This year saw the 44th chalk up its 18th birthday - how time flies by!
In an extract from his Annual Report, here is what our founding and consistent VSL Frank has to say on our 'coming of age' ....
I am amazed, and perhaps a little horrified to think that the Unit has now come of age and is eighteen years old. Amazed because it has survived so many crises, and horrified because it means that I, as it's first and only VSL, must be 'getting on' a bit now ...
Looking backwards is easy and can be gratifying as the memory is highly selective. There were the 'good old days' when Venture Scouts were giants, performing many great feats of daring and superhuman endurance, when all became Queen's Scouts as a matter of routine, when galas and marathons and trophies were won, when mountains were conquered, rapids shot, and gardens dug ...
Looking forward is less easy when dark clouds loom on the horizon; new rules and regulations, new forms to fill in; Scout huts falling down; reorganisation of the education system. All of these factors may perhaps bo seen as exciting challenges to a younger leader, but I am sorry to say that I do not see them as such, and seek now the ingredients of a survival kit.
What are these ingredients, then, that are necessary for survival? Some are achievable, though at least one - a new hut - is impossible! However, of those that can be included I would say the essential ones are as follows:
An effective and enthusiastic executive which can plan and put into practice a worthwhile programme;
A membership which will readily give things a try, and make positive progress in the Scout Training scheme;
Support from parents in fund-raising and other activities - room for much development here.
If these three can be guaranteed, we should weather any storms ahead ...
On 15th October 1985 the unit received some very sad news - the sudden death of recent Unit Chairman Rob Halford. Frank's obituary in edition 56 pays tribute to one of the unit's stalwarts and most respected of members and Chairmen. You will be much missed in the world, Rob. Rest in Peace.
Venture 44 Edition 57 (published April 1986, Editors: Steve Clutterbuck & James Foster) - Editor's Notes (Steve Clutterbuck), Time for Bed said Zebedee (James Foster), The Venture 44 Survey Results, Windsurfing (Joe Clyde), National Cross Country Championship (Adam Foster), A Cautionary Tale (Mike Barton)
Venture 44 Edition 56 (published November 1985, Editors: Neil Hawkins & Steve Clutterbuck) - Rob Halford - RIP (FH), Editorial (Neil Hawkins), The Raft Race (Lee Rounce & James Foster), Culture Corners (Rich Booth & Steve Clutterbuck), From All Points