Volunteering
VNews June 2022, Regional Roundup
Scotland
The Aberdeen Area recently held a CSSC100 Centenary Quiz, where the area welcome members to a great fun evening, complete with a round all about the history of CSSC which managed to baffle some members! The Region is forging ahead with their Blueprint plans. The first of which was the recent ‘Big Day Out at Perth Races’. On 5th June, members from across Scotland gathered to experience the Gold Cup. The sun made an appearance and whilst there were a few lucky winners, I think we can all agree that ALL CSSC members are winners!
Midlands
The Midlands has been fairly active with regard to moving on with the Blue Print program with the first round of proposals being submitted to the Blue Print Group where volunteers from the Regional Board and Area representatives agreed to fund a regional 9 Ball Pool competition, support for the CSSC Midlands Big Band and a Sunflower Growing Competition.
The Big Band has been asked to play at the CSSC Games in September so rehearsals are stepping up a gear so they can entertain in style.
We have regional sports qualifiers coming up in sea and course angling, darts and golf. On the arts side, the book club had a great meeting with the author of their latest read ‘Cecily’ and we’re now looking to develop a possible art event at Kenilworth Castle later in the year. A regional newsletter went to members at the end of May and we would welcome ideas for a Christmas regional activity.
Wales
On 25th May 2022 the CSSC Centenary Rugby match took place at the Cardiff Arms Park between the Wales and England representatives teams. It was a replica of the match that took place in 1922 at the Arms Park and was a CSSC Centenary celebration event, marking 100 years of sporting activity within the CSSC. Wales took the spoils on the night but it was an enjoyable experience for all involved and it is hoped that more sporting events like this will be achievable for the membership.
The Wales region are moving ahead with lots of activity resulting from the Blueprint group and ideas are starting to come to fruition. The following events are now up and running and are available to book:
- Glamorgan T20 Blast Games on 10th and 19th June at the SWALEC Stadium in Cardiff
- Royal Welsh Show tickets – 20th July – tickets available soon
- Llangollen International Eisteddfod / Festival - 7th– 9th July
- Adventure Outdoor Cinema Events across Wales from now through to the Autumn
Eastern
This month we have had a virtual Regional meeting, where three Areas sent a representative in line with the blueprint. Discussions took place around our CSSC 100 centenary event to Southend planned for 28th July 2022, equality, diversity and inclusion along with an update from Areas around the Region on upcoming trips and activities.
The Regional Facebook page is now up and running, and you can get involved here. The aim of the page is to support members across the Eastern region, offer any help or advice you need and also to share upcoming trips and activities.
This month our main focus has been around sharing our upcoming Regional events, such as the softball cricket taster sessions and the Halloween disco. If you would like to book your place, please get in touch:
London
This month we have had a virtual Regional meeting where we discussed London Club grants, CSSC rugby match, CSSC ladies rowing club centenary celebrations, London events and activities, new volunteers' progress, equality, diversity and inclusion and confirmed a date for our autumn conference (pending venue availability). There are lots of different events on the website for London members, please click here to find out more.
We have got lots of opportunities within London for new volunteers to get on board-no previous experience is required, just a willingness to learn and get involved! We are looking to widen our variety of offers, so if there is an event you are interested in running for CSSC please do let us know 😊 free training and support are provided, a fantastic opportunity to meet new people and make new friends, out of pocket expenses covered. To find out more about our current opportunities, please click here.
Northwest
This month the Regional Committee met and had a very successful meeting, with representatives from most areas. The main decision was that the conference this year will actually be next year- In January to coincide with Area planning meetings. This should be a time to bring us all together and create a really bumper calendar for members in the NW. The next meeting will be on Tuesday 20th September in Southport, and all are welcome.
Around the region, we have had some fantastic events and activities for members to get involved in. Theatre is as always popular, and as part of the Blueprint, these events are now advertised region-wide, and will also be part of a brand new Theatre Newsletter, which will go out monthly to all NW members.
In Merseyside, two sold-out events of Paddleboarding proved to be hugely popular with members- showing an appetite for something a bit different.
Golf and Angling have been taking place across the region with great success, and we’re looking forward to a ghost hunt, a tapas canal barge trip (also sold out!) and a social trip to Flight Club in Manchester amongst other things.
South/South East
It's great to see so many Areas back up and running in the best way that they can, with East Kent and Oxford Areas leading the way in the number of leisure opportunities on offer with such a diverse mix.
The Maidstone Civil Service Sports and Social Club has undergone its renovations and is looking superb with new spectacular outside decking areas, fresh new amenities and disabled access toilets and mood lighting in the function area. This took a lot of work and hard planning so well done to all the volunteers involved - highly encourage a visit!
The Regional Offers have further been enhanced as part of the Regional Blueprint Trial with Gosport & Fareham running trips to the Battle Proms at Highclere Castle in July, plus a Day trip to Buckingham Palace in August. East Kent and Chatham & Maidstone Areas are planning to offer the Fireworks event at Leeds Castle and Hampshire North and Reading Areas planning tickets to Newbury Races. In addition to this Southampton and Farnborough offer the following:
Southampton Area is excited to let its Area members and the wider CSSC members know that we have purchased 3 sets of family tickets (2 adults and 3 children on each), for the fabulous Hampshire Cultural Trust Milestones Museum in Basingstoke.
The historic Wind Tunnels at Farnborough are some of the few remaining buildings from the world-famous Royal Aircraft Establishment. Saved from demolition by FAST and given listed status, these magnificent buildings were at the forefront of aerodynamic research and development from the early 1930s until 1994. CSSC Farnborough and the South East Region are offering £10 cash back on a Wind Tunnel Tour.
The SSE Regional Conference will be held at Old Thorns Hotel on the 20th and 22nd of November – so keep an eye out and speak to your committees if you would like to attend or if you have a specific item you feel should be included as part of the conference.
Finally, there are a number of volunteer vacancies across the region, so if you’re interested in taking on something new/different, please visit cssc.co.uk/volunteering/vacancies to check them out, or share them on your social media channels, with friends and/or work colleagues.
South West Region
As part of the Blueprint, we have been working together to provide discounted tickets to members who wish to attend County Shows across the Region. We have already provided Royal Cornwall, Devon County and Bath and West tickets, with more to come. Outdoor cinema tickets will hopefully come to fruition over the summer too, with shows happening in every Area - we are hoping that take-up is good and that volunteers from each area will get on board to make these great benefits happen.
NE & Yorkshire Region
The North East and Yorkshire are steaming ahead with its blueprint plans. We have now launched our first region-wide cashback. It will cover all annual memberships including National Trust properties, Stately homes, Castles, Gardens, Country Parks, Museums, Art Galleries, Zoos, Wildlife Parks, Activity and Adventure Centres that offer annual pass/memberships and/or annual tickets. We will be offering members the chance to claim up to £20 towards the cost of a ticket, twice per year.
We also have three trips to Harry Potter World and plans are afoot for tickets to festive events.
