Scout Troop
After a Summer camp held in the Isle of Wight last August when we did as well as anyone from the weather point of view the new year settled down with the troop having six patrols (led by S Murfitt, P Jaggard, S Yeomans, A Murkin, P Leonard and S Thornhill) with J Fellows acting as Senior Patrol Leader. We again staged our Annual Troop Dinner which was generally considered to be our most successful yet - this in spite of the fact that the team of six Scout cooks contained five new to the operation. Cooking has in fact played an important part in this year's training programme which has, however, ranged far and wide over Scouting activities, both serious and not so serious.
In district competitions we have been bedevilled by clashes with other school activities: nevertheless we performed well in the district First Aid competition and the troop supplied a small team which cooked a meal for the judges at the County finals which were this year staged in Ely. A cricket match against our old rivals from Newmarket resulted in a handsome victory.
With the summer term, activities became centred upon camping. The troop was represented by one patrol at the County camp and arrangements for Summer camp at Walesby are well in hand at the time of writing.
Summer Camp 1968
Camp started by packing eight boys, eight rucksacks, four tents, cooking utensils and Mr Cornell into the mini-bus; three boys had already left by train. After a comparatively uneventful journey we arrived at Beddgelert in Snowdonia, assembled camp and cooked supper. In one tent were the Fifth formers - Brogan, Crofts, Lewis and Norris - and the Sixth formers inhabited the other large tent - Webster, Searle, Hill, Gilbert, King, Edmunds and Fleet. On the first night, the Fifth formers did not get much sleep because of Lewis capsizing his camp-bed at frequent intervals.
After settling in, we were challenged to a climb up the nearest mountain. Most people did manage this, however, even if they spent the rest of the afternoon recovering and being bitten by gnats. On the Thursday and Friday we had two short hikes; then on the Saturday we were dropped about fifteen miles from the camp, at Ffestiniog, and told to get back. Easier said than done, this time; but after climbing mountains and wading through bogs we did all arrive back, complete with blisters.
For Sunday lunch we had to prepare a full three-course meal, but as we were about to start on the 'spud-bashing' Mr Cornell arrived back with the Catholics - and four female hikers. After a little persuasion, lunch was (thankfully) done for us. Unfortunately, our cooks left us later in the day, and we had to fend for ourselves again.
Our last hike was over Snowdon, and then back to camp. Getting up was fairly easy, but (for those who left the path) the return necessitated use of compasses and guesswork. The next day we struck camp and travelled back once more to the flat fens.
RT Norris
Newmarket Journal
Thursday October 31, 1968SOHAM GS SCOUTS COOK THE MEALThese seven pupils of Soham Grammar School prepared, cooked and served a meal for 80 people on Wednesday. The boys, all members of the 1st Soham (Grammar School) Scout Troop, cooked the meal for parents and friends at the school. The dinner is an annual affair and this was the sixth. The menu on Wednesday night included melon, chicken, roast potatoes and vegetables and ice cream. Pictured are (from left) Stephen Yeomans, John Fellows, Andrew Murkin, Stephen Murfitt, Simon Curtis, Peter Leonard and Mark Curtis. photo David Argent cutting source: Mrs Armitage |
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last updated 24 Nov 2007