Fungi & Forestry in the NY Moors

Scouts at NY Moors 29 November 2014   

We arrived at the Sutton Bank Visitor Centre on a cold and foggy day.  We met Tammy, the co-ordinator of the North York Moors Explorers.  She told us our mission which was to chop down some trees, to make a new footpath and to allow the heather to grow.

First, we went for a walk looking for fungi.  We found quite a lot.  Tammy told us about them and we also had reference books to help us identify them.

We drove in a minibus to the place where we were working.  It was only a short way, but we had a load of equipment to take along with us.  We had our lunch, I was glad I had my flask of hot chocolate!

We got down to work, cutting down some trees.  We each had a folding saw and loppers, which are long handled cutters.  This tree chopping technique is called the notch and Back Cut.  We all worked very hard and finished a bit early.

At the end, we were dancing in front of the Centre webcam while we were waiting for our lift home.  I think we were all tired at the finish, but we had done a good job.

By Luke

Cobra Patrol

First aid hike

Guy, Owen, Finn and I  did a first aid hike on the 16th November 2014. At first we had to do a quiz about first aid. The equipment we needed was a first aid kit, hot drink, sleeping bag, survival bag, emergency rations, compass and a  map.

For the first injury we had to find out what was wrong with the person. He had a swollen ankle and hypothermia . We didn't have to do it on the person we had to explain what we would do.

The second injury was a graze on the head. So we had to check for concussion but there wasn't any. At the injuries there was a judge to take the score. The team in front of us didn't follow the countryside rules because they don't shut gates!!!!! It was organised by the Harrogate and Nidderdale  District Scouts.

The final one of the day was very BAD hypothermia a man had fallen into a reservoir!!!!! To treat hypothermia you look for signs of it like shivering, pale face etc. Then you give them a hot drink and reassure them. If it is really bad they won't know who they are, where they are or even where they came from!!!

There were 10 teams and we came 4th!!!!! The winners were 14th Woodlands.  I am really proud of our team getting 4th place!! WOW!!!!!!!!

By Caolan

(Falcon Patrol)    

North Yorkshire Moors Ranger Day

On Saturday the 25^th October 2014, 9 scouts from 1st Marston Moor set of for an excited day at Carlton Bank in the North York Moors.

After arriving at the site, we met Tammy and Janet our instructors. Then we got all our gear like the trowels and the shovels, then we set of and walked up a hill called Cleveland Way Hill. When we got to the top Tammy and Janet told us  how to use the tools and then we got in pairs. We had to dig the grass out of the drains so the water could run through the drains.

After one hour of hard work we stopped for lunch. Soon after we played two amazing games.  One of the games that we played was where there was ‘prey’ in the middle and that person, who was blind folded and if you got pointed at by them you are out, the first person to tap the person who was the prey was the winner. The second game was where you had to make a creature and then the leaders judged you. It was very fun.

Finally after lunch break we did some more digging of the drains. In total we did a big thirty four drains. We had lot of fun there and we have to say thank you to Tammy and Janet.  

Written by Abi

(Falcon Patrol)

 

 

Roseberry Topping

When I was told that we were to take on Roseberry topping, one of many peaks that 1^st Marston Moor had yet to conquer; I hate to say that I had genuinely not expected much, and that I thought that this particular mountain would not pose much of a challenge…

Captain Cook Monument

So, on a bright October morning, with the sun blazing over the hills, our fabulous scout, cub and beaver crews (each starting from different locations) set out in hope of scaling Zee Roseberry Topping. Being a scout, I’ll quickly break down the scout walk: We set off about 5km from the mountain itself, heading towards the Captain Cook Monument. After a brisk walk the monument, with one scout already complaining about his empty stomach, we set off in the general direction of RT. NAV went dow

n the toilet a bit at this point, what with the tremendous map-reading skills of 1^st Marston Moor scouts. Eventually we were back on track, thanks to some assistance from our leaders. The following trek included serene moor top strolls, uphill struggles and generally trying not to kill ourselves as we rushed through the woods. Amidst the cursing and falling over conversation broke out, which spanned several strange topics such as Doctor Who, mountain biking and…    Pigeons?!

Tea break time with a view.

2 hours and 5km later, we stood at the foot of the mountain. We took this opportunity to relax and take in the breath-taking serenity that is the English countryside. But the grinning faces of jubilant Beavers who were delighted to have won the race to the top soon snapped us out of our trance and we (rather reluctantly) made the climb. What every climber dreams of is the packed lunch that awaits them at the summit, It is truly what keeps them going, this seemed to be very true in the case of us scouts. But then we had a thought, where were the cubs? A quick look over the edge of RT told us the answer. Finally, some twenty minutes late, the cubs arrived, and scouts being scouts we had own special ways of welcoming them (which may or may not have involved a lot of laughter), the cubs later explained their lateness being the result of an escaped dog.

1st Marston Moor; Beavers, Cubs and Scouts

The second leg was mercifully shorter (much to the relief of us scouts) so we packed up our kit (and our troubles) and soldiered on. The second leg took us all the way up and along a high ridge, with perfect views of the coastline. Although it was much shorter, the second leg was significantly more strenuous, but still not a patch on some of the hikes the scouts have done beforehand.  We reached the finish point about an hour after summiting Roseberry topping.

So all in all, this hike was an enjoyable enough experience, but not as difficult as some other mountains. So, it was a great walk, with awesome views and not too much of trial. What more could you want, right?

Cubs Cross Country

I’m a Cub Scout, Gabby, I am writing about the cubs cross country competition in Harrogate, it was FUN. We had two groups the Juniors and the Seniors, I was in the Juniors. We wore the new bright yellow 1^st MM t-shirts. The lady said “ready...steady...GO! So we all ran, we were jogging at the start and at the end we were all sprinting. It was an uphill finish and very tiring. The Seniors race was very, very long. We won two medals and a trophy, it is going round all the schools. If someone in the team goes to your school then you will see the trophy. Here are some photos of the team.

The Team

T-shirts



Prize Giving

Get Set Go

 

North York Moors Conversation Poject

North York Moors Conservation Project 1:

Sutton Bank Visitor Centre

On Saturday 27th September four Scouts and one scout to be went to Sutton Bank Visitor Centre as part of the first day of the North York Moors Conservation Project.

We cleared and resurfaced underneath benches and we also painted 44 sq metres of fencing.
When we all arrived in the morning we met Tammy, Explorer Club Co-ordinator for the National Park, who showed us the tools we would be using, how to use them properly and what we would be doing throughout the day.  First of all we used spades to clear out the grass that was growing too far onto the bench area and did the same to branches that were in the way but with secateurs. We then covered the area in wood shavings to stop the grass growing through. When we were eating our lunch we had to walk around in groups and find out what different types of tree bark and leaves look like. 


After lunch and the tree spotting we got dressed in protective suits and each got a roller and a paint tray and started to paint.
Everybody in the party from 1st Marston Moor really enjoyed it and we are looking forward to the next time we go.

Finn
Wolf Patrol.

This is the first out of 6 conservation days our scouts will be involved in with the North Yorkshire Moors.  During the project they will be learning about conserving a National Park for the good of the wildlife, plants, residents and visitors, plus working on various badges including the Environmental Partnership Award.

 

Cubs Adventure Days: Sunday

By Sunday morning, the tuck shop table had runs out of Haribos so an argument breaks out.

Volunteers are sent to high lookouts, searching for nearby sweet shops.

A kindly local girl says that she knows of a sweet shop’s location.

Then they are off!

The bag of sweets is closely guarded for the rest of the morning.

After the previous day’s misunderstandings, a new team of rescuers are moulded.

Regrettably, the bellboaters

Are not given clear instructions, so quickly misplace the lake

yet, resourcefully, start work on their Gardening badge.

Unfortunately we were so tired at the end of the day that only two Cubs are able to pass their “Walk on Water” badge.

Cubs Adventure Days: Saturday

After being given clear instructions to paddle near to shore, 

the Bellboat is ready to set off.

However, it is soon out of sight.

So the rescue team are called into action,

carrying out their famous and controversial reverse launch

The rapid response team form up.

Unfortunately they get caught up in an art installation, wasting valuable time.

By now the bellboaters are frantic, so are up, waving, trying to attract attention.

The rescue team are swift with their response, by sinking two of their own boats.

However, resourceful Cubs commandeer something with a bit more oompf.

By Little Gary Baker

New Experiences: Windsurfing

On the cold 28th June 2014, many Scouts went windsurfing at Scaling Dam near Whitby. The day was split into 2 sessions, one in the morning and one in the afternoon. I went in the afternoon with Tom, Oliver H, Abigail, Eva and Lucy. 
   When everyone had arrived, eventually, our coach gave us a wet suit each and told us to go and get changed into them. Oliver took the longest to put his wet suit on because he managed to get it on but when he had zipped it up at the back, he only then realised that it was the wrong way round! When Oliver had done, about 30 minutes longer than everyone else, we waddled down like penguins to where the boats were. 

   
The coach showed us how to get on and how to get moving and before we knew it, we were on the water. The parents all the while taking embarrassing photos of us trying to get moving and instead falling off. 


When we all got the hang of it, the coach let us go further out. Most of us got a long way out before falling out and not been able to get back to shore. By this time, we were all cold and tired so the coach let us a 10 minute break.   He made us all a warm ribena to make us warmer. 
    Everyone finished theirs and got back on the water. By this time, the boys all went in to have a really warm shower while the girls and the instructor went all the way to the other side of the Dam. The boys were still having a shower even when the girls got back! Everyone had thoroughly enjoyed themselves and went home with a big smile on their faces! :D

New Experiences through Scouting

Dinghy Sailing

Hi, my name is Owen I am in the scouts. I have been sailing twice and it has been great fun. If you do sailing training then you do it through the Royal Yacht Association, known as RYA.  You need to get RYA stage 2 to qualify for the Scout Dinghy Sailing Badge.

I did both of my sailing days in Ellerton Park in Richmond. The first time I did sailing I went in a sailing boat called an Omega which needs more than one person to crew, from doing this I nearly completed my RYA stage 1. 

On my second day I went in a Topper which is a one man sailing boat.   When I went in the Topper I finished my stage 1 and nearly finished my stage 2.

This is a topper single person boat

In stage 1 there are 21 tasks to complete and stage 2 there are 25 to do.  You have to do lot of other things in sailing apart from just the sailing itself like the rigging, the safety check and launching and recovering the boat.

Here are a few of the tasks:

The Boat: you need to know the names for the parts of a boat including helm, stern, boom, sail, rudder, centre board and mast

Knots: you need several types of knots in sailing, some are just used with boats and boat sports like cleating a halyard others  like a figure of eight knot  are just in all sorts of things besides sailing including climbing and caving.

Paddle: you have to show you can paddle or row, in case sail breaks or is damaged.

Rigging: can assist with rigging a boat, rigging means getting a boat ready to go on the water.

Safety:  Of course you have to stay safe and must wear a buoyancy aid.  A wet suit is handy but not essential.  When you do sail training there are also life boats that go round as well they give you instructions and they help if you need it.

Capsize: Part of the boat safety for stage 2 of the training is to capsize and right the boat.  Once you capsize you  have to go round to the bottom of the boat (it will be on its side) without letting go of the boat.  When you get to the centre board, reach and grab it then push down on it so that the boat starts to tip back the right way up.  It is difficult to hoist yourself out of the water to get enough weight onto the centreboard to tip the boat.  But once you get the sail up from the water surface the boat tips easily. Once the boat is upright you need to be able to reach inside from this position and grab on to a leg strap and pull yourself in.  Once you are in you can start sailing again, this is for a single handed boat like a topper .  

 Sailing

You need to sail the boat around a simple triangle course, to sail you need wind in the sail but of course the wind does not blow in a triangle shape!  So there are two techniques you learn in the first stage of RYA.

Tacking: this involves going in a zigzag along the water, getting the wind to the port and then the starboard, you do this when the wind is coming from in front of the boat.  The sail stays fairly central just moving a little to the left and right as you change direction.

Jibing: You do this with the wind behind you and during this movement the boom of the sail will swing all the way from one side to another.  You have to be ready or it might hit you!