You would think that during the half term holidays it would be a fairly quiet time for our Community Officers, but you would be wrong to assume this, the Community Department round up what's been happening.
The holidays meant that we could arrange unique experiences for some very special visitors.
Firstly, the newly formed NHSOB Specials paid us a days visit. This very special day was courtesy of Tesco Extra who sponsored the day and the terrific tee shirts and certificates that everyone received. Tesco had informed us of the group of rugby enthusiasts who were training weekly at NHSOB, known as the 'Specials'. This was because they had many and various 'special' needs thus their name.
One thing the group didn't lack was enthusiasm. They set about the tasks that Mike Sage and Development Officer Janice Chappell set them with a very impressive endeavour. The group were soon demonstrating how much they have developed during their training sessions. They had skill and were trying their best, and who could ask for anything more.
Chief Education Officer Phil James had shown the guys the trophy room and the changing room experience, which they really enjoyed.
"These guys are really special," Phil said. "They were keen to join in at everything we did and they never let anything interfere with their special day. They all are to be congratulated at completing some of the activities that anyone would have trouble with."
But best was still to come, for as the Specials were being awarded their certificates and tee shirts the players arrived at Rodney Parade for a late lunch. Many of them came over to the 'Specials' and invited them in for photographs and autographs.
Amidst howls of delight (and that was just from the parents!) the team were ushered into the eating areas and gained autographs off all the players present.
Gareth Hale, the organiser of the team gave his heartfelt thanks for such a splendid day saying, "This has been absolutely wonderful. A day we will never forget. Something really, really special," he smiled.
The Scouts
Having enjoyed ourselves so much with the Specials we were looking forward to our next group of visitors. Community Manager Mike Sage had received a very sad e-mail from Amanda Long. In it she wrote of how her troop (the 28th Rogerstone, Newport) had had their clubhouse broken into in July of this year. Much of their equipment had been stolen, including 14 kayaks, 2 canoes and the remainder of their sporting kit.
They have been on a fund raising drive since, and whilst they still have a long way to go Amanda felt that as the boys were completing their sporting badges during November that a visit to the club would be a great way of rewarding the boys and girls of the troop.
Once again Mike, Phil and Janice met the group and gave them the rugby club experience around the stadium.
And once again the kids were brilliant. Courteous, bright and well mannered they were perfect ambassadors for the modern day scouts.
"They thoroughly enjoyed their day," beamed Janice, "and they worked their socks off during our skills sessions."
Once again a very happy band of visitors left Rodney Parade having enjoyed the unique excitement that adds that little extra thrill to a visit to the Community Projects at the Dragons!
