The show was featured in the news on Hitmix Radio last week. You can listen below.
Permanent link to this article: https://newcastledistrictscouts.org.uk/2020/03/capers-on-the-radio/
Mar 08 2020
87th Holy Trinity & 107th Westlands Beavers at Apedale
On the morning of Sunday 08/03/2020, Beavers and their families from 87th Holy Trinity and 107th Westlands met at Apedale Country Park for a family walk.
They all walked around the park from the car park at the Heritage Centre and up to the pit wheel at the top of the park and back again.
Along the way they completed a quiz and when they got back everyone had hot dogs and cup cakes. The weather was kind and it stayed sunny. All the Beavers had a great time!
View more photos in the gallery.
Thanks to everyone who helped out, especially the Scout and Explorer who devised the route and quiz!
Permanent link to this article: https://newcastledistrictscouts.org.uk/2020/03/87th-holy-trinity-107th-westlands-beavers-at-apedale/
Mar 02 2020
Curtain Call for the “Capers” Cast of 1980
Castle Capers is back, and this year Newcastle’s very own Scout Gang Show is celebrating a very special anniversary. It’s forty years since the variety performance, which brings together young people and leaders from across the district, was awarded “red necker status”.
Newcastle District Commissioner Vera Bloor says “not every Scout show, can call itself a Gang Show. A production needs to be regularly assessed by the Scout Association, to ensure that it meets the required standard, and only then does the cast earn the right to wear the prestigious red neckerchief during the performance. The fact that Castle Capers has been able to call itself a Gang Show for forty years is testament to the hard work and dedication of everyone involved in the show over the last four decades”
Castle Capers was first assessed in 1980 by Ralph Reader, who staged the UK’s very first Gang Show in 1932. To mark the occasion the team behind this year’s show is trying to track down members of the original cast.
Producer Heather Locker says “I’m so excited about this year’s show, rehearsals are going really well, and it would be amazing if we could get members of the original gang back together, to share their memories with us along with any photos they might have. We’re hoping they’ll come along to one of the performances too, as we’ve got some really talented young people in the cast, I can’t wait for everyone to see what they can do”.
This year’s performance takes places at the Mitchell Arts Centre in Hanley from 15th-18th April. Amongst those returning to the cast this year is Cub Scout Leader Barbara Davies affectionately known as “Aunty Barb”. She’s been part of the show since the very beginning and remembers being awarded the red necker for the first time.
Barbara says “the content of the show hasn’t really changed, you still have the singing, the dancing, and the sketches. It’s a lot more contemporary now, but for me there’s nothing like a group of volunteers coming together and putting on a show. It’s not all about what you put in, it’s also about what you get back, and I’ve made some fantastic friends over the last forty years.”
We’re asking original members of the 1980 cast to get in touch by emailing 1980cast@castlecapersgs.co.uk
Permanent link to this article: https://newcastledistrictscouts.org.uk/2020/03/curtain-call-for-the-capers-cast-of-1980/
Feb 10 2020
Leaders Learn First aid
A great day was had on Saturday. with Newcastle District Scout leaders doing first aid training as part of the training for their roles. There was lots of learning, even for those who had done first aid before. CPR (resuscitation ), use of a defibrillator and treatment of a variety of injuries and illnesses.
Thank you to everyone who took part, volunteering their day to learn for the benefit of others, helping ensure the safety of our young people, volunteer leaders and the community. Also to Gary Peake our instructor for an extremely professional course.
Lots of ‘theatrical’ injuries!
Permanent link to this article: https://newcastledistrictscouts.org.uk/2020/02/leaders-learn-first-aid/
Feb 06 2020
Grant from the County Council
Newcastle District Scouts are very pleased to announce that all 15 non-school groups are set to receive £50 each to be used for the purchase of –
“Craft materials & stationary provision for Scout groups across the District will enable artistic and craft activities to take place”
This funding is as a result of our DC, Vera’s, successful bid to the Staffordshire County Council “People Helping People Fund”.
Local Councillors that have contributed to this appeal are –
John Cooper (Bradwell, Porthill and Wolstanton)
Dave Jones (Knutton and Silverdale)
Trevor Johnson (May Bank and Cross Heath)
Stephen Sweeney (Newcastle South)
Simon Tagg (Westlands and Thistleberry)
We would like pass on our grateful thanks to the County Councillors for their generosity.
Permanent link to this article: https://newcastledistrictscouts.org.uk/2020/02/6689/
Jan 07 2020
Hello There, It’s 2020!
We hope everyone had a great Christmas and new year.
Newcastle District has plenty of exciting activities planned for this year, so please make sure you keep an eye on this site, our Facebook page and Twitter account to keep up to date.
Permanent link to this article: https://newcastledistrictscouts.org.uk/2020/01/hello-there-its-2020/
Dec 23 2019
Christmas Carol Concert
We are very please to announce that following the Beavers and Cubs Christmas Carol Concert held at St Giles Church service on 2nd December, we donated £240 to the Newcastle Staffs Foodbank as a result of the collection.
Happy Christmas.
Permanent link to this article: https://newcastledistrictscouts.org.uk/2019/12/christmas-carol-concert/
Dec 20 2019
Happy Christmas
Newcastle District Scouts would like to wish everyone a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!
We hope to see you all in 2020 for lots more adventurous activities!
Permanent link to this article: https://newcastledistrictscouts.org.uk/2019/12/happy-christmas-2/
Dec 15 2019
Gone Home: Ron Broadhurst
We are very sad to hear of the death of Ron Broadhurst.
From his son, and amongst other things, former District Commissioner, Steve:
Some of you might remember father as District Chair or District Commissioner….. if you can remember that far back. Some of you might remember him for his work with Screamline or in starting Castle Capers back in 1974.
In fact father had been in the Boys Brigade as a youngster and when he wanted to help his shy, introverted son he found the local Cub Pack (Basford). He supported and fundraised at Basford and then was asked to help Screamline with compiling the programmes and the District as Chair. While District Chair he attended a Basford AGM where some leaders performed a barbers shop song and “Gaudete”. He turned to the then District Commissioner and asked if he felt there was enough talent to put on a Gang Show in Newcastle. The rest is clichéd history.
When the District Commissioner disappeared, Peter Moxon, the County Commissoner, asked father to take on the role of District Commissioner and find his own replacement – he did both tasks, as well as negotiating the sale of the Newcastle HQ with the Guides.
He continued to be a member of the Fellowship (pre-Adult Support Unit), was awarded a Silver Acorn and was Vice-President of the District.
Since September he has been battling with discomfort and pain, finally leaving us on December 12th just a week shy of his 92nd birthday.
Steve Broadhurst
Our thoughts are with Steve and his family.
Upadte 27/12/2019: Ron’s funeral will be at Carmountside Crematorium on 2nd January at 3.00pm.
Notice will be in Sentinel and online (Sentinel) shortly.
Only family flowers but donations to Newcastle District Scouts welcomed.
Permanent link to this article: https://newcastledistrictscouts.org.uk/2019/12/gone-home-ron-broadhurst/
Nov 11 2019
Newcastle District Scouts Remember The Fallen
In Flanders Fields
In Flanders fields the poppies blow
Between the crosses, row on row,
That mark our place; and in the sky
The larks, still bravely singing, fly
Scarce heard amid the guns below.
We are the Dead. Short days ago
We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,
Loved and were loved, and now we lie
In Flanders fields.
Take up our quarrel with the foe:
To you from failing hands we throw
The torch; be yours to hold it high.
If ye break faith with us who die
We shall not sleep, though poppies grow
In Flanders fields.
John McCrae, May 1915
We remember all killed in war and especially those Newcastle and Potteries Scouts killed serving their country and we are proud to commemorate them on this Roll of Honour.
Permanent link to this article: https://newcastledistrictscouts.org.uk/2019/11/newcastle-district-scouts-remember-the-fallen-3/
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