Friday Oct 30th 1987 Village Ventures Competition 1987 Organised by Buckinghamshire Council for Voluntary Service

Late in 1986 it was considered that the Project the 1st Hanslope Scout Group were engaged in, namely Way Marking Rights of Way in the Parish of Hanslope, could be entered in the Competition. Our entry was accepted for judging in October 1987.

In August 1987 a Report explaining how the project was started and the progress made was submitted, together with any useful back up material i.e. photographs, press cuttings and literature. Early in October a Judge visited Hanslope to find out first hand more about our Project.

From this initial visit we were excited to find out we had been selected as one of the four finalists in the Large Village section of the Competition.

A few weeks later a visit was made by three Judges to make a decision on the final placings. The Judges were accompanied by representatives from Shell UK Ltd. who were the sponsors of the Competition.

The Cub Scouts and Scouts who had been involved in the project were present to help explain and show the judging group more about our work for the community.

We were invited to attend the Presentation Ceremony on Friday Oct 3oth at the Assembly Hall, Hampden Hall, Stoke Mandeville but it was requested that only four persons could attend. It was agreed that Akela should be one of these and on the Way Marking Walk on Oct 25th, using Mr. Leathersich’s hat, a draw was made to find out the lucky Cub Scout, Scout and Parent.

Thus on the Presentation night Lee McDonald, Brett Coles, Mr. McDonald and Akela made their way to Stoke Mandeville. After looking at the other projects on display each finalist was asked to send up a representative to the stage to give a 5 minute speech on their project.

Akela made a speech for the Scout Group after the other three in the party declined Akela’s invitation. After the four speeches from the Large Village section and five from the Small Village section the final placings were announced.

1st Hanslope Scout Group received equal 3rd place with Penn & Tylers Green (Village News Letter). Lee and Brett went up to the stage and received a cheque for £75 together with a certificate to record our achievement.

Akela C.S.L.

Written by Akela - (Robin Coles) - Cub Scout Leader