Visit to Hesketh Park Farm at Bolton Abbey

Beavers enjoyed a fab end of term trip to Hesketh Park Farm at Bolton Abbey near Skipton. We joined with Baxenden Beavers and Loyola Beavers (Oswaldtwistle) and descended en masse on the farm!

Beavers had a real hands on experience, cuddling rabbits and guinea pigs, chicks and even baby peacocks.

This fluffy bunny was really cute and very patient!!!

The baby rabbits and guinea pigs were so cute, everyone wanted to take them home.

We were also allowed to feed lambs and calves, collect the newly laid eggs from the hens and even brush the pigs, as seen below left. The pigs seemed to enjoy it!!!!!!!!

The farmer took everyone for a tractor and trailer ride and showed off "Robust" the Belgian Blue Bull and his many calves (he'd been a very busy bull!!!)

Below- Feeding time on the farm................

After they had been fed, the little monkeys let off steam by zooming around on go karts, and clambering all over the play equipment and getting lost in the straw maze.

The farmer demonstrated how he gives the pig a drink of milk!!

A wonderful day enjoyed by everyone, especially when the 50 harmonica's, which just about every child had bought in the shop were banished to Beavers pockets by the coach driver!!!!

WaterWorld Fun Day

Mercer Beavers joined 400 other Beavers from all around East Lancashire at Waterworld Fun Day held at Bowley Scout Camp, Gt Harwood on Saturday 7th June 2008.





Beavers took part in lots of water based activites including lots of different water slides , water skittles, and a water based obstacle course.


Highlight of the day was sailing on the pond to try and catch the naughty pirate who was threatening to capture their ships.




Beavers set off across the pond to catch the pirate.

After taking part in all these activities , Beavers were awarded their Adventure Badges.













Everyone agreed it had been a fantastic and very wet day out!

Beaver Sleepover

16 Beavers from All Saints Tuesday Beavers joined All Saints Cub Pack for a fantastic Wild West Theme camp. All Saints Scout Troop were also camping nearby in tents and although they were following a different programme , the whole group met up at campfire and flag break.

Beavers are only allowed to spend one night away from home , so were split into two groups. The first eight arrived on Friday evening along with 22 Cubs and spent the first part of an action packed evening making Indian poncho's and headdresses, bows and arrows or Cowboys waistcoats.

We also played some games before heading off to the campfire led by Jennifer and Martin. Cubs joined in with some silly sketches which had everyone in stitches especially the one about a "little green ball"!

A slap up supper of hot dogs and pop were served, followed by "Alvin and the Chipmunks" on DVD. One of the cubs was celebrating his birthday , so we all sang "Happy Birthday" to him and helped him to eat the huge cake that his mum and dad had made for him!

After a very late bedtime (and even later getting to sleep time!!!), Beavers were up surprisingly bright and early to play games, followed by archery and grass sledging.

After lunch it was time for Beavers to pack their bags, although as usual no one wanted the sleepover to end!!! After playing more games and a visit to the shop it was time for Beavers to go home and give leaders a few hours off before welcoming the next eight children!!!

By 6pm on Saturday we had gained our second wind in time to welcome the next eight Beavers to the sleepover.

Once again Beavers made poncho's and waistcoats , but as it was such a nice evening we played games outside before joining the camp fire circle led by Tony and Andrew.




After a late supper, Beavers and Cubs watched a DVD before heading off to bed. The poor cubs were exhausted after an action packed day of raft building, rifle shooting and climbing followed by a walk to Gt Harwood. The Beavers weren't so tired though and kept them awake for quite a while!!!




On Sunday morning we had a bit of a lie in with Beavers and Cubs coming down for breakfast at a quite acceptable 7.30am (instead of 6.30am the previous day!!!).




After breakfast Beavers spent a few hours enjoying archery and grass sledging. One Beaver was quite an expert and shot two bullseyes. Even the leaders didn't manage that!!!






After lunch it was time to pack bags and visit the shop. Once again we heard Beavers who had been slightly nervous at spending a night away from home saying "do we have to go home yet?".

All in all we had a fantastic weekend and were very impressed with the behaviour of the children and the way Beavers and Cubs joined in everything and mixed with each other. We are looking forward to doing another one in the near future. Watch this space!

Beaver Trail

Beavers met at Bowley Scout Camp one evening to follow the Beaver Trail. There were 50 wooden Beavers hiding around Bowley waiting to be found.



Beavers later enjoyed drinks and biscuits followed by parachute games.

Visit from the Mayor of Hyndburn

Beavers were joined by the Mayor of Hyndburn, Tony Dobson, who after chatting about his role of Mayor , joined the Beavers in a game of "rabbits".

Visit from Hyndburn Dog Warden

Beavers enjoyed a visit from Hyndburn District Dog Warden, Steve Woods and his Rottweiler dog, Woody Woods. Beavers learned why it was important to wash their hands after they have touched any animals and how they always must ask a dog's owner whether they can stroke their dog instead of just rushing up to it.

Beavers all introduced themselves to Woody and he graciously allowed them to pat him and shake a paw. Beavers are currently working towards their Friendship Challenge Badges and meeting the dog warden counted towards this.

Akeema Shield 2008

On Saturday 9th February, Hyndburn District Beaver Scouts competed in the Akeema Shield at Bowley Scout Camp. This mini-Olympics style event was organised by ADC Tracy Shaw. Several colonies from the Hyndburn District took part and everyone had a lot of fun - leaders and beavers alike!

The winners were All Saints Mercer Beavers went on to represent the district in the county event at Bowley Saturday 8th March.

Although they had lots of fun, competing against Blackburn, Clitheroe, Pendle and Rossendale Districts , they could not repeat their earlier success, but went home happy and tired, with a

special certificate to show they had taken part.