Gscouts June 2017

gscouts News and Views for Scouting in Gloucestershire June 2017

Meyer Explorers set off on a D. of E. Gold Expedition, April 2017

Badge Courses: Paddy Langham

paddydj.langham@btopenworld.com

County Administrator: Louise Little

admin@gloucestershire-scouts.org.uk Monday to Friday 0930 am - 1.30 pm 01452 814256

County Public Relations Adviser: Cindy Fowler

media@gloucestershire-scouts.org.uk

Cranham Scout Centre:

info@scoutcentre.org.uk 1.00 pm-4.00 pm

H.Q. Information Centre

01452 812309

info.centre@scouts.org.uk Monday to Friday 8.00 am—7.00 pm 0345 300 1818 Saturday 9.00 am –12 noon 020 8433 7100

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gscouts June 2017 Contents Editorial ………………………………………………………………………………………..……….4 Big Cheeks …………………………………………………...………………………………………..4

1st Dursley Town’s Group badge and the Pederson bicycle ……………………………….…….5 Meyer Unit’s Gold expedition, Llanberis 18th - 22nd April 2017 …………………………….…...7 Mountain Activities Team Events ……………………………………………………………………9 Weekend Climbing Course ………………………………………………………………….………10 A view of the World—John Morton …………………………………………………………….…...11 A note from Brian Wingfield …………………………………………………………………….…...12 In Memory of Cheltenham’s President, Alan Jackson …………………………………….……...13 The Gang Show ………………………………………………………………………………...…….14 Call it what you like — John May ………………………………………………..……………...…..16

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Editorial I regret to say that submissions have been thin this quarter, in spite of reminders sent out to the County Team, DCs and many others. Many of the Explorers have been concentrating on their revision for A Levels, which, of course, must have priority.

However this is your magazine and I would rather it contained material from you, as opposed to whatever I can dream up. I hope, nevertheless, that the contents of this edition are interesting. I have designed the magazine to be printed, if you wish, in the form of an A5 booklet. It is readily available on the County website under ‘News’.

My copy date for the Autumn edition will be 25th September.

Big Cheeks Big Cheeks, a grandson of slaves, was born in a poor neighbourhood of New Orleans known as the "Back of Town". His father abandoned the family when the child was an infant. His mother went out on the street and the boy and his sister had to live with their grandmother.

Early in life he proved to be gifted for music and with three other kids he sang in the streets of New Orleans. His first gains were coins that were thrown to them.

A Jewish family, Karnofsky, who had emigrated from Lithuania to the USA, had pity for the seven-year-old boy and brought him into their home, initially giving him 'work' in the house to feed this hungry child. There he remained and slept in this Jewish family's home where, for the first time in his life, he was treated with kindness and tenderness.

When he went to bed, Mrs. Karnovsky sang him a Russian lullaby that he would sing with her.

Later, he learned to sing and play several Russian and Jewish songs.

Over time, this boy became the adopted son of this family. The Karnofskys gave him money to buy his first musical instrument; as was the custom in Jewish families. They sincerely admired his musical talent. Later, when he became a professional musician and composer, he used these Jewish melodies in compositions, such as St. James Infirmary and Go Down Moses.

The little black boy grew up and wrote a book about this Jewish family who had adopted him in 1907. In memory of this family and until the end of his life, he wore a Star of David and said that in this family he had learned "how to live real life and determination".

You might recognize his name. This little boy was called: Louis "Satchmo" Armstrong.

Louis Armstrong proudly spoke fluent Yiddish! And "Satchmo" is Yiddish for "Big Cheeks"!!!

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The 1st Dursley (Cotswold Vale) Group’s badge, worn on their scarf, features a Roman spear, one of which was found in the area. Perhaps a more interesting symbol on the badge is the Pederson Bicycle, developed in Dursley in the late 19th century.

Born in Denmark in 1855, Mikael Pedersen holds an obscure place in cycling history. He was an individual

who possessed a rare mix of creativity, imagination, ability and drive, and his understanding of mechanics,

combined

with

his

technical skills, enabled him to bring his numerous ideas into reality. At the

same

stubborn

time, and

his

somewhat

unpredictable

behaviour caused him occasional financial

and

legal

problems,

resulting in missed opportunities for wider

commercial success, and

this is perhaps why he has become a forgotten footnote, instead of a more recognized name in cycling lore.

Enticed to move to Dursley, in 1893, Pedersen soon began to focus his efforts on his unique bicycle. He was granted a patent on his bicycle design in 1894, but evidently he had built the

wood-framed bike several years earlier. The bike had a fixed-gear, and the patent application states that the original low mounted "cow horn" handlebars were for resting the feet!!

The Pedersen Cycle Frame Co. was formed in 1896. Efforts were made to convince other bicycle companies to produce the Pedersen design under licence, and at England's National Cycle Show in 1897, at least six different manufacturers presented their Pedersen bicycles, in addition to the ones displayed by the Pedersen Cycle Frame Co. But the cycling press at the time was apparently unimpressed with Pedersen's design, and lack of critical acclaim meant that production remained very limited.

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As the bicycle began to win races and set numerous records, the cycling press took notice.

Pedersen even built a super-lightweight racing machine, using extremely thin-walled tubing, 24-inch wood rims, and drilling all components to save weight. This bicycle still exists and reportedly weighs less than 10 pounds!!

Good press began to generate customer interest and sales of the Dursley Pedersen bicycle continued to increase. At the peak, the company employed as many as 50 people producing more than 30 cycles per week. Tandems, triplets, and quads were produced, as well as a folding version. The limited adjustability meant that eight different frame sizes were offered, and the frames were enamel coated in a choice of colours. A nickel-plated frame was also available. A golf bag carrier and a gun carrier were some of the available accessories, in

addition to various bags, and the company actually sold a Pedersen designed ankle-length split skirt, so that women could ride with modesty. Pedersen focused his energies on manufacturing processes and incorporated technical improvements into production cycles, adding such things as a ball-bearing headset, and adjustable handlebars.

The 1903 catalogue offered Pedersen's patented design for a 3-speed hub gear, based on the countershaft principle, although the design wasn't quite ready for production. It sported a friction clutch, which proved unreliable in use, and Pedersen was reluctant to modify his design. But sales were booked, and without a functional product to deliver, the company was forced into liquidation and was sold by 1905. The new owners quickly moved to correct the design of the clutch, but retained the egg-shaped hub flanges for several more years, which served to limit the hub's commercial acceptance.

The production of the Dursley Pedersen bicycle stopped in 1917, but the design continued to be produced in London by others for several more years.

In 1978, Jesper Sølling re-discovered the Pedersen design and began building frames. After more than a century, Pedersen's design continues to be an example of unique craftsmanship in a world of mass-produced convention. Pedersen bicycles are a link to the past, when cycling brought independence and freedom of movement, when quality was apparent, when details mattered, when style was beautiful.

For much more detailed information, see The Ingenious Mr. Pedersen by David E. Evans, ISBN 0 7509 0064 4. This had become an obscure book, but has recently been updated and reprinted. The new version by Evans, Mr. Pedersen - A Man of Genius, ISBN 978-0-7524-4505-2, is now available through the Bicycle Quarterly Press. ************************* lackadaisical — on a bicycle made for one 6

Meyer Explorers (Cotswold Vale) on their D of E Gold expedition from Llanberis in April, led by Ant Hall, supervised by Stu Cook and assessed by Shelley Wright.

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Man is not lost — possibly temporarily unaware of his exact whereabouts!

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Mountain Activities Team Events 13-15th October 2017- The County Mountain Activities Team are running a T2 Permit hillwalking training weekend in the Lake District National Park. The weekend includes training on your responsibilities as a leader leading groups in the mountains, group management, managing risk, understanding the weather, navigation skills, steep ground movement, hazard management, emergency procedures, equipment required when taking groups in the mountains and remote wild camping. For further details and to book a place on this course, please contact Glenn Hemsley, County Mountain Activities. (hillwalking@gloucestershire-scouts.org.uk).

17th-19th November 2017 - The County Mountain Activities Team are running a hillwalking Permit assessment weekend in Snowdonia National Park. The weekend includes assessment on your ability to lead groups in the mountains, group management, managing risk, understanding the weather, navigation skills, steep ground movement, hazard management, emergency procedures, and equipment required when taking groups in the mountains. If you wish to have a remote wild camping permit this can also be included, if you do not then accommodation is by bunkhouse. For further details and to book a place on this course, please contact Glenn Hemsley, County Mountain Activities Adviser. (hillwalking@gloucestershire-scouts.org.uk).

Registering an interest in hillwalking training and assessment - if you are looking to want

to take Scouting youth out into the hills and mountains and do not currently hold a permit, then we would like to hear from you. The County Mountain Activities Team are keen to put together an annual programme to meet your needs. If you are interested in hillwalking then we would like to know. We will also endeavour to keep you directly informed of the teams offerings. For further details please contact Glenn Hemsley, County Mountain Activities Adviser. (hillwalking@gloucestershire-scouts.org.uk).

Outdoor Specific First Aid Training - if you are interested in undertaking a 16-hour Outdoor Specific First Aid Training and Certificate course, then we would like to hear from you. The County Mountain Activities Team have over the last couple of years arranged four Remote Emergency Care (REC) Level 2 16-hour Outdoor First Aid courses for County leaders, using the same First Aid Trainer as Dartmoor Mountain Rescue Team. If you would be interesting in attending such a course in the near future, then please contact Glenn Hemsley, County Mountain Activities Adviser (hillwalking@gloucestershire-scouts.org.uk).

YiS, Glenn

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Weekend Climbing Course The County Climbing Team is organising a weekend of outdoor climbing training – 17th/18th June at Symonds Yat & Plump Hill in the Forest of Dean. You can attend either one or both of the days. It is primarily aimed at those who already hold an indoor climbing permit wishing to learn and develop the necessary skills to run outdoor climbing too. However, if there is anyone out there who has previous climbing experience (e.g. able to tie in to their harness using a figure of 8 knot and belay competently without supervision) but no current permit and would like to work towards one (indoors or outdoors), please get in touch and come along.

All TSA HQ Climbing information is here… and specifically the assessment checklist for climbing is here… ‘Natural Top Rope – Leadership is the first step for running climbing sessions outdoors.’ (More useful information is available from the Mountain Training SPA syllabus, which the Scouts assessment checklist is based on, see link here…).

The cost is £15 per day or £25 for the full weekend – this covers all equipment and instruction.

Participants will need to make their own travel, food and accommodation (suggest camping at Bracelands, link here…) arrangements. Once we have a confirmed participants list, we will share contact details, so that shared lifts can be arranged. If people are up for it, a local pub will probably be the choice for Saturday night food.

We will also be running an outdoor climbing session on the evening of the 7 th June at Cleeve Hill, starting at 1900, this will be an ideal introduction prior to the 17 th/18th weekend. The cost is £3 if you bring your own personal kit and £5 if you need to borrow any County kit.

To register your interest (in either event) or to ask any questions please contact us via climbing@gloucestershire-scouts.org.uk.

Adam Griffiths Climbing & Abseiling Advisor/Assessor Mountain Activities Advisor/Hill Walking Assessor Duke of Edinburgh Award Advisor

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Scouting’s response to terrorist incidents

No one can fail to be shocked by recent acts of terror.

They are reminders, once again, how terrorism attempts to disrupt and challenge the values by which we live our lives. As Scouts we resist such attempts and stand firm in the face of such senseless violence. All of our thoughts and prayers are with the families of those affected.

It is part of our duty as leaders to help young people make sense of such incidents. Together, we can reinforce the peaceful aims of Scouting and its power to bring people together.

You may wish to support young people during your normal section meetings. To help, we have pulled together some links to existing resources you may find useful.

Programmes Online (Search for 'Peace'. There are 15 activities) In the Face of Terrorism Peace Pack Scouting and Peace As Scouts, we believe we can help create a better world. We can achieve this by demonstrating Scouting’s values of care, respect, belief, integrity and cooperation.

Thank you for supporting our young people during this challenging time.

Tim Kidd UK Chief Commissioner

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A view of the World The world map with which we are probably most familiar is drawn with the Mercator projection.

Gerardus Mercator (assumed Latinised name of Geert de Kremer), a Flemish cartographer, produced it in 1569. It was particularly useful for navigators of the time, who, of course, used compasses to find their way. The first world maps were produced by European colonialists. Many world maps are still conventionally centred on the Greenwich meridian, which places Europe in their centre. We refer to Japan and Indonesia as being in the “Far East”. However it is just as correct to centre maps on the middle of the Pacific, leaving Europe on the extreme edges.

America-centred maps have the unfortunate consequence of splitting Asia into two parts.

On Mercator’s projection, all lines of longitude are parallel, meaning that a straight line between two points (known as a rhumb line) crosses each one at the same angle. So a navigator can measure the heading required with a protractor and the ship or aircraft will not need to change its course for the entire voyage. However, because the Earth is spherical and lines of longitude converge to the Poles, this does not provide the shortest distance between two points. It is suitable for short voyages but entails a much longer journey between two distant places. In Mercator’s time most navigation was in the more central latitudes. His projection retains the shape of countries. However, nearer the Poles the map is grotesquely distorted, Antarctica filling the entire bottom edge of the map and Greenland appearing larger than Africa, whereas Africa is actually fourteen times larger than Greenland!

The shortest distance between two points on a globe is called the Great Circle, a line whose plane passes through the globe’s centre. Following this requires constant changes of heading.

This has become much simplified by modern methods, such as inertial navigation systems and global positioning by satellite. Indeed there is a move afoot to reduce the use of compasses to a stand-by status and to base navigation on True North. That means, incidentally, that all airport runway designations would have to be changed, as they are based on their alignment to the nearest ten degrees in relation to Magnetic North.

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It may be a surprise to learn that less than half of a flight from London to New York is over water! One might expect to leave the coast at Land’s End and the first thing one would see on the other side would be Nantucket Light. However, typically, an aircraft flying the Great Circle track would spend the first hour and a half en route to the Hebrides, thereafter some three hours over the North Atlantic before crossing the Canadian coast over Newfoundland or Labrador. Then, because the east coast of the United States runs south-westwards, rather than southwards, the rest of the flight is over land.

If an aircraft had the range, and there were the commercial demand, to fly non-stop from the London to Auckland, New Zealand, to take the shortest route it would set off heading due north! It would take about 22 hours. There are already several airlines operating regular nonstop flights in excess of 16 hours, the latest by Qatar Airways from Doha to Auckland, a distance of 9032 miles. It will be interesting to see evidence of the medical aspects for passengers and crew of such long exposure to reduced oxygen pressure (with a cabin altitude of 6000 feet or more), low relative humidity (typically 20%), noise and sleep deprivation.

A macabre aspect of this is the provision of lockers for the bodies of passengers who pass away on the flight, partially because large sections of the routes will be over wildly remote areas hundreds of miles from the nearest airport, and anyway the aircraft will be too heavy to land without dumping fuel.

John Morton

Brian Wingfield To all Supporters of Scouting in the Forest of Dean After 70 years as a member of the Scout Movement, the last 60 as an Adult Leader, with the changes in the way communications have involved and the changes in the Leadership of the District, the March edition of Oakleaf was my last as editor.

I would like to thank you for your support during the last six years that I have had the pleasure of producing Oakleaf.

Brian Wingfield

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In memory of Alan Jackson (1930 – 2017) We are saddened to report that, following an extended illness, Alan Jackson, the President of Cheltenham District, passed away peacefully in hospital on Friday 5th May, aged 87 years. He leaves his wife (a Guider) Gillian, his two children, Heather and John, and several grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Alan was a great man and served the Scout Association over a period of just 11 days short of 68 years. During that time, he inspired many and along the way he was presented with both the Medal of Merit and the Silver Acorn.

Alan Jackson was a member of 36th Rochdale, Lancashire, from 1940, which he joined as a 10-yearold – there was no Cub pack, so he was enrolled as a Scout and acted as a messenger for Air Raid Wardens, mock enemy for the LDV / Home Guard (aka ‘Dad’s Army’ as it now perhaps is better known) and for this he received a ‘National Service Award’ in real life.

In 1945, he gained the King’s Scout Award.

In May 1949, he was appointed as an Assistant Scoutmaster at 36th Rochdale and served there until July 1959 (except for two years when he did his National Service in the RAF between 1951 and 1953, during which he became an honorary member of a Troop in Eindhoven, Holland).

He even met his wife over the woggles. Upon his return to Rochdale, a nearby Guide Company asked to borrow some tents and Guider Gillian Bonell, being a Leader in the next town, Royton in Oldham District, took delivery of them from Alan at the LMS train station near to their camp in the Lakes. By 1958, they were married! He had actually met her earlier when, during the 1940’s, Gillian had reprimanded Alan for setting a bad example by smoking in uniform!

They moved to Cheshire in 1958 and soon after established 1st Bredbury and Romiley Sea Scouts in a converted canal narrow boat, setting this up in March 1960. Thus, they gained the honour of leading the only Admiralty-Recognised Group on a canal and probably the only one ever to have achieved this! He helped lead the section until the mid-1960’s.

Alan’s jobs then took him away from active Scouting service until October 1973, when he became the GSL of 2nd Barnet and served there until March 1987, only to give this up to become the District Commissioner for Barnet from April 1987 to May 1994.

volved in the Scout trict President from

Following his retirement Alan and Gillian moved west in 1995, to became actively inFellowship and he was the Cheltenham DisSeptember 2013.

He was awarded the Medal of Merit in May 1986 and the Silver Acorn in July 1992.

Alan, who with his great wisdom and willing support will be greatly missed, leaves very many positive memories. There is much to celebrate in his life, during which he gave so much to others. His motto was ‘I like to help wherever I can, and do something to make a difference’!

Godfrey Tarling – District Commissioner for Cheltenham

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The Gang Show – from An Official History of Scouting, published by Hamlyn

In 1929 the Rover Scouts of Holborn in London staged a one-night revue, written and produced by an anonymous 'Holborn Rover', entitled Good Turns. Similar productions followed over the next two years, and, by the third year, the shows had gained a considerable reputation. In 1932 Admiral Phillpotts, the County Commissioner for London, suggested to the 'Holborn Rover' that a larger production, sponsored by the London Scout Council, might be put on that autumn in a West End theatre, to raise money for a swimming pool at Downe Scout campsite in Kent. The idea was accepted.

A cast of 120 Within an hour of the proposal being made, a programme had been hastily compiled, and

within the next few days a cast of 120 people had been recruited. The Holborn Rover Scouts were to carry the main burden and they would be assisted by the 4th Harrow Rovers. At the first rehearsal they were told that everyone who took part did so on an equal basis, and that anyone with lines or a song was just fortunate. This remains the tradition today, and although 'stars' may emerge, they join in with the chorus as the occasion demands.

One night during rehearsals the cast came together after a break, and the producer asked, 'Are they all back?' to which a piping voice answered, 'Aye, aye, Skip, the gang's all 'ere.' A young cockney Scout had given the first West End show its title, and it was the one that gave the name to all Gang Shows ever since.

For The Gang's All Here the Scala Theatre was booked for three performances. The challenge of having to sell nearly 5,000 tickets for a Scout show was formidable - some thought it would be impossible - but they went ahead, despite many problems and unsold tickets. The three performances were momentous evenings. Songs such as 'Steer for the Open Sea' and 'There'll Come a Time Some Day' were highlights, and the end of the show brought cheers and many curtain calls. Everyone wanted to organize another show the following year, especially since, to their surprise, they had made a profit.

Sold-out success A second show, The Gang Comes Back, was planned for 1933, and the same theatre was

booked for six evening performances and a matinĂŠe. Every seat was sold within a few weeks of the box office opening. The drama critics of the national newspapers took notice and theatre professionals were encouraged to see it. They came out of politeness; they left asking for more seats for the following night. By the time the production finished, Gang Shows were an established part of the Scouting landscape, and Scouts outside London began to stage their own versions, using material from the London shows but with local casts.

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For the next London show in 1934, every seat was sold before the opening performance.

Baden-Powell's enthusiasm for the Gang Show ensured that it would continue. He wrote, 'You have made a big success - may we have more', and later, 'I am not merely thinking of the acting, good though it was, but of the splendid teamwork of the whole lot. It must go on and on.'

The mystery writer revealed It was not until 1935 that the identity of the Holborn Rover became public knowledge - he was Ralph Reader, Broadway star, the West End producer and an active Scout. He did not own up willingly, and becoming known for his work with Gang Shows nearly destroyed his professional career, because many of his colleagues in the theatre could not accept someone who worked with amateurs.

Nevertheless, in 1936 Reader staged Boy Scout, a musical pageant, at the Royal Albert Hall in London. It told the story of a boy who joined a Scout troop and of his life with his fellow Scouts, and it ended with a jamboree. With a cast of 1,200, a choir of 250, catchy music and colourful costumes and scenery, it became a spectacle that played to packed houses for three performances. It was revived the following year and was even more successful.

In time he would produce more than 150 other events at the Royal Albert Hall, including at the British Legion Festival of Remembrance, but for millions, Reader would always be 'Mr Gang Show', to whom the Movement owes an enormous debt.

During the Second World War Reader joined the Royal Air Force and staged many RAF shows. Some of those who took part in his Scout or RAF shows went on to become famous in their own right, including Tony Hancock and Peter Sellers.

The London Gang Show was revived after the war and continued with a new production every year, often playing to members of the Royal Family.

A worldwide phenomenon But the Gang Show concept was too exciting to be limited to Britain alone, and Gang Shows have sprung up across the Scouting world.

A scarlet scarf has become internationally accepted as the symbol of Gang Shows, along with an identifying badge in gold on the point of the scarf, which can be worn only after the production has completed three annual performances and achieved a high standard.

Today a Gang Show is being performed somewhere in the world every night of the year. ************************* Knowledge is knowing that a tomato is a fruit. Wisdom is not putting it in a fruit salad.

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Call it what you like by John May In France they know it as a ‘foulard’; in German it’s a ‘Halstuch’. speaking word it’s a ‘pañoleta’.

In Mexico and the Spanish-

But where people speak English, they often can’t quite reach

agreement about what to call it. I’m referring, of course, to that triangular piece of cloth that a Scout rolls up and wears round his or her neck. It is, above all else, the best way to recognise a Scout, but whether it’s a neckerchief, a scarf, a neckie or some other diminutive, well you only have to post a reference to it on social media to assure a barrage of conflicting views.

So, let’s get this straight, once and for all. It really, really doesn’t matter what you call it. The choice of word is something that’s been agreed at local level (at least in the UK) for years, and

has often depended only on what the Leader handing it to a new Scout has learned to call it. And everyone is right.

Baden-Powell himself wrote about this ubiquitous part of the Scout uniform in Scouting for Boys, but he wasn’t definitive.

“The Scout Uniform is very like the uniform worn by my men

when I commanded the South African Constabulary. They knew what was comfortable, serviceable, and a good protection against the weather. So Scouts have much the same uniform… the scarf or neckerchief which is folded into a triangle with the point at the back of the neck. Every Troop has its own scarf colour, and since the honour of your Troop is bound up in the scarf, you must be very careful to keep it clean and tidy.”

The origin seems to be in Robert Baden-Powell’s participation in the Second Matabele War in

1896; where he worked with Frederick Russell Burnham, an American-born scout employed by the British Army. Baden-Powell copied Burnham’s practical style of dress, including “a greycoloured handkerchief, loosely tied around the neck to prevent sunburn”.

The UK’s “Policy, Organisation and Rules” hasn’t been consistent in what it calls the thing. In 1910 it was referred to as a neckerchief – and specified that different Patrols would have different colours.

By 1919, it was referring to a “scarf of the Troop colour worn loosely knotted

at the throat and ends”.

And thereby comes another knotty problem – literally. How should one fasten one’s scarf / neckerchief / neckie / thingamyjig? Some traditionalists have insisted that the ONLY way to wear it is by using a ‘woggle’ or, as the Americans know it, a ‘slide’.

In the early days of the

Scout Movement in Great Britain, the Scout scarf used to be tied with a loose knot at the neck and

naturally

became

very

creased.

However,

by

the

1920s,

the

Americans

were experimenting by using a ring made from bone, rope or wood to keep their scarves together.

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Bill Shankley, aged 18 and one of two permanent campsite employees at Gilwell Park, had

the job of running the workshop and coming up with ideas for camping equipment. He found out about the American rings and decided to try and go one better. After various attempts with different materials, he finally made a Turk’s Head knot – adopted in the days of sailing ships when seamen developed decorative forms of rope work as a hobby – made from thin sewing machine leather belting. He submitted this to the Camp Chief and, no doubt, the Chief Scout, for approval and had it accepted.

The American rings were called ‘Boon Doggles’, most probably because they were made of bone, and the name was a skit on ‘dog bones’. To rhyme with ‘Boon Doggle’, Shankley called his creation a ‘Woggle’. An article in The Scout on 9th June 1923 by ‘Gilcraft’, called ‘Wear a scarf woggle’ made reference to the idea of having become very popular among Scouts who had been quick to imitate the fashion set by the 1st Gilwell Park Scout Troop (i.e. Wood Badge holders).

In many European countries, the practice is now not to use a woggle, but instead to fasten the ends with a ‘friendship knot’.

This is one of the eleven basic knots of traditional

Chinese knotting, a craft which began in the Tang and Song Dynasty (960-1279 AD) in China. The Chinese and Japanese names for this knot are based on the shape of the ideogram for the number ten, which is in the shape of a cross. The Ashley Book of Knots, first published in 1944, says: “A decorative Chinese Loop. This is commonly employed as a

Lanyard Knot. It is handsome and secure.” I was always told, though haven’t had it substantiated, that the reason it’s called a Friendship Knot is that you need to have friend to tie it for you, rather than tie it yourself. Certainly, the Friendship Knot gets around the problem of lost woggles, besides being a great friendship tool. It could be argued that the return to the Friendship Knot is actually a return to the Policy, Organisation and Rules of the Scout Association in 1919 – now that would be an interesting response to a traditionalist Scouter!

My first Scoutmaster taught the importance of the Scout Oath and Law using the Neckerchief. He would hold the open neckerchief in his hands and remind the young Scouts of what the last item of clothing they put on when they were getting dressed for the meeting was, his neckerchief.

He said that it was no coincidence that the neckerchief had three sides, just like the three parts of the Scout oath. He would run a side through his fingers and say “On my honour, I’ll do my best to do my duty to God.” The first and longest side is to remind you of your long-standing duty to God. This whole side is hidden from view, just as your faith is deep inside you. But with out that faith, there is no strength for the rest.

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“Holding on to the neckerchief by the point, he would run the next side through his fingers and say “To help other people at all times….”. This shorter side is to remind you of your duty to help others. Remember it is some of this duty that shows to others, just like part of this side of your neckerchief shows. So do your duty to others well, so that people might see the good work you do in the name of Scouting.

The last side also shows, he would say “To keep myself physically strong, mentally awake and morally straight.” This last side is your duty to your self. This shows to others as well. They will know that by seeing your uniform, you are a young man who is physically fit. Has a strong moral foundation and who is not apt to fall into the temptations of drugs and alcohol.

He would then say that this was a means by which we could remember the Scout Oath, every

time we got dressed in uniform. He also gave us a means by which to remember the Scout Law. While wrapping the neckerchief up for wear, he said to wrap it tight in small twists, 12 in fact. And to repeat the 12 points of the Scout Law as you did so. Then as you placed your neckerchief around your neck for wear, the elements of the Scout Oath and Law were with you.

They were in fact part of you.

y

The colours of scarves / neckerchiefs certainly are chosen to signify different things, but the practice differs now around the world and, often, from activity to activity.

In the UK, each Scout Group chooses its own scarf colour, so Beavers, Cubs and Scouts all wear the same colours. In the early days of UK Beaver Scouting, all Beavers wore turquoise ones, but this changed pretty quickly.

Explorer Scout Units, being a District provision, get to

choose their own, hence the wide range of VERY strange colour combinations, often luminescent, that are now available. Special scarves / neckerchiefs are often made for events, with different borders denoting different categories of participant.

This system has also been

used at recent World Scout Jamborees. There’s a national scarf / neckerchief as well, in blue, white and red, which can be worn when abroad or representing the UK Association as a whole.

(I’m rather proud of this, because I actually helped to introduce it to the Movement in 1992).

In Canada, while most groups use colour neckerchiefs, there is also an optional alternate universal pattern tartan neckerchief: white plaid on red for Scouts, gold plaid on dark green for Cubs. Alternating thick and thin lines of the plaid spell out “CANADA” in Morse code.

In Australia, Queensland uses a single maroon necker for the whole state, while the other states allow groups, Venturer Units and Rover Crews to choose their own necker. Region and Branch Teams also have their own neckers. In Hungary, as well as the Hungarian diaspora communities in countries such as the U.S.A., the necktie colour is national rather than distinctive for each troop, being light blue for ages 10 and younger and grass-green for ages 11 and up.

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In the USA, the colour of the neckerchief shows how far through Cub Scouting a boy has progressed. (Incidentally, I don’t think there’s any argument about nomenclature in America. It’s definitely a neckerchief there). The colour is orange with navy-blue trim for Tiger Scouts, gold with navy-blue trim for Wolf Scouts, light blue with navy-blue trim for Bear Scouts, and plaid for Webelos Scouts. For Scouts, the choice of colour is normally made for each Troop. Interestingly, unlike in the rest of the world, until very recently, USA Scouts weren’t allowed to wear their neckerchief with anything other than full Scout uniform. Now, they’ve chosen to go the same way as the rest of the world and can wear it as a single item with ‘mufti’ to show that they are Scouts.

In many countries, whilst there may be an official uniform, a scarf / neckerchief is often the only item that a young person can afford to buy. Of course, it’s a truism to point out that it’s the person that makes the Scout, not any uniform that they are entitled to wear.

Perhaps the most famous Group scarf / neckerchief is the one for the 1st Gilwell, the Group to which all Wood Badge holders (trained Scout Leaders) belong. It’s taupe in colour and bears a tartan patch of the Maclaren clan, honouring William de Bois Maclaren, who donated the £7000 to purchase Gilwell Park in 1919, plus an additional £3000 for improvements to the house that was on the estate. Mine is moth-eaten, but I wouldn’t part with it for anything.

And, for the record, it’s always been a scarf for me. Don’t know why, but it always has.

So, next time you see an argument about scarves, neckerchiefs or neckies on Facebook, point the folks who are getting themselves rather too excited to this article. Like so much in Scouting, it’s our diversity that makes us special. Good Scouting always looks different; bad Scouting always looks the same.

John May became a Scout when he was 11, in Gloucestershire, England, in what is now the Stroud Valley Scout Group and then at Wycliffe College, the oldest continuously running school-based Scout Group in the World. As an adult volunteer in the UK, he has worked with every Section (and been a District Commissioner), has been a Trustee of The Scout Association, International Commissioner for the United Kingdom and the UK’s Chairman of Programme and Development. John served as a member of the World Scout Committee from 2008 until 2014, the last three years as Vice Chairman of the World Organization of the Scout

Movement. He continues to advise the World Scout Organization on a variety of matters and is currently their lead volunteer on peace and human rights education.

In 2014, John received the Gustaf Adolphus medal from the Swedish Scout and Guide Council, in recognition of his support for international Scouting. In 2015, he was awarded the Silver Wolf by the UK Scout Association “for services of the most exceptional character” and the Silver Sakura medal by the Scout Association of Japan in recognition of his service to young people around the world. In 2016, John was awarded the Bronze Wolf by the World Scout Committee, to acknowledge his outstanding contribution to World Scouting.

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Why? 1.. Why do men's clothes have buttons on the right while women's clothes have buttons on the left?

BECAUSE : When buttons were invented, they were very expensive and worn primarily by the rich. Since most people are right-handed, it is easier to push buttons on the right through holes on the left. Because wealthy women were dressed by maids, dressmakers put the buttons on the maid's right! And that's where women's buttons have remained since.

2 ..Why do ships and aircraft use 'mayday' as their call for help?

BECAUSE This comes from the French word m'aidez - meaning 'help me' - and is pronounced, approximately, 'mayday'.

3 ..Why are zero scores in tennis called 'love'?

BECAUSE In France, where tennis became popular, the round zero on the scoreboard looked like an egg and was called 'l'oeuf,' which is French for 'the egg.' When tennis was introduced in the US, Americans (naturally!), mispronounced it 'love’.

4 ..Why do X's at the end of a letter signify kisses?

BECAUSE

In the Middle Ages, when many people were unable to read or write, documents were often signed using an X. Kissing the X represented an oath to fulfil obligations specified in the document. The X and the kiss eventually became synonymous.

5 ..In golf, where did the term 'Caddie' come from?

BECAUSE When Mary Queen of Scots went to France as a young girl, Louis, King of France, learned that she loved the Scots game 'golf'. He had the first course outside of Scotland built for her enjoyment. To make sure she was properly chaperoned (and guarded) while she played, Louis hired cadets from a military school to accompany her.

Mary liked this a lot and when she returned to Scotland (not a very good idea in the long run), she took the practice with her. In French, the word cadet is pronounced 'ca-day' and the Scots changed it into caddie.

7..Why are people in the public eye said to be 'in the limelight'?

BECAUSE Invented in 1825, limelight was used in lighthouses and theatres by burning a cylinder of lime which produced a brilliant light. In the theatre, a performer 'in the limelight' was the centre of attention.

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gscouts is edited by John Morton editor@gscouts.org.uk 01453 452159 Please send contributions, news and pictures to: magazine@gscouts.org.uk For information visit gscouts.org.uk or phone the County Office 01452 812309

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