Our first term this year is nearly at an end. It has been a busy term including Kontiki and the Gala. Well done to all the participants.

BADEN POWELL DINNER 20 FEBRUARY 1999 - GAYNOR BERRY

Thank you very much to all the parents who made the delicious puddings or donated cash towards one. They helped make it quite a notable occasion as well as a fund raiser. I would like to single out Lorraine Garner, of the committee, for doing the major part in planning and executing the dinner. Help came from all committee members as well as Glenise Jonas and Alida Bickell who willingly helped prepare and serve. If empty plates are anything to go by (any many people queuing for more puddings), the meal must have been good! Thanks to Steven O’Reilly and Michael Wilson, all those working in the kitchen were especially grateful to have the newly installed fan – it prevented a meltdown! With the help of donations and ticket sales, we raised +- R400.00. Both Leslie Pike and Gaynor Berry were awarded Certificates of Merit for Good Service to the Scout movement.

Hello Everyone

How time flies, it is almost the end of the first term which has been packed with events.

BEACH HIKE

The first event was a beach hike from the end of the Sacramento Trail at Schoenies to the Pipe in Summerstrand. It was disappointing that only 8 boys took part, even so the guys had a ball. They reached the end point 3 hours early after their early start and had a ball swimming. When asked why they had not phoned and informed me, the answer I got was, "No way, we were having fun!!"

TROOP GALA

The next event was the Troop Gala at the Alex pool. This event was different although I’m sure the guys must have had fun as I’ve had no complaints as yet. The only disappointment was the lack of parent support. Thanks to those parents who did support the event. Thanks must go to the Ahlschlager’s, who helped with the sale of the wors rolls.

BP DINNER

This was held on 20 February at our hall. Once again, the committee did an outstanding job of catering for the event. Congratulations to Mrs Pike for obtaining her long service award.

KONTIKI

The Kontiki was held from 5-7 March at Redhouse. This year the event took on a different outlook in the form of an orienteering course on the river. They could only build their rafts on Saturday and they were inspected. They were then given a map and a number of map co-ordinates where the bases were. It was a bit disappointing that Kudu patrol gave up and returned empty handed. Congratulations to Rhino Patrol, which after spending a lot of time plotting their bases, persevered and took second place. Congratulations must go to Aiden Berry for his logbook. I was told it was the best at camp by far; this after making him re-write his last logbook!!

AREA GALA

This was held on 13 March at the Collegiate pool. This year the gala was a bit one-sided as none of the stronger troops were there to challenges or perhaps they were not up to facing the wrath of Cotswold again!! Cotswold came first, leading the second placed team by 32 points. Well done to all the boys. Congratulations must once again go to Roger Bott for winning the St. Cuthbert’ s Cup for the second year in a row. We once again missed our parents at this event. Thanks to those who did come.

WORK PARTY

I would like to thank all those parents and boys who helped at the work party. Everyone was asked to give an hour of their time to whip our hall into shape. I think we are well on our way to this goal.

I would also like to welcome our 2 new invested scouts. Our Troop has gained momentum over the last few month – let’s keep it up!

We started the year off with two boys, Christian Axsel and Connor Tregoning, achieving their top award, the Leaping Wolf Badge and going up to the Scout troop where they will enjoy many years of Scouting.

KONTIKI

Six boys, Brendan, Joss, Jannes, Adam, Timothy O and Kevin, had great fun paddling on their raft on the Swartkops River at Redhouse at this year’s Kontiki. They can’t wait for the next Kontiki. Special thanks to Uncle Patrick, Adam’s uncle, who very kindly offered to skipper the raft. A big thank you to the dads, Jason Jurgens, Len Zeelie and Norman Brown, who together with Ernie Pike built the cub raft.

WATERFUN DAY/GALA

Seven boys took fun in this event at the Collegiate School swimming pool. The emphasis was on "FUN" which it was – boys didn’t need to be able to swim to take part in the fun races. Congratulations to Murray Holmes who was our star swimmer.

Our pack was very proud to have received a Silver Start award for 1998. We hope that we can keep up this high standard in 1999.

It is with great sadness that we bid the Wessels family farewell. We will miss Jannes and wish him and his family good luck in their journey to greener pastures. Jannes and his brother were the two youngest participants in "Die Burger Cycle Race" and Jannes completed the "Argus Cycle Tour" in 7 hours. Well done Jannes!

It is PLTU time again and the next course will the 5^th PLTU to be held in East London at Gilwood from 4-14 July 1999. The course fee is R495-00 which includes the PLTU scarf. Scouts participating should be at least 14 years old and have passed Std. 6 and be physically fit to cope with a fairly strenuous adventurous course of leadership.

WHAT IS PLTU?

PLTU is a highly specialised course designed to train senior Scouts to run an effective patrol. All Scouting should be run on the Patrol System, but how can this be done if the Patrol Leader is not trained. PLTU will do this for you and when you leave the course, one should be a fully trained Patrol Leader having all the skills necessary to do this important task in your Scout Troop. Your Troop Scouter has been sent application forms which must have a R100-00 deposit for each application attached. Entries with the deposit must reach the Course Director by 30 April 1999.

1. Anthony Bruyns, our ex-troop scouter, got married to Natasha Smithies in January this year. We wish them everything of the best for the future.
2. Juliet Berry (Kaa) graduated from PE Technikon and is now an au-pair in Detroit Michigan in the USA. She is settling down well but is having to cope with both snowy conditions and driving on the "wrong" side of the road. Congratulations on your 21^st Juliet.
3. Sean Pike has also graduated from Saarsveld and we wish him all the best in his career. Happy 21^st to you too Sean.
4. Another ex troop Scouter, Wayne Roberts, has been appointed Assistant District Commissioner Scout Programme. Super to see you back in scouting again Wayne. Wayne and Madelein’s son, Glenton will soon be enrolling as a cub.
5. Thank you to all those who came to the hall on Sunday 14 March 1999 to help with all the maintenance jobs that need to be done. Unfortunately, most of the people there belonged to families of committee members. An urgent appeal is made to both parents and boys to come and help on these occasions. The hall and surrounds are there for all our boys and help is urgently needed. I hope the response will be even better next time – an hour of your time is surely not too much to ask.

GAYNOR BERRY - CHAIRPERSON - 3643323
JILL WILSON - PRO - 3655553
STEVEN O’REILLY - TROOP SCOUTER - 3642606
LESLIE PIKE - PACK SCOUTER - 3641498
MADELEIN ROBERTS - HALL HIRE - 733597