New Year Message
I am writing this piece just prior to Christmas and thinking back over the past month. As you will all know by now Heather Vaudin passed away in mid December. Heather was a lovely,sweet lady and had been a member of Southampton City and West District for many years. Even though she was not in the best of health she always wanted to be kept informed of what the Support Unit was doing and attended meetings when she was feeling well enough. I spent a morning with her a few weeks ago completing her C.R.B. form, something that she found very amusing! Thank you to everyone from the District who attended Heathers' funeral on Monday 19th December. I am sure she would have been very proud that so many of us were there, at St. Peters, to honour her as she entered the church. I was talking to another Scouter in the District after the service and he had worked out that nearly every D.C. who Heather had ever worked with was present at her funeral. Only two were missing one, who was out of touch with the District the other had already passed away. What a fitting tribute that is to a special lady. Our thoughts and sympathy go to Patrick and Eileen, her family and close friends.
As a unit we participated in all of our usual things during December. We helped out in a packed St. James Church for the Beaver Christingle service and again at a packed St. Andrews Church for the Cub Carol service. The 13th. did a great job with their Seniors party. All of our members who attended had a great time. Well done to Lee and Sue, especially as it was the day of their 40th Wedding Anniversary, and their team. There's dedication for you!! Congratulations to you both. Finally on the 21st December, we held our own Christmas Party. It was great to see so many friends and Scouters from around the District joining us for the evening. I hope you all enjoyed it.
Before I close I would like to thank all of my team in The Active Support Unit for their support during the past year. No matter what I ask of them, even at short notice, they are always there. Thank you all.
A Happy New Year to everyone in Southampton City District.
PS. I have just been notified by The Southampton Branch of The Royal British Legion that members of The Active Support Unit who collected at both local branches of Sainsburys,for The Poppy Appeal collected £692.36.This is a fantastic amount thank you and well done to those of my members who were involved.
George Longhurst.