Scout Group Faces Closure (News)

A BAHRAIN scout group could be forced to close only three years after it was formed if a new leader is not found soon.

The First Manama Beaver Scouts is facing the crisis after its head Jo Pawson decided to retire.

The group, which meets at the St Christopher's School Sports Hall every Sunday, has helped hundreds of children since it was launched in 2007.

It teaches boys, aged between six and eight, basic skills such as team-building and tracking in preparation for their graduation to the Cub Scouts.

Former scout leader and the group's Blue Beaver Andy Billington confirmed it could be forced to close unless a replacement leader was found.

"This is a most worthy cause and has seen hundreds of young boys aged between six and eight years pass through and come out wiser and better children," said the Reza Hygiene Systems technical manager.

"As an ex-Scout myself, I would assist in the running but I would be unable to take over as my work is based in Saudi Arabia.

"Every week Jo would engage the little boys in some activity, be it games or field visits to places such as Radio Bahrain.

"Our group is like the kindergarten for these boys who aspire to be scouts in the future.

"They are taught many skills but as it is a preparatory for cubs, they don't learn skills too heavy for them.

"For instance, we organised an overnight camp for them at the St Christopher's School grounds recently where the youngsters were taught the basics of camping.

Mr Billington said the primary qualification for any successor was lots of patience and dedication to work with children.

"You must have a clean record in order to work with children, besides a good imagination for games," he said.

"Those with previous experience in the Scouts will be given preference."

Mr Billington also paid tribute to Ms Pawson's work, saying she would be sadly missed.

"After 15 years of devoting her life to the benefit of young children, Jo has finally decided she needs a break and retire," he said.

"Approaching 60, she now wants to give her time to herself in pursuit of her ambitions."

Before coming to Bahrain, Ms Pawson spent more than nine years working with children in Abu Dhabi as well as spells in the UK, Belgium and the US.

Her last day as a leader will be on June 13 and a presentation ceremony will be held in her honour.

"It is time for a younger person to take over as I have spent 15-and-a-half years in service of the children and it is time for me to pursue something else," Ms Pawson told the GDN. Anyone interested in leading the group should contact Mr Billington on 39880495.

Copyright 2010 Al Hilal Publishing and Marketing Group

'Scout Group Faces Closure', Gulf Daily News, May 23, 2010, Jennifer Gnana

Charity ball with Oceanic Flavour (News)

HUNDREDS of people are set to attend a charity ball with an oceanic flavour later this month. The annual event, organised by the Australian Association of Bahrain (AAB), will bring together Australians, New Zealanders and other nationals for fun and philanthropy. "We're expecting around 700 people to attend the ball this year," AAB administrator Tina Hunt told the GDN. "We also have around 250 people coming in from Saudi Arabia for this event." The association aims to raise funds for three charities they chose to help this year. "We're aiming to raise BD5,000 at this year's ball for The Palm Association, The Children's Academy and Alia Centre for Early Intervention," said Ms Hunt. "Last year's ball at the Gulf Hotel attracted more than 670 people and we raised BD4,000 for various charities. "The ball is an annual feature of the association that portrays Australia as a multicultural society while raising funds for a good cause." Down Under the Sea is the theme of the charity ball, which will be held at the Gulf Hotel's Gulf Convention Centre on May 20. "People refer to both Australia and New Zealand as Down Under most of the time," said Ms Hunt. "Our theme reflects that with an underwater twist as well. "The ballroom will be lit up with blue lights with star fish and sea horses as centre pieces." The evening will also offer an exotic array of sumptuous Australasian fare, said Ms Hunt. "We have a four-course Australian menu which includes crocodile and kangaroo meat and the quintessentially Australian barramundi fish," she said. "We also have New Zealand lamb as well as beverages from both the countries." Entertainment for the night will be provided by local band Frankie's Friends and DJ Ralph will play a selection of songs from Down Under. Batelco is the main sponsor of the event and AAB's event sponsor for the year while Gulf Brands International, Bahrain Duty Free and DHL are other sponsors of the ball. Tickets for the black tie event are priced at BD32 for members and BD40 for non-members and are still available. Founded in the 1970s, AAB has 250 members and more than 900 others on its distribution list. The association recently held a commemorative service to honour members of the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps (ANZAC) who fought at the Gallipoli Peninsula in Turkey during the First World War. The ANZAC Observance Day is one of the main events in the association's calendar. The AAB also hosts business and social events through its Australian Business Group and the Australasian Women's Group. The charity ball will begin at 7pm. For more details contact the association at aab@australiabahrain.com or Ms Hunt at 38395803. Copyright 2010 Al Hilal Publishing and Marketing Group 'Charity ball with Oceanic flavour', Gulf Daily News, May 14, 2010, Jennifer Gnana

Marathon effort by Xenia... (News Report)

A FORMER Bahrain resident, who took part in the Virgin London Marathon, beat event sponsor Richard Branson to the finishing line by just a minute - raising almost BD2,000 in the process. Xenia Oakley, 30, ran the 26 miles and 385 yards to raise funds for UK-based charity Beating Bowel Cancer. The former St Christopher's School student was inspired to run having lost her mother to the illness five years ago. The Briton is the daughter of former long-term Bahrain residents Philip and Heather Dew. However, her mother died in England after a two-year battle against bowel cancer in April 2005. Ms Oakley raised £3,096 (BD1,787) during the event, £1,000 (BD570) more than her £2,000 (BD1,141) target. "My sister Laila also raised £1,300 (BD741) in support of the charity by holding a fundraising show jumping event in Dubai," she said. Although she ruled out entering the marathon again, Ms Oakley described her run through London as "fantastic". "My dad and husband David were among the cheering crowds of supporters," she said. "I saw them at nine miles, 18 miles and 22 miles with my two little girls Lauren and Phoebe, who were there all the way to support me. "They pushed their way through the crowds, jumping on and off trains to make sure they were there for me. "I definitely think they had the harder job." Ms Oakley had been training hard to be fit for the marathon, even waking up at 6.15am to exercise. "I trained four times and swam once a week as part of the fitness regimen for the marathon," she said. "I had pulled a tendon earlier so I also underwent physio throughout the training. "The days before the marathon I slowed down my training a little and had to eat lots of healthy food ahead of the race." Crossing the finish line in five hours, one minute and 27 seconds, Ms Oakley finished just a minute ahead of the butterfly-costumed Mr Branson, who ran surrounded by a horde of celebrities. "David told me that throughout the race Richard Branson was ahead of me by five or 10 minutes, but in the end I managed to beat him," said Ms Oakley, who has never run a marathon before. "It was hard work running the race, but I found it very enjoyable. "I have never smiled so much while running and the support the crowd gives you is incredible. "I managed to run the whole way, which I'm staggered with, as that has never happened in training. "The first thing I looked forward to after the race was meeting my husband and children. "I'll be participating in a half-marathon later this year for the same charity, so I'll be starting the training again." People can still make donations to Ms Oakley for her marathon effort until May 25 at uk.virginmoneygiving.com/xeniaoakley. Copyright 2010 Al Hilal Publishing and Marketing Group

'Marathon effort by Xenia…', Gulf Daily News, May 5, 2010, Jennifer Gnana