Summer meetings this year have taken a bit of a blow. The weather was really against us and events such as tree planting, kayaking, conservation, punting, climbing and car maintenance all had to be canceled. However - that was only the summer and once again its been a very full year.  


    Making pinwheels, completing the Make Poverty History Badge and the First Things First Challenge, working out at Aviators, having a Scavenger Hunt and a Chocoholics Party, making & delivering yule logs, our usual Christmas Party with broom balling, then having a jam session, visiting Bicester Police Station & the Gang Show, a Ready Steady Cook Evening and making Valentine cards & gifts for the elderly. A bin bag Fashion Show, hunting for Easter eggs, Jewellery making with Megan’s Mum, a Russian evening, painting ceramic pots at Witney, visiting a Nature Reserve and having a go on the high ropes at Youlbury, these are all the sorts of things that filled our meetings. 
 
     Then the high lights. Congratulations to our Lizzie who has just completed her Queen’s Guide Award!!! Also Well Done to everyone who completed Bronze, Silver and Gold D. of E. Expeditions this year. Well Done also to Becky, Becci and Jemma who did a good job running the Unit whilst Nette was away and Well Done to most of the Unit who turned up to a fab Party held to Celebrate the OSCARS at the end of the County SSOX Challenge. Shame we didn’t win it again!
 
    Camps included all the Expeditions, an amazing Winterish Weekend, held at Youlbury, Sun Run, where we WON the mixed class of the 26 mile Sun Run and once again completed the Moon Run, then Summer Camp in Cornwall where everyone had a very good time.  Ex-members (LINK) came back to join us for Sun Run and ran their own Hostel Event in Dublin which I attended along with Becky, Becci, Maria, Acid & Mark. (Have a look on facebook!) I also attended Innovate in York and an INTOPS weekend where I was selected to go to Russia as a GOLD (Guiding Overseas Linked with Development) delegate whilst Emma got through International Selection and was chosen to go to a Friendship Camp in Poland. Becky also took part and had a fantastic time at the World Scout Jamboree as a member of the First Aid Team.
 
    So, again another action packed fun filled year. My last as a Ranger - lets hope my next as a Leader will be just as fab.  
                                                                                             Holly x 21.9.07

 Want to see more photos: look at our Old Photo Album.