16th Reigate Scout Group
Number 204
October 2007
" It provokes thought that when you introduced me to Scouting, back in 1954, the Movement was not even fifty. Now here we are, celebrating 100 years. In keeping with all Scouts who value the Movement, I will be reaffirming my Promise on 1st August. A number of the guys I work with are old Scouts, some are still active, so I think we will find a quiet room in the offices.
I will remind you, as I have on a number of occasions, what a treasury of experience Scouting gave me. It is difficult to put it into words because it is impossible to know how I would have reacted without the experience. I do know with some certainty, that during my time in Africa, Kenya in particular, it gave me the confidence to put some context on an unfamiliar landscape, and survive in it. We were laying a water pipeline from the uplands in western Kenya, down across the bush to the towns in the Rift Valley in the Central Province. The pipeline started in virgin mahogany forest in a place called Eldama Ravine, down the Moy Escarpment, and across the bush towards Nakuru. Sometimes the local animals were not too pleased to have us dig a trench through their front room. You soon learn that in terms of natural armament the human race are extremely badly endowed. Even zebra and Thompson Gazelles don't see the need to walk around you when you are on foot. I once found myself sharing the bottom of a very deep trench with a Black Mamba, and they don't back away from anything. Camping is slightly more complicated out there, for the simple reason that there is not much in the UK fauna that will kill you. The list in Africa is a little longer. I recall camping on an island in Lake Baringo. It was an organised camp-site, with a good number of families enjoying a long weekend. Only a geny for power until lights out, then everybody was provided with a lit Tilley Lamp. Knowing how to re-light a Tilley came in useful when, in the middle of the night, one of the wives in an adjacent tent found herself sharing a sleeping-bag with a tarantula.
I suppose it boils down to confidence in your own self sufficiency; and that is what you and the Scouts gave me all those years ago.
You may still remember from RGS that I and hard mental work did not mix. Paradoxically, at 67 I am still working. I do not manage projects any more, I am what is called a contract manager. I advise our project managers on the working and wording of our contracts. I have to say that I never wake up in the morning dreading the day. Without the responsibility of a project, I can honestly say I am having more fun now than ever before. It is also the case that grey hair can give you a degree of respect that in years before a black mop did not.
How do I keep fit ? Well in January I acquired two Irish Wolfhound pups. Not a new experience, we have had three previously. These two and my Border Collie and I explore the local fields and woods. They are nearly eight months old and already weigh nearly eight stones each. Their heads will be level with my waist by Christmas. Just this morning we were in a local coppiced woodland, they were exploring the scents of the night, and I found myself deciding where would be a good place to bivouac.
I was shocked to learn of the deaths of Rodney and Ashton, and also of course Mike Holmes. In your mind, you always think of the first two as teenagers. I was in Redhill last year, researching the Charlwood name in a local cemetery, when I suddenly came across the grave of a boy who had lived next door but one. Quite a shock.
On a lighter note, I now have eleven grandchildren. I called a family meeting and told them that eleven was a soccer number, and I expected fifteen. My eldest daughter, who lives in Upstate New York, has just had her sixth child, and left me with the definite impression that she will not be increasing the score; so it will be up to the other four. Up to last year, the family name had not been safe, but my youngest son, Alex, and his wife produced a son last August.
This must be a record length for a thank-you letter, but that is what it is. You and Mike lit a light in my mind which is just as bright now as it ever was. Brighter now, perhaps, because I can now look back and value what you gave us.
On my Honour I Promise that I will do my best, and do my duty to God and the Queen, I will help other people at all times, and obey the Scout Law. Perhaps not word perfect, but close after all these years.
All the very best, ? Richard."
The Centenary Year is nearly at an end, though in fact it is only the centenary of the Brownsea Island camp. The Scout Movement really got going in 1908 with the publication of 'Scouting for Boys' in fortnightly parts. Let's continue doing our best to keep the Promise.
Mention of Mike Holmes reminds us of the letter in the last News-Sheet
from his son, Mark, who was intending to do a parachute jump to raise
money for the Sue Ryder home at Leckhampton. I am told that this did
take place, and Mark raised about £1100. If any more Old Scouts
want to contribute, send to me; Mark has moved and I do not yet have
his new address.
Nick Pizzey was another fairly early Scout. Among other things I remember
him singing "Gee Officer Krupke" from 'West Side Story' in
one of our Concerts. He e-mailed to tell us of a change of address
( I wish everybody would,) and gave permission to publish it :
192 Bickenhall Mansions, Bickenhall St., W1U 6BX.
< PIZZEY.NICK@nbg.gr >
The e-mail address implied Nick was with the National Bank of Greece,
and I jokingly asked whether living in 'mansions' in 'W1' meant he had
moved up in the world. He replied :
" With a long term plan in mind of retiring to the USA ( my wife is American
), we came out of the property market at an acceptable price and a time
of excellent Dollar:Sterling exchange rate ! At the same time, the General
Manager of the National Bank of Greece in London was moving on, and I
agreed to take over for one year. I had been the Deputy General Manager
here for nigh on ten years. Part of the reason for taking the job was
that I got the use of the Bank apartment off Baker Street. Excellent
timing on three counts.
Trust you and Aubrey are both well. Best wishes. - Nick."
Dicky Chapman had a piece in the last News-Sheet, but did not give an
address. He says: " I am somewhat nomadic right now, current postal
address ( in full, please, and don't blame me ) :
RJ Chapman, ExxonMobile Office, Foster Wheeler, 217 Moo 12, Sukhapiban
8 Rd., Tungsukhla, Sriracha, Chonburi 20230, Thailand.
<
Chpmn@ksc.th.com >
If anyone wants advice or assistance, OK to pass on my e-mail address
and hand-phone +66 8 1836 5331 ."
I asked whether he was not approaching the age to retire, and he said "Should
be, but the answer is no, at least not planned.
Best wishes to you and yours."
Chris Pook sent news from Tokyo, in July :
"
Good to see so many familiar names in the latest News-Sheet. I am not
sure when I was last in touch, but we have been in Tokyo for over 18
months now and have got quite accustomed to the place. It is now quite
strange when you leave Japan and you don't get a polite welcome every
time you enter a 24/7 convenience store, or safely waved round roadworks
by numerous oji-san with luminous red batons. My wife was once even safely
escorted round a muddy puddle on the pavement when she was walking to
school, and there are often several people to help you get safely in
and out of car parks.
The kids are all growing up fast. Unfortunately there is not much opportunity
for ( English language ) Scouting here, although there is an American
troop and a small Brownie pack at the British School which my daughter
has just managed to get in to. I tried teaching her some knots to get
her off to a good start, but I am not too sure exactly what Brownies
get up to ! The boys don't seem that interested yet, and I have not found
a good enough excuse, - or the opportunity, - to acquire a sailing boat.
One of the most striking things from the News-Sheet is how widespread
everyone is. Three generations ago, people would rarely have left their
town or county, two generations ago there was more movement around the
country. In my parents' generation foreign holidays became more routine,
and now more people are living and working abroad. You can't help wondering
how things will develop over the next three generations.
If anyone happens to be coming out this way, please do get in touch.
I can even offer a spot of gardening !
All the best, - Chris."
Back in 1956, when we first went abroad, a Scout camp was the only cheap way a boy could get foreign travel. Fifteen days to Luxembourg for £12.10s ! In 1992 we found only one Scout had not had a foreign family holiday, and very few had been to Scotland. So there we went
We have recently learnt that Lee Skinner has moved from Macdonalds to
Salade, - a rapidly expanding chain of shops in London.
His brother, Des Skinner, in the Army, was in Afghanistan for a year,
but is now a major attending the Staff College at Shrivenham.
* * * * *
We have not yet fixed the date for our next Re-union, but it should be around late February, 2009. So please let us know if you have any opinions, and try not to arrange those foreign holidays for then.
My thanks to all who have sent us news. Please keep it coming. We usually get bits with Christmas cards and letters, so the next News-Sheet will probably be in January. Though rather early, I will therefore use this opportunity to wish everyone
Joy at Christmas
and
Peace in the New Year.