1st Cuckfield Scout Group

David Tingley

17 February 2015

by Mike Schlup, Scout Leader

Scouting exists to actively engage and support young people in their personal development, empowering them to make a positive contribution to society. All scouts, young and old, are guided by strong values:

Integrity: We act with integrity; we are honest, trustworthy and loyal

Respect: We have self-respect and respect for others

Care: We support others and take care of the world in which we live

Belief: We explore our faiths, beliefs and attitudes

Cooperation: We make a positive difference; we cooperate with others and we make friends

2014 was a great year for the 1st Cuckfield Scout Group, incorporating Beavers (6-8 years), Cubs (8 to 10 years) and Scouts (10 to 14 years). The programme throughout the year for each section is designed to reinforce the values of Scouting but with the caveat that it must be fun! The beginning of the year is always a tricky time for all the sections as the bad weather makes it difficult to get outside to burn off all that youthful energy. So time is spent on other skills such as map reading, knots, pioneering (building structures with poles and rope) and indoor games.

Read full article on page 12.

David Tingley

17 February 2015

Hitting the target - Cuckfield Archers

David Tingley

17 February 2015

By Claire Cooper

It’s just two years since archery returned to Cuckfield but already young archers are on target to become some of the best in the county!

Members of the junior girls’ team took part in their first two competitions last year and not only won the team prize but also an individual trophy.

“We were stunned,” said club secretary Bridget Dolan. “The girls were competing against juniors from all over Sussex. They worked well as a team; their scores were consistently good and that made all the difference!”

The girls, Aoife Rice, Imogen Ferguson and Holly Hatch, were delighted to bring back the first team trophy for the Cuckfield Archers. And there was more good news when Holly went on to take the Recurve Trophy at the Eastbourne Junior Tournament.

“I didn’t have any expectations and I think that helped a lot,” said Holly. “I wasn’t nervous and just enjoyed it.”

The girls’ success is a fitting tribute to the small and dedicated committee which has not only brought archery back to the village but introduced a new generation of villagers to the increasingly popular sport.

Bridget explained how she came to join the Cuckfield Archers and take up the sport which has now become a big part of her life.

“My daughter tried archery while on an activity holiday and just loved it,” said Bridget. “Shortly afterwards I read a story in a local newspaper about plans to resurrect the former Cuckfield Bowmen, I had no intention of joining; I just took her along to a meeting to find out more.”

Before she knew it she was club chairperson! The initial meetings were set up by former Cuckfield Bowmen Roy Viccari and John Stevens. “The original Cuckfield Bowmen were set up in 1973 but moved Hitting the target! to Ditchling after health and safety concerns meant they could no longer train on Whiteman’s Green,” said Bridget. “Ditchling Archers are still going strong.”

Spurred on by the success of British archers in the Paralympic Games, the first meetings attracted several villagers interested in taking up the sport, as well as experienced archers.

Read full article on pages 16/17.

David Tingley

9 February 2015

How well do you know Cuckfield?

David Tingley

9 February 2015

We went out with a camera and captured some sights that will be familiar to many readers. But how many locations can you name? It’s just for fun, the answers are shown below. Scroll down...