Friends of the Fourth

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2007: FOTF News 20 FOTF News 19 2006: FOTF News 18 FOTF News 17 2005: FOTF News 16 FOTF News 15 
2004: FOTF News 14 FOTF News 13 2003: FOTF News 12 FOTF News 11 2002: FOTF News 10 FOTF News 09

Summer 2004 No. 13

Editorial

The Group has seen through a number of changes recently including a change of age ranges, new uniform and a new training scheme. We are now approaching a period of further change in the Group: we are seeking a new Group Scout Leader, we will have a new District next year and we will face the possibility that the Group must go "co-educational" over the next few years - more on these issues later in the newsletter. We are confident that many of the changes will benefit the young people of Worcester Park and continue to keep Scouting at the forefront as a first class training organisation.

Please continue to encourage former members of the Group with whom you are still in touch to join the Friends - £2 a year is their only commitment. We'll be enclosing with this edition your subscription statement. We are grateful to all those who sent subscriptions (some for years in advance), and we thank the many who sent a donation.

News from the Group

At the recent Annual General Meeting our Group Scout Leader, Keith Daly, reported on another successful year in the Group. He mentioned the 70th Anniversary celebrations last year (reported in the previous edition of this newsletter) and also reported on the first full year of the new Scouting programme which had enthused all sections resulting in a large number of badges gained. The Parents and Friends Committee had attracted some younger parents as members and had raised £11,405 for the Group, £2,000 more than its target. The census showed 232 members, which didn't include Explorer Scouts (now a District responsibility although the Explorers still meet at the Fourth). This had been a drop and probably reflected the fact that leaders are desperately needed throughout the Group, but particularly in Cedar Beaver Colony and the Scout Troops. Keith summarised by mentioning that generally the Group is in a healthy state. Last year Keith stated his intention to retire at this AGM but he reported that a successor had not yet been found.

News from Members

We have not had much in the way of correspondence from Members since the last newsletter, although we have some items to report. We would welcome comments from Members and don't forget that as well as writing or telephoning, you can now also e-mail us on fotf at 4wp.org.uk We do hope that you can find time to keep in touch with us.

It is with sadness that we report the death of Eddie Dovey, "Tiger", Assistant Scout Leader of Purple Troop in the 1950's and 1960's. Much of his artistic talent can still be seen around the Headquarters - the heraldic shield in the Fellowship Den that helped to win a Surrey County Rover Scout competition, and the Patrol shields in the meeting room. Formerly these formed part of the proscenium above the stage.

We also report the deaths of Rev. Henry Burgin, at one time vicar of St Philip's Church whose son was in the Group and the family were supporters, and of Roy Swatman, husband of Pat Swatman, former Akela of Anglia Pack. We offer our condolences to Margaret Patch (Hunter) who husband died just a few months after their marriage. Margaret was our first Beaver Colony Leader.

Chris Willis has now retired and we are pleased to report his return to health. Whilst he lives in Cornwall, he continues to be Treasurer for Friends of Nonsuch. We send our best wishes to his Mum - Elsie Willis - a staunch supporter, especially of Gang Shows, who is now in her 90's and in a home in Cornwall. Jack and Molly Grey have been experiencing health problems and we wish them well. Jack and Molly are members of the Fellowship and Jack was formerly Treasurer of the Group. We are pleased to report that Melvyn Morgan is recovering from a serious road traffic accident.

Whilst John Baldwin is no longer Group Scout Leader at Claygate, he is still very active within their Group.

London Marathon

Former Venture Scout David Allen, a Naval Officer in the Royal Navy, was involved in a serious skiing accident in Canada some years ago. David ran in this year's London Marathon - a tremendous feat which caused him much pain - and completed the course in 4 hours 42 minutes raising £2,500 for "Headway" - a charity for those suffering head injuries.

St George's Day

At the annual St George's Day Parade and Service at Windsor Castle this year the Duke of Kent, President of The Scout Association, represented the Queen. The Group was represented by our three new Queen's Scouts: Ben Alembick, Chris Stocker and Steve Marston.

Congratulations

Congratulations to Bob Prescott on being awarded the Bar to the Silver Acorn in the St George's Day awards. Bob was formerly Group Scout Leader and is currently District Commissioner of Wimbledon and Merton District. Congratulations also to Peter Kinton (President) and Sheila Kinton (Vice President) who celebrated their Golden Wedding anniversary recently.

District Amalgamations

Many will remember that until 1965, the Group fell within the Scout County of Surrey. On 1st April of that year, in line with the London Government reorganisation, the new Scout County of Greater London South-West (GLSW) was formed and the Fourth found itself within the new County. What didn't change was the Scout District structure and we have continued to be part of the Sutton and Cheam District since then.

However, all the Districts in the County have recently amalgamated (or are about to amalgamate) to form Districts aligning with the London Borough boundaries. Bob Prescott has been involved in the amalgamation of Wimbledon with Wandle Districts. Michael Wellman, former member of the Group and currently District Commissioner of Kingston and Malden will cease to lead that District when it amalgamates with Surbiton in October.

In the course of the next few months Sutton and Cheam will join Wallington and Carshalton to form one District covering the London Borough of Sutton. The new District, of which we will be part, has yet to be named.

Scouting and Co-Ed

For many years Scouting has made provision for girls to join Scouting, but in the Fourth this has not been pursued; for one reason the Guide Movement in Worcester Park is strong and we were anxious to keep good relations with the several Worcester Park Guide Companies. It is anticipated that in a few years there will be no option. We will watch developments with interest.

Beavers

When Valerie Clarkson relinquished leadership of Cedar Beaver Colony, we were pleased to welcome Anne Price to succeed her, but a new Leader is now sought as Anne is now an expectant mother.

Jamborees

The European Jamboree is to be held next year in Essex and five members of the Group are expected to attend. This will be a forerunner to the Centenary Jamboree to be held in the same location in 2007.

Gilwell Visit

17 members of the Group Fellowship visited Gilwell Park where they had a conducted tour by the Deputy Archivist who not only gave details of Scouting but also the history of the estate, its listed buildings and its occupiers. The Headquarters of the Scout Association is now located here in addition to its being the centre for training and much camping. The estate will be used extensively in addition to the main camp at Chelmsford for the European and World Jamborees.

Senior Scouting - Venture Scouting - Explorer Scouting

The age range of the section for older Scouts has changed a bit over the years: Senior Scouts were 15 to 18, Venture Scouts were 16 to 20 and the new Explorer Scouts are 14 to 18. Whatever you might call them, we have a strong tradition in the Group of running a highly successful senior section. One of the principal factors has been the idea that all the skills learned in the Scout section are put into practice and this has meant operating some high quality expeditions over the years since Senior Scouting first started in the Group in 1949.

Many of the expeditions have been abroad, usually in Western Europe, but in recent years to Eastern Europe as well. The Unit has collected favourite camping places across the continent. Towns linked to the London Borough of Sutton have featured - Apeldoorn in Holland being the obvious one where the Unit has often used the Fourth's linked Group's headquarters there, but also the Paris suburb of Gagny where we found a hostel as an ideal stopping off place.

A Scout campsite alongside a lake north of Salzburg has been visited many times as has a remote Shepherd's hut on the slopes of Monto Baldo overlooking Lake Garda in Italy. A Senior Scout expedition using a Scout campsite at Echternach in Luxembourg in 1964 prompted several expeditions using the site as a stopover and also a camp for the Troops and Unit in 1971. Links with a Scout Group at Svedala near Malmo in Sweden lead to a Unit expedition there followed by another Troops/Unit camp in 1987. In recent years a link has been made with Scouts at Banska Bystrica in Slovakia where the Unit has camped several times, with return visits to the Fourth by the Slovakians.

We are certain that the traditions of the Fourth will continue with the new Explorer Scouts and we wish them well in their endeavours to put their skills learned in the Troop into practice.

News from the Scouts

Speaking of Explorer Scouts, the current Explorer Scout Leader, Alan Avery, recently ran a weekend for the Explorers and older Scouts to the Hertfordshire County Scout Base near Bethesda in North Wales. It is a converted water mill and ideal for the purpose. Alan reports:

I was pleased to take 31 Scouts and Explorers to North Wales. Everyone seemed to be buzzing and during the course of the six days we did a navigational hike from Aber Falls (a huge waterfall), indoor rock-climbing on Anglesey, mountain biking and climbing Moel Siabod, Tryfan and Snowdon. The ascent of Snowdon drew home to everyone how you should be prepared for bad weather on the mountains. The wind really knocked us around and I fell 25ft bouncing off a rock - yes we had First Aid Kits and there weren't even any bruises but you always have to "Be Prepared".

Coming Events

The Group has a full programme of events as usual, and you are cordially invited to attend all of them. See the Calendar page for more details.