Presidents Patter – Spring 26

Ninety Not Out!
There cannot be many present and past 2nd Whitton Families who are now still unaware that the Group celebrates its 90th Anniversary this year, 2026. The small team who are arranging several events and activities to properly celebrate this notable event are presently actively seeking out past members. If you, dear reader, know of anyone who was a Two Whit Bird of a Feather, let us know so we can contact them.
Well Represented! At Founder’s Day Service, Westminster Abbey.
I was delighted to learn that two of our long serving and dedicated Leaders were invited to attend this year’s Founder’s Day service in Westminster Abbey towards the end of February. Both David Clay and Phil Beale following their previous awards, with their wives being part of a very large congregation, all deserving members of the Scout Association. Nice to have the Green & White scarf well represented.
Bronze success.
In my last Patter I congratulated our ten Chief Scout Gold Awards recipients on their achievement. So, it is only fair I congratulate, Archie, Liam, Louis, Jude and Jack, all of whom achieved the Chief Scout Bronze Award, before they “swam” up to Cubs. To win this award the Beavers need to complete the six Challenge Badges, in themselves, as the name implies a proper challenge for youngsters of this age.
Squirrels on the move
Easter will witness and welcome the first oldest Squirrels into the Beaver Colonies. I am sure they have had a thoroughly good time since joining the Drey in September. May the fun continue in Beavers.
Proper parent representation
In 1967 major changes were introduced by The Scout Association Advance Party.
Wolf Cubs became Cub Scouts, Scouts stayed the same, while Senior Scouts became Venture Scouts. Fred Hurll, our Group Chairman, sought our help (his day job was Chief Executive Officer of the Scout Association), and by agreement our Group was used to trial the new Group administrative set up. The new Group Councils would comprise Group Chair, Group Secretary, Group Treasurer, Section Leaders and importantly, a Parent Representative for every Section.
Presently our Group Council remains the same, with one glaring omission, only the Yellow Pack has a Parent Rep. In fairness to the uniformed members in all our Sections, it is only right our other Sections, Squirrels, Lakes and Rivers Beaver Colonies, Green Cub Pack, Birds and Animal Scout Troops enjoyed the same voice to be heard as the Yellows (well done Yellows!).
It’s Fun to be a Fundraiser!
The Group continues to be blessed, thank goodness, with the dedication of a few supporters and parents who have answered the call and turned out to boost our funds through Rugby Parking, and by maintaining our HQ and Grounds on the Workday. Without the regular activities of these folks 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 HQ maintenance, quarter mastering, and fund raising.
According to The Scout Association Constitution, Group Councils include the parents of all existing members, so we are all part of it. No escape!

I hope all our families can experience a “Second to None” 90th Summer with the 2nd Whitton Scout Group.
Be safe until my next Presidents Patter.
Geoff Benge
Group President