A joint group of 8 Scouts, 7 Cubs and 3 Leaders joined Stuart Croft, Ranger from Blackwater Valley Partnership, in carrying on from last year's Scout Forester badge and clearing willow trees from Blackwater Reach near the Sandhurst Town Council buildings. Stuart took the group through the role and activities of a Ranger in Blackwater Valley before splitting in to 3 groups for a surprise litter pick - which became quite a competitive event within the groups themselves!

 

After collecting 8 bags of rubbish within half an hour, Stuart showed the group the ways of how to fell a tree branch depending on its thickness and how to use the bow saw and loppers. The Cubs and Scouts were then supervised in cutting down branches and lighting a fire to burn them. Lunch followed and everyone watched Stuart as he cooked his sausages on a pitch fork - and, of course, what would a fire be without marshmallows!

 

The weather forecast was for cloudy but clear skies, but unfortunately this is one they did get wrong and we had showers and drizzle for most of the day. The Leaders and Stuart were very proud of how the Cubs and Scouts coped with the weather and didn't even mention it during the day. The photos show some of the activities during the day.