London Trip 2012

18^th April 2012

Dear Parents,

London Diamond Jubilee Visit – 2^nd June to 4^th June 2012

With our Jubilee visit now only forty five days away I can now provide you with detailed information about the trip.

We will meet at Carlisle Station at 08.50 on Saturday 2^nd June.  Our train departs at 09.09 and arrives at Euston at 13.36.  All the Cubs and Leaders will be seated together in the same carriage.  A packed lunch will be required.

We will be staying at the Holland Park Youth Hostel for two nights.  All of the rooms that we are using are private and will not be shared with any other users.  Washing facilities are also segregated.  We will though be sharing the hostel with other customers. 

Activities over the weekend have been booked and we will be visiting the major London sights, taking a ride on the London Eye, visiting the Imperial war Museum, Cabinet War Rooms and National History Museum. *  There will be time to explore several areas more thoroughly and pose for a photograph or two!  Unfortunately our trip to HMS Belfast has been cancelled and it will not be possible to visit on this occasion.

Our train departs from Euston at 15.56 on Monday 4^th June.  We arrive back in Carlisle at 21.02 – a longer journey than I wished for but engineering works take precedence that weekend.

In total we will be taking twenty four children, two young leaders and seven adults.  The adults accompanying the group will be myself, Ben Hodgkiss, Rachel Bradley, Michael Neile, Mick Goodman, Don McCutcheon and Gavin Clarkson.  This provides a fantastic adult to child ratio.  All of the Leaders have had experience of trips to London and provide a range of experiences that will ensure that the Cubs have a great time.

All Cubs will be asked to take a minimum of luggage with them and uniform will be compulsory.  We ask that every Cub wear the requested uniform to ensure that they remain both smart and visible during the weekend.  The need for minimal luggage will be apparent on Monday when the Cubs will be required to carry their gear with them.  Only small rucksacks will be suitable – no-one can use a case or large bag.  (A demonstration of what is needed will be available at the parents meeting on 25^th April.)

Thanks to the fund-raising and grants that we have been able to apply for, the cost of the trip has been reduced by £25 to £125 at present.  However, with a further bag pack scheduled and news of two further grants to come, I hope that this figure will fall further.  Every £250 received reduces the bill by £10 for each of you.  I ask that you pay your £125 as soon by May 2^nd.  Every effort has been made to reduce the costs but as you aware London prices are significantly higher than those on a campsite.

Each person going will receive a special t-shirt that has been designed for the event.  This will be part of the uniform for the weekend and will ensure that our Group will be easily spotted!  I will require sizes for each person at our meeting on April 25^th.  These are 7-8, 9-10, 11-12, XS. 

We will be holding a briefing meeting at the Scout Hut on Wednesday 25^th April.  This will start at 8.05pm (straight after Cubs) and be finished by the end of Cubs. I will be able to answer many of your questions at this time.

A great deal of time has been spent ensuring that risks are kept to a minimum.  We will expect the highest standards of behavior and compliance on what will be a busy weekend in London.  This will keep everyone safe, maximise the enjoyment for everyone and make sure that the trip is a memorable event.

I look forward to speaking with you on Wednesday.

David Hodgkiss

(Akela)