LOOKING BACK

Dear Martin,

You have asked me on a number of occasions to give you a resume' of my memories of Scouting in West. Somerset over the years. I've been putting this off for ages but the sudden deaths of two close friends that occurred a few months ago has made me feel I that although I hope to live to be over 90, one never knows so I had better make a start.

It's difficult to know where to begin. For the present I think I'll start in I943 when John Moorman and myself ran our first Troop Camp at Exford. John was I6 and I was I7. John had been in the Troop longer than me as I didn't start Scouting until I94I having been in the School Air Defence Cadet Corp, which was later to become  the Air Training Corp, up to that time. In I943, all the Leaders were in the Services so we had to carry on the best we could. Incidentally, The Troop was the Ist Minehead St. Michaels, and the colour of our scarves was pale yellow. Although our camp wasn't a very large one we were quite proud of our achievement. In January, I944, I was given a book, "The Scout Masters First Year" as a prize for attendance at the St. Michaels, Minehead Church Catechism. Unfortunately, in April I944, at  the tender age of I8 years and 2 months, I was called up into the Army so apart from being kept in touch with the Troop by letter writing I was out of action for the next 3.5 years.

I will not dwell on my Army Service except to say that after 6 weeks Infantry training I was posted to Catterick to be trained as a Wireless operator. I soon found that my Scouting training held me in good stead. It was obvious, when going out on schemes which members of your group had been in Scouting. Those that hadn't didn't have a clue on cooking or how to make a bivouac or such like. After I8 months in England I spent a year in Egypt and a year as a member of (lie Occupation Forces in Japan. I had saved all my khaki drill that would have been excellent as Scouters Uniform when I got back  and was bitterly disappointed when our billets were burnt down in Japan and we were left with nothing.

 In October, I947, I returned to England and was demobbed. Almost immediately one got back into the throw of things, Scouting being my first priority. The Post Office owed me a job so I was O.K. on that score. For the next three years I worked in the Telephone Exchange as a Night telephonist. There were about I8 male Night telephonists in Minehead at that time and I became very skillful at changing duties so that I could always be available for Troop night. At times one changed with one of the girls on day shift. The Ist Minehead St. Michaels were a closed Group and the Church were the sponsoring authority. Early in I948 the new vicar decided that only Church of England boys would be allowed as members. We had always allowed any denomination into the Troop, Methodist, Congregational, Baptist, etc., providing that they were prepared to attend the monthly Church parade at St. Michael's Church. Despite the fact that we were the only Troop in Minehead, the vicar was adamant. He also felt that we should be earning money for Church funds. It was difficult enough for us to make our own ends meet as there was no money coming to us apart from what we earned. In the Spring of I948, the Leaders got together with our G.S.M., Bert Slocombe. Bert was a telephone engineer, a real gentleman, probably in his mid fifties. The rest of us were all young A.S.M's. There were about six of us at the meeting held in the garden of Bert’s home which is now known as Exmoor House, in the Avenue. With regret we decided that the only thing we could do was to become an Open Group. The decision was made and the Vicar informed. He wasn't at all happy and decided that as Sponsoring authority he would make sure that we could not become a recognised Troop for the specified period. It was either three or six months. This meant of course that we were not allowed to wear uniform for that period. I'm not certain that he had chosen the correct vocation? In no way were we going to cancel the Troop camp, which had been arranged at Cullompton for the summer of I948 but we

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couldn't wear uniform, I was assisted in running the camp by an eighteen year old. It was reasonably small, 3 Patrols. I am proud to say that three of the boys who attended that camp came to the Memorial Service held at Bicknoller curlier this year after John Moormans death. All three had gained the Queens Scouts award. One had flown from Switzerland with his wife and driven down from London. Another had driven from Southampton with his wife. In their younger days one had held a Scouters warrant in Africa and the other and his wife had held warrants in the 3rd Minehead, which incidentally is the Troop we became when becoming an Open Group. The other who came up from Exeter had been on Group Committees after leaving the District. We were able to share a chat over a meal that we had arranged at the Bicknoller Inn previous to the Service.

I forgot to say that as a new Troop, we built a Scout Hut, purchasing an American type Nissan hut, 48' by 20'. It stood on steel girders which were erected onto concrete blocks. The floor was wooden, probably nine ply and there were end and side windows. We had no skilled help in erecting it but the Group Chairman was a very capable man and oversaw all of the Scouts in it's construction. The site was in North Road near the St. John's Ambulance Headquarters;

It was I949, and we had to look for a Campsite for Summer camp. Cornwall had been suggested. John owned an Austin Ruby saloon and early one Saturday morning off we went, destination Looe, for the week-end, It was to become quite an exciting journey. After only 9 miles we had stopped three limes on Cuttcombe Hill to let it cool down. Finally we got to Looe and located the District Commissioner, a Mr. Daniels. The Austin needed attention and we found a garage who would be prepared to work on it over the week-end. (How many would do that now?) Mr. Daniels was very friendly and must. have liked the look of us in our relatively smart uniforms. Don’t worry he said,

you can borrow my Rover for the week-end providing you've got petrol coupons. Fortunately, John, having a small-holding had plenty of this rare commodity. Off we went in the D.C.'s car and found a very good camp site at Hessenford where Troop camp was held later in the year.

Apart from Troop camp, in I948 and .I949 we had been working on our Wood Badges which culminated in a weeks camp at Exford, We were both awarded the Wood Badge in the autumn of I949. One more bridge had been taken. I should add that during these early years week-end camps were held at Zeals Farm, Selworthy, which is situated above the Church. Transport of kit was very difficult in those days so we would load the trek cart and physically pull it over North Hill and across the

top down into Selworthy. Everyone hauled on ropes up over 800 feet and used the ropes as brakes when descending the valley on the other side, I think it was I954 that West Somerset ran the County Jamboree at Torweston Farm, Williton. I remember that my responsibilities were to order food for the providore. This Jamboree was an insight into what was to happen in my later Scouting career when Jamborees became my life.

In I950 I changed my warrant to A.S.M.(S) to deal with the I5 to I8 year olds. This was changed to S.M.(S) in I953. The Seniors still attended Troop Camps but spent numerous week-ends on Scouting activities.

It was about this time, certainly in the 50's, that John and I used to help run the Taunton District Competitions (the Gamage and Sidey trophies). We did this with Bob Branton who at that time was with the 25th Taunton and was later to become D.C.C. We also judged a couple of years at the Plymouth District camping competitions, I think it was a few years later that the three of us started the Quantock Follies which were night exercises held annually for Somerset Senior Scouts over the Quantocks, using Crowcombe and Holford Youth Hostels as bases. I will not, in this supposed summary give you details of the Annual Summer Camps held in Dorset, Cornwall and Gloucestershire between I95I and I953 but go on to our first foreign trip.

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Having a superb bunch of Seniors, several holding the Queens Scout award, John and I decided that a trip to Brittany, in I954, was deserved. There were I2 of us in the party. Contact was made with French Scouts and the I5 days camp was arranged. I am almost certain that the cost to each member was £I2. Travelling from Weymouth we crossed by ferry to Jersey where we stopped the night, using the Scout Headquarters, at St. Helier, for sleeping. The following morning we continued to St. Malo and then down to Rennes where we met half a dozen French Seniors who had arranged an overnight campsite for us. We enjoyed a campfire that evening. Our next site was at Auray, on the coast of the Morbihan. Arrangements had been made for us to camp in the grounds of a large house with a couple of rowing boats available. We enjoyed rowing out to a small uninhabited island about a mile away. Much more of Brittany was explored but time does not allow too much detail, The trip itself was a great success

In I955 one of my Seniors, a Queens Scout who had been with us in Brittany was chosen as the P.I.. of the Patrol that represented Somerset at the World Jamboree held in Canada. I think it was later that year that I took a very small party of Seniors, there were only 6 of us, trekking around thee Isle of Wight. At Bournemouth we  were making our way towards Butchers Coppice, the District Camp site, when a Ford Popular pulled up beside us and asked if we wanted a lift. It turned out to be the local D.C. I shall never know how lie carried six of us with rucksacks, plus himself, in that car. He was a Doctor and phoned his surgery from the car to let his Secretary know that we would be late. It must have been one of the very earliest telephones installed in a car and created quite an impression.

In I956, Somerset were asked if they could supply a Leader for a British Contingent to go to a International Jamboree in Denmark. I have a whole file onthe trip but will have to condense it into a couple of paragraphs. The party consisted of only 24 Seniors but it was a difficult task when you consider that there were members

from Scotland, Northumberland, Lancashire, Gloucestershire, Suffolk, Sussex, Kent as well as my own Seniors in the party. A young New Zealand Leader who was living in London assisted me plus an A.S.M. from Plymouth, A great deal of correspondence ensued as to what gear each person should carry, tents, cooking gear, etc.

Eventually we met up at Bounds Green, in London. The journey by train through Germany into Denmark was very tiring. We were met and suitably dispatched for home hospitality before the Jamboree. The Danish people are very friendly and being not long after the war were pro British. The Jamboree was a great success. I

cannot go into details here. We returned over the same route. The ferry across to Dover was packed and it wasn't possible even to check each Scout onto the ferry until we were aboard. We were already underway when it was discovered that the youngest member and probably the biggest was missing. Radio contact was made and it was discovered that lie was aboard the next ferry. The only person to meet us, at Dover, was the father of the missing boy. He was a Police Sergeant in the Kent Constabulary and wasn't at all surprised, knowing his son. Unfortunately it does occasionally happen.

The following year, I957, was the World Jubilee Jamboree at Sutton Coldfield. I was pleased to be selected as a Scouter in one of thee 2 Troops chosen to represent Somerset. John Brown (D.C. Burnham) who had been Camp Chief for years at the Somerset Jamboree was S.M. and John and I were the A.S.M.'s in one of the  Troops. Subsequently Somerset were allocated a third Troop. We camped as a contingent. (I08 of us). The Jamboree has many memories; renewing acquaintanances with Scouts from the Faroe Islands who had attended Denmark, I2 months earlier, etc. but time does

not allow for further details save that of saying that one was worn out at the end of it.

Apart from the annual County Jamboree and Troop Camp, I958 Was the time we were looking for a District Camp Site. We had been looking for years

 to find a site but the National Trust had been a stumbling block. Colonel Reekes was the

agent, and wasn't helpful. Then we had a stroke of luck. Tom Hosegood, a local Solicitor,

who was District Secretary, brought the matter up at a District Executive Meeting.

Fortunately, Sir Harold Scott who had been Chief Commissioner of Police in London was

present. He thought it was a load of nonsense that a site couldn't be found in West

Somerset and would contact a personal friend of his in London, Lord Chorley, who was

President of the National Trust. This resulted in Lord Chorley coming to Minehead and

walking with half a dozen of us around the Tivington countryside. Colonel Reekes couldn't

have been more helpful! and we got our site. It isn't a question of what you know but who

you know! One could spend a couple of pages on the District Camp site at Tivington. The

next I8 months were spent, week-end after week-end working on the site. Together with

half a dozen Senior Scouts and the untiring help of Eric Priscott, who had retired to

Minehead and was later to become my A.D.C., we cleared the area which was completely

overgrown with brambles. There wasn't a piece of level ground large enough to pitch a

hike tent on. We must have dug out many hundreds of tons of earth to level sites.

Finally a Hut was designed by Eric. Reject, coffin boards were used on the walls. The

flooring was tongue and grove and the roof felted. We finally named the hut after Major

Archer (A.C.C.(S.) ) who lived at Timberscombe. The site was finally opened in September

I959 by Canon Swann and Maj. Gen. Slater who was C.C. al the lime and lived at

Crowcombe. West Somerset provided quite a few bodies for County. I think that Tivington

deserves a separate write up if one ever gels the opportunity. I was presented with my

A.D.C. (S.) warrant at the Opening ceremony.

Another landmark in I959 was our second Brittany trip. This time our

numbers increased to twenty, John, myself and eighteen Seniors. Apart from our own

District Seniors, three Queen Scouts from Taunton also joined our Group, Our first camp

site was at Dinan, before going south to the coast of the Morbihan. This was another

excellent fortnight with a grand group of Seniors. Unfortunately John fell ill with bell's

palsy, a paralysis of the facial nerve and in consequence had to attend Doctors Surgery

daily. Ron Blundell, our present Group Scout Leader, was one of our Seniors. At least one

other is a Somerset Leader. Here again another page could be written.

In I960 we camped al Harford Lodge, Ivybridge, on the borders of

Dartmoor, hiking and pillar boxes being our main theme. I96I was another memorable

year because this was the time when Fred Hunt, who at last I had persuaded to take out a

warrant as S.L. of Ist Alcombe came to Troop camp al Princes Hall Farm, Princetown.

A memorable camp with three days of solid rain and wind. Fred was to become 'Skip',

the one and only Skip. He was about five years older than myself.  He soon acquired his

Wood Badge and did stalwart work for the next 25 years. Unfortunately he is no longer

With us.-

It's extremely difficult to write tills straight off without missing out

numerous things. I'll have to try to do a proper report sometime. I962 saw another trip

for the Seniors to Brittany. Once again, very successful with another bunch of Seniors. I

can't remember whether this was our first or second time that we met up with Madame

Messmer at her summer home at St. Gildas de Rhuys on the coast of the Morbihan. Her

husband, at that time was Governor of French possessions in Africa and was later to

become Prime Minister of France. Madame Messmer spoke English fluently having lived in

London during the war. She invited us to an evening party where she provided crepes and

Cider because we were from Somerset. I corresponded on a number of occasions. She

even arranged for a special bus to take us to Vannes to catch the train. I962 was also the

year that I became D.C. as John had been appointed A.C.C. (Scouts).

The next few years were obviously taken up with different duties.

Williton were without a leader for a couple of years so it was necessary for me to run

the troop for that period. Rather difficult being nine miles away.

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                           Having read up to page 4 I have gone ahead of myself as the Williton

problem did not occur until I968 and there is more to report on in the meantime. I

omitted to say that 3rd Minehead had a Queen Seoul representative at the World Seoul

Jamboree held in Bad IschI, Austria in I95I, half a dozen attended the World Jamboree at

Sutton Coldfield in I957; another Senior Scout was the only representative from Somerset

in the Phillippines in I959. 3rd Minehead didn't have a representative at the World

Jamboree in Greece in I963 but two boys represented West Somerset, one from Williton

and another from Timberscombe. 3rd Minehead and Ist Alcombe amalgamated in I966 and

became Ist Exmoor who were subsequently to send a Queen Scout to America in I967 and

a Scout to Japan in I97I.   I seem to be getting ahead of myself so will go back lo I964.

This was the year when the Chief Scout formed his Advance Party inviting 24 Leaders

under the age of 45 to study all aspects of the future of Scouting and to make

recommendations, after consultation with the Movement. John Moorman who had been

appointed A.C.C. in I962 was chosen which was quite an honour for Somerset. Lt is sad to

think that he died last Christmas. Fortunately he ran his own fruit business and was able

to attend Meetings all over the country. It took a lot of time and it was interesting to

discuss matters with him. As you know the report came out in I966.

I964 was an excellent year, a year bristling with activity. We ran a

camp al Yeo Farm, Chagford for Minehead, Alcombe and Timberscombe. Williton camped

at Braunton and Porlock camped near Bideford. Watchet Sea Scouts spent a lot of time on

the water, District competitions were well supported. Friends from London came down to

Tivington and ran a Campers Badge Course for the District. Later in the year we took the

best boy from each Troop for a week-end in London, visiting Gilwell Park, Baden Powell

House, the Scout Shop, the London Gang Show, cic. Eric Priscott and I attended the B.P.

Guild National Conference which was held at Butlins. West Somerset hosted the Somerset

County Conference held al St. Audries Bay Holiday Camp. In those days we hosted several

County Conferences al St. Audries which were extremely well attended and took place over

the week-end with accommodation overnight. At the District Camp, site a duty Scouter

camped most week-ends and much use was made of the site. Almost 300 proficiency

badges were issued to Cubs, Scouts and Senior Scouts during the year. 74 Scout Troops

camped in West Somerset during the year and were all visited, mainly by my A.D.C.

(Camping), Reg Metcalf, an ex London D.C. I have been able to cheat a little on I964 as

I found an Annual Report for that year which I have condensed but gives a little insight

into what happened at about that time. Unfortunately I loaned my Annual Reports covering

several years to someone on my official retirement and they are still missing !

In I966 I look a party of Venture Scouts to Brittany with the able

assistance of Fred Hunt, his first: Scout trip abroad. Once again we had an excellent: time.

I966 was the year of the World Cup. Fred and I were invited to watch it in the sitting

room of one of the friendly shop-keepers we had got to know. Unfortunately there wasn't

sufficient room for an extra dozen or so boys and until afterwards they didn't know where

we were during the couple of hours time off period.

Normal Troop camps, District Competitions continued at this time and

it wasn't until I968 dial we decided that another trip abroad for the Venture Scouts would

be welcome. This time we decided to go a little further afield; a party of 8 by minibus

down to the Mediterranean and Andora, the lower slopes of the Pyrenees. . I arranged for

one of my ex Scouts who had at one time been warranted and was a Wood Badge holder

to come as co-driver. He wasn't living locally at the time but his wife gave him

permission. Another first class expedition with many memories. We were camping at Scic,

on the Mediterranean coast when there was a terrific gale and most of the people in the

camp had trouble with their tents blowing away or down. As Scouts we were able to help

and it was much appreciated by everyone. The Union flag, which we had proudly displayed

on the front of the vehecle was stolen one night. We suspected a party of young Germans

but wasn't until our return England that they posted it to me.

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/LOOKING BACK (6)

Each lime I get to the end of a page I realise that a lot of relevant

details are being left out. I omitted to say that: Mike Ireland who was G.S.L. at Porlock

became my A.D.C.(LT). in I966 Mike had been with Porlock for a number of years.

The history, since the war, of Porlock is that Dennis Corner came out of the Army in

I947 and immediately went back to the Porlock Troop. He attended the same Woodbadge

Course as myself. Unfortunately he became seriously ill in around I952 and the Troop was

closed for a number of years. Mike came on the scene and the Troop was revived with

Dennis’s helping Mike as an A.S.M. (probably in the late 50's or early 60's.) Dennis has

been an inspiration to Scouting in Porlock and is known and respected by everyone in the village.

Having looked back to the end of page 4, I mentioned running Williton

for a couple of years. Now, looking back through some papers, I find that it was I968/69

and it was probably nearer one year. It just seemed like two !!l

As D.C. I initially served under Brigadier Cadoux Hudson who was

C.C. and later from I964 onwards under Gervas Clay. How lucky we arc to have Gervas and Betty living in the County. It was a privilege to attend the annual garden parties at Ford Farm with Lady B.P. sometimes being present. I look back to those years and wish that they were here again. Having found our District return for the year I965 you may beinterested to know that we had I0 Groups in the District 3rd Minehead, 4th Minehead (Periton Mead), Ist Alcombe, Ist Timberscombe, Ist Williton, Ist Watchet, Ist Dunster, Ist Porlock, Ist Dulverton and Ist. Doniford (Tigers). The latter was a Cub Pack which we started in West Somerset and eventually transferred to Malta with the military.

In I969 I was asked if I would lake over as A.C.C,(V.S.); After

considerable thought I agreed. I had enjoyed my seven years as D.C. and was rather loathe

to go. In those clays Somerset was a large County taking in Weston-super-Mare and

North Somerset, Bath, etc. Peter Christopher who had, been D.C.(Taunton) and previously a

Scouter in Yeovil, look over as C.C. and Gervas became Chairman. County meetings were

held in Wells and for a number of years, I would pick up the County Secretary, an ex

Public School Headmaster, who lived at St. Audries School. We would drive to Taunton

and meet up with Peter and Gervas (Gervas having driven from Wiveliscombe. Peter would

take us the rest of the way. It was long distance for evening meetings at the Swann Hold.

Looking back I'm not sure that I contributed a great deal to Venture Scouting in the

County. Obviously I visited Units in the far places like Bath, Weston-super-Mare and Yeovil and gave encouragement to new Units. In fact the Yeo Valley Trogs (Axe District) were started with Mike Bell as the V.S.L. Mike is it: present A.C.C, (V.S.) Avon.

During this period I969-I974 I continued to be involved with District events and always attended or helped run Ist. Exmoor or District camps. We were indeed fortunate to appoint Mike Ireland as District Commissioner. Mike did a most efficient job for almost 20 years. In addition to this he organised and did an excellent job at Horner. I had been appointed as Chairman of (the Horner Committee when County adopted it but Mike very quickly look over and all credit goes to him for the incredible amount of time and expertise that he put into it.

At the end of I973, Fred Pymm who was Group Scout Leader of Ist

Exmoor, Unfortunately had a heart attack and had to finish with active Scouting. I was

asked if I would take over as G.S.L. As explained earlier, doing a County job from a

far corner of the County is not easy and I knew that I would be doing a far more

important job in Minehead, Hence I look over and later gave up as A.C.C.(V.S.).

Double checking Page 2, it was I954 that West Somerset ran the

County Jamboree. According to the I950 County yearbook the first post-war jamboree for

Somerset look place al Dillington Park, Ilminster, at Whitsun in I950 when nearly 400

Scouts camped for the week-end. According to the yearbook there were 2046 Scouts

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   in the County al that time. Since then the percentage of Scout attendance at our Jamborees

have significantly improved. Talking of County Jamborees, I missed only the odd one or

two up until the late 80's. During the 50's, 60's and 70's I acted as a Sub Camp Chief and

in the 80's was either Asst. Camp Chief or Deputy Camp Chief. I think it was I986 that I

took over as Camp Chief as there was no current A.C.C.(S.) who by traditionally takes over the

job. During the latter years Peter Bourner, Stuart Raeburn and I acted as a team and for

several years judged the gold awards and the County tropheys. Ist Exmoor has figured

prominently in the awards over recent years. The County Flag was won in I.977, I98I,

I984, I986, I988 and ,I995. We were. runners up in I985 and have received other minor

places such as the Falklands trophy (4th place) This year. It's was so pleasing to have

Watchet winning the County Flag in I997 and Williton in I998. West Somerset’s

achievements are great. Talking of Jamborees reminds me of Dixie Duggan, the other

friend who unfortunately died in December. In the early days Dixie and I worked closely at

Jamborees. He was an excellent camper and was the G.S.L. of Keynsham when it was a

Fine Group. Keynsham and Exmoor/3rd Minehead vied for the best standard which no

doubt encouraged us to improve as the years passed. On more than one occasion, when

parts of the County became Avon, Dixie judged our County Jamborees. I know he

continued to do so using his expertise to their advantage. I was considered to be an

honorary member of the Ist Keynsham, knowing most of the Leaders. Dixie and his wife

Dorothy, also a Cub Commissioner loved Horner. Their ashes were scattered there within a period of less than two years. We scattered them from the bridge which Keynsham Seniors helped to erect. Dixie was 75 years old when he died, a very modest man but last year he gained the highest award, the Silver Wolf. He brought it down to Minehead to show me and found it difficult to hide how proud he was. The last lime I remember seeing Dixie and Dorothy together at a Scouting function was at The Jamboree in Holland where we were fortunate enough to visit with everything arranged by County. They had gone with the Avon visitors,

The more I continue to type the more I feel I am rambling because I

am not typing from prearranged notes. I therefore realise that it will be necessary at some time to rewrite this properly and perhaps in more detail. This will serve as some sort of guide. With that in mind I shall start to bring this to a close.

I like to feel that camping has always been my forte and as such have attended all Troop camps apart from a couple when a foreign trip may have got in theway. I could sometimes do both. I think it was I974 that I look a party of Venture

Scouts (about I0 of us) to Scotland where we climbed a few peaks (nothing really serious),Ben Wyvis! being one I remember. We camped al the base of Ben Nevis for two nights and had lo give up the idea because the cloud was down. In I977 we look tlic PL's to tlic

Lakes and scaled a few heights. Mosi of what went on after that you will be aware of yourself because a certain Martin Harborne came on the scene and injected a lot more impetus into the Troop. You will be aware of Switzerland, I98I when a party of about 40 of us had a marvellous fortnight at Kandersteg. You were the driving force and did virtually all of the organisation making it easy for me to repeat the performance in I985.

During the mcanliiiic, 82' I believe, a party of Ventures, (9 of us) went to France, visiting Paris, Versailles, across to Brittany, Mont St. Michel, ect, camping along the route.

In I990, as a Troop we used JEKA. Over 20 of us had a fortnight in Italy. Travelling arrangements and clialcl accommodation are done for you. One can use a flexible, very full programme, hiking, climbing etc. I can fully recommend it. A small party of Venture Scouts went to Brittany in I992. We used John's garden on the coast of the Morbihan and were taken sailing in the Gulf. I994 saw a repeat of using JEKA; this time going to Austria. Again a party of twenty plus, another excellent trip.

On the I7th May, I99I, I was asked to attend the Rugby Club, to attend a function. It was supposed to be a secret. Secrets usually leak out, particularly in a small community so I received advance warning A couple of old Scouter friends now