Shooting

those Seniors not in the C.C.F. spent the day on the Wolds to the east of Malton, where, during a hike, various "incidents" took place as practice for the Venturer Badge.

During the term it was decided that we would have our static camp during the Easter holidays this year instead of the usual Hostel tour. The camp will probably be held somewhere in the Peak District. During the Summer holidays we hope to have a moving camp, but it has not yet been decided whether to move by foot, bicycle or on water.

SENIOR SCHOOL TROOP

The Troop has grown this term and a fifth patrol, the Squirrels, has been formed. This increase in numbers throws more responsibility for progress on the patrol leaders and individual scouts. Most boys have passed some of the First Class or Second Class tests during the term and a few proficiency badges have been gained.

We had one field day during the term. Patrols went by bus to various points—Strensall, Stamford Bridge and places between—and followed cross-country routes to Kirkham Abbey. The map-reading was good and everyone arrived in time for tea and biscuits before returning to York.

Many of the troop meetings have had to be held indoors and in the earlier part of the term the programme was made up of work for tests and games. In the last few meetings we built bridges, one of the pier type outside and a trestle bridge across the gymnasium. The lashings were in some cases rather shaky, but both bridges were crossed by the whole troop without mishap

Plans are now being made for the annual walking tour in the Lake District next Easter. About half of the troop will be going and we are looking forward to an enjoyable trip.

The range has been well used this term—indeed to such an extent that we had to cancel practices for the last fortnight because the steel plates which stop the bullets were worn through in several places, and were no longer safe. On Tuesdays there have been "parade" shoots, during which training and practice have been given to all the recruits, the Army and R.A.F. Basic Sections. Other days have been devoted to training an VIII.

We were left with three old colours (Ibberson, the captain, Penman, and Griffiths) and two other members (Beckitt and Hewson), and the remaining three places were filled without much selective difficulty. 40