Ideas from afar

Another warm day here.

An interesting picture that does go some way to answering what a modern day Scouts uniform could be had the changes of 1966/7 not gone ahead.

We have the traditional heavy double breast pocket with a to the elbow sleeve which has some space for badges coupled with just above the knee length green shorts not so far removed to that soldiers in warmer climates do wear.

The socks seem to be a cream white with traditional garters but red topped off by white trainers which I know will have the purists fuming but at least they are suitable for most outdoor activities.

It looks smart and distinctive which a uniform I feel needs to be  - it should turn heads - and practical

Looking smart

Taking one's salute suitably dressed, this boy looks really smart in a summer short sleeved dress shirt that can be badged as he earns them and with good pockets which I'd have to say are really most useful.

The neckerchief plays a important part in the dress of anyone in scouting and having been folded and fastened around (either under the collar or over) needs the tails securing and this is done with a "Woggle" that they are inserted and fastened into.

These come in different designs according to country, unit (cub, scout, rover etc) and role such as leader, Sixer etc.

Above is a Wolf Cub woggle.

Scouting discourse

Uniform Research

There are those not least on the Tumblr version of this blog who have commented on the last few posts about the uniforms of cubs today  to which in the context of Remembrance Sunday and Armistice posts I would not comment upon because that act matters more.

I agree that the older uniform is more smarter but to my eyes most of this really stems from the decision in 1966/7 to break with BP's traditions and reasons for it because in doing so the ship scouting lost a rudder rather than more evolutionary gradual change keeping the core things such as the unit names, focus and uniforms the same.

The post 1967 Cub uniform wasn't too far removed from the previous Wolf Cub version but where things really went awry was in the Scouts with a extensive redesign that eliminated shorts which still can be seen in many troops even now where more boys are starting wear shorts again in that 10 through 14 age group for school.

As for girls and scouting, that one is wrapped in contemporary gender politics which views not allowing girls to join as being sex discrimination while at the same time allowing girls to have their own unit which to me is illogical but not untypical of where we are in wider society.

Personally I feel boys are on the whole different with different needs connected to their gender which are best met within a structure just for boys but there is no reason some activities and exercises cannot be shared with Girl Guiding which can provide opportunities for co-operation and treating each other with respect.

Righting wrongs

We're working toward getting a uniform together as I'm  progressing personally which will be a work in progress because there are a number of items required and normally there's a period through induction before you get to wear it and get your first badge.

Having got plenty of traditional grey ribbed socks, grey shorts obviously and  green garters a actual XL cap was good start point and while at some point a actual green bottle green woollen jersey will come in, for the moment I have a bootle green plain jersey that will suffice.