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Letter from the Pilots Development Officer

The Bridge Produced by The Pilots Desk for distribution in Spring and Autumn. Editor: Karen Bulley-Morrison Items for inclusion must reach The Pilots Desk at least one month in advance of publications.

The Pilots DeskUnited Reformed Church House86 Tavistock PlaceLondonWC1H 9RT t: 020 7916 8637 f: 020 7916 2021 email: pilots@urc.org.uk www.pilots.org.uk

Design and Print: gkjDesign email: gkj2380@hotmail.com

This is another bumper edition of The Bridge but that is hardly surprising as we are having a bumper year! This year it is the Pilots 75th Anniversary and I am hearing of celebrations being planned all over the country, many of which I am hoping to attend.

Writing the anniversary book was a great joy for me and members of the Pilots Publication Board, as it enabled us to touch base with the very roots of what it means to be a Pilot and what being part of the Pilots organisation has meant to so many over the years.

Included in the book are brief memoirs from former Master Pilots and being able to include them, along with words and music for the songs about the Pilots Promise and Pilots Badge which were almost lost, just adds to the strong sense of family that comes across time and time again when I work with the Pilots archives. The book includes prayers from across the decades and a new prayer has been written especially for this occasion by David Downing, Convenor of Pilots Management Committee and Val Morrison, co-Moderator of URC General Assembly. The General Secretaries of the Congregational Federation and the United Reformed Church have written introductions in the book and all these people are part of the Pilots family.

The Pilots family is strong, it always has been and it will continue to be so. Remember when you plan your celebrations this year to include all of your Pilots family locally, past Pilots and Officers, friends at church, Pilots’ families and others further afield.

Have a great time celebrating and do write and tell us about your plans and then later, send us pictures and a write up of your celebration events.

Best wishes to you all in this anniversary year.

Pilots Development Officer

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Abbots Road Pilots - East Midlands Region

Lauren HadleyBethan Hadley

Arron McKieHarriet Pole

Stanstead Free Church Pilots - Eastern Region

Helen CarterStephanie CohenSamantha Graves

Abigail KingScott Cohen

Steeple Bumpstead Congregational Church Pilots – Eastern Region

Maisie Louisa Flight

St. Andrews Borehamwood Pilots - Thames North Region

Mark Lonnie

Distinguished Service MedalsThe Distinguished Service Medal has been awarded to the following Pilots Officers for their outstanding commitment to children and young people through their work with the Pilots organisation.

Frederick Hudd – Thames North RegionDorothy Hudd – Thames North RegionJackie Myers – Thames North RegionJean Durrant – Southern Region

Welcome to new Companies We hope you have fun in all you do.Grassington Congregational Church – Yorkshire Region

Abington United Reformed Church– Abington, Northampton - East Midlands Region

Trinity with Palm Grove URC/Methodist – Birkenhead - Mersey Region

Farewell to the following companies Thank you for all that you have done for Pilots in your area.High Cross URC Pilots Company – Somerford – Wessex Region

Bramhall URC Pilots Company, Bramhall – North Western Region

Bridge URC Pilots – Yorkshire Region

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Hassocks Pilots say Thank You for Jean’s service Jean was presented with her award during a service led by Pilots. The presentation was a surprise to Jean, who retires at Easter, having been involved with Pilots since 1984. Presenting it, Karen Bulley-Morrison, Pilots Development Officer, said it was a celebration of all that Jean had done. Kirsty Middlemist, Regional Pilots Officer, was also present.

Jean Durrant became involved when the Pilots company was formed at Hassocks in 1984 and there are currently 10 ‘Deckhands’, aged five and six, and 16 ‘Adventurers’, aged seven to ten.

Jean said: “as a child, I had a lovely Sunday School teacher, who encouraged me to follow Jesus; I hope I’ve done the same thing over the years. It is lovely to meet people in the village who were once new recruits, and for them to still want to say hello to me, and remember their time in Pilots”.

Company News

50th Anniversary Celebrations at Borehamwood Pilots

Revd Peter Scotland, said in his talk: “Jean has shown loyal and creative leadership. She is a role-model for the children, sharing her faith and encouraging them to remember those less fortunate than themselves. When she retires she will be sorely missed”.

Stuart Dew – Member of Hassocks URC

Pilots at St Andrews, Borehamwood, have been celebrating their 50th Anniversary during 2010 with various activities. The Pilots enjoyed a Fun Day at Easter at the church with some friends from Dartford Pilots.

We had a great day out at the National event at Warwick Castle. The Pilots had fun climbing around the walls and the girls enjoyed the Princess Tower. In September our company went to Legoland and had a lovely fun filled day on the rides especially the spinning water ride and some Pilots passed their driving test on the Lego cars.

In November we invited special guests and past and present Pilots to a celebration service. We had a presentation showing five decades of history of St Andrews Pilots and what had happened in the world during that time. The Pilots took part in a drama that featured: the first man on the moon; the Beatles; the Spice girls; Abba; a Footballer from 1966 and James Bond. During the service we enrolled and presented year badges to the Pilots. Pilots Development Officer, Karen, presented Distinguished Service Medals to three Officers Dot, Jackie and Fred. After the service we had a chance to meet everyone over refreshments.

Janet Bates – Captain

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Company NewsBroadway Pilots ‘Get Baking’ for Children in NeedBroadway Pilots joined the URC/BBC ‘Get Baking’ night for Children in Need by icing Pudsey biscuits, most of which were gobbled up before the end of the evening.

Somehow, a few escaped and were enjoyed by the teams at the Church quiz on the following night and £15.24 was donated to help children whose lives are particularly hard.

Broadway Pilots ‘Messy Church’ Family EveningPilots, parents and officers demolished pizzas and chocolate cake during an evening that included games, singing, attendance awards, photos from church summer camps and a parable about encouraging each other to be the best we can.

Mark Pickering – Captain

Grange Pilots Festival of Remembrance

On Tuesday 9th November, Grange Pilots held a Festival of Remembrance. They began the evening with a war time themed sing song and then had a time of remembrance.

The previous week Pilots had decorated cardboard boxes with war pictures and at the festival built an altar with them complete with a scroll, poppy wreath and cross.

It was a moving evening and the Pilots appreciated a representative from Help for Heroes joining the festival. A retiring collection for Help for Heroes realised a total of £140.

Nicloa Pizzey – Captain

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Company NewsNairn Pilots Complete a 50 mile Sponsored Walk!

Company Roundup ‘Snippets’ from West Midlands RegionTrinity, Stafford Pilots…

…is the oldest Pilots company in the West Midlands and registered on the first day of the first month of 1938. In this year of the Pilots organisation’s 75th Anniversary, Trinity are celebrating their 73rd year.

The Captain of Brockworth Pilots is Barbara Cassidy and she was a Pilot when the company in Brockworth began in 1958 and was there when Karen Bulley-Morrison joined them in Gloucestershire to celebrate their 50thmanniversary three years ago.

Barbara and Karen will be getting together again in July 2011 as companies in the West Midlands Region come together to celebrate Pilots 75th Anniversary.

Hampton Park Pilots in Hereford are hosting an event for Deckhands and Adventurers from around West Midlands Region in May for a day of fun, crafts, food and worship.

Mark Pickering – Regional Pilots Officer

Nairn Pilots are taking part in a 50 mile sponsored walk in relay, to raise funds for their 75th Birthday Celebrations. Mick Smerdon, Pilots Captain, and two other members of the church are doing the walk for ‘Help for Heroes’ so it is a fine opportunity for the Voyagers and Navigators to join in and raise funds for Pilots events. The walk is from Fort Augustus Abbey to Nairn via Stratherrick and Strathnairn. Everyone is hoping that the weather is kind.

They are also holding a coffee morning on the 26th March followed by a sleepover in the church and morning worship on the 27th.

Mick Smerden - Captain

Company Roundup ‘Snippets’ from North Western RegionWalkden Pilots Raise Funds for St Anne’s Hospice

The Pilots of Walkden held a Summer Fayre with all the proceeds going to St. Anne’s Hospice. The Pilots had done a lot of the work themselves and there was a good turnout and plenty of fun especially at the ‘throwing wet sponges at Officers stall’! Well done Walkden.

Adlington Pilots Enjoy a Fun and Games Event

Adlington Pilots borrowed the Big Garden Games equipment that North West Pilots Region own and enjoyed an evening of fun and games with them.

Anne Hatch – Regional Pilots Officer, North Western Region

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Company News‘All the Angels Sang’ – Steeple Bumpstead Spread Christmas Cheer21 Pilots from Steeple Bumpstead Congregational Church Pilots walked to a nearby retirement home and presented a simplified version of ‘All the Angels Sang’. When they had finished they gave the residents Christmas crackers they had made the previous week. It was a lovely evening despite the weather! The Pilots repeated their performance of the mini-play in the Family Christmas Service on 19th December, and then took part in the Nativity Play for the Christmas Eve Candlelight Service.

Master Mariner AwardOn Sunday 23rd January one of our Pilots was presented with a Master Mariner’s Award during the morning service by our Regional Pilots Officer, Sylvia Paine. Sylvia said it was a great achievement to earn this special Award, and she was delighted to present it. There was also a special letter from Karen, the Pilots Development Officer and a Master Mariner’s Badge to wear (plus a large box of chocolates!)

Sheila Burr - Captain

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Regional Pilots OfficerMy name is Helen Nixon and I’m the new RPO for South Western Region and also Pilots Captain at Derriford Pilots in Plymouth. I look forward to meeting all the Pilots in the region and getting to know you. I’m here to offer support and advice, and I hope to organise some Synod events so that we can enjoy time together.

Please contact me with any questions, needs or news at: southwestern@pilots.org.uk

Pilots news round up!Introducing Newly Appointed …Pilots Representative to Pilots Management CommitteeJim Bulley, has competed his extended term as ‘The Pilots Rep’. During his three years in office Jim has visited Pilots companies, attended Pilots Management Committee meetings to ensure the voice of Pilots was heard, and taken part in most national events. At his final meeting in January, Jim led the meeting in worship and was thanked by the committee for the significant role he has played in the life of Pilots nationally over the past three years.

Andy Thompson is the new Pilots Rep and made a significant contribution at his first meeting. Andy is from the North Western Region and has been a Pilot for many years; he has attended the national V&N events as well as the recent young leaders training event in Coventry.

Farewell to Jim and welcome to Andy.

Pilots Convenorship to Change Hands Revd David Downing will have been the convenor of Pilots Management Committee for four years in July 2011 when his term comes to an end. David has been an active convenor, not just convening the management and executive meetings, but taking an active role in the life of Pilots. David led the worship team at Pilots on Safari @ Longleat in 2008 and was on the planning group for Pilots @ Warwick Castle in 2010; he even made a special appearance in the guise of ‘Lord’ David Downing at V&N last year as the judge in the Pilots’ version of The Young Apprentice. David has represented Pilots at the URC Youth and Children’s Work Committee meetings and at URC General Assembly.

David brings an element of fun to all he does and his humour, support and care of Pilots will be missed.

Mrs Soo Webster is the Regional Pilots Officer for Thames North Region and she will become the new convenor of the Management Committee in July. Soo has been a Pilots Officer and Captain for many years and has been involved with the planning of national events. Soo has been chair of governors at her local primary school for many years and brings a wealth of Pilots and youth and children’s work experience to the role. Soo is known to many in Pilots and is looking forward to chairing the meetings and representing the organisation over the next four years.

Farewell to Dave and welcome to Soo.

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2011 - 2012 AffiliationMany of you have returned the 2011 annual Affiliation Forms, but many have not. Please return them as soon as possible in order that we can complete this year’s affiliation process.

Please note that in January the Pilots Executive meeting set the 2012 affiliation fee at £3.70 per Pilot for the year.

Pilots 75th Anniversary Celebrations

Developing Leadership Skills for Navigators Following the success of the young leaders training in September 2010, Pilots has arranged another weekend in September 2011 called ‘Developing Leadership Skills 2’, which has a different programme to the previous event.

The weekend is open to Pilots aged between 15 and 19 who are thinking about, or have already taken on, a leadership role in their Pilots Companies. The weekend aims to offer the skills and competencies needed to become part of the leadership team.

A booking form, which can be photocopied, is included with this copy of Bridge. Please complete the form and return it to the Pilots Desk along with payment. The development of new leaders is very important to Pilots, and therefore all places are subsidised. If your church is unable to fund the place or the travel, please get in touch with your Regional Pilots Officer or the Pilots Desk, who may be able to help.

We are really encouraged that young people are requesting training and it is a credit to those of you that work with them, that they wish to follow in your footsteps.

By now all Pilots companies, as well as all Congregational Federation and United Reformed Churches, will have received the Pilots 75th Anniversary book which is full of historical information about Pilots and about how life was through the decades in which Pilots has existed. The book contains games, activities, craft ideas and party suggestions along with a suggested worship outline to enable Pilots to lead worship in their own church or for churches which do not have Pilots to use to celebrate the Pilots story.

Pilots Management Committee has identified the week of 3rd – 9th July as the focus of the celebrations, but many events have been organised at other times too, making 2011 a whole year of celebrations.

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V & N 2010 – The Greatest Story Ever Told!‘V & N – The Greatest Story Ever Told’ will take place at St Cassian’s in Kintbury, near Hungerford, and this year the theme will be ‘Hollywood’. When the King James Bible was first produced 400 years ago, people were able to have their own copy of the Bible for the first time. The event celebrates this and takes the Bible as the focus of the programme. The event is for Pilots aged 11 – 18 (Voyagers and Navigators) and takes place from Monday 8th until Thursday 11th of August 2011.

There will be the usual mix of Pilots programme activities, such as games, worship, craft, and exploring the grounds and there will be a trip to the bowling alley, a first night tradition. During the week we will have a V&N 75th Anniversary Celebration party and the much published author Martyn Paine will be spending a day with us. We will have singing around the camp fire and the food, as always, will be excellent. All of this is set amid the 18 acres of grounds around the wonderful historic manor house that is St Cassian’s.

Pilots has arranged for a shuttle minibus to operate between Reading train station and Kintbury for anyone travelling by train. A booking pack has been sent with this copy of Bridge and includes the shuttle minibus booking form. Places are limited so be sure to book as soon as possible.

Opportunities to feel part of the bigger Pilots family and to meet others of a similar age are very special; make sure your Pilots have the opportunity to attend.

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Don’t Forget the ‘s’The Pilots organisation has the letter ‘s’ at the end of the word ‘Pilots’. The only time the word ‘Pilot’ should be printed without an ‘s’ is when a single person is being referred to: a ‘Pilot’. For all other occasions please remember the ‘s’ when referring to Pilots, such as: Pilots flag, Pilots Officer, Pilots camp, Pilots Captain, Pilots Company etc.

Downloads now available from the Pilots website

You can now access past copies of The Bridge Magazine from the Pilots website. There are other new additions to the website which is being updated on a regular basis.

Check it out at: www.pilots.org.uk

Pilots GamesThe Pilots Publications Board has been asked to produce an additional games section for the current edition of The Compass. When collating the original Compass games section, companies were asked to make suggestions of their favourite games so they could be shared with Pilots around the country.

We would like everyone to do the same again, so that we all have lots of new games to play. If every company suggested just one new game, we would have over 100 new games to share!

News from the Pilots Publications Board

So, think what your favourite games are, check whether it is already in the compass, and if not then use the format of the games in the Games section of The Compass as your guide and send the following information to pilots@urc.org.uk with the subject title “New Games for Compass”

Name of your game:•Full instructions on how to play (as though •you had never played this game before!):

Your Company Name:•The new games section will be sent to all companies in the Autumn for them to add to their 2006 copy of The Compass. We look forward to receiving all your suggestions!