Our Patch AUTUMN 2017
The 28th Hammersmith tours Tesco , camps , gets muddy on the Thames and sells cakes
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DYB , DYB , DYB
Do Your Best ! It ’ s the mantra of scouts , guides , cubs and beavers , but a shortage of leaders threatens the future of this beloved institution . Tim Harrison reports from the campfire
The scout movement has never been more popular in west London , with active scout , guide , beaver , cub and brownie groups enjoying activities which don ’ t need mobiles or screens . But a dire shortage of willing and able leaders means much of the demand simply can ’ t be fulfilled , with the volunteer gap threatening a treasured tradition .
Tony Smith joined 18th Chiswick as a cub , 60 years ago . He restarted the troop in 2014 , helped by St Nicholas church . “ It was my first group when I joined as a cub in 1954 ,” said Tony . The aim is to add scouts ( age 10 and over ) to the current 24-strong cub pack .
A part of the Thameside Grand Union scout district , 18th Chiswick meets at the scout HQ behind the Pilot pub off Wellesley Road .
“ The problem is leaders ,” said Tony , reflecting a crisis which affects Hammersmith , Fulham and Chiswick . “ It ’ s all about lifestyle . When I was a boy I remember Chiswick ’ s Cherry Blossom shoe polish factory [ near Dukes Meadows ]. The factory hooter sounded at 5pm , and everyone left .
“ Well , very few people finish dead on
4 / 5
5pm anymore ; 9 to 5 jobs are a thing of the past , yet we start beavers at 5.30pm , cubs at 6.30pm and scouts at 7pm . A lot of parents just haven ’ t got home by that time .”
There ’ s no financial burden to being a leader or volunteer ; every cost is covered , including uniforms , training and clearance checks to work with children . Throughout the district there are more than 1,000 young members … but that number could double if there was a reservoir of leaders .
Where else could you do climbing , rugby , first aid , website design , fire station visits , trampolining , caving and camping for subs of just £ 35 a term ?
We need more people to come and help , people with an affinity for working with children
“ It ’ s the cheapest baby-sitting service in London ,” quipped Tony . If you ’ re interested in volunteering , drop Tony an email at smudgers87 @ gmail . com
Another of west London ’ s highdemand beaver and cub groups is also creating a scout troop for 14 to 18-yearolds … but it , too , needs leadership help . The 28th Hammersmith is one of three groups in a borough which once boasted 15 , and has a long waiting list of eager youngsters .
“ Getting adult volunteers is a national problem , with more than 50,000 children on waiting lists across the country ,” said acting group scout leader Neil Docherty . “ We don ’ t advertise for youngsters ; we don ’ t need to . But helpers are urgently needed .”
The 28th Hammersmith , which is part of West London scouting district , has a thriving beaver colony ( age sixeight ), and a bustling cub pack ( eight- 10s ) – each with a waiting list – but is now forming a scout troop to retain the interest among 11s to 14s . Around 18 beavers meet at St Stephen ’ s social club , Gayford Road , W12 , while the 36 cubs meet on Fridays at Greenside primary ; led by a team of eight adult volunteers . Neil , who lives in Shepherds Bush with his wife and family , says the new scout group will also meet at Greenside primary . “ We ’ re very excited as it means we ’ ll be able to offer a fantastic scouting experience from six to 14 , before they move on to our explorer unit , where they stay until they hit 18 ,” he said .