It is with great regret that Syston Scout & Guide Band have had to cancel the performances of Sticks & Tones 2022, due to the lack of tickets sold for the performances.
As you are well aware, as much as Sticks & Tones is a good bit of fun for the members of the band, it is still a fundraising event. If we were to put the show on, we would be making a considerable loss, and as a charity it isn’t something that is an option.
Any tickets that have been purchased, will of course be refunded in full to the card that payment was made on over the few days.
Should you wish to have any questions, please get in touch via this email address and we will get back to you as soon as possible.
Should you wish to donate, please visit https://sticksandtones.org.uk/donate
We are hopeful that we will be able to put on Sticks & Tones in 2023.
Thank you as ever for your continued support.
Syston Scout & Guide Band
Ask any group of adults what they remember most about their years of Scouting and it won’t be long before stories of camping trips come to the fore. Camping gives young people the chance to get away in the outdoors with their friends, stay up late, try new activities and develop their independence.
A cornerstone of many Scout Camps is the evening campfire; a time to join back together after a busy day of activities and enjoy some entertainment. A campfire is a medley of songs, stories, jokes, sketches, laughing with friends and reflecting on the day.
Formed in 2019, our Campfire Team (aka Jonathan and Scott) have ran over a dozen events for Syston Scout Group, Charnwood District and beyond. In 2020, they branched out into ‘Virtual Campfires’ over Zoom to bring the campfire fun to a wider audience.
In 2021, the fun continues, remaining on Zoom initially and then back in the great outdoors once restrictions are eased. The team are focused on encouraging young people to lead their own songs and and make up their own sketches which will all count towards their Cub and Scout Entertainer badges.
Sections and Groups can find out more about our campfire team here. Why not book them for your next camp or event?
Syston Scouts are always looking for new members and adult volunteers to help make Scouting in Syston great. If you can spare a few hours a week, why not get in touch and help young people develop #SkillsForLife. Contact us on 0116 326 6908 or email info@systonscouts.org.uk
16 years old and going strong; the Syston Scout & Guide Band annual variety show took place at Wreake Valley School on the 22nd February 2020. Sticks & Tones is written, produced and performed by band members and always promises a packed programme of music, dance, comedy and sketches. For those on stage and behind the scenes, the afternoon and evening shows are the culmination of a few months of planning, practice and fun.
The band were sorry to lose their friend Dave Lucas in 2019. Dave joined the band as a young boy, played the bugle in the band, and taught many others as a bugle instructor. Our show this year served as a tribute to him, beginning with a video celebrating Dave’s involvement and friendships in the band. A recording of Dave playing the bugle introduction to the piece ‘High on a Hill’ signalled the start of the finale.
After a Greatest Showman themed dance, the band were welcomed on stage by supportive audiences. The running order was as follows: Glenfield 1, Soldier Soldier, Royal Green Jackets, Drum Display (2009), Buglers Fanfare, In the Mood, Mission Impossible, Robin Hood, Blaydon Races. Hayden and Tom played the introduction to Soldier Soldier, and Becky played well on the Bell Lyre in her first show. The bugles played their fanfare confidently and the drummers evidenced their enjoyment of the Blaydon Races piece through their increase in volume. Band members reported that they could feel the stage shaking!
The Drill Squad performed their routine. Normally under heavy scrutiny of a panel of competition judges, the 8 strong group of band members worked well together to march and stay in perfect sync. All under the age of 18, practicing the technical routine requires dedication and concentration, which didn’t go unnoticed by the audience. Breaking competition norms, next up was an alternative drill routine to pop music, which had the audience clapping along to the dance-like routine.
In the next number, the drummers were sitting an exam, under the watchful eye of strict school teacher Pam. When she left the stage, the students began tapping a beat on their desks, but had to put a stop to it on her return. Eventually, the full cast, teacher included, are drumming loudly, under the direction of Oliver. Perhaps the most fun had in an exam ever!
Following the popular display ‘Legs Eleven’ by the girls of the band last year, the group stepped up to the mark once again with their sketch ‘Band Babes’ Dressed as toddler’s with attached; a big well done to the costume teams for their hard work!
Syston were delighted to invite the other Leicestershire Scout & Guide Bands to perform in the show. In the first half, Thurmaston took to the stage and played a mix of drum displays and popular themes. Half of the band were away at a national Guiding event at the NEC, yet this didn’t stop them. The Wallace & Gromit, and Avenger themes went down particularly well with the audience.
Chris plays Mr Bean in the allelujah sketch to conclude the first half. The most difficult part for the band was not to laugh while Alan delivered a mumbling sermon about rivers and the natural world, and Chris had difficulty staying alert.
John was the compere once again for the show; introducing the acts and offering insight into the band’s activities for the past year. He was assisted along by a couple of juggling acts from Scott, who ate an apple whilst juggling and later gave impressions of juggling styles from around the World.
Back for the second half, we kicked off with the Not So Full Monty. Cue the rip off trousers and muscular t-shirts! This sketch was done in the very first show, and was directed by Dave, and so the piece served as a tribute. A good laugh for all involved.
Whilst the stage crew collected 8 pairs of trousers from the audience, it was time for our second invited band, Oadby & Wigston to showcase their own musical talent. A fully chromatic band, we were treated to a medley containing music from the Greatest Showman and Pirates of the Caribbean, then also played the time warp – a great mix of music for us to enjoy.
The next sketch was the Play that goes wrong. It was difficult to tell if when it went wrong it was through genuine error, or whether it was a planned mistake – such was the high quality of acting! The stage crew assembled the set for the next sketch in the background.
Have you ever wondered how chocolates are individually wrapped so neatly? We were left none the wiser after the Chocolate Sketch, which saw band members try to keep up with an accelerating production under the reprimand of Emma. Sweets fly all over the place, and Cadbury’s haven’t offered us any jobs yet!
In the final sketch of the show, we learnt of the wonderful gifts brought back when My Grandmother went to Paris. For some reason, this drove a few volunteer members of the audience absolutely cuckoo.
Onto the finale, we were pleased to be joined on stage by Thurmaston and Oadby & Wigston Scout & Guide Bands. Our thanks to Neil Wright, Chairman of the British Youth Band Association (BYBA) for conducting the massed band through pieces High on a Hill, December 1963, Bugler’s Nocturne, Olympic Spirit, and Mechanised Infantry. The Olympic Spirit was a new piece to many of us, and one which we especially enjoyed playing. Syston’s trademark piece of Mechanised Infantry made a return in the encore, played at the light infantry pace of 140bpm… to start with. Pushed by an enthusiastic pair of bass drums (sorry bell lyres) we finished a little faster than this!
We are grateful to the cast, the crew, and to everyone who came to watch Sticks & Tones 2020. We’ll be back next year with more musical entertainment. The band‘s focus now turns to learning this season’s display, ready for competitions to begin in the Summer.
Written by Scott Jenkins, Band Member.
Sound like something you would like to be a part of?
Syston Scout Group are always looking for new members and adult volunteers to help make Scouting in Syston great. If you can spare a few hours a week, why not get in touch and help young people develop #SkillsForLife. Contact us on 0116 326 6908 or email info@systonscouts.org.uk
Join the adventure here – systonscouts.org.uk/join
Syston Scout Group held a family camp on the 7-8th September.
A welcome back camp after the summer break and a great opportunity for families from all of the Groups sections (Beavers, Cubs, Scouts & Band) to come together for a fun weekend.
The Families arrived on a sunny Saturday morning ready for a fun weekend of camping and activities. Each member of the family got a chance to choose the activities they would like to do. These ranged from Archery, Mini Cross bows, a caving experience, Climbing, Rope Making, Survival Bracelet making, Pyrography (burning a letters or pictures in to Wood) Pioneering (tying wooden poles together to make a bridge), Assault Course, Circus Skills and also Axe Throwing!
Once the Activities have finished everyone enjoyed a BBQ and then settled round the camp fire for the groups AGM, Songs, awards and comedy which kept all ages entertained during the evening.
On a cool Sunday morning, and after a hearty breakfast it was time for more activities. The activities then ended which led to the closing of Camp which saw all families leave with smiles on there faces and also some great memories and experiences.
To view photos from our Family Camp, visit our website: systonscouts.org.uk.
Sound like something you would like to be a part of?
Syston Scout Group are always looking for new members and adult volunteers to help make Scouting in Syston great. If you can spare a few hours a week, why not get in touch and help young people develop #SkillsForLife. Contact us on 0116 326 6908 or email info@systonscouts.org.uk
Remember that weekend it rained a lot at the end of July? Well we remember it very well and not just for the rain! Members of Syston Scout Group took on roles at Leicestershire International Scout & Guide Jamboree “Charnwood 2019”.
On Saturday 27th July, Adventurer Bear Grylls flew in by helicopter to the camp to cheer up 5,000 soggy scouts and guides setting up their camp in pouring rain – or as he calls it, “scout sunshine”. The TV star and chief scout was flown to Charnwood 2019, where youngsters from all over the world were setting up their tents for a week of fun and educational activities.
A total of 23 countries were represented, including Ghana, New Zealand and Malaysia, as well as boys and girls from scout groups all over Leicestershire.
Over the week Scouts and Guides took part in over 100 activities from Zorbing, bungee trampolines, bumper cars, Aeroball, last man standing, gladiator, pedal go-karts, human wakka mole, Zip line and caving as well as inflatables. Scout and Guiding activity teams provided shooting, archery, fencing, mountain bike team, laser clay pigeons and lots more. The campers got a chance to visit one of the 5 offsite trips from Warwick Castle, Bosworth, Foxton Locks, Activities round Nottingham or Water activities such as Sailing, Canoeing and more.
On Tuesday of the Camp Syston Beavers & Cubs visited the camp and took part in many of the activities and got to experience the grand scale of the camp.
Unfortunately, the week’s appalling weather forced organisers of an international Scout and Guide camp in Leicestershire to close it early.
This was a great shame, but all of the 5,000 young people took some great memories away and also have met and made friends with other Scouts & Guides from all over the world.
Sound like something you would like to be a part of?
Syston Scout Group are always looking for new members and adult volunteers to help make Scouting in Syston great. If you can spare a few hours a week, why not get in touch and help young people develop #SkillsForLife. Contact us on 0116 326 6908 or email info@systonscouts.org.uk
On Saturday 9th March, 16 young Beaver Scouts started their quest to become a Pokémon Master! The Pokémon themed Sleepover took place at Holwell Pastures Scout Camp near Melton. Once the trainers arrived they chose their Pokémon and gave them a bit of colour. They then went on to create their own Pokéball (with a biscuit and icing). Once grabbing there Pokédex’s, they went out in the wild to find and document wild Pokémon in the area (a bit of orienteering fun). The next stage of their training went on to aiming and catching Pokémon (this is child’s archery which is great fun!). After refuelling their trainer’s belly’s it was time to become one with their Pokémon with a Yoga Pokémon story. The final class of the day was to learn all about the legendary Pokémon (A Pokémon film to finish) before getting some sleep.
The next morning the trainers woke to a white game field (it Snowed!!!) and after getting their energy up (some yummy breakfast), they stepped out to practice Pokémon battles with the other trainers (snowball fights, mostly at the leaders and even a snowman!). Once warming back up inside, the trainers hatched Pokémon from the Pokéballs (a bit of bicarbonate and vinegar to fizz the Pokemon free). After a few trainer games, the trainers where presented with their Pokémon Trainer badges (Scouts nights away badge for staying overnight at a campsite) and were sent off to continue their adventure…
Interested to get your son or daughter to join the adventure? Syston Scout Group is open to girls and boys aged from 6 years upwards. Why not sign them up to our waiting list –www.systonscouts.org.uk/join/
If you would like to give us an extra pair of hands, eyes and even feet at Syston Beavers! We’d like you to help with craft activities, help to judge games and explain things when they don’t quite know the rules. If you can give us one hour once a week to help out at Beavers, it would make a vast difference to what activities the Beavers can do.
Interested?
Contact Chris Bodycot on 0116 326 6908 or email gsl@systonscouts.org.uk
Come and watch The Greatest Showman
24th November 2018 – Doors Open at 5:30pm, Film Starts at 6pm
Please donate on entering (Entrance fee is not with a view to profit but to cover running cost)
No bar, but welcome to bring your own. Popcorn and soft drinks will be on sale.
Why not dress up as your favourite act?
Showing at:
Syston Scout Hall
Oxford Street
Syston
Leicester
LE72AT
In April like every year the Beavers, Cubs and Scouts of Syston Scout Group celebrated the Patron Saint of England “St George”. This Years weekend was celebrated is a range of different ways from Fun Days to Traditional Street Parades.
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“Syston Beavers & Cubs” attended the Charnwood district St George’s funday, on Saturday 21st/22nd April. The event was at Oaks in Charnwood campsite and there were several other Beaver colonies and Cub Packs at the event from Charnwood district. There were several bases which each colony and Pack went to on a rota basis. There was St George based crafts, which were inside, as well as several outdoor activities. They toasted marshmallows, went in the “black Hole” (which is a crawl through caving activity) as well as going on a bouldering wall. One base was bouncy castles, which was naturally enjoyed by all the beavers and cubs. They also loved the campsite assault course. This was a bit muddy after all the rain, however, the beavers and cubs loved the mud! The day ended with a hotdog and then a campfire, with some of the beavers and cubs favourite songs. All the beavers and cubs really enjoyed the day and we were blessed with the weather, as it was a lovely day.
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“Syston Scout and Guide Band”, This year the band took part in two St George’s Day Parades; On the morning of 22nd April the band travelled over to Market Harborough to help the Scouts in their District. The Parade was very large with lots of Beavers, Cubs and Scouts, and Syston was joined by Wigston Scout & Guide Band to help parade them all through the streets of Market Harborough. In the afternoon, the band led the City St George’s Day Parade starting at Victoria Park. The route took them and 500 plus Beavers Cubs and Scouts heading alone Victoria Park and into Leicester University. During the parade the band also played with Wigston Band to entertain the procession heading into the services. As you can see Scouting offers something for every young person aged from 6 to 25 Years. It’s a great way to have fun, make friends, get outdoors, express your creativity and experience the wider world.
Saturday the 17th of February saw the 13th instalment of ‘Sticks & Tones’, a variety show produced and performed by members of the 10th Leicester 1st Syston Scout and Guide Band at the Wreake Valley Academy Theatre.
Based in the style of the all singing, all dancing Scout Gang-shows; Sticks & Tones has always been more sketch-based, replacing the traditional singing and dancing with sketches and comedy items from the great comedians of family entertainment past and present specially adapted to suit the younger performers. This year certainly did not disappoint…
As the curtain went up to reveal Syston’s very own Scout Band that we all know and love, we were thoroughly entertained by a variety of marches and popular tunes, bright and vibrant to get the foot tapping. The fanfare of bugles and the thunder of roaring drums creates a sound that really does stir the soul. This musical treat was followed by an evening of colour and laughter which really showed the ‘spirit of youth’ in the Syston scout and guide community. The stage became awash with enthusiastic bandsmen of all ages; acting, dancing, singing and presenting us with a show that left us all feeling exhilarated and full of pride at the achievements of these young individuals of Syston by the end of the night.
A special mention, I feel must go the ‘Drill Squad’. Like most of the acts in this show, this special feature showcased the young members, all under the age of 18, putting on a highly polished and very intricate marching display. This was their first performance of this immaculate display as they are working towards a very special performance at the Brentwood Drill Contest in Essex on the 4th of March where they will be up against other groups from all over the country. Good luck Syston!
As well as all the laughter there was a very touching tribute in remembrance for the centenary of the end of the Great War, where I found myself singing along to some very popular war tunes, it really was a roller-coaster of emotions from start to finish. As the evening of true family entertainment was coming to an end it was time for the finale, which saw all of the young performers on stage resuming their original roles as musicians, showcasing their pure talents and playing as part of a marching band once again. A true heartfelt tribute to the retiring bandmaster (John Smith) after his 30 years of service in charge of the band was a very fitting way to end the show and the curtain came down to rapturous applause. Well done to all involved in the production of this superb amateur show. Please look out for future episodes of Sticks & Tones and book tickets as soon a possible for an evening of great family entertainment.
Early on Saturday the 11th of November, as the residents of Syston slept sound in their beds, members of the 10th Leicester 1st Syston Scout & Guide Band were awake and excited to be on their way to London to take part in the world’s oldest and grandest civic procession.
For over 800 years the newly elected Lord Mayor of the City of
London has made his or her way from the City to the Royal
Courts of Justice to swear loyalty to the Crown. Over the
centuries this journey grew into the riotous medieval pageant
known to all today as The Lord Mayor’s Show. For the last 20 years, Syston’s own Scout & Guide Band has taken part and paraded as part of the Corps of Drums Society, a society formed in 1977 with the aim of preserving the drum, fe and bugle traditions of the British Army.
Leaving Syston at 5.00am on the dot, it wasn’t long before some members were fast asleep on the bus on the way down to our capital city.
However, stopping off at London Gateway service station to change into uniform is certainly where the excitement and adrenalin of what was about to happen started to kick in. Getting into London at 8.30am we had to be formed up as a band at the Smitheld Rotunda Garden for 9.00am where we’d have a quick brieng of how the day was going to pan out. Then, most importantly, it was time for tea and sticky buns. The procession of three miles long, which was broadcast live on BBC1, kicked off at 11.03am after a two minutes silence was observed in remembrance for Armistice Day.
It was then all systems go as the 7000 participants involved in the procession marched, danced, cart wheeled and rode on oats along the parade route.
At some points the streets were lined 10 deep with spectators all waving their union ags, cheering, clapping and even singing along with our popular medley of 1914-1918 war tunes.
Chris Bodycot, long serving member of the Syston Scout and Guide Band and Drum Major for the Corps of Drums on Parade said,
“Once again, it has been an absolute privilege to be part of such a prestigious event, marching through the streets of London alongside other bands and members of the Society including ex Coldstream Guards. A special honour for me this year to give the Drum Majors salute to the newly elected Lord Mayor of London, Charles Bowman, as we marched past the Mansion House.”
