Dear friends, 

As I write this, our Prime Minister is once again announcing a plan to beat the Coronavirus. This has played such a big part in our lives recently, taking its toll on us physically and emotionally. Although some of us are beginning to meet friends and family face to face, there are still others who are still uncomfortable in crowded places. Many scout and guide fellowship members have provided the welcome phone call, message or zoom to those who need that contact with the outside world. I know in Shropshire we have held an informal zoom chat every week throughout the pandemic, and this has proved very popular especially for those who live on their own.

We have been very saddened recently by the death of two of our stalwart supporters. In June we heard that Jennifer Roberts, partner of Peter our treasurer had passed away. Jennifer was often seen helping at badge and stamp stalls at scouting events and attended many ISGF international conferences and workshops. Donations in her memory went towards the Uganda Rabbit project that she supported. Uganda featured greatly in the life of David Mowbray who died in early September. He was heavily involved in the work of ISGF there and here in Britain. An account of his scouting life features later in this newsletter but needless to say both he and Jennifer will be deeply missed by us all.

We were lucky enough to have Mathius from the Kampala Guild in Uganda to join us at the AGM in June on zoom. SAGF UK are now twinned with Kampala Guild. Mathius told us about the work the Guild are doing with the Rabbit project we support. A full report appears later in the newsletter but we are pleased with the progress made so far. Fundraising continues and you can help in many ways suggested in the update report. The AGM saw me (Muriel Rayner) remain as chairman, Jane Wardropper as secretary and Peter Short as treasurer. The SAGF representatives on the Joint National Committee are Muriel Rayner, Helen Watson and Alan Beavis.

This newsletter contains information about our future events including a Fellowship Day zoom. I hope that many of you will be able to join in. We still hope to be able to hold next year’s AGM face to face in Chester. Details of this will be given later in the year.

I hope this finds you all well and able to start supporting scouting and guiding in your own areas soon.

Regards

Muriel
Chairman NSGF UK