Group News 2009

De La Salle Scout Group on Facebook (10/11/09)

Love it or hate it, you can't really ignore it! Facebook seems to have become the ubiquitous networking site for many people these days and that includes a lot of the 1600+ weekly visitors to dlscouts.ie. Luckily Facebook is also a really intelligent and well-run site which makes it easy for community sites like ours to integrate with it.

The new Dlscouts.ie Facebook page now has all our latest news items, articles, gallery photo updates and blog entries posted on it. If you become a 'fan' of the page you can have these notifications appear direct onto your own Facebook profile so that you keep up to date with everything happening on Dlscouts.ie. Most experienced Facebook users will know how to become a fan of the Dlscouts.ie page, but for those less familiar just locate the 'Become a Fan' link.

Visit the De La Salle Scout Group Facebook Page - facebook.com/dlscouts

Pipe Band 75th Anniversary Concert (05/11/09)

The De La Salle Scout Pipe Band is celebrating its 75th Anniversary this year having been founded in 2009.  They will be having a concert to celebrate the end of their 75th Anniversary on Sunday 13th December in St. Declans School Hall, Water Street at 8.00pm.  Our band is of course the only Scout Pipe Band in the country and the British Isles (in the UK they have Scout Pipe Bands but they are not made up from the one active Scout Unit, like De La Salle) and we are one of only two Scout Bands in the country, the other being a Brass Band in Enniskillen.  All are welcome and the ticket price of €10 includes a draw for some spot prizes also - a pair of tickets would make a great early Christmas present! Tickets can be bought from any band member or from Ryan's Shoe Repair Shop, Patricks Street, Waterford.

Registration Night to be held (29/10/09)

All members and parents are reminded that the De La Salle Scout Group Registration night will be held in the Den on Wednesday 4^th November 2009 from 7.30pm.  It is imperative that Registration fees be paid each year as it registers your child for the year with HQ in Dublin so they can attend both indoor and outdoor activities.  Failure to register on this date will result in your child being unable to attend meetings/activities.  The Registration fee is €50 and for families who have more than one child in our Group the fees are as follows, 1^st Child  €50  Full  Fee;  2^nd Child and Subsequent Siblings €10 Less. Looking Forward to seeing you all on the 4^th. Yours in Scouting ,Owen Riordan, Group Leader

Pipe Band create a stir at Conference (29/10/09)

The De La Salle Scout Pipe Band attended the recent Group Leaders /Commissioners Conference which was held in the Green Isle Hotel in Dublin on the 17th / 18th October.  The band performed inside the hotel at the formal dinner for the conference after 'playing' in the Chief Scout and the two Chief Commissioners.

Photos by Joe Boland, Communications Commissioner, Scouting Ireland.
Click to view a larger image.

First Meeting of our new Macaoimh pack (12/10/09)

In recent years the De La Salle Scout Group has consisted of two Beaver Colonies, two Macaoimh (Cub Scout) Packs, two Scout Troops, a Venture Scout Group, as well as the Scout Pipe Band. Fortunately in the last number of years all of our sections have had great numbers taking part in their programmes and there has been a big demand for spaces in our Cub packs in particular.  The decision has therefore been taken to open a third Cub pack which will be headed by experienced Macaoimh Leader John O'Donoghue. The pack will be known as the 13th Waterford De La Salle. The 13th did exist in the past and used to meet on Wednesday nights, however it closed in the late 90s. The new 13th will meet on Saturdays from 2.30pm to 4.30pm and John's leadership team also includes veteran David Guilfoyle, Elaine Hayes and Vicky Wall.  Group Leader, Owen Riordan has wished the new pack the very best of luck and said he was delighted that our scouting programme in De La Salle can now be extended to an even greater number of young people in Waterford City. Scouting in De La Salle, Waterford and across Ireland is on the rise. A different economic climate may be part of the reason for that but we believe that when a fun, interesting and educational programme based on the principles of Scouting is offered by a good youth leadership team, young people will always want to participate in it.

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De La Salle Scout Group Piper is All Ireland Champion for 2009 (09/10/09)

The All Ireland Piping and Drumming Solo Competition was held in Dublin on Saturday September 19^th 2009 and three members of the De La Salle Scout Group competed.  Elaine Stone gave a fantastic performance and despite very serious competition from pipers from Canada, Scotland and various parts of Ireland she won the under 16 trophy. Elaine was trained by her Dad John who also plays pipes with the De La Salle Scout Group Pipe Band. She is the second member of her family to win this coveted trophy as it was won by her brother a few years back. Elaine is also the Pipe Major of the junior section of the band and earlier this year she lead the junior band in a very special parade through the centre of Waterford City on May 15^th to commemorate the first parade of the band held on the same date back in 1935. Elaine continues to work hard on her performance and we look forward to her having many more wins in the future.

James Stone also gave a brilliant performance in the under 12 section of the competition and he took second place. James is already the Munster champion under 14 and was also trained by his Dad. At a very young age James is turning out to be a very accomplished player and no Doubt we will be seeing his name on various lists of winners in the future.  Emily Costello represented the Drum Corps and competed in the under 14 side drum competition. Emily also performed very well and received some very good comments from the judges on her performance. Emily is being trained by Mark Bardgett the band’s drumming instructor. Earlier in the year Emily took second place in the Munster championships and she  plans to continue to work hard on her performance and we look forward to seeing her partake in many competitions in the future where no doubt she will be among the winners. De La Salle having had success in the Munster Solos earlier in the year are delighted with these results and look forward to even bigger and better things in the year ahead.  The band also continues to celebrate its 75^th anniversary year and will shortly launch its commemorative CD. It will also have a Memorial service on November 22^nd to remember all of its past members and will finish the year with a concert in early December.

Phoenix Scouts pay tribute to the Leaders (25/09/09)

On Wednesday the 14th September last  the winning Phoenix team and their parents caught the leaders of the 7th by surprise with a 'Thank You' party and a presentation of Penrose Crystal to Roddy, Keith, Tara and Michael. Needless to say there was also a Phoenix cake to be consumed!

Click to view a larger image.

10k Fun Run to be hotly contested (30/08/09)

7th De La Salle win the Phoenix Challenge (23/08/09)

Above: The Team from the 7th - Phoenix Challenge Winners 2009. Click to view a larger image.

Congratulations to the 7th De La Salle Scout Troop Waterford, who were crowned the winners of this years Phoenix Challenge which was held from the 20th to the 23rd of August at Mount Mellary Scout Centre, Cappoquin, Co. Waterford. The team from the 7th overcame the inclement weather to earn this year’s title beating the challenge of the 3rd Cork Scout Group (second place) and the 17th St Paul's, also from Waterford who came third.   Despite the terrible conditions this was a very successful event with 45 teams from all over the country taking part after they had qualified through their local Scout County Shields/Cup.  The event was hosted by the Cois Laoi Corcaí Scout County and was organised by Brendan Lynch (Event Coordinator), Derek Long (Standing Camp Chief) and Lucy Kay (Expedition Leader); along with Morgan O’Sullivan Programme Commissioner (Scouts) and Ian Davy Programme Commissioner (National Events).  Credit must go to each and every group for their enthusiasm and eagerness to enjoy the experience despite the weather which even required the main campsite to be relocated to just outside Cappoquin. Over the four days, teams split into Camp [8 people] and Expedition [6 people] to undertake a series of challenges such as building a campsite, raft building, environmental, hiking, river crossing, log book writing, test meals amongst many more. The challenges and tasks set out for the teams over the four days, were assessed by a team of markers, who considered their efforts based on leadership, team work and knowledge of skills.  The expedition teams were based out of Glenshelane Scout Campsite.

Above: The 7th's campsite on the Phoenix Challenge 2009. See our Gallery page for more images.

There are four levels of award with respect to The Phoenix Challenge: Participation [29% or below the total marks], Bronze [between 30% and 64% of the total marks], Silver [between 65% and 79% of the total marks] and Gold [between 80% and 100% of the total marks].  Fourteen teams were award Bronze, Twenty-four teams were awarded Silver and seven teams were awarded Gold.  The Environmental Projects Award  [Richard Murphy Trophy] was presented to Cois Laoi Corcaí Scout County – 46th/ 92nd Cork.  The Special Projects Trophy [Log Book] was presented to Mountpeilier Scout County – 103rd Dublin.  The Cooking Trophy was presented to Dublinia Scout County – 91st Dublin.  The Campcraft & Expedition-craft Trophy was presented to Cois Laoi Corcaí Scout County – 3rd Cork .  The Camp Bases & Expedition Bases Trophy was presented to Waterford Scout County – 17th Waterford.

Above: The 7th's Master Chef during the Friday Test Meal on the Phoenix Challenge 2009. Photo by Patrick Kelly.
See our Gallery page for more images.

When Chief Scout, Michael John Shinnick presented the trophy to the winning team from De La Salle, it was the fitting end to a fun packed (wet) weekend which will be talked about for years to come. Group Leader, Owen Riordan expressed his delight at the win which he said was a fantastic achievement and a testament to the huge effort put in by the scouts in the 7th: the Patrol Leader Eoin Falconer, APL Ciaran Kelly, Mountain Leader Hazel Murray and her team of Aaron Mooney, Cathal Ryan and Matthew Carrick and then the basecamp team of Sarah Lawrence, Bill Power, Ross Phelan, Robert Jacob, Janet Cox (Scribe) and Stephen Toole. Owen also had high praise for the leadership team led by Robert Windle, Keith Cunningham, Michael Kavanagh and Tara O'Neill and he congratulated the other local teams - St. Pauls who came third and Ferrybank who came ninth.  It is the first time that the 7th have won such a prestigious national competition and Scoutleader Robert Windle admitted that he had never dreamed that the 7th would do it or that he would be the leader when they did.  He said that the whole team were excellent Scouts, always willing to take advice on board, work hard when they needed to and above all enjoy themselves. He said the team wanted to win the Phoenix, they went to win it and ultimately of course they won it.  Back in 1961 the 7th had been the first troop from the city to represent the diocese in the All Ireland Scout Craft Competition (the Melvin Trophy) at Larch Hill in Dublin and Waterford has seen many winners since that time, including the 3rd De La Salle in 2000 and of course St. Pauls on multiple occasions. Finally the 7th's hour has come!

Above: Happy with the Trophy. See our Gallery page for more images.

Cian achieves the Chief Scout's Award (22/08/09)

Congratulations to Cian O'hOgartaigh from the De La Salle Venturer Group and formerly of the 3rd De La Salle Scout Troop who was presented with his Chief Scout's Award by Michael John Shinnick on the 22nd August last at Mount Mellary. The Chief Scout's Award is the highest award that a youth member can achieve within the organisation. Cian's project for the award was based on climbing. Cian is the 20th member of the De La Salle Scout Group to receive the award (see our Group History page for the list). Group Leader, Owen Riordan was the first to congratulate Cian on his award saying that it was an excellent achievement for any Scout to progress the full way through the award scheme and it was something that was rarely done.

Above: The Chief Scout, Michael John Shinnick; Cian O'hOgartaigh and Owen Riordan, Group Leader.

Pipe Band Represents Ireland at Celtic Festival (10/08/09)

The hugely popular De La Salle Scout Group Pipe Band from Waterford City who are celebrating their 75th anniversary this year were selected to represent Ireland at the Festival Inter Celtique held in Lorient in Brittany France form July 30th to August 9th.  The Festival Inter Celtique held annually in Lorient attracts top acts from each of the Celtic Nations and their performances are viewed by very large audiences with some attended by several hundred thousand people. Participation in this Festival was therefore a great honour for the Waterford Pipe Band as it recognises the standard that is now being achieved by these very talented musicians, many of them still in their teens.  Participation by De La Salle in this prestigious Festival is one of the highlights of the band’s year of celebration.

Throughout this year the band members have been practicing regularly in preparation for this Festival and twenty three members left Waterford on Thursday July 30th to join the rest of the 200 strong Irish contingent who were all especially selected for the Festival.  After they arrived in Lorient the Waterford band rehearsed with the other two pipe bands and musicians from Ireland in preparation for the nightly concerts which were held over the ten day event. Each of these concerts had acts from each of the participating Celtic Nations and had an audience of 15,000 people on each occasion.  The band also participated in the opening parade on Sunday August 2nd which included 120 bands from across Europe. This parade was viewed by an audience of in excess of two hundred thousand people.  The band also performed at various other events on its own during the Festival and it competed in an International Pipe Band Competition on Saturday August 8th.  During their stay in Lorient the band members also had an opportunity to relax and enjoy what the local area has to offer and they also attended the performances of groups from other Celtic Nations.  The band will returned to its native Waterford early on the morning of Monday August 10th.  The band would like to acknowledge the assistance given to it by the people of Waterford over its 75 years in existence and would particularly like to thank Waterford City Council and the Waterford Youth Committee of the VEC who provide annual financial grants to help the band to operate. You can read the full account of the band's trip here.

Pipe Band are Champions (Again!) (22/06/09)

The De La Salle Scout Group Pipe Band travelled to Tralee on Sunday June 21^st and competed in the Munster Pipe Band Championships.  The Drum Corps took first place in their grade having given an excellent performance when the band competed. This group of young people have being practicing very hard over the last few months and this was a great achievement for them.  Ciara Murray took second place in the Junior Drum Majors competition. This was the first time she had entered this competition and this was a great achievement.  The band came third in the overall competition in their grade and received a trophy.  Earlier in the month the band had competed in the Cobh pipe band competition where they won the overall trophy for marching and deportment. This trophy was awarded for how the band looked, behaved and marched on the day and as it was the first time the band had competed in competition in Ireland it was a major achievement.

Award Holders Honoured (10/05/09)

As part of the De La Salle Scout Pipe Bands 75^th Anniversary, there was a gathering of Scouters from the Group who hold the highest award that scouting can bestow on its members, the Order of the Sliver Wolfhound (former Scouting Ireland CSI) and the Order of Cú Chulainn (Scouting Ireland). Each of the members gathered have had some involvement with the band, Pat Murphy, currently the Pipe Major, Bro.Finbar, former Unit Leader and driving force behind the band, Liam Butler, Former Unit Leader and Bass Drum Player, George Kavanagh, Cub Scout Macaoimh Leader and former Piper and Bass Drum Player, Billy Collins, Cub Scout Macaoimh Leader and former Bass Drummer, David Rogers, former Group Leader and Drummer and Bernie Rogers, Scouter and photographer for the Band.

The Order of the Silver Wolfhound was the highest award a person could achieve in the former association of Scouting Ireland (CSI). It was at the sole discretion of the Chief Scout who looked at the service, dedication and commitment to scouting at a local, regional or national level for the individual Scouter. You could not apply for this award and that is what makes it so special for all who achieve it. The De La Salle Scout Group is privileged to have four holders of the Order of the Silver Wolfhound award, Pat Murphy (May 1991), Liam Butler (May 1998), Bro.Finbar (May 2000) and Bernie Rogers (May 2003).

Click to view a larger image.

The Order of Cú Chulainn Award is the highest award that can be awarded to any leader in the Scouting Ireland. In order to receive this award the recipient has to be nominated by a fellow Scouter in recognition of their many years of dedication, commitment, selfless effort to scouting at local, county, provincial and national level. The De La Salle Scout Group is privileged to have three holders of the Order of Cú Chulainn, George Kavanagh (March 2006), Billy Collins (March 2006) and David Rogers (June 2007).

Waterford Scout County Shield (26/04/09)

Above: Members of the 7th De La Salle on the County Shield 2009.

The 2009 Waterford Scout County Shield took place from the 24th to the 26th April 2009 in Rathgormack Co. Waterford. It was certainly a challenging event with plenty of rain and definitely the muddiest field that was ever camped in the history of the County. Both our scout troops put in an excellent effort with the 7th troop coming second and the 3rd coming in fourth. The event was won by St. Pauls and Ferrybank came 3rd. St. Pauls and the 7th De La Salle will go on to represent the County at the Phoenix Challenge in Mount Mellary in August.  The De La Salle Scout Group also used the event to present to the County a new memorial trophy for cooking skills in honour of the late John Hennebry. JD as he was known to all was a master camp grubber and fittingly the event was won by his old troop the 3rd De La Salle. See our County Challenge 2009 Gallery for more photos.

Piping and Drumming Munster Champions (10/04/09)

At the Munster Solo piping and drumming competition held on Sunday April 5th in Newcastle West in Co Limerick twelve De La Salle Scout pipers and drummers flew the flag for Waterford and competed in the Munster championships. James Stone and Pat Murphy came first in their grade and were crowned Munster Champions for 2009.  Kellie Clarke came second in her piping grade and also took third place in the open grade Piobrach where she was competing against pipers of all age groups, this was a wonderful achievement for Kellie. Paul Burke came third in his piping grade.  Emily Costello and Mark Bardgett came second in their drumming grades.

Above: Pat Murphy (centre) on St. Patrick's Day 2009 in Waterford City.
There are more photos on our Gallery page.

All of the pipers and drummers who competed in the competition were commended for their commitment to their band and were told by the various judges that they had excellent potential to improve their skills in the art of playing pipes and drums and were encouraged to maintained a rigorous practice regime.  In May and June the full De La Salle Scout Group Pipe Band will compete in competitions in Cobh and Tralee.

Annual Flag Day is a huge success (10/04/09)

Owen Riordan, Group Leader would like to express his gratitude on behalf of all at the De La Salle Scout Group for the support from the Waterford community during their local flag day. In total 3700 euro was raised which is a big increase on previous years. Owen said "This type of fundraising is essential for the running of the Group and I would like to say well done and thanks to all of the flag sellers and counters from all sections and their parents who worked so hard over the weekend".

Above: Members of the 3rd Macaoimh march on our Faithlegg Scout Centre to plant trees in April 2009.

The Talented Cubs of the 3rd (08/04/09)

The County Cub Talent Show was held on Sunday 29th March. The 3rd Macaoimh Pack (pictured below) came third overall which was an excellent result. Well done to all those who took park. Macaoimh Leader, Alan Parle reckons that there might be an Oscar winner of the future amongst them. There are some more photos on our Gallery page.

De La Salle Scout Group pipers and drummers join Irish National Youth Pipe Band (25/03/09)

On Sunday February 1st 2009 ten young members of the De La Salle Scout Group Pipe Band joined with sixty other young pipers and drummers from all over Ireland to form the Irish National Youth Pipe Band. Prior to playing together the pipers had many hours of practice both at home in Waterford and just prior to the parade.  The young players led a parade through the streets of Temple Bar in the centre of Dublin and while the day was bitterly cold all of the players enjoyed the experience. The Irish National Pipe Band performed again in a concert in Tralee Co Kerry on February 21st 2009 and again De La Salle was represented by these dedicated young people. For the full details of their concert in Tralee click here.

Above: The young De La Salle scout players wore their new Glengarry hats for the first time on this parade. The wearing of this type of headgear is a major move away from the more traditional balmorals which the band members have worn for many years.

(Click to view a larger image)

Previous Group News stories are available on our
Group News '08, Group News '07, Group News '06, Group News '05, 
Group News '04 and Group News '98-'03 pages.

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