Rosyth Report ... ... '

THE ROSYTH REPORT

On Monday, 8th July, a party of 13 members of Rodney Division, three NCO's and Sub-Lieutenant Maw, left York station on the 09.14 train to Edinburgh. On arrival at Waverly Market Station the party found they had an hour to fill-in before catching the connection. After a walk up to the Castle the train was boarded and the party continued the journey to Inverkeithing. At Inverkeithing station a Naval bus transported the party to H.M.S. Safeguard.

After being shown our cabins and having a mug of tea the programme began. First of all the party visited H.M.S. Dreadnought, a Nuclear Hunter/Killer Submarine. This was very interesting despite the ship being in the throes of a major refit and the restrictions on the Top Secret parts of her. Straight after our visit of Dreadnought the party was transported to H.M.S. Rothesay, a fast type 12, anti-submarine frigate which has just completed a long refit and been re-armed with a Seacat missile launcher and a Wasp helicopter.

The remainder of the evening, after supper, was spent looking round the Marine Salvage model room and instruction in the Diving School on Naval diving gear, followed by two films, one of which was about H.M.S. Hermes and her aircraft (which for one member of the party was his sixth showing) and the other about laying moorings in the Clyde.

We arose the following day at 07.10 to a day which, from the weather point of view, did not look too good. However this was not to prove the case. After breakfast half the party went to watch films, while the rest drove a motor whaler on the river. Unfortunately some AB's found the boat rather unmanagable and completed their turn at the helm, with disastrous results! In the middle of the morning the parties changed over to do what the other had previously done.

At 12.00 we had our third meal at Safeguard. (We must thank the cooks for the excellent food which we had during our stay). After lunch we were taken over to Port Edgar where we went aboard H.M.S. Upton, a coastal minesweeper. After leaving Port Edgar we headed out to sea and began a good trip on Upton. The three N.C.O.'s were given instruction on navigation (by visual methods and by radar) by the Captain Later on in the afternoon we were frequently asked to find the position of the ship and after a time errors were greatly reduced. The rest of the party spent sometime looking over the ship and trying their hand at steering the ship and manning the 40mm anti-aircraft gun. At 15.30 the ship's head was turned for home and speed was put on. When H.M.S. Upton berthed again at Port Edgar, we were immediately transported back to Safeguard. We then changed into No. 3's and tidied up the cabins in preparation for our departure after the evening meal. At 19.45 we caught the train at Inverkeithing and at 00.50 on Wednesday we arrived back in York.

On behalf of the party, I would like to thank everyone who contributed to the organisation of our enjoyable trip and especially P.O. McInally who looked after the party during its stay at H.M.S. Safeguard.

T.P.L.

SCOUT GROUP

Training continued upon much the same lines as last term—the patrol leaders and Mr. Craine instructing their respective groups. This training was interspersed with various visits, badge work and a field day half way through term.

On two separate weeks, half the troup went on a visit to thelwater works. The noise tended to mar what could have been a most interesting and instructional excursion.

During the Field Day, the patrol leaders worked all day in making quite a respectable "camp kitchen", although one or two did not appreciate their efforts. Many of the first year boys went on their journeys, camping en route.

Throughout the term, the accent has been on preparing for camp and, in spite of the relative inexperience of the majority of scouts, we feel that the annual summer camp at Aberfeldy should be a success.

M.G.B.H.

SCOUT CAMP, 1968

Tuesday.

The whole party, minus MacLeod and Elliott who went in Mr. Craine's van, started off from the station and after an uneventful journey, during which we changed trains at Edinburgh for Pitlochry, arrived at about halfpast five. We then tramped the Scottish Highlands trying to find Duntain Farm. At length the farm was found. Tents and kitchens were put on a beautiful site overlooking the Tay Valley. Unfortunately, the pork pies for the evening meal had not arrived so we had to make do with beans. Wednesday.

The morning was spent in trying to make the kitchens efficient and comfortable. Tables, sideboards and fireplaces were errected and large stocks of wood collected from the nearby forest. In the afternoon some of the less energetic went fishing in the Tay while football teams played a series of games at camp. Thursday.

Inspections took up most of the morning. Swifts managed to come third due to a noble solo effort by their patrol leader. In the afternoon we all went into Aberfeldy where golf was played at the nearby course and some swam in the river.

Friday

The hardy and fool-hardy decided to attempt to climb the highest mountain in the district, Schiehallion, at over 3,200 feet. After a four mile "approach walk" we were faced with a steep ascent of about 2,000 feet. Progress was slow and as it started to rain things were rather miserable. At length we reached the top and after a brief rest made a speedy retreat down the mountain. At about six o'clock Mr. Craine collected us in his van. In the evening, sufficiently recovered, the same band went to a dance in the village.

Saturday.

This is traditionally the day out. Most went to Aberfeldy to golf and fish but a few ventured as far as Pitlochry with Mr. Craine. All, however, arrived back early and in a rather bedraggled state as there had been a torrential downpour which continued throughout the afternoon. Sunday.

The whole troop attended Morning Service at the local Scottish National Church. After staying in the village for about half an hour we returned for a light lunch. In the afternoon one or two fishermen went down to the river while a soccer tournament was held at camp. Operations ceased at about four o'clock as the joint had to be cooked. All meals were proclaimed a great success. Monday

A small party went to Bonskied House, a Y.M.C.A. hostel where MacLeod's brother was working to clear some trees which had fallen during the winter storms. Not as much work as one would have liked was done as heavy rain during the afternoon stopped activities. After supper and some delicious stew there was a highly successful informal camp fire. Tuesday.

After a morning round of golf and a light lunch we set about dismantling all the gadgets. Operations finished at about nine o'clock after which there was a camp fire round a wonderful open fire. Wednesday.

An early start was made and after Curlews had been presented with the prize for efficiency and Snipes for cooking, we met the bus at nine o'clock. We had a two hour wait in Edinburgh during which we had a look at Princes Street. We finally arrived in York at half past five.

Note should be made here of the enormous help of the four A.S.Ls.— Scott, Summers, MacLeod and Elliott--and Mr. Craine who did so much to make this such a successful camp.

M.G.B.H.