A marker in the sand

Putting a marker in the sand both literally as these boys are doing so they know where to return to after activities and metaphorically where although I have had challenges of late regarding this blogs viability with various persons losing their (Tumblr) accounts and fun and games of one member at that site, I am showing I'm still making a great scouting themed blog with variety and insight.

The Summit

UK Baden-Powell Scout Association sount feeling very much on top of the world for his hike and looking most smart in his uniform

There are around 5,000 members in the UK of this very much traditional scounting movement.

In 2021 Norman Boxall MBE is appointed Chief Commissioner by the National Committee. 

The Gang Show

Today we are looking at  Scouting insitution, The Gang Show, and its history

The dual aims of  the gang show are providing a learning opportunity for young people in the performing arts, as well as contributing to the artistic and cultural growth of their local community with in nearly all instances the youth members providing the on stage performances.

The back stage work such as directing, lighting, costume and set making is done by members of all ages and typically the venue would be a Scout Hall for a smaller production or a local theatre, in our case the local Town Hall was often used.

The gang show takes the format of an revue or variety show typically comprising of  song, dance and short comedy sketches with the  number of items varies between 12 and 25, some stand-alone, others a series of songs to a chosen theme or a running gag.

The format was created by Ralph Reader, who wrote material including the signature tune, "Crest of a Wave". Other standards he wrote include "Strolling", "Great Great Game", "Gee, It's A Wonderful life", "Gee, It's Great To Be Young", "A Touch of Silver", "Three Cheers", "Show Time", "Together", "These are the Times" and "The Scout Hymn".

The conception of the gang show goes back to 1931 when Reader, a Rover Scout trying to make his mark in theatre in the US and London, was asked to write a Scout-based variety show to raise money for a swimming pool at Downe Scout Camp (now a Scout Association National Activity Centre).

At the start of the rehearsals the show did not have a title, but during a rehearsal break, Reader later recalled, he asked a cast member if everyone was ready, to which the response was "Aye, aye Skip, the gang's all here".

From that point on it was know as the Gang Show

The first production, The Gang's All Here, ran between October 30th and November 1st 1932 at the Scala Theatre in central London.

The show was not a sell-out but enough was raised to fund the swimming pool and the show was well received. Baden-Powell, the founder of Scouting, persuaded Reader to produce another show in 1933. This was The Gang Comes Back and ran for a week.

Following the 1934 show it was officially titled The Gang Show and "The Crest of a Wave" which was in subsiquent years the shows anthem was first performed.

Today a gang show season may only run for a single weekend, but performance seasons lasting one or two weeks are common. Tickets to these shows are often available to the public, and can be a useful tool to engage the local community in Scouting apart from fund raising.

A wolf cub camp

Wolf cub scout painting by Otto Lohmueller.

Without doing a lot of research into this painting it is obviously Germanic looking both the background, a castle and the leather lederhosen the wolf cubs are wearing which was not uncommon for a long time in scouting in Germany, Austria and the adjacent part of Switzerland reflection local custom.
They have a kind of stew going on over a fire they've lit and are also keeping themselves warm by it for good measure.

Sea Scouts

Sea Scouts standing to attention in their uniform, interestingly wearing traditional leather t bar sandals while another appears to be working on a raft.

Sea Scouts combine water and nautical based skills and interests with scouting having historic links to the Royal Navy which as an island country, we depend on.

A spot of colour from the garden

As I type this out, it is quite warm with many flowers about but sadly rather wet with heavy showers so I won't be out today.

This doesn't mean that such great specimens cannot be shared  such as this from our front garden with its most vivid stamens.

Although a bit battered by the winds, these add some lovely colour to the scene and help attract visitors such as the fawn with white spotted butterfly I saw on Saturday.

Operating the locks

 Weekend was quite warm and sunny which meant the area was pretty busy while I was out exploring.

Because the different parts of the canal are at different depths, it is necessary to use locks to move the vessles to the right depth of the next step.

This is one of several traditional, manually operated operated ones that require the gates swinging to allow the narrow boat to enter and the lock having taken in the water, the next pair of gates to swung open to allow access to the remaining part of canal.

That is the action captured here.

Taking a rest

 After wednesday rather damp squid of a day things picked up.

While out exploring around the canal I came by the moored narrow boat  with fairly restained decoration as most tend to have more flowery designs with a rather appealing background that added a sense of scale.

From small beginnings...

 

Take a boyhood dream

Add a few pints of inspiration as you grow along the path from people who knew where it could really take you.

Soon enough you will begin to expore the amazing adventures on offer in the great outdoors

Spotting things near and far, you come on like a Star!

The value of Scouting

 I wasn't too good this Friday so I'm playing catch up here.

There are those who like to think of Scouting, whatever branch of the Movement you may be in as somehow being a thing of the past, liked perhaps but not really for today.

I disagree because the aims and the program is not limited to any one time but are based upon basic skills and needs that have benefited people for all time, being universal.

Scouts is helping during the current war in Ukraine by both helping children and young people cope with turmoil emotional impact of the conflict here and many are helping with refugees coming to the UK.

It has a value to refugee children and young people in learning to process and move on from the trauma of war which should not be under estimated, to make new friends, have fun and learn to be a part of British Society.

The photograph is of a  group of Ukrainian Scouts.

A few days ago it was announced that over 420,000 young people are taking part in Scouts across the UK and British Scouting overseas which is the biggest youth membership growth in Scouts for 80 years. 

For all the money, time and effort people including me put in to helping Scouts recovering from the impact of the Pandemic not just on our children and young people but the real risk of losing much needed units, that would of of happened if it wasn't for the fact it was they who decided to join our Scout Family which made it possible.

If you can help in any way, please do as I'm sure those children and young people will truly appreciate it.

Walking the birdie

One thing you can do while at camp is try new things out and here this scout is trying Falconry where I suspect the man on the far right is this birds keeper, keeping an eye on how he's doing.

I'm not steady on my feet and presently have major problems with my hands so something like that would be out of the question, I do love birds and have visited many bird centres in the UK. 

Owls hold a fascination for some and Hedwig plays a role in the Harry Potter novel and film franchise too part from some being used to deal with pests in certain areas by falconers.

Cooking a meal

I always loved the outdoors especially a camp with friends around who all muck to make things happen.

Having got our fire lit, we are entrusted to keep it going while we are cooking our meal which I suspect will be a stew of some kind or other in the pot.

Fires bring out primeval elements  and teaching a boy how to prepare and light it is a sensible  move in teaching him independence and maturity having to be responsible for something others depend on.

May bank holiday edition

It is a Bank Holiday here so I'll be off and about today.

That is more the spirit some of us move more in so I'll have a few rations with me even if I hope to back for lunch as I prefer to spend my time out, taking it all in apart from a bit of "play" rather than permanently watching the clock.

Beautiful blossoms abound at this time of year invigorating your eyes and sese of smell too with their delicacy.

You have to not just look ahead but also at what's at ground level otherwise you'd miss some of the finest sights and the rich insect life around them.

I have my mobile phone with me should I need it but it is switched off normally once I have set of so I can concentrate on the trip, taking it all in.