Scouting in Royal Berkshire

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Royal Berkshire is a Scout County and part of the Scout Association of the United Kingdom. It is concurrent with the political county of Berkshire, and provides Scouting opportunities for 7,500 young people and adults in the area.

County badge as worn on the uniform of Scouting members

Map of the UK highlighting the location of Royal Berkshire

[edit] Organisation

The County is currently divided into twelve Scout Districts, although East Reading District is being dissolved at the end of 2006 with its groups being placed in the neighbouring districts of Reading Central and Loddon. The divisions within the County are reviewed periodically, with the aim of improving the organisation and provision of Scouting in the region. This has sometimes involved the creation or dissolution of Scout Districts, or simple the redrawing of boundaries. For example, the last revision included the dissolution of Thamesside and the creation of Reading Central and East Reading in its place.

The Districts combine to provide 120 Scout Groups and Explorer Scout Units, providing Scouting for young people from the age of 6 and up. There is also a Scout Network.

Some aspects of Scouting are run cross-District, for example, Pang Valley, East Reading and Reading Central have been running a shared Young Leader programme since late 2005, and the Explorer Scout Units have been running joint activities and events, too.

[edit] East Reading District

It has been decided to fold the district into Loddon and Reading Central. This change is being phased in at the end of 2006.

2nd Reading Sea Scouts
31st Reading (1st Earley) Sea Scouts
71st Reading (Anderson) Sea Scouts
73rd Reading (Park)
84th Reading (St Nicholas)
96th Reading
99th Reading (2nd Lower Earley)
East Reading District Explorer Scout Unit
East Reading District Young Leader Unit

[edit] Kennet

1st Hungerford
1st Inkpen and Kintbury
1st Lambourn
1st Newbury Sea Scouts
2nd Newbury
3rd Newbury
4th Newbury (St John's)
1st Wash Common
1st Woolton Hill
Phoenix Explorer Scout Unit
Pegasus Explorer Scout Unit
Kennet District Young Leader Unit

[edit] Loddon District

[edit] Maidenhead District

Maidenhead is the largest Scout District in the Royal County of Berkshire with 11 Scout Groups and 1088 members (as at Jan 2005). Most Groups have Beaver Scouts, Cub Scouts, and Scouts. The District also has five Explorer Scouts Units, including a Young Leader Unit. The Scout Fellowship, whose members are usually ex-Scouters or retired Scouters who wish to continue their association with Scouting.

The District covers Bray, Holyport, Furze Platt, Pinkneys Green, Cox Green, central Maidenhead, Woodlands Park, White Waltham, Hurley and Cookham. Many of the Groups use the river and camping facilities at Longridge during the year.

Groups in the District and their Web Sites:

[edit] Pang Valley District

Pang Valley covers portions of Reading to the west, and a number of villages in West Berkshire, including Pangbourne, Purley, Burghfield, and Sulhampstead.

[edit] Reading Central District

District badge as worn on the uniform of Scouting members

This District was formed in 1991 from part of the old District of Thameside.

It currently covers most of the town of Reading and some of its suburbs, including Whitley, Caversham, and parts of Tilehurst. The villages of Shinfield and Spencers Wood are also included to the south.

1st Reading (YMCA) Sea Scouts - one of the founding troops of 1908
3rd Reading (St Peter's)
22nd Reading (St John's, Caversham)
32nd Reading (St George's)
47th Reading (Whitley Wood)
52nd Reading
58th Reading (St Mary's)
69th Reading (1st Caversham Heights)
72nd Reading (St Mark's) Sea Scouts
89th Reading (Milestone Wood)
93rd Reading (English Martyrs)
102nd Reading (Muslim) - one of the first groups for Muslim Scouts, started in 2006
1st Shinfield (St Mary's)
Penguins ESU
1st Reading (YMCA) ESU

[edit] Slough District

[edit] South Berkshire District

[edit] South-East Berkshire District

South East Berks covers Ascot, Binfield, Bullbrook, Harmanswater, North Bracknell (Warfield), Priestwood, and Sunningdale. (The other estates in Bracknell - Birch Hill, Easthampstead, Great Hollands and Wildridings are in the South Berks District).

Groups

2nd Bracknell- Scouting for Bullbrook and Warfield

4th Bracknell - Priestwood

6th Bracknell - Garth

1st Binfield

1st Ascot (All Saints)

1st South Ascot

1st Sunningdale

[edit] Taceham Hundred District

Taceham Hundred District is a Scout District that geographically covers the Thatcham locality, extending northwards to include the downland areas around Compton. Taceham is the historical name for the settlement of Thatcham.

District badge as worn on the uniform of Scouting members

The District's badge features a hot air balloon (the area saw pioneering hot air ballooning), an oak leaf (from the forests at Bucklebury) and an old cross (from a memorial in Thatcham).

Groups in the District:

1st Cold Ash
1st Compton
1st Hermitage
1st Thatcham
2nd Thatcham
1st Woolhampton

District Explorer Scout Units:

Axford ESU.

District Website : www.tacehamhundred.org.uk

[edit] Windsor and Eton District

[edit] Wokingham District

[edit] County Administration and Facilities

The County maintains a training centre and campsite at Earleywood, just south of Bracknell.

Some of the Districts within the County maintain small campsites which can be used by any Scout Group or Scout within the Organisation.

[edit] Campsites

There are three campsites within the County. Earleywood is the largest facility, while the other two (Paddicks Patch, based in Loddon District and just oustide of the town of Woodley, and the 1st Burghfield Scout HQ, in the town of Burghfield and part of Pang Valley District) offer a single pitch with a fire-circle and a nearby hut.

All three campsites are available to all members of the Scout Association for activities.

[edit] Events and Activities

[edit] WINGS

WINGS (Windsor InterNational Guide & Scout camp) is a major event which is normally held every 5 years in the County. The next event is being delayed until 2009 because of the World Jamboree being hosted in the UK and the other Centenary celebrations in 2007.

The event is open to all Guides and Scouts from both inside and outside the UK, and of all ages.

Members of Royal Berkshire resting whilst walking in Slovenia

[edit] International Expeditions

The County has restarted a tradition of International Expeditions, where Scouting members from the age of 14 are able to experience and participate in activities outside of the UK.

2004 - Slovenia - a multi-activity camp in the former Yugoslav republic
2005 - Slovenia - a return to the Eastern European country, but specifically for completion of the Explorer Belt
2006 - Spain - a multi-activity camp

There will be no expedition in 2007, because of the World Scout and Guide Jamboree.

[edit] World Scout Jamboree 2007

Royal Berkshire has been a long-standing participant of Jamborre celebrations, and will be sending 72 young people to the World Jamboree being held in 2007.

The World Scout Jamboree takes place at Hylands Park in the historic city of Chelmsford in Essex.

The two Units (Blue Troop and Purple Troop) have been undergoing fundraising and a training programme in the run up to the Jamboree.