Scouting

THE GROUP

Yet a further stage in the development of the Group was reached at the beginning of the past term by the formation of a Senior Troop under the charge of Mr. K. G. Coulthard. For twelve months a Senior Patrol had been operating to a large extent alongside the other Patrols, which have now been in continuous existence in the Senior School since 1942. This September it was found possible to create a second Patrol of Senior Scouts, sufficient to form a Senior Troop.

The opportunity has also been taken of reorganising the other Patrols in the Junior and Senior Schools, which, though one Troop in theory, have latterly been training separately. A Senior School Troop has now been formed under Mr. R. Bennett, and a Junior School Troop under Mr. K. G. Chilman, thus regularising a somewhat anomalous state of affairs. By the end of the coming term there will be well over one hundred Scouts and Cubs in the Group. 1. SENIOR SCOUT TROOP

This term, with eleven Senior Scouts, we became officially a Senior Scout Troop of two Patrols, the extra Patrol being named after David Livingstone. M. J. Baddeley remained P./L.(S.) of the Scott Patrol, while J. E. H. Quickfall became P./L.(S.) of the Livingstone Patrol.

The highlight of the term was that P./L.(S.) M. J. Baddeley and Sec.(S.) J. H. Baines became Queen's Scouts. They are to be congratulated on achieving this very high standard of Scouting and, at the same time, maintaining a very satisfactory rate of progress in the C.C.F. They will be presented with the Royal Certificate by Lord Rowallan, the Chief Scout, probably during the Easter holidays.

Much progress has been made by the rest of the Troop. Four Venturer and a number of other proficiency badges have been gained and meetings have concentrated on training for the Ambulance Badge on the lines laid down by modern St. John's methods. A Log Book is now being kept, and it is hoped to make it a complete record of the activities of the Troop, including many of the less serious moments.

During the last few weeks of term anxious hours were spent trying to find a key in which we could all at least try to sing. We decided to go carol-singing in Christmas week as a Christmas Good Turn in aid of the National Institute for the Blind. We thoroughly enjoyed our two evenings singing and eating and drinking until we felt that the best good turn we had done was to ourselves. All contributed generously and a social gathering of the Senior Scouts' parents on the second evening swelled our total collection to £8 15s. Od., which made us feel that perhaps our voices were not so bad after all !

During the Easter holidays we are cycling into southern Scotland, staying at Youth Hostels. We are planning to visit Edinburgh and to explore the Southern Uplands. As only one Hostel provides meals we should have plenty of cooking practice before Summer Camp. 5. 1