Beavers' Success – Community Engagement at its Best!

A long time in the planning but the sun shone and approximately 25 Beavers from the two Beaver colonies at the 1st Sandstone Scout Group (the Hillside Beavers and the Woodland Beavers) interrupted their half term holiday and planted at least 40 trees in the Flacca Wetland on Saturday morning.

In assisting TWiG, Tattenhall Wildlife Group, the Beavers were able to place their practical environmental skills towards the 'My World Challenge Award' as well as the 'Community Impact' activity badge.

The trees (Alder Buckthorn) were significantly larger than most of the Beavers themselves and it was a huge challenge to carry the trees across to the Flacca Wetland, to walk the plank across the Mill Brook and to then physically remove the trees from their containers! Undeterred, teamwork won the day and the Beavers armed with their spades dug the deep holes and then anchored the trees securely in the ground.

TWiG wishes to extend particular thanks to Thom Morton (owner of SPAR) since the trees were purchased with Thom's support for TWiG and his continuing commitment to the single-use plastic bag initiative within the village of Tattenhall.

In addition to the planting of the Alder Buckthorn, two of our enthusiastic youngsters actually brought their very own oak trees for planting in Jubilee Wood – mighty oaks from little acorns grow!!

Achieving any one of the six Challenge Awards involves accomplishing a number of ambitious tasks within the Colony or Community. These Awards support the main themes of outdoor and adventure; world and skills. Beavers take part in a range of activities to develop their skills and understanding in each of the challenge areas. Once all six Challenge Awards are completed, Beavers will have earned the Chief Scout's Bronze Award.

On Saturday, twelve Beavers completed their 'My World Challenge Award' and nine were awarded the 'Chief Scout's Bronze Award' in what was the last meeting for the older Beavers before moving up to Cubs after the half term break. The Beavers were also each presented with a certificate from TWiG.

It was also the last meeting for Oliver Hill and myself as leaders of the Hillside Beavers; we'll also be 'moving up' to run the Badger Cub pack (one of two Cub packs in our Group), with a new team of four leaders taking over the running of the Hillside Beaver colony.

The 1st Sandstone Scout Group is based at our hut in Bickerton and caters for young people from Tattenhall, Bickerton, Bickley, Cholmondeley and surrounding areas. More information is available on our website, www.sandstonescouts.org.uk

A huge 'THANK YOU' to Alison Pritchard of Alison's Country Kitchen who provided everyone with much needed hot chocolate at the end of a hard morning's work!! (apologies for all the mud Alison)!

And, an equally huge 'THANK YOU' to Keith Titchener who was our official photographer on the day. Tony Straw has been given a copy of all the images that were taken during the morning event; if we have omitted anyone then for that we apologise but we only have sufficient space for a few photographs online – click on each image to enlarge.

For information, all images have been approved for use in relation to safeguarding issues.

Thank you to the wonderful Beavers and to the army of parents who also supported this event.

P.S. One spade was left on the patio of Alison's Country Kitchen – Andrew Hull of TWiG has the spade, give him a call and we can arrange that it is returned (01829 770026)