Local Group meets MSP

MSP strung up at Fordell Firs!

Jim Tolson, MSP for Dunfermline and West Fife, dropped in to Fordell Firs National Scout Acitivity today to see first-hand the activities and facilities on offer.

A sunny summer day provided a great backdrop for a tour of the Centre, with groups in action on the Jacob's Ladder and the Climbing Tower.

Scouts from the 66th Fife (St Fillans) Aberdour Scout Group, who are currently camping at the Centre, were also on hand to meet Jim, who rounded off the visit by trying (and completing!) a climb up the imposing Fordell Climbing Tower.

While at the Centre, there were young people from schools, local authourity youth work and Scouts setting up camp for the weekend.

Cub Scout Age Range's

Cub Scout Age Ranges and age of entry to the Section

At its meeting of 30th May 2009 the Scottish Board agreed to remove the Scottish variation to Rule 3.8(h) of POR, which determines the minimum age for entry to the Cub Scout Section. With immediate effect the position in Scotland is now in line with the position applying in the rest of the UK.


POR Rule 3.8(h) reads:

The core age range of the Cub Scout Pack is from 8 years to 10½ years. A young person may join at 7½ years and remain in the Pack until their 11th birthday.


The key effects of this change from the previous Scottish rule are that (i) young people may transfer from the Beaver Scout Section from age 7½ rather than 7¾, and (ii) direct entry to the Section from outside Scouting is also now permitted at age 7½ rather than age 8.


A Scottish variation was introduced at a time when there was a bar on under-8s joining the Cub Scout Section elsewhere in the UK as a consequence of an interpretation of legislation applying outside Scotland. Following clarification received by The Scout Association, the bar on under-8s in the Cub Scout section has been removed. There is thus no reason for the Scottish position to vary from the rest of the UK.


Scottish Variations from POR are required where the law applying in Scotland differs from that on which POR (UK) is based. In Scotland, Scottish Variations take precedence over POR (UK).

Scouting In Malawi

Every Scottish Scout, from the youngest Beaver to the oldest Leader or Fellowship member, now has the chance to make a real difference to the world of Scouting. For Scouting in Scotland is to embark on what, hopefully, will be the first stage of a campaign to help Scouting grow in Malawi.

And the challenge is quite simple – between us we want to try to raise about £6,000 for the Scout Association of Malawi, not only to help more young people there to experience Scouting but, at a more basic level, just to allow the Movement to continue. Already, thanks to the generosity of our own Scouting community, over £1,000 has been sent to Malawi to help achieve these goals.

The projects which would make a significant impact on the development of Scouting in Malawi, if we can raise £6,000, are:

Maize mill - the construction of such a mill at the national campsite at Makwawa would produce continuing revenue for Scouting in Malawi through the crushing of maize to produce meal – cost £2,272.

Vocational training for Rover Scouts - £550 would allow the purchase of six sewing machines; £250 would pay for fabric and both would allow the Rovers to produce Scout shirts and neckerchiefs; £780 would pay for three computers to enable them to train in computer skills and communicate online; and £450 would pay for metalwork instruction so they could produce buckets, tools, etc. Rover Scouts would also be taught to be cobblers and make footwear (£450) and become artists (£250).

Office car maintenance - needs £1,000 per annum.

Communication items - computing costs, telephone and stationery – require £650 per annum that is just not available.

T-shirts – a mere £70 would pay for the design and purchase of t-shirts for Makwawa campsite.


Many of the costs of Scouting in Malawi are met by grants from Norway, Denmark and Gilwell. But these are short term lasting for a maximum of three years. We believe that all the above are well within the capabilities of Scottish Scouting and a good starting point for something that could grow and benefit Scouting both here and in Malawi.

Later this year we will make available a monthly programme idea for each Section of the Movement that can be used in conjunction with your fundraising efforts.


How you can help:

Purchase of a special badge – ‘We’re supporting Scouting in Malawi’ – at £1 each, with all profits going to the fund.
Beaver Scout colonies or Cub Scout packs could collect 5p or 20p coins in Smartie tubes.
Districts or Groups might like to raise the funding for one particular item on the Malawi ‘wish list’.
Groups or Sections might like to raise funds by highlighting that their efforts locally can make a real difference to the development of Scouting in another country.
If Groups, Units or Troops are raising money for an expedition, they might consider giving a percentage to the Malawi Project.

Any contributions should be sent to SHQ made payable to ‘The Scout Association’ and marked ‘Malawi Project’. So that Sections can show their youngsters that their fundraising efforts are appreciated, those raising £50 will be sent a Bronze certificate, £100 a Silver and £150 a Gold. Starter boxes will also qualify for certificates – a Bronze for one, Silver for two and Gold for three.

Good luck!

Hamish Leal, SHQ Adviser (International)