Spitfire Scout Network

Spitfire's Summer 2008 - Tuesday, November 11, 2008

Well Spitfire have certainly been busy scouts this summer! We had a number of members representing us at MadUK, plus more going along to Essex Jamboree for various job roles.

Then of course we had a well attended summer camp at Thriftwood, organised by Sweetchuck. This gave our members plenty of relaxation time, although some participants did have to go to work whilst there! We also had plenty of practise at our new game-Cub. So watch out Essex Network as we will be challenging you soon!

Whilst at camp Andrew, Jack and Rob pledged themselves to Spitfire by getting invested into our mighty network. So congratulations to them!

Not long after our successful camp, Spitfire descended upon Barleylands for the annual Steam Rally. Because we had so many of us there (yay!) we couldnt all work on Billericay Car park as usual, so Spitfire members spread their wings to gates and Wickford carpark. We ruled and owned Barleylands!! It also provided us with a very nice donation for all our help.

Over the summer, Pippin (our merchandise coordinator) was set the challenge of having some Spitfire Badges made, and some name tapes. The challenge was accepted, and so all invested members now have some lovely badges on their uniforms. This challenge has now been followed up by the challenge to have a flag made... keep your eyes open for that!

September came and saw many members leave for university. Because of this migration, Spitfire needed to elect a new chairman for the Network. Andrew became Jimbobs successor, and Sweetchuck is his vice chair.

In more recent times, the Spitfire brand has been put to use on a Tent, for us to use as a store tent at camps and for advertising needs. Photos to follow.

There ends the summer of 2008. But do not worry, the fun is not over yet! Keep turning up and lets see what winter 2008 brings us!

Katy

Spitfire Slum-It No More - Saturday, February 02, 2008

********************* BREAKING NEWS *****************************

SPITFIRE SCOUT NETWORK HAVE RECENTLY pioneered technology allowing them to pitch tents not on the ground like every other Thomas, Richard and Harold, but in the air with the immortals.

Photographic proof in the gallery shortly, stay tuned for more!

Centenary Camp, Take II - Attack of the Beavers - Sunday, December 09, 2007

Due to other commitments (wanting to annoy my Ranger unit) on the Friday, I didn't turn up to the camp until Saturday Night (after work and Climbing Training aka Death Climbing) to a curry with the rice stuck together, but a curry no less (Thank you Judith for saving me food!!) after a few hours I was bored, but plugged Network to the Explorers that were there, so not all at a loss.

On the Sunday morning, I was posted to branding, in which I managed to brand the backs of most of the road signs and write on them, as you can tell, very productive. The rest of the day is a tired blur. As the end of the day drew nigh, I was asked to assist with Car Parking with the Explorers, as we were setting out, one of them found a suspect roll of industrial cling film (I wonder where that came from!) So I stood watching as two explorers were wrapped together. At 3pm Katy turned up and I posted her to car parking with me, our duties included being ignored and baby sitting (well Katy did...) after this, Neil told us we could "take our time" with putting stuff away. After yet more cling film fun*, we headed back up and helped pack away.

I’d like to again, thank the other members of Spitfire for their support it was very much appreciated *rolls eyes*

Pippin

Explore liaison to Billericay

* Cling film left where it was found, Just In Case...Photo's were taken...

Netcars - Sunday, November 11, 2007

Well, I stink, which I'm sure you believe. Next time I go on camp I think I'll change my socks!!!

Netcars was Qualitron. Spitfire represented with just over a dozen Networkers, however before the frolics, I materialised at Thriftwood at midday on Friday. Whilst I waited for Pippin to arrive to help me with the tents, I lent a hand setting everything up for the weekend. When Pip arrived we raised the Icelantics, and discovered that the vertical poles for our patrol tent are too long (they aren't anymore though :>)

So with the tents set up, we maxed and relaxed, with our tent designated “Tent Du Gear”, and the one borrowed from 4^th Billericay designated Tent Du People”. With that done too, I continued to help with this that and the other to pass the time.

That evening Netcars kicked off with 30 Networkers attending Doc Browne’s Log Surgery, which was very good, he taught us his mind controlling ways and told us a little bit about ourselves. That finished late, then we sat down (or stood up, depending on preference) for a few magic drinks. The magic proved too much for some however, as Dobby the new DCSNC was reminded of what his breakfast lunch and dinner looked like partially digested. The night was good, there are plenty of pictures kicking around in the Gallery.

Saturday was similar to Friday night but slightly different. It was more wider network based, rather than on individuals. We discussed many things to do with how network runs, I learnt things from it, which was good, and I think the others did as well. As the day went on, I was told I was a big floppy gay for munching on Nurofen like Skittles. Apparently I was supposed to “man it out” so said Dobby…

That evening was the Netcars awards ceremony, with Doc Browne acting as facilitator and MC for the evening. Spitfire had nominations for many of the awards but won nothing. It’s okay, it’s not about winning, it’s about taking part.

Other highlights of the early evening were our beloved District Commissioner taking a hit of helium then shouting “Let’s get naked!”. Well done Gareth. There was also the matter of vengeance, Operation Dresden was completed, with Mary’s car getting shrinkwrapped good and proper.

The Saturday night saw 130 Networkers (+ distinguished guests) having some magical drinks which was all good fun and games, until everyone went to sleep (whether they wanted to or not).

The Sunday began with breakfast as all good days do, and then a short remembrance day service which Dobby presided over. After that, everyone wandered off home. And Joey put on a pink cowboy hat.

So good fun was had by all, and I for one am very much looking forward to Netcars ’08 and possibly SPACE too!!!!

Jimmy

p.s Thankyou Tim and Clare Warren.

Danbury Fireworks 2007 - Friday, November 09, 2007

Bangs, Crashes, Explosions; Danbury had it all, and that was before the fireworks started! The story goes that we were invited to run the car park for the Danbury fireworks display with the promise of a donation to the network and, more importantly, free food! And so a few of the more hungry members of Spitfire as well as some famished friends of Spitfire took up the job with the promise of a free hot dog or two!

Unfortunately we turned up to find out that we were not actually running the car park but instead were talking direction from a Raynet guy called Nigel! Normally I am quite willing to bow down in the face of superior knowledge or experience, however this guy was, in my opinion, a muppet. His plan for parking the cars was flawed, his plan for making the rows resulted in lines the shape of bananas and his plan for getting cars out of the car park was truly awful!

By the time that the fireworks were due to start this guy had messed us around, insulted us and generally picked holes in everything we were doing to such a point that everyone went on strike! Mr Stack had a few words with some of the more important guys on site while the rest of us were drinking tea and we went back to work to try and get the cars out shortly afterwards. Exciting times though!

A few hours later and all the cars had gone, we had spoken with a high up bod and found out that we were not the only ones to have issues with this guy and just like that everything seemed ok again!

So anyway, long story short, we might never do this event again but if we do we have been assured that we will not be working with Nigel :) Ohh and the event earned us between £200 and £250.. not bad I think you’ll agree!

Thanks to all that helped out on the night, especially those ‘Friends of Spitfire’ that stepped in at short notice!

Fundraising for Spitfire goes from this :) to this :> - Monday, October 29, 2007

Fundraising for Spitfire has increased unit funds back to the levels seen when we reclaimed funds from the District Fellowship!

Through the combined efforts of those who helped out at Barleylands Steam Rally and those, like Joey and Jimbob who took their own time to raise funds for Spitfire, we now have enough money to subsidize some events, training, and even capitation if we can keep the fundraising up!

Anyone with any other fundraising ideas, send them to jimmy@spitfirenetwork.co.uk

Fusion - Friday, October 26, 2007

Fusion has been and passed. A superb weekend run by the GLSE network [Website can be found here] Fun and shenanigans a plenty, the Saturday night entertainment being provided by WIMM who many will remember as the band from MAD UK 2006 as well as Spitfire representing with a fine display of fire skills from Grim, Jimmy and Joey. Pictures are up in the pictures section here as well as a fine selection of movies from the event. Enjoy (we certainly did)

Thriftwood Pioneering - Friday, October 26, 2007

Spitfire ended the month helping out a group of scouts from Southend make a flag pole and camp gate for their site at Thriftwood. Unfortunately we lacked in numbers a bit but never the less two magnificent structures were created (if a little unstable)! Dave lead one team in building the camp gate and Grim and Alan took the other group to build a camp flag pole.

The night ended with both of the creations still standing (just) and a lot of hyperactive campers about to start a wide game.

MAD 2006 - Friday, October 26, 2007

So that's it, MAD is over for another year. We went, we saw and we got plastered! A big thank-you to all who helped organize the event, I can assure you that a good time was had by all! The weather was impeccable, the company was fantastic and the partying was beyond belief yet again! So what came out of MAD this year?

A combined team of Cobra and Spitfire won the Unihoc trophy!
Debbie got so dunk on Friday night that she barely woke up on Saturday let alone drank the night away!
Sweet Chuck likes being tied to trees.
Alan got a bit of a bollocking for letting a signal flare off at 2am!
Joey got stuck on his back (just like a turtle)
Psycho managed to run through a Unihoc goal keeper and the goal!
Far too many people enjoyed playing with Sam's firetruck!
Saz wimped out of wearing her cat burglar outfit!
Grim went on a mission into town on Saturday to buy his costume!
Martin started a water fight in the main Saturday night disco!
Jimmy lost his bin lid…
Chislehurst Network invited Spitfire to their event in October.
For Spitfire's photos go to the photos section!
For the Offical MAD 2006 Photos click HERE
Thanks again to everyone who came, it was truly an amazing weekend!

Network Open Weekend 2006 - Friday, October 26, 2007

On the 8th April over 70 mermbers of Essex County Scout Network descended upon Thorrington Scout Campsite for the Network Open Weekend! Saturday was fairly informal with representatives from every Network in the County in attendance, including several from Spitfire who were hardcore and camped in tents.

As this was the first County event Spitfire had attended we were a little apprehensive towards other Networks (particularly the small army from Synergy Network) but soon enough we were getting very much involved with the chatting and general festivities that the wonderful County team put on for us!.

The evening was foodful, and the campfire run by Dobby and Gareth was rather interesting particularly when one of Spitfire decided to go and have a go despite only knowing half the verses! He pulled through in the end with a little help from someone on the edge of the campfire circle and didn't look too stupid - that's what it was all about.

The rest of the evening went well, returning to the main building and continuing the driunking which was to last for most of the night (well for most people) and the devastation was to be seen the next morning when we all woke up to discove that we'd made it back to Tent Sweet Tent alive (and not woken up dead) but we'd also successfully kidnapped a member of Phoenix Network as well!.

The Open Day went fairly well, with more Explorers and public turning up to get a feel of what Networking is all about, though one of Spitfire was still pretty fragile and on the Red Bull all day. Spitfire were going to run a traditional camp scene - patrol tent, fire, and rabbit skinning, however, unfortunately one of our members was travelling with one of Cobra Network (spot the jinx) and involved in an accident on the A12 (don't worry, they're both alright which is more than can be said for the Land Rover he was driving) so our rabbits never arrived.

So Spitfire pulled together and whipped out our array of circus skills and taught each other and general people who were hanging around, each of our individual skills. There were various other activities going on around, there was The Drainpipe Game (cover up the holes and get soaked), circus skills, cup stacking, frisbee and tree climbing (sorry if I've missed anyone) .

Altogether it was great weekend, the first Spitfire's had together (awwwwww) and certainly not the last. See the pictures in our gallery!.