Scouts

"Good evening. Have you seen my friend, Marcel."

"Yes. He has gone to collect some eggs; do you want to buy some?"

"Yes. I would like 451."

Thus did the dusty 451 group of P.o.W.s from the notorious Castlemartin Camp identify themselves at the end of the first leg of their escape.

We had set out at 2000 hrs. during a diversion at the other end of the camp, and had run through hedges, streams, and fields, making a successful breakout. It was dusk when we reached Marcel and, tired though we were, we were directed to proceed a considerable distance further to meet Pierre. Our route took us by night along the dangerous coastline and it was with much relief that, after five hours of cautious travel, we made contact with Pierre and spent two hours in blissful unconsciousness, rolled up in the latest Army sleeping bags. A boot awakened us at 0400 hrs., and it was 18 very weary escapees who set out on the next 8-mile leg.

We had been told that Heinrich would pick us up in his boat at 0730 hrs. At 0900 hrs there was still no sign of our contact or his craft. What had happened? Were we betrayed? . . . . At 1000 hrs. our anxiety changed to joy as, out of the pouring rain, Heinrich stepped out of his craft.

After a morning spent in recuperation from a somewhat stormy crossing, we continued our journey in the heat of the sun, by now beset with such devilments as horseflies, dysentery and blisters.

The disused aerodrome at Talbenny was our objective. It was only then that we found exactly how many disused aerodromes there were in the area. It was only after much reference to our maps that Luigi was finally pinpointed in the control tower at Talbenny.

Before we crawled into our sleeping bags in our windowless retreat, we attempted to clean up our feet on the glass-covered floor. It was 0200 hrs. when we were rudely thrust forth into the darkness with orders to cover 12 miles of difficult country by a forced march in three hours.

Footsore and weary we arrived at R.N.A.S. Brawdy. "Who the blank is Hernando and what the blank are you doing here?" was the comment of an irate Duty Officer specially aroused from his bed. And so our Army Adventure Course was completed. D.J.C. and F.C.B.

At the beginning of September the Group split into two Groups, one each in the Senior and Junior Schools. We would not like this change to take place without placing on record our appreciation of all Mr. Nix has done as Group Scoutmaster for so many years. Scouting has grown to such proportions in the two Schools however, that it was becoming increasingly difficult for it all to be controlled from the Junior School. We are very pleased to be able to congratulate Mr. Nix on his appointment as an Assistant District Commissioner, in which position he will be able to draw on his long experience of Scouting for the good of the movement in York and at the same time he will continue to act as G.S.M. of the new Junior School Group

To mark the occasion the Senior School Group is changing its neckerchief from the familiar Scout green to brown with a one inch white border, and it is hoped that it will be possible later to add a small emblem incorporating the crossed keys on the point of the neckerchief.

At the end of the Summer Term both sections of the Group camped in Strathtay, Perthshire. This camp was probably one of the most difficult we have attended, beset as it was by ill-health, accidents and bad weather. Probably because of these factors it was also one of the most successful of camps in that morale was high, good humour prevailed and the programme of activities was carried out more or less as arranged. After a few days the procession of doctors and the routine of taking of temperatures and administering of medicines became accepted as inevitable and even funny. The local people proved to be very sympathetic and there seems to be little doubt that we will provide them with a talking point for many years to come. One of our greatest triumphs was that we managed to get everyone home again at the end of camp more or less fit.

SENIOR SCOUTS

Very near the end of term J. M. Lennox received his warrant as an Assistant Scoutmaster, a promotion which he had very richly earned. We should like to thank him for all he has done for the Group and for the Senior Scout Section in particular. Early in the term he completed his training of the shooting team who entered the national scout shooting competition for the Duke of Connaught's Shield. The team, J. M. Lennox, K. A. Steel, J. A. Bygate and S. K. D. Hill, scored 752 out of a possible 800, which placed us third out of eighteen teams, a very creditable result for a first attempt. The competition was won by the 1st Balcombe Group with 767 points, while Allhallows School came second with 765. This has encouraged us to try again next year, when we hope also to enter for the Junior competition. We also entered five teams of two for the York Senior Scout Competition. Because of examinations we could not enter many of our more experienced Seniors, but though we did not 61

produce such encouraging results in this competition we feel that we have given some of our younger members experience which should produce better results in the future. The competition was held on the moors north of Helmsley and provided the Scouts with a gruelling but enjoyable weekend.

We were very pleased to be able to help regularly with training in a local Troop during most of the term. A small team regularly turned out on Wednesday evenings under Lennox and again we hope that this arrangement will continue.

At the end of term, in place of the normal camp, Lennox, Steel and Hill went to Gilwell Park to help in the running of the Third Regional Agoon. The name apparently comes from the Greek and has the double meaning which implies a struggle against adversity. An Agoon is a camp for handicapped Scouts and this one at Gilwell was attended by Scouts from all over Europe and was intended to be their equivalent of the Jubilee Jamboree, held at Sutton Park last year. An account of the Agoon follows later.

General progress was satisfactory. All Senior Scouts are now First Class, with the exception of three who needed the Camping qualification. Nine gained the Ambulance Badge after a particularly stiff test which most of them failed at the first attempt. A Field Day was held on the Wolds to the east of Malton, the main activity being training for and testing of various parts of the Venturer Badge. The examiners were the P/L's, who proved to be particularly difficult to impress.

Finally, we should like to bid farewell to those who are leaving us this term. We hope that they will continue in Scouting, with the ultimate object of helping to run a Troop.

SENIOR SCOUT CAMP

Our site at Balnaguard, in Perthshire, was close to, but invisible from that occupied by the Scouts. It was an excellent site, situated on a low plateau and very well drained, so that despite much heavy rain neither our tents nor our kitchens were swamped, though other campers in the same district were washed out.

More time than usual was spent in the daily routine of camping, the weather and other difficulties making everyone just that little bit slower, but we also spent much time in exploring the area surrounding the camp The main attraction was the Balnaguard Burn with its magnificent waterfalls and gorges. The valley extended right up into moorland which provided excellent walking country, while the Burn itself had a number of deep pools of very cold water in which many managed to steel themselves to swim. "Paddling" also became a popular pastime during the few periods of spare time. This activity had to be seriously curtailed, however, once it was discovered that the word has a double meaning, not, as yet, in common currency.

During the camp two parties climbed Ben Lawers and all the Seniors took part in one of two short trek camps, using the notorious trike carts. Though marred by the weather, these were both successful from the point of view of providing the type of experience for which Scout training is designed to prepare the boy.

Other activities included the traditional night game, which ended somewhat abruptly when one of us forgot the existence of a very steep slope and tried to fell several trees without the aid of an axe, and the Camp Fire on the last evening. At this Camp Fire Mr. Craine was introduced to some of our strange rituals, including one which resulted in his having a mug of cold water poured over his head. This merely strengthened his desire to join the Group and we look forward to having him with us in the future.

K.G.C.

THIRD REGIONAL AGOON

My first impression when I arrived at Gilwell was one of shock at seeing so many people suffering from serious handicaps. People without sight or hearing, spastics unable to control their movements, or cripples with puny, useless arms or legs. Yet they had all come to camp.

I soon became used to the sight of cripples playing football and of deaf boys "talking" to each other or buying sweets in the providore, and it was obvious that they did not want and had no use for pity or help, but were determined to do as much as possible for themselves.

They greatly enjoyed the visits of Lord Rowallan, Lady BadenPowell and Princess Alexandra. They also went for a trip on the Thames, took part in organised sports and in various competitions. The Belgians put on an excellent camp fire item, in which three Scouts with almost non-existent legs performed a series of tricks while walking on their hands.

Throughout the Agoon I never saw anyone looking unhappy or lonely, everyone was cheerful and languages did not create barriers. These Scouts from all over Europe were obviously at Gilwell to enjoy themselves and make light of their difficulties, and it was both a pleasure and a rewarding experience to be there.

J.M.L.

SCOUT TROOP

This term, as we hoped, the fruit of much labour was gathered in. No less than fourteen Scouts, a record number, completed their 1st Class Journeys during the term and thus gained their 1st Class Badges. A number of them will therefore be eligible for immediate entry into the Senior Scouts next term, while those who remain in this Troop will be in a strong position for promotion. This achievement would not have been possible without the loyal co-operation and enthusiasm of Mr. Montgomery and of Baldwin, Parkin and Steel, all three of whom gained their warrants as Scouters this term. 63