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 
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Christmas Edition 2006 No. 18

Editorial

In this edition of the newsletter you'll see from the article "It's a Small World" that contacts from the Fourth can be found worldwide - in this case from a generation apart and continents apart (from Australia to the Channel Islands!). It's amazing that the contacts were unknown to each other, but both are members of the "Friends". Generally though, we are heartened by the fact that friendships made over the years within the Group have lasted, in many cases for several decades.

Again, we would encourage you to drop us a line, phone us, or e-mail with news or recounting stories from your time in the Fourth. Details of how to contact us are at the end of the newsletter.

Chris Willis

It is with deep regret that we report the death of Chris Willis in Truro on 8th September. He was 63. Chris had been a Cub, Scout, Senior Scout and Rover in the Group during the Fifties and Sixties and gained the Queen's Scout Award. Chris's parents, Geoff and Elsie had also been tremendous helpers in the Group, and indeed we reported on Elsie's death only two years ago at the age of 98. Chris gave his life wholeheartedly to others. In Truro, he was intimately involved with the Methodist Church spending much of his time in the various committees and also with the choir. Chris also continued working part-time after retirement locally in Wallington and used his time here in many capacities, particularly as Chairman of the Kingston & Malden District Scout Council and also as a Trustee and Treasurer of The Friends of Nonsuch. The Group was represented at the funeral at Truro Methodist Church by Les Prescott who reports that the Church was full. Tributes were paid by former Ministers of the Church and by a former work colleague. Also present at the funeral were Michael Wellman and his wife and Janice Ovenden (Barrie Spelling's sister) and her husband.

World Jamboree

As mentioned in the last issue of the newsletter, 2007 will be the movement's 100th birthday and we are fortunate that Explorer Scout Tom Newman has been selected to represent the Group at the Centenary Jamboree to be held at Hylands Park, Chelmsford. The Scout Leader of Silver Troop, Paul Green has also been selected to serve on the Jamboree Service Team. In thinking about the Centenary Jamboree, the editors dug out the Group Newsletters for 1957 to see how the Group was involved in the Jubilee Jamboree of that year held at Sutton Coldfield. The Jamboree then included an Indaba (International Camp for Leaders) and Moot (International Camp for Rovers). This was Chief Fenner's report in the July/August edition:

"The following have been chosen and are going to Sutton Coldfield where we are represented in each section:

JamboreeSM(S)Peter Kinton (KIM)
  David Sweetland (Senior Scout)
  John Lamming (Senior Scout)
  Paul Dovey (Senior Scout)
IndabaRSMJ.B. Hutchinson (District Commissioner)
MootGSMC.D. Fenner (CHIEF)
  Brian Yearley (Rover)
UK HQ staff Barrie Spelling (Scout)

We wish them all good camping and trust that many friendships may arise from their meeting with their fellow Scouts from 80 countries throughout the world. What an opportunity and responsibility to try and understand our fellow men and so all help each in our own way to do our little bit to bring peace to all nations."

It is remarkable that, apart from the late Chief Fenner and Skipper Hutchinson, all those at Sutton Coldfield are still heavily involved in Scouting although we have lost touch with John Lamming and Barrie is now resident in the USA and a member of the "Friends". "Kim", Dave and Brian are all still at the Fourth and Paul is a Commissioner in Hampshire.

The September 1957 edition of the Group Newsletter has reports of the Jamboree from Chief, Kim, John, Paul, Barrie and Brian. We are reproducing Chief Fenner's report in this edition and will be including the other reports in the two editions due in 2007.

Jamboree Report from Chief

After quite a lot of preliminary work arranging to take charge of 26 Surrey Rovers and 6 from British Guiana, I and my Party arrived safely. After a most uncomfortable ride in a lorry with our gear and by many devious ways we reached the site and I obtained my first impression that the Moot Camp was situated many miles from the reception centre, but this had to be moderated a little later, although it took nearly ¾ hour to go and see your friends at the Indaba and longer to come back in the dark.

The Surrey Sites were a little isolated as our neighbours from Lebanon did not turn up and only about 24 from Belgium, leaving a large open space between us and the Australians. So we were unable to act as hosts to any foreign contingent. The weather was good for the first week and we had every opportunity of settling in and eventually weathered the storms.

I have many impressions of the camp and find that being a leader entails plenty of office work and being single-handed found my way to the Moot HQ, several times a day, either to answer some question or to supply some information required as all routine work had to be done by the Section Leaders and not individuals. By this means I got to know most of the Staff and I would like to take this opportunity of acknowledging the work put in by them and the cheerful way in which I was received. The organisation was good and we had very little to complain about. The food was plentiful. I remember on one occasion being called out at 12.30pm to go up to HQ as they had received an urgent request for 500 Rovers to help police the Arena and when I had finished that meeting I was told that there were 2 German Scouts in the Reception Tent who were enquiring for me with a note from Tiger. (Tiger was Mr E. Dovey, Assistant Scout Leader - Ed.). I'd to see them settled in. (The Troop were camping 12 miles away at Litchfield and visited the Jamboree from there - Ed.)

We generally had a good breakfast and late lunch, after which there were no set meals as most of us had friends to meet at the various sub camps. In my various wanderings I used to go into any camp, particularly those from overseas and there was always a welcome and a chat and often a cup of something. I have never drunk so much coffee or tea which was always ready and I could always find a little crowd at our own site to finish off the evening.

It is impossible to be at all the events at the Arena in addition to the main ceremonies but I managed to see the Canadian Mounted Police, displays by France, Italy and Switzerland and the last night at the Theatre where numerous local talent took part and very good it was. I attended the official tea parties at the UK Contingent and Moot HQ, where I met quite a few I knew. I believe I met most of those from Sutton at some time or another. I was surprised at the number who had managed to get there for one reason or another.

I remember the conversations I had with many overseas Scouters, particularly those from Pakistan and Cyprus and was agreeably surprised to know how Scouting was flourishing in these countries despite the unsettling conditions that prevail. My most treasured memory is when on the last day but one, I arrived back at my tent to find a Plume made of grass as worn by Hungarian Scouts. I can only assume that it was a present from one of those exiled Scouts who I had the pleasure of taking with me on our three-day hike in Derbyshire.

There are many other occasions I shall remember but I have the impression that both Boys and Scouters from over 80 nations who lived together under canvas for the best part of two weeks must realise that it is not the average person who is responsible for all the troubles in the world today and if only all Statesmen, Politicians, etc. could only be got together and made to live together in similar circumstances, all the troubles in the world today would soon be forgotten.

Lastly, I was well at the back at the closing ceremony, keeping away from all the fireworks. At first it seemed that there was very little organisation as parties of people in what appeared to be very informal dress continued to arrive and then I realised that they were not separate contingents but were mixed up and that most were marching with their arms around the shoulders of those next to them. What better example of the friendship that had grown up between the nations in so short a time whilst living as close neighbours.

I could go on writing about the big and little camp fires, the offers of help received from foreign Scouts who could hardly speak a word of English, the hospitality of the local inhabitants, the excursions and three-day hike and many other incidents which all went to make my stay in Sutton Coldfield one of the happiest and most enjoyable of holidays.

C.D. Fenner "CHIEF" GSM - September, 1957

"Sunrise Promise"

On 1st August 2007, all Scout Groups in the UK have been asked to gather together in prominent places at 8.00am to renew their Promise. This will be exactly 100 years after the start of the first experimental camp at Brownsea Island. The Group is planning to get together with the other Groups in Worcester Park on Malden Green near Worcester Park Station. Although the Fourth comes within the Sutton District, we hope to be joined by 1st Old Malden Group from Royal Kingston District and by 2nd Cuddington Group from Epsom & Ewell District, thereby joining together three Groups in the Worcester Park community from three Scout Districts and two Scout Counties (Greater London South West and Surrey).

District Centenary Camp

The Group will also be taking part in the Sutton District Centenary camp to be held at Walton Firs over the Spring Bank Holiday weekend.

Calling All Queen's Scouts

Our Scout County of Greater London South West is planning a Centenary Reception for all former King and Queen's Scouts from Groups in the County (this includes ours) on 30th September 2007 at King's College, Wimbledon. Can all members who are holders of the Award please book the date - more details next time.

It's a Small World

We've heard from Tony Burrage in Melbourne, Australia about a remarkable coincidence:

A couple of years ago, I opened a new Sterling account with a bank in Jersey, Channel Islands. In due course I received a welcoming letter from my duly appointed Relationship Manager, a Mr Chris Townsin, and we subsequently spoke on the phone a couple of times. Naturally, I had never heard of him before this contact.

Imagine my surprise when, 18 months later, on the last page of the No. 17 newsletter, member Chris Townsin's change of address appeared - there can't be more than one in Jersey, surely?

So it really is a small world!

Tony Burrage

Tony Burrage was the Patrol Leader who led the patrol which won the Surrey County Scout Camping Competition in 1953 and this achievement is recorded in the Patrol Leaders' room at headquarters. Chris Townsin was a member of the Group in the Eighties.

Leaders

Following Sheila Kinton's retirement as leader of Birch Beaver Colony, Louise Mullins and Paula Evans have now taken over the running of the Colony. Meanwhile, Valerie Street, Leader of Cedar Beaver Colony has been poorly, and Alan Avery (Scout Leader of Purple Troop) has been helping out.

News from Members

We've received further news from Maurice and Rita Wilkins. They write:

"Many thanks for the latest news from Friends of the Fourth. It hardly seems possible, but we have now been down here in Kent for nine years and although there are a lot of names coming through that we don't recognise, there are still plenty of the old ones and, of course, a number of sons of old ones, so it's still nice to read about them and keep in touch with what is happening.

We, ourselves, are still keeping fit, well and active, albeit that the passing years are beginning to take their toll! However, in July we will spend three weeks cycling in France, first of all driving down to the Alps where we will watch a couple of stages of the Tour de France, finally finishing up in central France for a big international cycling rally. We've also just had a week in Belgium for the International Tandem Rally. It was very wet and very cold and perhaps the less said about it the better! Following our fantastic holiday in Namibia last year we are off again in November to Botswana for another self-drive tour/safari and we are really looking forward to that.

In between times my thespian career continues apace and we are now working on our autumn musical "The Wizard of Oz". We did a lovely comedy in April called "Family Planning", all about a highly dysfunctional Welsh family and I played the part of Gran. I stayed in bed for the whole show and was on stage when the audience arrived and stayed on all through the interval. Quite a challenge, but great fun. Please pass on our regards to all who knew us and, as ever, if you, or they, are ever down this way you'll be more than welcome to drop in."

News from the Group

Several very successful events have taken place at headquarters recently. Two Jumble Sales raised around £800 and on 4th November we had our annual Fireworks Display which was a resounding success with an additional £760 for the Group's coffers. We held a Big Band Night at Headquarters again this year with the Dave Marrion Big Band which was a bit of a gamble as last year the rain chucked it down all evening! However, it was a fine night and went very well with a good turnout. The Christmas Bazaar this year was excellent with lots of stalls and Father Christmas of course! Our two halls were full to overflowing as was the canopy alongside the halls where hot dogs, beefburgers and chips were being served by the Scouts. It was Worcester Park's turn to host the Civic Annual Service of Remembrance this year, and it was held at Christ Church with St Philip. The Church was full with the Mayor, Councillors and officers from the Borough along with the Royal British Legion and uniformed organisations. Once again we had a smart turnout from members of the Group attending and we were all invited back to the British Legion for drinks and nibbles afterwards.

Gang Shows

Alan Rush reminded us in the last edition of some wonderful memories of Gang Shows held at the headquarters. The recent County Gang Show "Sou'West 2006" was held at the Secombe Theatre in Sutton and the Group was represented by Scott Marshall (a Cub from our Brownsea Pack - the only Cub taking part from the whole County!) and Scout Jack Gunter. Silver Troop Scout Leader Paul Green was on the Stage Crew helping with the electrics.

Alan's reminiscences reminded us of the Gang Show held at headquarters when we fused all the lights! We found out later that we were using rather more electricity than our circuits could manage and the main fuse blew. The emergency number for the Electricity Board was called, but in the darkness and while we were waiting to be re-connected, we managed to find candles, tilley lamps, hurricane lamps - anything that gave off light and an impromptu session led by Dave Sweetland ensued. This must have lasted the best part of three-quarters of an hour before the lights came back on again and judging by the howls of laughter, the impromptu session must have been hugely enjoyable. The audience were asked whether we should cut the performance short in view of the lateness of the hour, but they were having none of it. So we proceeded from where we left off, finishing at nearly half past eleven! What an evening.