Senior School Scouts

R.N. SECTION

This has been a most successful term for the Section, culminating in a number of very satisfactory examination results. On the G.C.F. Day, Commander Powell, R.N., paid us his first visit in his capacity of Admiralty Administrative Officer. In the course of his visit Leading Seamen Shaw, Quarmby, Greenwood, and Able Seaman Lochore all passed the P.O. Oral and Power of Command Tests. Since these four had already passed the P.O. Written Examination (Quarmby with distinction), we should soon have four more cadets who have passed for P.O., this will bring the total to six, which will be a most satisfactory record.

Out of 19 entrants, eight cadets passed the Leading Seaman Written Test and all of these were subsequently successful in the Oral Test.

P.O. Fletcher (who was advanced this term from Leading Seaman) continued to handle the R.N. Squad of the Basic Section in a most able manner. On the administrative side, Ord/Seaman Moore was appointed Divisional Office Writer, and A/A.B. Walton and Ord/Seaman Leonard put in some hard work to get the stores ready for inspection.

Finally P.O. Hilton has continued to inspire much keenness in the Section, and is to be specially complimented on the high standard of drill which has been maintained throughout the term.

This term has seen some advances made in badge work. Three Senior Scouts, P/L. M. J. Baddeley, Second J. E. H. Quickfall, and J. H. Baines have gained the Ambulance Badge, while five Scouts gained their Second Class Badge, and six Scouts the Firefighter Badge. Other tests were passed and we hope to increase the number of First Class Scouts next term.

The Patrol Competition for this term proved one of the closest on record. The Beaver Patrol with 132 points narrowly beat the Otters with 131 and the Seals with 1281.

A Field Day was spent in hiking north of York. Each Patrol planned its own route and all were supposed to meet at Kirkham Abbey at 3-30 p.m. with First Class standard journey reports. The weather was perfect for hiking and all reached the destination, though one patrol was too late for afternoon tea, which had been prepared there.

The Group received from the School a valuable 21st Birthday present in the form of six Icelandic tents. They will be most useful in providing accommodation at our Summer Camps. We are most grateful to the Head Master for them, and generally for the keen interest which he takes in our activities.

EASTER HIKE, 16th-23rd APRIL, 1952

This year we split into two parties, each with two Scouters. Party A consisted of the Senior Scout Patrol, P/L. M. J. Baddeley, Second J. E. H. Quickfall, J. H. Baines, E. Davey, R. Beckitt and D. A. A. Lamb, with P/L. C. J. Vyle, P/L. D. Pfluger, N. J. Magson, E. Turner, Kirby, Mr. Coulthard and Mr. Cooper. Party B consisted of P/L. D. M. Walker, Seconds R. M. Davey and D. J. Oldman, D. G. Metcalf, P. E. Bulmer, A. G. Hall, D. R. Holt, M. J. R. Loadman, R. E. L. Micklethwait, Worsley, T. Chilman, with Mr. Bennett and Mr. Chilman.

Nearly everyone met at York Station on the morning of 16th April and we were seen off by the Head Master, who was left to dispose of two late arrivals, who missed the train by inches, but succeeded in joining the party at Leeds. The parties followed separate routes, meeting to exchange experiences on the Sunday night at Higham Hostel, Bassenthwaite Lake.

PARTY A.

We crossed Windermere by the ferry in brilliant sunshine. There followed a rather gruelling march to the hostel in Coniston village; shortage of time forced us to keep to the roads and in the heat many feet suffered. Fortunately next day we soon left the road and took to the fells, making our way to the summit of Coniston Old Man (2,635 feet). Here we ate lurich while admiring the extensive views and basking in the sunshine. We descended via Seathwaite Tarn to the Duddon Valley, where we found a farm which provided us with tea. Fortified, we crossed to Eskdale Hostel between Harter Fell and Green Crag.

The next morning, still in sunshine, we began the ascent of Sca Fell Pike (3,210 feet). After passing Eel and Burnmoor Tarns we enjoyed (?) a not uneventful passage across Hard Rigg Screes. This kept us what height we had gained, but hardly saved any time ! However, after lunching in Lingmell Gill we made good time to a somewhat densely-populated summit. A rumour that tea might be obtained in the distant valley led certain members to descend via Sprinkling and Sty Head Tarns to Seathwaite Farm at record speed. Slower members barely had time to snatch a cup of tea in passing, as they hurried towards Longthwaite Hostel in Borrowdale. 49

The following morning as the weather broke, instead of burying our heads in the clouds on Great Gable, we constructed a handsome dam above Stockley Bridge. After lunch we split into two parties, and the Senior Patrol climbed through pouring rain and thick cloud over Windy Gap, (2,500 feet) to the welcome warmth of Black Sail Hut in Upper Ennerdale. The other party made its way to the hostel at the top of Honister Pass.

Next day we all met near Buttermere Lake and made our way over Newlands Hause and by launch from Nichol End to Keswick. A last-minute sprint enabled us to catch the bus to Higham Hostel. By an even narrower margin the next morning we caught a bus back to Keswick and thence to Thirlspot. In rain and cloud we crossed Sticks Pass, pausing for lunch, and again while Magson retrieved his hat from the mists. We descended in brightening weather to a magnificent view of Ullswater and so to Patterdale Hostel.

Our last full day was bright and clear, and leaving our packs by Hayes Water Lake we climbed to High Street (2,423 feet) along which runs a Roman road. Here we were rewarded with some of the finest views of the tour, as far north as Galloway and south to the Duddon estuary. We returned to our packs for lunch and trekked through virtually uncharted country over Threshthwaite Cove (about 2,000 feet) to Troutbeck Hostel, only two miles from Windermere Station. PARTY B.

Party B strolled to the Windermere Ferry and crossed to Bryerswood. It was soon discovered that one Scouter was speedy while the other was not and the party divided into two groups and met at Esthwaite Lodge. Next day the lazy party went by The Tarns to Coniston, while the more energetic ones climbed their first peak, Wetherlan (2,502 feet) and were rewarded with extensive views before descending steeply to the Copper Mines Hostel.

Friday was again fine and hot and it was slow going past the slate quarries to the summit of the Old Man of Coniston. The ridge walk northwards took some on to Grey Friar and all down to Cockley Beck Farm for tea. The day ended with the walk over Hard Knott Pass, visiting the Roman fort on the way to the Eskdale Hostel.

Saturday's route followed the Esk towards its source, branching north-west up Cam Spout. There was some mist in the morning and both sections had to steer by map and compass at times. After lunch at the bottom of the waterfall the steep ascent to Mickledore was tackled. On the top ridge the clouds lowered and it started to rain heavily, continuing to do so for the rest of the day. Visibility on the top of Scafell Pike was about ten yards and the compass was again needed to guide one section down by the Guide's route to Sty Head, and the other by Esk Hause to Sty Head, and then to Borrowdale. From Seatoller all went by bus to the Keswick Hostel. 50