Presidents Patter – Spring 25

Getting their Just desserts!
At our final Group gathering of last year, the annual Ho Ho Ho Carol and Christmas songs Sing Along, many of the Groups families gathered in the HQ. After the early evening mixture of Section turns and Choruses a number of the Group received Awards from Owen Purcell, Greater London Southwest County Lead Volunteer. Those thus recognized included, Keith Haylock (Wood badge, for Leader training), Dave Poynter (Wood badge and 5year Service Award), Clive Butter (5year Service Award), Charlie Pratten (5 year Service Award), Ian Taylor, QM (30 year Service Award)
Owen then read out the citation for the highest award for a Leaders service in Scouting, that of The Silver Wolf. He then presented it to one of the Group’s most deserving and loyal Leaders, David Clay. David was one of a group of cubs who lived in Sixth Cross Road and were part of my Mother’s Pack (I remember them all). He played a major role in many Our Show productions and was a member of Ralph Reader’s London Gang Show cast. David has certainly earned the Silver Wolf, Scouting’s Highest award.
Before you thought that was the lot, there was just one more award. Owen’s comment before this presentation was “I think this person must have been at Baden Powell’s Brownsea Island camp”, and “I think this badge must have been specially made”. He was only joking! Finally, he presented me with my 70year Service Award – where has all that time gone. Honestly its all been Good Fun!

And they also serve! Thank goodness!
Since the start of 2025, apart from those mentioned above there have been other both uniformed and lay folk who week in week out have contributed to the smooth running of our very popular and first class Scout Group. I never tire of singing their praises in print for without them we would be in a very sorry state. Whether it’s the weekly Section meetings, Winter camps, outings, badge work, or parties, if they can do so, they will be there, making Scouting’s Skills for Life available to all our young, uniformed members. So, if parents you can see a need, please offer your services, for like as not it will be accepted for whatever time you have available.

Another “Second to None” start to 2025. Have we been busy – As Ever!
Catch up again with our very current website and you will see that from January through to April, our dedicated Leader teams have been providing a wide spectrum of activities to suit all interests of our young members. I will let the pictures and captions speak for themselves.

Countdown and Up!
The Annual Scout Association Census was completed, and submitted on time by our Group by the end of January. The Group’s total at that time was 273 youth and 48 adults.

The Blessed Few
The Group continues to be blessed by dedication of a few supporters and parents who have answered the call and turned out to boost our funds though Rugby Parking, and by maintaining our HQ and Grounds on the Workday. Without the regular activities of these folk our Headquarters and grounds would quickly become unfit for use by the large number of our members who meet weekly. With the summer months approaching and the lighter evenings, our whole site needs to be available for Scouting activities. With the combined dedicated force of both Leader teams and Group Supporters and the work they put in, all our young people benefit. I would like to encourage more members of the Group Council to share in HQ maintenance, quarter mastering, and fund raising. The Group Council includes all parents of existing members, so we are all part of it. No escape!

I can report with joy our Assistant Beaver Leader Rachel has returned to active duty. The day we all prayed for has arrived.

I hope all our families can experience a “Second to None” Summer with the 2nd Whitton Scout Group. Enjoy the Group’s Family Camp.
Be safe until my next Presidents Patter.

Geoff Benge
Group President