December 2006 will be a very special month in the Calendar of a very large number of mixed youngsters, adult Leaders and parents in Avoch and the surrounding area who have worked so hard to set up the new 1^st AVOCH SEA SCOUT GROUP a couple of years ago. A beautiful setting on the south shore of the Black Isle peninsular known to centuries of families as Cromarty, Ross-shire. Near by Fortrose with it’s ruined Abbey is the larger town in an area steeped in history of 1000’s of years. A Sailing Club has been a focus for water activities and now the youth in Sea Scouting will enhance their hobby with additional training skills with expert Leaders.

Leadership skills are given in all age ranges, and often opens a Career opportunity for adventurous Outdoor Salaried Jobs: whether Royal Navy, Maritime Jobs or Fishery. Those who are able to continue right past Explorer Scouts can aim for the Queen’s Scout Award (level with the Duke of Edinburgh Gold Award) and will open doors on employment opportunities and University applications.

1^st Avoch Sea Scouts have worked incredibly hard over these few years from nothing in the area for many decades to a very large Troop with 40+ members. It is rare to find a Troop of this size in any U.K County nowadays which says much for the skills and dedication of their highly trained ‘Skipper’ Derek Martin, who lives in Avoch. It is said by constant Media critics that “we are still middle class, militaristic and Christian based” which is a totally outdated understanding of what we are about. Scouting has been working for decades on many of the most deprived areas of any county in the U.K. where the need is there. It is rarely church based with high rental costs involved, and with the diverse religious cultures in the U.K. we have many Scouts supported by many other Faiths. Naval drill is important for Sea Scouting as safety on the water is paramount, but drill is in no way as practised in the Sea Cadets. There has not been marching Drill in Scouting for many decades past except in Scout Bands, where you would expect a public standard when on parade (your Editor was in one).

When Skipper Derek Martin explained that the “Olympic Gold” equivalent of Sea Scouting was to attain “Royal Naval Recognition” with it’s perks of support and opportunities to be on board a Royal Navy Ship, there was no question of sitting back. Basic Drill commands were needed, smart uniforms, massive enthusiasm from the youngsters joining of which two thirds were girls ! Parents doing their part and a number stepping forward to be assistant Leaders with individual special skills to pass on. A vital part of this jigsaw of activity was knowing where and when to apply for funds to finance uniforms, activities, boats and equipment, of which much was in place in a short space of time: thanks again to Derek and his previous leadership with other colleagues in Muirtown Sea Scouts, Inverness. Ross & Sutherland Area Scouting support kept the momentum rolling, and some of us have been privileged to attend the ‘rehearsal of the R.N. Recognition Ceremony’ as well as the actual Day. Out of interest there are over 400 Sea Scout Groups around the U.K. and only 100 are allowed Recognition status plus one Unit in Gibraltar.

REPORT ON THE BIG NIGHT

OF ROYAL NAVAL INSPECTION

Apologies in advance to the ‘Ross-shire Journal’ newspaper for taking out the following report with an excellent photo in the 29^th December 2006 issue:

It was a proud day for Sea Scouts in Avoch as they became one of only 3 Groups in Scotland to be granted ‘Royal Navy Recognition’.

Many youngsters have been working towards securing the accolade for the past year and now join the select group to be awarded the prestigious recognition, which allows them to go to sea with the Royal Navy. Inspecting Officer – Lieutenant Commander David Griffiths RN, flew from London narrowly escaping the travel chaos generated by days of fog: to arrive in time for the evening’s Formal Inspection. This included being ‘piped in’ and ‘Raising Colours’ with the young piper. Activities to view included Highland Dancing, engineering, map work, first aid, ropework and astronomy. The officer was most impressed with their bearing, uniform and high standards of the Seas Scouts commenting – “I am delighted to announce the 1^st Avoch Sea Scouts have met the standards laid down by the Royal Navy for recognition to Sea Scout Groups. They now join the 101 other recognised Groups and will be inspected again in 18 months to ensure these standards are maintained”.

As a mark of recognition, the Group are entitled to wear an Admiralty Badge on their uniforms: and fly a special red ensign flag including the Admiralty Crown and Scout Arrowhead from all their flagstaff.

Another first for Scouting nationally and in preparation for the Highland Year of Culture 2007, as well as the Centenary of Scouting 1907-2007, the youngsters changed from using English language commands to learning Gaelic for the ceremonial Commands ! Their work was supported by their tutor Aonghas MacLeòid from Comunn na Gàidhlig who said, “the boys and girls have worked very hard at learning the Gaelic phrases required for the ceremony. The Royal navy Inspection was the ideal opportunity to showcase what they have learned, and Gaelic will continue to be used by the Sea Scouts – the first in Scotland to do so.”

Thanking everyone involved in the Groups’ success, including Leaders, parents and Instructors, Skipper Derek Martin said it marked an honour not only for the Sea Scouts, but the whole community and hopes the Group can now rise to the challenge set by the Royal Navy”

CONGRATULATIONS FROM THE WHOLE OF ROSS & SUTHERLAND AREA SCOUTING

ON A MAGNIFICENT ACHIEVEMENT TO EVERYONE

ON BOARD IN 1st AVOCH SEA SCOUTS

WITH LOCAL COUNCILLORS PRESENT AND OTHER GUESTS IT HAS PUT AVOCH AND IT'S SURROUNDING AREA WELL AND TRULY ON THE MAP FOR VISITORS TO THIS SITE,

AS WELL AS THE PEOPLE WHO LIVE IN THE AREA.

Please give a look at 1st AVOCH new Website to be found on this LINK

www.avochseascouts.org.uk