Lancaster Guardian 24 May 1946:
THERE is no experience like that “among new minds, strange faces, other men,” and for this reason I commend the many special training courses and rallies, both county and country, suspended during the war, that are now been gradually revived. Every facility, financial and otherwise is to be offered by Local Associations to Scouts and Scouters desiring to take advantage of the opportunities thus offered, not only to increase efficiency at the hands of the training experts, but to foster a happy comradeship with the others.
Recently, we had representatives at the St. George’s Day Rally at Windsor attended by the King and Queen, and from the minutes last week of the Executive Committee I gleaned that two of our Sea Scouts have also attended the patrol-leaders course aboard the RRS “Discovery,” moored on the Thames by Pilgrim Pier, Temple Bar, London. This floating headquarters, Scott’s famous ship of Antarctic fame, provides just the right atmosphere for the “wet bobs” of Scouting to practice their “craft.”
Sea Scout Patrol-Leaders Clifford Fuller and Edward Brown were the lucky ones on this occasion to be numbered among the 27 trainees on board, with Denham Christie, HQ’s Commissioner in charge. Both thoroughly enjoyed the experience. The training, which was very intensive, with plenty of boat work, knotting and general seamanship, should prove invaluable to the 5th Lancaster (Cathedral) Sea Scout Crew to which they belong.
I visited their headquarters at the Cathedral School the other evening and found them accommodated in quarters which their Skipper, Group Scoutmaster Bernard J. Toole, rather aptly terms “The Cabin.” It has a distinct nautical atmosphere about it and one of its features is a ship’s bell bearing the inscription “Indradeo” taken from a Japanese warship and brought safely home after many adventures by Patrol-Leader J. Pye who is still afloat with the Royal Navy.
PROPERTY OWNERS.
The crew, numbering 40, together with six serving in HM Forces, was originated in 1943 by GSM Toole on his discharge from the Services and he brought to his new commission a wealth of experience gained previously through long association with the 4th Morecambe crew. The Cathedral Sea Scouts have thereby, benefited immeasurably from their Skipper’s former contact, and he together with Assistant Scoutmaster Rev. Father J. Conway, and Mr. J. Mountain, Signals Instructor, backed by a keen Parents Committee with Miss W. Rainford as secretary, have got a splendid crew. They own a boathouse with two well equipped rowing boats and two canoes and hope soon to add to their fleet a 30ft. motor cruiser. The work of fitting out this latter adjunct is fast nearing completion. The crew hold one bronze cross lifesaving (swimming) award won by Senior Scout T. Keenan for a daring rescue from the sea when camping at Grange in 1944.
Recognised by the Admiralty as a training unit, the 5th Lancaster (Cathedral) Sea Scouts are entitled to the superscription “82nd Admiralty Unit,” and the last report of the visiting inspector reads: “The smartness and general bearing of the boys on parade was very good. The training is on sound lines, and of a very high standard for a Sea Scout Unit. The training quarters and equipment, including several boats, are in excellent order and ideal for the purpose. The unit carries a definite air of efficiency and is worthy of Admiralty recognition.”
SECURED MARKSMAN’S BADGES.
Patrol Seconds S. Mountain, B. Darby, and Senior Scouts A. Bibby and S. Lynch were recently examined for the Marksman’s badge by Mr. F. H. Capstick, and were successful. The crew express thanks to Messrs. Lansil for the necessary facilities offered to conduct this examination.
As land scouting is their primary training before Sea Scouting, the crew do not neglect this side of ” B-P’s” great game and are engaged in the construction of a den on a permanent campsite to further this end in the country. Cub Master P. Linnell now has the oversight of a very promising Cub Pack of some 25 youngsters.
OBITUARY.
The 13th Lancaster Rover Crew have lost a good friend by the death, on Friday last, of Mr. James Walker, late of Hawkshead Farm, Caton. The deceased gentleman, who farmed on the estate on which the Crew have their Den at Littledale, was keenly interested in promoting their welfare, and afforded them every facility in carrying out their activities.
“Walker’s Farm” became a happy meeting place of the Rovers. It was home-from-home. At the funeral at St. Paul’s Church, Brookhouse, Caton, on Monday, Rovers F. R. Hayton, H. L. Wareing, C. H. Pyke, J. Heseltine, P. Woods, and N. Rawlings, attended on behalf of all past and present members of the Crew, and acted as bearers.
A FULL WEEK’S ACTIVITIES.
Scout Week in Lancaster, which opens on Monday evening with a display on the Giant Axe Field, promises an attractive programme of events – educational, recreational, and social. On Tuesday, there will be a swimming gala at the Kingsway Baths. The Cubs have a special night on Thursday, when Mrs. B. Melville Smith, Wolf Cub Secretary from Headquarters, London, will give a demonstration Pack evening at Sulyard Street Methodist Church Hall. On Friday, the Ashton Hall will be the venue of a whist drive and dance. For the finale at Ripley Field, on Saturday, athletic sports will be held during the afternoon, and a campfire in the evening.
Of special interest to country districts is the announcement that Scouts will visit the villages of Hest Bank, Halton, Galgate, and Glasson Dock to give displays of Scoutcraft, on Wednesday evening.
All profits are to be given to the Lancaster Invalid Children’s Aid Association.
