Cubs climb Beacon Hill
2nd Thatcham Cubs visited Beacon Hill last night. They walked to the top in wet conditions, walked around the earthworks and then descended back to the car park.
Report and photo by GSL Pete Frost
Story Added: 8th June 2010S
2nd Thatcham take part in District Medieval Camp
Cubs and Scouts from 2nd Thatcham camped with all the Groups and Explorer Scouts from Taceham Hundred District, at Wasing Park, near Aldermaston over the Bank Holiday Weekend. They were joined on Sunday by their own Beaver Scouts and Beavers from all the Colonies in the District. Activities over the weekend included archery, building trebuchets (giant catapults), following a quest through the woods, trek cart racing, jousting, trying out a variety of craft activities, paddling a coracle around a lake, and rescuing a damzel from a tower!
On Sunday evening everyone dressed up and paraded around the campsite before sitting down together to enjoy a Medieval feast.
Photos by GSL Pete Frost
Story Added: 2nd June 2010S
Memories of 1957 from ex Cub Mel Read
Hi, at 62, I'm an old ex-member of 2nd Thatcham Cubs; ah good days.
I appear in the 1957 picture returning from Whipsnade (I still think it was Sandbanks/Weymouth, but that's another story).
I'd like to fill in a few names. In the first rank I think you can see (just) Peter Moore, and the other Olgilvie bother.
In the second rank can be seen Barry Diplock, ?, Melvyn Read, Keith Davies, Alan Liversidge, Alan Wimbush, ?, ?, Tommy Maggs, ?. Next table Sydney Turner and John Moore (Pete's brother).
In the third rank can be seen Simon (Cunnigham)-Craig, 2nd Olgilvie brother, Dennis Keylock (died soon after this in a motor accident while delivering morning newspapers).
In the fourth rank Dennis Keogh, Bernie Keylock (Denny's twin brother but certainly not identical - one thin and Bernie well-covered <lol>) and Robin Marks.
If I'm correct, Alan Brown and Mick Dunbar should also be present in this picture. I'm not sure of John Maggs, Tommy's brother was old enough or indeed ever joined 2nd Thatcham. In fact, I would have put Robin Marks down as being Alan Brown but I'm happy that I'm wrong.
The amazing feature of this picture is that 11 of the identified members come from the tiny area of Loundyes Close, Roman Way, Westfield Crescent. Dippy came from Park Lane, Simon from just off Northfield Road (can't remember the name) and Robin Marks, no idea. Moreover, during the holidays at this period, we all spent almost every day together playing football/cricket on 'The Green', in Loundyes Close.
Hope this adds a little more information to a point in time, 53 years ago next week
Regards, Mel Read
PS If you are also an ex member of 2nd from this era and would like to contact Mel, please email the website and we can pass on your messages. Mel is coming back to Thatcham for a few days in July. Does anyone else remember if this was a trip to Whipsnade or was it Weymouth??
Story Added: 23rd May 2010S
Plans to open new Beaver, Cub and Scout Sections
Due to long waiting lists of children wanting to join all Sections of the Group, plans are being made to open a new Beaver Colony, Cub Pack and Scout Troop later in 2010. This will increase the number of young people in 2nd Thatcham from 102 to 144 members. The Beaver Colony will cater for boys and girls aged from 6 to 8 years of age, the Cub Pack will be for children aged 8 to 10.5, and the Scout Troop for youg people aged 10.5 to 14.
To be able to open all three new Sections soon, the Group is looking for more adults to become Leaders. No experience is necesary, as full training will be given, and a CRB check will be needed.
The Group is also hoping to raise £2,750 to purchase indoor and outddor equipmemt, including tents, and for training. They are being supported in their fund raising efforts by localgiving.com.
Story Added: 22nd February 2010S
Loss of Michael Scott, Group Chairman 1992 - 2002
Former 2nd Thatcham Chairman, Michael Scott, sadly lost his battle against cancer on 20th December 2009, aged 65. Michael became involved with 2nd Thatcham Scout Group in the mid eighties, when his son, Oliver, became a Cub. Oliver was a keen Cub, and then Scout, and Michael's offers of help with transport to football competitions, camps, and activities were soon taken up by the Cub and Scout Leaders. Several people have remembered Michael using his horsebox (daughter Rosie is a keen rider and horse owner) to take the Group tents and kit to the District Camp at Wasing Park, near Aldermaston, in 2002. He also took the Scouts equipment to Longridge Scout Campsite, on the Thames, at Marlow around the same time, assuring the leaders he had given the horsebox a thorough clean beforehand!
Michael also offered assistance with the Group newspaper recycling scheme, regularly helping to load a van with 4 tonnes of newspaper and offloading it at Colthrop Paper Mill. He continued to help until the Paper Mill closed in July 2000, and the recycling scheme ended, having raised £18,000 over 17 years.
In 1991 Group Chairman, Pierre Payen, asked Michael to join the Executive Committee as Vice Chairman. When Pierre stood down in May 1992, Michael was invited to become Chairman. He continued in this role until 2002, when he decided to concentrate on his other interests. Many changes occurred within Scouting and 2nd Thatcham during Michael's ten years, and his support was much appreciated by the Group. His sense of humour and dry wit often helped to calm an awkward Executive Meeting.
Michael was also on the Board of Governors for Whitelands Park School and Newbury College. As a member of Thatcham Town Council, he also became a member of the Spurcroft School Board of Governors. He had worked for the Capital Taxes Office in London until taking early retirement, when he joined Vodafone in Newbury for a further 10 years.
Story Added: 31st December 2009S