The weather held and a great British institution burst into life. July 31st saw the Burghwallis family fun day strike up the band – the first time the event was held in Squirrel Wood supported by tremendous help from the scouts.
The fun day included many traditional race games for the family held in the main arena along with the chance to try climbing a wall, archery well this is near Robin Hood’s stomping ground and of great personal delight – how to use a catapult, long on a list of banned things since childhood here was an official chance to have a go. And then there was Weaselling. (Weaselling is Squirrel Woods very own indoor caving experience, split over three levels there is hours of fun available.This activity is supervised by your own leadership team).
If you didn’t attend this is what you also missed:-
Archery
Burghwallis Swing Band
Miniature railway rides
Bouncy castle
Balloon sculptures
Axe throwing
Slacklining
Irish dancers
Giant games
Music with DJ
Burgers, hot dogs, soft drinks, or you bring your own picnic
Face painting
Tombola
A visit from a Fire engine proved a big hit forming three queues. Kids who wanted to sound the horn and flash the lights, Dads who wanted to see the equipment and Mums who wanted to see the firemen.
In all the event was a great success all down to the hard work of the organisers. If you have any ideas for next year, or could pitch in with the organisation as a event volunteer please call Diane on 01302 725 998. Remember Burghwallis has three great locations for events; the pub field to the rear of the Burghwallis pub, the playing field and of course Squirrel Wood.
The squirrels nuts were found ( a competition that presented the winner with champagne and chocolates, but a child’s coat was lost. The team found a Kiddies grey ‘Trespass’ hooded coat for a 3 to 4 year old ring 01302 725998
The chance to see the Squirrel Wood site attracted many visitors, ironically less than 20 of them from Burghwallis. The permanent campsite is unique and a local, if not regional treasure. Set in over 70 acres of natural woodland, Squirrel Wood is situated within the Conservation Area of Burghwallis to the east of the village below Burghwallis Park (Grid Reference SE 540114). The area has over 80 species of trees and is rich in wildlife providing a safe habitat for flora and fauna of special interest. Squirrel Wood also serves as an excellent Scout Camp and supports many activities for all types of outdoor pursuits even civil weddings! Space can be rented for various events; motor bike and side enthusiasts medieval knights, police dog training, civil weddings and of course scouting activities. For more information contact the scouts on 0300 111 2016 or visit www.squirrelwood@doncasterscouts.org.uk
The Bungalee, where all counties come together – around 1000 scouts gather for a weekend holding all kinds of events and finding the Bungalee; some sort of mythical creature hidden in the woods. Most weekends are taken up by campers from all over the country – many from overseas.
Focusing on family entertainment the event was a victim of its own success. Around 200 people turned up but the absence of the normal commercial stands created a rush at the remaining stands, which were promptly cleaned out. Many asked why the other stands were missing, the short answer is the energy needed to attract stand holders attendance is directly proportional to the volunteers available to approach these guys. With just four volunteers in the Burghwallis events team, who had to organise everything else on the day, the spare capacity to organise stands in the midst of ‘straightened times’ was a bridge too far.
