President’s Patter – Summer 21

Oh, for the Joy of the “Out” in Scouting as Face to Face meetings return

To all of us who wear the 2nd Whitton Green scarf with the White Border to be able to once again meet face to face with all our Sections has been a joy beyond belief.

I had the pleasure of visiting Green Pack in camp at the 1st Normandy Scout Group HQ last weekend. Believe me it was so good to see once more the line of patrol tents nestling in the woods across the bridge which spanned the stream. This view was the same as it had been since we first camped there in 1957. Only the campers had changed, and thanks goodness for that. My visit brought back many, many, happy memories..

Similarly over at Bentley Copse a picture on Facebook showed Yellow Packs’ Camp gate – and behind it the Group’s marquee and patrol tents, already to receive another bunch of excited young boys and girls. All the above made possible by the hard work of our QM Team in preparing the equipment and the willing unpaid adult Leader Teams and parents who have given up their time to provide camping experience for those in their charge. As I write the Animals and Bird Troops are also preparing for a combined Summer Camp this year

My Congratulations to Oliver Lywood

I would like to add my congratulations to 2nd Whitton Beaver Oliver Lywood who before “Going Up” to the Cubs last month gained, during his two years as a Beaver, all 24 of the Beaver Scout Activity Badges. As he left the ranks of the Colony he was also presented with the Chief Scout Bronze Award, the highest award a Beaver Scout can gain.

“Happy Birthday” Beavers

Before breaking for the Summer the Beaver Colonies had modest Birthday Parties at the HQ to celebrate 35 years of their existence. Beaver Scouting has come a long way since the start when it was envisaged they would have no badge system, and exist just to meet and play games, do handicraft and generally have fun and make friends. As you can see from Oliver’s efforts, badges now figure strongly and many other activities have been introduced. However the Motto remains “Fun & Friends”, and I’m pleased to say this remains very much the case.

Reunited in September

In September it is planned by most of the Group’s Sections that there will be a joining up of the numbers and return to weekly meetings. With the large numbers our Group has on its role there will be more pressure on the modestly sized Leader Teams to provide the usual high standard of Scouting throughout all ages. Can I take this opportunity to thank all those parents who responded to requests to help out in any way last term, at meetings, days out and Summer camps. I hope you found the experience well worthwhile. Come September it will be even more important to help out, so please if asked, or even without being asked, try to give up some of your valuable time to help our Leaders help your young people get the best out of Scouting in 2nd Whitton.

Most of our parents are aware of the following facts but just as a reminder:-

• All our Groups’ Leaders and Lay Officers are unpaid for the voluntary work they do in Scouting
• None of them claim expenses
• Those who are employed take Annual Leave to run Summer Camps
• And finally all they do is just for the love of Scouting

Looking forward to seeing the Group reunited and “Nulli Secundus” next term.

Geoff Benge (Group President)