Beaver Section News

Christmas Trip – December 2024

The Beaver Colony visited Go Bananas in Colchester for their Christmas Party Trip.

Having fun at Go Bananas in Colchester .

We had a super fun session consisting of Soft Play, Disco Room and a meal!

Remembrance Day Service & Parade – November 2024

All sections consisting of Explorers, Scouts, Cubs and Beavers took part in the service held in St Mary’s Church on Sunday 10th November 2024. Followed by parade and laying of wreaths at the War Memorial.

Group Camp – The Croft Campsite – June 2024

We set up our tents in the Campsite on Friday 21st June for a fun weekend of activities for Beavers, Cubs, Scouts and Explorer Sections – this year camp theme was the Olympics.

We did activities: Tomahawk throwing, kayaking on the River Stour, air rifle shooting, soft archery, arts & crafts – making medals, athletics fun, giant Olympic jigsaw scavenger hunt and games.

Cooking marsh mellows over the campfire on Saturday evening.

On Saturday evening we got around the campfire for singing and cooking marshmellows and smores on sticks.

Air Rifle Shooting.

On Sunday after breakfast – Scouts Own and activities before packing up.

Canoeing on the River Stour – June 2024

Just about to go under the road bridge.

Beavers had an fun evening Canoeing on the River Stour with the help of Ian, Phil and Callum. Using our double kayak and Canadian canoes. They went under the road bridge, pass the Common and on to the Millennium Bridge.

Hollow Trees Farm Trip – May 2024

Fourteen Beavers came along for a fun packed day at Hollow Trees Farm. We travelled over in our Minibus and upon arrival Beavers where given their own bag of animal feed and we headed off round the farm to look at the animals.

Before lunchtime we reconvened to board the trailer ready for a tractor ride round the farm, this was a fantastic experience going inside the animal enclosures and seeing the animals up close, as well as the excitement from the Beavers spotting our Minibus across the farm!

On the Adventure Playground.

We ate our lunch in Harveys Barn, Beavers completed their activity sheets based around things around the farm. After lunch we went on the peddle tractors, soft play and then the large playground area which kept the Beavers busy right up until home time! We grabbed our bags and headed back for the Minibus, all thoroughly enjoyed the day and we were very pleased to have sun all day too!

St George’s Day Parade & Service – April 2024

We attended St George’s Day Parade & Service at Long Melford to parade from the village hall car park to Holy Trinity Church with the rest of Sudbury District – Explorers, Scouts, Cubs, Beavers, Squirrels and Leaders.

Getting ready for the parade.

The weather was better than last year – sunny but a bit cold. Liz Moulton (Explorer Leader) was presented with the Commissioner’s Commendation Award by Charmain Southgate (DC). Well done Liz on this achievement.

Well done everyone for representing 1st Bures Scout Group. You all looked smart in your uniforms.

Great Cornard Library visit – December 2023

Beavers visited Great Cornard Library as part of their Book Reader Activity Badge.

Great Cornard Library visit.

They took part in designing their own bookmarks, a book scavenger hunt, Lego teamwork challenge and story time where we listened to the librarian reading us one of the books.

Sudbury Police Station – January 2024

Beavers visited Sudbury Police Station in January 2024, where PCSO Grant Skeggs kindly showed us around.

In the custody suite at Sudbury Police Station.

Beavers learnt about Police call signs, the phonetic alphabet, history of Sudbury police station, police cells, custody suite and they also had their fingerprints taken for a nifty key ring to take home!

Beavers thoroughly enjoyed the trip and our thanks goes to the Sudbury Police Officers.

Spymissions, Colchester, Essex – December 2023

We had 16 Beavers attend our Christmas Party Trip to Spymissions in Colchester.

Christmas Party at Spymissions, Colchester, Essex.

Beavers took part in a series of challenges to help a secret agent on a mission. This included working out secret codes, dodging laser beams, finding clues and sliding down a slide! Beavers had a meal afterwards and where given a spy gift bag before heading home.

Joint meeting with 1st Acton & Waldingfield – November 2023

Beavers came together to have a fun packed evening, involving a campfire,  marshmallow s’mores, sparklers and lots of exciting songs at The Croft Campsite.

Having fun around the campfire at our joint meeting with Acton & Waldingfield Beavers.

Remembrance Day Service & Parade – November 2023

Beavers inside the St Mary’s Church.

We took in part in the annual Remembrance Day Service and Parade held in St Mary’s Church. Explorers, Scouts, Cubs and Beavers were in the church and we took part in the service with a song, Scouts who fought in the WWI, poem and collection.

Flag Bearers for each section.

Well done on everyone for taking part and looking smart in your uniforms.

Summer Term Activities May-July 2023

We started the summer term looking at our safety activity badge, this included the green cross code, kitchen safety and crossing train lines we also played some exciting parachute games too.

We had an evening where one of our Young Leaders Keira showed the Beavers a presentation about the World Scout Jamboree she is attending in July as well as activities on the King’s Coronation.

Keira’s WSJ Presentation.

In May, we started our health & safety activity badge, we took part in a fun assault course, looked at heathy food by making our own fruit kebabs and promoting healthy eating with some bright colourful posters!

Fruit Kebabs for Health & Fitness Badge.

Twenty of our Beavers also attended our Beavers Camp! We had a fun packed weekend including water games, soft archery, movies, crafts and a campfire with songs and marshmallows.

Beavers Summer Camp.

We took a trip in our minibus to the Essex & Herts Air Ambulance Station based at Earls Colne Airfield, Essex where we were very lucky to watch the air ambulance land as soon as we arrived, we learnt lots of fun facts as well as watching a video and seeing the helicopter up close!

Beavers being given a talk about the operation of the Essex & Herts Air Ambulance Charity.

We made small catapults in our mini pioneering project and played crab football too.

Towards the end of term we learnt about the first stage of our navigator badge, looking at a map of our local area, compasses and kit we need to take on a big expedition!

We looked at a few of the parts of the emergency stage badge by talking about how we would phone 999, what we would say as well as how we would comfort an injured person.

We collected lots of leaves from our campsite area so that we could create some beautiful leaf printing posters.

Beavers Leaf Printing.

We met over at the Recreation Ground for a giant game of rounders followed by ice creams!

Rounders on the Recreation Ground.

And then to finish the term we all get wet, jumping on and off a huge water trampoline on our own access area to the River Stour, whilst we swapped round the Beavers also got to play water games and with our parachute!

Water Trampoline Activity on the River Stour.

Beavers went on a fun packed trip to Fingringhoe Wick on Sunday 23rd July – where they took part in an orienteering activity exploring the nature park and it’s fantastic views. We played in the park, followed by eating our packed lunches.

Pond dipping at Fingringhoe Wick Nature Reserve.

In the afternoon we had a session of den building, which the Beavers loved doing using large logs and camouflage shelters, we also had a session of pond dipping, a first for us! Beavers took turns to scoop bugs into their nets out of one of the ponds at the nature park, where they then looked into closer by comparing them to a bug chart.

Den building at Fingringhoe Wick Nature Reserve.

We thoroughly enjoyed our day trip out and ended our summer term on a high!

The Beavers have had a wonderful summer term with lots of fantastic activities and opportunities to let them explore the great outdoors, they have done an excellent job at getting involved and earning their badges.

Callum Byrne (Beaver Section Leader)

Beavers Summer Camp – June 2023

Beavers on Camp at our Campsite, The Croft.

20 Beavers joined for a fun packed weekend at our Campsite, The Croft, Bures.

In the morning – they took part in team activities such as building spaghetti towers, egg drop, Scout knots and paper aeroplanes.

After our sandwiches and snacks at lunch time Beavers made their own turtle crafts, followed by relay water games and a water fight. This certainly helped us all cool down!

We took part in beach theme bingo and then ate a tasty spaghetti bolognaise for dinner followed by strawberry delight for dessert.

Eating under the Coleman Shelter.

In the evening, we started a campfire, sung songs; Simon says, singing in the rain and bungalow! Beavers then cooked their own marshmallows and made s’mores.

Camp fire around the circle of logs.

In the evening to wind ourselves down, Beavers watched some short films in the SHQ, then brushed their teeth and went to bed.

On Sunday morning, Beavers woke up very early! Started packing away their kit and bedding and ate their sausages, bacon, baked beans and cereal for breakfast. They then took part in soft archery and bowling skittles, before our flag down and parents arriving to collect.

Soft Archery on Sunday morning.

Huge thanks to the leadership team (Paul, Steve and Phoebe) and the Cooks team led by Helen Foster and our parent helpers who all allowed the camp to be a big success.

Callum Byrne (Beaver Leader)

Air Ambulance Visit – May 2023

The Beavers visited Essex & Herts Air Ambulance Station at Earls Colne Airfield on Wednesday 24th May.

Air Ambulance Helicopter ready for being towed into the hangar.

They had a fabulous visit which was hosted by volunteer Ken who was very knowledgeable and helpful.

Beavers being given a talk about the operation of the Essex & Herts Charity.

We got to see one of the helicopters land and be brought into the hanger which was very exciting.

St George’s Day Parade & Service – April 2023

Beavers getting ready to march up to the church.

After four years since our last St George’s Day Parade & Service due to Covid-19 etc. we returned to Long Melford to parade from the village hall car park to Holy Trinity Church with the rest of Sudbury District – Explorers, Scouts, Cubs, Beavers and Leaders.

In the church – getting a selfie by orders of the Vicar.

The weather was not good and we had a good turnout. Well done everyone for representing 1st Bures Scout Group. You all looked smart in your uniforms.

Easter Fun Day – April 2023

Fire lighting under the Coleman shelter in the SHQ Grounds.

Making Easter Bonnets.

Visit to Sudbury Fire & Rescue Station

Looking at the tools on the Fire Pump.

Using the Fire Hose at Sudbury Fire & Rescue Station.

Playing Hungry Hippos.

Learning about the World Scout Membership Badge.

Making Cars made out of recyclable materials.

Christmas Party

Beavers had a lovely time at their Christmas Party at held at Funscape, Freeport, Braintree, Essex.

Beavers on the climbing wall.

Eight climbing walls, food, doughnuts, party bags, Xmas hats and soft play.

Morris Dancing

Beavers had a visit from a group of Morris Dancers based near Sudbury. The group had 10 Morris Dancers and 2 Musicians.

Watching the Morris Dancers in the SHQ.

They performed several dances to the Beavers, explained Morris Dancing, the clothes they wore and took questions from the Beavers.

Beavers learning to Morris dance.

Afterwards – they taught the Beavers and Leaders one of the dances which the children really enjoyed, it was a fantastic session!

Fun Day at Hallowtree Activity Centre, Nacton

Ready for Laser Tag games.

Bures Beavers visited Hallowtree Activity Centre on Sunday 25th September 2022.

Climbing Tower at Hallowtree.

They did activities of: Climbing, Laser Tag and Human Table Football. Leaders enjoyed it thoroughly too.

New term for Beavers – September 2022

Cooking marsh mellows on the campfire on our first meeting back in September 2022.

Sing along Beavers!

Group Jubilee Camp – The Croft Campsite – June 2022

We set up some of the tents for Cubs and dining room shelter on the Thursday evening.

Setting up the Scout Patrol Tents.

On Friday evening the Cubs, Scouts and Explorers arrived at the campsite ready for a weekend of fun, activities and adventure.

The Beavers arrived at 9am ready for the activities and after flag break – all sections were split into different groups.

Soft Archery activity.

Activities were: kayaking, soft archery, art & crafts, tomahawk throwing, fire by friction, air rifle shooting and circus skills.

Kayaking on The River Stour.

In the evening we held a camp fire with Jo Waring leading the songs and afterwards – they toasted marsh mellows on the fire.

Ready for bed!

The weekend finished with Scouts Own Service, investiture of new Cubs and 10 year’s Long Service Award to Liz Moulton, Woodbadge Certificate to Eddie Gordon and flag break.

Liz being awarded her 10 Year’s Long Service Award.

Thanks go to Helen Foster (chair) and her team for cooking the meals, Acton Scout Leaders for running the tomahawk throwing and 44th Colchester Scout Leaders for running the Fire by Friction and Tony Waring for organising the Group Camp and the Leaders Team.

The weekend was a great success and blessed with sunshine.

Paul, Callum, Eddie, Nigel, Ian, Jo,
Phil, Claire, Lisa, Steve, Phoebe & Tony

New Beaver Leaders Invested

Phoebe & Steven being invested into the Scout Group as Section Leaders for the Beaver Colony.

Tony Waring (GSL) invested Phoebe Piper and Steve Tanner into the Scout Group as new Section Leaders for the Beaver Colony on Wednesday 25th May 2022 watched by the rest of the Beaver Colony.

Steve, Callum & Phoebe with the section parade flag in the SHQ Grounds.

Easter Activity Afternoon – April 2022

Beavers & Cubs met together for a joint event on Sunday 10th April 2022 for an afternoon of fun activities.

Soft Archery activity.

These included an Easter challenge trail where everyone received chocolate eggs upon completion of the trail, Easter themed craft where participants made amazing cards for their loved ones, Soft Archery and Elastic Band Guns in our two setup ranges, hitting lots of targets and scoring points.

Toasting marsh mellows on the camp fire.

Followed by a Campfire, where we all came together to roast marsh mallows and make smores!

A fantastic afternoon, all the young people and Leaders thoroughly enjoyed themselves!

Beaver & Cub Leaders

Sudbury Policeman Visit

Beavers were lucky to have PC Marshall from Sudbury Police Station visit us one evening.

Beavers with PC Marshall and his car in the SHQ Grounds.

We were shown:

What a Police Officer carries as well as how to identify an Officer.

The different services when you call 999.

We looked at a Police Car and it’s sirens/lights!

As well as making a fingerprint keyring and trying on some Police Uniform.

The Beavers loved it! Thanks to PC Marshall.

Callum Byrne (BSL), Phoebe Piper (ABL) & Steve Tanner (ABL)

Awesome Beaver Award

Beavers September Half Term Activities

We started back after an enjoyable Summer Holidays by firstly welcoming seven new Beavers to our Colony by inviting them to join us on a Hike from Arger Fen back to our Scout Hut in Bures. We brought along a snack and visited the Bures Dragon along the way too!

Stopping off to see the Bures Dragon at St Edmunds Chapel.

We designed a new Behaviour Code and played some games using our brand new Parachute!

Parachute games in the SHQ Grounds.

We learnt about the Green Cross Code which followed by a Village Challenge where we split into groups to answer some questions around the Village as well as finding a few local artefacts and taking a team photo, Water Pump, Wooden Elephant and Pillbox!

We also learnt about a range of Animals and one of our Beaver Leaders Steve brought in his Gecko for us all to see and say Hello too!

Gecko being viewed by the Beavers.

We started some work on our Space Activity Badge where we designed our own Planets, watched a video about the interesting Falcon Heavy space missions and also played some exciting games to help us learn all 8 of the Planets in our solar system!

Halloween Fun Party at Beavers in October.

We then finished before our Half Term break with a Halloween Party, where all the Beavers dressed up and looked amazing!! Played some games; Doughnut eating, apple bobbing, sweets in icing and musical statues with lots of cool dance moves!

Callum Byrne (BSL), Phoebe Piper (ABL), Steve Tanner (ABL), Emily Waudby (YL) & Keira Waring (YL)

Investiture of new Beavers

Beaves being Invested by Callum into the Colony.

Fun Day – August 2021

Cooking marsh mellows around the camp fire.

Summer Fun 2021

Beavers returned to Face to Face Scouting in April to a Fun packed term!

Our first meeting we had a Campfire with Songs and Marshmallows, we welcomed our new-ish Beavers to our Colony. This was the first time we had met in person!

We then started our Gardening Badge where we learnt all the tools for gardening as well as how plants actually grow! We then planted three seeds, Sunflower; Peas & Tomato’s and watched these grow over 8 weeks to achieve our badge.

We had a mini-beast hunt and learnt knots as well as a Map-Symbol Hunt around our Campsite area.

The Beavers were amazing at matching up the map symbols to the places as well as decoding a secret message when they found each symbol.

We spent two weeks learning about the Disability Awareness Badge, of which we played games specially designed for those who had a disability, learnt about all the different types of disabilities there are as well as a fun blind string trail around our campsite, simulating how being blind would feel like as well as showing the importance of teamwork and how we can support those around us with a Disability.

During the half term the Beavers worked towards their Health & Fitness Badge, of which they covered types of healthy and unhealthy foods, designed a poster and monitored everything they ate over the week. We met together the following week to talk over what they had learnt as well as completing the physical part of the badge where we did some skipping, hula-hooping, throwing, team relays/races and water games.

We had an amazing visit from Cathy Platt (First Responder) who covered the Emergency Aid Badge Stage 1 – this consisted of: the importance of getting help, what to say when you call 999, helping someone who is unconscious, helping someone who is bleeding and reassuring someone at the scene of an emergency. The Beavers loved finding out all this information and most importantly how to put someone in the recovery position and playing around with bandages! Thank you Cathy for a fun exciting session!

We had an evening designing and building Vegetable Cars! A first for everyone involved! The finished Cars where amazing, the Beavers were very proud. Thank you Ian Woodman (ASL) for your help!

As well as an evening completing the Communicator Activity Badge, where we learnt how to send an email or text message, how to spell your name in Morse Code and Semaphore as well as decoding messages using these types of communication as well. The Beavers were set with the challenge of learning their phone number over the summer holidays.

Our last meeting before breaking for the Summer Holiday we played lots of Water Games, run by Eddie Gordon (ASL). Everyone had lots of fun throwing water balloons, spraying water and running relay races. We finished with an ice cream and badge presentation. Thank you Eddie for a great evening.

Callum Byrne (BL) & Phoebe Piper (ABL)