• Introduction
• Gaynor's Fairwell Message
• Scouts
  • Interpatrol Pioneering
  • McClelland Camping competition
  • AGM
  • JOTA & Walton
  • Soccer Day
  • Stormsriver tubing
  • P.L.T.U.
• Cubs
  • Addo
  • BATA Olympics
• General

It was wonderful to see that our AGM was so well attended. Thanks to Lorraine Garner and the rest of the committee for seeing to the supper of mince bunnies and salad. It was with sad regret that we said goodbye to our Chairman, Gaynor Berry and our Treasurer, Doreen Whittal. Both of them have served on the committee for many years. We hope they will enjoy their "rest". Margaret Drennan will also no longer be doing the subs and this job has now been taken over by Alan Wheeler. It was a nice change to have some parents actually volunteer to serve on the committee this year – no arm-twisting or bribery and corruption for a change.!!! Welcome to Johan Prinsloo, Denise Charlton and Len Zeelie.

Fifteen years have passed since 1984 when our eldest son, Nicholas, began as a small cub at 1^st Cotswold and I was persuaded to serve on the committee. There were many times of fun and others of hard work, especially the last four years when I served as Chairman. It has been very rewarding in many ways that cancelled out the usual accompanying frustrations.

Now that both our sons have their Springbok Awards and Aidan, our youngest son, is about to finish school, I felt it was time to resign from the 1^st Cotswold Committee. I would like to boys all our boys and their families the very best for the years ahead and I hope I will see many familiar names on the Springbok Board in the hall in the years to come.

Yours in Scouting
Gaynor Berry.

It’s that time of the year again, when things start to get a little chaotic. Since my last report the troop has taken part in a few major events.

The Interpatrol Pioneering was held at Linga Longa. It was great to see so many boys turn up for this event. Rhino Patrol constructed an Hour Glass Tower & Kudu Patrol consructed a Monkey Bridge. Linga Longa was the ideal place to hold the event because the bridge was built over the river & the tower had a beautiful view. This event was eventually won by Kudu.

The McClelland Camping competition was held on a farm in the Uitenhage district.

There were a number of troops participating. Our boys were all fired up until some of the seniors left to play rugby & did not return. Our boys tried their best with all the junior scouts that were left. Although they did not win, it was a great learning experience.

S.O.E. eventually ran out as the winners.

The AGM was held at the end of August. This was very well attended. This was nice since the parents don’t often get a chance to see what the boy’s have been up to over the year.

Congratulations must go to Aidan Berry and Daryl Whittal for being awarded with their Springbok Badge.

JOTA & the Walton planned for this year were both cancelled.

Cotswold hosted the annual Cotswold Soccer Day. Over the past few years there has not been much competition, but this year it was great to see that there were some strong competition.

Cotswold came 2^nd with Westend running out as the winners, congratulations.

We had the privilege of having Antjie Swart from Stormsriver Adventurers who came to chat to us about tubing down the Stormsriver. A date has still to be arranged out of the peak season as to be able to claim a discount.

P.L.T.U. is once again being held at the end of the year. The four boys should have been contacted by Bruce to see if they are still able to attend or not.

I have some unfortunate news. I will be leaving at the end of the year. I have been offered a job in Pretoria. However I’m not sure if I’m going to accept the position as yet.

So, for those who are working towards their springboks, good luck & go for it!

To those travelling away for Christmas & New Year, have a safe trip.

To all, have a merry Christmas & a happy New Year.

Yours in Scouting

S. O’Reilly.

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