Rover Bulletin No.59

NUMBER FIFTY NINE 31st July, 1946.

Dear Lads,

We have not a great deal of news to record this month and so we are taking this opportunity to get down in print some facts concerning the birth of the 4th Leith Group.

The Scouts were started in 1912 and the den or meeting place at that time was in an old stable in Rose Park, Trinity Road. Strange as It may, seem, the Scoutmasters’ name was Chayne (pronounced Chain), and his Assistant called Lock. A perfect combination, what!

At any rate they only served a year when Mr. Leask took over, and apart from a spell when he was in the first Great War, he has. been with the Group ever since.

The Rovers were started in the year 1918 and they met in the Club Room on Saturday evenings in the present hut which was built about that same period. Thanks to our good friend Mr. R. J. Duncan, we acquired our present den, which is known as “Love’s Abode”. That was in 1926 and the funds were raised by Sales of Work.

Extra expense was incurred owing to one of the walls having to be rebuilt and the lads had to use various methods to raise the money, of which making tablet and breaking sticks wore some of the ways

The Cubs were started in 1929 and Jim (Mirylees) and Murray (Frier) were the pioneers. That gives you a brief outline of the start of the old brown and white and if any of you lads have any questions you would like to ask, we will endeavour to obtain the necessary information.

Next Bulletin we can give you the story of how our country residence In Aberdour was acquired.

Our latest demobbed man is Jack (Piper) and at the present time he is enjoying his holiday in Orkney. Jackie, who is a dentist, hopes to find employment in Auld Reekie and we hope he is successful.

Stanley (Christie) has managed to obtain a compassionate posting to Turnhouse and so is able to attend on the meeting night and help to cut the lawns.

Hugh (Clark) is back to the fold too and the cottage is filled to capacity on Fridays and we are always having visitors. Which reminds us to record the visit of Mr. and Mrs. Finlay, the minister and his wife, and they thoroughly enjoyed their plate of chips and the happy-go-lucky atmosphere of the cottage.

Robert (Nisbet) otherwise referred to as Nibby, was also round that same night. He is 1st Engineer on board the light ship “Hesperus”. The “Hesperus” is based at Oban and Nibby has his home there.

Dick (Spaven) we are pleased to say, is back to Auld Reekie and has bought a house In Montgomery Street. He is full of beans despite “Ursula” the ulcer.

Bruce (Bailie) expects to move shortly either to Port Dickson near Kuala Lumpur or to Bangkok. He describes Port Dickson as a pleasure resort with beautiful beaches, palm trees and glorious lagoons and no civilisation. It contrasts rather to Portobello during the Glasgow Trades week! He is curious to know how Ian (Moffat) wangled a month at home. Unfortunately he does not know three Generals and a couple of Brigadiers. He has been evolving a method of getting out of the Amy known as the Bailie Unorthodox Release Scheme. After studying symptoms of heat exhaustion and heredity insanity for months, a lad pinched it, was certified and sent home. Alas, his calculations however must have gone wrong somewhere as he was buried at sea. Very sad indeed.

Which reminds us that this month has been a very easy one on the postman, as the Baillie boy’s letter was all we received, and we do Like to hear from you all and it makes it easier to compile the Bulletin. If any of you lads have any, suggestions and criticisms to make as to future editions of the Bulletin, we shall be pleased to receive your ideas as we have been wondering if the time has not come for it to finish, especially now that so many of the Crew are home.

The Scouts are at present camping as Torwoodlee, Galashiels, for a fortnight and we understand it is an excellent camp site with good swimming in the Gala water. The weather, unfortunately, is not too good. There are 35 Scouts supported by officers and Rovers at the camp.

The main item next month is the Scottish Rover Moot in Bonaly on 17th/18th August, and quite a comprehensive programme has been drawn up and it is to be hoped the weather is better than it has been up to the present and so help to make it e great success. Mr. Howie, A.C.C. Rovers for Scotland, extends a cordial invitation to all Rovers.

On that very same day, Murray (Frier) is getting married in Stockbridge Church to Miss Chris Anderson and a number of the Rovers will be present to wish then all the best of luck in their new life together.

We would like to thank Richard Telfer for entertaining a party of French Rovers who are staying at Spylaw House, Colinton. He kindly volunteered to Jim (Frier), who happened to mention about them and he took them sight seeing round the town. He is a fluent French speaker and has offered to do the same again when the party of Rovers come here from Caen. Thanks, Dickl

Before concluding for this time we will soon be starting preparing for the Rover Show in February, and in this connection if any of you lads have any ideas or gags that you consider good, please forward them.

Cheerio, fellas and live up to the Eighth Scout Law despite those atomic bombs and P.Us. etc. etc. The days of plenty will come again we prophesy!!!

AlI the very best.