Soham Grammarian Autumn 1938
SCOUT NEWS
We were sorry to lose P/L's Lovering, Martin (R), and Parker last term, but our Troop is still strong in numbers, owing to the several new recruits we have obtained. This summer the annual camp was a great success, and was enjoyed by all. A detailed log of the camp is given below.
Badge work has been proceeding very well this term, and several of the recruits have gained Tenderfoot badges. Many tests were passed at camp and quite a number of Second Class badges were gained. R Martin completed the tests for his First Class Badge. The system of awarding points for badges towards an inter-patrol competition has proved very popular, and much keen spirit is shown.
Twice this term the whole Troop, armed with frying-pans and other cooking utensils, has invaded the shrubbery. Fires were lit by each Patrol, and on the first occasion fried sausages were much enjoyed. The ASM and certain P/L's experimented with sausage rolls, and seemed quite satisfied with the result. On the second occasion the younger members of the Troop were instructed in the gentle art of cooking a "twist," although some seemed quite satisfied by merely smoking it!
Each evening finished up with a sing-song round the SM's fire, but on the second evening rain fell before the end of the evening and cut short our activities.
We have several seniors working for the First Class badge, and is is hoped that some may soon be gained. The Axemanship test is now the chief centre of attraction, and the last two weeks have seen several intrepid P/L's and Seconds trying their hand (and eye) with a timber-axe. The object of this has been to clear away the oak limbs which were torn off in the recent gale.
P/L D ASHBY
1ST SOHAM SCOUTS SUMMER CAMP LOG, 1938
This year's Summer Camp was held at Robin Hood's Bay, a small fishing village in Yorkshire. The camp site consisted of a wooded valley 150ft deep round two sides of the camp, and a stream running around the bottom of it on the western and northern edge. This wood was full of wild life. To the south were the moors situated about 800ft above sea level, and about two miles from camp. The beach was bounded by steep earth cliffs. The bathing was good on an open sandy beach at one point, the rest of the bay being rocky. A pool for beginners was made by damming the mouth of the Stoupe Beck, with the result that about half-a-dozen boys learned to swim a little during camp. The account of camp follows in diary form from the log-book.
Saturday, July 23rd.
Three seniors travelled by road in ASM's car, while the main party left Ely at 9.35 am changed at York at 1.30 pm and after exchanging greetings with ASM and his three companions, boarded the 1.55 pm train for Scarborough. Arrived Scarborough and changed stations for train to Fylinghall. Arrived at Fylinghall 4.30 pm and reached camp site about 5 o'clock. Pitched camp in fine weather and had a meal at 8.30 pm Just before supper SM found a wasps' nest while cutting a dead tree; the wasps objected, and you should have seen him run (not quite fast enough!). To wind up the evening several seniors strolled along the beach.Sunday, July 24th.
Arose 7.30 am to another fine day. Kitchen completed and wood fetched from ravine. Short service in camp about 11.30 am After dinner ASM and two seniors went to the village to post the letters, only to find: "No collection, Sundays." Bathed in afternoon. In evening majority played rounders, etc., while SM and a few others went hunting animal tracks. Bed at 9.15 pm.Monday, July 25th.
Arose 7.30 am Everyone, except cooks, went to the village to fetch the provisions. On returning, an hour's badge-work was done. Bathed in afternoon. In evening small party went to the village to fetch rest of bread. Scouting games in ravine, while one or two went seeking coloured glass and stones on the beach.Tuesday, July 26th.
Weather doubtful, being dull in the morning. While a few members went to the village a small shower was experienced, but no heavy rain fell. By to-day most of the junior members possess rubber deck-tennis quoits purchased from village, and there are now three deck-tennis courts in the field. Nevertheless Barton passed his tracking. After an hour's rest after dinner everybody went to explore the moors above the camp. Here many had a feast of bilberries. After most people had descended, "Dosh" found a monster clump of bilberry-bushes, and SM, ASM and "George" helped him to strip these bushes bare.
In the evening, while most of the troop played deck-tennis, SM and four seniors went to follow the stream in the ravine to its mouth. On the way a few botanical specimens were found and identified by "Dosh," and another intrepid PL found a large bone about eighteen inches long. This was variously identified, e.g., as Femur of Dinosaur.Wednesday, July 27th.
Weather quite fine. During morning P/L R Martin was given his First Class Badge, Thompson his Second Class, and Smith (P), Turner, and Pledger passed Second Class Ambulance.
In afternoon most of Troop went to Scarborough, arriving back about 7.45 pm. A number of juniors had purchased sheath-knives - but unluckily for them, they were informed they could not wear them until they obtained their Second Class Badges, or until the end of camp. In the late evening the weather became stormy, and a high wind and rain produced a rather wild night.Thursday, July 28th.
Bad weather continued until morning, and breakfast was eaten in the tent. Later in the morning the wind changed and the sky cleared, so that yesterday's stay-at-homes were able to go to Scarborough in ASM's car. A novelty was enjoyed at dinner in the shape of fried rice-cakes with stewed liver. In the afternoon everybody went down to the beach and commenced to dam the Stoupe Beck at its entrance in order to make a pool. After a romp on the beach we returned home to tea.
After tea the activities were varied. Some went to fetch wood, others played Prisoner's Base and quoits, and others went to make plaster-casts of animal tracks on the banks of the stream. After supper and prayers everyone retired early.Friday, July 29th.
Arose rather late, breakfast being threequarters of an hour late. The usual party went to fetch provisions. During the badge-work hour SM caught "Anzac" reading a "twopenny blood," with the result that this worthy was made to clean dixies.
At about 9.30 am the spare tent collapsed, the pole going through the top. It was repaired during the morning by SM, ASM and a couple of seniors.
Weather continued rather windy, and as there was intermittent rain, the rest of the day was spent in the tents. During the evening ASM carried out decorative repairs to a certain P/L's shirt.
The Troop from Doncaster which had been expected all day did not arrive until 9.45 pm and so SM, ASM and a few seniors assisted in the rather unpleasant task of pitching tents in a high wind and inky darkness.Saturday, July 30th.
The high wind continued during the night, but did not do any serious damage - the ridge pole of the store tent being broken, and one of the small tents was slightly split. The provision party had to go overland as the wind had interfered with the tides, thus preventing walking by the beach. A good supply of wood was collected by the remainder of the Troop.
In the afternoon everyone went to bathe, and continued the making of the dam, but "Slogger" remained behind to mend his tent, which had been damaged by the previous night's wind. We then had an excellent tea, including lettuces given by the Troop which we had helped on Friday night.
In the evening ASM and three seniors went to post letters at Robin Hood's Bay, and returned by a different route via Fylingthorpe. The rest played Prisoner's Base in the ravine.Sunday, July 31st.
After breakfast the whole Troop attended morning service at Fylingdale Parish Church and returned to an excellent dinner of boiled beef and carrots, cooked by our accomplished chef "Storky." After a lengthy dinner we spent the afternoon on the beach. After tea various games were indulged in, and prayers were followed by a late supper.Monday, August 1st.
Another fine day with brilliant sunshine. Usual party went to Robin Hood's Bay for provisions, whilst during badge-hour several Scouts passed Scouts' Pace Test. A novel sundial was fitted up by "Storky."
In the afternoon everyone went up to the moors and gathered bilberries. The majority ate as they picked - but a few collected them for cooking. We returned for tea at about 5.30 pm In the evening several seniors went to the village again and got some baked beans, which provided an excellent supper. The second helping was SPOON-FED by SM. The question of who should lick the plate caused a rather lively scene amongst the juniors.
Bed rather late, about 9.30 pm.Tuesday, August 2nd.
Everyone overslept, including the cooks, who did not rise until 7.45 am an hour late. However, breakfast arrived at last, and the day continued its normal course. During badge-hour Pledger and Mead completed their Second Class Tests. "George's" excellent stew was judged the best yet. Two juniors - Lancaster and Talbot - followed suit by cooking excellent meals for themselves in order to pass their Second Class Cooking Test. The "people with subtle foresight," who had gathered bilberries on the moor had them stewed for second course.
Delightful bathe in afternoon, returning about 5 pm
In the evening "Dosh" went down the ravine to cook a twist as part of his First Class Cooking. A wave of enthusiasm for badge-work thereupon seized the rest, who ceaselessly signalled to each other, and bandaged each other up, until supper time.
At 9 o'clock, after a supper consisting of bread and beef-dripping, all went to the camp fire of the 1st Nottingham Troop, and returned home in a happy mood about 11 pm.Wednesday, August 3rd.
After breakfast (no comments!) a party went as usual for supplies. As to-morrow's dinner-duty people would not be able to go with the rest to Whitby, ASM took them to-day. The rest went for a delightful bathe. An excellent change, in the form of plum-duff, was enjoyed for second course.
The afternoon was spent on the beach with a second bathe. In the evening two seniors went to get some extra provisions from the village, while others again did badge-work (another wave of enthusiasm!). Lancaster and Smith (P) thereby obtained their Second Class Badges by passing Signalling. Retired after excellent supper of pea soup.Thursday, August 4th.
All went to Whitby in the morning, returning home to a late dinner at 3.30 pm After the usual rest-hour we went for a bathe at 5 o'clock and returned home to a late tea about 7 pm We then attended the camp fire of our neighbours, the 24th Doncaster Troop, at 9 o'clock. This finished at 10.45 pm and everyone got quickly between blankets.Friday, August 5th.
We wake up an hour-and-a-half late to find that the morning is fine but misty. A terrific thunderstorm broke out later and lasted three hours. Before this, four seniors had set out to the village to fetch provisions and returned home about 12 noon, wet to the skin. But this foul weather cleared up about 3 pm and we began to dry out the smaller tents for packing.
As much packing as possible was carried out, and the sandwiches and cake for the journey were cut also.
The juniors retired about 9 pm and then the seniors about 11 pm after doing some more packing.Saturday, August 6th.
The SM and six seniors rose about 5.40 am and prepared their breakfast, ASM painfully creeping from his car, which had served as his bed, about 6 am. Having eaten their breakfasts, these early risers prepared the breakfast for the rest. Packing commenced about 7 am and we had completely finished by about 10 am.
Having plenty of time to spare, we caught the 11.15 am instead of the 12.5 pm train from Fylinghall to Scarborough. We arrived at Scarborough about 12.20 pm and after waiting forty minutes we caught the 1 pm train for York. York was reached at 2.15 pm and the train for Ely was boarded at 3.30 pm.
A sunburnt, tired-but-happy Troop reached Ely about 7 pm.P/L GE DANN
Soham Grammarian Spring 1939
SCOUT NEWS
Our activities this term have been very varied. The most important event was a visit on February 13th from the Earl of Buckingham ("The Squire") and Captain King, the District Commissioner, who were inspecting the Troops in the Cambridge area. The visitors appeared to enjoy themselves, and we were taught several new games, which have proved immensely popular.
Now that the days are lengthening, and the evenings becoming lighter, outdoor activities are coming to the fore.
On February the 24th the whole Troop went afield searching for animal tracks. [Interest in this direction has been considerably stimulated since last Summer Camp, when tracks of otter, rat, rabbit, and numerous birds were investigated in the Stoupe Beck at Robin Hood's Bay.] Traces of an otter were found, and plaster casts taken of tracks of several other small animals. Our Scout Room is now adorned by a number of these casts, suitably mounted and coloured.
The chief thing of interest at the moment is the Morse Code. The whole Troop is learning this most useful method of signalling, and games involving a knowledge of Morse have been devised by the Scout Masters to relieve the monotony of the task. Great enthusiasm is shown, and it is hoped that by the end of the term every Scout in the Troop will have a sound knowledge of the code.
Badge work is progressing very favourably, and many boys are now working towards their First Class Badge and the King's Scout Badges. Although we have at present no First Class Scouts in the Troop, some First Class Badges should certainly be gained by the end of the summer term, when suitable weather enables the out-of-door tests to be passed.
It has not yet been arranged where our next annual Camp will be held.
P/L DG ASHBY, Form VIA
Soham Grammarian Summer 1939
SCOUT NEWS
This term has been quite interesting, with two notable events - a week-end camp held in the School field, and a Competition in Bridge-building, Morse Signalling and First Aid with the Ely King's School Scout Troop.
The week-end camp was a great success, despite bad weather towards the end. The Troop split up into patrols, and separate small camps were arranged on the south edge of the School Field. On Friday afternoon the tents were pitched, and the camps planned out, and at about 7 pm after several hours' hard work a combined tea and supper were provided. Juniors went to bed about 9 pm and the Seniors sat round a camp-fire and spun yarns until 10 pm.
On Saturday the weather was still gloriously hot, and in the morning the week-end homework was done in School. A quiet afternoon was spent watching the 1st XI Cricket Match, and in the evening a shooting competition was arranged, several Scouts having brought air-guns, and various games were played. At about 9 pm the sky became overcast, and rain came at 10 pm continuing until 6 am the next morning.
Great trouble was experienced on Sunday morning in obtaining fires, as the wood had been thoroughly wetted by the night's rain. Breakfast was therefore late, and all had to hurry to get to church by 1l am. During the afternoon the Troop went to a special Scout Service, following the enrolment of some Rover Scouts from the surrounding district.
On Monday morning everyone rose early, and after a hurried breakfast started breaking camp. By 8.30 am everything but the tents had been packed up and taken to the Scout room, and the tents were taken down Monday night, by which time they had dried out thoroughly. A considerable amount of badge work was done over the week-end, and the rough weather made the Camp a valuable experience for many of the younger Scouts.
The competition with the King's School Scout Troop took place at Ely on Saturday afternoon, July 1st. Points were awarded for places in Bridge-building with Scout staves, Morse-signalling with flags, and First Aid. Our troop won by the narrow margin of one point.
During the Summer term, too, badge work has made considerable headway. Thus, P/L Ashby and Taylor have gained their cyclist's badge, P/L Thompson has been awarded his marksman's badge, and Swimmer's badges have been fought for and won by Scouts Wright, Ward, Lancaster, Turner, and Smith P.
This year our Annual Summer Camp is at Edale in Derbyshire, and it is hoped that nearly all the Troop will be able to come.
We are very sorry to lose Troop-Leader Atkin; he is leaving School this term, with our best wishes for success in his work as Probationary Clerk at Shippea Hill LNER Station.
P/L DG ASHBY
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last updated 22 Nov 2007