Scouting

ing to impose too rigid a control on the training of individual units. The allocation of transport, placed at our disposal for the whole week, was particularly helpful, and we should like to see this become normal practice. We may say in conclusion that if future camps are as smoothly run as this and the camp last year at Gandale, we shall be very well satisfied.

NI THE GROUP

All connected with the Group will learn with regret that Mr. J. S. Cooper has found it necessary to resign his warrant as Cubmaster, on his appointment as Master i/c. Junior School.

Mr. Cooper has been C.M. since 1937, and his enthusiasm has been such that in addition to his work in running the Pack, he has found time to assist at Troop meetings, hikes and camps, and finally to initiate and run a second Pack. For several years, too, he has organised the York & District Association Cub Sports and has served on the Local Association Executive Committee as a Cubber representative. Both the Group and the Association will be much the poorer by the loss of his very practical and energetic support.

SENIOR SCOUT TROOP

Full meetings were never possible during the Summer Term because of impending examinations and C.C.F. commitments, but training meetings continued regularly. In the early part of the term a Field Day was held on Skipwith Common and it was attended by those Senior Scouts not in the C.C.F. The programme consisted of training and practice in stalking, followed by a wide game, which was really too wide for the small numbers involved. However, an enjoyable time was had by all, even though the two sides found great difficulty in finding each other in the dense vegetation. The great heat and numerous midges made the swim in one of the ponds a very welcome end to the Field Day.

During the term preparations for the impending trek camp took up much of our time. The trike carts were planned from suggestions in the "Scouter", and we made arrangements for the frames to be welded in York. The carts measure 20 ins. x 30 ins. and each runs on one solid rubber wheel. They are controlled by pairs of long, adjustable shafts and are towed by ropes attached to rings at the front. Because they are single-wheeled the carts can be taken over rough ground and they can be dismantled and portaged where necessary.

The frames were not ready until less than a week before camp, and we had a frantic rush to make and fit the wooden linings and

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sides, the handles, and the ropes and cleats, and for a time everything seemed to go wrong. During the camp, however, they behaved perfectly and stood up to some extremely rough handling. It seems that trek camping is popular and it will probably become a regular feature of the Senior Scout programme.

During the holidays P./L. (S.) E. H. N. Turner represented us at the Jamboree in Canada, and his account of his experiences appears elsewhere. A number of the Troop have undertaken Venturer Badge journeys and it is hoped that they will complete the Badge early next term.

THE SENIOR SCOUT TREK CAMP

Perthshire, Summer, 1955

The idea of a trek camp, carrying our luggage on three carts, was a new one, but all who took part will agree that it was completely successful and that it fostered a spirit of co-operation and helpfulness that was perhaps a little lacking at the beginning of the camp. Memories we shall always have with us are of the generosity of all the people we met, especially the landowners; the glorious weather which defeated our original plans and the aggressiveness of Scottish midges.

The party consisted of twelve Scouts, Mr. Coulthard and Mr. Read. Arriving at Perth at about 4 p.m. on the Tuesday, we organised a shopping expedition and then trudged 5 miles uphill to Dupplin, the estate of Lord Forteviot, who provided a camp site in a clearing in his woods. Next day the temperature rose to 84° F. in the shade and tempers became a little short as the tent-cart needed constant re-packing. At the top of a particularly steep hill it was decided to abandon much of the bedding at the next camp site and move under lighter loads. One blanket may have been uncomfortable, but it was worthwhile. That night we camped on an estate named Tulcan, where we bathed in the River Almond.

Thursday was just as hot, and during the afternoon we made our main meal of the day, rested, and continued hiking in the evening. That day we left the road and followed the River Almond up its glen, and then as the clouds came down over the hills and dusk fell we left the river and ploughed over boulders, bracken and streams to the head of Glen Lochan, and at half-past nine camped in the mist on the shore of Lochan Uaine. Here we made acquaintance with the midges, who fed well that night. Next morning we shot down into Glen Quaicht for breakfast on a litter-strewn "beauty spot" on the shore of Loch Freuchie. It was mid-day before we moved on up the glen to follow a strong track over the moors to Loch Tay. We went down to the loch at a fantastic pace in order to reach Kenmore

before the shops shut. At the village shop we were directed to a camp site near the River Tay, where it came out of the loch. That evening we had new potatoes, peas, pears and cream, a change from the nourishing but monotonous dish of "Swel", "Porn" and corned beef.

In spite of averaging 11 miles a day we were a day behind schedule, and in view of the extraordinary heat we changed our route. Saturday was a rest day. We sunbathed and bathed in the loch.. On Sunday we went for 6 miles along the side of Loch Tay to Arotalnaig, where we took a track which went over to the headwaters of the River Almond. We camped that night by a deserted shepherd's cottage known as Dunan. This camp site was probably the best of any. There was marvellous scenery all round, wood and water were plentiful, and the turf was excellent for sleeping on, being remarkably springy. Several of the more energetic climbed a local hill which topped 2,000 ft. and which commanded an excellent view of the mountains, including Ben More, Ben Lawers and Schichallion.

The next day we followed the River Almond right down to Tulchan again, passing the works of a large hydro-electric station which is now being built. All along the glen myxomatosis had hit hard. The ground was littered with the decaying corpses of rabbits, though many diseased ones were still alive. We killed the first few we saw, but there were too many—and it was a messy job, anyway. Back at Tulchan we retrieved our surplus bedding and collapsed on our old camp site with blistered feet and sunburnt legs and faces.

We followed Wednesday's route backwards the next day, but owing to our hard-won experience in the management of the carts, it was much easier. Our snack lunch had to be postponed for an hour or two because we arrived at Methuen just too late and the' shops had shut for lunch. Back at Dupplin we learnt that Lord Forteviot had provided a lorry to take us back to Perth the next morning. Spirits rose and we had a very enjoyable camp-fire that evening, at which Mr. Read obliged with a solo.

The journey back was very crowded and the 3-hour break in Edinburgh was welcome. Ten shillings each from camp funds made the visit still more pleasant. We arrived back at York at 6 p.m. and took the carts back to School to unload them.

In all we had walked over 70 miles and the carts had stood up to the strains marvellously, despite having been pulled over very rough ground to over 1,800 feet above sea level. D. J.0_

The term started with intensive practices for the York Scoutcraft Competition, but once again the Thompson Cup has eluded us by a narrow margin.

The week-ends chosen for patrol camps at Dunnington were mostly wet and provided valuable experience of wet-weather camping. P./L. Smith, J. M., gained the First Class Badge during the term and several other boys were expecting to complete the tests in the holidays.

For our field day, patrols were sent by bus to Stamford Bridge, Sand Hutton and Harton, and then had to follow routes of about eight miles to Kirkham Abbey. The map-reading involved was expertly performed and everyone arrived in good time. A swim in the River Derwent followed by light refreshments completed a most enjoyable day.

The last few weeks of term were occupied with preparations for camp in North Wales, a report of which is given below.

4

SUMMER CAMP

The camp was held in the Gwydyr National Forest Park, near Llanrwst and Bettws-y-Coed. The site was an excellent one in a high valley surrounded by wooded hills. A nearby lake was used daily for swimming, and even the least energetic of the party agreed that the water was very warm. Continuous fine weather made the normal camp tasks delightfully simple and the cooking, in particular, was very good throughout.

Several expeditions into the mountains were arranged. Everyone climbed Snowdon from the top of Llanberis Pass, and though it was hot work in the blazing sun, the views from the summit were an ample reward. On another day D. M. Walker took a select party by a cross-country route up Carnedd Llewelyn, which is only 75 feet lower than Snowdon and is more remotely situated. The rest of the Troop climber Moel Siabod, from which all the main peaks of Snowdonia are visible, descending to Dolwyddelan for the bus journey back.

Visits to the nearby lead mine and to the Swallow Falls completed a most enjoyable camp and we left Llanrwst with the intention of returning there in the future.

EXPEDITION TO THE THREE PEAKS 4

Last term Mr. Cooper, to show that old age had not yet immobilised him, invited a party of Senior Scouts to spend a day of the holidays climbing Whernside, Ingleborough and Pen-y-Ghent; a 9-hour task involving some 25 miles. About ten Scouts volunteered, but on 7th September only two of these, Russell and Oldman, were collected by car at 5-30 a.m.