Photo: 2nd Reepham Scout Group

Based at the end of Smugglers Lane, the 2nd Reepham group offers around 100 young people aged 6–18 years the chance to experience scouting in the local community and further afield with a wide range of activities and camps.

To give these young people a chance of everything it has to offer, the group relies on volunteer leaders to run activities each night and their sections’ nights away.

Following the first Covid lockdown, the scout group had six young people on its waiting list across the Beavers (6–8 years), Cubs (8–10 years), Scouts (10–14 years) and Explorers (14–18 years) sections.

“Within the first week post-lockdown we had 35 on the waiting list and 79 by the end of October 2021,” said group scout leader Neil Sainty.

“All sections returned to the numbers they had pre-pandemic, whereas other scout groups across the county lost numbers and some were even forced to close.

“It has taken until this September for us to be able take on any new members – and that’s only in the Beavers section. As of October we still have a waiting list of more than 50.”

However, in August the Explorer leaders had to step down, so the 2nd Reepham group had to close the section and move the Explorers to other local groups.

One scout leader has volunteered to run this section, but a minimum of two are needed to meet safe working and scouting guidelines, Mr Sainty explained.

As well as section leaders, 2nd Reepham has an executive committee comprising a chair, treasurer and secretary. It is currently looking for a treasurer to take over from the current member of the core team as soon as possible as she has other commitments.

“This is a role that we cannot be without going forward,” said Mr Sainty. “We can offer full training if you feel you would like to take this on or share the role.

“I know it’s a big ask for anyone to give up their time and commitment to run a charity, but we do try to make a difference for the children in the local community. We offer full training and a chance to join in as often or as little as you want.”

The scout group will hold its annual general meeting at 7 pm on Sunday 30 October via Zoom. Please contact Neil Sainty if you would like to attend.

For further information, contact: Neil Sainty, Group Scout Leader, 2nd Reepham. Tel: 07714 703734. Email: 2ndreephamgroupgsl@gmail.com

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The Scout group was successful with a grant application for the Peter Sell Annual Award from the Leslie Sell Charitable Trust to cover the costs of materials for a 9 x 14 metre unit on an all-weather woodchip base.

With the help of Reepham & District Rotary Club members, foundations were dug, base posts mounted and a frame constructed to take the waterproof skin.

This completes a busy period of activity for the Scouts, with repainting and upgrading of indoor facilities, the construction of an outdoor henge with integrated fire base for camps and a hut for woodcraft instruction.

An archery and shooting range is also under construction and due for completion in mid-2022.

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They will leave Reepham Co-op at 6.30 pm on Monday 21 and Tuesday 22 December.

Owing to Covid restrictions they will not have their little helpers with them this year to collect much-needed funds for the scout group.

Instead, the leaders will include a card with the newsletter giving details of how to donate online.

Alternatively, click HERE; there is also a special collection box in Johnson’s newsagents.

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Established several decades ago, the scout group currently has several trained adult volunteer leaders and around 70-80 youngsters from the surrounding area, who enjoy evenings of games and teachings based on the scouting ethos.

2nd Reepham is fortunate in having a reasonably modern building – and one of the largest areas of open ground in this county.

This is surrounded by high hedges and woodland, making it ideal for the Reepham Scouts as well as visiting youth groups; this year they expect 11 youth groups to use the facility and aim to double that in 2020.

Reepham Scouts have also been fortunate in securing recent donations that will allow them to construct an environmentally friendly adventure area.

This will include landscaping and the relocation of more than 200 tonnes of earth excavated at the time the car park was constructed to provide a circular grass henge area.

The scouts are grateful to the sponsors for this project and thank those individuals, organisations and businesses that have kindly supported them, either with money, time, machinery or goods.

This work will progress over the coming months and the scouts continue to seek further support from the local community.

As one of only two local youth-based groups, 2nd Reepham Scout Group is currently seeking:

• a full-time trained scout leader (training will be given on site with an experienced leader), which will require a commitment of 36-38 evenings a year and perhaps camps;
• part-time volunteers: on-call adults to assist leaders on occasions, DIY tasks according to skills – and people with access to earth moving equipment!

If you can assist, please email

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Skateboarding scout leader Jon Holder (left) with support driver John McKean at Land’s End

Starting in John o’ Groats in the far north of Scotland on a blowy autumn day in early October, Jon Holder, 28, aimed to complete the 822-mile challenge in 20 days.

He reached Land’s End in western Cornwall in an incredible 16 days, smashing the previous record of 21 days.

Weaving through the country, Mr Holder was blown away by the incredible support of strangers who helped him complete his journey and were generous with their charity donations.

“I never imagined that people would welcome me into their homes so I could have a bed for the night and home-cooked food,” he said. “In a world that is seemly full of negativity, this demonstrates how kind people are.”

Supporting him on his journey was John McKean from Whitwell Hall County Centre, who drove the support vehicle.

“John has been an invaluable resource on this adventure,” Mr Holder explained. “Without his help and support I know I would have been hungry, beyond exhaustion and hospitalised. I owe him a huge debt of gratitude.”

Overcoming many setbacks, such as extremes of weather (hurricanes), illness, a trip to the hospital, exhaustion and technical issues, Mr Holder said: “Although this has been an incredibly hard challenge, I would not have changed it for the world.

“Raising money for two great charities has been a huge driving force and the thing that kept me going.

“The Sue Lambert Trust in Norfolk and SNAP (Special Needs and Parents charity) in Essex) will receive much needed funds and recognition from this trip.”

Mr Holder, who is also a cub scout leader in his spare time, is hoping to use his adventure to encourage young people and others to follow their dreams, and is holding talks in the local area and live sessions on Facebook.

• If you have been inspired by his adventure or want to see his journey in full check out Jon Holder on Facebook or search #bigskatedown on Twitter.

See our earlier story:

• Scout leader in record-breaking skateboarding challenge

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Entertainer, speaker and adventurer Jon Holder (pictured) will start from John o’ Groats in the far north of Scotland and skateboard a gruelling 822 miles through towns, villages and cities on his longboard.

Whatever challenging weather and conditions facing him, Mr Holder, 28, is determined to see the journey through to Land’s End in western Cornwall.

He said: “I’ve been dreaming of this mad adventure for some time and it was only natural to me to pick local charities that involve supporting young people and mental health.”

Originally from Essex and when not on crazy adventures, Mr Holder works as a children’s entertainer known as Ziggy Zoo and volunteers as a cub scout leader in his spare time.

He continued: “SNAP (Special Needs and Parents) charity in Essex and Sue Lambert Trust in Norfolk are incredible, small charities that deserve to receive recognition and financial support for all the great work they do.”

Mr Holder’s supporters have been leaving him messages of support on his Facebook page, while highlighting the extent of the challenge ahead:

• “It’s mad, mate, but that’s why we love you.”
• “You are absolutely crazy, but we know you will smash it.”
• “Good ‘loch’ matey.”
• “Behind you all the way.”
• “Wow, this is nuts… How are you going to get up the mountains in Scotland?”
• “An unbelieve challenge!”
• “This is Maddness.”

Thanking his supporters, Mr Holder said: “The response so far has been immense and I know that when the challenging parts of the adventure kick in I’ll be able to draw on well wishes and the huge support this adventure is gaining.”

To follow Jon Holder’s adventure or to sponsor him directly, check out his social media pages:

• www.facebook.com/jonholdermotivate
• https://www.facebook.com/jon.holder.568

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The tokens can be left in the special Community Chest boxes in Reepham Post Office, Reepham Spar and Reepham Hair Studio.

The EDP Community Chest campaign, in association with Norfolk Community Foundation, has £100,000 to give away throughout 2016 to non-profit community groups.

The Scout Group needs 500 tokens to make an application for a grant of £250-2,500 from from the fund to support activities held each week for nearly 100 children from Reepham and surrounding areas.

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