CASTLE MORPETH DISTRICT SCOUTS
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?
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.
NEWS
The Annual General Meeting of Castle Morpeth District Scout Council will be held at 6:30pm on Friday 22 September 2023 in the ballroom at Morpeth Town Hall, Market Place, Morpeth NE61 1LZ
All members of the District Scout Council were invited attend.
AGENDA
1. Apologies
2. Minutes of 2022 AGM
3. Governance Topics
a. Adopt the model constitution from Policy, Organisation and Rules
b. Note the District’s financial year is from 1st May to 30 April.
c. Agree the number of members that may be elected to the Trustee Board.
d. Agree the quorum for each of the District Scout Council (including this AGM), meetings of the District Trustee Board, meetings of any sub-committees.
4. Review of the previous year
a. The District Commissioner’s review of Scouting
b. To receive and consider the Annual Report of the District Trustee Board including the annual Statement of the Accounts
District Commissioner’s nomination of the District Chairman Duncan McDonald
Election of District Board of Trustees
a. Treasurer Chris Holt
b. Secretary Peter Berry
7. Elect four members of the District Board of Trustees
a Barry Hirst
b. Graham Langston
c. Ian Morley
e Richard Walker
8. Approve the nomination as members of the District Board of Trustees
a. Jennifer Barnes
b. Lauren Scott
9. To appoint the Scrutineer Simon Pringle
10. Elect District Representatives on County Scout Council
a. Sally Vaughan
b. Ed Syndercombe
Minutes of the Annual General Meeting
Castle Morpeth District Scout Council
7.30pm Monday 26 September 2022
The Common Room, Neville Hall
Westgate Road, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE1 1SE
1.
Present, Chris Eldridge, Duncan McDonald, Ian Shaw, Ian Morley, Neil Fraser, Peter Berry, Richard Walker, Simon White, Peter Thorp Northumberland CC and 44 other members of the District Scout Council
Apologies received from Barry Hirst, Chris Holt, Ellen Logan, Graham Langston, Jennifer Barnes, Lauren Scott, Imogen Walsh, David and Norman Armstrong, Sarah Woods. the Mayor of Ponteland Cllr Christine Greenwell, the Mayor of Morpeth Cllr Alison Byard.
2. Minutes of 2021 AGM accepted
3. Annual Report of the District Executive Committee, including the statement of accounts for the year ending 30th April 2022. Chairman Duncan McDonald summarised the accounts and said
On behalf of the District Executive Committee, I would like to offer our thanks, and express our most sincere gratitude to all the volunteers who have supported Scouting during the last 12 months.
It seems a long while since we were affected by Covid restrictions, but this time last year we were still subject to their effects, and thanks to the perseverance and resilience of our volunteers, the Values of Scouting were upheld and delivery of “normal” activities continued through to 2022, and I am looking forward to learning about some of them this evening.
The District Commissioner will go into more detail about the current strength of the Castle Morpeth District, but in general terms Scouting in Castle Morpeth is very much in demand, and there are young people in the District who are as yet unable to access and enjoy the undoubted benefits of Scouting.
This demand shows little signs of decreasing, and this need can only be met with the assistance of more volunteers helping in a wide range of roles; supporting our young people as they learn "Skills for Life" as they undertake their journey of Personal Development.
So, I would ask that if anyone attending this meeting has an interest in getting more involved with Scouts, could you please contact us via our website www.castlemorpethscouts.org.uk and the DC will gladly talk to you about your interests and availability etc. Thank you again on behalf of the District Exec for your support of our young people through Scouting, as we look forward to another exciting year of activity delivery by the District's various Scout Groups and Troops.
There were no questions
4. District Commissioner Neil Fraser nominated,Peter Berry seconded, Duncan McDonald as the Chair of the District Executive Committee for the next year
Passed unanimously by a show of hands
5. Election of District Executive Committee Officers
a. Treasurer (NF nominated, PB seconded) Ian Shaw
Passed unanimously by a show of hands
b. Secretary (NF nominated, CE seconded) Peter Berry
Passed unanimously by a show of hands
6. Elect five members of the District Executive Committee (all nominated by NF seconded by PB)
a. Barry Hirst
b. Chris Holt
c. Graham Langston
d. Ian Morley
e. Richard Walker
All passed unanimously by a show of hands
7. Approve the District Commissioner nominations as members of the District Executive Committe Rev Simon White
Jennifer Barnes
Lauren Scott
All passed unanimously by a show of hands
8. Election District Representative on County Scout Council
nominated by NF seconded by PB, Sally Vaughan
Passed unanimously by a show of hands
9. AOB None
DM asked District Commissioner to close the AGM. NF thanked all the leaders and helpers to make Castle Morpeth District Scouts successful, and highlighted the top achievement for each group
Ponteland - all sections had managed a camp
Stannington - Camped at Spylaw
4th - Commencing the building the HQ extension
6th - Group camp at Pigdeon
Widdrington - opened their sections
He explained that we had more young people wanting scouting than we could provide and asked for anyone with marketing skills to offer their services.