Smeeth and Brabourne Football Club started in 2006, in the form of one under 9s team in a local seven-a-side league. Following a great first season, interest in expanding the club grew. In September 2007, the club was officially created, with a formal committee and taking on extra coaches. We currently have over 30 members (boys and girls) aged 6-12 and are looking to increase in number and age range. We train every weekend and are involved in local league and cup competitions. We welcome youngsters of all abilities from Smeeth, Brabourne and all other local areas. We are looking to achieve FA Charter Standard and have vetted management and coaching staff. We also have First Aiders and a Child Welfare Officer. To date we have received funding from The Football Foundation and Barclays, Ashford Borough Council and Brabourne and Smeeth Parish Councils. In addition to this, we have received kit and equipment sponsorship from local partners including Andrews Garage, Tanner and Sons, Holiday Extras and other local figures. We also have a close partnership with our local schools and are involved in other local community projects. We would love to hear from anybody interested in playing football with us, joining our coaching and volunteer staff or assisting in sponsoring our club.Details of the club can be found at sabfc.net or call Richard on 01303 814620 for any further information.

August 2010.

 1ST BRABOURNE & SMEETH SCOUTS & GUIDES

RECYCLE WITH US - WASTE PAPER COLLECTIONS.

**NOW INCLUDING THE STREET, EAST BRABOURNE

from Penstock Farm round to St. Cyriac.  **.

Newspapers or shredded paper, magazines, catalogues and junk mail.

(Sorry! No cardboard or directories!)

The next collection by our village Scouts and Guides of used newspapers, will take place on SATURDAY, 14th AUGUST FROM 9.00 am onwards. Please leave papers in time, by your front gate to ease the collection process.  For those in outlying parts, who bring paper to our skip in the playing field car park, please do so BEFORE 10.30 a.m. After which the skip is locked.  ON NO ACCOUNT must paper be left beside our skip after that time. Thank you.

GUIDES & BROWNIES MAKE A BIG SHOW OF THEIR 100 YEARS!

Our Guides and Brownies are taking part in fun activities at the Farriers Arms field Mersham joining in wacky games, including a duck race on the East Stour river. In the autumn they are looking forward to being at the O2 arena in London to enjoy the magical spectacular of 100 years of “The World of Disney” on ice!  

BEAVERS JOIN UP - OTHERS MOVE ON. Recently we welcomed five new members into the world wide Scout Association (30 million members), when they were invested as Beavers at 1st Brabourne & Smeeth – a proud moment for them and their parents nearby!  Finally at the end of the day prayers were said, concerning the fun among friends, Beavers enjoy.

EXPLORERS, SCOUTS and CUBS ALL LOVE WATER – IT BEGINS IN WITH BEAVERS:

Now nerves of steel and a steady hand are sometimes required during the popular Beaver’s water games. So, in one game, Beaver team members balanced cups of cold water on the back of a willing volunteer to gain the highest number of cups at any one time – this was hilarious as invariably the Beaver volunteer wanted to check on progress – you guessed it they were soaked! Next, there were relay races to fill a bucket with water using a cup – only, speed and determination were essential – the cups had holes to add to the drama!

Six Beavers took part in the traditional ‘swimming up’ ceremony fondly watched by Beaver Leader Louise Ghosh, as the youngsters moved on to Cubs. We wish them all well in Cubs and Akela Jodie Smythe was there to welcome them.

FAREWELL TO BEAVER LEADER LOUISE GHOSH: After two years service with the colony Louise Ghosh is leaving due to increased family commitments. The Beavers have thrived during the last few years and Louise’s efforts and hard work is greatly appreciated.  A ‘thanks card’, chocolates and a plant were given to Louise from the Beaver colony. Hopefully, we will see her with us again, in the future, when she is  able.  

SPACE AGE CUBS. Muffled explosions of projectiles could be heard recently over the playing field, with a ‘whoomph’, a ‘whoosh’ and a ‘thud’; then cheers of astonishment as plastic water filled bottles, filled with compressed air hurtled into the Smeeth sky. Thank goodness the accuracy of the mission avoided Vice-chairman Graham Lilley’s greenhouse – the range was quite amazing! The Cubs were simply carrying out scientific experiments using pumps and bicarbonate of soda to create incredible effects.

 AKELA JODIE SMYTHE HAS DONE IT! In order to qualify in adult training, Jodie has completed numerous training modules over a two year period recognising her skills as a Cub leader. We are delighted to report that on behalf of the Chief Scout Bear Grylls, AGSL Ian Ruck presented validation certificates. Jodie expressed ‘slight’ disappointment that adventurer and former Special Air Services soldier Bear Grylls was unable to be there to make the presentation himself !! To conclude this achievement the District Commissioner will present Akela Jodie with her wood beads in the autumn.

WE DO LIKE TO BE BESIDE THE SEASIDE! The Cubs finished off the term with a trip to Dymchurch and had a fun time letting off steam and building sandcastles on the beach. Before heading home, they tucked into an excellent fish and chip supper, with envious seagulls looking on!

SCOUTS & EXPLORERS: Explorer Leader Heather Hale arranged a fantastic evening of kayaking from the Seapoint Centre on the Hythe Military Canal for our Scouts and Explorers. Expert instructors were on hand to offer tips on how to stay the right way up. Needless to say the majority ended up very wet but happy, by the end of the session! It seems all units just can’t get enough of water and enjoy getting wet! To round off the term before camp the Scouts had a series of races using large buckets of water too – you should have seen those wet, chuckling boys and girls, having a whale of a time!

With the exception of Scouts and Explorers who are camping during the summer holidays, other units and leaders will be taking a well earned break. We wish to record a ‘BIG THANK YOU’ to all leaders and unit helpers for the time they freely give to enable so many young boys and girls, from age 6-18 years, to participate in Scouting and Guiding. The aim is to develop the physical, mental and spiritual wellbeing of young people to fulfil their potential in a comprehensive system of active training, through the many adventurous and exciting activities undertaken, in order that they may become useful members of society. You may agree that our talented and wonderful team of leaders provide such opportunities and the young members are a credit to our community!