Brighthelmstone set for change

At a packed District meeting held at Brighton's Unemployed Workers Centre, activists agreed to create two new districts from our existing groups. Each district will have 5 groups. The decision was unanimous in a meeting where comradely discussion ranged over a wide number of issues- from the decision in principle, to the nuts and bolts of the task.

Each district will now meet separately to determine their top 6 issues in effecting the birth of the new organisations. Then a small working group will co-operate to ensure a smooth transition to the new structures.

The meeting was tinged with a little sadness as this change has come about through our collective success in building a district with ten groups in it. However, the practicality of holding decision making meetings and the headache of logistics for camps of up to 130 people have led to a realisation that change is needed. As one of our stalwart leaders- Maddy Williams said "We are victims of our own success." This was a sentiment shared by many.

Woodies at Glastonbury

Apart from providing support in terms of equipment, funding and time to the DFs who work the children's field at Glastonbury, this year Brighthelmstone also helped another group of DFs realise their Glastonbury project by loaning equipment.

The above picture appeared in the Guardian under the strapline:

Rose Lerner, Emily Wright, Ele Lamb and Lizzie Williamson promise children who visit their tent an 'amazing extraordinary almost real (but not quite) experience'. They are, they say, from the Woodcraft FolkPhotograph: Katherine Rose.

These type of projects are excellent opportunities for our DF members to promote the Woodcraft Folk to festival audiences and help raise the profile of the Folk.

DFs go wild at Glastonbury

The DFs from Brighthelmstone with a smattering of DFs from elsewhere have just returned from Glastonbury as a part of a peer education project. This was set up a number of years ago by one of our leaders- Maddy Williams. Essentially the idea is that the young people work in the children's field and in return they get free tickets to the festival. They work three shifts during the festival and the rest of the time they are able to enjoy the music etc. They have to organise themselves to get there, liaise about getting equipment, collect money to cover costs of the minibus etc.

They arrived back on Tuesday at the tent store and looked shattered but had a great time.

Summer camp 2009

The dates for the summer camp are set and the district is slowly starting to organise the event. It doesn't seem to matter how early we start planning because its always June/July before we really get into gear!

After four years we are returning to Lurgsahall- albeit a change one. Since we were last there a row developed with the Tory council at Chichester and it has led to a limit of 100 people on the site at a time. That might sound reasonable, but with four fields, frankly you could fit three times that number there and not be over crowded. The rich locals have got their way and for the present we are limited in its use. 100 might be ok for smaller districts but Brighthelmstone has nine groups and therefore we may have to limit those who attend.

Our Camp Chiefs (or camp co-ordinators in mod' speak) this year are Morgan Jones and Cassie Bemrose- both DFs and brought up in the Folk from babies. They'll be supported by other experienced adults. In a like manner Alice Pedroza is joint Keeper of the Roll and Tally (that's camp treasurer!)

The numbers should be in from groups this week and it looks like we will take up the full 100 places.

Up and running

Welcome to the blog of Brighthelmstone District. I'm hoping that I can encourage leaders, adults and other members to post items here. Events, musings, stories from group nights or camps- whatever interests people from a Woodcraft perspective.

As chair of the South East Region I have found myself increasingly busy with trying to finish off this website and help organise the training camp we're having this weekend. Add to that group nights and our District summer camp, it all adds up to being a busy boy!

Last weekend however, my Woody friends organised a surprise party for me in Ashdown Forest. Lots of the young people I have worked with turned up- some with children in tow. 20 years as a leader is a long time- although I'm accutely aware that there are leaders in the region who have been around longer than me. I was touched by the generosity of spirit everyone displayed. That's why I love the Folk and cant imagine it not being a part of my life... and I finally got an official naming ceremony! "Walking Eagle"- too full of **** to fly!

BENI