Scouting

This year five members of the Section have been enrolled in the R.N.V.R. under the Schools Entry Scheme :- Hilton (Tyne Division). Fletcher (Humber Division). Greenwood (Humber Division). Shaw (Humber Division). Quarmby, M. J. (Humber Division).

The first three of the above are leaving and we wish them every success in their National Service with the Royal Navy.

R.A.F. SECTION

During the term the Section was fortunate in having the assistance of Ft./Sgt. Hopkins, of 64 Group, for instruction in two subjects for the Proficiency Examination. We are grateful, too, to Ft./Lt. Elliott, also of 64 Group, for sparing time to give some instruction in Navigation, and for helping to arrange the supply-dropping part of the exercise after the Annual Inspection.

Instruction given by N.C.O.s of the Section has improved in standard and has given useful experience.

We congratulate Sgt. Everitt on completing his training as a pilot under the Flying Scholarship scheme. He did this at Cambridge during the Easter holidays. His flying badge was presented to him by Group Captain Greenaway of the Royal New Zealand Air Force.

Fortune and Simmons did well to complete their "C" Certificate gliding training at Rufforth, for which they gave up much spare time at week-ends.

N.C.O.s of the Section have taken an increasing part in the running of the C.C.F. as a whole, and this has been particularly noticeable in the Recruit and Basic Sections.

Four First Class Badges have been gained this term; in addition most of the Scouts are well on the way to First Class standard, and a large number of Proficiency Badges has been gained.

In meetings the accent has been on out-of-door activities, including the building of an aerial runway, the felling of a large sycamore for the 21st Birthday Camp Fire, and the running of week-end camps, on the usual site at Dunnington, and at other sites found by the Scouts themselves. In addition to the Group Field Day mentioned elsewhere another day was spent in the district south of Cawood. Patrols set out on bikes, and later on foot, to follow map routes set by one Scout who 48

shall remain nameless. Most of the Troop found its way to the rendezvous after various adventures, though three members of the Seal Patrol managed to lose themselves in the wilds of Church Fenton.

This year the Patrol Competition Shield was won by the Otter Patrol led by P/L. D. Pfluger, the same Patrol coming first in the Camp Competition, even though they were without their P/L., who unfortunately missed camp because of eye trouble.

The Senior Scout Section has flourished during the year and next term there will be at least two Patrols. Most of the Seniors are working hard to become Queen's Scouts, and during the holidays have been busily working for qualifying badges. This has entailed a visit to the Fulford Sewage Works to obtain information for the Public Health Badge and a number of hikes and expeditions for the Venturer Badge. So proficient at cooking did the Seniors become at camp that they intend taking the Master Cook Badge, one section of which requires them to prepare and serve a full meal "with all the niceties of good manners" !

SUMMER CAMP, 1952

Camp this year will be remembered by all as one which triumphed in adversity. From the start it seemed doomed. The site we had hoped for on the Yorkshire coast never materialised; however, we found an admirable site on the coast at Fenham-le-Moor in Northumberland, but at very short notice we were sent to Seahouses because of the danger of spreading foot and mouth disease. The Football Field at Seahouses filled us all with despondency as we drove in on a lorry from Chathill Station. On two sides there were houses and, not far away, was a large caravan camp, but by turning to the south-east we had one uninterrupted view of the sea, and facing our tents in this direction we were able to forget the proximity of other people. Despite, or perhaps because of these troubles, the camp was thoroughly enjoyed by all and probably the best feature was the happy good humour which characterised the many and varied activities of the week.

Expeditions included one to Holy Island (Lindisfarne) and another round the Fame Islands. We crossed to Holy Island on foot soon after high tide, wading through sea water which was over our knees for more than a mile. We followed the route taken by the ancient and decrepit Ford taxis which ply between Holy Island and the mainland. When we returned, after visiting the castle and St. Cuthbert's Priory, the tide was completely out and we were able to cross back to the mainland virtually dry shod. We went out to the Fame Islands in a small boat. There was a heavy swell running and this, coupled with a glorious evening sky, made it a most memorable trip. We saw many seals and a large variety of sea birds. We landed on the Outer and Inner Fame Islands and looked down precipitous cliffs at nesting 49

cormorants, shags and fulmar petrels and watched young terns being taught to fly. The whole trip took over three hours and we travelled nearly fifteen miles before putting in to Seahouses harbour again.

Other activities included a wide game in the sand dunes and the construction of elaborate camp kitchens, one with an oil drum oven for the main camp, and the other, with a biscuit tin oven, for the Senior Scout camp. Joints of mutton were roasted in both and the Seniors baked bread and a variety of cakes and pies, the bread being superior in quality to that supplied by the baker.

The weather had been mainly cold and rather wet but granted us a perfect last evening for our Camp Fire. On the following morning we struck camp in bright sunshine while the fair which was to take our place lumbered on to the field.

THE SCOUT GROUP

21ST BIRTHDAY CELEBRATION

On 21st March, 1952, the Group came of age. The Troop was started in St. Olave's in 1931 by K. G. Chilman at the suggestion of the Head Master, Mr. S. M. Toyne, whose daughter, now Mrs. P. Sewell, began the Pack. Preliminary plans for celebrating this event were laid early in the year and the Head Master kindly promised a whole day off for the entire Group early in the Summer Term.

So it came about that on Friday, 6th June, the Group, over 90 strong, set off by coach at 9-30 a.m. for Riccalldale and the Moor north of Helmsley. The Senior School Patrols got off at Helmsley, the Senior Scouts to spend the day on an Adventure Hike in preparation for the Venturer Badge, the other Patrols to make their way by devious cross-country routes to an agreed point in time for the midday lunch. The Junior School Patrols reached this rendezvous by coach and spent the morning exploring and bathing.

In the afternoon Junior and Senior School Patrols joined in a Wide Game on Rievaulx Moor. Soon after 4 p.m. coaches were boarded and the Group repaired to the "Black Swan" at Helmsley for tea. After this had been disposed of in no uncertain fashion the journey was continued back to School in rain which fortunately had held off until then.

The day concluded with a Supper to the Group given by the School, at which the Head Master presided. The Guest of Honour was, of course, the Founder of the Group, Mr. K. •G. Chilman. Other guests included Mrs. Dronfield, Mr. A. Graham, District Commissioner, and Mr. B. D. A. Best, Hon. Secretary of the Local Association. In a short speech after supper the Head Master paid tribute to the valuable work Mr. Chilman had done for the Troop since its inception. In his reply Mr. Chilman thanked the Head Master for the excellent meal 50