Joining 1st Fressingfield

Joining the Scouting Movement is an exciting time, and there is plenty to look forward to. At 1st Fressingfield, we want to make sure parents are informed, and that the joining process is easy 🙂

Your First Session

We look forward to meeting all our new members and making sure they feel comfortable, at whichever stage they join. There are no uniform requirements for the first session - just wear something comfortable!

One of the first things we will do is ask parents to fill in an information form. This includes important contact and safety information, which we store safely (read more here). Please return this to the section leader as soon as possible (ideally before the first session). Please note that there is a £12.50 set-up fee on registration on the first evening of attendance.

As for all sessions, we recommend bringing a coat and water bottle.

Please read further to know where to find us.

Young Person Info Form

Who, what, where, when, how?

Take a look at the table below to find out a summary of each section. For more information around each section, please read the "Our Website" section further down this page.

Section	Leader	Email	Ages	Meet
Squirrels	4 to 6 years	Mel Hall	mhall3264@hotmail.com	Monday 16:15 - 17:15
Ninja Beavers	6 to 8 years	Nicola Carr	ninja.beavers@fressingfieldscouts.com	Monday 17:30 - 18:30
Warrior Beavers	6 to 8 years	Karen Hunt	warrior.beavers@fressingfieldscouts.com	Wednesday 18:00 - 19:00
Tiger Cubs	8 to 10.5 years	Adrian Green	tiger.cubs@fressingfieldscouts.com	Monday 18:30 - 20:00
Wolf Cubs	8 to 10.5 years	Natalie Melconian	wolf.cubs@fressingfieldscouts.com	Wednesday 18:30 - 19:45
Pioneer Scouts	10.5 to 14 years	Michael Knights	pioneer.scouts@fressingfieldscouts.com	Tuesday 19:00 - 20:45
Adventure Scouts	10.5 to 14 years	Colin Clarke	adventure.scouts@fressingfieldscouts.com	Friday 19:15 - 21:00
Explorers	14 to 18 years	Andrew Aalders-Duthorne	explorers@fressingfieldscouts.com	Friday 19:15 - 21:00

Swipe along the table to see more...

Getting Uniform

There are several options when purchasing uniform. The uniform for each section is a jumper for Beavers and Cubs, and shirt and trousers for Scouts and Explorers. Polo shirts and other accessories are optional. Branded Fressingfield Scout Group Clothing is also optionally available which can be worn at camps, but doesn't replace the uniform. A red scarf and woggle will be provided once the Scout is invested by the group (at no charge). As of 2021, the approximate cost of uniform for Beavers and Cubs is £15, and for Scouts and Explorers, £45.

Option 1 - Norfolk Scout Shop (Online and in Norwich)

You can order it from the Scout Trading Post in Norwich who can post it or on certain days do collection. We would recommend visiting the Alec Bussey Centre in Norwich, since not only can you try on the uniform to ensure fit, 1stFSG also receives money for each purchase made.

Click below to visit their website for more information, including size guide, opening hours and contact information...

Norfolk Scout Shop

Option 2: UK Scout Shop (Online)

Uniforms for all sections can also be purchased through the Scout Store (https://shop.scouts.org.uk/uniforms). There are also other clothing items and gift ideas which may be of interest.

Option 3: PMG Schoolwear (Online and in Ipswich)

Located at 40 Westgate St, Ipswich, IP1 3ED, PMG Schoolwear also supply Scouting Uniform and their website is found here https://www.pmgschoolwear.co.uk/.

Other options include:

Visiting John Lewis (in store), as they may stock it in their uniform department.
Visiting the Stowmarket Trading Post which may be more local to some of our members.
The Scout and Guide Shop Online
One Stop Scouting Shop Online

To know where badges are placed, please visit our "Members Area" (here) which features badge location diagrams for each section.

Subscriptions/Costs

The annual subscription for all members is £150 which is preferably paid by standing order in twelve equal payments of £12.50. There is also a £10 set-up fee on registration on the first evening of attendance.

All UK tax-payers are encouraged to complete a Gift Aid form. This doesn't cost you anything but allows us to claim a significant tax rebate from HMRC on any payments you make to us.

Standing Order Form

Gift Aid Declaration

Additional activity and camp fees are also charged, the Group endeavours to keep costs as low as possible. Please email your section leader, or the Group Scout Leader in confidence if you have any financial concerns.

Turning Up

We are now in our New HQ! We can be found below:

Address: 1st Fressingfield Scout Group, Priory Road, Fressingfield, Suffolk, IP21 5PH

Alternatively our W3W location is: ///observes.prospers.orbit

Badges

One of the integral parts of Scouting is working towards and achieving badges. If you are unsure on where to place badges, please find the "Badge Location Diagrams" in the "Members Area" (here).

Unfortunately, section-specific activity and challenge badges cannot be transferred to the next section (for example, from Cubs to Scouts). However, the following badges can be moved across:

Badge	Description
	World Membership Badge This badge is awarded to you when you are invested and shows that you are part of the World Scout Movement.
	Group Tape Badge The group badge (1st Fressingfield Scout Group) shows which Scout Group you belong to and is also awarded to you when you are invested.
	Southern Norfolk Scout Badge The Southern Norfolk badge is similar to the one pictured. Like the badge above, it shows you are part of the Southern Norfolk Scouting District, and is awarded when you are invested.
	Joining In Award These badges show how long you have been in the Scouting Movement. You can be awarded up to 12 years by the time you reach Explorers.
	Staged Badges Any blue badges featuring a number are staged badges, and represent the level you are at in a particular area (swimming, nights away etc.). The "Great INdoors" badge from 2020/2021 can also be carried across because it is technically a staged badge.
	Camp and Cook Badge. Whilst 'Occasional (Special) Badges' are normally only to be worn for 6 months above the 'Joining In Awards', we have special permission to place this badge on the left sleeve, along with the activity and staged badges.

As shown in the Beaver Uniform, the yellow 'Activity Badges' on the left sleeve cannot be transferred to Cubs, however the blue 'Staged Badges' can be.

The Explorer Uniform showing the "Joining In Award" badges in situe, with the blue 'Staged Badges' being carried across from Beavers, Cubs and Scouts.

Read the official badge requirements here.

Our Website

Please browse this website for information and resources. Here are some useful links:

Click your section below for more information about meeting times and your leadership team:

There is plenty of information about the group as a whole including how it operates, the group's history as well as what we get up to on a regular basis. Please explore!

Keeping in the Loop

We have a very active Facebook Group where we share our latest news and post after each session. Please feel free to request to join the group. We also have a Twitter account which is unmanaged, but automatically reposts Facebook content. Our YouTube channel features many of our Scouting Year Videos and major camp highlights, but also many of the activities we have run during Virtual Scouting. We can also be found on Instagram. The links for these Social Media accounts can be found below:

Still have a question?

Please email your section leader if you have any questions, or please contact our Group Scout Leader, Andrew Aalders-Dunthorne on 07908 262623 or via email at gsl@fressingfieldscouts.com.

We hope you have great fun and find friendship with us.