Swimming Gala

After a gap of many years Scouts from 5 groups joined the Cubs and a joint swimming gala was held at Royton Baths.

Although in some races there was only sufficient entrants to hold a final, in others they were able to have preliminary heats to determine which Scouts went through to the final.

Points were awarded to the group based on whether the Scout came in first, second, third or fouth, with certificates given to the winning three teams. These were:

In first place - 16th Oldham, St Edwards
In second place - 115th Oldham, Westwood Moravians
In third place - 10th Oldham, Knolls Lane

Congratulations and well done to everyone.

Cooking Competition

Scouts from the 10th, 85th and 128th took part in the district cooking competition held at Ashworth Valley Camp Site.

They had to cook a three course meal on an open fire, though as it was not a backwoods competition they could use pans etc.

The three menu's included prawn cocktail, garlic bread and cheese, chicken with potatoes and veg, kebabs with pasta, quorn stirfry with spaghetti, chocolate oranges, fruit pancakes, and toasted christmas pudding with custard. (not all on the same menu of course!)

Everyone tried very hard and all the food was eaten, but not before some mishaps. These included a pasta cutter not working very well, pancakes sticking to the pan and lumpy custard.

One group was so safety conscious that in order to prevent a fire whilst they were eating their meal they put water on the open fire to extinguish it completely forgetting they would need to get some hot water for washing up afterwards.

Congratulations to the winners who were declared as the 10th.

Photo's of the competition can be seen here.

County Backwoods Cooking / Camping Competition

As a result of winning our own cooking competition, the 10th represented Oldham at the County Backwoods Cooking Comptition held at Giants Seat Campsite.

Also on site was the 115th who had entered the Camping Competition, part of which included them taking part in Backwood Cooking Competition.

Both Oldham teams put on a good show and were duly rewarded when the results were announced by learning that the 10th had come first and the 115th second. They will now both go forward to the Regional Finals which will be held in the Isle of Man during October.

Unfortunately the 115th did not do as well in the Camping Competition.

Emergency Aid - Level 1 Badge

Nine Scouts attended a first aid course at the BP Centre in February and came away with their Emergency Aid, Level 1 Badge.

Many congratulations to the following successful Scouts

1st Oldham
Neil Bostock, Jamie Heap, David Treacy, Phillip Lanham
21st Oldham
Adam Exton, Matthew Taylor
85th Oldham
Kathy Jennings, Chris Roberts
115th Oldham
Amelia Masters

Some of these Scouts also took part in the Incident Hike (see below) and were able to put their new skills into practice when asked to render first aid to a person who had apparently got a large piece of glass embedded in his hand. (see challenge 4 below)

Incident Hike

This years event took place around the Strinsdale Country Park in typical wet and windy weather.

Five Groups took part in the competition which required the Scouts to solve a number of Scouting Challenges as they walked around the perimeter of the Park. In addition, before leaving they had a kit inspection to ensure they had all brought items appropriate for the journey they were about to undertake, e.g. compass, maps, pens, first aid kit, waterproof clothing etc.

Briefly, the challenges were;

1. Follow a series of compass bearings then identify the star constellation they had just completed.
2. Complete a simple "mind bending" puzzle.
3. Attempt to purify some water using just the equipment provided. (Dixie's and a piece of muslin).
4. Apply first aid to a person who had got a piece of glass embedded in his hand.
5. Make a stretcher to carry a member of their team using equipment provided. (2 poles, rope and a couple of old coats).
6. Answer some questions based on their observation as they went around the course.

The final placing's were;

Congratulations to the 128th, and well done to everyone else who took part.

Thanks to the District Fellowship for organising the event and to all who stood out in the rain waiting for the Scouts to arrive and demonstrate their skills.

This page was last amended on 23 October 2002