to all Leaders in Scouting you are required to keep a current First Aid certification, minimum level of first response. As a District we are looking to enhance our First Aid Training offering by now offering Emergency First Aid at work training as standard on all of courses. This unfortunately means our fees will increase slightly but attendees of the course will be registered with the health and safety executive.
If you haven’t yet renewed your First Aid training please contact the Training team for details of the next course on training@hornchurchscouts.org.uk

We still have a number of vacancies on the District Team, if you have some more time to give in a different role why not look at what vacancies we have to offer. All our Vacancies are listed on the District website and can be accessed using the menu at the side and selecting vacancies under the information section.
District events have proved popular already this year and we have been having some good feedback from those taking part. Sadly the District swimming gala was this year cancelled due to issues with the structure of the pool but it was pleasing to see so many people at this years St. Georges day parade and service. Standing room only and a rough count of over 800 people in attendance.
Congratulations to all those listed below who were awarded Good Service Awards this year for going above and beyond the weekly sectional commitments;
Chief Scouts Commendation for Good Service
Jan Luscombe-District Team
Bob Wallace-District Team / 8th HX
Nicky Gillett-District Team /8th HX

Award for Merit for Outstanding Service
Stuart Brown 8th HX

Bar to the Award for Merit for Continued Outstanding Service
Roger Hugget-District Team/ 2nd Cranham

Silver Acorn for Distinguished Service
Andy Rice-8th Hornchurch
Gerry Merritt District Team
In the meantime keep up the great work you all do with our young people. On behalf of the District Team, District Executive Committee and myself, I would like to thank you all for all the time you give to Scouting in Hornchurch District.