1ST SOHAM SCOUT TROOP
This past year has seen a slight reduction in numbers due in the main to two reasons, firstly the uncertainty caused by the change over from the old series of tests to the new and also the extra cost of the new uniform, and secondly to a deliberate policy which will eventually lead to a smaller but more compact troop.
This time last year saw us having just completed our Annual Camp which had been held in Guernsey. The weather was on the whole kind to us though there was one night of very heavy and continuous rain. We carried out a wide range of activities both on the badge earning side and also on the more light hearted side. A very pleasant film was made of our activities.
September saw the introduction of a number of new Patrol Leaders, Assistant Patrol Leaders and the "New Order". D Fleet became a Senior Patrol Leader and S Freeman, Troop Quartermaster. Early on in the Autumn Term we held a lively week end for Patrol Leaders and APLs and shortly after this we held our Annual Troop Dinner. For the first time we competed in the District Scout Football League and although we started well two defeats in vital games cost us the title.
The Winter months also saw us lose the District Challenge Trophy. In addition the Troop had to relinquish the District First Aid Trophy owing to a very unfortunate chapter of accidents and illnesses.
The Summer months saw an increased emphasis on outdoor activities though even in mid-winter we had never been entirely confined indoors. We were represented by one Patrol at the County Camp, held this year in Hatfield Forest near Bishop's Stortford. The Patrol did extremely well finishing third in the Gauntlet Trophy out of some 35 teams, and second in the Hele Trophy for Camping - a fine performance.
The latter stages of the Summer Term saw the Scout Headquarters nearing completion and the gradual transfer of our equipment from its long time home in "George's Shed" to its new home. All this culminated in the official opening of the Headquarters on Summer Fair Day by Mr Rennison who returned for this special purpose, and who presented the Group with a Trophy for a competition of our own devising. The final thread in our Summer skein was the preparation for this year's Annual Camp this time in the Isle of Wight - more news of this later!
Various ideas, plans and projects are afoot for next year when, we hope, in a new home, with a new uniform and new tests with a programme of numerous activities we will continue to make news.
CAMPING WITH THE SCOUTS
During the Whitsun holiday, our Scout Troop went camping at Youlbury, near Oxford.
When we set off on the Tuesday morning, it looked as if we were going to have a rainy camping holiday, but, as we came nearer to Youlbury, the weather cleared. As soon as we arrived, we found ourselves pitching tents, lighting fires, chopping wood and doing many other jobs. The meals were quite good but not as good as those we have at home!
In the evenings, we played "wide" games among all the trees and bushes. We had to push our way through brambles and stinging nettles either to reach a flashing light or to capture a camouflaged person. After these games, we were well ready for bed.
At the camp site is a large swimming pool where we had an enjoyable swim one morning. The water was rather cool, but we all enjoyed it. Another day, we went to the BMC car factory at Cowley. This was a most interesting visit. When one sees a car on the road, one wonders how many people stop to think how it was made. We saw every stage in making a car, painting, the engine joining the body, testing, and many other aspects of car assembly. We all enjoyed it very much.
We were all somewhat dirty on the Sunday when we arrived home, but hot baths were ready for us, and after our sleeping bags, we found our beds extremely comfortable.
AJ STEEL, 2
Simon Thornhill : 28 Apr 10 These three photos are of the Lionel Hart's Scout camp in Shalfleet, Guernsey in 1967. It looks a bit drab now but I recall it as a lively, sunny, happy place full of adventure - all spiced up by Lionel's night time ghost stories around the camp fire:
L-R Simon Blower - Michael Pearson - Andrew Murkin
L-R Peter Jaggard - Peter Stearman
Striking the camp at the end of the holiday. Michael Angel is
the large figure standing by the tent door
and Sam Murfitt is facing the camera behind the tent.
Fred Eden 44 wrote on 16 Aug 10 to say that his parents in law, Mr & Mrs Ames, lived next door to the Rileys from 1950. Mrs Ames died in June 2010 and this postcard of Fermain Bay, Guernsey, "sent to Tom Riley by scouts on holiday" was found in her belongings. Fred says his wife Brenda is still in regular contact with Susan Riley.
