Derek

This is the part of the website where you can find out what Derek has been up to since he had been in SSWIGS, as he travels around the country and Europe if he is lucky. He shall leave us exciting messages along with pictures letting us know what he's been up too.

Derek on Facebook

Check out what Derek has been up to lately on his very own facebook page

History of Derek

In autumn 2004 when SSWIGS was just being set up it became apparent that we needed a mascot.  Being welsh the committee (the entirety of the club) decided a sheep would be the most appropriate animal.  It was purchased from The Sheep Shop in Swansea, the treasurer’s (Jennie O’Connell’s) favourite shop!  Our sheep would not be complete without a suitable name, thus he was named Derek after the weatherman on BBC Wales News!  One day we hope that Derek and Derek will get to meet!

Fresher's Camp 2005

I had the lucky job of accompanying my fantastic committee along to fresher's camp in 2005, although there wasn't many of us, we did do lots of very exciting things. All the new fresher's were fantastic and we went on a nice walk and had some cookies and then I may have got a bit drunk - oops 

Gilwell Winter Camp 2007

I had the honour of going to Gilwell winter camp with 3rd Bridgend scouts. We got there about mid afternoon and put all our tents up then went to the groovy evening disco. The following morning we got up and had a nice big breakfast before going on lots of day time activities like rock-climbing, caving, orienteering etc. Then on the sat evening we all went to the fun fair and had an amazing time. By the end of the weekend everything was covered by the traditional Gilwell mud! 

SSAGO Ball 2008

In March I was privileged enough to escort a group of my lovely SSWIGS to the Annual SSAGO ball in Sheffield. The journey there was eventful to say the least; we did have a nice picnic but I feel that perhaps I should have navigated because somehow we nearly ended up going the wrong way down a one way street!!! The ball itself was fantastic although at first I was a little nervous after my recent kidnap experience! However after a few drinks I was soon feeling the party spirit. I looked great in a Bow Tie and tiara and had an amazing time partying with the other mascots and making lots of new friends. I was particularly proud of the group photo of me and all of my wonderful SSWIGS looking gorgeous in their dresses and suits. 

Easter - Tenby Trip 2008

I had a fantastic holiday this Easter in Tenby, with some fellow SSWIGS and some SSAGS. I shared a posh caravan with Fred the Fish and we had a chilled out weekend together. We went to folly farm, it was sooo much fun! I met some fellow sheep (although some kids tried to eat me!) I also went down a few slides and watched a dog show. We then went to the beach and Fred went for a swim! I would also like to take some credit for the fantastic SSWIGS sandcastle made at the beach in Saundersfoot. It was sad to leave when the weekend was over; I was tempted to stay with the sheep at folly farm but was worried about getting eaten. I couldn’t miss Easter camp either! 

Easter Camp - Pembrokeshire 2008

It was that time of year again and I jetted off in the luxury of the minibus to Pembrokeshire for Easter Camp but not before I was privileged enough to help with loading the bags onto the minibus enabling me to catch a few rare bird eye looks at my SSWIGS (well those who aren’t as tall as the minibus anyway!!) . The camp was fun although I nearly got roasted, like a marshmallow on the fire, somehow got into a love square (don’t ask - but what can I say I’m popular!!) and didn’t get to go to Oakwood (apparently I had to guard the tents with my pals Gethin and Dafydd. It looked like they all got a bit wet anyway so never mind!). On the Sunday the weather brightened up enough for me and the SSWIGS to have a sunbathe and ice cream on Tenby beach. They even built sandcastles and pyramids but no sand Dereks. 

Summer 2008

Well, sorry I haven’t written for a while, it is fair to say I have been rather busy this summer travelling all over the south of England. I was ever so excited about Swansea Rally, after so much preparation and hours spent wearing a snorkel and flippers I couldn’t wait for it to start. It made a nice change not to have to sit on the mini bus for hours to get to Rally. I got to the site in plenty of time to welcome every participant; I managed to get a prime spot on the registration desk. Unfortunately Derek the weather man couldn’t come and meet me but he did send a lovely photo which I took great care of.

The Rally was a great success (despite the typical Swansea weather) and I was so proud of the very special SSWIGS who organised it. I think all the other clubs will find it hard to match it.! 

After rally I went home to Nailsea to dry off and stay with my cousin Gethin and Bex. She was a fantastic host, she took me to Brownies where I made a new friend called Chloe who gave me a little sticker of a parrot and she even made me cookies. I had an exciting train trip to Highworth where mine and Gethin’s cousin Dafydd lives. Claire really spoilt us- she took me shopping where I helped Bex choose a new tent. When we got back I showed her how to put it up it Claire’s living room. 

A couple of weeks later Claire took me and Dafydd on another train journey all the way to Essex for my very first Jamboree. Although as it was a long journey we slept for most of the journey in Claire’s rucksack where it was nice and quiet; we were a bit scared of getting lost on the Underground. The Jamboree was fantastic, although the weather was a little to hot for me and I didn’t want to get sun burnt so I snoozed a lot in Annabel and Jenny’s tent. (Dafydd and I were also a little overwhelmed by the number of people about so we thought it would be safer for us to stay on the staff subcamp.) All my lovely SSWIGS kept me updated with everything they were up to; Annabel, Claire and my new friend Aimee were busy in the International Area, Tom was off site playing with boats, Jenny was making sure everyone had enough food and Adam and Tiff were keeping all the young people occupied. They were all very busy and they all had a brilliant time. We all made lots of new friends, we even bumped into Sheepy- one of my long lost cousins who had been bought to Jamboree by some Essex Guides and Shaun came to visit me for a day too. I was very proud to be given an official Essex Jamboree pass although I did find it rather difficult to sit still when I was having my official photo taken- although I did have to lie about my age in order to get one but we have to keep that quiet! Once I was made an official participant I went on a visit to the home of “International Rescue” which was quite exciting, I helped Annabel answer the phone and went to visit the Norwegian and Kenyan Scouts. I think I made a good impression as they invited me to go visit them in their home countries.  On my wander of the site I was even given a peg by a scout- it made me feel very special. At the end of the two weeks we were all very sad to go home. I decided that I didn’t want to sleep on the way home so I travelled on the top of Annabel’s rucksack. I had a bit of an adventure on the tube as some lines were closed but we made it to Paddington just in time to catch our train. It turned out I was a little more sleepy than I thought so Claire and I had a quick nap.

was a little embarrassed when got to Annabel’s house because I was a little smelly, but her Mummy was very kind and gave me a good wash, although I didn’t take to kindly to being hung by my ear on the washing line to dry. Once I was back to my beautiful clean, dry self I was allowed into Annabel’s bed and it is safe to say I have thoroughly enjoyed sleeping with the President every night! :P
After 5 weeks at Annabel’s house I was missing the camp life a bit so Annabel took me to my first Gilwell reunion. I got very wet on the way there and it took me quite a long time to dry out. Annabel had forgotten to pack some waterproofs and wellies for me so I stayed in the tent for most of the weekend. Luckily the weather improved for my last train journey of the summer.I have had a fabulous summer but I am starting to miss my home now; only couple more weeks until back in Swansea where I can be reunited with all my SSWIGS. I am very excited about seeing them all again and welcoming some new Freshers.