President’s Patter – Summer 23

World Scout Jamborees

To be selected and subsequently attend a World Scout Jamboree must be the pinnacle of many of those Scouts experiencing the event and among the most significant of their Scouting life. The 2nd Whitton Scout Group has a long and proud tradition of sending representatives to World Scout Jamborees. In 1937, a year after our formation, Eddie Walker attended the one held in Holland. When Jamborees restarted after the end of the 2nd World War in 1947, Alan Hall, our one and only King’s Scout, went to the one held in Moisson, France. The Group has had representatives at every single World Scout Jamboree since.

I was fortunate to attend and visit two such events held in this country. For the first, and along with a number of my peer group of the 2nd Whitton Air Scout Section we camped at Sutton Coldfield, at the Jubilee Jamboree in 1957, held to celebrate, as the name suggest 50 years of Scouting. We were there as part of the Headquarters unit, to work. We were all members of the London Gang Show cast and each afternoon were transported into Birmingham to perform two shows daily at the Birmingham Hippodrome. Our audience for each show were campers at the Jamboree and each contingent was bussed in to see the show. The weather was not the best, a typical British August, but the Jamboree was a great success and we as a cast played our part in making it so.

When the next Jamboree was held in this country it was in 2007, near Chelmsford, Essex and a coach party from Richmond District visited the site. The weather was much improved and from all appearances everyone involved were having a great time.

Many of you will have read various reports and seen pictures of the World Scout Jamboree, held recently in South Korea. There has been much criticism of the choice of site, a lack of preparedness before the over 40,000 young people and their Leaders arrived, and a number of other serious shortcomings in the organisation during their stay. I’m in no position to pass any judgement on the event and would not presume to do so. I will await the feedback and opinions of our own Group’s representative, Michael, when we all begin Section meetings again in September.

I am sure there will be an in-depth inquiry by the World Scout Organisation into the matters they feel need addressing. I imagine any country who bids to stage the next World Scout Jamboree in four year’s time will be expected to “Be Prepared” to the Nth degree and prove the event they stage will be the first class experience those lucky enough to attend enjoy the trip of a lifetime. I feel sure Michael had a wonderful time in spite of everything and the South Korean Scouts and Government did their level best to compensate the youngsters.

2nd Whitton Scout Group’s Summer 2023 activities

The Group’s sections have been extremely busy during this Summer period and our members have had every opportunity to enjoy “The Out” in Scouting should they wish to do so. All the main activities are listed on the Group website, so I will not be so presumptuous to repeat them here. Suffice to say it is with gratitude I continue to admire the time and energy all our Leaders, and the parents who support them, in providing such a varied and full programme of Scouting during the fair weather months.

Before the break for the Summer holidays the Lakes and Rivers Beaver Colonies enjoyed their annual Day Camp; and Sleepover at the !st Normandy HQ in Surrey. After the school break up both Cub Packs spent their usual weeks under canvas. I visited the Green Packs, Railway Themed camp where they had followed the Beavers, and traditionally used the1st Normandy site. Yellow Pack again returned to the Bentley Copse Scout campsite, near Shere. From all reports both packs enjoyed fine weather and thoroughly enjoyed their time away.

To celebrate the World Scout Jamboree the Richmond Scout District organised a week’s camp to coincide with one of the weeks the event was taking place in South Korea. The camp was held at Paccar Scout Camp (was Chalfont Heights) and was attended by members of both our Animal and Bird Troops, as well as five Cub Scouts from each of our Packs. Having seen the video of the camp I can assure readers that all had wild, jumping, fantastic time. Thanks once more to all our Leader teams who made themselves available through time off from their places of employment to run the events.

Thanks Alan!
Most of you will know by now that Alan Stacey, Scout Leader, of the Animal Troop has decided to stand down from that position now that this year’s Summer camps are over.
Alan has served in that capacity for about 5 years, having taken over when the then Scout Leader resigned. Since Alan took over the reins, and he has been supported by the remaining Assistant Leaders who have remained loyal (and still are), the troop has expanded vastly in numerical terms and has enjoyed a huge number of new Scouting activities. Most of this has been down to Alan’s energetic and full on enthusiasm. In addition he has been a regular addition and support to the Cub Packs and Beaver Colonies leader teams. So, on behalf of David, Colin, Tim, and myself, (the Group Presidential team) a very sincere Thank You for making sure the Animal Troop continued to hold its own in this wonderful Group of ours. The good news is that Alan will not be lost to the Group but will continue to help wherever it is deemed necessary.

Dear reader, you can be sure that the Group management with all the Section Leaders have reviewed the situation and the Animal Troop will continue to be “cared for”, with its present Assistants, and inputs from other Section. The 2nd Whitton Scout Group will always “Be Prepared” for this and any other difficult situation that may arise.

In conclusion, as we leave this Scouting Summer of 2023 behind, may I thank everyone who contributed in any way, to the many activities our Beavers, Cubs, Scouts, and Explorers have been taking part in. I will never tire of expressing my gratitude to all who assist in furthering the fortunes of our Precious Group.

Geoff Benge (Group President)