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2 The Bridge Autumn & Winter 2010

Letter from the Pilots Development Officer

The Bridge Produced by The Pilots Desk for Distribution at the ends of January, May and September. Editor: Karen Bulley Items for inclusion must reach The Pilots Desk at least one month in advance.

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

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email: [email protected]

I smile every time I think of Pilots at Warwick Castle - a fantastic day in so many ways. The sun shone and Pilots and churches travelled from all over the United Kingdom to share in the day. There are many memories of the day, chatting to people as they enjoyed different parts of the day, meeting new people and others I’ve met before, organising the team of ‘Orange Shirt people’, (as our great team of Pilots Crew volunteers became known), checking that everything was running smoothly, dealing with any unforeseen incidents and making sure that all were kept safe and well, but the one memory that comes to mind time and again is that wherever I went, whoever I saw, there were smiling happy faces everywhere.

Several local residents came to see what our day was all about and one commented on what fun everyone was having and we received a message from one of the townspeople saying how lovely it was to see such a ‘smiley’ group of people at the castle. The Pilots Desk has received many stories about the day, some of which are shared in the following pages.

I’m writing this letter having just returned from V&N 2010 – Get out of the Box! It was a great week where Pilots thought about the things that shape them and how they can shape their own futures. The daily themes were: The Things of Childhood, Becoming Me, Getting out of the Box and Back to the Future and the whole week was themed around the Toy Story films. Everyone fully entered into the theme and had a great time, smiles and laughter were in abundance.

These two events were very different but had many similarities too, such as happy Pilots, a great team, fantastic venue and smiling faces everywhere.

As we head into winter with its short, dark days and cold weather, let’s remember to thank God for all the smiles we shared with each other over the summer.

Best wishes and have a good term

Pilots Development Officer

3The Bridge Autumn & Winter 2010

Pilots say farewell to Terry ClementsFormer Regional Pilots Officer and Convenor of the Pilots Panel It is with great sadness that we report the death of Terry Clements who died in May following a period of illness.

Terry was involved with Pilots locally, regionally in the South Western Region and nationally for over 50 years.

In his local church, Westbury URC, Terry was joint captain, along with his wife, Jenny, for many years, seeing generations of Pilots come and go.

Terry was Regional Pilots Officer in the South Western Synod, and also headed up the team that ran the South Western Pilots camp, a camp that thrived on bringing Pilots together from all over the region for a week’s long camp in a school, a camp that is dearly remembered by many.

On a national level Terry also played his part in Pilots. At one time Terry convened the Pilots Panel (now known as the Pilots Management Committee) and was editor of the Bridge magazine, ensuring that companies were kept up to date with the latest news and in touch with each other.

Terry’s passion for youth and children’s work was evident in everything he did for Pilots and he always had time and endless patience to give to any Pilot who needed his attention. His funeral was a packed occasion and many paid tribute, not only to the way he served in Pilots, but also to the many other activities to which Terry gave his time.

After the funeral, a friend from the Pilots camps, now grown up with children of his own, commented to me “it was like we were all Terry’s children”. A fitting tribute to a quiet, unassuming and great man.


Grange Pilots Company – Wessex Region Samuel Gullen William Beauchamp Ashley Courtney Ben Sausman

Heckmondwike Pilots – Yorkshire Region Emily Narey Rebecca Shackleton Erin NewsomeBrackenhall Pilots – Yorkshire Region Megan McIlvanney Savannah Boyce Christopher Boyce Blake Kitching

Welcome to new Companies We hope you have fun in all you do.St Columba URC Liverpool – Mersey Region

The Pilots Medal

For the first time in many years the Pilots Medal (the highest award achievable by a Pilot) was presented to a Pilot at Warwick Castle.

The recipient, Adam aged 15, was unsuspecting as the story of his efforts to support his Pilots company and his Pilots captain through an extended period of ill health, were read out to the crowd of several thousand people. Adam was welcomed on stage by Karen Bulley, Pilots Development Officer and presented with the award by the Revd Sandra Turner, President of the Congregational Federation.

The Pilots Medal is awarded on the recommendation of the Pilots Captain, the Regional Pilots Officer and the Pilots Management Committee for one of three reasons:

Giving exceptional service to others in acts of bravery and courage

Giving exceptional service to others whilst overcoming personal difficulties

Giving exceptional service to others through outstanding commitment to the Pilots organisation

Farewell to the following companies Thank you for all that you have done for Pilots in your area.Cornerstone, Torpoint, Cornwall – South Western RegionHeald Green, Cheadle – North Western RegionClitheroe Wizzkids – North Western RegionTrinity KU (Adventurers), Preston – North Western Region


St Columba Pilots, Hunts Cross, Liverpool St Columba Pilots started in April and now has about 20 children attending each week. They were so excited about starting again after the summer break that they came for a party in August. The party started with games, including pass the parcel and musical statues then had lots of party food. Everyone enjoyed a fun filled night, catching up and sharing summer stories. The mums met in the lounge for a chat - they are our very own loose women!!!!

The Pilots will be meeting every Wednesday and completing a project about the Parables of Jesus, this will involve coin rubbing, making grass heads and basket weaving to coincide with Harvest. They will all get their new log books and start working towards their first Pilots crests.

Yvonne Maudsley – Regional Pilots Officer

Company NewsBecoming a Christian Jazz and Becca are members of Market Harborough Pilots and are pictured at their recent Baptism.

Becca came along to Pilots because she wanted to be on the Church’s Carnival Float, and she liked it so much that she stayed. Jazz was invited along by friends, dropped out for a while but came back when she went to college so that she could keep in touch with people who had stayed at Pilots.

Laura, another of our Pilots did a presentation about CFYouth events and encouraged the girls to go along to a weekend called ‘How to become a Christian’. This was a life changing weekend for them both and they have continued to grow in their faith.

Through the Congregational Federation Becca has been to Zambia and Jazz to Romania, they are involved in national youth events and are a vital part of our Pilots group. Now it is time for them to move on to University and into full time work, but we hope to see them in Pilots from time to time.

God has opened up so many opportunities and all because one Pilot said to a friend: ‘Why don’t you come along?’

Jenny Young - Captain


Company NewsNairn Pilots 10th Birthday Party Nairn Pilots is ten years old this year and to celebrate we held a birthday party in early July. Karen, her husband Huw, Soo (RPO for Thames North who was at the opening of the company 10 years ago) and her husband Keith all came up to join the celebrations.

The Pilots Flag was first brought to Nairn from Perth, over 100 miles away, ten years ago by bike so to kick off our celebrations a repeat of that bike

ride was undertaken. Mick (Captain), Bozo (Pilots Officer) and Mathew (Navigator) began the trip on Friday morning and set off from Perth at 8-30am. We pedalled to Dalwhinnie, 63miles, and with several punctures, wind and some pretty horrible weather over Drumochter Summit, we arrived at 5-30pm.

Saturday dawned bright and clear and we were joined by 3 extra cyclists, Huw, Eilidh (retired Pilot) and Maureen, a

member of the congregation who did the original run. We had a good run up on the Saturday with the wind helping us along and sunshine for most of the way. When we got near Nairn a group of Pilots joined us on the outskirts of the town to cycle the last bit of the journey to the church.

Whilst we were cycling, the Pilots, other leaders, past leaders, Karen, Soo and Keith were involved in an activity day at the church. There was a bike set up for folk to try their hands at a virtual cycle run, a time

line was made for our ten years and, most importantly, a wonderful feast including a huge birthday cake was produced for everyone to eat once the cyclists had returned.

Karen presented Master Mariner Awards and year badges to the Pilots.

It was a great weekend and a day of fellowship and fun and worth all the effort that everyone put in. Thanks to everyone who took part we see you all in eight years time for our Eighteenth.

Mick Smerdon - Captain


Developing Leadership Skills for Navigators

This event is now full, and a report from the weekend will be in the next edition of Bridge. This is a new venture for Pilots nationally and we are very encouraged by the uptake for this event (we even had to extend our original booking). If you have Pilots, aged between 15 & 19 who would be interested in attending another of these events, please let the Pilots Desk know, so that we can look into the possibility of arranging another weekend.

Company NewsDartford celebrates 30 years of PilotsDartford Pilots company celebrated their 30th Anniversary in March. They enjoyed a fun evening with presentations, displays and food. The celebrations were joined by parents. Here’s to the next 30 years.

Hassocks PilotsOn the final meeting before the summer break we all met together on a local recreation ground. During the evening the Pilots took part in a sponsored event to raise money for Whizz Kidz, the Church charity for 2010. This event involved the Pilots going round a 12 metre circuit doing a variety of activities where they had to help one another (like walking ‘three legged’) or going round with a handicap (like hopping). We asked parents, and church members to sponsor the whole company for the number of circuits they completed in 30 minutes. The pilots completed over 200 circuits, and have raised over £170 for the charity.

Kirsty Middlemist – Regional Pilots Officer, Southern Region

Pilots news round up!

Pilots celebrates 75 years in 2011 In 2011 Pilots will have been in existence for 75 years. The weekend set aside for local celebrations is 3rd – 10th July 2011 and we hope to hear from you about all the plans you are making to celebrate the 75 year anniversary.

Early in 2011 a celebration pack will be sent to all Pilots companies. The pack will incorporate both worship and overseas packs and will be full of ideas and material to help with the celebrations. It will help Pilots experience what Pilots has been like through the decades – and help leaders to remember their own experiences as Pilots.

If you have particular memories from a long time ago, please send them to the Pilots Desk so that we can include them in the pack.

2011 will be a very special year, and we look forward to hearing all about how you are celebrating it locally.

More information will be in the next edition of Bridge and the Pack should be with you early in 2011.

2010 Overseas packThere will be no Overseas pack this year. The 2011 75th anniversary pack will be sent in January and will be a bumper pack providing enough material for the whole year.


Pilots @ Warwick CastleThousands of people, lots of sun, and faith alive and active! Pilots invited everyone to Warwick Castle in May and those that came had a day to remember. There were young and old alike who enjoyed not just the castle, and all it has to offer, but a sense of being a family together drawn from all corners of England, Scotland, Wales and beyond.

The day was framed with worship and those that had travelled for a few minutes, a few hours or even a few days were inspired, uplifted and reminded of the meaning of the ‘Amour of God’ (from Ephesians).

Children and Adults shared together in the interactive Worship Zone, (three marquees erected for the occasion) imagining what the helmet of salvation might feel like, drawing a shield of faith, moving in the footsteps of Good News, and writing prayers on a giant sword.

A team of 60 orange shirted volunteers, gathered from the Pilots community and beyond, worked hard all day, alongside the Warwick staff, to keep the groups safe, happy and fulfilled.

Adults seemed as excited as children to complete the shield challenge of creating shield pictures out of stickers located at 12 sticker points positioned around the grounds, only when all the stickers were collected did the image on the pictures emerge.


Pilots @ Warwick Castle

The final worship was wonderful and the singing of the song the ‘Armour of God’ kept going as people made their way to the coaches, cars and mini buses. Everyone left with joy in their hearts, smiles on their faces, and tiredness in their feet. But it was a day when all were equal… people of all heights, all ages, and all were children of God – that’s what Pilots is about.

We have heard that there are children who have written about the day for their church magazines, there are children asking to tell the story of the day in local worship, we have been told that there are people who feel like they are part of a new large family and there are those who have tasted church in a new way. There are those who were genuinely moved by the day – and that included some of the staff at Warwick castle!

The day was a great day out, a day of being church, a day of discovering God, a day of sharing and a day of celebration.

Next year Pilots is 75 years old… no matter how old you are, remember the armour of God, and as Ephesians records: keep alert and never give up; pray always for all God’s people.


North Western Pilots Camp for Warwick tripPilots @ Warwick Castle71 Pilots and Officers from Kirkham, Adlington, Egerton, Red Lane and Walkden boarded a double decker bus on Friday and travelled down to Nuneaton to stay on a church floor ready for an early start to Warwick Castle on Saturday 15th May, to join with 3000 from around the country. We got a good run down and some sleep, and were up bright and early making packed lunches and eating breakfast provided by the Church. We thank them for all they did especially the warm welcome.

I was particularly anxious to get there early as I was in on a secret that I knew was going to happen at the opening and I was lucky to just arrive on the field as Karen Bulley began to tell everyone about the special award being made. Adam Hawker from Union Pilots Stockport was to be presented with the Pilots Medal for his outstanding service to Pilots. This was a very special moment for Adam and all who know him.

Following the opening we split into smaller groups and went off to explore what the Castle had to offer. The boys were not impressed with the Princess Tower but the girls loved it, the walk around the walls and the Play

Area were immensely popular as were the many shows that happened throughout the day like the Birds of Prey and Knights telling how life used to be. The Castle itself had several displays with waxworks in scenes from key moments in the Castle’s history—The Kingmaker had an archer telling what being in the battle was like.

The Worship Zone was all Pilots and encouraged hands-on participation, as did the collecting of stickers to complete the cards we had.

This was a wonderful day where the best part about it was seeing so many Pilots from all over the country coming together to have fun and worship. The comments filtering back to the Pilots Desk are so uplifting and encouraging – particularly the comments from Warwick staff who were very impressed with the Pilots behaviour and manners.

The closing worship was rousing and fun but all too soon it was time to get back to the bus and go home. It was an absolutely brilliant day (and weekend) and our thanks and admiration go to all who helped in any way, especially Karen and the Orange Shirts team.

Stanstead Pilots celebrate Warwick with cup-cakes

A few of our pilots attended the Pilots at Warwick Castle event, and so took ‘Castles’ as our theme for the term. We decorated cakes with shields and castles. The Pilots thoroughly enjoyed this, got very messy and loved eating the cakes afterwards!

Lyndsey – Pilots Officer


FURY with PILOTS @Warwick Castle!This sounds like a headline from a newspaper but actually May 15th was a day out at Warwick for the youth section of the URC – Pilots.16 of our FURY group and 4 leaders set off at 0730 (the leaders didn’t mind but you would think it was the crack of dawn to hear some kids!) and picked up 9 from Wilmslow URC. We were blessed with fine weather and we arrived in good spirits.

We watched a display of Birds of Prey, walked the ramparts, and saw a Trebuchet in action (that’s one of those huge slings that throws boulders into castle walls on Lord of the Rings). After a picnic and more ‘chillin’ we then went to the stage area where the band led us in a mixture of Christian songs and prayers, and the Pilots at Warwick Castle event song to the tune of ‘Amarillo’! Banners were displayed so, once again Beryl’s Banner took pride of place.After a smooth journey we arrived back in Gatley 12 hours after we set off, tired but really pleased we had gone. The kids were a credit to themselves. Organising this sort of event is a tremendous effort and we made a point of telling the Pilots volunteers, led by Karen Bulley, what a great day it had been.Going on these events is an invaluable act of fellowship for everyone and the biggest expense is transport, so we are thankful to the late Jack Jones for his foresight in leaving a fund to help finance such youth activities. Gary Wade – FURY Leader

Hassocks Adventurers remember Warwick Castle “When I arrived at Warwick Castle I bought a muffin then went to the play area. Later we went to watch the birds of prey. The first eagle was called Archie. They had him for 12 years. He had a son called Marvin who was 1 year old. After, we went to the top of the castle, the stairs were as ‘windy’ as a spring.”“My favourite thing at Warwick was dressing up and being princesses because I sat on a bed with lots of mattresses and I could feel the pea.”“The ‘trebuchet’ was amazing. First, two people stepped into this giant wheel, they looked like hamsters, then they started walking, causing it to turn. While the great wheel turned, a long piece of wood sticking out of the top of the trebuchet began to lower to the ground. When it was at the right height it was loaded and set alight. Suddenly the count down began. All of a sudden it came to number one. Then the huge piece of wood flung back up into the air and the lighted object fired across the sky and landed on the cool green grass.”“Screaming peacocks roamed the mediaeval castle of Warwick; birds of prey eyeing the audience from the deep blue sky; perilous screams coming from the never ending dungeons scared everyone who had gone into the castle”. “To finish there was a visit to the gift shop, I bought a delicious pink strawberry lollipop, packaged perfect, and it tasted great as well. So I enjoyed all these things. I couldn’t decide what was best.”“It was an amazingly big castle. I saw someone who had trained in archery and fired arrows at targets. There was also a place where you could do archery; I had 12 shots and my last hit the middle! I fed the ducks. I looked at the birds of prey show: we were having lunch at the time, and my mum thought that it would eat her sandwich. I also looked at where the Earl of Warwick (lived) in Victorian times. We sang songs and said a prayer and then we went home on the coach.”

Pilots @ Warwick Castle


V & N 2010Kintbury in Berkshire was the destination for this year’s V&N event (Voyagers and Navigators). The theme was based around the film Toy Story 3 and looked at moving from childhood into the rest of life.

The advance party arrived on Sunday and all was ready as the wheels of first cars rolled up the gravel driveway on Monday; the feeling of excitement as Pilots registered was tangible.

After the Pilots had been put into one of four Watches and got to know each other and their Watch leaders, we gathered to think about the first day’s focus: the ‘Things of Childhood’. We thought about what we used to like and do, the things we ate and the toys we played with. Bowling was the evening’s entertainment and the day ended with singing on the coach.

‘Becoming me’ was the theme of the second day and Pilots made little boxes with things they liked written on the inside of their boxes. They shared with one another things about themselves as they ‘speed dated’ around the dining room. Later each Watch was given money and challenged to create a model of their Watch mascot (each named after characters from Toy Story: Rex, Hamm, Bullseye and Slinky) purchasing materials from the event shop with their Monopoly money!

Then, in the style of Junior Apprentice, and before a board headed up by ‘Lord’ David Downing, the Pilots Management Committee convenor, the Watches presented their mascots and answered questions about the project. The board critiqued the work in the style of the programme with the twist that all comments made by the panel were positive and after receiving praise for their work they

Get out of the Box!


Get out of the Box!

presented it to the rest of the groups sharing some of the positive things said about them - which is easier than it sounds! A visit to see Toy Story 3 rounded off the second day.

Like every day at V&N, Wednesday began with worship led by one of the Watches and related to the day’s focus, Wednesday’s being: ‘Get Out of the Box’. This was followed by ‘old school sports day’ out in the grounds; Watches, along with their mascots competed in the egg and spoon race (using real eggs!), the sack race, a 3 legged race, bring your team and wheel barrow races. Later ‘Get Out of the Box’ challenges had Pilots running from room to room to complete mind blowing challenges, riddles and games all timed to the ring of an old school bell.

In the afternoon, thoughts were provoked by a dramatic telling of the feeding of the 5,000 following which Pilots went to Interpretation workshops where they used different media to re-tell the story, culminating in a showcase of entertainment in the late afternoon. In the evening everyone enjoyed a BBQ and dancing on the lawn which was decorated with illuminated balloons and party streamers. Later that night everyone gathered around the camp fire to share worship and sing songs – after which many Pilots were lucky enough to see shooting stars and the Milky Way in the clear, dark night sky.

The last day came all too soon and the focus of the day ‘Back to the Future’ challenged Pilots to think about how they could make a difference in their own future. After a morning of various activities the young leaders led everyone in a very moving and thought provoking worship with a wonderful drama and the singing of favourite worship songs.

After lunch Pilots set off for their homes in many different parts of the country, waving and shouting “see you next year” as they went. All were tired and happy, but the leaders all agreed that everyone had well and truly got out of their boxes!


V & N 2010Get out of the Box!Some of the comments received from Pilots…Another year, another fantastic V&N. This year saw Pilots from all over the country descend on the St Cassians centre in Kintbury to get in touch with their childish side as this year’s event, Get Out Of The Box, was themed around the Toy Story films. As always the programme was very varied and saw the Voyagers & Navigators throwing themselves into activities ranging from building their watch mascot with materials they had bartered for and in the style of a Young Apprentice challenge, to the historic Showcase in which the feeding of the 5,000 was interpreted in paint, edible collage and a drama where Jesus bought 5,000 meals at a local branch of McDonalds.

Being a leader at V&N is as valuable an experience as being a Pilot, and again I feel privileged to have worked with such a fantastic group of Voyagers & Navigators, as well as an amazing team of Officers, who made the week another spectacular success. Bring on next year!

Jim Bulley, National Pilots Rep

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This years V&N was awesome, I met so many great people and I really want to go back next year!

Abigail

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V&N was absolutely brilliant this Year! It was really fun bringing our childhood memories back to life. I’ve met some awesome new friends which made it lots of fun! My favourite activity would be the Young Apprentice! I loved working in my group as a team coming up with a product to impress the panel of judges. Our model was of course the best, Hamm Watch all the way!

It was amazing fun coming up with the drama this year; Jesus ordering 5000 meals in MacDonald’s with an angry customer screaming! It was really entertaining! I have loved every minute of this year’s V&N! I can’t wait till next year!

Katt, Young Leader

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V&N was great. I had loads of fun and made lots of friends. Thanks everyone!

Sophie

“ “V&N was incredible, thanks to everyone who organised and attended! Another great week! Building Bullseye was an incredible experience!

Nico

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***** STOP PRESS - V&N dates for 2011 are 8th – 11th August – get the date in your diary

now ********

Get out of the Box!

V&N was absolutely brilliant this Year! It was really fun bringing our childhood memories back to life. I’ve met some awesome new friends which made it lots of fun! My favourite activity would be the Young Apprentice! I loved working in my group as a team coming up with a product to impress the panel of judges. Our model was of course the best, Hamm Watch all the way!

It was amazing fun coming up with the drama this year; Jesus ordering 5000 meals in MacDonald’s with an angry customer screaming! It was really entertaining! I have loved every minute of this year’s V&N! I can’t wait till next year!

Katt, Young Leader

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“ Read more comments on the Pilots on Facebook group, join if you are not already a member.

V&N was a superb weekend. Being a young leader has made me become more mature and made me want to do more for Pilots. The number of friends I have made is unbelievable, so thank you for everything and I will look forward to next year!

Andy, Young Leader

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V&N is a chance to spend time with older Pilots who love having fun. It is the only time I go Ten Pin bowling and I love trying to beat the Pilots but never do! I love their drama sketches which always make me laugh and I love having camp fires and watching the stars!

Getting everyone settled at night time is one of the best challenges of the day, it reminds me of when I used to go on camps when I was younger, but thankfully Pilots are much more grown up than we were and just chatter chatter chatter all night!!! Thanks Pilots for another fun V&N!!

Yvonne – V&N leader

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