Rover Bulletin No. 55

NUMBER FIFTY FIVE 29th March 1946.

Dear Rovers,

This month we were fortunate to have a visit from Mr. Thomas Henderson, Acting A.C.C. for Rovers in the County. Some of the older lads remember Tommy as a member of the Fourth and from the debate that took place at Love’s Abode regarding the future of Rovering, the enthusiasm for the welfare of the Crew is still as strong as ever in our A.C.C. For the benefit of you lads in the Forces we propose to outline the new scheme as drawn up as a result of a meeting of the powers that be at Gilwell.

Rovering will be divided into three sections.

Rover Squires – Scouts when they reach the age of 17 ½ years serve 6 months probationary period when 18 they become Rovers.
The Crew proper will be between the ages of 18 to 25. There is quite a number of subjects outlined in the syllabus during the training, at the end of which you are considered to be ready to carry out fully the motto “Service not Self”.
The older members carry on in the world as useful citizens and help in all ways possible to help their fellow man.

This is a very brief outline for we are stilt waiting for a copy of the New Rover Scout Plan from H.Q. and we understand the new plan is to start in April.

As the ages of our Crew are from 18 to ? and there has been so many changes during and after the War, we would welcome a scheme that keeps us all in touch despite age groups etc.,and we are sure, as we have done in the past, the Fourth will find a way to keep the ball rolling in the approved way.

Up to the time of writing we have received two letters so far, so if you want to keep the Bulletin flourishing it is up to you Lads away from home. So get moving. Let’s have your news also your opinions of the “New Plan”. Thanks.

We arc beginning to think that this “Overseas Section” if not actually a misnomer, could very well be rechristened “India Calling”, for that is from where most of the news and tall stories emanate these days. Seems funny, doesn’t it, that your news travels all the way to Blighty and then back again for the entertainment and edification of some of the other lads who are probably in the same area but very likely a thousand miles or more away from each other. Still, that’s as it should be lads, because we consider “Love’s Abode” as the central clearing house for all your literary efforts and you would be really amazed if you could see the activity which South Trinity Road produces on the night we go to press. Fleet Street hasn’t a look in!

Yes, it’s changed days from the time when we were receiving letters from East, West, North and South Africa, Italy, Piforce, Europe, Seac and many other areas, not forgetting the lads in the bell-bottoms, of course. Still, although there may not be the same variety about stations from which the letters are now sent, it’s the personalities that really count, and it wouldn’t matter if all you blokes were stoking in the same ship – we would still want your letters, and we would hope that you would also still want us to broadcast your news and comments as we are now doing. Keep rolling ’em in lads!

Even although Ian (Moffat) considers Rangoon a dump, the Bulletin arrived to brighten his life for a few moments as part of his first mail for ten weeks. Bet there wasn’t much work done that day! Glad to hear the trip wasn’t too bad, Ian, and that you arrived safely. Notice you’ve moved about a bit since you last wrote, and here’s hoping your final destination proves more acceptable.

St .Serfs Church is about to appoint a new minister in place of Mr. Wright and Murray (Frier) has been elected to the vacancy committee..

Bill Buchan (You’ll remember from Wardie Church and the 1st Leith Group) paid us a visit. He hopes to take activities as S.M.of the 1st. in December.

Flash, flash, flash – or is it squawk, squawk, squawk, more family news,

Jack (Stewart) has been presented with a baby daughter (Sheila, Margaret) and so our league of births grows swiftly bigger. At the moment we have lost count but hope to bring it up to date and publish the amazing facts soon. Norah (Jacks wife) and Sheila are both doing very well and Jack has booked a place in tho Guides for the wee one already.

Jim (Suttie) is home on compassionate leave. His wife is not too well and we do hope that she will have a speedy recovery.

David (Gosman) is now home looking very well indeed after many experiences, and is enjoying his spell of leave, He is just the same old David and full of enthusiasm for the future, We learn that he is not going back to Cooks (Travel Agency) but is going into his fathers fruiterers business, nearby. We wish him every success in his new venture. He’ll do well, we know.

Jimmy (Balcarres) (A pal of Jim’s and who is about to become a fully fledged Rover) has been away on a three weeks motoring holiday to London and back. On the way back he had a nasty skid in his light car, which turned a complete somersault and landed right way up luckily. Jimmy and his pal were badly shaken for his pal went right through the roof, and they were lucky to get off so lightly. He is in bed now at home and we send him our good wishes, and hope he’ll be down among us again soon.

Jimmy (Johnston) is at last in occupation of his new house opposite St.James Church at the South end of Higher Granton Road, and so another further step to settling down is achieved.

The very best of wishes to you all, Cheerio!