Well another year has sped through its seasons at what seems to be an obscene rate of knots. In some ways the year’s end represents the end of an era. Long standing members of the unit have completed their "A" level examinations, made plans for their immediate futures, handed over the running of the unit to their successors and moved onto pastures new. One hopes that they carry with them memories of good times spent as members of the 44th Gloucester (STRS) Venture Scout Unit and that they also still feel very much a part of the unit albeit more so in spirit than physical involvement in its daily life.
It is indeed an exceptional bunch of lads who are ‘leaving’ when one considers firstly their academic successes but more importantly the high esteem in which they have been held at the school by staff and students alike - when in the past can the unit have boasted a school captain and three observators from its ranks?
And what of their future plans? Several are to foreign shores bound as they opt for the enriching experiences of a gap year. Time not just spent selfishly having fun while travelling but time given to others by joining charitable ventures helping those in vulnerable and disadvantaged situations. Will Godwin, Dave Clifford and Andrew Norman are off to South America while Chris Smith and Nick Wright are staying at northern latitudes as they visit Canada. We look forward to hearing their tales when they return!
We welcomed this year Pete Lloyd as Assistant Leader and his help has already proved invaluable in the short time he has been involved with the unit. New and prospective members from years 10 & 11 are beginning to make their presence felt, collectively and individually. The cycle of membership seems to follow a two year pattern and one always approaches the hand-over to new blood with a certain amount of trepidation - I feel sure though that those who took up their official duties on the Executive committee in February will prove capable and add their own character and personalities as the 44th evolves towards another chapter in its life.
During the year we have worked hard at improving "living conditions" in the hut in spite of the unwanted attentions of local kids. Having seemingly at last cured the major problems of damp ingress, the new Exec plans new carpeting in September. A complete review of equipment has been initiated - something that new Execs always begin but somehow never quite get finished!! Maybe this time ........??
Looking back to the 1999 summer expedition to Norway one wondered whether the subsequent year’s activities might not pale in comparison. Not so! Regular events on the calendar were approached with even more gusto and verve - 3 rafts entered the water at Ross-on-Wye for the annual Raft Race in September (only 2 and a half left it though!), we contributed half of the District Dragon Boat team which secured second place at South Cerney in October, new members were introduced to the climbing walls at The Warehouse and later tried some outdoor faces, February’s wilderness trip to Dartmoor proved a popular and rewarding experience for younger members of the unit particularly, while everyone came together during January and February to successfully complete a St John’s Ambulance Life Saver Plus training course. Phil Reid finally got to St James Palace to receive his Gold Duke of Edinburgh Award and Will Godwin and Rachael Brown earned their Silver Awards. Somewhat belatedly Matt Ward and Owen Morley received their Venture Awards.
The year’s activities ended with the summer expedition to the Southern Uplands and Scottish Borders. Initially we set out to walk several sections of the Southern Upland Way from West to East but a broken ankle, a case of homesickness and twisted knee ligaments (not to mention the demise of Mrs McDooley’s wee doogie) limited our horizons somewhat and restricted our activities to Dumfries and Galloway. Nevertheless we managed to complete a Bronze D of E expedition as well as get in a Silver practice hike.
The unit’s magazine "Venture44" continues to improve under the editorship of Rachael Brown (with some help from Dad!!) and we still distribute to over 80 past unit members, several of who regularly keep in touch.
The only disappointing thing about the year I feel was that so many of the older members did not complete their Silver D of E when most were poised to do so, nor in several cases go on to finish the Queen’s Scout Award by not being able to arrange the official expedition section. The fact that they all were totally capable of doing so and individually had undertaken more demanding treks and activities points perhaps to a certain inflexibility in the above mentioned awards and certainly indicates that the demands made on young people’s time these days are getting far too much.
To end this annual report it would be remiss of me not to recognise the support and help that the school gives us, especially the Headmaster Mr Ian Kellie, the Bursar Mr Bob Burns and particularly our special friend Jock the caretaker.
Phil Brown
VSL