We would like to extend our sincere thanks to members of the public and our lovely adult volunteers who ensured our 27th year of the Scout Post scheme sent an estimated 40,000 cards from as far as in the west as Bridport to Milborne St Andrew in the east of our district.

For their second year in the scheme, the Bridport sorting office handled double the number of cards from last year, and we have raised approximately £7,700 across the entire scheme. The monies collected will support young people in scouting with adventures and activities, both here in the district and further afield.

The Scout Post scheme runs each year from December 5 to 19. During this time, we have around 250 volunteers – in addition to the 30 newbies this year – who sort, stamp and deliver the post.

Next year we hope to add a number of new village locations so that everyone can send a ‘real card you can put on your mantelpiece’ at a reasonable price.

Funnies – Although we did have a number of cards placed in the yellow boxes not covered by the scheme, we always ensure that they are posted on through the normal Royal Mail.

It was therefore very pleasing to receive a call from the originator of one card, which had been sent to a friend from out of the county, who was shortly due to leave UK shores. The card of ‘bon voyage’ made it just in time.

The Dorchester sorting office had a special visit from our friends at Dorset County Hospital Ridgeway Radio.

It was lovely to have more helpers with the stamping and sorting in the guise of Oliver Bear and Cuthbert Snake.

There was also an earlier than usual start to the day, when the Scout Post co-ordinator appeared on the radio. Jingling bells and another card was delivered to the team at BBC Solent – and it was still dark.

However, despite doing our best to deliver all the cards placed in our care, there were a number which we were unable to deliver to their intended recipients.

They have been placed in the Dorchester County Library until the end of January.

Cards we couldn’t deliver: To all at 38; Barbara; Carol and Tony; Chris and Pete; Emma; Emma and Andrew; Gail, Alan and Wilfred Simpkins; Jackie; Kate, Mark and family; Ion/Lou(?); Margaret and David; Rich, Kelly and Hayden; Roy and Sue; Shirley and Mike; Mrs E Bedwell; Jane and Brian Carter; Mr and Mrs Cox; Mr and Mrs P Downton; Mrs Edwards; Mrs R Holloway; Ms A Jonathan; The Osmond family; Mr and Mrs N Parkinson; Mr P Prior; Mr and Mrs Ralph; Mrs J Smith; Mr and Mrs W Taylor; and, Mr C Trask.

It just remains for us to wish you all a very happy and peaceful 2015; to thank you and to say that we will be back again with the Scout Post again in December this year.

Debs Thomas

Scout Post co-ordinator Dorchester & West Dorset District Scouts