Scouting in North West England

Cumbria is a Scout County concurrent with the political county of Cumbria, and provides Scouting opportunities for young people and adults in the area around the English Lake District, including the town of Barrow-in-Furness, and the city of Carlisle.

[14] In 1984 and 1994 the band was invited to play at Windsor Castle in front of respectively Her Majesty the Queen and the Duchess of Kent.

New members were recruited and from October 2003 it began competing again in competitions within TYMBA, and at local parades and fetes .

The area is divided into nine Districts, covering the city of Manchester itself, Stockport, Tameside, New Mills and Glossop.

Both New Mills and Glossop are situated within the county boundaries of Derbyshire, but has been included in the area due to its close geographical position near the Greater Manchester conurbation.

The new district was named after artist L.S.Lowry who spent most of his life living in Swinton and notably painted industrial landscapes and working-class people of Salford for many years.

The comedian/songwriter Mike Harding included a mention of "Ashy Valley" in his song about a Cub Scout going to camp.

[56] Bispham Hall is a 60-acre (240,000 m2) Activity Centre situated almost midway between Manchester and Liverpool, near to the village of Billinge.

Activities on site include climbing walls, archery, rifle shooting, and grass sledges.

Located in the secure parkland of a National Trust property, it is ideal for water-based activities as it has access via a private jetty to Tatton Mere.

The campsite has several large grassed camping areas bordering an open activity field with access to water points and three smaller woodland sites.

There is no "overnight" indoor accommodation, but there is one building, which is equipped with stainless steel commercial kitchen appliances and facilities, crockery and cutlery for 50 people is provided.

The 'George Begg' building has central heating and a stainless steel kitchen with commercial appliances, large fridge and freezer.

Set in 28 acres of secluded countryside near Crewe it is open to all members of the Scouting and Guiding fraternity.

[60] Consisting of nine acres of undulating woodland it has sheltered grass sites that are suitable for Group or Patrol camping.

The site only covers around 6 acres (24,000 m2), but offers a range of camping pitches, as well as some indoor accommodation for up to around 60 people.

[63] Great Tower Activity Centre is located on the eastern shore of Windermere in the Lake District National Park.

[citation needed] Linnet Clough Scout Camp is situated in Greater Manchester near the towns of Marple and Stockport.

Cunliffe Lodge, the larger building, features a fully equipped kitchen, a main activities/dining hall, three bunkrooms (sleeping 15, 6 and 4), male and female bathrooms and central heating.

[69] One of Middlewood's main features is the large boating lake, co-leased with Broughton Angling Club.

[71] Ratlingate International Camping Centre is located 4 miles (6.4 km) south of the city of Carlisle, and is owned and maintained by Reivers Scout Association District.

It originally had a wooden hut, which burnt down and so was replaced with a building at the top of the campsite which has kitchens, toilets and dormitories.

The site continues to undergo improvements, including recent toilet and shower block refurbishments.

Tawd Vale has indoor accommodation consisting of two ten-person bothys, a commercial kitchen/activity space and 12-person semi-sheltered sleeping area.

The Delph, which is a flooded ex-quarry is now Tawd Vales' private facility for water sports activities such as canoeing and rafting.

With flat grassy sites, and dense ancient woodland, activities available at Tawd Vale include; Climbing, Abseiling, Bouldering, Crate Stacking[clarification needed], High Ropes, Rifle Shooting, Archery, Tomahawk Throwing, kayaking, Canoeing, Rafting, Pioneering.

[74] The site has a large number of woodland pitches, as well as fields, allowing almost one thousand Scouts to camp communally.

The site also offers a number of activities, including abseiling, climbing, an obstacle course, archery, cycle hire, and an air rifle shooting range.

[85] The Crewe Gang Show originated in 1938, although the South West Cheshire Scout District had been running an evening of entertainment for attendees of their Annual General Meeting for many years beforehand.

[94] In recent years, the Gang Show has returned to playing in the Waterside in Sale, its location before moving to the Garrick.