Scouts

Administration was generally excellent. We had a cooked breakfast, a hard-tack and chocolate lunch and a cooked meal when we returned to base in the evening. However, we sadly lacked facilities for drying wet clothing. Our R.A.S.C. rations were usually delicious (it depended on the duty cook) and our Gaz stoves excellent. Bombardier Bywater later assumed the role of chef and managed to remain popular, whilst L./Sgt. Baldwin's climbing experience was invaluable.

Finally we must thank Captain Gaastra and R.S.M. Power, the former for his kindness and expert care and instruction, the latter for his stimulus, his soup and a Boy Scout Hut.

It was a great experience, although perhaps even better in retrospect. C.J.T.

THE SCOUT GROUP

SENIOR SCOUT TROOP

The most outstanding achievement has been that P/L. (S) R. A. B. Wood completed his requirements for the Bushman's Thong and Queen's Scout Badge during the Easter holidays. He is the first to have done so for some two years and we offer him our congratulations. Several Seniors completed the Fireman Course and all successfully took the examination at the end, while an encouraging number went on Venturer journeys during the Easter holidays. These hope to complete the Venturer Badge next term.

For the Field Day we split into two groups. Some two-thirds of the Troop took advantage of the recent acquisition of a large selection of new ropes to spend the day doing some elaborate pioneering. An excellent suspension bridge was constructed, while a few noble spirits cooked lunch in the training ground for the rest of the party. The rest of the Troop disappeared into the oblivion of the Hambleton Hills under the benign control of A.S.M. M. J. French. As far as we know they went on a hike.

The Summer Camp will be held in the Edale area of Derbyshire, from Tuesday, 1st August, to Wednesday, 9th August. Full details will be sent to parents during the Summer term and we hope that most of the Senior Troop will be able to attend this camp in an area which should give full scope to the varied interests of the members of the Troop.

GILWELL : APRIL, 1961

During the Easter holiday, the 6th Leadership in Scouting course was held at the World Scout Leaders' Training Ground, Gilwell Park, Essex. The course, open to all Public Schoolboys, was attended by 47 boys from schools all over Britain. The course is 35

intended to encourage boys to become Scouters at a later age, but it is not intended only for scouts.

On arrival each boy pays the very nominal sum of £2 and he is then put into one of six patrols, in which each person has a specific job. At 12-30 p.m. each day the patrol order changes so that each person has a chance to lead the patrol.

The activities are varied but all are connected with some aspect of Scouting. Each morning there is inspection at 9-30 a.m. There is no specified time for rising from the camp beds, three to a large tent, or for breakfast. Then there is some activity in which the P.L. is the central figure, such as large scale Pioneering, or Venturer incidents (crossing ravines, swamps, etc.). In the afternoon, after a cold lunch, there is a short talk and then the subject is put into practice with some amusing twist. At 7-0 p.m. there is a four course meal, cooked by the staff, and some social activity is arranged for the evening.

This year there were also opportunities to meet the Chief Scout, Sir Charles MacLean, the Lord Mayor of London, Lady BadenPowell and other interesting personalities. In fact it was said of the course that it was "the most enjoyable, the most interesting, and the cheapest week ever spent !" J.T.B.

SCOUT TROOP

Numbers have fluctuated this term but are now steady at 24. At the beginning of the term we lost three scouts who joined the C.C.F. and gained one tenderfoot, J. R. Stapleton. After a fortnight Q. G. Rowbottom joined the troop and later on C. J. Atkinson as another tenderfoot.

The first class scouts have continued their Scout Cord training under A.S.M. J. A. Shouksmith. R. J. D. Wilson and A. C. Milnes were awarded their Scout Cord and the others will have completed their badges by next term.

The field day was held on the edge of the wolds at Hanging Grimston. The four patrols were dropped at different points and told to rendezvous at a given map reference. All the patrols arrived within 10 minutes of the arranged time, and an enjoyable exercise was held in the afternoon. This took place on a steeply sloping hillside and a few minor mishaps occurred as the attackers got out of control running down the hill and failed to miss some thorn bushes.

The annual camp this year will take place as usual at the end of next term and it is hoped that all scouts will be able to attend. The site is near Kirk Michael in the Isle of Man. 36