Memories

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

[Extract from Stumps No 63 May 1969. "Fire King" was the pen name of J T (Jack) Ash]

On the 11th February 1928, a Troop "feed" took place, thirteen members which would be about the strength of the troop at that time, each paid 1/-d, the "feed" comprising: tea, sandwiches, pastries, cake, fruit and tea! Incidentally, the final "feed" account showed a deficit of 7/7½d.

It was at about this time that the first Rover Crew was formed, the Den was at an address in Wellesley Road near Durham Road and our RSL was the late J Jones who, for years, suffered a severe infirmity yet still kept up Scouting - being the Scouter of the Ryegate Troop now defunct.

For the Summer Camp we went to Sawdon near Scarboro where, we were introduced by Mr. Harland to the now famous game of "Stumps" - a game with no rules and took the form of single wicket cricket but a stump was used in place of a bat. We became very proficient and it is played to this day, I think! The group newsletter takesits name from this game. At Sawdon, we discovered a rubbing post for cattle, sheep, horses and cows and wondered what the letters OWA TANA SIAM painted spirally around the post from top to bottom. Perhaps some cypher expert could enlighten?

I remember camping one year on this site when some of 16th Westbourne were also present including two notables namely Douglas Cass and Fasiato who had some sort of difference to settle - this they decided to do by wrestling - this bout lasted for the most of the day, the contestants breaking off only for meals - resuming the pre-lunch positions afterwards.

The troop introduced two awards here, the first "The Green Man" and the second "The Nark" - these were presented at the end of each day in camp. The first award was presented to the scout who ,that day, had committed the worst blunder, the second was given to the boy who had lost his 'temper' unnecessarily! The usefulness of these awards was very apparent during the camp!

[Archivist comments: Any information about J Jones would be appreciated. Regarding OWA TANA SIAM - I know what it means!]