Presidents Patter Spring 2020

Some thoughts from our President….

Wartime was never so bad

In these most difficult times for the entire world I am forced to cast my mind back to that other difficult time, the years of the Second World War. My family was evacuated to Wolverhampton in the early years of the war, where I attended a Kindergarten and Primary School. My mother found out there was a Sea Scout Group at the local Methodist Church, the 37th Wolverhampton. They were in need of a Cubmaster to run the Wolf Cub Pack, so my mother soon volunteered and became Akela. I joined the pack aged 7 (early because mum was the Leader) The wartime placed no restrictions on our activities, and weekly meetings, outings, badgework, and Saturday morning football all took place without interruption. The Group had a brass band and led the Church parade on the churches’ Anniversary Parade through the local streets every year.

Wolf Cub Geoff Benge 1944

After the war the Benge family returned to their home in 324 Nelson Road. In 1946 I became a 2nd Whitton Scout and stayed for the next 74 years.
As you can see wartime was never as bad as now where Scouting has been put on hold. Therefore as I compile this Patter amidst the most awful circumstances I am thinking of that bigger family, the 2nd Whitton Scout Group Family and the many hundreds, nay thousands, who, down the years have worn the Green scarf with the White border. I wish all those members, past and present, their families, our Leaders, Officers, Supporters and Friends well and continued health wherever they may be.

The Numbers add up – but, the Leaders don’t!

The Scout Association Annual Census was completed at the end of January. Again, our numbers are up, and we are running in some cases very numerically full Sections. Whilst we are able presently to rely on our very loyal Leader Teams, they do not have depth in numbers. When one or sometimes more are absent, the harder it is for Sections to maintain the level of the excellent range of activities we do at present. I would like when we return to normal meetings for parents to consider giving more time to help out at their member’s section, be it Beaver, Cub or Scout. For all of us our spare time is precious so please consider lending a hand.

Scouting Ambassadors

Claire Balding has a radio programme where she walks along favourite footpaths always accompanied by guests. A few weeks ago, her guests were Steve Backshall (Adventurer) and his wife Helen Glover (Olympic Gold medallist rower). Both of these individuals spoke fondly of their time in Scouting and Guiding. They extolled the virtue of the great outdoors and the benefits young people can gain from spending time in adventurous activities. Both have enlisted as Scouting Ambassadors and joined a growing list of likeminded inspirational folk who have become ambassadors and really support the principles and work that Scouting does.

St George and a Promise worth renewing

Baden-Powell, Founder of The Scout Association in 1908, early on adopted St George as the Patron Saint of all Scouts worldwide As we know St Georges Day is 23rd April. Each year uniform members of the Scout Association are asked to renew the Scout Promise appropriate to the section they are a member of at the time. I thought it might be a good idea whilst we are unable to meet if as many of our members as possible renewed their Promise on Thursday 23rd April, in front of their parents. In doing this it would serve as a reminder that when this virus finally disappears, we will all come together and once again be able to continue with Scouting both indoors and out.

Please take advantage of the opportunity for both Beavers and Cubs where certain badges can be obtained by carrying out the requirements at home.

Until we meet again, keep safe

Geoff Benge
Group President