Those involved in Castle Capers between 1980 and 1990 will remember, with a good deal of fondness, the time when June Eilledge was in charge of wardrobe. Well to be honest – a huge number of people in Newcastle will remember June for being such an excellent friend to Scouting over many years.
She started her involvement in Scouting as a parent (of Ian and Mark) at 14th Basford Group sometime in the 1970’s and was one of those parents who were totally supportive of the Group. Later, in 1980, she took over the wardrobe department of Capers and the running of hiring costumes out from an attic room in the Brampton area.
I last saw her in the audience of Capers 2018 and remarked to her how well she looked – so I was shocked to firstly hear of her recent spell in hospital and, even more so, of her passing away on Thursday 9th August.
Her funeral is at St John’s Methodist Church Wolstanton on August 21st at 11.15.
June always had a smile on her face and simply could not do enough to help you – she will be very sadly missed indeed.
Steve Broadhurs
June checking a costume. From the 1992 Castle Capers Programme
We are saddened to hear of the recent passing of Rick Minshull.
Rick was well known in the District as a Leader at 74th Silverdale and in the District latterly being the District’s archery adviser.
Rick’s funeral will take place at Bradwell Crematorium on Monday 2nd July 2018 at 3.20pm. Family flowers only, donations in memory of Rick can be made payable to C. Ambrose for the purchase of medical equipment.
Our thoughts are with Pauline, Elizabeth and Victoria and all of Rick’s family.
I’m pleased to announce that Linda Baddeley, our District Administrator, has been announced as the winner of Support Staffordshire, Newcastle-under-Lyme Volunteer of the Year Award 2018. This was decided by on line voting, which saw Linda as one of 4 finalists that were selected from over 40 nominations.
It’s great that her work in the District is recognised, not only by us, but also more broadly in the community.
It’s a fantastic opportunity to highlight Scouting and the vital work that our volunteers do in giving skills for life to the young people of Newcastle.
The award was presented this evening (11th June 2018) at a volunteer networking event, by Cllr Gill Hesom, Mayor of Newcastle.
To be eligible for the award, the nominee needed to reside in the council district of Newcastle-under-Lyme and volunteer for a charity or community group that benefits the residents / habitat of Newcastle-under-Lyme.
Vera Bloor
District Commissioner
As well as parading through the town or camping at Kibblestone last Sunday, members of the District were at Windsor Castle for the St. George’s Day Parade. Jordan Everill from 79th Clayton was there as he had been awarded his Queen’s Scout Award.
Our District Commissioner, Vera Bloor, said “Newcastle District Scouts are incredibly proud of Jordan’s achievements and commitment, and wish that his success is recognised locally, as well as at Windsor.”
Also, Steve Broadhurst Bar to Silver Acorn, Linda Baddeley and Dorothy (Dot) Bailey.both Silver Acorn were there as well. Vera said of these volunteers –
I am incredibly proud of these volunteers, and their awards are testament to their enthusiasm and commitment to scouting. Hundreds of young people have benefited from the support and guidance they have provided in a variety of roles in our District.
Linda with UK Commissioner Tim Kidd and Staffordshire County Commissioner Jackie Brocklehurst
The St. George’s Day Parade in Windsor was n the presence of Princess Beatrice and the Chief Scout, Bear Grylls.
Yesterday saw Scouts from across the District parade in Newcastle Town centre to commemorate the patron saint of Scouting, St. George.
Over 300 Scouts and their volunteer Leaders, gathered at The Queens Gardens Newcastle before parading at 2.45pm along The Ironmarket, via High Street to St Giles Church for a service.
Newcastle’s Town Cryer, Mr Gordon Brayford, helped enhance the sense of occasion and Porthill Scout Group’s Drum Corps lead the parade, followed by Scouts from the District and invited representatives from the Girl Guides.As 2018 is the 100th anniversary of the end of World War 1, part of the service commemorated Scouts who gave their lives during this conflict. As this is a specific commemoration, representatives of the Royal British Legion also joined the parade and service.
As the parade passed by the Cenotaph in High Street, the Deputy Lord Lieutenant of Staffordshire, Wing Commander Elliott Sharrard Williams together with the Mayor of Newcastle, Cllr Simon White took the salute. The parade then processed in to church for a celebratory service, renewing Promise and a celebration of Scouting and local Scouting activities.
Members of the Castle Capers cast sang twice while in Church and various awards were also presented.
As well as the parade in the Town, Groups also renewed their Promise while on camp at Kibblestone and members of the District who had received the Queen’s Scout Award and Leader Awards were at the St. George’s Day Parade in Windsor in the presence of Princess Beatrice and the Chief Scout, Bear Grylls.
Our District Commissioner Vera, and some of the cast and crew of our Gang Show, Castle Capers, were interviewed on BBC Radio Stoke on Tuesday 3rd April 2018.
Vera talked about volunteering and the the need for more adult volunteers in the District. Volunteers don’t necessarily need to be a Leader, but can help out in many ways and at times to suit themselves. As the advert says “Every Little Helps”!
Everyone talked about what Scouting and Castle Capers means to them. You can listen below.
As Vera says in the interview, we are in need of at least 2 Assistant Group Scout Leaders and section leaders/assistants. People returning to Scouting , who have been young leaders, for example, are particularly welcome.
If you feel you can help in any way, please contact us via the Contact page.
There was a follow up item on the news the following morning Radio Stoke.. You can listen below.
Tickets for this year’s show are now available. Please visit https://www.ticketsource.co.uk/castlecapers to make a booking.
Tickets cost between £7.50 & £10.00 and there is a 10% discount on orders of 10 tickets or more.
The show is on nightly at the Mitchell Arts Centre, Hanley, from Tuesday 3rd April – Saturday 7th April 2018, with a matinee on Saturday 7th April.
Castle Capers Gang show is proudly supported by Staffordshire County Councils Community Fund.
Thanks must go to Councillors; Simon Tagg, Stephen Sweeney, Dave Jones, Kyle Robinson, Trevor Johnson, Paul Northcote for their generous support for our show and the young people of our Borough.
As part of their Guru in the Community initiative, O2 last week came to Newcastle Explorers to deliver a workshop on Ethics and AIs. At the heart of these issues is the central question of what role technology should play in our lives and in society. Should a driverless car protect its passengers at all costs? Should Siri only show us the news that agrees with our worldview? How far can we take the Utopian dream of automation before it borders on dangerous?
Merging Scouting’s commitment to learning and development at a young age and O2’s open, passionate and excited optimism about the impact of technology in our day-to-day lives, Dan Fair, the in store Guru from O2’s Newcastle under Lyme branch, went to Newcastle Explorers to delve into these important and engaging questions with around 30 young minds. Ranging from Asimov to Bentham to Kant, Google to SkyNet and back again, O2 facilitated a discussion on what exactly it meant to be living in a world with machine minds, where automated living lies just around the corner.
The session was a great success with intriguing and enlightening discussion being had by the five groups, who then presented back to the Unit as a whole, developing their interpersonal and presentational skills while the others listened attentively to their ideas. Falling in line with O2’s vision for a passionate, knowledgeable and exciting technological community outreach program, the young adults present all learned something from each other about what it means to be living, learning and working in the modern age.
As well as talking to Explorers, O2 have been to speak to 1st Porthill’s Beavers about online safety. You can read about it here.
Castle Capers Gang show is proudly supported by Staffordshire County Councils Community Fund.
Thanks must go to Councillors; Simon Tagg, Stephen Sweeney, Dave Jones, Kyle Robinson, Trevor Johnson, Paul Northcote for their generous support for our show and the young people of our Borough.
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