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Group Scout Leaders:- |
Bill Russell 1933 'Dobbie' Dobson 1959-64 Dave Fyfe 196? Norman Scott 196?-93 |
This web-page has come about due to Gradfinder.com now charging to email! |
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For 2004 : Meetings on Friday: 6.00 p.m. to 8.00 p.m. |
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Panther Patrol Anthony Klein Gavin Classen Grant Dickinson |
Springbok Patrol Barry Knight Don Hutchinson Wayne Jolly Richard Stott |
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Impala Patrol Chris Murphy Peter Tipler Craig Yeatman |
Buffalo Patrol Hugh Bolton Clinton Jones Leslie Crokett Alun Carter |
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Rhino Patrol Kyle Hannan Wayne Johnston Luke Moloney Dafydd Jones Don Heath Mark Gilbert |
Cheetah Patrol Glenn Crisp Peter Hartley Vaughan Davies Ross Bentley |
Andy Barker
Not sure where I should be - Rhino Patrol, TL, ASL, SL - did all of them and all with very fond memories - They were great days!
As for the history in 4 lines - life's too short and you go and shorten it even more! I was with the 8th Hillside - 1965 - 1982, Rhino APL, PL, Chief Scout, ' Tramp' Editor, SS, TL, ASL, SL, Wood Badge. Now living in Mondeor, Johannesburg, Gauteng, South Africa. BSc Town & Regional Planning (Wits). 
Married to Delia a physiotherapist. Two sprogs now young adults both at Wits - Bryden doing Actuarial Sciences and Taryn doing Biomedical Sciences. Worked in Bulawayo and Johannesburg Councils, then RMP Properties doing town planning work. At RMP became involved in strategic and organisational development. Established my own consultancy firm in 1997 - now have a great time helping people and organisations through development processes. I have sent your email on to John Carlisle and Steve Baum too. Good hearing form you, All the best, Andrew. Firm: Andrew Barker Development Consultant. Web: www.andrewbarker.co.za
Cell: +27 (0)83 274 4424
Phone & Fax : +27 (0)11 680 9791
Postal: PO Box 1073, Mondeor, 2110, South Africa
"Unlock Your Brains For Profitable Gains"
Wade Begemann
2007-09-07
Hi, Check this out, its a shortcut to a map of GP from space:http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=en&q=matobo+hills,+zimbabwe&ie=UTF8&ll=-20.463063,28.532932&spn=0.013711,0.019956&t=k&z=16&om=1
This will be an excellent link to add to the website! I've spent significant time tracing hike routes, reminising, ete etc etc. Cheers
Wade Begemann
Estimating Manager
Redpath Mining (South Africa) (Pty) Ltd
Phone: + 27 11 570 4300
pre 7-9-07 I joined cubs in 1965. Was a member of the 'A' Pack based at the hall. Our Akala was Mrs Hewitt (Garth Hewitt's, another 8th member's mother) who was later killed in one of the Viscount Air Disasters. The 'B' pack was based at the Methodist Church just up the hill in Hillside. Was a sixer & attained my Leaping Wolf as well as numerous proficiency badges which are all sown onto my campfire blanket (I still have it & wear it when I go to campfires with my son's, Ross's, troop, the 1st Benoni Sea Scouts - unfortunately he really enjoys the puddle pirate's activities, but I'll elaborate a litte later!!).
'Went up' to scouts in 1968 (I think) & was in Panther Patrol. My PL was Nigel Theron (KIA in the war). Jack Carlisle was GSL at this time. Dennis Cunninham joined us a while later as SL (I think). Des Claasens also joined us an ASL at about the same time. Other Seniors of note at this time were Ant Murphy, Gordon Shaw, Ian Ritchie, Steve Allen, Dennis Sinclair, Dave Radue, John Carlisle & of course Norman. The likes of Andrew Barker, Neil McIlroy, Pete & Steve Baum, Roy White & Robin Murphy were APL's or became APL's just after I joined the Troop. I was APL of Buffalo Patrol (???) & was promoted to PL of Cheetah Patrol in August 1972. I attained the Chief Scouts Award in February 1973 & the Sable Award in February 1975. I was the second scout in the country to be awarded the new Sable Award. The 1st scout, from Harare, pipped me by 1 week, so I've been lead to believe!! I assisted the cub pack as a cub instructor for many years. I was issued with a warrant as an ASL in August 1976. Miss Connelly signed it! I must confess that I still have the warrant (you are supposed to return them if you leave the Movement).
Probably my most memorable camp (1st one also) was 'MonEx' (short for Monuments Exploration) in September 1969. The duration of this camp was 11 days & was organised by Jack'o, amongst others. The object of the camp was to chart cave paintings & other sites of historical importance in the Matopos that were at that stage known of but un-charted. Peter Bonnet, a geodetic surveyor, assisted us with surveying the precise positions of the sites that we visited. Mike George & that trusty steed 'Emma' assisted us with transport & shelter. It rained for the last 2 or 3 days of the camp & many of us sought shelter from the rain under Emma!! Ian Ritchie, Steve Allen & John Carlisle probably built the most elaborate thatched bivvy that the 8th have ever seen.
As Ant 'Klink' Klein has already stated, I went to the 14th World Scout Jamboree in Lillehammer, Norway. I was elected a PL of one of the Contingent's patrols. My logbook of the Jamboree won the logbook award sponsored by PC Dave Fyfe (It was the only one entered into the competition!!!!). I still have it & my
children marvel at it!! I really want to try to convert it into an electronic file, but need to find out from the IT boff's what the best way to do it is (scanning will just be too cumbersum).I also did a lot of work out at GP, not only with Norman but also with Mike George while he was Warden of GP. This was before the days of the 'The GP Crew' (or maybe the crew had just fallen into dis-use during that period, Norman may know more of the history). On the personnal side: I am married to Leigh (married for 20 years) & have 2 children, Robyn (F,16 years) & Ross (M, 14 years). Leigh is a teacher at a private school (St Dunstan's) in Benoni, where we live. I work for the 4th or 5th largest (depends on whether you look at annual turnover or no. of employees!!) Construction Company (Concor Holdings (Pty) Ltd) in SA & am involved with the tunnelling / hard rock mining division of the company. I tendered & then worked on Phase 2 of the Lesotho Highlands Water Project whose value was R1.1 bn (but that project is a whole e-mail by itself). Robyn was a Guide, but now concentrates more on school activities (she plays for the 1st waterpolo - girls - & netball teams & is only U16). Ross is a Scout with the 1st Benoni Sea Scouts. He thoroughly enjoys the canoeing, sailing & other boating activities (such as the Gig Adventure, a gig is 7 man rowing boat - much like those used by surf lifesavers) as well as the hiking & camping that they do (nothing like GP & the Matopos tho'). I am on the parents / governing committee of the Troop & am the Troop QM. I have still not taken out a warrant, tho' I am being nagged seriously!
Cheers for now!
Wade Begemann
Ross Bentley
(2.2.2005)
Blundering about on the internet, I came across the troop website this afternoon. I'm sure I'm supposed to be working right now, but instead, got swept up in the happy memories (and the bad ones!). It's nearly twenty years now since I was in Bulawayo, how time flies! We left Zim rather abruptly for the UK in September '86 and somehow coped here, although I was horribly disappointed by the local scouts. I was a weed when I was a kid but thought the scouts here were weedier than me! In the end I managed to get to Oxford University which made the coming back worthwhile.These days I'm a software developer, and am clinging to the hope that Zimbabwe will somehow settle down to something sane and safe (or at least relatively sane and safe!) so that a holiday there would be plausible. Does Gordon Park still look the same? Thanks for a great website
Ross Bentley-Davies (was Ross Bentley)
PL Cheetah Patrol + Cub Instructor
(198?-1986)
Alun Carter
24.2.05
I was with the 8th from 1983 - 1988, in Buffalo & Impala (APL) patrols and now live in Saundersfoot, Wales U.K. After a return trip to Gordon Park (December 2004), and catching up with the infamous Norman Scott (with trusty Landie in tow) and good old Adam (who seems to be immortal), I felt it only fitting to find the web site and put my two pence in. The reason for my return to GP was with a 2 year old son (Brayden) now in hand, many fond memories of my child hood suddenly streamed back and I decided to find out if they were true or just wonderful dreams. Needless to say they were all true and the details had not blurred with age (GP seems to be stuck in a time warp). The result was to set out on an epic 4 month voyage round the world to find a place comparable (with stable politics) to settle my nomadic lifestyle (5 countries lived in so far) to give my son what I had had. Sadly no land or country could meet up to our remarkable homeland and its people of times past! The bright light then dawned that I had forgotten the fundamental law of Scouting and our motto (chanted so many times over the years) which is “Be Prepared”. Finally I understood what old man Powell was trying to say (yeah, I admit I am a slow learner) the world changes, sometimes dramatically, so we should always 'Be Prepared' to accept this and use all the tools learnt previously (not just that bit of rope on our belt) to find our way. A campfire song then came to mind “make new friends keep the old, one is silver and the other is gold”, for although we have scattered around the world, on this ever shrinking planet, remarkably today I am in contact from time to time with at least 10 ex 8th Hillside from those glory days of tramping in the Matopos and expeditions to fantastic places such as Okavango delta. Hence I am pleased that we were given the privilege to experience what we did. I thank all those that worked to make that possible and exist in my memories, may we all strive to give others similar opportunities, and not forget the many skills learnt in our scouting years. So what have I done with my life one may ask? Well after leaving school and studying for a degree in Zoology and Entomology in South Africa, I went into the safari industry working in lodges in Zimbabwe and ending up as operations manager for a company in Botswana running two safari camps, restaurant, cinema and live entertainment complex. During these years many fantastic memories of wild experiences and parties have been burnt into my memory the best of which is my marriage to Debbie, my soul mate from school days. We then immigrated to ‘mud Island’ to settle in West Wales. Here after the birth of our fantastic son (yeah I know I am biased) I opened a restaurant for a Hotel and then went on to catering manager for a large leisure park in the area. I then reached that point in life some of us reach where one sits back and questions if you are doing the right thing so took some time out to get life’s priorities in line. Hence my trip back to Africa and subsequent travels from which I returned yesterday. So with mind back in relative order we now start that next big journey in life i.e. the rest of it. May it be as glorious as my memories of Scouting.
Alun, Debbie & Brayden
John Coley
Was APL, then PL of Springbok Patrol and Troop Leader. After leaving BSAP married with 2 kids, lived in Natal for 12yrs & am now ops. manager at a removals company (AP) in London.
Glenn Crisp Appears in a Tramp article
I am very well thank you for asking. No wife, no kids, no homeland - just ticking by waiting to find my reason for being. If it sounds like I've lost a bit of motivation and ambition it may be because I am not sure where I want my motivation and ambition to take me. After 2 years in Australia, I do
know this much - not impressed yet!
After running my own operation in Zimbabwe, with no interference, good staff and challenging times, Australia is a bit of a downer. However, the bright side is that in 4 months I will be a permanent resident and hopefully by January next year I will be a citizen so I will have no excuse for not
getting out and travelling a bit more.
Life as a project engineer on a coal mine is about as much fun as you imagine it to be (err.. Glen is a Civil Works Project Engineer - at MRD, Morwell, Victoria, Australia). Harsh conditions, management with the personalities of Robert Mugabe and surroundings about as beautiful as Johannesburg inner city on a Saturday morning (everything is black). But the pay is going off
against a 6 acre property with my small herd of cows and some lazy bloody chickens and we are close to the mountains, snow fields, sea, Melbourne(~180km) so it is not all doom and gloom. The highlight of my year will be my 5 week vacation back to SA and Zim in October.
Have a great girlfriend, an Aussie of course, and a small group of really good friends out here but I still miss my mates in SA.
Re the short write up. Well now how do you expect me to cram 20 years of bulls*@& into a few lines. It's a tough call but I'll give it a go.
Remember Fr. Odilo - no website would be complete without something from him. (If anyone sees Fr.Odilo - please do ask him - Thanks).
Leslie Crockett
As far as news of the Crockett world - I think you are right that my brother Colin was press ganged labour on the Scott Dam road, I came along a little later to that scene and worked on the wall itself - I recall lugging cement bags around and pouring concrete into the coffer moulds. Colin lives in New Malden, UK. He is an IT engineer with IBM, his wife is an ex Zimbabwean and they have a nine month old son who was christened by Noel Scott at the St Georges Chapel (thats where these photos were taken in April 2003 - the place was looking magnificent - great rainy season plus a lot of effort from Norman, Adam and Snort. Should bring back some memories...).
They have been in the UK nearly ten years now. My dad did finally fully retire from the politics of Scouting a couple of years ago having put many years into his Chairmanship... They regularly visit GP - at least once a month for the service - petrol permitting.
For my part, after school, I signed articles with Deloitte & Touche and qualified as a Chartered Accountant in 1997, departing Zim to live in Cape Town the same year. After three years with Deloitte & Touche in Cape Town I moved to New York on a short term secondment at the beginning of 2000, travelled extensively in the US and then made my way across to
London to join the antipodean exodus. Along the way I met Fiona, and we were married in December 2001 in Harare. Two and a half years in London was more than enough for us and we were fortunate to get an opportunity to move to Monaco where I am the Financial Controller of an international packaging concern. We
have been here eight months now and are loving the area and slowly improving our French !Other news - I still see a lot of Paul Musgrave who was in the 8th. He now lives in London, does a lot of rowing and works for Alpha Telecom. Nicholas Jones was also a Scout in the 8th - we recently attended his wedding in Antwerp. He and his wife work for BOC and they also live in London. Nick is a Chartered Accountant and still does a lot of sailing which is pretty admirable given the dismal weather in the UK ! I have also recently heard from Colin Campbell who lives in Sophia Antipolis (South of France) - and will be meeting up with him and family (married with a son I think) soon.
Vaughan Davies Appears in a Tramp article
Vaughan Davies is in Johannesburg / Lagos building shopping centers - married with three kids....The shopping centre I'm working on in Lagos has still not started yet and a decision will be made in the next few weeks whether it proceeds or not! There is a slim chance I'll project manage a shopping centre development in Accra - wouldn't that be interesting! If all fails my next target is Dubai.
I'll be in Aus from 1-10 November to catch a little world cup rugby. We're (Frank Wimberley and I) are going to Brisbane with our bicycles. We'll watch the SA Samoa game, spend a few days cycling around and then stay in Brisbane if SA are top of their log and stay to play Wales in a quarter final. I have tickets for the quarter final in Melbourne in case SA come second in their log and have to play NZ.
Grant Dickinson
2.2.2005 I was born in Umtali in 1972 – one of my earliest memories is hiding under the staircase while the ‘terrs’ sent mortars from the mountain behind us, over our house, to the region of the golf course. My dad was the chief engineer for the Rhodesian Railways so we moved around the country quite a bit during my youth until we settled in Bulawayo in 1981. I first joined the cubs next to Milton school (can't remember the troop name) and later on moved to the 8th under the excellent tutelage of Mrs Ralphs. I became very involved in the scouts and spent a lot of time in GP with the likes of Luke Moloney, Colin Campbell and Dafydd Jones. I too did my fair share of work on Lake Scott, though I must say most of memories are of Norman battling it out by himself on that dam wall :-) I just missed getting my Chief Scout award, though I enjoyed many years as a member of the GP Crew - weekly Wednesday and Saturday dinners at the park are a fond memory. Tunnelling through Everest, climbing up Shumba, abseiling down Leask and scrambling through Piglets were the Sunday norm. Cokes from Norman’s fridge and bundu-bashing in his landy were a real treat, though I must say I do not miss the mupani flies!
After completing A levels at CBC I attended Wits University in South Africa and took the scenic route in getting my BSc. After 5 joyous (though slightly blurred) years I moved between several jobs before finally settling in at Microsoft where I look after an area of our business called Business Intelligence. I currently live in Johannesburg, South Africa though in 3 weeks we are due to move to Microsoft head office in Seattle.
I have a beautiful wife and daughter; Heidi and I have been married 2 years and Jessica at 16 months is just learning to talk. The funny thing is that I only really started appreciating what we had in Zim once Jessica was born and I looked to provide for her the same sense of wonderment, freedom and opportunity that we had experienced as kids. The scouting tradition and outdoor life was a major contributor to those tenets.
It saddens me to hear that the 8th may be closing, though I must say I have a terrific bunch of friends around the world from those times.
Cheers
Grant Dickinson
Mark Gilbert Appears in a Tramp article
I stumbled across you website searching for Inungu. I've had many nastalgic memories flooding back through your site, and hope that Norman is still leader of 1st. I remember approximately in 1993 he was Matabeleland Commissioner (I think), and was always very involved with scouts since I joined in 1986. I know that after the Railways he went into guiding (not the girl guides), but haven't been in touch with him for a very long time. I was featured on the front cover of Tramp would you believe. Having had a look at your site, you actually have a picture of me being invested, the date was March 1986. Google Earth have updated their satellite datasets, and you can see the entire Matopos now, so check it out.
Best regards,
Mark
Kyle Hannan
2nd July 2008 InANutshell: I went to Hillside Junior and joined the 8th Hillside (1977 - 1982) until most of the way through high School at Gifford. My Dad Clyde Hannan was an
assistant scoutmaster too, I recall.
Can't be sure that they were ALL there at the same time but seem to remember people like David Yapp, Paul Furber, Clinton Jones - all of whom I'm still in touch with.
Got Troop Signalling badge, cook badge (despite almost burning most of the stuff in the sheds/rooms to the left of the scout hall). Spent lots of time at GP, did the abseiling thing with vim and vigour, and distinctly remember the long clamber up to Shumba for a swim, Uzi in hand and visions of bush firefights from 'The Wild Geese' in my head.
Left Zim in '84 for SA
(where I'm from) brought my wife back on a tour of Skies, the Matopos and GP in 1995 where we were lucky enough to bump into Norman at the site! Became a radio DJ and worked for the SABC. Left SA in 1997 and work in the radio broadcast industry, living in Weston-Super-Mare, North Somerset, UK.
Bore my wife silly with scout pics when I find them on the 'net. Like the ones you legendary people have been good enough to post. Thank you, thank you. And can I just say 'thank you'!
Peter Hartley
9.7.08 (part of a quick update) We are all well on this side, Rae and the kids have settled in Howick and I commute between there and my office in St Lucia. My present job is going well, but I yearn for working in the field again. Sitting in meetings and behind a computer is not what I went into conservation for ..... Rhino poaching is on the increase again in SA. This year Kruger NP has lost 40 rhino, Umfolozi 3 rhino and we have lost 4 rhino... Keep well. Pekkie
12.10.05 This is just a short note to tell you that I am leaving Ghana on the 22nd of October. My contract is up and I have decided not to renew. On Monday I was offered a senior position with the Greater St Lucia Wetland Park Authority, I have accepted the position and will start in the next month or two. I am really looking forward to moving back to Zululand.
years ago! In short I have a wife named Rae, a son named Brett and a daughter named Caitlin. I have been in the Natal Parks Board for the last 15 years and have been the OIC (Officer In Charge) of Umfolozi Game Reserve for the last 5 years. I am presently thinking of taking up a position with the IUCN to develop a new National Park in Ghana.
Don Heath
14-7-05 Am married to Sheila Stakesby Lewis with a 10 week old daughter Johanna who is keeping me out of mischief! Still have a short wheel base land rover - I was senior ecologist (terrestrial) when Zim Parks squeezed me out 6 years ago. Ventured into journalism - have a book on buffalo's that is selling well, and am doing well with hunting! (I wonder if this is Don's Hunting Magazine or this Fishing one?)
Michael Hopkins
Although I left Zimbabwe in 1983, contact with friends who stayed behind was maintained as was contact with friends who moved elsewhere in the world including the UK where I settled with my family (south coast of West Sussex). Quite a few of my friends were of course Scouts and we all have fond memories of the 8th Hillside Scout Troup and the Matopos and Gordon Park during the 1950’s and early 60’s.When I joined in February 1955, the Scout Hall was a timber framed, corrugated iron construction on short stubby pillars on a plot of land to the west of the current building. We moved to our new hall in 1956/57 (I can’t guarantee my memory recall on the date) but I do remember the fantastic affect and impression we all experienced when we took possession of what was then the best Scout Hall in Bulawayo. We could even play badminton - and all those rooms, including a kitchen! I worked my way up the ‘ranks’ and made Patrol Leader by 1958 and Troop Leader by 1959 and would have stayed on as ASL if my new working career with the Ministry of Roads, which commenced in February 1960, hadn’t sent me to the four corners of the country for the next eight years. A highlight of my time at Hillside was being included in the Bulawayo contingent to attend the World Jamboree at Ruwa, near Harare from 4th-11th May 1959. Roger Matthews was our excellent Scout Leader 1957 - 1959 and Frank Butler (now in Durban) was our Queens Scout in 1955.
Some members of the group during the 1950/60’s - Vernon Butler (Jo’burg), Kenneth Smith and Nigel Smith (both Durban), Grahame Smith (UK), David Mason (Pietermaritzberg), Trevor Jenkins (Lusaka), Gwyn Bowen (Brisbane), Bryan Simon (Australia), John Walter (UK), Reg Brink (SA), Brian Schorr.
We all hope that the Group is still alive and kicking.
Michael Hopkins (UK)
Don Hutchinson
Goodness gracious - Hi there. I am most certainly the one and the same "Smiley" - fortunately that has not changed even though I became an accountant. Mind you I am definitely not a ' little grey accountant ' - Firstly, I never was, nor am I now, "little". Secondly I may be greying slightly around the edges but I consider myself an entreprenural accountant - yea you got it - I take risk - and that is far from grey in financial terms. Anyway I live in Pinetown and work in Durban South Africa. I am married with a son and a daughter. My wife and son work with me in my accountancy practice (myself and three other partners plus 17 staff) and my daughter is in matric this year. I met my wife Sandy in the Rhodesian Army at the School of Infantry Gwelo. We were married in 1980 and have lived in SA since 1985. My son was born in Gwelo and my daughter in Westville in 1983 and 1986 respectively.
Kind regards and thanks for the contact.
Don Hutchinson
ACCOUNTING AND FINANCIAL SERVICES
www.edwafin.com
Wayne Johnson
12 June 08 I was with the 8th from 1974-1980, APL Cheetah, Pl Rhino, Chief Scout Award 1978. We had a fantastic childhood growing up when we did and Scouting was a big part of the fun we had. It gave many of us a good foundation to life and we learnt skills that even help us today.
The fun was filling the seniors boots with dung in the matopo's hills when they made us carry their rug sacks, hey Colin Smith!?! Quite amazingly even though we didn't attend the same schools we were all mates.
After immigrating twice, first to South Africa and now to Australia Tasmania, 30 years later I am still in contact with scouts all over the world. Bumped into Peter Pekkie Hartley in SA, stayed with Duncan Smith in Eastern TVL, went to Shaun Fultons wedding down the South coast, in contact occasionally with Colin Smith, Alan Savin and I have a well travelled bottle of whiskey that I am going to drink with Rocky Stone.
I also spent a lot of time with Gavin Claasen in Pietermaritzburg and we had a good few braai's together. I knew Gavin as an older Scout before his accident. When I met up with him after his accident I realised how big a role scouting played in our lives and although he has faced enormous challenges he has faced them bravely and I have the upmost respect for him.
Click to enlarge: |
Have an older brother Ross who was probably more conscientious than I was, his details are as follows APL, Pl and TL Chief Scout 1976 Sable Award 1979. I have still got a few photo's from my Dads (Johnny Johnston) era building out at Gordon Park. He was in 1st Bulawayo Troop. Anyway don't want use up all my 40 words or bring up too much dirt on the members in the 8th. Especially those coffee meetings after scouts or the "shatter boulder" fights at GP - hey Mark and Brett Fulton who are scared to this day by miss directed flak! Studied Forestry after National Service, worked mainly around Natal. Married Tracy 1990, 3 children - Amy, David and Chloe. Presently live in Launceston Tasmania - The mainland just south of Australia.
Cya
Wayne
Clinton Jones
In 1974 I went from cubs with Mrs Hewitt as Akela and then to Scouts where I started in Rhino patrol under Mark "Hoss" Fulton where I became APL and then onto PL of Buffalo. Was awarded the Chief Scout's Award in 1983, ran TRAMP for a few seasons (Till 1985), did some great Eastern Transvaal Hikes with Scott and Bubbles and was reknowned for being an easy and large target in takkie! Lived for, and never had enough wide-games ! Did such a good job on one cook-out with David Yapp at Hillside Dams where the baked potatos were so baked that they were like ping pong balls inside!
Went to Rhodes , have two children, a daughter who starts University next year (ugh!) and a son of 11 who is very yankified. Lived in Port Elizabeth for a number of years after Rhodes, did a 3 year stint in Saudi Arabia and then won the US Green Card Lottery twice - which brings me to where I'm now living in: Bellevue, WA - Eastside of Seattle, USA!
Date: Sun, 26 Nov 2006 Hi Folks, It has been several months since I last wrote - August in fact - my how time flies !
An African Autumn is nothing like a North American or European autumn, the only time I ever remember the seasons is the cold chill of the still on the bicycle handlebars or the fact that we played rugby in the middle of the year as opposed to the end of the year when swimming, water polo and cricket were on the sports calendar. It’s that time of year again here, the grand mother maple in the back yard has unceremoniously dumped her leaves for the year and some of them are the size of dinner plates. The ornamental plums and the Japanese maple in the front lost all of their leaves in just a day or two, the heavy raindrops helping to wrench them from the boughs. The no man’s land between us and the neighbors is littered with atrophying oval brown, black and yellow leaves intermingled with the flaming red of the Japanese maple. The gutters of the roof are littered with the big maple’s great pages which rustle in the wind and occasionally jump off and flutter to the ground. Our neighbors to the east and to the north all have roofs with the same situation, a furrow of yellow and brown sawing into the ash black profile of the tiles. I just managed to get a couple of pictures of autumn colours before we had the first frost and then we were done. The rains have started, the plants love it and you can tell. Today we watched some small brown birds hopping about in a bush near the window. They were extremely animated and round and fluffy, undoubtedly getting settled in for the winter months. The jays have moved on and we are now just down to the odd robin and hummingbird presumably all non migratory. I have already swept up 250 gals of leaves from the trees and put these out for the trash man to collect but I fear I am only half way. This year at least I am being a little more methodical about building leaf piles so at least when it rains only the surface of the pile gets wet.
Jasper is coming along well, almost able to sit completely independently, his balance is not quite right and he gets a little uncoordinated when he leans forward, impressively doubling himself up even with his legs crossed! Smiles and laughter are now a daily occurrence and whilst there is no sign yet of teeth, there is an awful lot of dribbling and putting of every nearby object including his fists, in his mouth. We’ve not weighed him for some weeks but he has become a veritable lump to lug about irrespective of whether he is in the arms, in his car seat or in a sling. We invested in a backpack carrier and he really enjoys that, as well as sitting on my shoulders, clutching fist full’s of my precious hair. Andrea and he regularly attend Mother and Baby Yoga classes but that may not be for much longer because once he starts crawling the mom and tot yoga classes are over because the little guys are too disruptive.
Andrea and I went to Texas again for thanksgiving this year. We met up with some old acquaintances whom we had played tour guide to earlier in the year when they came off of a Holland America cruise to Alaska. Seeing them again was fun, especially when a philosophical argument about creationism ensued towards the end of evening! The McAllen area where Andrea’s family is largely concentrated is further south than Florida and almost in Mexico , as is evidenced by the 50/50 incidence of Spanish and English Signage and hoardings. In fact television in this area has a similar mix. It was interesting this time to also note the difference in the modes of transportation. Public Transport was virtually non existent, I don’t think I saw a single bus, as compared with the Seattle area where Public Transportation is prolific and yet people still complain. What is particularly ironic is the fact that this part of Texas is extremely economically depressed so under such circumstances you would hardly expect many people to have their own vehicles. Nevertheless there are cars aplenty and not just regular sedans, mostly brawny SUV’s, Trucks and pickups; of all generations admittedly, but nevertheless in abundance. Coming back to the 4’c temperatures of Seattle was a bit of a shock when compared with the balmy high twenties that they were having in Texas.
With my job not requiring that I travel much, flying has become somewhat of a novelty and so is all the new regulations regarding what you have to do to make sure that you are complying with aviation regulations. It is amazing to see how many people don’t follow the rules or are confused by the rules. I am convinced that the only winners in the current regimen of controls benefit the toothpaste and hair gel manufacturers since so many passengers have to concede to having their toiletries discarded before they will be allowed through security. I mentioned that I don’t have to travel much but interestingly I am slated for three pieces of travel in the coming 6 – 8 weeks. A trip to Atlanta to press the flesh with my new peers there – should be interesting…. A trip to Palo Alto to SAP’s labs and a trip to Jacksonville Florida for a management course which I am told is a bit of a come to Jesus brainwashing session – more to come on that no doubt!
With Christmas almost upon us, I am guessing I will have to get out the Christmas lights and decorate the house AND the tree, this year they should be in better shape than last year as I spent a bit more effort on packing them up – nevertheless if they need some replacement it is oddly cheaper to buy a whole new string rather than getting replacement bulbs. The latest thing here is trees that have all the lights built in – what they call prelit trees. I guess that this is easier than stringing your own and possibly even safer, not sure. I remember mom and dad had candles with tinplate clips from before the Ark which some genius devise would be a good idea for Christmas trees. I wonder if they were ever used. At the local Christmas store sponsored by Macy’s they have a novel inverted Christmas tree which is kind of fun and a supposed space saver as well as something that apparently dates back to the 12th century when folks suspended trees from the roof rafters. I had wondered at the magnificent tree of some friends of ours, for some it seems fashionable to have genuine cedar, for others a plastic one will do. I still have the one that I bought illicitly in Saudi Arabia of all places. When browsing the sky mall magazine on the airplane back from Texas I discovered that they must have ordered theirs from the magazine. One thing you learn here is that not all artificial trees are equal, this particular tree that I believe that they bought, will set you back a cool $800! Other interesting gizmos and gadgets that I found in there were devices that allow you to convert your old vinyl records to CD’s or MP3 file formats that can be played on your computer – all rather cool!
With a reputation for gargantuan meal portions, TV dinners and obesity you would expect the US to have a good reputation for having at a minimum, a plethora of greasy spoon diners that serve up breakfast with hash browns fried eggs, bacon, sausage, pancakes, waffles and dare I say it, donuts. Well this may be something that is unique to the Bellevue area but actually finding a decent dine-out breakfast place is pretty tough. Since day 0 in the area, Stamos Café has always been trusted and reliable, but lack lustre and unimaginative; especially since Stamos himself sold out to some immigrants Chinese folks who immediately changed the character of the place and boosted the prices and the bad spelling in the menu. Andrea and I would often breakfast on a Saturday at Larry’s Market in North East Bellevue but they closed down a couple of months ago and alas the lox scramble with capers is no more. We could traipse out to the British Pantry in Redmond for pies and gravy but it’s no fun if you have to travel so far. We’re tried the Pancake Corral near the highway but unfortunately it is always so busy that the queue is disheartening. What does one do? Gilberts on main is too kosher with it’s bagels and matzo ball soups, Goldberg’s Deli is too New York Sandwich shop like and Nordstrom’s is too much of a battle to find parking for, and besides you have to wrestling with mall shoppers.
We asked some friends what they suggested and found a new place on mercer island that serves a couple of super items, but their menu is too limited and doesn’t have the greasy spoon flexibility of being able to pick bacon, eggs, toast and a la carte. It was suggested we try the Roanoke Inn, so we psyched ourselves up and journeyed there only to be turned away because jasper is under 21. Of course, I protested, but was told in no uncertain terms, that because it is classified as a Tavern, no minors are allowed – even if accompanied by adults! Understandably the whole incident made my blood boil. Were they following the letter of the law to keep their noses clean or to pass on some message of superiority and child unfriendliness? I mean, in contrast the redhook brewery is an alehouse ad brewery and children are most welcome. I set out to find out what the real deal was, and you can imagine my surprise to discover that the law is quite specific. I checked out www.liq.wa.gov the website of the liquor board in Washington state where they have some Q&A’s and it is revealed that the only under age people permitted in taverns are musicians, disc jockeys or sound and lighting technicians, employees of the companies that install, maintain, repair or remove amusements and security officers, fire fighters and police officers performing their duties. In a restaurant - beer and wine and in a restaurant - spirits, beer and wine business, 18, 19 and 20 year olds may take orders for, sell and serve liquor in the dining and banquet areas of these premises. This would include entering the lounge, placing the order and waiting for it to be prepared. They may not serve in the lounge area or perform the functions of a bartender (mixing drinks, drawing tap beer and wine, etc.). So the law, albeit draconian is clear. Come on Jasper; grow up, so mommy and daddy can have breakfast in Taverns!
Anyhow, other than frustrations at trying to find interesting places to breakfast we continue our relatively dull lives on this side of the pond. We keep a constant watch out for the next visit from Allison or Matthew or the discovery that someone may be visiting our neck of the woods for a vacation or business trip and look forward to hearing when you think you may be contemplating a visit to the far but no so dark side!
Time to refresh the Christmas Greetings card list so if you'd be so kind as to send your last postal address we'd be really grateful. Hooray, it is snowing!
Clinton, Andrea and Jasper
Dafydd Jones
What have I been upto. Well I finished off A levels at CBC and went all the way through the troop to TL. Great times were had and good friends made so I carried on being Asst. Scout Master for a few years too. Was involved with the crew helping out with various projects at the Park and gained invaluable experience in all sorts of activities, as we all did. Unfortunately as is the nature with a lot of things in Zimbabwe the number of people out at the Park grew less and less and I found almost lonely at times, but we still enjoyed loads of camping, hiking and all the other fun activities in the sun.
I finished off an electrical apprenticeship at O'Connelly & Co and went onto do a 2 year stint as a sales rep for an electrical board manufacturer.Eventually the economic climate pushed me over to the UK where I trained up in IT and eventually got into a graduate program for Shell. I am now working in IT supporting a major trading company based in London.
I married a local lady from Bullies (Marion de Lange) who was coincidentally at the Guide group across the fence from us and we have a lovely daughter named Claramae.The plan is to try and get to SA in a few years and try and bring up a brood there.
Anthony Klein
I was with the 8th from 1971 till 1976 in Buffalo and Panther patrols, did the Norwegian Jamboree (1975) with Norman Scott, Wade Begemann, John Coley, Hugh Bolton, Mike Brown, Lance Cox + ?? (the memory is going) {dont worry - John says it was Neville}.
I live in : Gospel Green, Haslemere, West Sussex, England; mobile +44 (0) 7785 24 25 26.
Even though I have lived in the UK since 1977 my heart is still in Gordon Park and the Matopas. What has happened since Scouts, school and NS. Spent 7 years doing aero-engineering in Bristol, met Sally and together we now have 2 children - David and Helen who keep us on our toes. Set up a systems engineering consulting company with 4 colleagues and grew this for 11 years till we sold the business to Thomson-CSF (now Thales) in 2000. I remained as MD until recently, but have now been seconded to lead a joint UK MoD / Industry initiative called NITEworks bringing together all the major defence prime contractors in the UK to experiment and propose solutions in Network Centric Warfare. Of more immediate relevance (and interest) is a desire to find 2 zebras to help populate the 85 acres of SE England that we have just bought. If I can't live in the Matopas then I will try and create my own reserve at home !! Impala and kudu will jump the fences, warthogs will dig under the wire and not enough tress for browsers ! Any offers, and please no hippo nor elephant they are not viable with the neighbours. David is handling the birdlife in the 'reserve' (i/c ponds and woodland) and Sally and Helen the viewing from horse-back aspects.
Rob McKenzie
I started scouts in Kwe Kwe then move to Harare were I was with the 6th Avondale were I then became a ASL for a while and have now joined the 8th Bulawayo Hillside to give Steve Fox a hand with running the troop.Cell 011 602016
Bussiness 69510
Home 244578
Luke Moloney Appears in a Tramp article
Has spent forever at University to become an archietect. I can't find his email - but I think his claim to fame is that he recently designed a "Royal Throne" for the Queen of England in Buckingham Palace!
Evan Pedlar
I was PL of Rhino Patrol then Troop Leader. Left Zim back in 1999 to study electrical engineering at the University of Cape Town. Round about 2000, the family moved to Ficksburg in the Free State, SA, but we wont hold that against them! Am working for an engineering consulting firm called WSP Consulting Engineers as an electrical engineer in Cape Town. Loving life and having a blast.
Graham Ross Appears in a Tramp article
Graham and I (Angie) are living a life that would be considered by most as crazy and not worth it - for us, we wouldn't live anywhere else in the world despite the pressures. We are farming in Manicaland - tobacco and maize - in the midst of ...!
We have three children who are a lively bunch and keep us on our toes, but, importantly, keep our priorities in life where they should be!
I am sure Graham will have much more to tell you when he gets a chance, but as he is quite pushed for time most of the time, hopefully, the few blanks I have filled in for now will suffice.
Annon.
I found this in the fortnightly Bulawayo newspaper (No.30) (that you can have emailed directly to you) & wonder who wrote it?FROM A ZIMBABWEAN SON TO DAD WITH LOVE
Dear Dad,
I really enjoyed talking to you the other night at the Harare Club and appreciated your visit and the time you spent with me - it was like those old times again. As I mentioned that night, the hardest thing about you folks being in Bulawayo and us being so far away in Headlands is not being able to ask your advice or not being able to ask your opinion or how you coped with a very similar situation in 1980. Our main concerns now, as yours were, are for our kid's futures - How will we keep our schools open? How do we maintain a decent standard of health care? Are we to be the only ones left at the end of this ? How will we afford to feed the kids, let alone dress them? These are a few of the nagging questions that torment us each day, more so than the likely hood of us losing our farm and our home!! And yet with all these negatives, we have no desire or wish to leave. This is our home and country and we need to make our future here work for ourselves and our kids. Maybe I'm lazy, but I still believe that it is easier here than over seas to bring up functional children who won't be exposed to "1st world life" here in our little backwoods country. Perhaps I'm more fortunate than some, thanks to you parents, in that I've been to Aussie with the Boy Scouts to attend the Scout Jamboree, farmed in Canada, visited America, worked in England played rugby for CBC in Ireland, stopped over in Portugal while on Martin Sanderson and Erith Harris's School tours and toured extensively in Southern Africa - Kenya, Malawi, Namibia, Zambia, Botswana with yourself and the Boy Scouts and recently spent some time in South Africa. I have fished in Mozambique, the Zambesi and local waters and have hunted in the Valley so I've got a pretty good idea as to what our and those countries have to offer me and my family. There is no doubt in my mind that we could settle overseas, and make a go of it, but I also know that I would never truly be happy, and my kids would never lead the carefree life that I can offer them here. I still believe things will come right, not right as we knew it but right as it is meant to be, and so I want to stick it out to the end or the new beginning. I'm pretty sure that the misgivings we have were much the same as yours in 1980 and beyond, but I thank you for "sticking it out" and letting me have the life and education I've had thus far. I have no regrets for having lived in Zim all my life and I only hope that one day my kids can say the same. I have just received my Section 7 which is Governments answer to my appeal against acquisition. We withdrew the appeal when agreed to subdivided so it just goes to show how the system works!!!!!! I will let you all know how things go from here. Love from all of us.
Your son
Cc - a special thanks for having the forethought to let us kids learn the African languages - it must have cost you a fortune at todays exchange rate for every poem, story or song you paid our domestic staff to teach us. Speaking both languages fluently has stood me in good stead both on the farm, in business and socially. I wish that all Makiwas would take the opportunity to learn to speak at least one of our languages while they are young. How can we understand and be respected by our fellow people if we can't even communicate with them ?
Alan Savin
Had some fun looking at the website my details are:-
8th Hillside (approx 1974 - 1980), Chief Scout Award, Sable Scout Award, Troop leader, Was PL of Cheetah, Tramp editor for a while. Living in Benoni, Johannesburg till the end of this year, then off to sunny Brisbane with Leeanne (Knapman – ex Montrose) and our 2 girls - 4 and 5. Completed Mechanical Engineering, then converted to Electrical Engineering and post grad management diploma Wits Business School. Self employed past 10 years, currently MD of Caddman and Director of Worldsview Technologies - Craig Yeatman and I are business partners in this venture - its the Autodesk software distributor in Africa & was named after Worldsview, due to the ability to see the whole of Africa from Rhodes Grave! Much calmer and more responsible than the “good ole days” – I guess that translates into a need for a new adventure….. We need to plan a get together for an expedition or hike (OK, maybe in luxury land cruises for the oldies !!) Any thoughts ? Just as long as we can get Pekkie Pete to behave himself! Update 26/2/04 Been busy settling in OZ , houses, cars, schools - and then I had to shoot over to Philly last week - so things a bit of a blur right now. Didn’t get a chance to give Craig a chestie before I left - I will see if I can outsource that job !! Must dash
Alan Savin
Colin Smith
2007-07-07Hi, We've moved to Essex. We have lots of room for visitors and people to help with the ironing, housework and gardening.Colin
Tel 01799 525610
Wipro Consulting Europe
pre 7-7-07 Here are some details about me (the clean bits!)... 8th Hillside (approx 1974 - 1980), Chief Scout Award, Sable Scout Award, Troop leader, Was PL of Buffalo patrol, APL of Cheetah.
Did a degree at Wits in Industrial psych + a postgrad in management. Currently run my own Consultancy in Cape Town.
My Mom (Val) was Akela at the 8th.
My brother Duncan was also there although he just bee'd around I think.
Rocky (Ian Stone)
Left school, joined the RAF (choppers?), then onto Australia flying jumbo's - has acquired a... 'unique' email vocabulary & last I heard he was on his way back from China???
Richard Stott
2007-09-07
Hi Norm, Hi EveryoneMy Wife just found this site with pics of me and everyone at GP, wow what a rush of memories! It is great to see you guys, even if it is a pic online. I see you are still keeping our home from home in order, good man. The time in the 8th and at GP where absolutely the best, long may it continue for generations to come.
I left Bulawayo over 20 years ago and have not spoken to any friends since. Thanks for the interference, I've been flabbergasted all day. I am only sorry I did not know about what was going on sooner, so I could have helped with the Jamboree in Essex. No matter, next time I'm here, there, what ever you want. My god I can not tell you how good this makes me feel, just to know that some, if not all of my childhood friends are out there getting on - Graham Williams, Stretch, Andy Blundell who taught me how to ride a motor bike (his own), and pretty much everything I needed to know to get on at the 8th. We also kicked arse at the Mashonaland patrol leaders course at Ruwa - even if we did get lost during our hike, keeping them up all night, and how many broken eggs from the Assult course, can a guy bury? Pete Hartley: I always knew would end up game ranging/big white hunting/saving the world, I have a tomato patch and some salad cream with his name on it, he even may get some lemons and salt, if he teaches me to fight - with no shoes on. Other than that, I caused more trouble than I remember and my name is sparking off campfire stories - it was all Mr Hartley, nothing to do with me, he used to use my name a lot!
Kind Regards
Richard Stott
www.which-consulting.com
Business & Partner Management
UK: +44 (0)207 193 4966
USA (Philadelphia): +1 610 616 3880
Neil Wratten
3-3-06 Started as a cub scout with the 3rd Lilongwe (Malawi), then joined 8th Mount Pleasant in 1970 and went up through the ranks to Sixer. Continued on to Scouts where I was P/L of Lions, awarded Chief Scout Award in 1978 and selected to go on the Jamboree that was suppose to be held in Iran... but it ended up at Kanderstag in Switzerland.My Father was transferred to Bulawayo in 1978 and I joined the 8th Hillside. Went on the Jamboree with guys like, Norman Scott, Hugh De Roebuck, Rocky Stone and the Fulton brothers. Sort of went representing both 8th Hillside and 8th Mount Pleasant. I still have the shirt in my cupboard!
Awarded the Sable Scout Award in 1980 and became ASL of the 8th Hillside until the University of Zimbabwe offered me a job in 1981. Qualified as a Medical Laboratory Technologist MSc specialising in Haematology, then the commercial world beckoned (well the money really!).
I am not involved in the Scout Movement anymore, but am currently President of the Matabeleland Bowling Association and see Graham Ralphs often; also occasionally see Don Heath at Zimbabwe Practical Pistol events.
I'm still in Zimbabwe, Bulawayo again after 20 years in Harare, running Radiator & Tinning. I have three kids Shanna 16, Brett 10, Ethan 1 and my last one due in October this year. My three brothers are in the UK - I'm the only one that thinks Africa can still come right!
Regards
Neil
Home Address: 3 Sedley Ave, Malindela, Bulawayo
Telephone:- Home +263 9 244411
Office +263 9 74161
Mobile + 263 11 401 358
Craig Yeatman
9/5/05
For my part, I have continued to start up and run companies (I have been doing that since 1989). Recently, there was enough money and good management around for me to step back for a few years, in which time I have been
studying (management) and overseeing the businesses from a non-executive point of view.
I am likely to open a Health Spa and Wellness centre in Pretoria over the next year (under the WorldsView Holdings umbrella, with Alan Savin as a partner). We were lucky to be able to register the company name - keeps the matopos and GP firmly in my mind.
I have a son Joshua (10), a daughter Danielle (3) and a new son about to be born (Alexander - due on 13 May). My wife is an Architect, and we live in Pretoria. My offices are in Midrand (www.worldsview.co.za // www.skilledoutcomes.co.za // www.cadacademy.org.za (a non-profit school I helped to start).
I can be reached at:
+27-11-805-1555 (work)
+27-82-449-6712 (mobile)
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Dobson Shield (for the Best dressed Scout) Clinton Jones 1983 |
Hewett Trophy (Best Cub Instructor) Havelock McNeilage 1983 |
Nigel Theron B.C.R. Trophy (For Senior Endeavour) Craig Yeatman 1983 |
Neville Trophy (for Junior Endeavour) Graeme Williams 1983 |
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Justine Ralphs Trophy (Cubs - most progress) Barry Wren 1986 |
Log Book trophy (Best Logbook of the year) Andrew Blundell 1983 |
Patrol Shield (for the patrol With the most points) Buffalo Patrol 1983 |