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A CENTURY OF SCOUTING
I expect many of you have seen or heard about various celebrations that will take place throughout the country over the next few months to celebrate the 100 years of the Boy Scouts Association (now called The Scouts Association), since Baden Powell first held an experimental camp for boys on Brownsea Island, Dorset. From that first camp it has now grown to a world wide movement
I first joined the cubs in early 1939 but shortly afterwards World War 2 started. I then found myself evacuated from London to Reading, the family where I was billeted had 2 sons both were members of the 13th Reading Group of St Bartholomew, so it was not long before I joined, we had some very good times visiting interesting places and having some lovely walks along the river and countryside around Reading.
I came back to London before the war ended, my mother soon found a Scout Troop running near home at St Mary-le-Park, the 7th Battersea, so I was soon a member, the patrol I was put in was called the Owls, a good lot of lads, I stayed with the owl patrol until I moved up into the Senior Scouts The 7th Group had a very good membership and with 3 very good leaders who organised lots of activities at week ends, hikes and camping at Walton on the Hill, Surrey, even during the Doodle Bug era. Under their leadership we all made steady progress through the badge system ending up with the Kings Scout Badge. All these activities were a wonderful grounding for young men and still prepare them for accepting responsibilities in their lives ahead
After the war 4 of us from the 7th were selected to attend the World Jamboree held in France, about 40,000 scouts came from all parts of the world, all camping there for a fortnight swapping yarns, having meals with scouts from countries far away, the experience of a Jamboree stays with you always, so 40,000 scouts who will be attending this years Centenary 21st Jamboree from 27th July – 8th August at Hylands Park near Chelmsford, Essex, will enjoy the camp and come away with wonderful memories to look back on. Some scouts from Potters Bar will be there and I wish them well for the camp. For 2 to 3 days before and after the camp there is home hospitality for several thousand scouts so I expect we will see many scouts from foreign parts around here visiting places of interest in our county. Make them feel welcome here. You will be able to visit the Jamboree site on certain days, plenty of activities will be going on, for details please visit www.scouts.org.uk/ .
My membership continued right through my National Service, afterwards I rejoined the 7th and moved up to the Rovers, (18 upwards). I felt that I wanted to give back something to the movement so decided to become a leader to the Troop and the Cub Pack, which was very rewarding, I left Battersea in 1971 when I came to live in South Mymms. Not too long after moving here I was approached by the District Commissioner to help with the Cub Pack at King Charles the Martyr and stayed for 5 years.
The Scout Movement is a wonderful thing for young people to belong to for preparing them for life when they get older. They also need good leaders to do this, if you are an ex member and feel like going back to help, get in touch with any group in Potters Bar.
Rremember, once a Scout always a Scout and thank you.
David Badger May 2007
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