With the 2nd Chesterfield
Guard of honour at a leader's wedding. I am the tall Cub in the right hand row.
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I grew up in Chesterfield which is a town in North Derbyshire. Chesterfield is famous for its church with the crooked spire. (Often simply called The Crooked Spire). Now, this church sponsored its own Scout Group, The 2nd Chesterfield. In 1961, I joined the Group as a Cub. I later went on to be a Scout and Venture Scout and I also used to help as a young leader running the 2nd Chesterfield Cubs. I did this with two other older Scouts, Steve Keelty and Ian Cowper. I really enjoyed my time in the Scouts. We went on lots of hikes and camps, especially to our local campsite, Spitewinter. We were very lucky to have the fantastic Peak District National Park on our doorstep. For summer camps we often ventured further afield and I documented all these events with my little box camera. Below are some of the photographs I took. I wish I had more, but film was expensive back then, especially colour film. I hope you enjoy the pictures. If you see yourself in them, please get in touch. My e-mail address is on the Home Page. |
 Here you see me at my first summer camp in 1964 at Calke Park |
 In 1965, I attended a Jamboree (The Ramboree after the Derby Ram) |
 Meeting the Chief Scout |
 The Ramboree was in Chatsworth Park. Here is Ian Cowper. |
 Ian Cowper and Chris Whitehead |
 Scoutmaster Mick Bond organises washing up |
 The "Pitch a tent off the ground" challenge |
 In 1966 we were back at Calke Park. Tony Fern digging the sump |
 In the Curlew Patrol tent. |
 A full kit inspection. John Palfreyman, Tony Fern, Ian Cowper |
 John, Me and Tony |
 Chips on a wet evening |
 In 1967, we camped at Offchurch near Leamington Spa. Curlew Patrol, Ian Cowper, Andrew Proctor, Rich Spry, Mick Hurley |
 We now had a new Leader, Glyn Speed. Here is Glyn in cricket action. |
 Herman (Stuart Dunk) on the runway and out of control |
 Feeding time at Offchurch |
 In 1968 we did something different and went canal cruising from Chester to Llangollen. Here I am on top of Juliana. Our other boat Elizabeth is behind. |
 Howard Woodcock, Rich Spry, Chris Hodby and Ian Cowper. As you can see, I had bought a roll of colour film. |
 Steve Keelty and Me working a lock. |
 Alan Stoppard and Glyn Speed untangling the rope from the prop. |
 Rich Spry cleaning the spark plugs. A job often needed. |
 Changing the plugs yet again |
 Crossing the Dee on the Pontcysyllte Aquaduct |
 Quite an experience crossing the Pontcysyllte. It's a big drop. |
 Jeff Davey and a very narrow looking bridge |
 In 1969 we camped at Hay on Wye |
 We went pony trekking |
 Andrew Hardwick and chip. Ian Cowper and salt. |
 Me at Capel y Ffin on a lightweight camp. |
 Mick Bond was back in charge. Playing John Clayton at Penarth. |
 Steve Keelty in Midwife's Hat strikes his tent. |
 The minibus is loaded |
 John Clayton towed the canoes |
 We didn't spend all our time camping. Here you see us at St George's Day Parade outside Chesterfield Town Hall in 1968. |
In 1971, I went off to Liverpool University and so I had to leave the 2nd Chesterfield. I never went back to live there. Sadly the 2nd Chesterfield Group has now closed down.
However, I have carried on Scouting and in 2012 I was awarded The Silver Acorn for services to Scouting. It was 51 years after I joined the Cubs.