Memories

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

[From Stumps No 59 January 1969. "Fire King" was the pen name of J T (Jack) Ash]

In the last instalment I referred to camping at Derwent (now unfortunately under the water of Ashopton Reservoir).This camp was always held at Whitsuntide and was a divisional camp for the Western Division. Eight or ten Troops camped around the perimeter of the cricket field and each troop took the same site each year

The Church Parade to Derwent Church, the cricket match versus Derwent village each Whit Mondayand the annual Wide Game and the final Camp Fire have now become memories I shall never forget. The riendships a and friendly rivalries which these camps brought about were wonderful and in my opinion Scouting locally would benefit tremendously if this sort of camp could be started again. Present day Scouting is too insular by far!

The 59th possessed a trek-cart in those days - a wonderful vehicle which could be dismantled in amatter of seconds, and re-assembled just as quickly. It even dismantled itself and about 20 kit bags in the middle of Brocco Bank on one memorable occasion when we were collecting our gear after Whit Camp. We still have one of the original wheels - it is built into the back wall of the old Senior den at the back of the Parish Hall and is still there I think.

About this time we had no Scouter, but the Tropp carried on under the leadership of the PLs with the occasional visit from A.W.Gaskin of King Edward VII School Troop. He brought along one W.G.L.Smith, later to become Scouter and Group Scouter and benefactor of the Ranmoor Group.

Eventually we got a Scouter, "Pop" Harding, to become famous as "Pop o' the LIX" who fought a duel with "Ting" Bell of St Timothy's on the river at Derwent. it was a draw, both canoes sinking beneath the surface to the accompaniment of thunderous cheers from both banks.

During "Pop's" leadership, camps were successfully held in Belgium and Ireland to which place he eventually retired several years later.

The Troop was represented in the Sheffield contingént at the 1926 Jamboree at Arrowe Park, Birkenhead, when the Chief Scout was presented with a Rolls Royce, a caravan (called "Jelly-Roll) and a pair of braces. These were subscribed to by Scouts from all over the world.

If any readers remember Grey Owl (he lectured at the City Hall on one occasion) he will know where the caravan "Jelly-Roll" got its name from.