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Later in 1985 was a Scout County PL’s weekend at Youlbury campsite, to which we sent a small contingent. In late 1985 and 1986 the scouts also took a more unusual route for a sea scout troop of following a course for airmanship badges. Having responded to an advert in Scouting magazine, we were instructed by Philip Levi, a scout leader who also had half ownership of an aircraft. There were several theory sessions and tests, based at the boathouse and Abbey church, before we were allowed to travel to Enstone airfield, north of Oxford. Over several Saturdays and Sundays more than half the troop had their first experience of gliding, and most achieved one or more of the airmanship proficiency badges, to go alongside the seamanship awards. |
 Gliding at
Enstone airfield, Oxfordshire. Left to right: David Waite, Toby Swallow,
Ian Johnstone, William Farnborough, Richard Evans, Colin Waite. |
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Early in 1986 we again had a weekend at Longridge,and then at Easter the East Reading District organised the first of a series of Easter camps, this one held at Wellington Country Park. By this stage David Waite was the only regular leader, and was left to take the 2nd Reading contingent. We numbered about ten and had a great time. It was the first camp for new members Toby Swallow and Rupert Lovie, who both went on to become stalwarts of the group, and others present included Colin Waite, Alex Jordan and Tim Freeman. (Tim left soon after, emigrating I think to Australia) As well as the organised activities we had a memorable night raid on some Ventures camping nearby, and came second in the district cooking competition with a paella. |
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With insufficient leaders for a troop summer camp, we took up an offer from a German group the Ventures had met at Portumna ’85, and a small group went to Germany for two weeks. The camp, known as Schwaben ’86, was held in Heubach, near Stuttgart, and also involved scouts from France and Eire. Over two weeks we camped in mixed patrols, had a range of activities including scuba diving, gliding and caving, and saw the local sights. Our contribution to the camp included a party to celebrate the wedding of Prince Andrew and Sarah Ferguson, the happy couple being toasted with popcorn and lemonade. The English scouts were Colin Waite, David Vallance, Tim Davies and Daniel Alexander. Tim was especially popular, looking as he did like Boris Becker. |
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Also in 1986 (I think) there was another Ridgeway hike, this time with a party of about 12 and for two days only. We camped overnight in the grounds of a children’s home near Goring, and the hike was livened up by the introduction of some French fireworks which had been smuggled across the channel. |
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The troop in 1986. |
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In the October of 1986 David's involvement with the Scout Group reduced drastically as he went to Sheffield University for three years. At this time the GSL was Roy Johnstone – his son Ian was in the group and attended the world Jamboree in Australia. The Venture Unit was led by Iain James, a keen cyclist who attended meetings regularly and never tried to put us off when we came up with unusual ideas. Tragically we also lost a former member Dave Webster, killed in a climbing accident in his early twenties. (I think this is the correct year – he was a leader with 84th Ventures at the time) The Akela had been for several years Arnett Edwards, but he left to take up a new teaching post in Norfolk and his post was taken over by Mike and Sarah boys. Colin Waite assisted for some time, with the cubs moving their meeting room from Abbey church to Radstock school to cater for the number of boys coming from Earley. The Scout Troop went from strength to strength with the arrival of leaders Sonia Fuga and Phil Dray. |
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