As part of the 100th anniversary celebrations of the Group, members from all sections met at the HQ on Saturday 11th July for a sponsored walk. Over 50 Beavers, Cubs, Scouts, Seniors and leaders took part on the 12.87 mile hike starting and finishing at the HQ. Each section walked a different distance.
After a group photo, we started with a lap around Cockerton Green. Then we walked down through the cut and onto Staindrop Road heading towards Mowden Bridge. Follow-ing the footpath along Baydale Beck, we ended up at the Northumbrian Water Treatment Works at Broken Scar who kindly gave us permission to use their facilities. This is where the Beaver Colony ended the walk.
After a short break, the remaining sections headed towards Broken Scar Picnic Area. Once we arrived at Broken Scar, the Cubs, some Scouts and a Cub sized Senior (Maverick) instantly headed towards the play area. Scout leader John Newton said “I can’t remember the last time I enjoyed myself with such wonderful people”.
We followed the Teesdale Way along the river Tees for about a mile until we reached a large open field on one of the rivers many meanders. At this point, we looped around the field, with Neil making sure that everyone went right to the end of field, and followed the same footpath back up to Broken Scar. Once we returned to the picnic area Neil swiftly made sure that no one went back onto the play equipment and quickly continued back towards the Northumbrian Water facilities where the Cubs completed their section of the walk.
About 15 members continued on from the treatment works back towards Coniscliffe Road and then back onto the Teesdale Way heading towards High Coniscliffe. After about 45 minutes of walking the group stopped for lunch by the river, about half way between High Coniscliffe and Low Coniscliffe. During the lunch break some members of the group started skimming stones followed by a competition to find out who could hit a half-submerged log on the other side of the river with Tom being the first to hit it.
After sandwiches had been eaten and stones had been thrown, the group continued back along the path towards High Coniscliffe. On this leg of the journey the girl Scouts and Seniors started chasing Chris Hewins leading to him tripping over a rock embedded in the ground and doing a rather good impression of superman and saying as he fell “Oh for God’s sake!”. Once in High Coniscliffe the group was met by Leader-In-Charge Alec Llewellyn who provided them all with water and copious amounts of penguin biscuits. A group photograph was also taken before 12 members of the group continued back to the HQ with the departure of the Robinson trio.
The group continued up past The Mill House and followed the footpaths up towards Hall Moor Farm. At this point the group could see the end of the walk as DSMS (previously Branksome School) came into view as the group crossed a bridge over the A1(M) motorway and followed the footpath down past the radio mast near Coniscliffe Grange and back onto Staindrop Road. From here,the group walked down to Mowden Bridge and back through the wooded area towards the HQ. At this point, the Scouts and Seniors felt like Chris Hewins needed to cool down a little so proceeded to throw whatever water they had left over at him. Nevertheless everyone returned to the HQ to complete the walk. Tim Hewins, Panther Pack Cub Leader, said “I had an enjoyable time with pleasant company” and one of the Scouts was heard saying “I enjoyed the walk”.
