President’s Patter Autumn 25
Camps, Glorious Camps!
Over Late Spring and Early Summer the Section Leader teams of every part of our Group provided numerous opportunities for all our young members to sample the “Out” in Scouting and provide “The Skills for Life” Scouting provides, along with having fun doing so.
Camp wise, the season commenced with a 200 strong family Camp at PACCAR (Chalfont Heights as I know it). The Beavers enjoyed another full day at the 1st Normandy HQ site, as did Green Pack a few weeks later. The Yellow Pack followed with a week at BentLey Copse, their traditional venue. The Troops once again combined to join other Troops from the District, again at PACCAR, to celebrate 25 years of the Richmond-upon-Thames Scout District. It does not seem that long ago when the Richmond and Twickenham Scout Districts combined. If fact it was the year 2000 when our Beaver Leader Nikki was asked to design a badge for the combined District. With a Twickenham Swan and a Richmond Deer, joined by a single bridge over the River Thames, the design was accepted. That badge was adopted and attached to the Greater London Southwest Tower Bridge image, it has been proudly worn by all our uniform members ever since.
Got Gold!
After Beavers before the Summer break through the hall doors, I was delighted to witness the presentation to ten of the older Bird Troop members, the Chief Scout Gold Award, the top training award for Scouts. I’ve no doubt their names will appear on our web site shortly, when the names of Silver Cubs and Bronze Beavers will join them.
Congratulations! and well done to all of you.
And then there were two!
At the Group AGM & BBQ, before the Summer Break, I was really thrilled to witness the presentation by Phil Hunt, the District Lead Volunteer, the King’s Scout Award to a member of the Animal Troop’s Leader Team. So, from me, many, many, congratulations to Ash Greening on the gaining of this, difficult to achieve, top training award in Scouting.
Alan Hall was our one and only other King’s Scout, everyone else since, including myself, became Queen’s Scouts on the accession of our late Queen and Patron. Alan moved to Scotland, and is still, I believe alive and kicking though I have lost touch with him. I believe we can claim Ash as one of our own and look forward to her name appearing on the Royal Scout Honour’s board very soon.
Meritorious Conduct!
The scene was set at the Richmond upon Thames District AGM & BBQ, held at Kerswell Hall, (1st Whitton and District HQ) on Sunday 15th September. Everyone was in place, a dozen members of our Group along with numerous other Leaders and supporters from throughout the District. The principal players were in front, Phil Hunt. Our District Leader Volunteer, and Owen Purcell, the County Lead Volunteer, then, then, he called out her, name “Rachel Dawn Harrison,” our very own Assistant Beaver Leader. What followed was for a few of us an immensely proud and emotional few minutes when Rachel, to her later admitted surprise, was awarded the Scout Association Medal for Meritorious Conduct.
Owen then read out the citation “In recognition of their continued commitment and dedication to the Scouts in the face of incredible adversity, and for their determination to never give up and giving hope to others”
Never a truer word was spoken, and the Group is so very pleased to have her back in our ranks.
Catching up!
It was great for me to catch up with some old members from years gone by, over the Summer, and reminisce about the good old days, when life seemed a lot simpler, and less pressured. I met up for chats with Reg Hankey, on his annual visit for shooting at Bisley, and Dave Millard living on The Isle of Wight visiting our holiday home, and Norman Street who is also one of my regular meet up with, and phone contact. Thanks for staying in touch, fellers.
Squirrels have landed! Completing the 2nd Whitton Scout Group Family
What a wonderful start to the Group’s Autumn Term with the completion of the 2nd Whitton Scout Family. The opening of our first Squirrel Drey took place at the start of September. Welcome to the family and many thanks to Sarah English and her team for volunteering to start up for us this newest Section for 4 to 6 year olds.
90, NOT OUT!
In 1936 the first meeting of the 2nd Whitton Scout Troop took place, with Fred Benge as Scoutmaster.
On the 9th of December 1936, the 2nd Whitton Scout Group was registered at the Scout Imperial Headquarters, number 18351. The rest is history, as they say. Next year we will, God willing, be celebrating 90 years of Scouting in our part of Whitton. Plans are already afoot and you, dear reader, and blasts from the past, will be invited to share in those celebrations.
Short, but so Meaningful!
Thank you, any and everyone, who made any contribution whatsoever to the Group’s activities during the past 6 months.
I hope all our families enjoyed a “Second to None” Summer 2025, with the 2nd Whitton Scout Group. Be safe until my next Presidents Patter.
Geoff Benge
