Over 40 of the Cubs and Scouts camped over ‘on our own backdoor-step’, down the road at the Morrow’s Farm near Streamvale. On the Saturday afternoon, we staged a Medieval Family Fun Day with assistance of staff from Medieval Ireland Inc. We were joined by some of the other Gilnahirk Youth Organisations, families and friends, along with members of 4th, 10th and 33rd Groups. The 10th Cubs and Leaders in particular are to be commended for entering into the spirit of the occasion- their costumes were a magnificent sight to behold as they came charging up the field. Activities included chariot racing, medieval cooking, horse-shoe throwing, Norman football, dress the knight and demonstrations of archery, falconry and medieval combat which kept the boys and adults alike enthralled.

Later there was time for a tour of Streamvale Open Farm and some fun and games in the hayloft before our evening BBQ and campfire. We were delighted to be joined despite the bitterly cold wind and heavy rain by some friends from the District, particularly Vice-Presidents, Rhoda and Ernie Sharp. Undaunted by the weather we pressed on with our celebrations, with Colin McLenaghan raising the boys’ spirits with a rousing campfire while the Leaders, sheltering under a gizibo, were cheered in a somewhat different fashion by a rather delicious if unexpectedly potent Black Forest gateau!! Finally, we rounded off the evening with a Bat Hunt around Streamvale, led by a lovely lady named ..wait for it… Robin… from the NI Bat Group and amazingly, despite all the noise and excitement, we did actually manage to detect some bats on the farm!

On Sunday morning we welcomed the Gilnahirk Crusaders’ Leader, Julie-May Noteman, who led our Outdoor Scouts’ Own Service. This was followed by outdoor games and a tug-of-war for the Cubs, while the Scouts played a fiercely contested football match against the combined forces of 27th Troop and Deputy DC Alan’s dog (we can’t quite decide if the dog should’ve been given a red card or offered a contract with a premier league side!). Finally there was just time to invest a number of the senior Cubs into the Troop, and to present some badges and awards, including Best Junior Cub (Gareth Thompson) and Cub of the Year (Ryan McKnight). We were delighted too that the Deputy DC was on hand to present much deserved Thanks Badges to Cub Scout Instructors, Jan Adair and Lorna Thompson, who have each now notched up almost 8 years’ service with the Pack.

A very big thank you to everyone who supported the Gilnahirk Road Race during 30th Group’s 50th Anniversary celebrations on the weekend of 5th-7th March. The inter-Troop relay race saw teams from 10th, 30th and 73rd Troops, along with 20th (West), 62nd (South-East) and no fewer than 5 teams from 104th (South East)- our spies inform us that South East DC, Ann Cowan, had them out training for weeks beforehand- tackle the demanding 1.5 mile course, which this year started with a steep ascent up the Rocky Road, and continued along the Upper Braniel Road before returning back down the Gilnahirk Road to the Jack Britton Hall. The individual race saw an assortment of 20 hardy veterans, Leaders, Young Leaders and Explorer Scouts tackle the course with varying degrees of success, but thankfully neither the Police Search and Rescue nor the First Aider from St. John’s were called into action! Congratulations to all of the runners for completing the course, and our thanks to the marshals, police, first aider, and our catering team and those who helped out on the registration desk, and also to Phil Holland and Billy Jenkins who lent their support and to DC Ian for presenting the certificates and medals to the winners. Looking through the archives of Scouting East, it seems to have been a very long time since the race was last held at Gilnahirk; judging by the very positive response this year, maybe we will be able to turn this back into an annual event for the Scouts, Explorer Scouts and Leaders in Belfast County?

3rd: Graham McClure

30th Belfast (Gilnahirk) 50th Anniversary Thanksgiving Service

We would like to thank our fellow Scouters, members of the District Team and District Executive, friends and former Leaders for joining with us on Sunday afternoon 7th March at Gilnahirk Presbyterian Church for our 50th Anniversary Service. We were very pleased by the turnout at the service and have been touched by the many generous comments and anniversary greetings we have received from across the District. We would particularly like to thank Rev Tom Reid and Rev John McVeigh who led the service, the organist, Alf Casement, and Doris Magill and her band of helpers for the terrific spread they put on for us in the Church Hall afterwards. We are also very appreciative of the support we received from DC, Ian, particularly for making the effort to be with us for all of the events held during our anniversary weekend, and for his kind words on Sunday afternoon. We were all very moved by Ken Calvert’s speech during the service, especially his fitting tribute to his skipper, the late John McCay, and were delighted that Joy McCay and the family were able to be present with us at the service and later when a tree was planted by the 30th Group in memory of John in the Garden of Remembrance in the Church Grounds

The next event in our anniversary programme will be the East Belfast District St.George's Day Parade and Service on Sunday 25th April. We are delighted that the Gilnahirk Pipe Band will be joining us on this occasion and would welcome friends and family to line the Gilnahirk Road to watch the Parade or to join us at one of the services being held simultaenously in the Church and the Jack Britton Hall.

Further information about the Beaver Scouts' 50th birthday party, our Medieval Fun Day, Campfire and BBQ and the Group Anniversary Camp in North Wales will be posted soon.

Anniversary Events Programme 2004

Date		Event
Saturday 7th February		Beavers and Squirrels ' 50th Birthday Party
Friday March 5th		50th Anniversary Dinner, La Mon House Hotel
Saturday March 6th		Gilnahirk Road Race
Sunday March 7th		Group 50th Anniversary Thanksgiving Service
Sunday April 25th		East Belfast District St George's Day Parade and Service
June 19th-20th		Group Medieval Theme Camp and Open Day, with Campfire & BBQ
August		Joint Pack and Troop Summer Camp in North Wales

Orders are now being taken for 50th Anniversary Badges, polo-shirts and bugs

Follow this link to view more archived photographs of 30th Group

^Home