Soham Grammarians - Scouting School Year 1942-43

Soham Grammarian Autumn 1942

SCOUT CAMPS

This year two patrols of the School Scouts held camps lasting a week. One patrol, the Peacocks under P/L Thorby, visited Wicken Lode. The site, being next the shallow Lode, encouraged bathing, of which much was done. The normal camp activities were carried out despite the divided attentions of the P/L who was occupied elsewhere. However, in spite of this difficulty, and having by request to camouflage the tents, a great time was had by all.

The other patrol, the Woodpeckers, held their camp at Chippenham Lodge. As usual with this patrol, they had to withstand a particularly heavy storm, which deterred the Peacocks from setting out for a day. The patrol had a grand time at a good site, with beautiful mixed woods surrounding them.

During the first supper, rabbits were spotted by our 'Fred.' That started it. From then on every spare moment was occupied in rabbit-hunting. Poor 'Sykes' was bullied into skinning the unfortunate victims.

The patrol had many visitors, especially on Sunday. The normal camp activities, including the games and the ducking of 'George,' made the camp at least comparable with the pre-war camps. The food and the cooking were excellent, and surpassed the normally high standard.

We are most grateful to Mrs. Hely-Hutchinson for so kindly and readily giving us permission to camp in her grounds.

AH MORRISS P/L Woodpeckers

SCOUT NOTES

This term the Troop has carried on its good work. We gratefully welcome Mr Copland who has so kindly taken over as temporary Scout Master. Under his guidance and counsel many matters have been put right, and things are now running as smoothly as possible. The newcomers to the troop created a problem, but the Patrols are now well organised, and badge work and other activities are going ahead well.

P/L RH MORRISS VIB


Soham Grammarian Spring 1943 - no report


Soham Grammarian Summer 1943

SCOUT NOTES

The main Scout activities this term have been the collecting and drying of stingingnettles as herbs for medicines. So far about 57 lbs have been collected.

A number of the School Scouts held a Whitsun Camp, lasting four days, at Chippenham Lodge, the site where one of the patrols spent a week last year. As before, the transport difficulties were overcome by the 'bike and barrow' system:

For many of the Scouts it was their first camp and they spent a restless first night, which resulted in one Scout sleeping throughout supper-time - a most unusual thing for a boy to do at camp! Some tracking was done and, of course, rabbit-hunting. The food was excellent thanks to 'Fred,' who appointed himself chief cook.

On Sunday the Scouts attended Church and in the afternoon there were some visitors.

We are most grateful to Mrs Hely-Hutchinson, who gave us permission to camp in her grounds and supplied us with vegetables.

RV MARTIN, P/L


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last updated 23 Nov 2007