Presidents Patter – Autumn 2022
Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth the Second, Patron of the Scout Association
A while has passed since the passing of her Majesty Queen Elizabeth the Second, however it is not too late to recognise her wonderful contribution to Scouting as Patron of the Scout Association. She and her sister Margaret were both members of the Buckingham Palace Girl Guide Company before the start of the Second World war, so she did not hesitate when asked be our Patron, I was fortunate enough to be involved in four different Royal occasions in the early years of her reign, of which I have fond memories.
The 2nd Whitton Air Scout Joint Rover & Senior Scout Section produced many Queens Scouts, the highest training award of the Scout Association, during its existence and I was fortunate enough to be one of the first of the Queens reign. This meant we had the honour of marching past Her Majesty when she took the salute at the Annual St Georges parade at Windsor Castle in 1952. The second occasion was in 1953 when I was involved in the making of the film “A Queen is Crowned”. Stationed at the rear of Westminster Abbey on the day. I carried exposed reels of film to waiting motorcyclists who transported them to be processed for at J A Rank’s laboratories. I witnessed a very small Prince Charles leaving early from the very long service.
The third occasion was as a member of Ralph Readers London Gang Show we were invited to take part in the 1953 Royal command performance at the London Palladium. The gang closed the first act with a rendition of a very patriotic song called,” Red, White & Blue”. We appeared with the likes of Judy Garland, Mario Lanza, and Count Basie’s Orchestra. Finally, I was on duty as a steward at the opening of Baden-Powell House, South Kensington. The Queen officially opened what was then The Scout Association HQ and Hostel, and as she approached my position I received one of her wonderful smiles. Memories indeed!
An Autumn together & Active again
Enough of me and my memories – it has been a real joy for all the Sections of the 2nd Whitton Scout Group, both last term and this, to gather, both at their weekly meetings at our HQ, and out and about for day and weekend activities. This Autumn every section has been able to indulge in many, and varied pursuits.
The Troops and Packs all held Summer Camps during the traditional months of July and August. Green Pack, a “Show Biz” camp at 1st Normandy, and Yellow Pack a “Spy” camp at Bentley Copse. The Troops, Animals and Birds combined for a joint summer camp.
The Beaver Colonies enjoyed an ”Underwater” themed fun day at Walton Firs, followed by an Adventure Activity the following day. Yellow Pack watched a production of “Mary Poppins” in a London theatre. Green Pack contributed to the survival of Whitton’s wildlife by constructing bird nesting boxes. All these and many other varied indoor and outside activities have been well documented on the 2nd Whitton website.
Long Serving Leaders recognised
At our AGM and BBQ in September two of our team had their service as Warranted Adult Leaders recognised with Awards from the Scout Association.
For 30years service :- Rachel Harrison (Assistant Beaver Leader, Lakes & Rivers)
For 5years service :- Andrew Dixon (Assistant Beaver Leader, Lakes & Rivers)
Subsequently two further service Awards have been made :-
For 50years service :- David Clay (Acting Group Scout Leader)
For 40years service :- Philip Beal (Cub Scout Leader, Yellow Pack)
On behalf of the Group my congratulations to you all and grateful thanks for all the voluntary unpaid work you have carried out over many years for the benefit of our young, uniformed members. Remembering that the national average of service of a Leader is only three and a half years.
Thank you, thank you, thank you!
It cannot be said often enough, and so once more I do not apologies for using the words “Thank you”. Particularly when it comes to the contribution some kind folk make to our Voluntary Youth Organisation. A number of the Scout Association Thanks Badges were awarded recently by the Yellow Pack to those who have assisted in that sections activities over a number of years.
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. The Group’s Trim Trail is now in place behind the Project Hut and will be fully operational once the height of the neighbour’s fences are raised so the youngsters cannot be seen exercising.
May I wish you all the best of Christmas Greetings and good wishes for the New Year and a Bumper year of 2nd Whitton Scouting in 2023.
Geoff Benge
Group President