Scouting in North West England: Difference between revisions

The Scout Association in North West England is administered through 8 [[Scout Counties]].

Lancaster SSAGO, covering [[Lancaster University]] and [[University of Cumbria]] (formally St Martin's College ); Students of [[Liverpool]] Association of Guides and Scouts, covering [[University of Liverpool]], [[Liverpool John Moores University]] (JMU), [[Liverpool Hope University]] and [[Liverpool Institute for Performing Arts]] (LIPA); Manchester SSAGO, covering [[Manchester Metropolitan University]], the [[University of Manchester]]), the [[University of Salford]] and [[University of Bolton]]; and [[University of Central Lancashire]] SSAGO, all affiliated to the [[Student Scout and Guide Organisation]] (SSAGO), are situated in North West England.<ref> [http://www.ssago.org.uk/clubs/england/ SSAGO England] </ref><ref> [http://www.lancs.ac.uk/socs/ssago/ Lancaster SSAGO] </ref><ref> [http://www.liverpoolssago.org.uk./ Students of Liverpool Association of Guides and Scouts] </ref>

'''Cumbria''' is a [[Scout Counties|Scout County]] concurrent with the political county of [[Cumbria]], and provides [[Scouting]] opportunities for young people and adults in the area around the English Lake District, including the town of [[Barrow-in-Furness]], and the [[City of Carlisle]].<ref> [http://www.cumbriascouts.org.uk/ Cumbria County Scouts Website] </ref>

'''Cheshire''' is a [[Scout Counties|Scout County]] concurrent with the political county of [[Cheshire]].<ref> [http://www.cheshirescouts.org.uk Cheshire Scout County] </ref>

[[Alderley District Scout Band]], formed in 1963 with one bugle and drum, is a traditional marching and display band in based in [[Wilmslow]], [[Cheshire]]. It is in the Alderley Scout District of the Cheshire Scout County. The band takes part in competitions under the [[TYMBA]] [[Traditional Youth Marching Bands Association]] (TYMBA) and the [[British Youth Band Association]] (BYBA) rules, winning over 500 trophies including many Supreme Champions.<ref name="band"> [http://alderleydistrict.tripod.com/ Alderley District Scout Band] </ref>

Cheshire Water Activities is an independent organisation which supports Scouting in Cheshire. The Activities team provide training of leaders, and supervision of young people, in various water activities including [[kayaking]], [[sailing]], [[windsurfing]], [[Motorboat|power boating]], and offshore sailing.<ref> [http://website.lineone.net/~cwac/index.htm Cheshire Water Activities] </ref>

'''Greater Manchester East Scout County''' is one of three [[Scout Counties]] based in [[Greater Manchester]]. The area is divided into 11 districts,covering the city of Manchester itself, [[Stockport]], [[Tameside]], and [[Glossop]]. Glossop is situated within the county boundaries of Derbyshire, but has been included in the area due to its close geographical position near the Greater Manchester conurbation.<ref> [http://www.scouts.co.uk/County.aspx?c=2 Greater Manchester East ScoutCounty]</ref>

'''Greater Manchester North''' is one of three [[Scout Counties]] which cover the metropolitan county of [[Greater Manchester]], and provides a [[Scouting]] programme to the towns of [[Bolton]], [[Bury]], [[Farnworth]], [[Heywood, Greater Manchester|Heywood]], [[Middleton, Greater Manchester|Middleton]], [[Prestwich]] and [[Rochdale]], amongst others. The County Headquarters are in Middleton.<ref> [http://www.gmnscouts.org.uk/ Greater Manchester North Scout County]</ref>

'''Greater Manchester West''' is one of three [[Scout Counties]] which cover the metropolitan county of [[Greater Manchester]], and provides a [[Scouting]] programme to the metropolitan boroughs of [[Leigh, Greater Manchester|Leigh]], [[City of Salford|Salford]], [[Trafford]] and [[Metropolitan Borough of Wigan|Wigan]].<ref> [http://www.gmwscouts.org.uk/ Greater Manchester West Scout County]</ref>

The County is currently divided into nine [[Scout District]]s{{Citation needed|date=September 2009}}:<!-- 9 are listed but it says 8. In any event a souce is required for the District names. -->

The Scout County regularly runs a varied number of trips including training weekends in Scotland around the Cairngorms<ref>[http://www.bbc.co.uk/lancashire/content/articles/2007/02/01/scouts_snow_ice_feature.shtml BBC - Snow bother for the Scouts!]</ref> and smaller ski trips to the [[Alps]] as well as Scotland.  

The Scout County is well known for their mountaineering adventure element of their program. Over the last few years two trips to [[Greenland]]<ref>[http://greenland.westlancashirescouts.org.uk/ Greenland 2007]</ref> have resulted in some assents of unclimbed peaks<ref>[http://www.mef.org.uk/NewFiles/trips07.html Mount Everest Foundation]</ref>. The first trip, in 2004<ref>[http://www.bbc.co.uk/lancashire/lifestyle/2004/07/08/scouts.shtml BBC: Scouts on a polar bear hunt!]</ref> featured a link up to Waddecar via a Sat phone during the campsite's birthday celebrations with the [[Chief Scout]]<ref>[http://www.google.co.uk/url?sa=t&ct=res&cd=15&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpress.westlancashirescouts.org.uk%2Fdocuments%2FRobbie%2520Rocks%2520Red%2520Rose%2520Press%2520Release.pdf&ei=Vm13SPC9NZCE1wbk4OmpBg&usg=AFQjCNGaQD33x0l5VBQjGWc21yde62pYng&sig2=Vsz-C_ulE0uub3SHoBJ2aQ Scouts Press Release 2004]</ref>, the second during 2007<ref>[http://www.thebmc.co.uk/Feature.aspx?id=1959 BMC supported expeditions] </ref> to Ren Land featured a far larger number of participants and a sea kayak element. The trips were approved by the [[Young Explorers Trust]]<ref> [http://www.theyet.org/ Young Explorers Trust]</ref> and the [[British Mountaineering Council]].<ref> [http://www.thebmc.co.uk/ British Mountaineering Council]</ref> As well as the mountaineering and adventure side, scientific elements were also completed<ref>[http://87.127.227.195/magazine/arpmay05/aprmay05_p14.htm Scout magazine archive]</ref>

Bispham Hall is a {{#ifeq:|on|<span style="display:none">{{padleft:60|16|0}}</span>}}{{convert/acre|60|{{#ifeq:{{#expr:m2*0}}|0|0}}|m2||||r={{#ifeq:{{{sp}}}|us|er|re}}|d=LoffAoffDbSon|s=}} Activity Centre situated almost midway between Manchester and [[Liverpool]], near to the village of [[Billinge]].

'''Bowley Scout Camp and Activity Centre''', established in 1968, is managed by the East Lancashire Scout County of the Scout Association. The site, of {{#ifeq:|on|<span style="display:none">{{padleft:47|16|0}}</span>}}{{convert/acre|47|{{#ifeq:{{#expr:m2*0}}|0|0}}|m2||||r={{#ifeq:{{{sp}}}|us|er|re}}|d=LoffAoffDbSoff|s=}} of former agricultural pasture, provides both camping sites  and indoor accommodation . It has open views to Pendle Hill and the distant peaks within the Lake District National Park and North Yorkshire National Park. Activities on site include climbing walls, archery, rifle shooting, and grass sledges. A new eco-building is being constructed on site, being one of the first commercial/residential centres to be built out of straw bales.<ref>[http://www.bowley.org.uk Bowley Scout Camp and Activity Centre]</ref>

Dunham Park is a {{#ifeq:|on|<span style="display:none">{{padleft:15|16|0}}</span>}}{{convert/acre|15|{{#ifeq:{{#expr:m2*0}}|0|0}}|m2||||r={{#ifeq:{{{sp}}}|us|er|re}}|d=LoffAoffDbSon|s=}} mixed woodland camp site located at [[Dunham Massey]], near the town of [[Altrincham]], some {{#ifeq:|on|<span style="display:none">{{padleft:8|16|0}}</span>}}{{convert/mi|8|{{#ifeq:{{#expr:km*0}}|0|0}}|km||||r={{#ifeq:{{{sp}}}|us|er|re}}|d=LoffAoffDbSoff|s=}} south of the centre of Manchester.

'''Ennerdale Scout Centre''' is owned and maintained by the Cumbria Scout Association County, and is located on the [[River Eden, Cumbria|River Eden]] near to [[Ennerdale Water]]. The site only covers around {{#ifeq:|on|<span style="display:none">{{padleft:6|16|0}}</span>}}{{convert/acre|6|{{#ifeq:{{#expr:m2*0}}|0|0}}|m2||||r={{#ifeq:{{{sp}}}|us|er|re}}|d=LoffAoffDbSoff|s=}}, but offers a range of camping pitches, as well as some indoor accommodation for up to around 60 people.<ref> [http://ennerdale.cumbriascouts.org.uk/ Ennerdale Scout Centre] </ref> This site was previously owned by the former West Cumberland Scout County. For over 50 years, the [[Oxford University Scout and Guide Group]] has had a close association with the camp site, with students camping for a week before and after the summer camping season in the University Easter vacation and the university Summer vacation in September.<ref> [http://users.ox.ac.uk/~ousgg/ Oxford University Scout and Guide Group history]</ref>

'''Great Tower Activity Centre''' is located on the eastern shore of [[Windermere (lake)|Windermere]] in the [[Lake District National Park]]. While it is located in the Cumbria Scout Association County, the site is maintained by West Lancashire Scout Association County. The site covers an area of {{#ifeq:|on|<span style="display:none">{{padleft:250|16|0}}</span>}}{{convert/acre|250|{{#ifeq:{{#expr:km2*0}}|0|0}}|km2||||r={{#ifeq:{{{sp}}}|us|er|re}}|d=LoffAoffDbSoff|s=}}.<ref> [http://www.greattower.org.uk/ Great Tower Activity Centre] </ref>

Dog Hill Scout and Community Camp Site in [[Shaw and Crompton|Shaw]], Oldham and Bibby's Farm Scout Camp and Activity Centre near Chorley but administered by the Scout districts in Bolton are available to scouts, guides and other youth organisations in Greater Manchester North Scout County or elsewhere.<ref> [http://www.doghillscoutcamp.co.uk/ Dog Hill Scout and Community Camp Site]</ref><ref> [http://www.bibbysfarm.org.uk/ Bibby's Farm Scout Camp and Activity Centre] </ref> There is also Giants Seat camp site run by Radcliffe Dsitrict.{{Citation needed|date=July 2009}}

'''Ratlingate International Camping Centre''' is located {{#ifeq:|on|<span style="display:none">{{padleft:4|16|0}}</span>}}{{convert/mi|4|{{#ifeq:{{#expr:km*0}}|0|0}}|km||||r={{#ifeq:{{{sp}}}|us|er|re}}|d=LoffAoffDbSoff|s=}} south of the city of Carlisle, and is owned and maintained by Reivers Scout Association District. The site consists of {{#ifeq:|on|<span style="display:none">{{padleft:4|16|0}}</span>}}{{convert/acre|4|{{#ifeq:{{#expr:m2*0}}|0|0}}|m2||||r={{#ifeq:{{{sp}}}|us|er|re}}|d=LoffAoffDbSoff|s=}} of camping field, with a further {{#ifeq:|on|<span style="display:none">{{padleft:20|16|0}}</span>}}{{convert/acre|20|{{#ifeq:{{#expr:m2*0}}|0|0}}|m2||||r={{#ifeq:{{{sp}}}|us|er|re}}|d=LoffAoffDbSoff|s=}} in mixed woodland pitches. It originally had a wooden hut, which burnt down and so was replaced with a building at the top of the campsite which has kitchens, toilets and dormitorys. Nearly all Reivers camps take place at Ratlingate, including the recent Centenary Camp where over 250 people attended. Its woods can hold many activities from backwoods cooking to pioneering, and is regularly used for orienteering competitions.<ref> [http://www.ratlingate.co.uk/ Ratlingate International Camping Centre] </ref>

'''Tawd Vale Scout Campsite''' is a campsite of the Merseyside Scout County.<ref name="mersey"/> Named after the River Tawd, which flows through the camp, it consists of {{#ifeq:|on|<span style="display:none">{{padleft:80|16|0}}</span>}}{{convert/acre|80|{{#ifeq:{{#expr:m2*0}}|0|0}}|m2||||r={{#ifeq:{{{sp}}}|us|er|re}}|d=LoffAoffDbSoff|s=}} in West Lancashire.<ref>[http://www.tawdvale.co.uk/ Tawd Vale Scout Campsite]</ref> The site is currently run by the ACC Tawd Vale.

Waddecar has several buildings that can be hired out by Scout Groups and other youth organisations. These include Helme Lodge and Jubilee Base.<ref name="founding">{{cite web | url=http://www.waddecar.org.uk/accommodation.htm | title=Waddecar Scout Camp - Accommodation Details | accessdate=2007-09-04}}</ref> Waddecar also has several large areas for pitching tents including the Training Field and the recently acquired ''Bill's Meadow''. The site also offers a number of activities, including [[Abseiling]], [[Climbing]], an Obstacle Course, [[Archery]], [[Bicycle|Cycle]] Hire, and an [[Air gun|Air Rifle]] Shooting Range.<ref>[http://www.waddecar.org.uk Waddecar Scout Camp and Activity Centre]</ref>