Soham Grammarian Spring 1962
SCOUT NOTES
Under the steady direction of Mr Rennison and Mr Hart, the 1st Soham saw great activity during these terms. The Scout Camp last summer was held at Bilton near Harrogate. We must have overtaken the equipment en route, since we arrived before the tents, which had started out some days previously. As a result of this, the first night was spent in any niche available.
During the camp, another hazard was encountered. One evening it began to rain. The snag was that it did not stop but increased. Because of this, the majority of the tents had to be evacuated. Defences were dug against the next deluge, which of course did not occur until we were leaving.
One of the first visits was to Knaresborough, and it was a familiar sight to see one of our scouts inquiring the whereabouts of "The End of the World" or the identity of "Blind Jack". Among the other visits was one to York to see the Minster, Castle and museums, and one by a select few to "Wuthering Heights" of Brontë fame.
Many hikes were undertaken during our stay. Two weary wanderers would appear on the horizon, hand over their hike-tent to another pair, and watch them set out over the same horizon. Never have so many miles been covered by so many in so little time.
A new feature of the camp was the camp-fire. As the flames leapt upwards, unknown virtuosi harmonised familiar refrains to the accompaniment of Mr Sherrington's guitar. Wide games were held during the evening, while during the day there were such varied activities as building an aerial runway and swimming in mackintoshes and capes in case of a change in the weather. Our day of departure came only too soon, and so ended a most enjoyable camp.
At the beginning of the Christmas term the break between the Scout and the Senior Scout Sections was completed and each went its own way. This year we are glad to be able to announce that the troop membership has reached unprecedented heights and, although it might be a bit of a squash, all will be assured of a rollicking and fast-moving time, especially when this year's summer camps are established in Cornwall and Skye.
During the last term and a half, large steps forward have been made in the direction of the Queen's Scouts, and by the end of the annual camp several boys should have reached this ultimate goal and be well on their way to the Gold Medal of the Duke of Edinburgh's Scheme. Amidst this scene of feverish "badge-grabbing" the steady progress to the 1st Class has gone on unabated; Abbott, G Allen, Boyden, Langley, T Pennick and Robinson have now reached this stage.
One chilly afternoon the Seniors took the Despatch Rider Badge; Mr. Langley gave assistance with the Firefighter and Fireman's Badges; and Mr Speed started a course for the Meteorologist Badge. Other Badges gained included Bellringer, Designer, Guide, Linguist, Musician, Reader, Starman and Swimmer. With this long list of achievements behind us, the Troop can look forward to an even better term.
S/ S GCP and S/S RS
Soham Grammarian Summer 1962
SENIOR SCOUT NOTES
Summer '62 will go down in the annals as the shortest term in the history of the School. For the Scouts, with two camps to arrange this year, instead of the customary single one, the situation called for more than the usual amount of planning. However, P Allen, rising to the occasion, took on the task of storeman and supervised the disposition of our gear. He was responsible for equipping the patrol camps held at School and at Chippenham by the Eagles and Owls respectively.
Under Mr Hart's tuition, all the Seniors and several Scouts gained their Ambulance Badge. In the latter part of the term, a number of boys qualified for their Senior Athlete's Badge which will count towards the Duke of Edinburgh's Award, and the Venturer Incident Hike was devised to provide the basis for the Senior Scout Platt Memorial Prize, which was won by GC Pollard. The Scout prize went to P Allen.
For our camp we have hired a Dormobile, and, chauffeured by Messrs Rennison and Speed, are travelling Skye-wards by way of Edinburgh and Ben Nevis. During the fortnight we shall be away everybody is going to participate in a series of fifty-mile hikes which will, for the the most part, consist of rough walking over the precipitous Cuillins.
On June 29th, a group photograph was taken by Soham's photographer, Mr WAG Burroughs.
S/S RS LVIA
SCOUT NOTES
It has recently been proclaimed that Scouting is old-fashioned and dying out. This troop has concrete evidence to the contrary, numbers have increased to a record, and, in addition, there are numerous scouts in the School belonging to local troops.
A great amount of work has been done this term in preparation for the Summer Camp near Lostwithiel in Cornwall; tents have been repaired and reproofed and menus have been worked out. If the theory that the more work you put in, the more enjoyment you get out, applies, the Summer Camp should be well worth-while.
Half way through term we moved, deserting 5L, where we resided for many years, to inhabit the "huts" near the field. The battered old cupboard has been transferred to new surroundings. (This must be to the relief of 5 Science's form master).
The sleeves of many people's uniforms are rapidly changing from sober grey to a riot of colour through the addition of numerous proficiency badges.
Although we are well-populated, the troop would welcomingly squeeze in any newcomers.
P/L PA 5T
NB I must point out that much of the preparatory work for camp has been inspired and led by "Chunky" himself. He in fact proved to be the winner of the Platt Memorial Scout Prize. Tim Boyden has also proved himself a tower of strength and has been appointed Troop Leader.
LRH
SGS Troop 1962
row 4 back: Bill Sandham - Arthur Langley - Rod Butcher - Tony Pennick -
John Wade - Squeak Robinson - Peter Lupson - Gerald Pollard
row 3: Bill Rennison - John Webster - Ralph Dunham - Alan Bray - Peter Chunky
Allen - Humph Abbott - Tim Boyden -
Richard Smith - Geoff Allen - Tom Sandham - Gordon Lupson - Graham Audus
- Lionel Hart
row 2: Lees Donaldson - Mark Taylor - PJ Stone - Alan Barber - Lindsay
Hancock
Michael Murfitt - Graham Barber - Tim Leonard - 9 - Terry Pennick
row 1 front: John Fellows - 2 - Edmunds - 4 - AK Bailey - Robert Carter
- Roger Peters - 8 - ? Singh - 10 - David Bush
source: AL (Lees) Donaldson '59'
Identifiers: Alan Bray, Margaret Cockburn (née Allen) David Camps, Lees
Donaldson,
Ralph Dunham, Frank Haslam, Dannie Nicholas, Peter Smith
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last updated 8 May 11: 2 Feb 20: 5 Mar 21