Presidents Patter – Autumn 23

Better late than never

Apologies for the lateness of this edition of my Presidents Patter, but as the title reflects, time has marched on. Baden Powell, the Founder of Scouting, although an advocate of the full embracement of the life of Scouting, always recognised the value of the family unit, and as a such maintained “Family First” in all aspects of life.

With that foremost in my mind, as some of you readers are aware, our family is presently enduring a troubled period in our lives. Hence the delay in my contribution this time round.

In Days of Yore – Skiffle Group

The passing away of Gerald “Ossie” Oswald in early December, prompts me once again to reminisce about days of my youth as members of our Scout Group. “Os” was a good friend and was my Best Man at my marriage to Margaret at St Augustine’s church in September 1961. He was a great character and appeared in both Our Shows and the London Gang Show casts. We were part of the then 2nd Whitton’s Joint Senior & Rover Air Scout Unit, and as such enjoyed many adventures together under the Leadership of Bill “Eagle” Summerfield. At the height of his popularity on the then Pop scene Lonnie Donagan was the King of Skiffle (ask your Grandparents about this era). A group of us decided to form our own Skiffle group, and so we did. Under the name JASS (Joint Air Scout Skiffle), the old spelling of jazz, we won the first Borough Skiffle competition, went on to perform numerous gigs, around the area and beyond. Renamed “The Nomads”, we appeared at the Mansion House, the Chiswick Empire theatre, The Borough River boat regatta on the Thames, The London Gang Show, and as the interval act at York House with the Hugh Douglas Orchestra and many more. We ended up as “The Gerry Oswald Four” before there came the parting of the ways in the early sixties. The final four comprised Gerry Oswald (Guitar and Vocals), Barry Summerfield (Solo Guitar), Al “Perce” Purcel (Drums), and Geoff Benge (Bass Guitar). Many, many, memories came flooding back from those days. I expect Gerry is up there in heaven singing “The Rock Island Line”, with a choir of Angels.

Autumn Activities in the Present

Once more, enough of me and my memories – I hope most of you have dipped into the 2nd Whitton web site which will have brought you up-to-date with all the Section’s numerous activities.
As ever it was a great pleasure to be part of the Group’s annual carol Ho Ho Ho evening, and many thanks are due once more to Colin Attree for devising the programme, and the Supporters for the setting up of the HQ and the wonderful buffet spread.

Help, we need Somebody!

As “The Beatles” desperately cried out back in the day, not only the Beaves Colonies, Cub Packs and Scout Troops all need extra adult help on Section meeting nights. It does not mean signing up for life, though some of us have willingly done so. We as a group need willing folk who are prepared to assist for the hour or hour and a half, during week night meetings. It really is very satisfying and good fun. The pay, like those of our regular Leaders, is nil, just the satisfaction of knowing you are contributing to our young members Skills for Life.

Thank you, thank you, thank you!

I said it last Patter but it cannot be said often enough, and so once more I do not apologies for using the words “Thank you”.
It would also be remiss of me not to include in my thanks those who continue to look after our Group HQ, grounds, and equipment, including the trimming of the bushes in the rear driveway entrance, and also helping in stewarding the car parking for rugby’s Autumn Internationals, which is such an invaluable source of income for the Group.
Finally, may I, on behalf of myself, and our Vice-Presidents, Colin, David CC and Tim, send you all good wishes for the New Year and a Bumper year of 2nd Whitton Scouting in 2024.

Geoff Benge
Group President