Once again our county has produced a good crop of awards.

Llast year's Bronze awards have turned into Silver...and now we face the task of turning the new Bronze into Silver and the Silver into Gold. Many new recruits have increased our county numbers and we look forward to another great year ahead.

Outdoor Survival

I am trying to organise a countywide event for late this year/early next year which will culminate in a weekend camp for our county. The basic camp will follow outdoor survival techniques that will be useful for Potential Silver or Gold challenges. The weekend will count as a practise for the Expedition section of the award. A likely location is Hatfield forest where we can be near home to reduce costs- yet has that "far-away" feeling of isolation. Details of this exciting challenge/practise will be made on the website as soon as I have confirmed the details. If any "Duke of Edinburgh's" participants are interested in earning some service towards their award while helping at the Outdoor Survival Camp weekend - please contact me.

Peter Banks | County Adviser (Duke of Edinburgh Scheme)

The list of New Duke of Edinburgh award holders for May 2004 is as follows:

Bronze Passes

Michael Hexter - EFS

Christopher Moon-Little - EFS

Edward Moon-Little - EFS

Andrew Smith - Romford

Daniel Gambini - Romford

Chae Bassett - Romford

Paul Webb - Romford

Mark Neal - Romford

Ross Tyler - Romford

Johnathen Webb - Romford

David Brett - Romford

James Williams - Romford

Edmund Read - Newham

Lucy Read - Newham

Aaron Richard - Newham

and last but not least a Silver standard award for

Sarah Cooper - Romford

This should bring us a good crop of Silver awards next year and Sarah's Silver may turn into GOLD.

The presentation will be made by Dean Milton (County Commissioner) at Hawkey Hall in Broadmead Road Woodford on June the 16th. Please will all Scouts receiving awards (and any of their parents who attend)be there by 7:15 at the latest and let me know you have arrived.

The tremendous effort by Angela Austin of Romford has set a level that other districts will have to work hard to beat but Graham Cole in Walthamstow will not be far behind. Robin Scott also is in the wings and will be a force to reckon with.

the summer should see Walthamstow complete many Bronzes awards while Angela strides away into a new SIlver program.

winter months are very useful for completing any outstanding sections of the awards

If any unit or group need any help with the D of E training my phone number is below.

I can only apolgise for my absence this year due to illness but I feel that I shall be chasing all districts again soon.

I would just like to thank all the hard working leaders who promote the scheme.

Peter Banks | County Adviser (Duke of Edinburgh Scheme)

A new record has set by ROMFORD district

The Explorer section has just signed up 34 new D of E starters in one evening a great [and well organised ] launch.

Angela invited me down to give a D of E presentation and the response was terrific. The record held by Graham Cole [Walthamstow] has been well defeated.

this should bring us a good crop of awards next year.

Since Walthamstow have a 6 months start it will be interesting to see who gins the first Bronze awards

Expeditions cannot be started until the start of March but there is much to do through the winter months

Any award granted before June next Year will be presented at the County AGM

If any unit or group need any help with the D of E training my phone number is on this web site.

I can only appolgise for my long absence this year but thats no excuse to let any D of E holders of the hook now my health has returned

I shall be chasing everybody again .

Peter Banks | County Adviser (Duke of Edinburgh Scheme)

The Award Scheme is taking off very well in this new year. The number of new Starters is at 23 in a single month with the 19th & 21st EFS taking 12 new Bronze books.The Presentations of the actual award is picking up with 2nd Upminster looking to get 6 bronze in March with Andrew Scotts 2nd. Rainham close behind.There are a further 6 Bronze awards due to be awarded in April.

Winter is the best time to join, the indoor work needed to complete an award can be signed off before the sun starts to appear again [if the rain ever stops]. I will be away for most of February, but am expecting this year to break all records.

The Entrance pack to the award scheme now costs £9.50 an increase of £1, but the individual sections are priced at £3.00. ..........................

Peter Banks | County Adviser (Duke of Edinburgh Scheme)

FIVE New Bronze "Duke of Edinburgh's" Awards were presented by Dean Milton on December 14th to : - SAM MOORE, ALEX MOORE, DAN BURNHAM, ANDREW MCNAMARA of the 43rd Epping Forest South Group and DAWN CLARKE of the Walthamstow band, our Congratulations to you all.

The new year brings new challenges, and a very worthy personal challenge is open to ALL members of the Scout Association between 14 and 24 years of age.

The "AWARD" comes in 3 levels Bronze , Silver and GOLD. each has 4 sections to be "Taken on" the Community Service, The Skill, The Physical Recreation, and the Famous Expedition.

The Gold has a 5th section called A "Residential Experience"

If you would like to join or just find out more details about the scheme contact Peter Banks on GLNESCOUTDOFE@HOTMAIL.COM or phone 0208-529-1774.

Visits and presentations can always be arranged at a venue to suite you and your Group. Don't wait till the Summer, get some of the "indoor" items of the award finished before the Sun-shine distracts you.

Peter Banks | County Adviser (Duke of Edinburgh Scheme)

Winter is officially here, and that means the Expeditions season is over until the end of March. So now is an ideal time to chase all the other outstanding parts of your award.

There is a pre-planned Physical Recreation programme available which requires no special equipment, and can be organised in almost any Scout Building.

The Revised list of Skills has been published and contains a very long list which I will scan into next months issue.

The 43rd Epping Forest South Group spent 6 months building and testing Kites, yours could be ready for the March winds.

Service is the hardest section of all, but painting and decorating your Scout/Venture Hut or even a good tidy up of the Stores all count as Service. [so does clearing up you bonfires] ans so does making a comprehensive list of your stores [for Insurance].While you are doing that, maybe some running repairs to the tentage .

We are still planning a "D of E" clinic for early next year, where all the rules and a host of ideas will be laid out. Two Groups have come forward for Bronze Award they are the 2nd Upminster, and the 43rd Epping Forest South - Well done.. See you at the Silver Next year...

Peter Banks | County Adviser (Duke of Edinburgh Scheme)

We are now in the planning stages of a "Duke of Edinburgh's" Award training weekend. This will be run in the early Spring of 2002, and will attempt to get any of you who are stuck, moving again.

The theme will be the new rules covering Skills, Service, Physical Recreation and the weekends target will be to get as many of you as possible through the Bronze level Expedition. As you may know this is a minimum hike of 15 miles with one nights camping. The other 7 aspects of the Expedition [navigation, First aid etc] will be taught during the course

At Bronze level the hike does not have to be in Wild Country, and many suitable areas exist within easy striking distance to Hargreaves Camp. Full details will be published in next months issue, but until then please spread the word.

The event is for ANYBODY interested in starting their "Duke of Edinburgh's" Award, or simply trying to restart a lapsed award. I can promise that the weekend will be fun and will be run along the lines of an adventure camp. If you are interested please contact your section leader or phone Peter Banks.

Foot & Mouth Outbreak and Expeditions in 2001 - Latest Information

The Award relies heavily on the goodwill of farmers and landowners and strongly urges Award Groups to be sensitive to the difficulties they are experiencing at this present time.

It is important to seek the best possible advice in planning ventures. This must include your operating authority, Award secretaries and Regional Offices.

If you are planning a Gold level you may need extra advice from the chosen Wild Country Panel.

In these difficult times The Award has granted an extension to participants unable to complete their award by their 25th birthday due to the foot & mouth. Additionally it will be possible for Practice and Qualifying ventures in a less demanding rural or coastal environment to use alternative accommodation such as huts and hostels.

Ventures may be conducted outside the usual expedition season, IF the conditions allow. Finally Expeditions and Explorations may be held in an Urban or Semi-Urban environment.

Prior agreement MUST be sought from Operating authorities for any venture which departs from the Award's standard conditions, as Operating authorities have the responsibility for monitoring the quality of participant's experiences and safety.

Peter Banks | County Adviser (Duke of Edinburgh Scheme)