Soham Grammarian Autumn 1948
SCOUT NOTES
Once more the arrival of winter has limited our outdoor activities, but mainly owing to the initiative of the SM and ASM the meetings have been just as enjoyable as those in the summer. We must thank the ASM for the setting up of a Morse key and a loudspeaker to amplify the sound. As a result of a few minutes' practice each week everyone has become quite efficient and several have passed their second class test.
At the end of last term we lost three of the older members of the troop, and so two new PL's and three new Seconds have been appointed. Sargent has been appointed Troop Leader and is proving a very able assistant to the SM and ASM Although, after camp, the ranks were nearly full, a few more recruits have been admitted, and now every patrol is more than at full strength. Attendance this term has been exceptionally good, but one or two members rather spoil this record and another one or two, although attending regularly, have failed to make any definite progress. The new members have begun work on their tenderfoot, and we hope the few idle members will begin work once more.
A First-Aid class has been started by the ASM and nearly all the troop, as a result of a few minutes' practice each week, have begun to make progress in this sphere. Arrangements are being made to secure a summer camp site, but up to the time of writing no definite results have been obtained.
HFI UVA
THE SCOUT CAMP
The annual scout camp was held at East Runton, near Cromer, from the 27th July to the 9th August. About forty boys, under the leadership of Mr Riley and Mr Webb, left Ely station at 8-45 am, and after changing at Norwich, reached West Runton about 1 o'clock. The Troop then walked to the site via East Runton golf links, while the luggage was taken by lorry.
The site itself was a large field at the top of a gentle rise from the sea. It was sheltered behind by some National Trust property, but looking out to sea we obtained a fine view. Water was fetched from a bungalow near by and the milk from a farm about three-quarters of a mile down the valley.
East Runton, 1948: the camp: source Peter Roe 46
The weather, mainly, was excellent, but the second week was inclined to be showery. As can be expected, the weather governed the activities. Full use was made of the fine warm weather of the first week, in that a trip was made down to East Runton nearly every day. East Runton beach, although stony in parts, provided excellent places for bathing and many of the troop's "non-swimmers" made good progress.
The mornings were usually taken up with badge work and the evenings with games. Visits into Cromer were made the second week, on one of which the troop went to the lighthouse. After this the troop split up. One party was taken by Mr Webb into Cromer to see the new Cromer Lifeboat - the "Henry Blogg" launched, while the remainder stayed on the beach and made a huge drift wood fire. On a later visit some of the troop saw the new lifeboat go out and rescue a man in a rubber dinghy.
Several walks were also made inland. The troop went one day through the woods to the R Camp near West Runton and on one Sunday to Felbrigg church in Windham park.
Towards the end, the troop played rounders with the first Soham Coy. Girl Guides after which a camp fire was held until 11-15 pm.
Plenty of food was supplied by local shops and was well prepared each day by a duty patrol. The SM and ASM appreciated the unfailing early morning tea. The last two days remained fine, so that all equipment could be packed right. Some of the preliminary packing was done on the last evening and the PL's were up early on the last morning to do most of the packing. By about 10 am, all was finished and the luggage was taken to West Runton station. The troop left West Runton at 12-33 pm and after changing at Norwich arrived at Ely at 3-45 pm
P/L JPS
Soham Grammarian Spring 1949 - no report
Soham Grammarian Summer 1949
SCOUT NOTES
Most of this term has been spent in making preparations for the annual Scout Camp, which is again being held at Edale, Derbyshire. Several of the tents have been proofed and thoroughly overhauled, as has all the other camping gear.
Early in the term, the numbers of our patrols were made up so that we now have a full troop, consisting of six patrols. Sargent has been made troop-leader and is able to relieve the SM of many duties. Owing to this increase in number, two new ridge tents have been bought. One will be occupied by the Eagle patrol and the other will be carried as a spare tent.
Whenever possible, the Scouts have been doing badgework and some have gained their tenderfoot and second-class badges. Several large orders have been sent to the Scout-shop with the result that we are now well supplied with badge work books and essential camping gear.
All our Scouts took past in the National Bob-a-Job Week Campaign in aid of the Boy Scouts' Association. A minimum of one shilling was expected from each boy; our troop earned the grand total of £6/8/6.
There will be 42 of us at camp this year and we are all looking forward to seeing the hills again.
P/L JP ROE, UVA
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last updated 23 Nov 2007