It’s 5am, it’s minus 15 degrees outside, and we have just been rudely awoken after a few hours sleep with the prospect of a 50 mile stroll in the Chilterns ahead of us- why ??!!

Our start time is 6.30am and after plotting some grid references we are off into the cold – and boy was it cold! At our team meeting the night before we had agreed that it was best to take it easy at the start, it’s a long way, we needed to manage our bodies and let muscles get warm before doing too much; so why within 2 miles were we running ? Well it was just too tempting, – downhill across a closed golf course with virgin snow to leave our mark on – great stuff!

Soon we noticed a bit of a problem, all of the pipes from our water bladders had frozen, so we had no water, also the isotonic drinks (‘go juice’) were like slush puppies, but we could drink them. The early checkpoints were also struggling, frozen water, frozen gas – they weren’t happy bunnies! It was also very icy and during the day all of us fell over at least once at some point.

It was the coldest we had ever been out hiking and we kept every stitch of clothing we had firmly in place and tried to keep moving to generate some warmth. But when the sun came out, and the ice crystals sparkled as we trudged across a frozen field, it looked glorious, and there were some wonderful winter scenes along the way. But enough of that, we were racing!

The start had been fairly flat, and we pushed on to make the most of the easy terrain, passing a few teams along the way. We knew that the team that started just after us were the firm favourites, as locals and winners of the 50 miles for the last few years, and we didn’t actually see them at all, but as we feared they disappeared off into the distance.

As we were 50 miling this time we did give in to the charms of the checkpoints a couple of times, taking on board a very tasty sausage roll, and later on a hot dog – much needed they were too. We did make one navigational ‘faux pas’ and passed the same team twice as a result, but it wasn’t far and apart from that the navigation was pretty spot on. Then we heard from our 50k team, they had got to half way in about 4 hours so were doing really well, although we didn’t hear from them again till the end.

It became apparent that we were in a race for second place with team 9, who had started ahead of us and so meant we had the advantage of knowing how far in front they were as we came into the checkpoints. They had started 14 minutes before us and at one point they were about 25 minutes up, which meant they were beating us. We thought is was the ‘Undertakers’ team, but we met up with one of their 50k teams at a checkpoint and they said their 50 mile team had dropped down to the 50k, so who were they? So we pushed on and started to see the gap reduce, down to about 15 minutes – it was getting close.

Just after we passed the 25-mile mark (half way) I broke out the secret recipe bread pudding to celebrate and raise morale a bit. As we came up towards Ivinghoe Beacon we hit the 30-mile mark (so we would have finished if we were doing the 50k!) in just under 8 hours. But we still had 20 miles to go, so we push on, up a lovely steep hill. The section from 30 to 40 miles seemed to drag on for ever, and it was during this that we started to hurt. Martin had blister problems, as did Joe, as the old man of the team I was aching generally, but specifically the left ankle, lower back, right hip and left hamstring, Justin’s dodgy knee seemed to be holding up and he was generally setting the pace.

We were now 5 minutes behind team 9, but couldn’t seem to get and closer, the checkpoints were saying they knew we were chasing and were worried, so again we pushed on, we wanted to catch them!

And then we found them, we had just run down a hill and reached a gate at the bottom, and there was a team just the other side. What team are you? They asked – we told them team 16, and they were not happy! We then trailed them for a while, keeping them in sight and despite their tactics to shake us off, we stuck to them. Then it started getting dark, and the temperature plunged again. We were suffering a bit now, but decided to push on for the finish, and so went past the ‘Ten Gallon Dixie’ team and on towards the finish. We were a bit surprised at checkpoint 18 to find that there were arrows to show the way to the end – what was that about? – but carried on into town, past the station, and then a run (probably more a fast hobble) to try and get in under 12 and a half hours.

Sitting down (for the first time since before the start) was nice – but then we had to stand up to get a cup of tea, not so good. We met up with our supporting driver Stephen and then our 50k team came over for a tea as well. They weren’t too happy as they had made a couple of navigation errors and had been slower in the second half, finishing in over 10 hours, although Stephen still thought they had done well.

After a warm shower and a brief lie down our chauffeur Stephen kindly drove us into Amersham for a celebratory curry – that went down well and was much deserved for both teams. As a whole we didn’t feel as bad as we had expected to, although all of us were very weary and aching, and a lot of hobbling going on, so then it was back to the school and a well earned sleep.

The next morning we found out how well we had done – our 50k team were not expecting to have done much, possibly somewhere in the top 20 (out of over 40 teams). Well the top 20 passed, then we were into the top 10, still going, top 5 still not called – then the top 3 and they were on the stage! It turns out they finished third, and won 3 trophies! The novice trophy, fastest mixed team and fastest team all under 25. Then it was our turn, and yes we finished second, in 12 hours 31 minutes, winning 2 trophies as the runners up and also the County Trophy for fastest GLN team (we should have had the novice one as well, but can’t be too greedy!). Well done to our rivals from team 9 who came third – respect guys – they helped to keep us going and finished with their best ever time – well done guys. As for the winners, we think there should be some random drug testing brought in – they beat us by an hour and 40 minutes!

Our respect and gratitude go to the checkpoint staff – we were freezing cold and moving at reasonable speed to generate warmth, what it was like sitting around waiting for teams to turn up can’t have been nice, especially those who had to stay in place into the night! Also to all the team involved putting on such a big event that always seems so well organised and run. Many thanks to our driver Stephen, it was nice not to have to drive home!

Well done to our 50k team – Gemma T, Gemma P, Giacomo and Alex – first attempt at the 50k and coming third out of over 40 teams is a brilliant result, so a big well done. But there is still room for improvement, so next year guys………..

And so to the 50 mile team, well done guys for a good race and for dragging an old man round with you. All we have to do now is work out where we can get another 1 hour 40 minutes from for next time……….. if there is a next time!!

Mark Thompson, Phoenix Flyers, 201^st Islington.

 

This years Winter Mountaineering course was held in Snowdonia and saw a group of leaders and network members enjoying excellent winter conditions. They say a picture speaks a thousand words so here are a few thousand words to show just what a brilliant weekend it was. Many thanks to all who took part and special thanks to Dave Plummer for his help as an instructor.

 If you’re looking to improve your skills in the mountains, be it for training, assessment or just to have a fun weekend in the hills, please check our future courses or get in touch via the County Mountaineering team page on the County website.

Asa Kitchiner

Saturday 4^th February 2012 (DCs, County Team Members, ADCs and District Scouters)

Typed up flipcharts: Notes from Discussion Groups / Programme of Activities 2012

Notes from District discussions groups: Barnet Borough / CCI / Enfield / Haringey / Southgate

Sunday 5^th February 2012 (GSLs, DCs)

Powerpoint presentations: Introductions & Welcome / County Update, Services for Groups, Projects for 2012 and Survey Summary

Summary of Feedback Forms

Copies of presentations, handouts and relevant factsheets were given to all attendees electronically and will be posted to those who could not attend by the end of February.

Other related documents

Pre-conference Survey Results: Pre-conference Survey Results

County Directory (Feb 2012): GLN – Here to Help!

Sent to   Trouble viewing?

22/02/2012

Communications Update

Over the last week we have been sorting out issues with the new website and North Circular (and, under the covers, we have moved the hosting – where the site physically is – to a new home). Most of the website issues are now fixed, and we will start to introduce more new features in the next few weeks.

Last week’s North Circular distribution did not go very smoothly – one problem we have had (and have not yet fully fixed) is that email from GLN-Scouts.org.uk has a high ‘spam score’ so it may end up in a Junk or Spam folder. Please ask your fellow leaders and helpers to check, and if possible make  GLN-Scouts.org.uk a trusted domain to prevent this happening.

If you’ve not been looking at the facebook page you’ll have missed information about Scout camping at Alton Towers and discounts for other attractions, photos from the Scouts Question Time at the LSE, a chance for Explorers to win a free week-end camp for their unit and other stories. Check out www.facebook.com/Greater.London.North.Scouts

Team 104 in the woods

Southern 50

Posted on February 16th, 2012

BATTLING AGAINST ALL THE ELEMENTS This year’s Southern 50 Challenge Hike was just that little bit different.  It wasn’t so much a battle for the nearly 90 teams competing against each other.  It was more of a battle against the elements.  When the Southern 50 was created some 33 years ago, the idea was to [...]

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Dates for your Diary

March 1, 2012 Mountaineering Terrain 1&2 Assessment Q&A evening

Enfield Turkey St HQ - For more details click here

March 8, 2012 Safeguarding - Southgate District HQ

Available Spaces: 16 Register for this Event

April 2, 2012 Safeguarding - Islington Scout Centre

Available Spaces: 16 Register for this Event

Sunset

In charge at checkpoint 10

in-charge-at-checkpoint-11

in-charge-at-checkpoint-12

the-cowboys-and-indians

A shovelful of snow

Fozzy faces the indians

Colourful

Stuck!

Team 126 at checkpoint 11

Team 39 check their map

six-shooter-suzi

Team 104 in the woods

The Shuffling Pushovers

Majendie-Steeple Girls

Mad Hatters

WHY?? (Plympton Guides)

Undertakers 2

1st Runwell Overtakers

WHY NOT?

The Phoenix Flyers

BATTLING AGAINST ALL THE ELEMENTS

This year’s Southern 50 Challenge Hike was just that little bit different.  It wasn’t so much a battle for the nearly 90 teams competing against each other.  It was more of a battle against the elements.  When the Southern 50 was created some 33 years ago, the idea was to put on a real challenge for walkers in the Chiltern Hills in the middle of February when weather conditions just might be at their fiercest.  This year, the elements were at their most challenging in the history of the event.  Local radio reported that on the Friday night and at the start of the walk, temperatures in Chesham, the location for the start and finish school, had plummeted to minus 18 degrees.  How were all the teams from 14 different Counties across the UK, going to cope?

The answer is that they all coped amazingly well.  Despite 60% of the walkers being young people, some 90% of the nearly 400 participants finished their chosen event in good shape, having planned sensibly for the adverse weather.  The Arctic conditions were difficult enough, but the fall of heavy snow on Thursday night together with ice underfoot, meant that progress was hindered even further.  Nevertheless, the walkers stuck to their task and sheer guts and determination drove them home.

The 30km event saw Harrow ESU make light of the wintery conditions to stride home in just under seven hours, just 14 minutes ahead of the runners-up team from The Hatters ESU in Southgate.  A few minutes later came an all girls team from Majendie-Steeple ESU.  This Essex based team are regular entries and all the girls taking part made up a superb 30% of all participants.

The 50km event saw 1^st Runwell Overtakers from Essex live up to their name.  They starting off last and overtook all their rivals to finish their event in 9:36.  They have been knocking on the door for a few years, as they were runners-up last year and 3^rd place in 2010.  They were a half an hour ahead of another Essex based team, The Undertakers, from Halstead and Colne Valley.  Twenty minutes later came Phoenix Flyers Too from 201^st Islington, who always used to do well in the 30km event, but now they are over 18, they were tackling the 50km event for the first time, and are obvious stars in the making.

Finally, in the blue riband 50mile event, hot favourites Shuffling Pullovers from 1^st Chesham Bois made good use of local knowledge and experience to storm home in 10:54, finishing over 90 minutes ahead of Phoenix Flyers – a team of Leaders from 201^st Islington who were forced to move up in class for fear of being beaten by their other younger team.  Third home was Ten Gallon Dixie from Hornchurch, led by the amiable Mike Suggate, who was responsible for entering five teams from his old base in Hornchurch and his new base in Abingdon, Oxfordshire.

Event Secretary, Chris “Fozzy” Foster said “I have nothing but huge respect for everybody who took part this year.  It’s a tough enough event at the best of times, but throw in snow, ice and the coldest temperatures I have ever experienced in the UK, each finisher’s certificate is a thing of beauty to cherish by its new owner.  Our loyal group of over 100 adults who help to staff the event were once again all brilliant”.

Meanwhile, Pippa Byrom, aged 15, from the Bush Hill Park ESU in Enfield said “It was really brill.  The guys at the checkpoints were so encouraging and they kept us going.  It was difficult but the challenge was all part of the fun, and afterwards we really felt like we’d achieved something.  The evening activities were good and it was great to hang out and make friends with other Explorers.  I am really looking forward to trying it again next year”.

The Trophy Winners

(Full results are available on the Southern 50 Website )

The Shuffling Pushovers

The Phoenix Flyers

Southern 50 Shield (winners)
Shuffling Pushovers, 1st Chesham Bois, Buckinghamshire
Robert Walters Trophy (runners up)
Phoenix Flyers, 201^st Islington, GLN
Grove Trophy (aggregate of 130 years)
Shuffling Pushovers, 1st Chesham Bois, Buckinghamshire
Sharon Blower Trophy (fastest mixed team)
Sittingbourne Stompers, Sittingbourne, Kent
Novice Trophy
WHY?!?!, Plympton Guides, Devon
Ladies Trophy
WHY?!?!, Plympton Guides, Devon
Chief’s Cup (fastest, all under 25 year old novices)
Why Not?, 2^nd Warwick Sea Scouts, Warwickshire
County Winners Trophy
Phoenix Flyers, 201^st Islington, GLN

1st Runwell Overtakers

50 km event

50 km Challenge Trophy (winners)
1st Runwell Overtakers, Billericay & Wickford, Essex
Galleon Trophy (runners up)
Undertakers 2 ASU, Halstead & Colne Valley, Essex
Martin Hornsby Tankard (aggregate of 200 years)
CLVU Return Again
50 kms Novice Trophy
Phoenix Flyers Too, 201^st Islington, GLN
50 kms Chairman’s Cup (fastest team all under 25)
Phoenix Flyers Too, 201^st Islington, GLN
Ricky Bickley Memorial Trophy (Fastest Mixed Team)
Phoenix Flyers Too, 201^st Islington, GLN

The Mad Hatters

30 km event

Explorer Scout Challenge trophy (winners)
The Spartans, Harrow ESU, Harrow & Wealdstone, GLMW
Explorer Scout Runners up trophy (runners up)
Mad Hatters ESU, Southgate, GLN
Explorer Scout Novice Cup
Genesis 2 ESU, Basildon, Essex

Do you have a burning ambition to be in a short film? A viral marketing campaign is being created to demonstrate how activities such as Scouting enrich lives.

Filming will take place this February and March and the campaign will run during the summer. To get involved you will need to be available the week commencing 27 February.

Roles include;
- A male or female adult news reporter aged 25-55
- 2 x girls aged 10-15
- 2 x boys aged 10-15
- Extras (to appear in the background of film and photography)
- 5 x adults aged 25-65
- 20 x girls and boys aged 10-15.

If you would like to be invited to an audition in London, please send a one-minute video clip of yourself acting out a scene from your favourite play or film to marketing@scouts.org.uk or by post to Natasha Giraudel, The Scout Association, Gilwell Park, Bury Road London E4 7QW. Please provide your name, age, address and the part/s you are auditioning for.

Successful candidates will be invited to audition for their chosen part. Sadly there is no pay but you’ll get plenty of fame.

Firstly, there is the Scout Information Centre, run from Gilwell – If you’re looking for Scouting advice, support and guidance contact the scout information centre team by email or phone, 8am-7pm weekdays, 9am-12noon Saturdays. 0845 300 1818 / info.centre@scouts.org.uk or use the website – http://www.scouts.org.uk/contactus (If you need to contact the out of hours duty officer in an emergency, please call 07977 539 630)

Secondly, there is a Facebook resource – Scouting Leader Help For Cubs Beavers Scouts Pack Meetings – which is an online forum where leaders, stuck for a progamme idea or how to make something work, can ask other leaders for help. And it works, too – this post is as a result of GLN leaders mentioning it to me, and how useful it it.

Both sites worth bookmarking.

“Skiing for the first time certainly tested my patience as I spent most of the first hour falling over and having to reconnect my skis. Thankfully I was surrounded by the friendliest Rover Scouts from around the world, who helped encourage and teach me to stay upright, and I eventually pulled off a turn without falling which, believe me, was an achievement!”

During the evenings, there was a chance to learn about the participants’ different cultures as well as the intricacies of Swiss fondue etiquette! He has yet to reveal what he taught them about life in Greater London North…

Back home in Holborn, Bharathi made a short vlog about his trip, which you can see here:

So would he recommend it to others?

“Being surrounded by Rover Scouts and Pinkies at KISC really opened my eyes to how real the “worldwide family of scouts” is. Never have I felt more happy to be a Scout. I hope to continue being a part of the Scouting movement and to engage in more and more events such as the International Rover Week in Kandersteg. Hopefully you’ll see me there again, maybe even as a Pinkie!”