Firstly I apologise for the fact that I am not able to chair today's meeting but I have been called away to London with work at short notice. I have therefore prepared a short report to be read out in my absence.

At 1st Laxey we have again had a good year both in Beavers and Cubs which are as popular as ever. As you will be aware both groups have helped children enjoy a range of practical activities that have taught them new skills and given them much enjoyment. As usual, the highlights have been the camps and the barbeque on the beach amongst a host of other activities.

At the centre of this has been the hard work of the leaders who have made all this possible. You will know who they are but what you may not know is the hours of thought and preparation they put in to each week. None of them get paid - they literally do this out of the goodness of their hearts and their reward is the positive response they get from the children. The formula works very well with cubs and beavers continuing to be popular in the village. I would like to thank them for their hard work.

This evening you will hear from the leaders who will tell you about the packs' achievements throughout the year. Parents, thank you for your support throughout the year - we are conscious that the year has been challenging in an economic sense and appreciate that it costs money to send the children to cubs and beavers. On that note, we have been trying to keep the cost of cubs and beavers down and so far we have done quite well, supported by the committees fund raising. It is likely however, that at some point in the future we may be forced to re-visit the subs due to rising costs although for the present, we will and are committed to maintaining the current level of subs.

This brings me on to fund raising. Again we have been quite fortunate that we have no heavy overheads and so we have been able to keep reasonable balances on our accounts enabling investment in new kit as required, assisting with some of the activities and, to some extent, subsidising day to day costs of running the packs. This has made life on the committee relatively easy. Fundraising activities have taken place with good results and my thanks go out to the committee members and others who have given up their time to help out with this.

As you may have heard, I am stepping down as Chairman of the committee today and, after quite a few years, I hope I leave the new Chairperson a good platform to build on. I am sure that he or she will have lots of new ideas and energy and I hope they will receive the support and friendship that I have enjoyed during my time as Chairman. I have really enjoyed being involved with 1st Laxey and I would like to thank everyone for making it a pleasure and an honour to be part of the group.

Finally, I am aware that Nick Kinrade is leaving the Island and so can no longer continue as cub leader. I just want to say a special thank you to Nick for all he has done. He has worked tirelessly for the group and has made it the success it is. He has also been responsible for the website and has attended all the committee meetings. 1st Laxey owes its continued existence to Nick who has been a driving force throughout his many years with the group. Last week we embarrassed him with a gift and a few words followed by much cheering and shouting of encouragement by the cubs. We will miss him and we hope to see him around when he visits the Island. Please give him a round of applause to say thanks for all he has done. Stuart Watson now takes over the mantle and I wish Stuart well and know he will be a popular cub leader. Ali too is stepping down and I wish her well and I am sure you will join me in thanking her for being an excellent secretary and keeping us all on the straight and narrow.

So almost as usual, I need to ask you all to support 1st Laxey by stepping in to some of the vacant roles and supporting the leaders with your time. This is a great village resource and we need to think constantly about succession planning so please, please take the plunge and join in . I know that working lives create many demands but I cannot emphasise enough the fact that the rewards are there and being part of an organisation like this gives pleasure, friendships and is the perfect antidote to a hard day’s work.

Thank you to everyone who has given up their time to make 1st Laxey a success and thank you all for listening - once again please accept my apologies for not being able to be there this evening.

I am writing to invite you to our Annual General Meeting, which is being held on 8th July 2010 in the green hall at Laxey School commencing 6.45pm. This gives you the opportunity to hear section reports from the leaders as to the achievements and activities of the Beavers and Cubs during the year, as well as appoint a new Executive Committee to help run the Group for the forthcoming year.

Nick Boon our Chairman is standing down due to work commitments and I am also standing down as Group Secretary. Iain MacMillian, our current Cub Parent Representative, has kindly agreed to be nominated for Group Secretary but this leaves two of the Executive roles vacant - Chairman and Cub Parent Representative. If you think you would like to become involved in 1st Laxey Scout Group then please get in touch.

As I am sure you will all appreciate for 1st Laxey Scout Group to continue to thrive it needs the commitment and enthusiasm of a large number of people. I am hoping to find such enthusiasm within our large parent base. If you are willing to help, please give me a call my mobile number is 480617. Without your help we may not be able to continue in the same way we do now.

We have also decided to change the format a little this year we felt whilst the Cubs and Beavers have behaved impeccably at previous meetings we would run the AGM alongside a joint Beaver / Cub activity night. This will be an outdoor challenge and games evening with trophies and badges being presented after the meeting.

I look forward to seeing you all there.

Cubs

In the 2009/2010 financial year, we spent the equivalent of £104 per Cub. This came from your £25 per term subs, £5 profit from camps, £6 from donations and fundraising and £18 of one-off subsidy from Group Funds. The chart below shows how this was spent:



Beavers

In the 2009/2010 financial year, we spent the equivalent of £94 per Beaver. This came from your £25 per term subs, £6 from donations and fundraising and £13 of one-off subsidy from Group Funds. The chart below shows how this was spent:



The above figures are taken from the Group Accounts that will be published at the AGM in July.

Just a reminder that the second payment of £50 for the Centenary Camp is due on Thursday.

We had intended to issue final consent forms and a programme by now but we're just finalising some of the activities so this will follow shortly. Activities booked or being booked include gorge walking, rock climbing, pioneering, and kayaking. We are also considering dry slope skiiing (with an instructor and lessons) - could you let me know if you've been skiing before.

In addition, donations from island based companies towards this camp are now up to £1000!

This weekend ended up being mostly dry and sunny. The cubs arrived at 10:00 and were shown how to put up the tents, while some of the leaders struggled to put up the gazebo! After this, we played a few wide games before sitting down and making our own sandwiches for lunch.

After lunch the beavers arrived, and were shown the tents that the cubs were sleeping in, before departing for the glen gardens, where Kaa and Phil set up an orienteering course for the cubs and beavers to take part in. The nine groups did very well, managing to find six or seven out of the ten markers hidden. After the orienteering, we played a cub game followed by a beaver game, though we all agreed the beaver game was more enjoyable!

From the glen gardens we proceeded to Laxey beach, where we had a BBQ with past leaders and executive members of 1st Laxey Scout Group. Following the BBQ, we played a game of football on the beach while the bonfire was lit. We also scheduled a water fight on the beach, so trenches were dug for this. It took Nick, Ali, Iain and Phil a long time to fill the water balloons up in the toilets, considering the water fight was over within minutes, but we all found it very enjoyable.

After this, we said farewell to the beavers, before walking back up the camp site and getting some sleep, and I emphasise the word 'some'. After a very cold and drizzly night, we travelled to Ballakermeen high school, and learnt how to kayak in the swimming pool. This was enjoyable as we all made sure that Kaa got very wet!

Phil

By now you have probably heard from your child that I am standing down as Akela with immediate effect. I have very much enjoyed the last 8 1/2 years with 1st Laxey but intend to leave the island in the near future so feel it is better to stand aside and help the existing leaders take over. Until I leave I intend to remain actively involved. I am also fully committed to the UK Centenary Camp and will run that camp as a Cub Leader.

Stuart Watson has agreed to take over from me as Cub Scout Leader with the support of the existing team of Ruth, Julie and Phil. However it is vital that new volunteers come forward in the coming months to ensure the Pack keeps going. Please do speak to Stuart or myself if you feel you can contribute.

My sincere thanks go to the whole team and all past leaders. I also thank the Exec for their support, in particular Ali Wilkinson. Thanks also of course for your support of 1st Laxey Scout Group over the years and I hope the children continue to enjoy and benefit from Scouting in Laxey.

Many thanks for the great turnout at St George's Day. Over 75% of our Cub Pack were there along with 55% of the Beavers.

Photos below:

Firstly many thanks for the excellent attendance at St George's Day - it certainly makes a difference.

Could I remind you that cheques and forms for the Island Cub Camp in June were due last Thursday. The camp is now open to all Cubs (not just those not going on the UK trip). Please could you drop a mail asap to Rama if you intend to come and then bring the paperwork on Thursday.

Also a remind for those of us (cubs and leaders) going on the UK Centenary Camp that the first payment of £50 is due this Thursday. This is needed so we can start booking the boat and paying activity deposits.

We are also planning our Group Camp, which is a joint event with the Beaver and involves camping here in the village, for Saturday 15 - Sunday 16 May. Apologies for the extremely late notice - we are waiting for confirmation of some bookings and activities - full details will shortly be available.

Finally, for those who have not yet paid, subs of £25 are due.