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Summer Edition 2002 No. 9 

Editorial

In this electronic age it is becoming much easier to make contact with old friends through the Internet and by e-mail. The website "Friends Reunited" has brought together many long lost friends and indeed the Fourth is no exception as we have discovered a few former Senior Scouts through this medium. In his letter to the editors, Stuart Cornish asked us to publish e-mail addresses, as has Dennis Would. Perhaps those of you on e-mail could send your address to Les at fotf(at)4wp.org.uk and we'll try to publish those we receive in the next issue. If you are one of those contacting former acquaintances, please remember the Friends and encourage former members to join up - £2/year is their only commitment.

New Scouting Structure and Training Programme

Many will remember the dramatic changes in structures and the Training programme 36 years ago in what was known as "The Advance Party Report". Out went the Mountie type hats and shorts. Out went Senior Scouts and Rovers and in came Venture Scouting and long trousers. We are again seeing a big change and Group Scout Leader Keith Daly writes:

"A review of the programme for all sections in Scouting has been completed and the launch of the new programme took place during March. Many leaders in the Group attended the launch presentations and the mood amongst the leaders was very positive.

The programme review follows on from other changes in Scouting such as the new logo, the new uniform and the new age ranges. The idea is try and make Scouting more relevant to today's world without losing any of the traditional values.

In the past the emphasis has been about achieving awards and badges through tests. The new emphasis is on young people taking part in a balanced programme. There are still awards and badges if they want them but a good programme will ensure the young people experience a wide range of activities that fulfil the aims of Scouting. Each section has a number of areas of activity which when visited regularly ensure the balanced programme is delivered. Implementation of the new programme will be a gradual process and needs to be planned by the sections.

As part of the new age ranges there is to be a new section for young people from 14 to 18 years called Explorer Scouts. Unlike the earlier sections this one will be organised on a District basis rather than Group basis. I realise this seems a strange decision to many in the Group but we must remember this Group is fairly unusual in terms of numbers of boys over 14 that we retain. The District has to submit a plan to the County as to how it intends to organise Explorer Scouts in Sutton & Cheam. The GSLs met with the District Team recently and the basis of the plan has been agreed. Looking at the geography of the District and where the over 14s are it was agreed that it was sensible for one of the new Explorer Units to be based at the 4th Worcester Park HQ. I have agreed on behalf of the Group that we would be prepared to accommodate a unit. The next step is for the District Explorer Scout Commissioner to appoint a leader team following discussions with interested parties. Following this a Partnership agreement is drawn up between the Group and the District specifying the arrangements under which the Unit will operate. The new units can start from September but we have until the end of 2003 to complete the task."

There will also be a "Scout Network" organised at County level for the 18 to 25's (this is reminiscent of Rover Scouting pre-1966. See John Humberstone's letter later in the newsletter). More news of this in later editions.

News from Members

We've had a "bumper bundle" of letters and e-mails from members, so we are quoting edited highlights from them all.

We've heard from Stuart Cornish who writes about his police career and some memories of his Venture Scouting days:

"I have recently been promoted to Inspector and am based at Hammersmith police station. My role is that of duty officer responsible for 25 PCs, 4 sergeants and 4 civilian staff. The London Borough of Hammersmith & Fulham is the only Borough in Europe that covers three major football grounds - Chelsea, Fulham and QPR. With two recent bombings in the Borough and with the Hammersmith Apollo and the Palais, there is always something going on!

Reading the last issue of the newsletter brought back great memories of Venture Scout expeditions in Europe, in my case in 1978 and 1979 to the French Alps one year and to Andorra and Italy in the other. I remember that one year Pat Jacobs brought his Morris Minor. He turned up at Headquarters with the Morris and we didn't think it would make it up Balmoral Road let alone to Dover. But Pat obviously had faith in his trusty (or was that rusty?) old car and it made it to the south of France and back. Other memories include: · Hiring speedboats on Lake Garda and returning to the campsite to find our tents had been stolen. · As a Scout being asked to be part of Gold Troop when it was formed. We had a terrific time under the leadership of Alan Avery, Steve Chasty and Brian Tallboy. · Forming new friendships which have continued to this day. · As a Cub, camping at Shere and going to Tor Hatch. · Being privileged to be part of the 1979 World Jamboree. It was due to be held in Iran, but because of the civil war it has hastily relocated to four sites around the world. I went to Maine in the USA. What a fantastic time I had."

We've also heard from Vicky Foreman. Vicky and husband Brian had three sons in the Group - Frank, George and Jack. Vicky writes about George:

"George (Foreman) has just been invested as Akela of Wonaka Cubs in South Island, New Zealand. Wonaka is a beautiful small lakeside town and a great skiing area. Unfortunately the Scout Troop has collapsed due to lack of leaders, but the Cub Pack which almost collapsed is now thriving with 12 boys. George would love to see anyone from 4th Worcester Park if they are visiting South Island. We've been there three times now and would highly recommend visiting Wonaka if anyone is lucky enough to go to New Zealand."

Michael Wellman (now District Commissioner for Kingston & Malden) writes:

"I certainly have many happy memories of my years with the Group and friends I had then I still have today. On our first trip to Llanberis, it was so wet that after the first two days the studs fell out of my ex-army boots. I was one of the few to go over Crib Goch and to the tip of Snowdon with Brian Yearley. I remember Brian saying that it was the first time in three climbs that he'd been able to get a view over Anglesey, indeed any view at all! My first trip abroad was to Bavaria leaving on the midnight train from Victoria to Dover and train from Ostend to Munich arriving at about 9pm and staying in a Scout hostel overnight. When we reached Kufstein I remember we were met by a local Scouter who showed us where the site was at Thiersee. His little Goggomobil - smaller than a mini - took four of us squashed like sardines. We climbed mountains in the area and visited Salzburg and Berchtesgaden. As we were coming into the village we saw many people wandering about with baggy black trousers and smocks, a leather belt with a leather flap behind and a fez. Little did we know that 15 minutes later we would be similarly attired to go down a salt mine travelling deep underground on a little train and sliding down from level to level (on the leather flaps!) We then went by postbus to Schliersee. I remember the trip home - we had a superb meal in the restaurant car from Munich and the ferry from Ostend was so rough that the crew were putting buckets and bowls all around the deck!

Incidentally we have been able to secure five places for Scouts in the Kingston & Malden District to go to the 20th World Jamboree in Thailand in 2003."

Speaking of the World Jamboree, Andrew Craton asks whether the Fourth will be sending anyone. We are fortunate as a Group to be sending Venture Scout Gary Heron to Thailand next year and we look forward to hearing all about his exploits when he returns. Andrew also recalls his time with the Fourth at the very beginning of Senior Scouting:

"Memories of Senior Scouting with 4th Worcester Park go back to 1949 when by popular demand, Peter Kinton "Kim" became SM(S) - [the original designation for Scout Master (Seniors)]. He had as unruly a bunch as you could wish to meet in a month of Sundays! Amongst others were John (Jake) Killick, John (Jack) Marshall, David (Mousie) Simmons whose younger brother was "Squeaker", Don "Oiseau", Bernard (Bernie) Lilly, Alan Rush, "Brooser" and John (Funny Ha-Ha) Davis. Any I have omitted, please accept my apologies. Of the oldies involved (to us) were Desmond Isaacs and Kim's brother Ron Kinton who, due to his having a woggle made of fur, we christened "Cat Killer" with the insensitivity of youth. One of the night games which were dreamed up for us was one which started in Nonsuch Park. Bearing in mind we could all remember the War, one of the basic instructions was that we were in enemy territory and must avoid any contact with the general public. The game was really a treasure hunt and entailed some very accurate map-reading and finding instructions hidden in the bark of trees etc. At one time we had to approach a house, again on a map reference, knock on the door and then give a coded message to the man who answered the door. It takes some nerve to say to a complete stranger "Uncle Joe sends his love and how is cousin Nellie?". We did however find the right house first time and arrived at our destination, a Scout hut in Effingham where we spent the night, or what was left of it, coming home by train the next day. I think some of our party started from another location. We were probably in groups of three and took the instruction to avoid any contact with the general public very seriously, disappearing through hedges very slickly when necessary! What the public thought of this I now tremble to think but at the time it was huge fun. When I think of today, we had great freedom then. Jack Marshall and I would set off on our bikes and go camping for the weekend down at Headley. A gang of us hiked down to Ranmore to visit the County Camp there for a day, and before I became a Senior, I remember going with a trek cart down to Bookham where we had our annual camp. The first time I went away from home it was to a farm at Elstead near Frensham. It was the first and only time I suffered from homesickness and I was glad to get it over!"

It was good to hear from former Rover Scout Leader (RSL) John Humberstone. John writes with some notes of his time in Scouting:

"I started during the early years of the War in the 81st North London (2nd Finchley) Group followed by Army service in REME. I married my childhood sweetheart Sheila and raised three children and now have four grandchildren. We moved to North Cheam in the early sixties and was taken on board by "Skipper" Hutchinson who had been GSM at the Fourth but was now DC for Sutton & Cheam. Skipper encouraged me to become RSL at the Fourth. As RSL I enjoyed a regular influx of senile Senior Scouts from the very successful Senior Troop and all stayed on in the Crew to help build the Rover Den which could not have happened without the close support of Geoff Willis with his technical knowledge and huge buying power with building materials.

Skipper Hutchinson became very ill and Mrs H asked the Crew to provide a night time vigil - I remember David Sweetland, Paul Dovey, Chris Willis and David Prescott were involved - there were others but my memory no longer serves me well. Skipper later passed away peacefully in his sleep.

Finances were always a problem and certainly the best money raiser was selling manure at half-a-crown (2/6d, now 12½p) a barrow. Commander Heather's son was in the Crew and he talked his father into giving us about 5 tons of the smelly stuff - plus the loan of a one ton horse box to ferry it around Worcester Park. ARSL Hugh Wiseman acted as driver.

Sub Aqua was very popular and we had our own gear. We also tried to build a superstructure on the hull of a ship's lifeboat. Unfortunately the venture was not successful. It had got off to a bad start - the boat broke it moorings at Gravesend and was found later in the North Sea off Gt. Yarmouth!

In the late sixties, Rovering was under threat with rumours that was to be phased out - so it was and is now a distant memory! Later I moved to a tiny village in Kent - Mereworth - left the Crew in the capable hands of my ARSL David Baldwin and agreed to become the County Advisor on Sub Aqua affairs to both Surrey and Kent and had some very memorable and humorous events. One was at Brownsea Island - with hundreds of both Scouts and Guides most of whom wanted to dive or snorkel. One of my instructors got out of bed one morning - slid his feet into his shoes and fell flat on his face! His shoes had been nailed to the floor!

We moved to Norfolk 16 years ago to a large house set in its own grounds - we are only 8 miles from some of Norfolk's finest beaches although we rarely bathe in the sea as we are lucky enough to have our own heated swimming pool. After nearly 25 years with the family business and travelling frequently to places like Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, South-East Asia, all of Europe and Scandinavia, Sheila and I retired five years ago. I play golf and belong to a local camera club. We walk a lot with our German Shepherd, Sam. Sheila is not too active nowadays after a second stroke, but has recovered well."

We had several messages sent at Christmas or with subscriptions. Mike Shaw wrote saying how much he appreciated the newsletter which evoked many memories of the Fourth. He also signed up his brother David Shaw to the Friends for which we thank him. Alan Rush wrote again from the Isle of Man saying that from previous issues it was great to read about Richard Duck who had "found" Larry Rose. He was sorry to have read of the death of Mick Spelling and his thoughts went out to the Spelling family. Others have expressed the same sentiments.

We've had many e-mails. Jonathan Jefferis wrote at Christmas with his e-mail address "jon.jefferis(at)btopenworld.com". (See editorial). Dennis Would e-mailed us and writes:

"I have some memories about our different camps and expeditions. Have you forgiven me?", he asks, "for talking in my sleep." (Forgiven, Dennis - you probably can't remember me snoring! Ed). Dennis is referring to his help at Brownsea Summer Camp as a Cub Instructor when Les was helping as a Leader. All the male leaders were billeted in the "fourteen footer" and Dennis did indeed talk in his sleep. He used to shout things like "John Grey - that's three points off!" Dennis adds: "I was probably a pain when you were trying to achieve something as I never took things seriously, although that has helped me to cope with my career". Don't worry Dennis, we recall that you were always a great help, always cheerful and smiling and sought after as a star at the Gang Shows under your nickname "Buster".

Though "Friends Reunited" we've heard from two Senior Scouts from the early sixties - Paul Cooper and Robin John. After a career in materials engineering, Paul is now a self-employed consultant in Organisational Development and lives in Nottingham. He writes

"I was interested that Les had kept up contact with scouting and 4WP in particular. I was only involved for a couple of years in Senior Scouting which I remember as being very caring and active. Peter Kinton was SSL, but I do not expect him to remember me after all these years." (Kim remembers Paul very well indeed).

Robin John writes:

"Over the years I was involved in scouting in Ealing. It has become much more demanding and a great responsibility looking after Cub and Scout safety (e.g. the constraints over simple first aid for the normal cuts and bruises) and the kids themselves quite a handful. Malcolm our wonderful SL is married to a Chinese lady who has introduced woks as a standard piece of patrol equipment - we initially raised eyebrows (and a scanning of the rules to see if we could be disqualified) at competition camps by replacing meat & two veg with stir fries! I remember very positively the Scout camps at Chobham Common and Send. Our Cub Camps have tended to be at the Greenford district site at Stoke Poges near Burnham Beeches which is a great location for under ten's. You know that question - "Where were you when John Kennedy was assassinated?" - I know exactly where I was - at a 4th Worcester Park Senior Scout troop meeting with Peter Kinton."

Steve Ballard sent an e-mail. His parents still live in Windsor Road, but his Dad is very poorly. Steve writes about his current scouting involvement:

"I'm still helping with the 8th Hampstead Scouts. This year we are off to Sark and Guernsey and planning has already started for our first true overseas camp in Condom, France. I'm told it's the centre of Armagnac country - not that this fact influenced our choice of site you understand. In June we have organised a "Cross the Island" walk where the boys and "fit" parents will attempt to walk corner to corner of the Isle of Wight ending up at the Needles over the weekend. On a personal note I'm as proud as punch of my son Henry who won the top music scholarship to the Royal Grammar School last month. He will be going to the school troop from September."

Jenny Johns (nee Parry) e-mailed us about her Dad, Vice-President Roy Parry:

"Dad is quite poorly at the moment. He had to have an operation and complications followed which meant it had to be redone so he's been in hospital for some time."

We send our very best wishes to Roy who has been involved with the Group since his son Chris Parry was a Cub in the sixties.

Coming Events

The Group has a full programme of events as usual, and you are cordially invited to attend all of them. The main ones are:

Sun 16th June 12.30pm AGM 5th & 12th October 2.30pm Jumble Sales Sat 6th July 12.00noon Summer Fete 13th October 11.00am Scouts' Own Sun 7th July 11.00 am Scouts' Own Sat 2nd November 7.00pm Fireworks. (See the Events page for more details.)

Camps

The three Cub Packs, the two Scout Troops and the Venture Scout Unit will all be off to camps and expeditions this summer and we'll report on their adventures in the next edition.

It's Your Newsletter...

Please e-mail fotf(at)4wp.org.uk with contributions or news: