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In Castle Morpeth District we have Scout Groups in Ponteland, Stannington, Morpeth, Pegswood and Widdrington.
We have around 600 young people involved in Scouting activities every week
Want to get involved? Either as a young person wanting to join in the fun, or as an adult helping deliver the best exeperiences for our young people. Contact District Lead Volunteer Neil Fraser morpethdc@gmail.com
About Us
About Us
Where are we? Castle Morpeth is a large rural Scouting District in Northumberland County. The area extends from Hadston and Chevington in the north-east corner, to Stannington at the south-east, Heddon-on-the-Wall in the south-west and Otterburn in the north-west. It includes the major towns of Morpeth and Ponteland.
Northumberland is blessed with some of most beautiful countryside and landscapes in the country with the Cheviot and Simonside Hills, unspoilt coastlines, Kielder Water, Castles, forests and wildlife: Just the place for ….. Everyday Adventures
How Big Are We? There are 7 Scout Groups in the District and on a weekly basis we deliver Scouting to over 600 young people aged 4-18, with the help of over 100 volunteer leaders and a team of administrative supporters.
How Does It Work? Scouting is delivered wholly by trained volunteers (Leaders, Assistants, Managers, Supporters, Administrators) although we do have the support of a national staff team employed by the Scout Association.
The Annual General Meeting of the Castle Morpeth District Scout Council will be be held on Sunday 18 October 2026. All members of the district are entitled and encouraged to attend.
The Annual General Meeting of the Castle Morpeth District Scout Council will be be held on Sunday 18 October 2026. All members of the district are entitled and encouraged to attend.
The board welcomes new members of the Trustee Board please contact District Treasurer Peter Berry peter.berry@northumberlandscouts.org.uk for more information.
The board welcomes new members of the Trustee Board please contact District Treasurer Peter Berry peter.berry@northumberlandscouts.org.uk for more information.
There is a proposal to change the name of the district to South Northumberland District Scouts
CASTLE MORPETH DISTRICT SCOUT COUNCIL
Annual General Meeting
7pm Sunday 18 October 2026
4th Morpeth Scout HQ
Staithes Lane, Morpeth.
NE61 1TD
Introduction and welcome.
Apologies for absence.
Governance Oversight
3. Approve the minutes of the 2025 AGM.
4. Confirm the charity will continue to use the model constitution laid down in Scout Association Policy Organisation and Rules.
5. Note the financial year runs from 1st May to 30th April.
6. Agree the maximum number of members on the District Trustee Board is 12.
7. Agree the quorum for future meetings of the District Board of Trustees is more than half the number of members of the board.
Review the Previous Year
8. District Lead Volunteer’s Report.
9. Receive and consider the Annual Report and Accounts.
Appointments
10. Appoint any new Trustees.
11. Approve Stephen Matthews as the independent examiner for the accounts.
Nominate representatives of the District Scout Council to represent the District on the County Scout Council
Change the name of the district to South Northumberland District Scouts.
Minutes of the 2025 Annual General Meeting
7 pm Sunday 21 September 2025
Boys Brigade Hall, Manchester Street, Morpeth, NE61 1BH
1. Chairman Duncan McDonald opened the meeting thanking those present; members of the Scout Council and current board of Trustees, also County Lead Volunteer Peter Thorp, his wife Susie, and Deputy County Lead Volunteer Paul Willis.
Apologies for absence received from Liam and Imogen Walsh
Governance Oversight
The Minutes of the 2024 AGM were approved
It was confirmed Castle Morpeth District Scout Council will continue to use the model constitution laid down on Scout Association Policy Organisation and Rules.
Noted the financial year runs from 1st May to 30th April
Agreed the maximum number of members on the District Trustee Board is 12.
Agreed the quorum for meetings of the District Board of Trustees is more than half the number of members of the board. And the quorum for future meetings of the District Scout Council is seven
8. Review of the Previous Year
District Lead Volunteer Neil Fraser reported a very successful year was shadowed by the unfortunate passing away of Mark Woods at Stannington, and the subsequent loss of his wife as a leader as she struggles to cope with life as a single mum. He asked the meeting to stand for a moment in memory of Mark, and think of his wife Sarah and her 2 children who are both young members at Stannington. In the rest of the District despite opening new squirrel drays adult staff is the ongoing concern. Some leaders have left us and some have joined, but it’s very much a case of some out, very few in! We need to address that urgently and this is my number one priority because without helpers we cannot provide for young people. Any volunteers of help very much accepted.
There had been increasing frustration at the internal computer system– Leaders please bear with us, it can only get better.
I’m working with GLV’s to ensure that risk assessments are of a sufficient standard because safety of our young people is priority (despite the rumblings of those writing them). And I make no apology for doing everything I can to keep young people safe!
Castle Morpeth is a District that has scouting on every night of the week and in the region of 250-300 young people I’d say we’re ‘pretty’ successful! And 3 explorer units is no mean feat either. All are pursuing an exciting and active programme.
9. The meeting accepted the Annual Report and Accounts. Treasurer Peter Berry explained the presentation of the figures and summarised the way money paid as subscriptions by Explorers was used to fund Explorer activities, pay capitation fees for District, County and National requirements, and briefly explained the district expenditure.
10. Appointments
The meeting agreed that Duncan McDonald continue as Chairman, along with Peter Berry as Treasurer and Barry Hirst, Graham Langston, Jennifer Barnes, Richard Walker and Chris Holt as Trustees of the charity.
Duncan McDonald appealed for people with particular expertise in marketing and advertising or construction project management to consider joining the Board of Trustees.
11. Stephen Matthews was approved as the independent examiner for the accounts.
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