2nd Reigate (Earlswood) Scouts - An update

Earlswood Carnival 2026

On a lovely sunny-day we celebrated the 10th anniversary of our Earlswood Carnival on

Woodlands Rd Green. Lots of local businesses & crafts were able to showcase their

products and wares, whilst in the ring there was the ever-popular dog show, Victoria

sponge cake competition (judged as ever by John, the vicar!), Punch & Judy, Tug of War,

Morris Dancing – alongside new events including Bollywood Dancing & a Flashmob Salsa

dance! The Bar & Burger Stalls sold-out (!), queues at the bouncy castle and bottle

tombola - plus a history & future of 2nd Reigate.

As always, the event wouldn’t have existed without the hard-work of all the 2nd Reigate

Volunteers & young people led by our fantastic Fundraising “lead” Rachel Wood plus the

full support of the Earlswood community - people just miraculously turn-up!

Originally started in 2016 to support 2nd Reigate’s “Building our New Scouting Home”

campaign by raising money & the profile of the Group – a mainstay of Earlswood since

1908! – it has more than succeeded (see below) and thus may in 2027 return with a

different focus…

Group Camp 2026

In May, our Beavers, Cubs, Scouts and Explorers packed their bags and headed to Polyapes

Campsite in Cobham for our annual Group Camp. The theme was Cowboys and Native

Americans, and the campsite was buzzing with energy from the moment the tents went up!

Our young adventurers dived headfirst into the Wild West theme with a packed schedule of

activities including: The Gold Rush Hike, Teepee Building, Wild West Crafts and "Canoe"

Races. Of course, no cowboy camp is complete without a campfire cookout! We wrapped

up our busy days by refuelling with a delicious BBQ, sharing sketches, songs and laughs

across all the age groups.

Our Scouts showed fantastic teamwork, learned new skills and made memories that will

last a lifetime. Yee-haw!

Awards & departures

At Group Camp (in her themed outfit) our longstanding & long suffering(!) Beaver

Leader/Helper, Phyllida Dallman was awarded her Scout “Award for Merit”. For

almost 20 years she has supported this Section – and if you look through the

Group’s history, she isn’t the first Dallman to give fantastic service, or the last as two of

her sons continue the family tradition. Thank you Phyllida.

Separately and sadly (for us!) Joe Parker one of our Cub Team Leaders is leaving the area

to set up home with his partner in the Cotswolds. Joe you will be missed…

Vacancies

So, we are now on the search for a new Cub Team member to work alongside Andreas, please get in touch via cubs@2ndreigate.org.uk if you are interested. It’s great fun and a fantastic age group to lead. We are also on the look-out for Team Members for our “Events” & “Facilities” teams. Contact glv@2ndreigate.org.uk

The Scout HQ (or Hut if you must…)

2nd Reigate's historic HQ building, located next to the former Parochial Hall, includes

sections dating back to the Victorian era. While it has served the group well for many

years, it is now in need of significant renewal to ensure it remains fit for purpose for the

next century.

Earlier this year, with the support of funding, we secured ownership of the site. The next phase of the project is the redevelopment and rebuilding of the HQ. A public consultation on the proposed plans was held at the HQ on Saturday 16 May, and a planning application will be submitted shortly.

John Kronenberg invited our Chair to speak to the St John's congregation on Sunday 7th June to provide an update on the project.

Summer Camps/Expeditions

The Explorers and Scouts are Camping at Buddens on the Jurassic Coast this year whilst three of our older Explorers are completing the Explorer Belt (with Surrey Scouts) “exploring” Bavaria & four Explorers are completing the DofE Gold / Kings Scout Award Expedition(s) in Snowdonia... a busy summer for a successful group!

Adrian Jackon