News Archive
Gang Show 2010
With 60 of us in the audience on Wednesday and 29 more either on, or working behind the stage, Gang Show 2010 was a busy event for the 85th. Well done to all our cast members who took part, including the Little Men, Hornpipe, Aladdin and a few of his villagers and soldiers, Prince Charming and Andy H's tremendous performance in the "Annie's Song" duet with Johanna.
The event brought praise from a wide range of dignitaries from politicians, Councillors, National Commissioners, Gang Show teams from across Scotland as well as the Queen's Lord Lieutenant of Renfrewshire,. Pictures of the event are available now at the official Gang Show facebook page. Our visit the Group Gallery to see pictures of just the 85th contingent. Watch out for the cast events which will be arranged of the coming weeks. November 2010 
Wafers and caramel were baked in one area before being put together into the caramel wafers we buy in the shops. And each wrapping machine can wrap up to 600 biscuits minute. Did you know there are extra large Caramel Wafers made for selling abroad? The Scouts were delighted to sample some of the biscuits as they were made fresh from the production line. Thanks to Bonnie, Janet and all the staff at Tunnocks who made the Scouts feel so welcome and made sure they had a fantastic time.
There are some more photos in the Scout Gallery. November 2010 Tunnocks Visit
After 2 years eagerly sitting on the waiting list, we were finally able to take a group of older Scouts on a tour of the Tunnocks Factory in Uddingston in November. The factory operates 24hrs a day producing the teacakes, caramel wafers and the other products that we all love, so it was in full production when we were taken around the shop floors. We were able to watch close-up as the teacakes were transformed from biscuits, marshmallows and chocolate into teacakes for home and abroad.
District Parade 2011
Well done to everyone who turned out for District Parade in Greenock this year. A total of 130 members of the 85th Marched the route to church in Nelson Street where a new format of service was laid on for the first time. Our very own Group Scout Leader Shirley Cairney was appointed Depute District Commissioner on the day.
ps. Can any parents who managed to take photos please email what you can to Andy Yarr. June 2011 District Parade 2010
Well done everybody for such a fantastic turn out at District Parade this year. You all looked extremely smart, and the Group received several comments to how well turned out you were. And thanks again to all parents who turned out your youngsters and came out to support them on the parade. It's great that we managed to beat the rain for the second year running, and we're looking forward the new snippet of news that the DC gave us during the church service. Cubs and Scouts can find a few snaps of the parade in the Group Gallery. June 2010
Glenkin Mountainbiking and Kayaking
Heading outdoors is great any time of the year, but it’s a rare treat when the weather is mostly sunny, and 16 of our Scouts and Explorers got just that when they went for an activity weekend of Mountain Biking and Kayaking last weekend.
The group cycled from Inverkip to Glenkin near Dunoon and spent Saturday cycling around the forest tracks before squeezing in some rock climbing later in the evening. They got a chance to top up their tans on another short cycle ride to Loch Eck on Sunday morning before kayaking there in the afternoon. Well done to all those who took part, especially the younger Scouts who have earned their Adventure challenge over the weekend. You can find all our photos and a video clip in our Scout Gallery. We do recommend that you take a look at these pictures, Joe has excelled himself and there's some stunning shots among them. Remember each time you order prints or enlargements, we are given more space for more photos. The poster size pictures are very good quality too, and great for putting up in the bedroom (and no, we don't get any commission). May 2010 New Online Payment Facility - Another first!
We've had a look around and we think the 85th are the first Scout Group in Scotland, if not the UK to offer this as a regular facility to Parents.
Did you know many of our leaders also have kids in the Beavers, Cubs, Scouts or Explorers? We know it's a nuisance trying to find cash around the house to pay for that camp or for that trip on a weekday night. So to make life easier, we've come up with a new online payment facility on this website. It uses PayPal so you can be confident the transaction is secure, and it uses PayPal's preferential charity rate, so the admin charge is pretty small. You child's leader will be emailed with the confirmation of your payment. For those bigger payments, we've also included a 'Spread Payments' facility so that you can spread payments like annual fees or summer camp over a number of months. To use the payment facility, click here. We hope you find it easy and handy to use. April 2010 
We are delighted to announce that no less than 4 members of the 85th - 2 scouts and 2 of our Explorers - have been selected to join the West Region contingent for the World Jamboree in Sweden in 2011. It is a big honour for so many members from our Group to be selected given the tight competition for places, and a reflection on the caliber of the boys involved. Well done to each of Callum, Lloyd, Andrew and Niall who we are told by the selectors have been a credit to the 85th.
Callum and Lloyd were part of our Scottish National Explorer Competition winning team this year and have both had a strong personal influence in the success of our Explorer unit in its early years. Andrew and Niall are Patrol Leaders in our Wemyss Bay and Inverkip troops and rarely miss a chance to get in on the action. Andrew not only helps in our Cub sections, but also helps at Cubs in Rothesay as well. 
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Fordell Firs Winter Weekend
Twenty Scouts, Explorers and Leaders braved the winter cold for a weekend at Fordell Firs in December. This is the first time the troop have been to Fordell, which houses the National Scout Activity Centre as well as the SHQ offices, in almost 10 years. Although the Explorers visited it earlier this year.
For the weekend the centre was coated in a blanket of untouched snow over 1 foot deep and we were the first troop to get to run through it throwing snowballs.
Activities included caving, pioneering, igloo building, archery, crate climbing and a grand snowball fight helped by slingshots as well as the catapults we built as pioneering projects. Everyone also worked towards missing parts of their Outdoor and Outdoor Plus challenges including cooking their meals outside on stoves. Four of the group deserve a special mention as they pulled off a first for the 85th by staying overnight in one of the igloos. Thanks to Bob and the staff at Fordell who manned some of the bases and made sure the Scouts had a great time! Photos are available in the Scout Gallery. December 2010 Group Camp 2010
The sun shone over Everton at the end of May as the 85th held a record breaking Group Fun Camp with more campers than we have ever had before, all in the same place at one time. The new activities at Everton helped make a fantastic weekend for no less than 157 Beavers, Cubs, Scouts, Explorers and Leaders.
Every age group had a go at Crate Climbing, Zip Wire, Slimy Slide, Car Pulling, Pillow Fighting, Human Table Football and even a dazzling glo-stick fueled night-game in the forest. In amongst the fun, we managed to assemble 5 mountain bikes which we have donated to a very worthy community project. 
Thanks to Boston Scientific who kindly donated £100 to help make that project possible.
We are now looking forward to some more camps within our individual sections before we come together again in a few weeks for the Annual Group Barbeque. Here's hoping that's another fantastic day out. As usual you can find a couple of videos and all the photo's in the Group Gallery. Once again we recommend that you take a look, there's some keepers in there that will make a great bedroom poster for some of you. May 2010 Archive VideoMay 2010 Blair Atholl 2010
Following on from our 4 Scouts and Explorers who have been selected for the Sweden Jamboree in 2011, we are delighted to announce that 4 of our Group have been selected for the Blair Atholl Jamborette in 2010. This event has attracted Scouts from more than 50 countries to Scotland every 2 years since 1946. Congratulations to Lloyd, Niall, Jack and Ewan on being selected for the event. Lloyd and Niall are also going to the the larger Swedish Jamboree next year. January 2010
Scouts Global Challenge - Russia
As our Scouts in both Inverkip and Wemyss Bay know, we have been linking up with some Scout troops in Chelyabinsk in Russia for our Global Challenge badge. So far we have compiled a list of questions for the Russians to answer, and we have also submitted a list of questions about the UK which we want them to find out about. Ultimately we plan to present to each other what we have learned about one another.
The next stage for us is to research the questions we are to find out about Russia. These questions can be found here. Each scout who wants to earn their Global Challenge should choose 3 questions (or more if you like) at random and mail in their answer (send to [email protected]). Provide pictures if you can for the presentation. We'll pick the best answers. All answers should be submitted by Friday 8th January. Some of the questions may not be perfect grammar, but the meaning is clear enough. Remember our Russian friends speak English a lot better than you can speak Russian.
IT Badge Stage 3
On Sunday the 15th of November, 4 scouts from the 85th Scout Group did some work for their IT badge. This Scout is working very hard on making an article about his experience doing the IT badge. The badge work included editing photos that were taken on the hill Beinn Dhubcraig, and finding out how to edit this web site and some of the rules and standards used in it.
More courses have been arranged over the next 2 weeks to give more Scouts the chance to take part. Remembrance Day Parade 2009
This year's Armistice day parade was held on Sunday the 8th of November. A total of 100 Beavers, Cubs, Scouts and Explorers came to this event. Everyone met at the church hall along with the Guides and councillors before parading into Inverkip Church. The parade went into the church for one hour where they took part in the service, sang hymns, heard bible readings and heard about people that had died during the two world wars. They then marched to the Cenotaph at Inverkip beach where another short service was held and the wreaths were laid.
Thanks to all Group members and their parents for such a smart and well behaved turnout once again. Minibus Expedition 2009
We are delighted to make available all the photos and a few videos from this year's Scout and Explorer Scout Minibus Expedition. 22 Scouts and Leaders traveled around the country from Arrochar to Aviemore camping wild and playing hard for a week. We camped at Butterbridge, Victoria Bridge, Glen Etive, Steall Falls, Ben Nevis and the Badaguish centre in Aviemore. We walked up The Cobbler, Buchaille Etive Mor and Ben Nevis. We kayaked on Loch Lomond and went boating there too. We saw the wallabies there. We golfed in Fort William and took a swim as well. We visited the Landmark Centre and tried out clay pigeon shooting. Well done to everyone for managing to complete a full week of scouting at its toughest!!!
Cubs Secure the Gordon Kerr Trophy
We are delighted to announce that the Cubs have won the Gordon Kerr Trophy this year. The Cubs had a great time with activities including a Battle Bar, a bouncy castle and Sumo Wrestling. The trophy has special significance to the 85th as Gordon Kerr was a life long Scout with the 85th, being responsible for keeping our history safe by writing many of our Troop's diaries through the late 40's before becoming Cub Scout Master in the 50's and growing the cubs for more years than most of us can remember. His wife Mary will be especially pleased we have won the trophy. More photos can be found at the District web site here.
Beavers Win District Beaver Day 2009
Congratulations to our Beavers who have won Greenock & District's Jean King Trophy this year. The Beavers had a great day competing with 300 Beavers from around the District. They tried their hand at climbing on Jacob's ladder, Sumo Wrestling, Skittles, Snakes and Ladders, crate climbing, parachute games, fishing, and lots lots more.
They even found time to learn some new songs at a fun campfire. The winning team is pictured showing off their trophy. You can find more photos of the event at the District web site here. Thanks to all parents and Beavers who took part in a great day out.
Kayaking
A group of our Explorers tried out kayaking for the first time last weekend off Inverkip beach. The boys braved the cold wind to practise their strokes as they paddled around the bay. They even found time to spend learning how to capsize and trying out rescue techniques on each other. If you're in the Scouts and you want a go yourself, watch out out for more chances to try it out including a session during this year's Minibus Expedition.
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