Scouting

During "stand easy" hours we played deck hockey, basket ball (in a hanger converted into a gym.) and played cricket at the "net" on the flight deck. We all were "cooks of the day" for at least one day. Six of our cadets were new recruits and were in Naval Rig for the first time, but by the end of the camp were all "at home" in the ship and had gained valuable experience which would give them a good start in the R.N. Section.

J. R. DWYER.

ARMY CAMP, 1951

The annual camp was held this year at the new Northern Command site in Harwood Dale. In spite of the excellence of the surrounding country, first impressions were hardly favourable, and though we soon accustomed ourselves to the conditions, there is no doubt that the situation was far from ideal. An extensive and, on the whole, well organised training programme was carried out, with the generous co-operation, until the last two days, of the weather. When it did start to rain, however, water poured down the hillside, and many tents were badly flooded.

In the various competitions held during the week the youthfulness of our camp contingent told against us, but we won the seven-a-side rugger and overcame strong opposition from St. Bee's, Merchant Taylor's and Worksop in so doing.

Viewed in retrospect, it was an enjoyable and not unsuccessful camp.

S.S.M. ANICERS.

SENIOR SCHOOL PATROLS

During the term many outdoor meetings were held and the most ambitious project was the construction of an aerial runway, which worked ! Each Patrol held a week-end camp at Dunnington and the Field Day was spent on Rievaulx Moor. The morning was occupied by a Patrol Obstacle Competition won by the Beaver Patrol, and in the afternoon a wide game provided an opportunity for the Scouters to take a much-needed rest. During the lunch interval several of the more handsome scouts were borrowed by a newspaper photographer to improve the scenery.

The Troop entered the Scoutcraft Competition organised by the York Association and came within a half point of the winners, Treasurer's House Troop.

P/L. D. M. Walker is to be congratulated on gaining his Scout Cord. The Otter Patrol won the Patrol Competition for the term, 47

and the Beaver Patrol won the Patrol Shield for the year. The Headmaster presented Walker's Cord and the Shield to P/L. J. E. H. Quickfall before the Troop moved off to camp.

This term a Senior Scout Patrol is being started to give older boys an opportunity to continue Scouting, with the ultimate object of gaining a number of King's Scout Badges.

SUMMER CAMP

On Tuesday, 31st July, we left York Station at 10-10 a.m., in torrential rain, for our Annual Scout Camp, which was held this year at Aber in North Wales. We arrived at Aber at 4-45 p.m. to learn the sun had been shining since 11-0 a.m. !

The site lay on the hillside, sheltered by trees and with a magnificent view across the Menai Strait to Anglesey, and on reaching it we pitched our tents and set to preparing a meal. Afterwards we laid in supplies of water and wood and thankfully tumbled into bed.

Much of Wednesday was spent in tidying up the site and exploring the surrounding countryside in beautiful weather.

On Friday, a coach was booked for the day to take us round Snowdonia. We left Aber at 9-30 a.m. in lovely sunshine and went up the Nant Ffrancon Pass, through Bethesda, where we saw the huge Penrhyn slate quarries. Our first stop was at Pont Pen-y-Bengl, where we saw an old Roman bridge over which is built the present bridge. We went on past Tryfan on the top of which stand two rocks known as Adam and Eve. We continued through Capel Curig to Bettws-yCoed, where we saw the Swallow Falls. Our route took us to Beddgelert via Llyn Ddinas, where we ate lunch. At Beddgelert we visited the famous Gelert's Grave and walked along part of the Welsh Highland Railway which used to run between Caernarvon and Portmadoc. The track took us through a long, dark tunnel leading into the Aber Glaslyn Pass where we found our coach awaiting us.

On the road to Caernarvon we caught a glimpse of Snowdon. At Caernarvon most of us went round the castle, much of which is still standing. We returned to camp via Bangor, having a close look at the Menai Bridge on the way.

In the evening six members of our Troop were invited to the Camp Fire of the 59th Salford Troop, camping near us.

On the following day we had an early lunch and left at 1-15 p.m. to climb Carnedd Llewellyn. Whilst doing so we saw a number of highland ponies and also the summit of Snowdon, which for much of the time was hidden in cloud. Carnedd Llewellyn (3,484) is only 76 feet lower than Snowdon. From the summit we had a very good view of Holyhead Island and the surrounding mountains. On the return journey we were enveloped in low cloud on the side of Foel Crach, but found our way to safety.

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On Sunday morning Mr. Bennett took a few of us to Holy Communion at Llanfairfechan and they returned to cook the lunch. The rest of us attended Matins in Aber and returned to find a leg of Welsh lamb (obtained legitimately !) sizzling in the oven, which we had made from an old oil drum. This oven was later used to bake scones and puddings most successfully.

Tuesday, our Camp Fire evening, began with an impressive sunset behind Anglesey and continued dry and starlit until our last guests had departed.

The following morning we struck camp and after an eventful journey back in crowded trains we arrived in York at 6-9 p.m.

J. E. H. QUICKFALL.

AUSTRALIAN SCOUTS' VISIT

On Friday, 14th September, the Local Association welcomed a contingent of 98 Australian Scouts and Scouters to the City. This party had been to the Jamboree in Austria and had come on from there to see something of this country by motor coach. They arrived soon after midday, spent the afternoon looking round the City, and then assembled in Big Hall to receive short speeches of welcome from the Headmaster on behalf of the School, and from Mr. Wilisdon on behalf of the Local Association. After this the whole party had tea in the Dining Hall, later dispersing to their various quarters for the night. About half slept at the School, the remainder receiving hospitality from local residents.

The party reassembled the next morning at the School, and before leaving presented the Headmaster with a book on Australia and pennants from the Jamboree to the Troop and Pack.

JUNIOR SCHOOL PATROLS

During the term five Second Class and five Proficiency Badges have been gained. "Bob-a-Job" receipts were up to last year's figures, £17 103. 6d. out of a Group total of £35 15s. 10d. In the Local Association Athletic Sports Pfluger is to be congratulated upon winning the 220 yds. race, and upon gaining second place in the 100 yds.

The Summer Camp, held at Low Askew, near Cropton, was notable for the heavy rains that fell during the week and for the minimum of dislocation it occasioned with camp arrangements and events to which all concerned look forward so much. The Troop had hardly established itself in camp when we had the privilege of a visit from the Headquarters Commissioner for Education, Brigadier Crampton, and the County Field Commissioner, Mr. J. Saxton. They carried out a close inspection of the camp and expressed great satisfaction at all they saw.