The Scout Group

Barris, of R.A.F., Topcliffe, has once again been available as a technical adviser.

Air Experience Flights were continued at R.A.F., Church Fenton, and on 3rd December 18 cadets, mostly from Flight 2, were able to obtain 20 minutes each in a Chipmunk.

Leading Cadet R. H. Atkinson is to be congratulated on the successful • completion of his flying scholarship during the summer holidays.

A. Hardman and J. F. Williams were duly presented with their Warrants as Assistant Scoutmasters and each has been doing good work in his respective section, Hardman with the Scout Troop and Williams with the Senior Scout Troop. P. M. Read has also been assisting with the Senior Scout Troop in an acting capacity, which we hope will be transposed into a Warrant, if he remains with us next term. We say goodbye to Williams with regret, and thank him for what he has done for the Group.

Towards the end of term we held a very enjoyable camp fire to which we invited Mr. Holbeche, as our guest of honour. Though he has not been able to help us very much in the last eighteen months, Mr. Holbeche has maintained his interest in the activities of the Scout Group and we chose this occasion to show our gratitude for what he has done for the Group, and at the same time to bid him goodbye and offer our best wishes to him in his new appointment.

SENIOR SCOUT TROOP

The accent this term has been more on training for particular badges than has been the case for a number of years and courses have been run for the Ambulance, Meteorologist and Senior Pioneer badges. Most of those who were examined in the Ambulance and Meteorologist badges were successful and we hope to put our Senior Pioneers to the test next term. D. L. Edbrooke and I. B. Robertson are to be congratulated on completing the work for their Scout Cords just before their fifteenth birthdays, so swelling the number of highly qualified entrants from our very efficient Scout Troop.

Other activities have included another "cultural" evening run by P/L. D. K. Hirst, in which he tried to improve the tastes of his fellow Senior Scouts, many of whom however refused to be tempted by the delights he had to offer. Pioneering activities have also figured prominently, and mention should be made of a particularly successful swinging derrick constructed by Robertson and a band of willing assistants.

Next Summer Camp, which will last from Tuesday, 31st July, until Wednesday, 8th August, will probably take place in the Lake District, which the majority of the Troop seem to favour. We hope that it will be possible for all Senior Scouts to attend this camp. 28