Last weekend, we took the Group to one of the local supermarkets (M & S) to raise some funds by packing the customer’s shopping bags (if they want us to!). We pack their bags and they give us a donation – at least that’s how we hope it goes!
Those of you who have read my stuff before will know that this is a great way to raise funds and that I hate doing it! This is only because I spent 13 years working in a supermarket, but I grit my teeth and do it as the positive outcomes outweigh my personal hates!
It was a great day’s fundraising and we made over £570! The big bonus, however, was meeting two old members of the Troop. These gentlemen were sitting down and just struck up conversations with us. Oddly enough, both conversations went similarly. Both asked which Group we were from and when told we were from 1st Porthill, they said ‘Oh I used to be a member there’. The first was a Scout in the 1940’s, during the war and the second in the late 1940’ searly 1950’s. Both told us about the camps they went on, the things they did and how they really enjoyed their time in the Scouts. They were also really interested to know we were still going and that so many young people are with us.
It was good being able to chat to these two gents and I wish we’d have had longer to talk to them!
It’s lovely isn’t it, talking to these old-timers! Through one of those meetings I found out that my own dad (who for “political reasons” opposted to me joining when I was a child) used to be Sixer, and full of mischief and tricks, and this man chuckled when he remembered how my dad confidently and with great imaginative story lining had led his patrole through the dark night in search of golden nuggets and invented a vivid tale of evil cowboys in wait of innocent little scouts that lived in this man’s memory still! (I confronted my dad with this and he grunted and shrugged and said that “well, it was the 70ies” whatever that means…He now gladly drives his grandchildren to camp.)
I wish I’d have longer to chat to these gents!
Shame your Dad didn’t let you join when you were a kid, but it seems you have made up for lost time with your enthusiasm and the amount you do in Scouting!