SEA SCOUTING NEWS
Video obtainted from the GBC Website
VE Day Celebrations
The Gibraltar Sea Scouts Pipe Band, along with Band and Drums Association Gibraltar, proudly provided musical support to the Reenactment Society during their VE 80 celebrations. Their performances added a vibrant and patriotic atmosphere to the event honoring the significance of this historic milestone. The collaboration showcased the community's spirit and dedication to remembering the past while celebrating together.
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​The Reenactment Society brought history to life by reenacting a convent guard in John McIntosh Square. Following this captivating performance, they marched down to Casemates Square, where the ceremony of the keys took place. This event not only highlighted the rich heritage of the area but also engaged the community in a memorable celebration of history.
Thanks to all our supporters for their continuous support!
GBC Interview of Pipe Major Tarik El-Yabani
La Finca Group Camp 2025
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Last week, the Gibraltar Sea Scouts held their much-anticipated Annual Group Camp at the picturesque La Finca in Spain. This year’s camp was an extraordinary experience for young scouts, blending adventure, learning, and lasting friendships. The event drew participants from various age groups, all eager to immerse themselves in activities that promote teamwork, resilience, and a love for the outdoors.
The camp kicked off with the arrival of Cubs, Scouts and Explorers from Gibraltar Sea Scouts on a bright and sunny friday afternoon. Excitement filled the air as groups unpacked their gear and settled into their temporary homes for the next few days. La Finca's stunning natural surroundings provided the perfect backdrop for a weekend filled with adventure, growth, and connection with nature. Activities were plentiful, with something for everyone to enjoy. Water-based activities were a highlight, as scouts had the opportunity to engage in kayaking and sailing. Under the guidance of experienced instructors, participants learned essential skills and safety measures that come with navigating the water. These activities not only fostered a sense of adventure but also reinforced important values such as responsibility and teamwork. In addition to water sports, scouts participated in various land-based challenges that tested their physical fitness and problem-solving abilities. From hiking through scenic trails to orienteering exercises where scouts learned how to read maps and use compa
Sea Scouts Nautilis Project 2025
Gibraltar Sea Scouts Unite for a Cleaner Marine Environment: The Nautilus Project Cleanup Day
The Gibraltar Sea Scouts, in collaboration with The Nautilus Project, embarked on a meaningful mission to preserve the marine environment. This collaborative cleanup day, held at the Sea Scouts HQ, drew participation from local scouts, volunteers, and environmental enthusiasts, all driven by a common goal: to safeguard the pristine waters and surrounding areas of Gibraltar.
The event kicked off with an enthusiasm that was palpable among the participants. Armed with gloves, trash bags, and an unwavering spirit, the volunteers spread out across the designated clean-up zones.
The strategic assembly of the teams ensured that every nook and cranny would be addressed. This effort not only focused on collecting litter but also on raising awareness about the importance of maintaining a clean and sustainable coastal ecosystem. As the day progressed, participants sifted through the undergrowth and surrounding areas, picking up discarded plastics, wrappers, and other debris that potentially threaten marine life.
It quickly became evident that the level of pollution was alarming, highlighting the ongoing challenge that pollution poses to the natural beauty of Gibraltar’s coastline. However, every piece of rubbish collected was a step toward changing that narrative. Gibraltar Sea Scouts have always been about fostering a sense of responsibility among youth regarding environmental conservation.
This clean-up day aligned seamlessly with their core values. The scouts, known for their camaraderie and leadership skills, took this opportunity to not only volunteer but to educate their peers about the detrimental effects of littering and the importance of recycling.
SEA CUBS VIST SYNAGOGUE
Wednesday 5th March saw the Cub pack visit the 300 year old Jewish Synagogue of Shaar Hashsmayim located in Engineers Lane, Gibraltar. The Cubs have been working towards their World Faiths Badge. The Visit was guided by Mr Gaby Belilo who gave a interesting account and facts about the Synagogue and the Jewish faith in general.
Gardening Badge
The Beaver Colony started their gardening badge last Tuesday. With a splash of water and a ray of sunshine, you can grow flowers, plants and trees. In order to gain the badge beavers had to do the following. 1. Find out what happens to trees in each of the 4 seasons 2. learn what tools you need to garden and how to use them safely. 3. find out what plants need to grow. 4. Take care of a plant for two weeks. 5. keep a record of the changes of the plant.
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below are some photos of the hard work the Beavers put towards the growing of their plants.
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JAMES DALMEDO SEA SCOUT OF THE YEAR AWARD
This years Sea Scout award comes with changes. The Sea Scout of the year award as it was known before has now been renamed to James Dalmedo Scout of the Year award in memory of our very loved Scout Leader who sadly passed away at the beginning of this year. In an award ceremony on Friday 10th of January 2025, Jimmy's late wife, Moira and son Stuart presented the newly made trophy to Arianne Trico. During the ceremony Assistant Scout Leader Mattew Linares said "this years award was very tight and all three scouts deserved their recognition" 1st runner up was presented to Jayce Cruz and second runner up was John Tinion.
In a final speech GSL Elio Cohen said " Its always a proud moment when such big achievements are met by our scouts and I congratulate you all for your hard work. It has always been tradition that we start our planning for Blair Atholl once we announce the Sea Scout of the year and after the hard work the three of you have put in to gain this award, your names will be the first to be put down as participants of Blair 2026. Congratulations to you all"
Gibraltar Scouts distribute light of Bethlahem in Gibraltar
Once again Volunteers of the 3 Scout groups and Branch collected the Light of Peace in a service held in Jerez Cathedral. This light originates from Bethlehem and is collected by Austrian Scouts who then forward the light to the rest of the world.
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Once in Gibraltar, the light of peace was presented to Her Worship the Mayor collecting it on behalf of the people of Gibraltar, The Dean of The Holy Trinity Cathedral and The Catholic Bishop of Gibraltar.
Annual Sea Scout Charity Bingo
The annual event now in its second year gathered friends, family and members of the community in an evening packed with loads of prizes and live entertainment. The event was organised by the Sea Scout leaders. A total of 10 hampers were raffled on the night which were donated by local companies and nearly £500 pounds of Bingo prizes.
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The event saw the Gibraltar Sea Scout Pipe Band lead us into the Christmas cheer with tunes like Little Drummer Boy and Jingle Bells!
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The Gibraltar Sea Scouts wish to Thank all those who attended the Bingo and supported us throughout all our events in 2024, our sponsors who donate items which we can raffle and our leaders and families who work behind the scenes and help us make these events possible
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Pipe band in Morocco 2024
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As part of our ongoing 110th anniversary celebrations, the Gibraltar Sea Scouts Pipe Band travelled to Morocco to attend two festivals, marking the first return of the full band since the 1980s.
Gibraltar’s Pipes & Drums flew the flag for the Rock and Britain first in Larache, for the 13th edition of the ‘Entrerritmos International Festival.’ The band led a parade of dancers and musicians representing 20 countries across the world, from Costa Rica to Senegal, down Mohammed V Avenue to the Place de la Liberation, to the delight of locals and dignitaries. A performance at a jam-packed Lixus Cultural Centre followed, topping our representation in Larache, which included the debuting of our new Drummer’s Salute. The band moved north to Tangier to participate in the 3rd edition of the ‘FICHTA Festival of Nations’, leading another parade of countries through the old town, starting by the iconic Grand Café de Paris, down to the bustling Grand Socco and ending at the historical landmarks of Bab Al Marsa and Muraille de Tanger. The band then returned to Tangier’s Marina Bay the following day for a static performance for the crowds.
The Pipe Major, Drum Major and Leading Drummer attended a gathering arranged by the festival’s organisers at the Tangier Chamber of Commerce, with various dignitaries and politicians present, including the Vice President of the Chamber and the Minister for Tourism for the Tanger-Tetouan-Al Hoceima region, who repeatedly underscored the cultural, economic and political importance of such events. An exchange of gifts followed, with the minister fondly recalling seeing the Sea Scouts Pipe Band in Tangier during his youth.
Pipe Major Tarik El-Yabani said:
“One of my top aims for the band when I took over as Pipe Major was a return to Morocco. It has been an intense few months of fundraising and hard work for us all, and it has been worth it. The experience of sounding the skirl of the great highland bagpipe down the Grand Socco, possibly for the first time in its history, will be an unforgettable experience, made even more special knowing we were flying the flag for Gibraltar in a country with which our own government is working to boost links with.
“I’d like to sincerely thank my pipers and drummers for their year round commitment, their partners for their patience and contribution to our highly successful cake stall, our private donors and all our helpers. Lastly, I’d like to thank our sponsors, without whom this trip would not have been possible: Ministry of Culture, Highflyer Marketing, EastGate, Gedime Motors, Signature Litigation, Lewis Stagnetto, Strait of Gibraltar Association, MH Bland, IPA Gibraltar, Balearia, uStore-it,.
“Preparations are already underway for next year’s trip!”
Sea Scouts Beavers make an impact on the Community
Beaver Colony
whilst working on their community impact badge the Beavers made posters and poo bag holders to place around their estates inorder to promote dog owners to keep the streets clean. This gained media and social media coverag from local radio stations, The Gibraltar Chronicle and environmental agencies.
