Looking back to help decide what to write in this welcome message I was shocked to see the last newsletter was pre-Christmas and that one quarter of 2016 has already flown by!
In this edition you will read that there have been some behind the scenes changes in our Management structure which I'm optimistic will lead to even more exciting developments & improvements at Frylands.
With many thanks to Alan Britchford & his team of highly trained professional precision engineers (flattery always helps!!), we have a new fibre optic network connecting the bungalow, office, providore & crew hut. It has allowed improvements to the quality & coverage of our CCTV but more importantly improved network speed. Over the next few months, we are hoping to have a vastly improved broadband connection added into the site with long term aim of offering Wi-Fi access around the bottom of the site including the Pembrokes. We don't want our young visitors stuck on their mobiles or tablets whilst they're here, but it offers extended services to adults & longer stay customers including foreign groups who love to Skype home. What this space for updates....
Our Crews have been busy as usual including our Forestry Management team from Tree Reasons. Kevin & the Curran Team have put our Forestry plan into action & they have made amazing improvements,especially around BSL2. They're also now clearing up after the recent storm which resulted in quite a few trees being damaged or blown over. Hope you all survived OK? See below for more Crew updates.
That's it for now but we do look forward to seeing you at Frylands Wood very soon!
Barry Goswell
Centre Manager
New Management Structure
Frylands Wood has been managed for some years now by an Operational sub-committee of Lewisham District Executive Committee. It has been recognised that there is a very wide range of issues to be dealt with by this committee, and as such the Lewisham Scouts have split the workload into two committees to be able to better support Barry, Penny and Mark in running our fantastic campsite.
Frylands Wood will now be managed by a Management Committee. Reporting to the Management Committee will be an Operations Committee and an Events Committee.
Why have we made this change?
Quite simply, Frylands Wood is becoming busier! There are lots more key issues that need strategic input to ensure that Frylands Wood continues to be managed and operated by Lewisham Scouts after its current lease expires in 2028. We need a bigger management structure to support our plans to grow usage of the Centre, to grow the number of staff we employ, and to grow revenue for the Centre in order to be able to provide quality adventure for young people in South London and further afield.
How will this impact you?
As a customer and friend of Frylands Wood, it probably won't affect you at all. However, you will start to see an increased investment in the Centre, more activities, more people and a better customer experience.
So who's who and what will these committees do?
Our Management Committee will be led by me. Many of you will know me as a member of Service Crew at Frylands Wood, and some of you will also know me as the former District Commissioner for Lewisham Scout District. As such, I have been heavily involved in developing the District's strategy and vision for Frylands Wood and I'm delighted to now be leading and implementing it. The Management Committee will have responsibility for the overall management, strategy and business development of Frylands Wood.
Our Operations Committee will be chaired by Alan Britchford. Alan was Chairman of the Operational sub-committee and will continue to lead on delivering effective and efficient day to day operations of the Centre, managing our staff and improving the Centre's building and facilities.
I would like to take this opportunity to thank Alan for the work he has done at Frylands Wood over the last few years and I look forward to working closely with him to develop the Centre and build on the excellent foundations he has laid for the future.
Our Events Committee continues to be chaired by Nick Smith, delivering a high quality programme of events throughout the year to support driving new business and bringing in new business to Frylands Wood. You may have already seen that Frylands Wood will be running FAW17 - a week long summer camp in 2017, to increase the number of visitors to the Centre in the summer months. And, you can now book online for all of our events!
You can view details of who's who and see our management structure on our website here.
How can I get involved?
We are always looking for people to help out - whether that's joining a service crew, running some activities, serving on a committee or just giving us your ideas!
We are particularly looking for people to join our new management structure who have experience in Health & Safety, Graphics Design and Public Relations & Press Engagement. If you have skills in any of these then please contact Tom via tom@frylandswood.co.uk.
We will be regularly undertaking a user survey to gauge ideas, seek comments and opinion on our strategy to really make sure that users of the Centre are as involved as possible in its development. As a result of the survey we undertook a couple of years ago, we have implemented a new brand and image, developed a new website, built a new traversing wall, improved the aesthetics of the Centre, invested in debit/credit card facilities and very shortly we will be using a new booking system and emailing invoices and receipts and doing away with those paper slips! We welcome your ideas - if you have any, please drop us a line at feedback@frylandswood.co.uk.
Thanks,
Tom Nixon
Chairman of the Frylands Wood Management Committee
Our lovely volunteer Crew have been busy as usual:
The first Crew of the year was Mark's Squirrel Squad who as well as covering activities & allowing Barry to have a weekend off, completed a range of jobs including clearing the left over Christmas Trees.
Next the Lewisham Kenya Expedition team did some great site service including improving the archery range matting & putting in a new path to the targets.
Then in February came the return of the Discovery Explorer Crew along with Explorers from a few other Lewisham Units. Discovery have a long history of Crewing at Frylands but hadn't for awhile. So it's great to have them back & we will see them again in a few weeks time.
Over the Valentine weekend it was Nick and Tom's Purley Oaks Explorers, again very productive. I returned to find a redecorated office & new advertising screens making us look all modern & informative! Despite rumours, I do genuinely like the new colour!
The following weekend, Brian's 5th Selsdon & Addington group did a huge amount of clearing around the top part of Six Acres creating another large camping space in addition to the existing one.
Amongst many other smaller jobs, Brian has also continued to make improvements in the Crew Hut kitchen, replaced the two toilets in Pembroke Two, installed a new water heater in the boys toilet, tiled & replace the shower in the Male Adults which looks very smart. Females side is next Ladies so watch this space! Many thanks for all the time he continues to commit to Frylands.
The Third Thursday Club have also made three visits since the last newsletter & I'm always amazed at how many jobs they can get through in one morning. Cutting back trees & ivy, fixing Chapel fence, oiling stiff locks and keeping the campfire circle tidy to name but a few!
And I'm sure I've missed a few jobs off the above list, plus of course those individuals who turn up time & time again during the week & at weekends to help cover activities. Plus the huge number of hours that go on behind the scenes meaning Frylands Wood is always one massive team effort!
These short words of praise & thanks are not enough for the work put in but we will continue to supply cakes or sweets to keep the sugar levels up!
To be a member of a service crew, you must be over 14 and be willing to be a member of The Scout Association.
To find out more about forming a service crew or joining a crew then please contact Ray Wickenden at fwsas@lewishamscouts.org.uk.
Recent Feedback
"I had great comments after the party, some of the children said it was the best birthday party they have ever been to. SoI am sure you will have a few further bookings from some of those children.
I just wanted to say a big thank you to you and Penny for all your help organising the party."
Birthday Party Organiser
Upcoming Courses
Archery Equipment Maintenance and Range Setup Course:
Tom Nixon - Chairman
Barry Goswell - Centre Manager (Ex-officio)
Penny Goswell - Centre Administrator
Vicki Armitage - Secretary
David Wallis - Finance Officer
Alan Britchford - Chairman of Operations Committee
Nick Smith - Chairman of Events Committee
Jamie Slattery - Communications
Joe McEvilly
John Sweeney
Frylands Wood Operations Committee
Alan Britchford - Chairman
Vicki Armitage - Secretary
Barry Goswell - Centre Manager (Ex-officio)
Mark Thomson - Deputy Centre Manager (Ex-officio)
Angela Kerwin - Providore Manager
Ray Wickenden - SAS Manager
Rob Britchford
Brian Young
Tom Nixon
Frylands Wood Events Committee
Nick Smith - Chairman Emma Povey - Secretary Barry Goswell - Centre Manager
Penny Goswell - Centre Administrator
Mark Thomson - Deputy Centre Manager
Tom Nixon
Joe McEvilly
John Povey
Amber Cox
Angela Kerwin
The Management Committee is responsible for the management and business development of the Centre. The Operations Committee is responsible to the Management Committee for the effective and efficient day to day running of the Centre. The Events Committee is responsible to the Management Committee for delivering a quality programme of events throughout the year.
The District Commissioner and District Chairman for Lewisham District are ex-officio members of both the Frylands Wood Management and Operations Committees.
Frylands Wood Scout Outdoor Centre
Featherbed Lane
Croydon
CR0 9AA
