50th Birthday Party Celebrations - 2nd July 2005

The Cubs sang old favourites "Green grow the rushes oh", and "Johnny was a parachutist". These activities will count towards the boys Entertainers Badges.  The evening continued with a disco.

During a break for the buffet supper, Mrs Betty Morris (nee Rice), one of the first Cub Leaders, was introduced, and invited to cut one of the two beautifully decorated birthday cakes.

The second cake was cut by David Townsend, the longest serving member of the Group. David has been part of 2nd Thatcham for 40 years, having been a Scout, a Venture Scout, a Helper, and now a Cub Leader. He was also presented with a gift in thanks for his long service. Jon Brockbank and Jo Frost were thanked for their hard work in the kitchen on the Group Anniversary Camp.

Carolyn Evans was presented with flowers and gifts, having recently left the Group after over twenty years as a Leader with 2nd Thatcham.

The Group had received donations from local companies to help with the celebrations, including a hamper from Waitrose. This was collected by a Cub, and his Dad, Ian Skingley. Ian had been a Cub and Scout in the eighties.

Many ex members of 2nd Thatcham had great fun reminiscing during the evening. Not only was the original Cub Leader Betty Rice present, but also her husband Philip Morris, who was one of the first Scout Leaders. Other ex Scout Leaders who joined the celebrations were Pat Edwards (75 to 85), David Edwards (also a Scout, as well at SL 83 to 86), Jerry Kent (also a Scout and Venture Scout) who went on to 1st Thatcham in 1981, and Mike Saunders (79 to 81). They were joined by ex Cub Leader, Keith Withers (72 to 85), who had also been a Cub, Scout, and Venture Scout, and Chris Warrick, Cub Instructor and Scout in the early seventies. Also present was Derek Prout, a Cub and Scout, who went on to become a Cub Instructor and Leader between 71 and 77. The Beaver Section was represented by the first Beaver Leader, Christine Sturmey (1986 to 2000).

There were also many non uniformed Group supporters present.  Mrs June Milsom, Group Secretary in the sixities, was accompanied by her older son Richard (now Akela of 4th Newbury), who was a Cub in the sixties. Cora Bailey, whose late husband Lew was the AGSL in the late seventies, and son Duncan was a Scout, earning the Chief Scout's Award in 1977, was present, along with friends Roy and Jean Kirkham. Their sons Richard and Peter gained their Chief Scout's Awards in 1977 and 1980 respectively.  Richard, went on to gain the Queen's Scout Award, sent his apologies. 

Group supporter, Elsie Maleham, whose son David was a Cub and Scout in the late seventies / early eighties, brought David's apologies, as he was attending the G8 concert in Hyde Park. David gained his Chief Scout's Award in 1981, and then went on to gain his Queen's Scout Award. Heather West, mum of Mark Rutter and Richard West, both Cubs and Scouts in the eighties, was also present. She brought apologies from her husband Will West, who was HQ manager, among other jobs, in the eighties.

Neil Rowlands, a Cub and Scout in the late eighties, brought along his wife and young family. His mum, Marion, was a Rogers Pack Cub Leader in the mid eighties.

Ex Treasurer and Chairman, Pierre Payen travelled from his new home in Hereford, accompanied by wife Yvonne. Their younger son James, (SL in late eighties) was also present in his role as dad of Luke, a Beaver Scout. 

Apologies were received from Norman and Molly Jaques (fundraisers from the eighties), who have moved to Colchester, and also from their son, William, a Cub and Scout, and then ASL in the late eighties. Trevor Eggleton, whose whole family have been part of 2nd in various guises over the years, sent his apologies, as he had a previous engagement. Apologies were also received from Jimmy Withers (Cub Helper /  Leader from 75 to 92) now working in Brighton.

During the evening guests had the opportunity to look through old record books and prints of photos of 2nd Thatcham activities from 1963 to the present day. Although he could not stay, George Wall, a Scout Leader in the nineties, brought along his scrapbook of photos of Troop camps and activities. We hope to add more of the photos to our website photo gallery.

The Group would still be very interested to hear from any previous members of 2nd Thatcham. Please email the web master with your memories. 

We have just heard fom Mrs Eve Rogers, widow of Ray Rogers, who was one of the founders of 2nd Thatcham. Ray was involved with the Troop in the fifties, was GSM in the early sixties, and was a Venture Scout Instructor in the seventies. Cubs from 1974 to 1993 would have belonged to either Rogers Pack (named after Ray) or Bostock Pack (named after Major Bostock, another founder of the Group). Rogers Pack met on Monday evenings, and Bostock on Thursdays.

All the current leaders who arranged the party, must be congratulated on organising such a brilliant evening, which was thoroughly enjoyed by everyone who attended.

Photos by Keith Atkinson