Last night, our GSL Harvey attended the Hinckley District Gang Show at the Concordia theatre. The Gang show is celebrating its 30th year in the Hinckley area, and teaches young people about performance, helps to build their confidence, and gives them some new skills.Above all... it is FUN !!!! On Saturday the 27th of April a team of 11 people containing Scouts, Explorers and leaders went on a hike around the Burbage and Sharnford area. We went through fields and farms following our planned route which was around 8 miles. Everybody was tired by the end but all thoroughly enjoyed the walk.Then the group fired up the new Bear Grills BBQ to cook ourselves some sausages and burgers. These were consumed while watching Meet the Parents and allowed us to relax and refuel after the hike. While the burgers and sausages were a hit the chocolate cake was by far the biggest hit of the day! Could you be the 2010 Burbage Carnival Prince or Princess? Burbage is one of the very few village carnivals to encourage boys to enter also, People wishing to take part in this year’s competition still have time to enter. The contest, organised by the Burbage Carnival charitable fundraising organisation in association with Burbage Parish Council .Aged 7 to 14, and entrants must reside within Burbage parish boundary. Entrants may take part as individuals The Carnival Selection and Coronation event will take place at the Red Lion Public House function room (Windsor St, Burbage) on Sunday 25th April 2010 from 12.30. The winners of the competition will be styled ‘Burbage Carnival Prince & Princess’ and the two runners up as ‘Burbage Carnival attendants & Page boys’, titles which will be held until next year’s competition. The Prince & Princess and runners up will be required to attend Burbage Carnival on Sunday 20th June 2010 and support Burbage related events during the year, carrying out the role of being an ambassador for Burbage.Harvey Brown, the head of the villages Scout movement urged those with a standout personality, character and a sense of fun to come forward, “The Carnival Prince & Princess contest is an important event in Burbage’s calendar so, if you’re positive and you think you’ve got what it takes to becrowned Carnival Prince or Princess, make sure you submit your entry form to us today.”He added “Princes and Princesses are promised a summer packed with fun representing Burbage around the area at a number of events.”Ian Coe, chairman of the Charitable Carnival organising team said, “This promises to be lots of fun and you get to meet lots of interesting people throughout the year and not forgetting that Christina Lauder Portraits (www.christinalauderportraits.com) are presenting the Winners with a fabulous photo shoot and photography frames pictures to mark the achievement which is worth 560 pounds , so get that entry form in now…”The deadline for entries is Wednesday 21st April 2010. Entries received after this date will not be considered. Application forms, including full competition rules, can be downloaded at www.burbagecarnival.co.uk. Alternatively, forms are available for collection at the Sequoia Gift shop, on Windsor St, Burbage On 29 March 1910, Baden-Powell visited Leicester for the inauguration of Leicester Scout County; 100 years later we celebrated the anniversary in the same splendid County Hall. So what’s changed over the past 100 years?As UK Chief Commissioned Wayne Bulpitt, prepared his speech, he took a look at the Scout archives from this day in 1910; notably Baden-Powell’s diary and a very helpful text of a newspaper report of the day. It was obvious that whilst the language is very different and reflects its era, the ethos, purpose and benefits that BP talked about and envisaged have certainly remained true throughout. Ironically, in closing BP had "showed that the movement was worthy of support and asked for the help of those present, particularly mentioning the need of young men to volunteer for officers”. 100 years later, Waynes words were a little different, but the request exactly the same, more leaders please!100 years later, we also celebrated the achievement of 16 Scouts who had achieved their Chief Scout Gold awards, and 2 Network members who received their Duke of Edinburgh gold Award. Congratulations and well done to them.Wayne also had an opportunity to meet many leaders and other volunteers and to hear first hand of the achievements in Leicestershire. Also the practical challenges they face in achieving the success. It was easy to see why the County is celebrating its third successful year of growth.Representing Britannia Scouting our GSL, Harvey enjoyed a great buffet and had chance to meet a great many people from around the County and even managed to talk directly to the man at the very top of UK Scouting for 10 minuites or so...A Great evening..!!! FIFTEEN BEAVERS ATTENDED THE BEAVEREE AT LOUGHBOROUGH UNIVERSITY, THE BEAVERS TOOK PART IN NUMEROUS ACTIVITIES INCLUDING FACE PAINTING, PARTY GAMES, BOUNCY SLIDE, PUNCH AND JUDY SHOW AND MUCH MORE....THE DAY WAS ROUNDED UP WITH SOME FUN DANCING AND GAMES WITH SANDY WHICH INCLUDED BEAVER LEADER SOPHIA GETTING A CUSTARD PIE IN HER FACE!!!!!A GREAT TIME WAS HAD BY ALL!!!! Peter Duncan, ninth Chief Scout of the United Kingdom has unveiled his official portrait at The Scout Association’s forest home, Gilwell Park.The portrait is the work of contemporary artist Morgan Penn, whose previous commissions include portraits of Adrian Edmondson, Bernie Ecclestone, and Jason Kay (Jay Kay). Described by The Scout Association’s Chief Executive Derek Twine, as a ‘different kind of painting for a different kind of Chief Scout,’ it is a radical departure from previous Chief Scout portraits. Surrounded by young people, the backdrop to the painting also features the activities and adventure that characterised Peter Duncan’s energetic approach to the role.‘I wanted people to know it was a painting and not a photograph,’ said Morgan about the mud splatters and unfinished areas that make the painting stand out from the formal portraits that have been painted in the past. Peter Duncan official portraitPeter Duncan was the Chief Scout of the United Kingdom between July 2004 and July 2009. During that time, the Movement enjoyed one of the most exciting periods in its history – celebrating the Centenary of Scouting in 2007 as well as the 21st World Scout Jamboree at Hylands Park in the summer of that year. As comfortable presenting the biggest ever Scouting show, LIVE 07, at the 02 Arena, as climbing to 6,000 metres with Explorer Scouts on Everest, Peter was never afraid to try new things.‘It’s a fantastic portrait,’ said Peter at the unveiling. ‘I love the fact that it’s different and I’m so pleased young people are such a big part of it. Scouting is about helping young people get the chance to try new activities, make friends and discover their potential.’ Through his inspiring leadership, he embodied the spirit of fun, challenge adventure that characterises our Movement’s 400,000 young people and 100,000 volunteers. When he handed on to tenth Chief Scout, Bear Grylls, at Gilwell Park on 11 July 2009, Scouting was invigorated, growing and prepared for the future. ‘I’ll never forget the friends I’ve made,’ said Peter on his departure, ‘together we’ve set Scouting on the road to adventure.’Morgan Penn is an English portrait painter based in Chelsea London and is completely self taught. Morgan travelled to Scotland and Gilwell Park to capture Peter and the Scouts taking part in activities and adventure. Peter also sat for private sittings in London. Find out more about Morgan at www.morganpenn.comThe Scouts featured in the painting are Pamela, Lewis, Eugiene, Philippe, Maryse, Johny, Caroline, and Joe. A two hour DVD celebrating Peter's five years of adventure will shortly be available from Scout Shops. The Hinckley area gang show, is the only gang show in Leicestershire... and promises an evening of fun, music and sketches.Tickets are very good value - so much so that they are selling really quick.So if you fancy a great evening out, order your tickets NOW