2025/26, A year in Scouting review…

We pride ourselves on our active outdoor and traditional Scouting programme. And what another action-packed year it has been.

We finished off last Scouting year with our amazing Summer Camp in Dorset, a week of amazing activities, including Water Sports, sailing and windsurfing, as well as kayaking and paddleboarding. The Scouts were fantastic and made memories for life.

In addition to summer camp, some of the Troop had the opportunity to take part in our Eryri Peak expeditions. Scaling peaks in North Wales, including Snowdon/Yr Wyddfa.

As usual, we have been fortunate to take part in lots of other nights away experiences this year, 21 nights in total! Starting the new Scouting year in September with Autumn camp to Milldale, Cheshire. Then our infamous night hike in the Peak District returned, with the Troop hiking over the Roaches overnight to Gradbach. In February, our oldest Scouts take part in Winter camp, navigating themselves through a series of challenges across North Cheshire and Greater Manchester. In April, we are pleased to join with the 21st Scouts for our joint Spring Camp at Wrekin Scout campsite. Patrol camping, putting all those traditional scouting skills into action. May saw the return of Group camp; it was great to see Troop camping alongside the younger sections and the Scouts acting as role models for the Group.

More recently, we are overjoyed when our two teams won first and second place in the prestigious Lord Stafford Cup Camping Competition. An incredible achievement, a testament to their Scouting skills and proactive teamwork. Both teams should be incredibly proud of themselves.

Adventure is the keystone of our programme. We started the year with hillwalking in the Shropshire hills and, more recently, a paddle expedition from Milford to Great Haywood, traditional rafting, building and paddling at Kibblestone, Rock climbing at the Roches, and a bike ride to Gnosall.

As always, bushcraft and traditional Scouting skills featured heavily in our programme. The Scouts have taken part in many projects this year, carving their own spoon over several weeks in early 2026, then building and using mini forges in April.

As always, I would like to thank my amazing team of volunteers; Adrian, Jake, Sam, George, Louis, Lucy and Luca, for their incredible efforts in making all these activities happen and for the many, many hours of planning and meetings.

We wish everyone a great summer, and we look forward to the return of Scouting in September.