January 28th
Visited the Gang Show rehearsals, main gang were there with up to 80 in the cast, it looks like being a great show with lots of enthusiasm.

January 29th
Along with 13 others from the County I attended the funeral of George Houghez at the Wren Chapel in the Chelsea Pensioners Barracks. It was a very moving service in a wonderful setting.

February 1st
Tonight was a Development group meeting, discussed the re-opening of the shop in the City Arcade for the half term holiday. It was a disappointing turnout for such a meeting with principally only Caludon represented. Considering the challenges that we have with waiting lists, lack of leaders etc. there should be more interest.

February 3rd
Tonight I attended the County Management team meeting; tonight we concentrated on the budgets for the forthcoming financial year. These have to be proposed and agreed at the February Executive meeting to be implemented for 2010/2011 year.

February 4th
Back up to Rough Close for the Rough Close management meeting. Tonight we were agreeing the plans to satisfy the work load prior to another busy season. Later in the month we have working parties from the Bablake Explorers, Coventry and Warwick Universities and the 5th/80th doing work for us. We had to ensure that plans, equipment etc. were going to be in place for these important dates.

February 5th
Another sad day, together with members of the County, Bablakr and the Gang Show I attended the funeral of Tom Nicholson a great friend to Scouting in Coventry.

February 6th
The weekend was for the selection of the unit to go to the Sweden Jamboree in   2011. There are 23 applicants to fill 18 places; there will obviously be some disappointment. A range of tasks has been set to test leadership, teamwork and Scouting skills. The selection team comprise of leaders across the county and from Solihull.

February 7th
Final day of the Jamboree selection weekend, after consulting the selection team there was agreement on 14 young people and invite the others back for a third day.
The selection proved very difficult due to age differences.
I had to leave Rough Close to attend the 13th Scout Band annual review, the Lord Mayor and Lady Mayoress also attended and were suitably impressed. Another great afternoon   with lots of skill and enthusiasm.

February 8th
Currently without a District Commissioner I attended the Bablake Leaders meeting. A very lively meeting with lots of ideas and enthusiasm. I was able to report the progress of the D.C. search panel.

February 9th
In order to help uniformity in the operation of our Appointment Panels I attended a meeting of the appointment secretaries. With more Occasional Helpers joining Groups there was confusion over the CRB processes and communication. Ideas were put forward for dealing with these challenges.

February 10th
This evening I attended a seminar at B.P. House in London where we were looking at forthcoming campaigns and events that will promote Scouting. Many of the H.Q. staff attended along with various Regional and County Commissioners.

February 11th
Following a strategy agreed for the toilets at Rough Close an opportunity has arisen to have a larger facility on the Top Field. Dave Atkin and I traveled to Lydney on Gloucestershire to look at various alternatives. We agreed on one and intend to put this to the next executive committee. If this goes through we will have three ladies and three male toilets with electricity replacing the small block at the entrance to the top field.
During the evening I had a meeting with the County Training Manager and Damian Fell looking at Young Leader training over the next three years.

February 12th
Changes in the operation of the Duke of Edinburgh Award scheme have meant that Scouting has had to catch up. So this afternoon I had a meeting with the local DofE Accreditation Adviser to establish our next steps in being able to implement the changes.
It would appear the scheme is getting more popular in local schools and centres.

February 13th
This afternoon I attended a memorial service for George Houghez at Eastern Green Church. The church was packed to overflowing which showed the impact George had on Scouting in Coventry. Brian Richards gave part of the eulogy relating to George's Scouting life.

February 15th
Tonight was the turn of Charterhouse to hold their leaders meeting, again a very good turn out and lively debates.

February 16th
Tonight I accepted an invitation to attend the County Network executive meeting. It was good to see all of the District Networks represented and hear their plans for the forthcoming year.

February 17th
County Executive Committee meeting, again a good turn out with discussions relating to the next financial years budgets and the Toilet strategy for Rough Close.
Both of these major items were agreed.

February 22nd
Tonight I attended the 7th Scout Group’s open evening. The 7th have had to put a lot of work in over the last 12 months as falling numbers were causing a major concern. Following advice given by members of the Regional Development Service motivation increased as did numbers and leaders. A huge fundraising plan has meant they were able to re-furbish all the toilets and install a full special needs facility a central heating system has also been installed. This was indeed a great effort for the group in a challenging area.

February 23rd
Another night at Rough Close and snow again, this time it was for a meeting of A.D.C’s. Looking at both District and County plans for the forthcoming year. All Districts seem to have a lot of plans in place for a great year of Scouting.