11th Bulawayo (Riverside) Scout Troop in Matabeleland Zimbabwe |
This is purely an historic webpage recording past members.  Gone Home Wayne Cleminson Nick Coom Bradley Craven Andy McEwan Ron Richardson Gary Rimmer  Colin (I got an axe in my shin!) Anderson Appears in a Rumble article  Yup, I'm the one who choppered the leg, but no permanent damage done & I used to be
able to run like a rabbit, now too old - I never did get to have a go on that rope bridge we were building! Became Scout Leader of the revived 1st Pioneer Troop in 1996 and am now in Exeter(UK).
Ruth Chesney (nee Leonard-Johnson) I wondered if I could join in?! I was a scout for a while with Gill Rimmer with the 11th group in about 1976 - My name was Ruth Leonard-Johnson - you may remember my dad Philip who was the vicar then....so many memories seeing those names!!9 Oct 2009 Morag Rae and her mum and Fiona all live near eachother in South Africa and are very well. If you google in "Riverside Scout Hall" you will see what there is, names including of past residents of the area, put together by Morag Rae.... I almost immediately tried to find Gillian (nee Rimmer), to so sadly find that she died a few years ago of an aneurism, leaving two children, and I am in contact with her ex husband who says they are all doing well now. I did a lot with Gill and we were both Cub-Scout Leaders with the 11th Riverside Cubs. And us - I married an Airforce guy 26 years ago and we are very happy in a cottage in Silverstone, Northamptonshire, England. I trained as a teacher and we have 3 teenagers. In Scouts I remember the wild rough Scout games and fun crazy times. And the discos the Youth Club had in the thatched Guildhall - Abba and Rod Stewart etc. :) My parents are very well and did a parachute jump to celebrate their 70th's - mad as ever... Simon my brother and wife live in Australia and sister Dee, two children in their 20's, in SA. Martin lives in Market Drayton, Shropshire near my folks. Isn't this great - all the past flooding back!
Wayne Cleminson Appears in a Rumble article 
Wayne, was one of the worlds bravest kids that I have ever known. Apart from copeing with all his kidney problems, he is the only person, who, on his first camp, when in the middle of the night we were being attacked by "Izzi-Daw-Daw", and all the new scouts were cowering round their Scout Leaders feet, Wayne quietly picked his axe up, and was quite prepared to head out into the bush by himself - to sort "Izzi-Daw-Daw" out and save everyone! I believe Wayne suffered a relapse and sadly passed away while studying to be a doctor at Witz University.(By carrying an Organ-Donor card - I know that if anything was to happen to me, somemone like Wayne might have benefited.)
Nick Coom Appears in a Rumble article - Sadly we had to bid farewell to Nick Coom on the 4th November 1977. He was killed while on active service. Nick was an active member of the 11th Riverside Scout Troop for some four or five years. He joined the Troop in 1969 and became a member of Kudu Patrol. In 1970 he was transfered to Impala Patrol where he became the Assistant Patrol Leader. In 1971 he was appointed to Kudu Patrol as Patrol Leader, a position he retained until July 1972, when he was appointed Quarter-Master and an Instructor. He retained these positions until 1973, when his chosen career took him out into the lands. Nick worked his way through various tests and achieved the Advanced Scout Standard Award. He was particularly active in all aspects of the Troop and led the 11th to victory in 1972 Rolling Stone Competition. He was especially interested in First Aid, being a member of the Red Cross Society, and it is to him that we owe our present first Aid box, which he made himself. He participated in several Selekwe Camps, where he always assisted willingly. Indeed, Nick was a good Scout and a great friend of the 11th Riverside. He will be missed, and to Mr and Mrs Coom and family we extend our heartfelt sympathies in your tragic loss. From 1977 Rumbles Magazine
Bradley Craven Appears in a Rumble article
Little Brad taught me an incredible lesson on being self-reliant. We were going on a Troop Survival hike,
and while we were all strapping our heavy ruck-sacks onto our backs - we noticed that Bradley had left his at home. He said to us "If you're going on a survival hike - you dont have to take anything!".
And sure enough - did he teach us a lot! He was right at home in the bush - at lunch time he picked up a stone, threw it & killed a bird & showed us all how to skin & cook it! He was incredible! Bradley sadly died while scupa-
diving in Sonoia Cave in Nov 2001
Guy Cunard Appears in a Rumble article  9-10-05 update Our remote South Australian semi-desert lifestyle has now come to an end and
we have moved on to greener pastures (literally). After three and a half years of copper mining and smelting and an interest in opal mining I am now in the business of aluminium smelting. We are now living in Newcastle NSW and enjoying the coastal lifestyle in a very pleasant part of Australia. It
is a great place for the kids - plenty of outdoor opportunities for them - and Samantha is pleased to be out of the bush and back in civilisation! from 2004 I am mining copper in the South Australian outback. I have been here for 20 months after departing SA in September 2001. I am now married to Samantha and have two little blonde girls (Chelsey 8yrs and Emma 3 yrs) who will no doubt give their old man grey hairs when they reach their teens. The children have done exceptionally well in fitting in to the new environment. I thoroughly enjoyed reading through the 11th Riverside website. It certainly brings back a flood of great memories and I have particularly enjoyed reading up on how friends from way back are doing now.
Dave Davies Appears in a Rumble article
9-10-05 update Daves hike in Western Australia.
Neil Dempsey Appears in a Rumble article
What an amazing tool the internet has been. If this email had been sent four weeks ago I may not have received it. In a strange twist of fate I was made redundant 9 months ago and ended up working with a management team who bought the assets of the same company that made me redundant. I am now back in my old office on the same floor managing the run-off. I will look at these websites in due course and may even have something to contribute in time. I have been in Sydney now for 12 years after spending 5 years in England. Looking forward to the world cup. Drop me a note when you get a chance. Regards Neil
Alan Dempster 16 Mar 2008
So nice to go down memory lane.. Good to read the Rumbles, I had forgotten most of the stuff we did when I was with the Troop from 1971 till '74, but do remember the 'izzidwadwa' well!
After A levels I moved to Durban, went to uni and then to UK where I went into financial services. Got married and in '83 we went back to Durban. I had my own financial services business there and our 3 kids were born. Moved back Norwich - UK in '92 and went into financial services software. Did that for 16 years and now have moved back into self employed financial services. Children all grown up and now I’m a grandfather!
Paul De Sousa Appears in a Rumble article 
Paul was Junior Mayor of Bulawayo, jetsets round the world while running KPMG, and is based in Mozambique.
Steve Ebben Appears in a Rumble article 
I could not believe it when I saw your e-mail. It is funny, this last Christmas I took the family to see my Folks in Scottburgh, and My Dad & I were just talking about Bulawayo and everybody, really brought back memories. I was last in Bulawayo about 4 years ago, and as I came in from SA, the first thing I did was turn off and had a look at the old scout hall.I joined Riverside as a cub in 1976, went on up into Scouts and was in Sable Patrol, before leaving as a scout for South Africa at the end of 1982. When I got to South Africa I joined 1st St Helena Sea Scout troop in Welkom, and completed my scouting there, and eventually achieved my Springbok Scout Award. Believe me, scouting in South Africa was not the same as in Bulawayo. After that I remained there for a few years as an Assistant Scout Master. After School I studied Industrial Engineering and have done an MCSE, and now work in the gold mining industry for AngloGold South Africa. 
I am currently living on the Mine village between Orkney and Klerksdorp in the North West Province of South Africa. I am married to Joanne and have two children, Michael (12), and Sarah (9) {photo August 2003}. I still enjoy getting out and about and fortunately I married Joanne who enjoys camping, so we do as much as we can.I rushed home at lunch time and found a few old photos which I'll attach. I must get back to work, Cheers for now, Steve Ebben
Jim Felgate Appears in a Rumble article  Update 3 March 2004:- Hi All,
In case we have not communicated with everyone since arriving in Perth, herewith our Australian local e mail address.
Kindest regards, Jim & Sarah Felgate.Old news from 2003 We are still in Zimbo land though things are not very easy. Yes I recall the camp days at the Spotswoods farm - they have both passed on. Sarah & I are emigrating to Perth in Jan next year (2004). We delayed it as my youngest son - Lawrence - is at St Johns College writing Cambridge A Levels in Nov & the education there is still excellent. My eldest son - Nicholas who was a little chap when you last saw me - is 24 this year & currently is working on the ferries between France & Spain having qualified with a American Hotels & Motels diploma together with a City & Guilds Cheffing Diploma. He is only recently sort of off my hands!! Chris my middle son, is at Rhodes University 2nd year. He is a top junior triathlete & does very well on the SA cuircuit. He has participated in several World Championships & comes in the top 20 of the world's U23's. Lawrence is a junior Zim Swimmer & waterpolo player so our lads have pursued the sporting arena rather than Scouting. Chris did Cubs obtaining his Gold Arrow but triathlon took over. Nick did Scouts for a while but ended up going to Peterhouse so that precluded his activities there. My folks are still going - my father being 79 this year. 
They live in the UK in Churt a little village near Farnham. They seem to enjoy life & have a big circle of friends. They have been there for 25 years now! Rob married Fiona Jenkinson a local girl & after 15 yrs in the Uk they spent the last 8 in Australia in Sydney. They have 2 children. My 2 sisters are both married & live in the UK. Rob keeps comms periodically with John Pridgeon who is a Doctor in Botswana I think. I know the Swindells were in Perth as saw
them at a cocktail do in March when I was over. You may remember Chris Murphy ex 8th Hillside - he is in Perth too. I bumped into Charles Gardner the other day an ex 14th Byo/3rd Air Scout - you may recall him from the trade fair days. Andy Lawson lives here in Harare though only see him periodically as our paths don't really cross. Most interesting picking up on where people are. So I've given you a potted version of the remaining Felgate Zimbo 11th. Best regards. Jim
Robert Felgate Appears in a Rumble article
Hi What a blast from the past! I heard through Jim that this was going on, fascinating reading and good reminiscing. Jim leaves Zim on the 24th Jan 2004 for Perth. Yeah nothing changes and my stomach still rumbles - probably nerves! I must say, I am a bit out of touch with most folk, I keep in contact with John Pridgeon who is now back in South africa. I see a lot of Neil
Dempsey, our paths cross regularly on business in the Insurance/Reinsurance field, mind I think he was at riverside when I was in the army or had left Zim which was 1977.
I will put my "When We" hat on and dig around in some of my junk at home, as am sure I have some bits and pieces sculling around , which may help with your update of the website. Many thanks for contacting me. Regards Rob.
Dave Finch Appears in a Rumble article Howzit hanging? I am still in SA with no thoughts of leaving. Things here at Toyota are taking off and we are fully into Export mode which will pay dividends I am sure. I still visit Zim / Zambia quite often, so fishing skills etc are still up to scratch. Last time I visited Gordon Park and saw Norman Scott who is still there and hasnt changed. Good memories thats for sure. You wont believe it but at the ripe old age of 30 I started canoeing and am fully into it. I have now completed 5 Duzi canoe marathons & 3 nonstop Duzis. I have to admit it is a fantastic sport & the rivers in Natal are the best plus it keeps me out the pubs. It is funny when you have a sport how it seems to govern your life a bit. Most of my planning takes place around all the canoe races. Well buddy must head. Keep in touch
David Garriock Appears in a Rumble article
Completed a Diesel Mechanic apprentiship with Barlows in Cape Town & promptly put the spanners away and now works for Dulux in Cape Town where he's married with 2 little kids.
Hylton Garriock Appears in a Rumble article 
Went into computers with Rhodesia Railways, then onto Babcock in J'burg, a year as a tour-guide in South West Africa before going back into computers with LBMS based in London. Retired in 1997 to rebuild a cottage on the shores of Loch Ness.
Richard Hadfield Appears in a Rumble article 20/7/04 I started as a cub in 1965, David Anderson - Colin Anderson's dad - was CSL then.
I had a quick look at the web site and have noticed a couple of things. Andrew Lawson was the last scout leader of the troop before it folded in about 1988. I was ASL for 2 years until 1987 when I moved to Harare to attend Bible College. Hudson Felgate was both GSL and SL at the same time for a number of years, but I am sure Jim would be able to update those details more accurately.
I was then CSL with 8th Hillside for just over three years before moving to the UK, and today I'm off to the Essex International jamboree where I am taking a contingent of 7 boys from the troop I now lead.
Andrew McEwan - Sadly passed away on the 27th of January 2009. He was a really active little scout, always neatly turned out, raising standards in everything he participated in, from Troop Camps, Rolling Stone Competitions and patrol activities. Our sincere sympathy to his wife Karen.
Richard Millar Appears in a Rumble article
22/6/05 update Mol completed the Three Peaks Challenge (35.5km hike and climbed up and down 3206m (10518ft) in 24hrs!).17/2/04 update:- I am back from my travels to Zim. Bulawayo was as green as I have ever seen it. I saw Pete and Terry Watson - their eldest son, Sean is 21 soon!!!! They have two more Jamie 19 and Barry 16. ------ Brief life summary :- Left Hamilton end '78; 4 years ('79 - '82) in the police 1.5 in BSAP and 2.5 in ZRP. 14 different stations including Beitbridge, Kezi, Melsetter and Vic Falls. ; '83 - '85 University of Natal PMB, did B. Agricultural Management; 
'86 travelled UK, Europe, USA;
'87 chicken farming in Natal;
'88 - '99 poultry adviser for Meadow Feeds in PMB;
Married Gayle in 7/88, instant family with 2 teenage daughters;
'99 - '00 Gayle & I travelled around the world for a year. Tonga for the millennium;
'00 - '01 back in PMB then in Malawi and Zambia poultry advising then to UK;
then till now - several jobs. Based in Malvern Worcestershire for a year, now in Buckingham, near Milton Keynes working for a large chicken company as a poultry planner;
It was then back to the job market.
Funds were dwindling fast so as a stop gap measure I took on a job as a packer with a mail order company in Worcester. I worked afternoon/evenings, this left me the mornings free to job hunt;
My official designation at Faccenda's is "Group Catching and Collection Coordinator" - rather a mouthful and quite a mind full too. I coordinate the catching of 2.1 million chickens a week from a range of 109 farms and delivery into 4 processing plants. It is early days yet and I am getting into it slowly and learning the intracies of the business.
Simon Miller Cranko Appears in a Rumble article Simon was head-boy of Milton, has a diploma in Hotel Catering, was a world Tour-guide visiting Egypt, Switzerland, New Zealand and Zimbabwe. He holds the World record for climbing that monster mountain called Shumba-shaba!
He is now at Sainsburys (UK's biggest food store!) in the Planning dept of one of the big new distribution depots based at Waltham Abbey on the M25(between 12 and 1 oclock).
Andrew Murphy I've just come across the 11th Riverside site. I was part of the troop in the early 80's along with Brad Craven, Grant Wallace etc. I was a member of Sable Patrol. To be honest I can't remember all that much about it.
I'm now living in Belfast, Northern Ireland. I qualified as a teacher in 1993 and am now working in an Integrated Primary School teaching P7.It's great to see the names of friends I knew like Shelton and Matt Rowley. They lived just over the back from me in Lochview. One of the memories I have of the troop is camping at Lakeside when the patrol leaders tried too scare all the youngsters by chucking clods of earth at the tent. Roy Edmunds went out to 'see what was up' and ended up with a fishing hook in his foot. Also my beans got burnt on the stove because someone called a meeting while I was cooking them!
Adrian Richardson Appears in a Rumble article
We are settled in Birmingham England, and have been here
since September 2001.
I am a manager of a convenience store and enjoying the work a lot.
Regards
Adrian, Bernie, Matthew and Nicholas
P.S. Click here to see
Adrians 11th Riverside Photo Gallery
Gary Richardson Rumble article
I moved back to Birmingham in early '98 where
Simon is (he moved a few years earlier), Adrian has just moved back here, last week.(2001)
My dad passed away in June 2001 from cancer, my Mom has come back to the UK
now
as it would be too difficult for her back in Zim.
Its been a hectic few months but hopefully things will start to sort
themselves out now.
Keep in touch
Garry
Ron Richardson Appears in a Rumble article - You couldnt find a more reliable, helpful, friendly person in the entire world. Starting out as an 'interested father', Ron eventually gained his Wood-Badge & became Scout Leader. He provided that vital link between the Troop the rest of the world by attending endless Provincial, District and Troop meetings.
Simon Richardson
29/7/08 Hi, All my details are on my website at http://www.rhodieboy.com/ .I came across some old pictures at my Moms and scanned them in the weekend I'm sure you will recognise a few of them, [picture SLR20411] was myself and Shane De lange when we were at the 3rd Air scouts others are from tree planting days and cook outs [picture SLR20109] is myself and Patrick Talbot King when I was with the 11th Cubs Hope they bring back some good memories and maybe jog a few other peoples memories. A couple of other things; have you considered opening a group on Facebook to help raise awareness to the cubs & scouts and the website? Best Regards Simon Richardson
Gary Rimmer Appears in a Rumble article - Always had a smile on his face . 
- would be the first in line to try anything new, after leaving
Gifford
he became a Refrigeration Engineer and when driving back from Gwelo one evening, crashed into the back of a stationary tip-truck.
Gary Robas Appears in a Rumble article 
It's been a while since I thought of 11th Riverside but often think of the scout camps in the Matopos (actually saw some pics of Maleme Dam a couple days ago - http://www.chirundu.com/places/matopos2000maleme01.htm and that did bring back memories. I haven't been back since 1983 but hear from friends every now and then, mostly from CBC school. Anyway, I've been in New Zealand 8 years, married a Kiwi lass and have a couple of kids. I work for myself from home, so I get to spend time with the family and don't have to travel in traffic (Auckland has a bit of a traffic problem). It's a very similar life here to Rhodesia, outdoors life, sports, beer, braai's (BBQ's
here), biltong, sadza (lots of South Africans here), but alas no wild animals except at the zoo. Nigel and Terry are in Durban (SA), both well and working hard to keep the partying up. My folks are there too, and get visits from them. I get my folks out here for 6 months' stints every year or so
to keep up with the gossip and do some babysitting. Thanks for the news and updates! I'll dig around for photos but lost most of them when moving to NZ. I'll ask my folks as well to see what they have.
Shelton Rowley Appears in a Rumble article I remember correctly, you were with me at the 21st " Jamboree On The Air" that was held at CBC ( Christian Brothers College) in Bulawayo. My brother Matthew was also a scout. Seems so long ago. Do you remember the scout master Mr Sinclair, (a New Zealander) ?
Julian Scales Appears in a Rumble article
I was with the Troop from 1968 till 1973 or 4, finished "M" levels at CBC and , after 4 years, obtained a degree in Electrical Engineering from the University of Natal, Durban. Since then I have worked in South Africa, England, Barbados, Botswana, Australia and back home to Zimbabwe. I hold various commercial flying licences and am trying to develop the natural gas resources in both Botswana and Zimbabwe. I married Angela more than 20 years ago and have a daughter - Stephanie who is studying financial management at Notre Dame, Fremantle and a younger son Simon - who was a cub with the 8th Hillside before being sent to Christchurch Grammar School in Perth, Australia. I have happy recent memories of camping with Simon at Gordon Park on various cub escapades in the Matopos and taking part in all the activities again. The happy memories of scouting and experiences are still with me and I was thrilled to read some of the articles written by myself and other friends all those years ago. I moved my family temporarily to Perth for educational reasons and look forward to returning home to Bulawayo where our skills are needed. Julian Scales Gas Corporation of Botswana Tel : +267 3973386 Cell:+267 7216 8142
Rob Talbot Appears in a Gordon Park article Just a short note to say hi, I left school in 1977, joined the RAF, left that when it turned Zim. Became a motor mechanic, ended up running Amtec in Gweru before coming over to Australia at the beginning of 2001. 
I am married with two kids, a boy and a girl. Currently starting a business with a freind in the motor trade. I have attached some photos of GP (taken in 2000), the well sinking and also the Christening of my daughter Stacey out a GP. A bit of other GP history for you is that Dad blasted the rocky outcrop from the camping area going to the Bowl and also did all the plumbing for the old showers etc. Both Dad and Moms ashes are scattered at the Chapel.
Andrew Wishart
I was looking on the internet and found this website; both I and my brother Alister were members of the 11th before leaving for Scotland in '84. I've been back to Bulawayo 4 times - and how it has changed! We stay in Thornton (Fife), and I work in the Security Leisure Industry and Alistair is in Air Conditioning.
Gavin Whyte Appears in a Rumble article
28/10/2009
It was great to read up on the site again - my current details are as follows:
I now live in Ndola, Zambia and have been working in Zambia for the last 5 years. My current interests are bird watching,
playing golf and fishing. I am still married to Sue and my two kids Sarah is 8 and Murray is 6. I am currently the Civil
Manager for a mining company First Quantum Minerals and we are doing work in the DRC, Zambia and Mauritania for the group.
My best memory I have at scouts was driving away with your Datsun vanette whilst you were canoeing on lakeside with I think Dave Finch but the memory is fading. I also enjoyed camping at Gordon Park. I generally didn't change out of my clothes for the three days that we were camping there much to the horror of my mother! I also used to enjoy our camping trips at the park just before Essexvale (again the name escapes me). What I also wanted to know is why Grant Wallace has not been included on the website. I'm sure the omission wasn't intentional. I only have his wife Vanessa's email address so hopefully he will contact you once she receives this email. Cheers for now from sunny Zambia . Gavin FQMO Mining Division, Web site: www.first-quantum.com 6 yrs ago! 2003 Its good to hear from you after all these years. I am currently staying in Durban, RSA and have been here basically since leaving school. I worked for two years in Zambia for Barlows and I also spent a couple of years studying in Cape Town - I qualified as a civil engineer, and the decided to try accountancy as there seem to be better job prospects. That took another two years of full studying as well as 3 years articles (which almost killed me), and then I started working as an accountant. That's when I went up to Zambia with Barlows. 
I am hoping to move back to Zambia in the next few months as I am in the process of buy a warehouse with a friend of mine from Byo. My problem is I get bored and then move on for another challenge. It drives Sue dilly as all she wants is a house to settle down in, but I always
seem to have itchy feet. I think part of it was the fact that I was forced to leave Zim and go to RSA after O levels. Not that I hold it against my folks, as they were only doing what they had to do, but it was tough at the time settling into another school at such a late stage.
I have attached a photo of Sue (my wife)and our two children. Murray was only 4 days old when the photo was taken. He
is about a month old and Sarah is 2 and 3 months. I think Neil Dempsey is between jobs (or was between jobs), hence his email address has changed.
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