Memories

Scouting and Cubbing at St. Augustine's, 50 years ago by "Fire King"

[From Stumps No 56 October 1968. "Fire King" was the pen name of J T (Jack) Ash]

The Scout Troop had been in existence for about three years and amongst my earliest recollections, I recalled the scoutmaster in the R.F.C. (Royal Flying Corps) uniform of the First World War. Incidentally this Flying Officer is now the Parson of the Parish of Lymm, Cheshire.

Troop meetings were held on Friday evenings and again on Saturday afternoons, when, weather permitting we went to Blackbrook and played a variety of widegames, afterwards returning to Wiseton Road for biscuits and brew up.

The scout uniform was a little more elaborate at this time - Scout hat (old type), blue jersey, shorts, neckerchief, lanyard, belt and hanging therefrom, scout knife complete with spike (for removing stones from horses hooves), a hank of rope, whistle, a haversack and finally a stave - the classic use for which was "warding off mad dogs".

Nevertheless, we thought they were great and wore them at every opportunity.

At this time, St Augustine's supported a company of Boys Brigade (incidentally an older movement than the Boy Scouts) which was commanded by a Captain Elshaw. There was great rivalry between us and not much love. Amongst their equipment was a cupboard full of dummy rifles at the end of a corridor at Wiseton Road. It was ironical that, at the time, there was criticism that the Scout Movement was a military movement.

We possessed a drum and fife band which performed on the monthly church parades starting on Riverdale Road and proceeding to the church via Rustlings Road, Hunters Bar and Brocco Bank where we were welcomed "with open arms" by the vicar at that time - Rev Mitchell.

The only instrument left in the band, I think, is a fife still in my possession - you see I was one of the "fifers". The big drum was exchanged some years ago with St. Andrew's Troop who had a bell tent surplus to their requirements.

I must not finish this installment without some mention of the caretaker in those days - Mr Greenfield ("Greenpeas" to the Scouts) - who was not very fond of us initially, but mellowed as the years went on a finally became a great friend of the Troop.