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The Annual General Meeting of Barnsley District Scout Council will be held at 7.30 on 23rd May 2012, at Cockerham House, (The Masonic Hall) in Cockerham Lane, Barnsley.

Refreshments will be available including a licensed bar.

Central Barnsley Active Support members, in full uniform, will attend.

The season of Annual General Meetings ends as usual with South Yorkshire Scout County's AGM. Members of Central Barnsley Active Support are expecting to attend in full uniform.

The County's Annual General Meeting will be on Wednesday 12th September 2012 again at Hesley.

This was held on Monday 12th May at the Monk Bretton Scout Centre. This was our annual meeting and we were pleased that the new DC, John Skipper, attended.

Reports on the year were received. Nigel was elected to chair meetings, Janice to take minutes etc., and Helen to look after the monies.

The Annual Meeting was followed by the monthly meeting where help given by members to groups etc was reported.

The SAS Quizes were discussed, unfortunately many members were already committed to helping elsewhere.

Requests for help were met with volunteers including the Water Activity Day at Pugneys.

The Scout St Georges Day Celebration was held in Wentworth College Grounds on Sunday the 29th April 2012.

Members and their families had been invited to arrive any time after 11 am, via the Northern College Entrance.

Unfortunately due to the poor weather conditions the activities planned for during the day had to be cancelled. Wentworth Castle & Gardens openned up their facilities to provide somewhere warm for people to shelter. Entry to the grounds was free.

Members of Central Barnsley Active Support were present and their flag was paraded. The service was at 12 midday instead of 3pm. The Flags assembled at the (castle-like) Folly at the top of the gardens and formed a partial ring around members. There was a short contest between St George and a Dragon (Though I could not see much because of the crowds.) Promises were renewed, certificates issued and there was (I'm told) even a rendition of the National Anthem from Ann and Helen.

Bruce has since thanked, by email, the many who turned up.

Monday 23rd April 2011 - St George's Day

We assembled at about 10.45 am at Barnsley Cenotaph. Scouts, as usual, formed the Colour Party. The St George's Flag was carried by Sharon Berry, of St George's Group and Central Barnsley Active Support member; ADC (CS) Ann, and seven other members of the Central Barnsley Active Support provided the escort to the flag. When members of the Royal Society of St George and the Royal British Legion had assembled before the cenotaph, the Flag and Escort marched across the front of the Cenotaph to form a Guard of Honour.

The service began at 11.00 am and was conducted by Frank Race MBE. We sang "Praise my soul the King of heaven" to music provided by a sound system. Frank led us in prayers and gave the reading from Revelations 12: 7 to 12. We sang "All people that on earth do dwell" and we received a blessing.

The Mayor and RSOSG President laid a wreath. The "Last Post" was played. The Flag and Escort marched away and dismissed.

We then retired to the White Bear for coffee.

The Society has a Formal Dinner and other activities. For details or if you are interested in knowing more about the Royal Society please telephone the Membership Secretary on 01226 234175

The "All Scouter" meeting was held in the Lodge, Silverwood on Wednesday 14th March.

The DC reported on the Census, Saint George's Day Celebration and the change of date for the AGM.

Reports were received from most sections, Silverwood, Leader Training etc.

Among the reports was that “Dad’s Army” are detailed to build a beacon and a catering size barbeque for the 4th June Jubilee Celebrations. A new SAS unit has been formed, “Pennine Pioneers”, to provide training for both adult and youth members as well as assisting at large events outside the district.

We are sad to announce the death of Joe Massey.

His funeral was on Thursday, 9th February 2012 conducted by Father Kevin Maddy of St Paul’s Monk Bretton, where at one time Joe had been a member of the PCC. Two flags lined the entrance, one of the 12th Monk Bretton Scouts and the other the Scout flag (from the old Central District). Inside the route was lined by an honour guard in scout uniform from Central Barnsley Active Support, the ADC (CS) and representative of Monk Bretton Scout Group. Many others in scout uniform (especially from Dad’s Army) attended the service. There were also such a huge numbers of family, friends, and other organisations with which he was associated. The Chapel was full with many standing, the side chapel was full with some standing, the vestibule was full, and many were standing in the icy rain outside the door as there was no room inside.

The service, with prayer and readings by Father Kevin, concluded with one of Joe favourite jokes.

Afterwards many drove to Barnsley Football Club where we nearly filled The Legend Suite for refreshments. Joe was a Legend indeed, a big man with a big heart who gave much to many hundreds of young people in Barnsley. He will be very sadly missed