A History of Romford Scouting
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A HISTORY OF ROMFORD SCOUTING 19O8-1997 . (Part 3 1980 - 1997 and Beyond) Originally Compiled by John “Bunny” Warren, District Archivist. 1 Part 3 Part 3 - Contents 8 - THE NINETEEN-EIGHTIES ..................................................................................................................... 3 9 - THE NINETEEN-NINETIES ..................................................................................................................... 9 THE NEW MILLENNIUM ............................................................................................................................. 14 APPENDIX 1 - AROUND THE GROUPS .................................................................................................... 17 APPENDIX 2 - DISTRICT OFFICIALS ........................................................................................................ 24 APPENDIX 3 - THE STORY OF CROW CAMP .......................................................................................... 26 APPENDIX 3 - DISTRICT COMPETITIONS AND TROPHIES ................................................................... 28 UPDATES & CORRECTIONS ..................................................................................................................... 39 2 Part 3 8 - THE NINETEEN-EIGHTIES “SLEEP-A-NIGHT CHALLENGE” had been laid where we all sat round with the managers and reporters from the press, “How much are those boy cubs in the window” ready to take down the boys’ impressions of asked a local paper in September 1981 when Nigel the night. Orders were taken for their Wright, Nigel Hayes, Keith Pitcher and Darren breakfasts and I was amazed what boys of Clarke, all of the 8th Romford Pack slept for a night that age can get through. Everyone was in Debenharn’s shop window in order to win a extremely helpful and kind to us and Mr. certificate in the Scouting Magazine Sleep—a- Coyle followed it up by spending a Pack Night Challenge. Mavis Edwards, Cub Scout Night with us and presenting the boys with Leader, recalls: vouchers to spend. it was great!. Lin Moore (Bagheera) and 1 had a meeting For an earlier challenge the Pack had eaten a meal with Mr. Coyle, the floor manager I believe, on the stage of the Queen’s Theatre, and during who suggested a date during term time, “Tea-making Fortnight’ were photographed - being the night before their summer sale nineteen of them - serving tea to a driver at North started. They wanted as much mileage out Street ‘bus garage. of it as the Scouts. Although we envisaged a royal-looking four-poster, we were offered In 1982, Peter Hurren, a Cub and Scout in the 4th four divan beds which were in the sale and Gidea Park and a sufferer from Spina Bifida was their main window. presented with the Cornwell Badge for courage by Jim Green, Assistant County Commissioner for It was easier to choose four boys from the Extension Scouts, in the presence of a large same school to ask for special permission gathering of members of his Group, Church, to arrive late at school the next day, and we School and others. Stan Lucas, Group Scout chose four boys from Mawney School. Leader at the time says that when the Lions Club Together with Lin and our Pack flag we had bought him a motorised wheelchair to replace his to arrive about 9p.m., after the shop had ancient push-type chair, he sent it back to be given closed for the night, and were met by the to a really handicapped boy, despite the fact that two security staff who took us to the rest he was severely disadvantaged himself. Clearly a room where we were left to enjoy a great boy that the 4th Gidea Park can always be very supper of meats and salads left for us in the proud to have had as a member. fudge. ft was a very hot night and the drinks dispenser was left at our disposal during Bill Adams retired as District Commissioner in our stay 1982, and was replaced by Roy Walker. Roy started his Scouting as a Wolf Cub in the 13th The boys were shown their beds and we Romford in 1935, eventually becoming Group were greeted by friends, relations and the Scout Leader in the same Group. He was District District team, who had just left a meeting, Scoutmaster from 1963 to 1966 and A.D.C. peering at us through the window and (Scouts)from 1966 until his appointment as D.C. taking photos. Lin and I were offered beds Roy’s position as A.D.C. (Scouts) was filled by Ted in the ladies’ rest room. A phone was put at Webster, who is referred to again in the next the boys’ disposal to be used during the chapter. night to call the security men as the whole sales floor was fitted with laser beams 1982 “THE YEAR OF THE SCOUT” which would be set off by any movement. I 1982 was the 75th Anniversary of Scouting (dating bad previously contacted Main Road Police its inception from the Brownsea Island camp) and as after we had begun to think the project the 125th Anniversary of B.-Ps. birth, and was through we bad become a bit concerned designated “The Year of the Scout”. about the reaction of passers-by late at night, and apparently they (the police) patrolled the Market Place quite frequently and the boys stood to attention and saluted each time they passed. There was not a lot of sleeping done. In the morning a queue had formed for the beginning of the sale and we had to be up and away before opening time. A long table 3 Part 3 Romford celebrated this event in a number of ways: Publication of Scouting in Romford 1982 by Joan Walker. During November, after two-and-a-half hectic The District Scout Shop produced special T-Shirts months of rehearsal and a great deal more of with an appropriate anniversary design. The design preparation, 162 members of Romford District was by Mr. Howard Newman, 4th Collier Row staged a Gang Show, produced by Roy Walker, Parents Committee. District Commissioner, at the Queen’s Theatre, The Association presented the Council with a seat Hornchurch. The theatre was filled on all four which was, until recently, located outside the nights of the production, and both audio- and Dolphin Leisure Centre. Cub Scout James Graham video-tapes were made of the show. The back- and Scout Ian Moody, both of the 1st Romford, scenes for the set pieces were designed by Mr. Les planted an oak tree and an ash tree in Raphael Dando, President of the Romford and Hornchurch Park. Art Society, who donated the original artwork to be raffled at each of the performances. Bill Adams, Ten floats were entered by the District and various former D.C. and Scout Shop manager was Stage Groups in Romford Carnival. Manager, his wife Connie wardrobe mistress, and In July. County celebrated the Anniversary by Doug Shrimpton was the pianist. holding an International camp at the Guide Camp The Romford Recorder reported: Site at Chigwell Row. Members of the 8th, 10th, 11th and 13th Romford and 4th Gidea Park ‘The 180 people involved were all, in the attended under the leadership of Graham Don, words of one of their songs, keen, keen, District Cub Scout Leader, and Clare Walker and keen.” “The packed audience were Gary Cummins (3rd Havening) were members of transported from colourful south seas islands the Service Team. Scouts from the United States, to the North Pole and back to the Angel, Sweden, Netherlands, Germany and Ireland also Islington - via some singable songs and attended and after the camp, 2 leaders and 8 laughs along the way, and that was just the Scouts from Pennsylvania and Maryland, U.S.A., first half” were accommodated in the homes of Romford It was generally agreed that this show generated a leaders and presented the District with flags of the great spirit in the District but a proposal to follow it U.S.A. (which had flown over the Capitol and has with a further show in 1984 met with no response an authenticating certificate) and their States. Visits from the Queen’s Theatre. were available to a handicapped Scouts camp at Gilwell, Romford Police Station and Magistrates Cub Scouts from Romford attended the Cub Scout Court, and the House of Commons and Greenwich, Spectacular in the Royal Albert Hall in December. the latter visits being arranged by Dave Marfell., In 1983, the District was awarded a certificate Scout Leader 1st Romford. The 6th Romford under the Havering Environmental Awards Scheme hosted two Patrols of German Scouts. A camp for tree planting in Mawneys Park, Rise Park and brochure and copies of the camp newspaper are in Raphael Park. Andrew Kinsey (2nd Romford and the District archives. District Venture Unit) went to United States as a A display on Romford Scouting at the Central Camp Counsellor during the summer. A Romford Library included a “push-button” map showing the team won the Innsman Trophy in the 4-Inns Walk location of each Group in the District in Derbyshire. Scouts from the 8th Romford and 3rd Collier Row were 2nd and 3rd in the County Aero competition for the John Corde’s Trophy, the competition including making model aircraft, both 4 Part 3 static and flying, aircraft recognition and making a this was, at first, an informal arrangement, the boys flight diorama. not being members of the Scout Association, although the leaders were warranted. All Beaver Also in 1983 the 15th World Scout Jamboree was Scouts wore a turquoise scarf rather than their held at Alberta, Canada. Andrew Jones and Group colours, in 1986, following pressure from the Michael Tong, 3rd Gidea Park, represented ‘grass roots” this was changed and Beavers Romford. became full members of the Association and of GOOD TURNS their respective Groups. The scheme was received with some caution in Romford, but by 1995 all In 1981 District Venture Scouts sold programmes except three Groups had established Beaver on the route of Prince Charle’s and Lady Diana’s Colonies. The 6th Romford were the first Group in wedding and in 1983 they raised funds for the Sri the district to establish a colony.