My Scouting history
Intro
It was inevitable that I would become interested
in Scouting, as I come from a family with a strong Scouting tradition, my maternal grand-father ran 1st Cantley Scouts
(Norfolk); my mum was a Guide, and then Cub Master at 30th Norwich, and District Secretary for Norwich East; and my dad
was a Scout and Rover Scout, a Scout Master (pre-'66), Group Scout Master at 30th Norwich, and Assistant District
Commissioner (Scouts) for Norwich East.
Norwich
My Scouting career started
in 1976. Beaver's hadn't come to the mainland UK at that point so I went straight into the Tuesday night Cub Pack, along
with my twin brother, at 2nd Hellesdon (37th Norwich), which is in Norwich North District, Norfolk, England. My mum was a
helper at the Pack (and indeed this was how I got in so easily - when she put our names down on the waiting list the
Akela recognised my mum - and my dad - and said if they come along we could get straight in).
I completed both Bronze and Silver Arrows in the old arrow scheme, and was one of the first Cubs to work on the Gold arrow in the developed arrow scheme. I moved on to Scouts (with my arm in plaster, having broken it on my last Cub night) - where my Dad was helping out as Assistant Scout Leader. As a Scout, APL and PL of Tiger Patrol, I completed the old Scout Standard, Advanced Scout Standard and Chief Scout Award - this time just before they introduced the new badge scheme - so I didn't have to wear that horrendous blue Chief Scout Award badge ;-). As part of my Chief Scout Award (and later my Venture Award), I worked as a Cub Scout Instructor with 2nd Hellesdon's Phoenix Pack.
On finishing Scouts, we reformed the Group's Iceni VSU, in which I gained my Venture Award, but failed to complete my Queen Scout, as I had then moved onto University at Durham:
Durham
Both myself and my brother moved to Durham to do a Mathematics
degree at the University of Durham. While I was an under-graduate, I held two ACSL's
warrants, one with 2nd Hellesdon, and the other with 15th Durham (Elvet) Cub Scout Pack, in Durham City and District,
County Durham. Progressing through the University from under-grad to post-grad to researcher, I continued to hold a Cub
leaders warrant at Elvet, being in charge of the Pack, as s.i.c for a year while the CSL took a years sabbatical, and as
CSL after another CSL moved on up to Scouts.
One of my most interesting and demanding
challenges was organising the 1995 District Cub Camp - held at Moor House - with an Aztec theme. (A full? list of my
Scout Camping is available). I was also responsible for running the Elvet Challenge a night
hike for Cubs and Scouts within the District - each with a literary theme The Lord of the Rings; Sherlock
Holmes and The Discworld.
I also worked with the Beaver Scout Colony and the Scout Troop at Elvet, and the Cub Pack and Scout Troop at 1st Framwellgate Moor. The latter with whom I camped for a number of years after leaving Durham - having been to their last four summer camps... most of these have been joint with 2nd Ashbourne from Derbyshire.
![[DUSAGG's mascot the Space Filling Mole]](gfx/mole.png)
While at
the Durham University, I was an active member of the Durham University Scout and Guide Group. One of my responsibilities
while in the Club was as Scout and Guide Liaison Officerfor which is was responsible for organising students to
help at local Beaver Colonies, Brownie and Cub Packs, Guide Companies and Scout Troops, and also the running of the four
competitions: Indoor and Outdoor Scout, Morson Trophy (Guide) and Venture Night Scheme; that DUSAGG ran for the local
Scouts and Guides.
I have also completed Cub Leader
Basic training, Leadership 2 (Wood badge), and Scout Leadership 1. All at Moor House, Durham's Camping and training
ground.
1997 saw me attended my first Gilwell Reunion -- as part of the ScoutBase UK team, running our first Cybercafe -- Being in Durham and Scotland has restricted my chances of going to these events due to me being 250/400 miles away...
As work has took me north of the border, I ended up Scouting in Edinburgh. I became CSL with the 162nd Blackford Scout Group, in this time the Pack has been away a number of times - holding five Pack camps and attending the Blackford District Cub Camp. (I also have a complete list of my camping with Cubs/Scouts elsewhere on this site) We were the only Pack in the District to complete the Around the World in 80 Days on time, when we completed twelve of the twenty challenges.
For two years I worked with the Scout Troop at the 162, I have now moved further into town and am working with the 52nd Blackford Scout Troop. This is one of the two mixed Troops in Blackford District. I am now acting CSL (and GSL) with the 52nd as the Group is going through a major leadership crisis. Hopefully it will not fold as the District is in desperate need of Leaders in general...
I was also elected onto the District Executive Committee as the Cub Scout representative, but due to other Scouting commitments I have avoided most of the meetings... As well I use my web development experience within Edinburgh Scouts, as part of the Area Internet Team.
Cambridge
I am also a member of Blackford District's Scout Fellowship (and a rather inactive member of Durham City and District Scout Fellowship, although I still try and get to their events if I am free).
One of my most amazing walking experiences was with the Durham Scout Fellowship, when we climbed Helvellyn at 10pm so we could watch the sun rise on Mid-summer. On the way down, the cloud was below us, so we had inversions - your shadow on the cloud, and glories - your shadow again on the cloud, but this time surrounded by a rainbow coloured halo - reminiscent of those bad eighties pop videos.
Ever since my junior school days I've been interested in Computers, my first experience was using a teletype from School to Norwich City College. At home I have progressed through ZX81s, Spectrums, and PCs; while at School and College I have used Commodore PETs, BBCs, Macs, PCs and a variety of main-frames and Unix workstations.
I have become involved with the ScoutBase UK site, The Website of The Scout Association. My involvement is in a number of ways as Editor of the Software and Clipart section of the site; as a member of both the Operational Management Team; as part of the Web Management Committee; and as part of the technical team working on the scripts that make the site more accessible and interactive.
On these pages you will find a complete(?) list of Scout Camping experiences - you will also find one or two links to pages of photos and text for some of these. The icons on the left indicate under which neckie I was camping - see my Scouty page to work out which necker is which.
1970's
- 2nd Hellesdon (Tiger) Cub Camp
Old Lakenham Hall, Norwich, NORFOLK. 7/77
- 2nd Hellesdon (Tiger) Cub Camp
Eaton Vale, Norwich, NORFOLK. 7/78
1980's
- 2nd Hellesdon Father and Son Camp
Roundwood, Norwich, NORFOLK. 6/81 - Survival Day
Hellesdon, Norwich, NORFOLK. 2/83
- 2nd Hellesdon Father and Son Camp
Eaton Vale, Norwich, NORFOLK. 6/83 - 2nd Hellesdon Summer Camp
Tolmers, HERTFORDSHIRE. 7/83
- 2nd Hellesdon Father and Son Camp
Holt Hall, NORFOLK. 6/84 - 2nd Hellesdon Summer Camp
Hawkhirst, NORTHUMBERLAND. 7/84 
- 2nd Hellesdon & 1st Drayton Cub Camp
Trimingham NYCS Centre, NORFOLK. - 2nd Hellesdon Father and Son Camp
How Hill, Norwich, NORFOLK. 6/85 - 2nd Hellesdon & 1st Drayton Cub Camp
Trimingham NYCS Centre, NORFOLK. - Norwich North District Cub Camp
Eaton Vale, Norwich, NORFOLK. 5/86 - 2nd Hellesdon Father and Son Camp
Haveringland Hall, NORFOLK. 6/86 - 2nd Hellesdon & 1st Drayton Cub Camp
Trimingham NYCS Centre, NORFOLK. 
- Summer Camp
Rydal Hall, Lake District. 6/87 - 2nd Hellesdon Father and Son Camp
Breckland, NORFOLK. 7/87 - 2nd Hellesdon/Troop 880, South Windsor, Connecticut, USA
Camp Nahaco, Connecticut. 7/87 
- Cub Basic training
Moor House, West Rainton, DURHAM. 5/88 and 9/88
- 2nd Hellesdon Cub Camp
Wolferton, NORFOLK. 9/88 - 2nd Hellesdon Cub Camp
How Hill, NORFOLK. 9/89
1990's
- 15th Durham (Elvet) Scout Troop
Haltwhistle, NORTHUMBERLAND. 5/90 - Cuboree - Durham City District
Moor House, West Rainton, DURHAM. 6/90 - Group Camp
Moor House, West Rainton, DURHAM. 9/90 - Go For A Million Camp - 15th Durham (Elvet) Scout Group, 16th Durham (Pittington) Cub Pack & 17th Durham (Coxhoe) Cub Pack
Cooper House Farm, Cotherstone, DURHAM. 9/90 - 15th Durham (Elvet) Scout Troop
Cooper House Farm, Cotherstone, DURHAM. 5/91 
- 16th Durham (Pittington), 17th Durham (Coxhoe) & 18th Durham (Ushaw Moor) Cub Camp
West Hall, South Shields, TYNE & WEAR. 7/91 - Leadership II training
Moor House, West Rainton, DURHAM. 9/91 - 15th Durham (Elvet) Scout Troop
Beadnell, NORTHUMBERLAND. 8/91 
- 6th Darlington (Bondgate) Scout Group & 25th Darlington Scout Group
Cooper House Farm, Cotherstone, DURHAM. 5/92 - Cuboree - Durham City District
Moor House, West Rainton, DURHAM. 6/92 - Sunderland DMA's Hike
Brother's Water, CUMBRIA. 6/92 - 6th Darlington (Bondgate) Scout Troop
Cooper House Farm, Cotherstone, DURHAM. 7/92 - 15th Durham (Elvet) Group Camp
Moor House, West Rainton, DURHAM. 9/92 - Durham City and District Cub Camp
Moor House, West Rainton, DURHAM. 9/92 - Hawkhirst Regatta - 15th Durham (Elvet) Scout Troop
Hawkhirst, NORTHUMBERLAND. 10/92 - Easter Patrol Camp - 15th Durham (Elvet) Scout Troop
Hawkhirst, NORTHUMBERLAND. 4/93 - 15th Durham (Elvet) & 16th Durham (Pittington) Pack Camp
Cooper House Farm, Cotherstone, DURHAM. 5/93 - Durham City and District Cub Camp
Gosforth Park, Newcastle, TYNE AND WEAR. 6/93 - 15th Durham (Elvet) Group Camp
Moor House, West Rainton, DURHAM. 9/93 - 15th Durham (Elvet) Pack Holiday
Maidenwell, LINCOLNSHIRE. 10/93 - Mountain Leadership Skills Course
Moor House, West Rainton, DURHAM. 2/94 and
Hope Memorial Centre and Grisedale Tarn, CUMBRIA. 10/94 - Leadership I (Scout) training
Moor House, West Rainton, DURHAM. 5/94 and 9/94 - 15th Durham (Elvet) & 16th Durham (Pittington) Pack Camp
Cooper House Farm, Cotherstone, DURHAM. 5/94 - Cuboree - 15th Durham (Elvet), 4th Durham (Gilesgate) & 1st Framwellgate Moor
Moor House, West Rainton, DURHAM. 6/94 - Durham City and District Cub Camp
Gosforth Park, Newcastle, TYNE AND WEAR. 7/94 - 15th Durham (Elvet) Scout Troop
Beadnell, NORTHUMBERLAND. 8/94 - PL's walk
Keswick, CUMBRIA. 9/94 - 15th Durham (Elvet) & 1st Framwellgate Moor Pack Holiday
Gosforth Park, Newcastle, TYNE AND WEAR. 10/94 
- 1st Framwellgate Moor/2nd Ashbourne Winter Camp
Peter Watson Centre, Gradbach, STAFFORDHIRE. 3/95 - 1st Durham (St. Oswalds) and 1st Shincliffe (St. Marys) Cub and Scout Camp and MAINSTAY '95.
Hawkhirst, NORTHUMBERLAND. 5/95 - 15th Durham (Elvet) & 1st Framwellgate Moor Pack Camp
Cooper House Farm, Cotherstone, DURHAM. 5/95 - North Trail District (Circle 10 Council) Cub Day Camp
Camp Wisdom, Dallas, TEXAS. 6/95 
- Midsummer Madness
Helvellyn, CUMBRIA. 6/95 - Durham City and District Cub Camp
Moor House, West Rainton, DURHAM. 7/95 - Peak '95, 1st Framwellgate Moor/Ashbourne District
Derbyshire's International Scout and Guide Camp,
Chatsworth House, DERBYSHIRE. 7/95 - 1st Framwellgate Moor/2nd Ashbourne Winter Camp,
Pybus Scout Centre, CLEVELAND. 3/96 
- 162nd Blackford Edinburgh Cub Scout Pack,
Glenrathope, BORDERS. 4/96 - Blackford Edinburgh District Scout Flag,
Abbey St. Bathans, BORDERS. 5/96 - Blackford Edinburgh District Cub Scout Camp,
Fordell Firs, Fife, SCOTLAND. 6/96 - 162nd Blackford Edinburgh Cub Scout Pack Camp,
Glenrathopee, BORDERS. 6/96 - 1st Framwellgate Moor/2nd Ashbourne Summer Camp,
High Arnside, CUMBRIA. 7/96 - 162nd Blackford Edinburgh Cub Scout Pack Camp,
Edinburgh Area Campsite, Bonaly, EDINBURGH. 10/96 - 162nd Blackford Edinburgh and 15th Durham (Elvet) Cub Scout Pack Camp,
Hawkhirst, NORTHUMBERLAND. 4/97 - Durham City and District Cub Camp,
Dilston, NORTHUMBERLAND. 6/97 - 162nd Blackford Edinburgh Cub Scout Pack Camp,
Fordell Firs, Fife, SCOTLAND. 6/97 - County Durham Cuboree,
Moor House, DURHAM. 6/97 
- 162nd Blackford Edinburgh Scout Troop Camp,
Auchengillan, SCOTLAND. 7/97 - 1st Framwellgate Moor Troop Summer Camp,
Dalegarth Hall, Boot, CUMBRIA. 7/97 - Amikaro, 162nd Blackford Edinburgh Troop Summer Camp,
Warwickshire's International Scout Camp,
Newbold Comyn, Leamington, WARWICKSHIRE. 8/97 
- Gilwell Reunion
Gilwell Park, ESSEX. 9/97 
- 52nd Blackford Edinburgh Scout Winter Camp
Bonaly Scout Campsite, Edinburgh, SCOTLAND. 11/97 - ScoutBase UK editorial meeting,
The Lord Amory, Dockland Scout Project, Docklands, LONDON. 4/98 - 162nd Blackford Edinburgh, 15th Durham (Elvet) and 11th Durham (Newton Hall) Cub Scout Pack Camp,
Hawkhirst, NORTHUMBERLAND. 5/98 - 52nd Blackford Edinburgh Cub Scout Pack Camp,
Fordell Firs, Fife, SCOTLAND. 6/98 - 162nd Blackford Edinburgh Cub Scout Pack Camp,
Fordell Firs, Fife, SCOTLAND. 6/98 - Durham City and District Cub Camp
Windlestone Hall, DURHAM. 7/98 - 1st Framwellgate Moor/1st Durham (St Oswald's) and 1st Shincliffe (St Mary's)/2nd Ashbourne Summer Camp,
Peter Watson Centre, Gradbach, STAFFORDHIRE. 7/98 - Sherwood '98 (with 1st Farnsfield)
Nottinghamshire's International Scout and Guide Camp,
Walesby Forest Campsite, NORTHAMPTONSHIRE. 8/98 - 28th Blackford Edinburgh Pack Holiday,
Fordell Firs, Fife, SCOTLAND. 9/98 - 162nd/52nd Blackford Edinburgh Cub Scout Pack Camp,
Edinburgh Area Campsite, Bonaly, EDINBURGH. 10/98 - 162nd/52nd Blackford Edinburgh Cub Scout Pack Camp,
Fordell Firs, Fife, SCOTLAND. 6/99 - County Durham Cuboree,
Moor House, DURHAM. 6/99 - Gilwell Reunion
Gilwell Park, ESSEX. 9/99 
- Granta District Cub Camp,
Abington Campsite, CAMBRIDGESHIRE. 9/99
2000's
- Gilwell Park Winter Camp,
Gilwell Park, ESSEX. 1/00 - Hub-bub, Granta District Pack Holiday,
Abington Campsite, CAMBRIDGESHIRE. 3/00 - ScoutBase Editorial Meeting,
??, BIRMINGHAM. 4/00 - Shelfords and Stapleford Group Camp,
Trumpington, CAMBRIDGESHIRE. 4/00 - Granta District Millennium Camp,
Great Barton, BEDFORDSHIRE. 5/00 - Shelfords and Stapleford Troop Camp,
Glenbrook, DERBYSHIRE. 7/00 - MACAW, Millennium Cub Activity Weekend
Peterborough Show Ground, DERBYSHIRE. 9/00 - Gilwell Reunion
Gilwell Park, ESSEX. 9/00 - Winter Camp
Fulbourn, CAMBRIDGESHIRE. 2/01 - Water activity Camp
Maxey, CAMBRIDGESHIRE. 5/01 - Troop summer camp
Holly Barn, Herefordshire. 7/01 - Pack Holiday
Scout Park, London. 10/01 - Winter Camp
Gilwell Park, ESSEX. 1/02 - Hub-bub
Abington Campsite, CAMBRIDGESHIRE. 3/02 - County activities competition
Mepal, CAMBRIDGESHIRE. 5/02 - CamJam
Peterborough Show Ground, CAMBRIDGESHIRE. 7/02 - Lightweight walking weekend
Gradbach, STAFFORDSHIRE. 9/02 - Pack holiday
Abington Campsite, CAMBRIDGESHIRE. 11/02 - Hub-bub
Abington Campsite, CAMBRIDGESHIRE. 3/03 - Walking weekend,
Glenbrook, DERBYSHIRE. 6/03 - Pack Camp,
Tolmers, HERTFORSHIRE. 7/03 - Troop Summer Camp
Sconce, YORKSHIRE. 7/02 - Winter Camp
Gilwell Park, ESSEX. 1/04 - Pack Holiday
Scout Park, London. 3/04 - Granta District Scout Camp
Great Barton, BEDFORDSHIRE. 5/04 - County activities competition
Mepal, CAMBRIDGESHIRE. 5/04 - Troop Summer Camp
Barnswood, STAFFORDSHIRE. 7/04 - Pack Camp,
Gilwell Park, ESSEX. 7/04 - Pack Holiday
Scout Park, London. 2/05 - District Scout Camp
Gilwell Park, ESSEX. 5/05 - County activities competition
Mepal, CAMBRIDGESHIRE. 5/05 - District cub camp
Gilwell Park, ESSEX. 7/05 - Troop Camp
Tolmers, HERTFORSHIRE. 9/05 - Pack Holiday
Scout Park, London. 2/06 - Troop summer camp
Holly Barn, Herefordshire. 7/06 - Pack Holiday
Scout Park, London. 2/07 - Centenary Camp
Cherry Hinton Hall, CAMBRIDGESHIRE. 5/07