Presidents Patter – Spring 2021

Another “Zooming” Term

All Sections of our great Scout Group continued to enjoy the limited Scouting we were permitted to provide. Zoom meetings took place weekly on a wide variety of themes. The Beavers visited the 7 Wonders of Whitton to gain the Explore Badge. Both Beavers and Cubs threw themselves into the spirit of camping when many participated in the virtual Winter Sleepovers. Dens were built indoors, and all slept in the makeshift constructions. Animal Troop made a Christmas video, and Bird Troop supported the Whitton Food Bank.
Caitlin (Animal Troop) entered her Scouting Theme Cake into the District Bake Off competition and won. Her excellent cake then went into the Greater London South West Bake Off and she won that as well. Well done, Caitlin!, hope to see you on TV one day.
One Leader who was recognised as “Outstanding” among our many wonderful Leaders was Alan Stacey (Animal Troop SL). He was given a Jack Petchy Award by Richmond on Thames Scout District. The cash prize is to fund a Group Project. Well done, Alan!

“Gone Home”

Once more It is with a great sadness and regret, I once more report the passing of members of the 2nd Whitton Group family.

Sylvia Goold
I felt a deep personal sense of loss at Sylvias passing away. She began assisting with Green Pack when Richard her son joined Cubs, and became an ACSL, a warrant she held for 8 years. When my mother retired as the Cub Scout Leader of both Green and White Packs, I remained with Greens while Sylvia became Akela of Whites. She remained, giving of her time and talents, as CSL from 1969 to 1981, a further 20 years, until she retired. In 1981 Sylvia was awarded the Chiefs scout Commendation for Good Services, a well-deserved recognition of her outstanding contribution to the Group. Many of her old cubs and Leaders, will have precious memories of times spent in her company, as I do. Our thoughts are with Richard and his family, and Miles, her Grandson.

Paul Brown
I sadly report the death of Paul Brown who passed away recently. Paul was a very active and loyal Scout Leader, who contributed greatly to the life of the Group and to the Scout Section in particular. Paul was appointed AGSL in 1997. Carol and Paul moved later to Horsham. Our thoughts go out to Carol and the family.

Pat Steward
Pat was an outstanding and long serving Supporter of the Group. She became very active when her son Peter joined the Cubs and continued working to fund raise at Autumn Bazaars, Summer Fetes and Jumble Sales. She served as Group Secretary for several years until she retired from that post in 1978. Apart from Scouting Pat was a very active person, among other things she enjoyed ballroom dancing through to her older years She died earlier this year. We are thinking of her family at this time of their loss.

“Once more were home again – Hello you Wonderful People”
It is with joy in my heart that I use the first line of a Gang Show opening chorus written by Ralph Reader. A few of our older Website visitors will recognise the words. Home of course is our wonderful HQ which once more will echo to the voices of the wonderful young and old folk who pass through its doors.
It expresses the feeling I have on the resumption of Face-to-Face Scouting next term. It will be wonderful to finally enrol the latest recruits, meet newcomers off the Waiting List, welcome back familiar faces, present well earnt badges and make well deserved promotions. Those who have gone up will soon be able to enjoy more challenging activities, and possibly enjoy day visits this summer.

2nd Whitton Scout Group Leaders and Supporters are Second to None!
Our Leader Teams and Supporters in which I include the Groups Officers and all our Parents have continued to work hard through another difficult term. They have been there with their members, in uniform or theme costumes, week in week out.

But, of course, this is what being part of the 2nd Whitton Family is all about. In this praise I included without reservation all the lay members who are not necessarily parents any longer but have worked so hard to keep our HQ and grounds, a safe environment for the young people to meet. In these tricky times, where the full value of the Scouting Programme is not being provided, I hope you will nevertheless agree that the reduced rate of the Membership remains value for money.

We are still one of the largest Scout Groups in the District and County and I’m sure our popularity remains high due to the sustained standard of Scouting activities which are provided in every one of our Sections. Our present uniformed membership is 272, not including Leaders.

A HUGE THANK YOU FOR ALL YOUR LOYALTY AND CONTINUED SUPPORT

Geoff Benge (Group President)