Dear colleagues,
As Christmas approaches I would like to take this opportunity to thank you all for the contribution you have made to the district.  Special thanks must go to the District Team and the Executive for their support to myself and for all their hard work.  As always it is the adults who turn up week after week and spend hours planning activities who make Mersey Weaver so special and who contribute so much to their communities.
The commitment of the leaders has again been second to none and has resulted in the number of Chief Scout Awards continuing to increase, a real headache for organisation of the awards.  The Gold Awards were of particular note, not only the number which was the largest in the County, but also the fact that every troop in the District awarded at least one during the year.
The district has taken part in most county competitions and have accredited themselves well in all.  While all cannot win everything the fact of taking part and joining with others is a key part of scouting.
During the year we had the difficult task of choosing the six young people to join the Cheshire Contingent to the World Jamboree in Japan in 2015.  All that applied were excellent candidates and it really was difficult which, is again, an indication of the high standards set by the groups within the district.  Congratulations to Rick Wakefield who has also been chosen to be one of the contingent leaders.
As I said last year in the coming months and years ahead the challenge will be to continue the development of the District.  We have a real challenge in building capacity to meet the demands from young people to join us.  Not only do we need to strengthen a number of existing leadership teams but also look to open new sections/groups.  We are not alone in struggling to offer scouting to all who wish to join us, this is a common situation across the County.  It is for this reason I have agreed to accept the offer to become Assistant County Commissioner for Development.  As a consequence the search for a new District Commissioner will start now. This was not an easy decision as I have greatly enjoyed the time establishing the District and working with you all.  While I will start this new role in the New Year my priority will remain the District until such time as my replacement is in post.
I wish you and your families all the very best for Christmas and the New Year and look forward to 2014 being another fantastic year for the district.
Yours sincerely,
John