Category Archives: News

Articles about Group or Section news

Jumble Sale

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We’re very sorry to say that the continuing uncertainties relating to the course of the pandemic and the possible impact on the availability of the volunteers on whom we depend, mean that we’re not going to be able to hold our usual Jumble Sale again this year (normally the first Saturday in October).

We’d like to thank local residents for their generous support over many years, both in donating items for the sale and coming along on the day to pick up some bargains.

And we’d also like to thank our regular customers who come from across Glasgow, and beyond, to browse and buy at what is widely acknowledged to be one of Glasgow’s biggest and best Jumble Sales.

We very much hope that normal service will be resumed next year! Please mark the date in your diary now (Saturday, 1 October 2022) and check here nearer the time for updates.

With best wishes

28th Glasgow (Giffnock) Scout Group

Family Fun Event : Saturday, 4 September

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Help us to get the new session off to a flying start by joining us for a BBQ in the Scout Hall grounds on Saturday, 4 September. It’s a great chance to meet the leaders and other families.

The afternoon will start with our annual Family Scavenger Hunt. Those wishing to take part in the Scavenger Hunt can collect their instructions/clues from the Scout Hall at 3pm. All entries need to be returned by 5.00pm and the winning teams will be announced during the BBQ.  Food and drink (beer, wine and soft drinks) will be served between 5pm and 6pm. We’ll also be laying on some games and activities to keep the young people entertained. You are welcome to join us for the BBQ even if you are not taking part in the Scavenger Hunt. There is no charge for this fun event although there will be an opportunity to make a donation to help cover costs.

To help us keep the event Covid-safe and so that we know how many people to cater for at the BBQ, places must be booked in advance. If you’d like to attend, please  book your place by sending an email to group.chair@giffnockscouts.org.uk by Sunday, 29 August confirming the family name, the numbers attending the Scavenger Hunt and/or BBQ and whether anyone has any special dietary requirements.

We look forward to seeing you at the BBQ.

Returning to face-to-face Scouting

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Download and read our guidance for parents:Download

Dear Parents,

As some of the government restrictions around the COVID-19 pandemic begin to be relaxed again, we’re starting to plan for how we’ll be able to return to face-to-face Scouts activities at the 28th.
Scouts Scotland has recently confirmed that we have moved to the AMBER readiness level, and can resume face-to-face Scouting once again.

Of course, we’ve been here before, and once again we’ll be following the Scouts’ ‘COVID Code’ to keep young people and adults safe:

  • Control measures will be in place for all activities
  • Additional hygiene measures will be put in place
  • Social distancing will be observed
  • Group sizes will be limited
  • Adjustments will be made for young people vulnerable or affected by COVID

Returning to face-to-face Scouts is voluntary for all young people, parents/carers and volunteers. Your child’s Section Leader will be in touch directly to share their plans for meeting face-to-face in due course.

In the meantime, we would ask that you prepare for this by familiarising yourself with our updated “Guidance for Parents” document, which is attached.

If you have any questions, comments or concerns regarding this, please do not hesitate to contact me.

Kind regards,

Andy

Andy Loudon
Assistant Group Scout Leader

December Newsletter 🎅⚜️

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Dear Parent,
You can find our latest Group Newsletter here.

In it, you’ll find updates from the sections with photos of recent activities and important dates for your diary in 2021 (including dates when sections aren’t meeting over the holiday).

Also, a quick reminder that by using easyfundraising with your online shopping, you can help our group raise funds for free!

Wishing you all a very Merry Christmas and a relaxing break over the holiday period. We look forward to seeing you all in the New Year!

Best Wishes and kind regards
All of the team at the 28th

Our plans for getting back together at Scouts safely

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As some of the government restrictions around the COVID-19 pandemic begin to be relaxed, we’re starting to plan for how we’ll be able to return to face-to-face Scouts activities at the 28th after summer.


We’re all looking forward to returning, so we wanted to provide an update on how we’re approaching a re-start. Our restarting plans will follow all government rules and guidance from Scouts’ UKHQ. Our priority is to keep young people and adults safe.

We’ll be following the Scouts’ ‘COVID Code’:
– New control measures will be in place for all activities
– Additional hygiene measures will be put in place
– Social distancing will be observed
– Group sizes will be limited
– Adjustments will be made for young people vulnerable or affected by COVID

Returning to Scouts will happen in phases, the first of which will let us resume outdoor activities in small groups. Returning to face-to-face Scouts is voluntary for all young people, parents/carers and volunteers.

We’ll share more detailed plans for the new safety measures we’re putting in place soon. In the meantime, we’d be delighted to receive any feedback on our plans and to address any questions or concerns that parents and carers, young people and volunteers may have.

Best wishes,

Andy Loudon
Group Scout Leader (Acting)
& Explorers Section Leader		Peter Ritchie
Group Chairperson
Iain Paterson
Monday Beavers Section Leader		Sheila Oxburgh
Tuesday Cubs Section Leader
Derek Ritchie
Wednesday Cubs Section Leader		Heather Wright
Scouts Section Leader
James Gallagher
Assistant Group Scout Leader
& Friday Beavers Leader

An update from our Chair

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Dear All,

First, I hope that you and your families are staying safe and well. It’s been fantastic to see our Young People adapting to Scouting At Home and I’d like to thank our volunteers who have taken the time to prepare online activities.

Face-to-face Scout meetings have now been suspended for close to three months. Clearly we don’t know yet when it is going to be possible to restart them. What is clear is that decisions on when (and in what format) meetings can restart will be informed initially by advice from The Scout Association and Scouts Scotland.

The Scottish Government is currently planning for schools in Scotland to go back on 11 August – but with physical distancing measures in place. There are clearly challenges involved in replicating such measures in the Scout Hall – so it is quite possible that section meetings won’t restart until some time after the schools go back.

The Section Leaders and Committee Members have discussed all these issues and agreed that:

  • We won’t be arranging a Registration Night until we are clear when face-to-face meetings will be restarting
  • Registration Nights (or an alternative) will take place during the week before meetings restart
  • When we can restart, we’ll be making sure to get things off to a flying start and to encourage as many young people as possible to re-join
  • We’ll be suspending progression arrangements in the meantime and working on the basis that young people will initially re-join the section they were in when meetings stopped.
  • Progression between sections and the recruitment of new Beavers will take place 6-8 weeks after meetings restart.

Group Scout Leader
Brian Martin, our Group Scout Leader (GSL), intimated some time ago that he’d be standing down from that role at the end of June. I’d like to take this opportunity to thank Brian on behalf of the Group for all his help and support as GSL during the past 6 years. Although he is standing down as GSL, we will still be seeing him from time to time (eg at fundraising events) as he is joining the 28th’s Active Support Unit.

This means that we are currently looking for someone to take over the role of Group
Scout Leader. The GSL role is essentially a management role. Prior experience of
Scouting is not necessary. What we need is someone who can provide some leadership, motivation and guidance to our other adult volunteers – and they will of course be supported by 2 very able Assistant Group Scout Leaders who handle much of the day- to-day work. If you think you could take on the GSL role – or if you know someone who might be interested – please let me know.

Kind Regards,
Peter Ritchie
Group Chairperson

Email: group.chair@giffnockscouts.org.uk

Coronavirus Update

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Dear all,

As Scouts, wherever we go and whatever we do, we put our member’s safety and wellbeing first.

As you will be aware, the Novel Coronavirus, COVID-19, is an evolving situation and a difficult time for all of us and our families.
After listening to our volunteers, the decision has been taken to suspend all weekly section meetings for an indefinite period of time (from today, March 16th)

This includes Monday Beavers, The Group Camp meeting & Explorers which were scheduled for this evening.

We are not, at this stage, cancelling Group Camp. However we will continue to monitor the situation and give you an update as soon as possible.

We will continue to provide updates to parents, supporters & volunteers as the situation develops.

Please get in touch with us if you have any questions.

Many thanks,
Brian Martin (Group Scout Leader)
Peter Ritchie (Group Chair)
Andy Loudon (Assistant Group Scout Leader)
James Gallagher (Assistant Group Scout Leader)