TROOP NEWS.
By Troop Leader A. G. WIDDOWS.
OPENING OF HEADQUARTERS AND PRESENTATION TO MR. THORNE.
On Tuesday December 15th., the Scout Headquarters were officially re-opened, after alteration and redecoration. General Burton took the Chair. He, and several other speakers remarked ‘ upon the vast improvement in the Hall and said that now it was possible for us to show it to our friends with pride.
General Burton presented the Scouts, on behalf of Lady Dixon Hartland, with a shield to be awarded annually to the patrol which wins the greatest number of times in the year, the inter-patrol competition which is held every two months. He also presented them with a fine Union Jack of large dimensions, this being another Gift from Lady Dixon Hartland.
The Scoutmaster then announced that he had a very pleasant duty to perform in giving Mr. Thorne, our old Scoutmaster a bronze statuette of a Scout, as an outward and visible sign of our appreciation of, and gratitude for his good work. Mr. Thorns was also presented with a Thanks Badge which is worn as a pendant on royal blue ribbon, and with a book containing the names of all the members of the Troop and the testimony which was embodied in the Scoutmaster’s Message of the January number.
Mr. Thorne then made a speech in which he thanked all the boys and friends who had given him the statuette, and said that although he was no longer S.M. he would still do all he possibly could for the Troop.
I noticed several members of the Cambray Troop present.
Mr. F. J. Peacey, made an enthusiastic speech in which he appealed to the boys to endeavour to carry out the Chief Scouts’ desire, broadcast by wireless, by giving a Christmas present to an old lady or some poor child, and then writing up to General Headquarters, Buckingham Palace Road, and telling the Chief he had done it. I hope every Scout responded to this appeal.
FOOTBALL NEWS.
On Saturday January 9th, the football team played Winchcombe Scouts. The visitors were by far the heavier team, but our men played a very good game, especially J. Sealey.
Two goals were scored against us in the first half, but in the second half we managed to hold our own although we were unable to score. Thus we lost the match by 2 goals to nil. This is the first match we have lost this season.
(I think much encouragement would be given to the members of the team if there were more supporters along the touchline. A little support. from enthusiastic onlookers goes a long way in keeping up the morale of a team. The Scouts therefore, who are not playing in the team, and other supporters of the Troop will be welcomed on our ground at Battledown on Saturday afternoons, as they will certainly do much material good for the team – Ed.)
RESULT OF FIRST COMPETITION FOR “HARTLAND” SHIELD.
The Lion Patrol under Leader Croxall are to be heartily congratulated on winning the “Hartland” Shield which was presented to them at the Annual Tea on January 13th.
The Wolf Patrol under Leader Sealey were only two-fifths of a point behind and it will be seen how well this patrol did in the competition when one reads the following: The Patrol Leader with highest points, the Second P.L. with highest points and the Scout with highest points all came from the Wolf Patrol.
The highest number of points a Patrol Leader could gain was 260. P.L.- L. Sealey (Wolf Patrol) gained 257 points!
The maximum number of points, which it was possible for a Second or a Scout to gain was 200.
Second P.L.- C. Peacey (Wolf Patrol) gained 195 points!
Scout H. Homer (Wolf Patrol) gained 193 points!
The Fox Patrol with Patrol Leader C. Young was Third in the competition, and the fourth place was secured by the Hound Patrol with Leader T. Lawrence.
REPORT OF SCOUT TEA-JANUARY 13TH
reprinted from “Gloucestershire Echo”
CHARLTON KINGS B. P. SCOUTS. – Through the generosity of the President of the Troop (Mrs. Griffiths) the annual Tea and Christmas party was held, by kind permission of the Chaplain (Rev. Edgar Neale) in St. Mary’s Parish Hall on Wednesday. About 60 Scouts and members of the committee sat down to an excellent tea arranged by Mrs. F. J. Fry, Mrs. Thorne and Mrs. A. J. Bond, and as customary the fare was of the best. After tea came the usual crackers, which caused much fun.
The Hon. Secretary then read Mrs. Griffiths’s address, in her unavoidable absence. The motto for the year being, “Happiness was born a twin.” He apologised for Mr. F. J. Peacey (the hon. treasurer), who was unable to be present. Brief speeches were given by General Dickie (Chairman of the Executive who expressed the thanks of all to Mrs Griffiths for her unfailing kindness to the Scouts, General Burton, who gave a short review of the years work, and who appealed to the Scouts to enlist more Cubs to swell the movement, and by the Rev E. Neale. The later made some very practical suggestions to the boys, and was accorded a very cordial hearing. He expressed his sympathy and admiration with the Scout movement, and mentioned that if the Scoutmaster and himself could come to some mutual agreement, he would be quite willing for the choir boys who wished, to become Scouts. Needless to say those who believe in scouting received his words with hearty approbation.
Mr Thorne, the late Scoutmaster made a few remarks, and then the new Scoutmaster (Mr K. Cleveley) read a very admirable address, which was very much appreciated by all.
Following this was the presentation of the Hartland Shield, given by Lady Dixon Hartland and which was won for the first time by Lion patrol, the runner up being the Wolf patrol who were beaten by 2 5ths of a point, the Fox being 3rd, and the Hound 4th. The enthusiasm and competition for the shield was astonishingly keen.
A. S. M Major Bowl-Evans having added as few words, the company cleared the room, and the usual Scouts’ games were indulged in. These were intermingled with songs given by the Vicar, the Scouts, and Mr Croxall, and a pianoforte solo by Reginald Burton. During the evening fruit, mince pies, etc. were handed to the Scouts and guests. References were made to the new Scout magazine, “The Charltonian” which, for the first time was printed and which is highly creditable to the Editor, Mr F. H. Martin.
Regrets were expressed at the absence of the Commissioner Mr F. Craven Broad, who it was hope would be present. ” Auld Lang Syne” and the ” National Anthem” terminated a happy night.
From the ‘Charltonian’ February 1926