Polegate Town Council Civic Award 2011 was presented to the Steer Family for outstanding service to Guiding and Scouting at a presentation evening on 13th September 2011.
The Steer family has a distinguished history of involvement with the Scouting and Guiding movements, spanning almost a century.
Frederick Steer joined the Scouts at Christchurch, Eastbourne in 1915. His wife, Lily Steer, received the Thanks Badge for fund raising with the 5th Eastbourne (St. Mary’s) Scouts.
Their son, John Steer, joined the 5th Eastbourne (St. Mary’s) as a Scout in 1944, on his return from evacuation. He became Patrol Leader, Senior Scout, Assistant Scout Master and Assistant Cub Scout Master. As a Queen’s Scout, he attended the Queen’s first St. George’s Day Parade at Windsor Castle. He was with the Scout Police at the 1957 World Scout Jamboree in Sutton Coldfield. He moved out of uniform in the mid-sixites. His wife, Joyce Steer, joined as Assistant Cub Mistress with the 5th Eastbourne (St. Mary’s). She was also Secretary of the Bushy Wood Campsite Committee, leaving after several years to have Audrey.
Nigel Steer joined the First Polegate Cubs at the age of eight, moving to Scouts and then became a Cub Scout Instructor at Sixteen. At University he assisted the 7th City of Bangor Cub Scouts, continuing at Polegate Cubs on his return. In 2000, he moved to the Scout Section, becoming Assistant Scout Leader.
Audrey joined the Brownies at the age of 7 and was invested on the 19th October 1970. As a Guide, she was Pack Leader with the Brownies, and then became a Young Leader. In 1981, she became an Assistant Brownie Guider, also assisting the Easter Pack Holiday of a Brownie Pack in Clifton. Audrey has been involved in Capital Jig, which raised funds for the International work of Moorfields Eye Hospital, visiting Copenhagen, Denmark with other UK Guiders helping to build international links in Guiding as part of Guiding’s Centenary year.
The Mayor of Polegate, Cllr Tim Voyce presented the Steer family with a cut glass bowl engraved from the Council not only for services to Scouts and Guiding but for the many years of volunteering to help young people within Polegate enjoy positive activities. It was acknowledged by the Mayor than many young people have benefited from their collective service within the community. As Civic Awards are nominated by members of the public, the Steer Family were unaware of this award and were led to believe they were invited to attend a meeting to discuss youth work in the area. The Steer family featured in the picture were overwhelmed to receive the award and thanked the Mayor, Councillors and those present. The photograph features Audrey Steer, Nigel Steer, John Steer (seated) and Joyce Steer (seated). Also pictured is Nigel Steer accepting the award from the Mayor, Cllr Tim Voyce.
Beavers, Cubs and Scouts were out in force on Sunday 25th April for the annual St Georges Day Parade. This year the parade started at the Water Treatment Works, Langney Point, Eastbourne and ended at Princes Park. Leading the parade was the Kingfisher Scout Band, following behind were many troops from Eastbourne, Polegate, Willingdon and surrounding towns and villages. The parade was also significant as this year marks the 100th anniversary of Scouting in Eastbourne. The troops were invited to renew their promises and games had been arranged as part of the celebration. The Mayor of Polegate, Cllr Steve Barber was in attendance and he was particularly pleased to be there as he has a long association with First Polegate Scout Group and his wife Sue Barber is the Beaver Leader, pictured far left. At the parade Rachel Bigsby from the Scout Section was flag bearer for the group as they walked along the seafront with parents, friends and family looking on. Despite a cold westerly wind all those who took part did so with great gusto, to excuse a pun!
On Saturday 23rd January, Explorers, parents, leaders and VIPs turned up to the annual Explorer Scouts Awards Ceremony. This was opened by presentations from both units, showing the audience through Powerpoint, performances and script, exactly what they’ve been up to in 2009. From scuba diving to survival themed nights, to summer camp and expedition, the audience thoroughly enjoyed the hard work that had been put into the shows. This was followed by the presentation of the awards for each unit amongst them: Most Improved Explorer – Electra: Victoria “Torii” Grace, Spiro: Jason Kearns. Both of these young people are ex First Polegate Scouts. There were then certificates for several Leaders including Appointments, Training, Service and LeaderLink badges, just to show they have been working hard too. Another exciting moment of the night was the revealing of the new unit scarves and the renewing of the promises for each unit, meaning they now have stronger identities as Electra and Spiro, as well as the unity that makes them Eastbourne Explorers. The teamwork from all of them on the night was great, and a brilliant night was had by all.
Sacha Titherly (ESL) Eastbourne District Explorer Scouts
It was a very wet day when we went to Bushy Wood. In the barn I made a yule log, place mat, windmill, hamabeads, angels bag, sweets in a cone and a reindeer candy. It was great fun.
Daniel B
(First Polegate Beaver Scouts)
On the 23rd January at the Scout Groups Coffee Morning a presentation of wool was donated to Tessa Truman of the Mother Theresa Knitting Group. These are a group of ladies who knit the wool into blankets and small clothes for premature babies at the Eastbourne District General Hospital. The Scout group has collected the wool over the last few months as part of their Environmental Award and chose the Coffee Morning to raise the profile of the ladies group and the collection that the group is doing on their behalf. If anyone has any wool they wish to donate please contact us through our “contact us” page or drop into the Community centre on a Friday night and leave your donation with a Group Leader.
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