SCOUT GROUP This term saw the publication of the radical proposals intended to modernize the Scout Movement. We have welcomed these proposals enthusiastically, and look forward to putting them into effect over the next few years. The proposals will produce marked changes in our uniform and in our methods of training, but probably one of the biggest changes will come about through the abolition of the Rover and Senior Scout sections and the formation of Venture Scouts. In the future, Scouts will remain in the Scout Troop until the age of sixteen and will then move on to the Venture Scout Troop where they will train for a much stiffer Queen's Scout award. As this can be gained up to the age of twenty, it will mean that many of our older members will not complete their training until after they have left school. At the same time our Scout Troop will inevitably be larger and most boys will remain in it for a maximum of three years. The changes will not be very sudden and, for a time at least, we expect that older members of the Group will continue to take out warrants as assistant scoutmasters. This enables them to put something back into the Scout Group, and means that full use can be made of our older members.
ROVER CREW This Crew was remarkable in that it was probably the last which will ever be formed in the School Scout Group. Its seven members have contributed greatly to the training of the Group as a whole and we are very gratdful to them for refencing the training compound by the scout room. The old fence had had to be moved when the first fifteen field was enlarged, but a newer and much more durable fence was constructed towards the end of term.
SENIOR SCOUT TROOP Another busy term saw the completion of a number of training courses, particularly for the Ambulance, Senior Pioneer and Rescuer badges and J. R. (Dizzy) Wood is to be particularly congratulated on gaining his Queen's Scout badge. A successful field day was held, the majority of the Senior Scouts going to Scarborough with Mr. Duncan to use the opportunity offered to train in whalers. This was a most successful outing and we are very grateful to Scarborough College for lending us the equipment and to Mr. Nightingale for arranging the programme for us. The rest of the Troop remained behind to help in preparations for refencing the training compound. No Senior Scout camp was possible this year, but many members of the Troop borrowed equipment and went off on their own expeditions. Three members of the Troop, P. R. H. Blackford, A. S. Medlycott and J. R. Wood, travelled to Abergavenny to assist Mr. Craine with the running of a very successful scout camp. We say farewell to a number of Senior Scouts, and we should particularly like to thank W. R. Pickersgill for all that he has done in arranging the year's programmes. 34
