President’s Patter – Summer 2020

Sylvia Catt-Camfield (nee Martin)

The Scout Tracking sign “Gone Home” (shown left) is placed at the end of a laid trail. It has been used for some time in Scouting circles to denote the passing of someone who throughout their life has been both Leader and Supporter of the 2nd Whitton Scout Group and in the wider Scouting world. Therefore, it is with much regret and great sadness I report the loss of Sylvia, wife of our Vice-President David Catt-Camfield.
I first knew Sylvia when she was aged 11 years, for following piano lessons from my father at 324 Nelson Road, my task was to escort the young lady safely over Nelson Road railway bridge to the bus stop opposite The Warren Hotel so she could catch the 110 bus safely home to the Woodlawn estate. I was all of 14 at the time.
Sylvia later as a Girl Guide became firstly a Cub Instructor and then in 1962 was warranted as an Assistant Cub Scout Leader. This service continued until her early married life.
When Sylvia married David she became totally supportive in all the activities he was involved in his Scouting with the Group including his warranted service with the Senior Air Scout Section and both as Producer and Cast member of Our Show over many years. Sylvia was always part of the backstage team whether in makeup, costumes, or refreshments.
Tireless and always enthusiastic, though no longer in uniform she was a proper Scout through and through. A friend to all, with a wicked sense of humour, an infectious laugh and thoroughly reliable. So after knowing Sylvia for 70 years I can honestly say that I along with many hundreds of other folk will sorely miss her love and friendship, Our thoughts are with David, Paul, and Sally, and with Barry, her brother.

It has been the “IN” in the word Scouting and not the “OUT” this Summer Term.

But all has not been quiet in the 2nd Whitton Scout Group. OH NO! Whereas several local Groups in the District have shut up shop during Lock Down our Group’s Sections have all been “Zooming in” on their members. In so doing have succeeded in running themed meetings week in week out to maintain contact and to stimulate the young minds with Scouting activities. The Beavers have enjoyed regular meetings on different themes, and many have taken and passed numbers of badges (two have passed 10 whilst away from the HQ). The Cubs and Scouts also have been active and all their activities like the Beavers have been recorded on the Group’s bang up-to-date Website. They have indulged in Garden Olympics and joined in the Scout HQ’s Indoor Camping weekend.
All this to ensure that we do not lose touch with our valuable membership until we meet up again “Face to Face” in hopefully the not too distant future. My admiration and gratitude go out to all the Section’s Leader Teams who have contributed to the continuation of Scouting whilst faced with the present difficulties.

Meanwhile back at the ranch, (i.e. Our Headquarters) something stirred.

During lockdown the HQ has been far from neglected. Our fab four – Trevor Ian, John and Paul have been extra busy as you can see from the following list of completed jobs:
New and compliant lighting in the QM store and Mower shed
• Old lamp post by the front gate removed and replaced by an LED light with motion sensor.
• Gutter repair/replacement on 3 sides of the HQ
• Emergency lighting in the HQ checked and replaced where necessary.
• Wooden Fleur de Lis sign on front of the HQ repainted in the new scouting colour.
• Upstairs windows washed.
• New blinds fitted to the upstairs activity room.
• Double glazing replaced in two windows of the HQ field side.
• Windowsills on field side repainted.
• Project hut doors repainted.
• Soakaways cleared.
• Grass cut and weeds removed from around the HQ building.
• Car Park space markings re painted
• Carpets in the Cub and Explorer rooms washed.
• Cub Room is being freshened up with a coat of paint to the walls
• Tree in the far corner by 115 /117 Constance Ave has been trimmed and bushes to the boundary have also been trimmed.
• Clearing to the area behind the project hut has started with all the weeds being cut and cleared.
• Rubbish has been cleared.
I make no apologies for reprinting the list published on the website. We are so lucky to have such volunteers making sure that 2nd Whitton will have even better facilities to return to in due course. ON BEHALF OF ALL THE GROUP A HUGE THANK YOU FOR ALL YOU HAVE DONE.

Geoff Benge
Group President