Eighteen months has elapsed since Frank Henderson’s untimely death and there are many many people who still miss his being around, his support and his friendship. Yet his enthusiasm and commitment is still clearly reflected in and by the unit members themselves whose high achievements and loyalty ensure that Frank’s spirit remains as constant an influence as ever in the daily life of the 44th VSU.
It is as much a tribute to Frank’s guidance as it is to their own achievements that five members of the unit were presented with their Queen’s Scout Award - the highest honour Scouting affords - at a ceremony in Gloucester Council Chamber at Shire Hall this Easter. Special congratulations to Tim Andrews, Jody Ballard, Andy Clifford, Mark Gilmore and Phil Reid.
So what of other things done by 44th members during the last 12 months? Dan Wright, a contemporary of the above, has spent 9 months in Nepal, living with a Nepalese family, teaching in their local school and (inevitably!) setting out on mountainous adventures into the Himalayas. (Be sure to order your next issue of Venture 44 for Dan’s own story!!)
An "old face" (‘86 vintage) has returned - viz one Jason Stone - to train some of the younger members on the finer points of compass work and help develop their map reading and navigation skills. He and Lee Rounce (another 44th "old-timer") led them onto the wilds of Dartmoor and Bodmin Moor this February, braving some of the worst winter weather for ages (for those of you who recall, temperatures were up in the 70’s and the sun blazed down from an azure sky - shorts were de rigour and several members were seen swimming in the sea and playing beach footie in between the hiking trips!!)
Last summer’s expedition was a memorable visit to the Beara peninsula in south west Eire where several of the party completed their Duke of Edinburgh expedition sections. Fishing and the local seafood specialities were of the highest standard and the spartan camping facilities at Allihies were more than compensated by its beautiful setting as well as the friendliness of the local population.
Another high point was staging the lecture given by survival expert Ray Mears who held his audience spell bound and intrigued as he recounted his experiences while living with peoples whose daily battles with nature have changed little for generations. Special thanks go to Mr Steve Wright of Radio Gloucester’s "Country Matters" for initiating the project and to Field and Trek for their sponsorship of the evening.
Climbing skills continue to be honed at regular sessions down the Warehouse and successes were claimed in the River Wye Raft Race (2nd & 3rd) as well as the annual Cotswold Marathon (winners and runners-up trophies).
This year we have completed the canoe shelter - now all we need to do is repair the canoes themselves!! The hut still continues to absorb funds for minor repairs.
With new members getting involved all the time the unit continues as a vital and integral part of Sir Thomas Rich’s School.
Phil Brown - VSL