Posts

Posted on

The Alcock Trophy

Last night we were emptying our gear store in preparation for the building of some new storage cupboards. These are being professionally built so they stand a change of lasting for more than 5 minutes! Hopefully they’ll be Scout proof!

Anyway, amongst the stuff I found the ‘Joe Alcock All Round Sports Trophy 1958’. This was awarded annually to the Troop that won the District’s sporting competition. We were the last Troop to win it in 1986. I vaguely remember winning it at a cricket match – shame I can’t remember which Troop it was we played against.

I wonder why it wasn’t contested again? I guess that the District forgot about it when our District, Burslem, merged with Hanley in 1990.

Funny how the only time we win it is the last time it’s contested!

Anyway, I’ve polished and cleaned it up and it will go on display in the refurbished gear store in a couple of weeks. Perhaps one day Troops will contest it again.

Posted on

Centenary Badge

We’ve just had the proof for the badge we’re having made for the Scout Group’s centenary.

1stPorthillStAndrews 100 white background

This was designed by two of our leaders. I think it’ll look good as a badge.

The image shows up better if you click on it!

Posted on

Windows 98

Sorting through my cupboards at work the other day, I found a load of still sealed Windows 98 discs along with some Windows 95 licences!

I haven’t played with Windows 98 for ages now, so I took one home, installed it on an old PC I’d got lying around and had a play. The thing I found was once it’s up and running and updated, it’s still quite useful! AVG anti virus and Firefox run happily as does OpenOffice (along with older versions of MS Office). So if all you need to do is surf the net and type a few letters its great.

The other good thing is that I have a couple of old games that won’t run on XP, so I can resurrect them!

I also tried Windows 95 on Virtual PC which was interesting. This was the operating system on my first PC bought in January 1999! I think the only things I have left from that PC is the speakers and the floppy drive!

One thing I won’t be trying is Windows ME (Mistake Edition!).

Posted on

Military Wearing their uniforms

There is a story in the media today about service personnel in the RAF being told not to wear their uniforms in public to avoid abuse by civilians. What narrow minded fools these civvys must be.

It shouldn’t matter what you think about the armed forces serving in Afghanistan or Iraq or whether or not you approve of the reasons for them being there, these people are doing very dangerous jobs and need everyone’s support.

It’s very different in the US. Returning military personnel wear their uniforms with pride and people support them irrespective of their views on various campaigns.

90 years ago in the First World War, young men who did not wear uniform out in public were given white feathers by women as it was assumed that they weren’t in the Army etc. This did cause some problems with young men back from the Trenches whose uniforms were being washed and deloused!

Posted on

Traditional Scouting

This weekend I’ve participated in two events that could be considered as traditional Scouting. Events that the original members of our Troop from 100 years ago would recognise.

On Saturday we went to a small wood in Audley to teach the Scouts how to light fires and to set up shelters. We were allowed to use the wood by a local farmer who is friend with our Scout Leader. We were very lucky in this respect as you just can’t turn up at any bit of countryside and start lighting fires! The land owners tend to get a bit upset if you do!

Fire lighting was extremely difficult as it had rained heavily the night before and it was extremely windy. In fact despite the fact there were three other experienced leaders there, we had great difficulty get things to light. The wind was helpful once the fire was lit though.

Anyway, we persevered and with our help the Scouts got four fires going and they were good enough to make some tea and cook burgers, sausages, bacon and beans on.

Then yesterday as it was Mothering Sunday, we went to Church. I’d like to say that the same amount of Scout who went firelighting came to Church, but I can’t! It’s amazing that other activities (football, swimming, seeing Dad, washing the goldfish) always take priority over things they’re not interested in, but mention camping etc and they’re all there! I’d like to use the carrot and stick approach, but that doesn’t work! Ho hum….

Posted on

School 1978 v School 2008

Scenario: Johnny and Mark get into a fistfight after school.
1978 – Crowd gathers. Mark wins. Johnny and Mark shake hands and end up mates.
2008 – Police are called, Armed Response Unit arrives and arrests Johnny and Mark. Mobiles with video of fight confiscated as evidence. They are charged with assault, ASBOs are taken out and both are suspended even though Johnny started it. Diversionary conferences and parent meetings conducted. Video shown on 6 internet sites.

Scenario: Jeffrey won't sit still in class, disrupts other students.
1978 – Jeffrey is sent to the Head's office and given 6 of the best. Returns to class, sits still and does not disrupt class again.
2008 – Jeffrey is given huge doses of Ritalin. Counselled to death. Becomes a zombie. Tested for ADD. School gets extra funding because Jeffrey has a disability. Drops out of school.

Scenario: Billy breaks a window in his neighbour's car and his Dad gives him the slipper.
1978 – Billy is more careful next time, grows up normal, goes to college, and becomes a successful businessman.
2008 – Billy's dad is arrested for child abuse. Billy is removed to foster care and joins a gang. Psychologist tells Billy's sister that she remembers being abused herself and their dad goes to prison. Billy's mum has an affair with the psychologist. Psychologist gets a promotion.

Scenario: Johnny takes apart leftover fireworks, puts them in a model plane paint bottle and blows up an anthill.
1978 – Ants die.
2008 – MI5 and police are called and Johnny is charged with perpetrating acts of terrorism. Teams investigate parents, siblings are removed from the home, computers are confiscated, and Johnny's dad goes on a terror watch list and is never allowed to fly again.

Scenario: Johnny falls during break and scrapes his knee. His teacher, Mary, finds him crying, and gives him a hug to comfort him.
1978 – Johnny soon feels better and goes back to playing.
2008 – Mary is accused of being a sexual predator and loses her job. She faces three years in prison. Johnny undergoes five years of therapy.

 

Many a true word spoken in jest!

This was lifted from a post on the Edugeek site.

Posted on

Founders Day

Last Friday, 22/02/08, we celebrated Founders Day by holding a party for our Beavers, Cubs, Scouts and their parents.

Founders Day is where Scouts (Guides celebrate Thinking Day) across the world celebrate the birthday of Baden-Powell. BP would have been 151 this year!

The party was also the first event of the year to celebrate our Group's centenary.

The evening started with the District Commissioner awarding two of the Cubs their  Chief Scout's Silver Awards, the highest award a Cub can get!

Then it was silly games time. These included eating a bar of chocolate with a knife and fork and wrapping people up in loo roll to see who could make the best 'mummy'!

The parents then joined us for the talent show. It started off with the Beavers singing 'Singing in the Rain' campfire style. Then some slightly older 'Beavers' led everyone in a chant. We think they got a bit confused as Paul wore a Guide jumper,  Rachael a Burslem neckerchief and Don a Bradwell neckerchief! One of the Beavers then showed he could out stare the audience!

Five parents were then volunteered to see how many marshmallows they could fit in their mouths and still say "Chubby Bunnies"! Lyndon won by a long stretch!

The Cubs impressed us with some magic, joke telling, rolling displays and cello playing. The Scouts chickened out!

It was then time for a buffet and finally the disco and karaoke!

It was a slightly chaotic, silly, but very enjoyable evening. What more could you want??? Wink

Posted on

Comfort on Trains

Last week we went down to Paignton in Devon for a couple of days. Travelling down on the train we went via Reading, which is an odd way to go as it’s a greater distance but cheaper! Anyway, to get to Reading we travelled on a CrossCountry Voyager and from Reading on a First Great Western HST.

The difference between the the 6(ish) year old Voyager and the 30(ish) year old HST is amazing. First of all the MK3 coach is a lot quieter as there isn’t a 750hp diesel engine underneath your feet. As there is no engine under the floor there is also no vibration and rattles! There is also more space for the passenger and more seats 8 coaches as opposed to 4! Shame Virgin didn’t think about this when they bought them!

100_2608 (Large) 100_2609 (Large)

The view from the train at Dawlish!

It’s also interesting to note that First Great Western are using the HSTs in a dual role as an express from London to Exeter and then as a local from Exeter to Paignton! Interesting way to do things! Shame they’ve had to start using the ‘Nodding Donkeys’ again!

It was a cold weekend with a bitter wind coming off the sea, but we had fun.

Posted on

Live Music

I’ve been trying to think of all the bands / artists that I have seen live in concert. Going to Glastonbury in 1999 and 2000 certainly helped! Anyway, here goes and in no particular order –

  • Paul McCartney
  • Pink Floyd
  • U2 (twice)
  • R.E.M. (twice)
  • The Levellers (twice)
  • The Beautiful South (twice)
  • Echobelly
  • Terrorvision
  • Pet Shop Boys
  • David Bowie
  • Manic Street Preachers
  • Chemical Brothers
  • Travis (twice)
  • Eric Clapton (three times)
  • Oasis
  • Lonnie Donnigan
  • Robert Plant
  • Al Green
  • Blondie
  • Carter USM
  • Elastica
  • Jools Holland & his Rhythm and Blues Orchestra
  • Joe Strummer
  • Bonny Raitt
  • Moby

Plus a load more when I can remember!

Posted on

Happy Birthday BSA

It the Boy Scouts of America’s 98th birthday on Friday 08/02/08. Happy Birthday youngsters!!!!

Steve B. from Melrose Troop 68 in Minnesota is trying to get Scouting on the front page of YouTube, by getting as many people as possible to look at Scouting videos on the day. I will be! What a fantastic idea!!

Posted on

No Water!

I woke up this morning (no, this is not a Blues song!), to find we had no running water. A water main had burst in the night in Wolstanton. Luckily, we had enough in the kettle for a cuppa and to clean teeth etc.

I’ve written about this before, but it really makes you realise how dependant we are on our taps and what comes out of them. All the local schools were closed today as they had no water either. No water = no drinks, cleaning or lavatories = not good!

We are really lucky that we can just turn on a tap and out the water comes!