Training has been concerned chiefly with three badges, Ambulance, Fireman and Tracker. Training for the first two will continue during the holidays and next term, while a number of Seniors gained the Tracker Badge during this term. Two members of the Troop, D. K. Hirst and J. F. Williams, have continued the tradition of helping with a local Cub Pack, while some of the more proficient First Aiders have formed themselves into a team to train the Civil Defence Section of the C.C.F. In return the Civil Defence experts have started a course of training in rescue methods, most of the Troop being interested in this activity. We are very much in favour of these reciprocal courses and are grateful to the members of the Civil Defence Section for the trouble they are taking to prepare their demonstrations, even if we do have to tie the odd bowline for them ! SCOUT TROOP This term we welcomed thirteen new scouts to the troop. Twelve of last year's scouts remained but at the end of the term one of them left to join the C.C.F. The ten first class scouts have been training for their Scout Cord under the guidance of Shouksmith. Three of these, M. H. Ibberson, J. W. Hey and R. P. Shouksmith, have already gained the award. R. A. Stevens was invested and four other scouts were successful in obtaining their second class badges. They were R. A. ArcherBurton, J. L. Boyd, M. P. Crossley and W. R. Pickersgill. The usual York quest was held about mid-term and a treasure hunt later on was enjoyed by all.
RUGBY FOOTBALL, 1960 RETROSPECT If the 1959 Season was the driest on record, there is little doubt that 1960 will be remembered as the wettest in living memory, and the problems confronting the games organisation as a whole seemed insoluble from time to time. Surprisingly enough all fixtures were played, although in some cases when play was impossible on our own fields a switch in the venue became necessary. Whereas in 1959 19th October was the date when conditions returned to normal, this very same date this year marked the last occasion on which the Riverside fields could be put to any good use. Ceaseless rain and finally the river itself took possession in no uncertain fashion, and activities for all would-be rugger players were seriously restricted from that time onwards. Unfortunately House Leagues went off like a damp squib and fizzled right out owing to lack of opportunities, and even organisers of team practices were sometimes at their wits end to find suitable conditions for constructive and beneficial prematch work. In spite of all, at least the 1st XV acquitted themselves reasonably well. Forecasts of their prospects had necessarily been cautious, for 33
