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Chapter 10
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"I dropped!"

Introduction page 2

remember for sure! But as my cub competence grew, Merit badges, sewn on by proud Mum much more neatly than even my own Friar Gate skills could accomplish, filled my green jumper sleeve. In due course I was awarded the single yellow ribbon armband of Seconder – aspiring to a second band of Sixer in due course.

The highlight of our year was Annual Week’s Camp, when we Cubs were inflicted upon the Scouts. My first Camp at Drum Hill was the best – historic as the first time I’d been away from home for longer than a day without Mum and Dad, and consequently borne with stiff upper lip and great bravery... by us all! 
I’ll never forget that first morning, when inadvisably trustful of our respected elders, after a brisk early morning run, we were encouraged by the Scouts to refresh ourselves by plunging into the nearby tributary of the Derwent. From previous experience, knowing just how cold it would be, all except Scout Brian, who’d obviously drawn the ‘short straw’, remaining sensibly on the bank,. All I remember was, irretrievably off balance, the sudden cold shock that literally took my breath away as I plunged in. Floundering, I went under and thought I’d drown! In fairness the situation was well under control, and gave Fifth- Former Brian a quadruple reward. Barely knee deep, he could rescue me with minimal discomfort and comparative ease; he also knew he wouldn’t have to do it again during that Camp; he’d earned another merit badge for his highly populated sleeve, but of greatest value to him, it ensured he retained my eternal gratitude. Without question, and unwittingly doing the ‘lion’s share’, I was pleased to ‘help’ him with his chores for the rest of the Camp! It probably happens still!

Though the days were full of action and interest, new Cubs could look forward eagerly to extended evenings un-allowed at home! This first Camp was in August in the Summer holidays. Twilight came by eight o’clock, and endowed us with an unforgettable reward for a day spent in strenuous activity. The Campfire! It became the focal point in the dusk to illuminate our Camp, and keep us warm as we gathered around it. Increasing darkness overhead, replenishment of logs pitched into the embers by responsible senior Scouts generated myriads of exciting sparks leaping into the night sky, and ensured the essential fire would last out our night.

I was initiated into the camaraderie of the Scout Movement. Tremendous companionship to be experienced, traditional strange songs to be learnt to allow me to join in the exciting entertainment in the firelight of the unforgettable darkening night. Bottles of Pop, biscuits, and buns materialised from nowhere, (bless our experienced Scouts!) as large potatoes were thrust into the base of the fire, to emerge later as blackened feasts for us all – warned beforehand to beware the risk of burnt fingers. Little wonder that when eventually it was considered time for the Cubs to retire to their beds, (long past my normal bedtime!) we hardly heard the continuing festivities before we were in our restorative Land of Nod. It would happen each night! What a week to remember.

After a week of constant practice reinforcing what we’d learnt in weekly meetings it was time to demonstrate our burgeoning talents to a necessarily-captive audience. Individual events were

arranged separately for Cubs and Scouts. Un-protesting parents were coerced to present themselves at our ‘Activity Jamboree’ on the final Sunday afternoon. They were obliged to be enthralled by exciting competitive events like tying complicated, essential-to-very-survival knots in the fastest time, climbing up ropes suspended from elaborately constructed pole tripods safely secured with correct Scout knots! Putting a tent up, and reciting Scout Laws, as well as running fifty yards at breakneck speed, and athletically jumping prodigious heights and distances. Without question, thrill a minute stuff! Really?

Perhaps from relief, they loudly applauded as we struck Camp – watching us take down our tents, fold them ..... and everything else that would fold. Then, like good Scouts, tidy up the Camp site so no one would know we’d ever been there. I’m sure they were relieved it was over, but where would you be without Mums and Dads? – for one thing, lacking applause!

The next two years, our own haven of two classrooms – one for each Preparatory ‘Year’ – and a small playground at the West end of the Main School protected us from the risks of any potential ‘Big’ School bullies looking for ‘easy meat’. I was happy to extend my knowledge in preparation for the Minor Scholarship Entrance exam. Success would guarantee entrance to the sought-after goal of the Main school.

Formality suited me. I felt safe. Rules let you know what was expected..... and most seemed very reasonable – just like home! With ‘Miss’ dominating our lives, only in P.T. (not P.E. in those days!) when allowed to venture into the Main School during the day did we have contact with ‘Masters’. The massive Gym gave us opportunity to develop our physical abilities. Al Brown (in ‘civilian’ life, also Dad’s golf partner!) introduced us to wall-bars. Surely designed by a sadist! To protective mats on which forward and backward rolls could be performed without lasting personal damage! To the Vaulting box and the Horse, over which the more adventurous could bring gasps of awe from the less able. Phil Starkey was prime amongst them! Sadly to die in a road accident on Uttoxeter Road when he was only about 23.

Not all life was rosy! In recognition of our juvenile status, physical retribution was considered inappropriate! The alternative for misdemeanours was ‘lines’... “50 times please.. ‘I must not kick the ball at the windows’ and on my desk please by tomorrow morning” were never well received, but had to be produced. Few escaped, and soon the accepted ‘easiest’ way to produce them was gladly shared! Try it yourself! Don’t write each separate line! Write each separate word down a fifty line column... then the second word, and so on! If for no other reason than to convince yourself you have ‘avoided’ the lesson that ‘Authority’ intended, the chore seemed reduced!

Almost before we were ready, despite the weekly tests to develop our confidence, which gained ‘stars’ for good performance, the two years had flown by and the most important day of my life so far had arrived. The County Minor Scholarship Examination. Fortunately, once again I passed with flying colours............
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