Congratulations Christopher.

Greetings from The Heart of Scouting

The past few weeks have been very, very hectic at the Park, but owing to a number of challenges concerning life here in Zimbabwe, I did not have the opportunity of writing about all these historic goings on, so, fast forward a weekend or two to this past weekend.

As you are all aware of and if you were not, you are hereby officially informed, that Scouts in Matabeleland celebrate the birthday of Scouting's founder, Lord Baden-Powell on the closest Sunday to the 22 February. This year, our annual Baden-Powell Camp was from 19 - 21 February, 2010 and as is usual we gather together in Gordon Park for the celebration. Challenging us this year in the holding of the Camp, was the fact that Civil Servants of Zimbabwe are out on strike. This translates to government schools are not operating and as the majority of our Scout membership are students of government schools, notices concerning events do not reach the Scouts. Further, those Troops who normally rely on school transport face a problem getting to the Park, which is 45 kilometres from the centre of town. February is also the month when we can expect many days of the heaviest rains of the season. Well, it happened as expected this season, for it was raining when Scouts started to trickle, opps no pun intended, into camp. A damp lot of humanity, but so excited that it was a pleasure to witness their eagerness in establishing their campsites and even lighting their cooking fires in next to no time. I was the only one to have problems in lighting my fire for a warming cup of tea, even with the assistance of a gallon or two of paraffin. But then, B-P never held out much hope of me ever getting my Tenderfoot badge. Naturally a man of such stature proved himself to be right, for I am still struggling to learn the Scout Promise and Law and without that test under one's belt, no Tenderfoot badge.

Saturday morning dawned dull, grey and misty with droplets of water dripping off the leaves of the trees. Oh! On going around the campsites, I discovered that there were over a hundred Scouts in camp. A very good number indeed considering the problems we are facing. For those of you who have never set foot on African soil will not understand the enormity of our challenges on things that you take for granted. But we are suitably adapted for such eventualities and take things in our stride. The old motto of "Live or Die", really has a literal meaning for us. The Rover Scouts put up a few activity bases and by the official opening later in the day, the camp was a hive of activity. The rain, came and went, so it did not prove to be much of a hindrance. The campfire following dinner proved to be a damp squib, so we ended up singing, "Campsmoke smoldering, campsmoke smoldering" and had a dark but happy campfire for the next forty minutes. Different, but then we are an innovative bunch.

A wet Sunday morning did not deter a good many Scouts from wandering off to climb Shumba shaba. I think I was still trying to light my cooking fire by the time they came back a few hours later, none the worse for wear and extremely happy at accomplishing their mission. The most important task for Leon and myself was the preparation of the Chapel for the Baden-Powell Day service. Taking the rather damp conditions into account should we hold the service in the open air Chapel or should we prepare the Naomi Conolly Lodge in which to hold the service? That was the question. When on seeking advice from one of our visitors who had arrived earlier, had said quite emphatically, "It won't rain", we opted for the Chapel. The rain, although now a very light drizzle wafted to us from across the Mtshelele valley every now and again. As people started filling the Chapel and the standard bearers were rehearsing with their Troop colours for presentation at the commencement of the service, I am sure all present were about to abandon "ship", when suddenly the cloud cover broke and the sun shone through. God was not going to allow His service to be interrupted. The Chapel was filled to capacity, even the extra benches were crammed with Scouts.

The service began with John FitzPatrick leading us on his guitar in the opening hymn "I the Lord of sea and sky... ", whilst the National colours followed by those of the various sections of Scouting and one lone Girl Guide Company, were processed with dignity down the centre aisle to be handed over to Father Martin Schupp for positioning adjacent to the altar. The first reading was from Deuteronomy 26;4 - 10; the creed of the people, which was read by Scout Dillion Irwin of the 8th Bulawayo (Hillside) Troop. The second lesson from Romans 10: 8 - 13; the creed of the Christian, was read by Rover Scout Lewis John of the 1st Matabeleland Rover Crew. Father Martin read the Gospel; Luke 4;1 - 13 where Jesus was led by the Spirit through the wilderness and was tempted there. In his address, Father Martin whilst explaining these readings to us, interwove Baden-Powell's intentions in his scheme of scouting, the discipline, the challenge, the hardships, the fun, the service to others that he hoped would be the foundation for us, the young and old to promote and cherish in our lives.

Only one award was made this year and that was to Patrol Leader Christopher Mackenzie of the 1st Bulawayo (Pioneer) Scout Troop. Christopher's logbook, detailing his journey of the One Hundred Kilometre Hike he and his fellow Scouts undertook in the Matobo Hills last year, won the 2009 Mike George Hike Project. Congratulations Christopher.

The closing parade was held at 15.00 hours, after which the Scouts dispersed for their homes. It was 21.30 hours by the time the transport for the last group of Scouts arrived at the Park to take them home. A very hectic weekend for us all, so after having our showers to clean off the dirt and grime of the day, especially that of the last few hours in cleaning kit whilst waiting for Scouts to leave, Leon and I too left for home.

Temperatures for the week ending 21 February: 64 f or 18 C and 89 F or 32 C. Total rainfall to date for the season; 18,72 inches or 468 mm.

Cheers
Norman
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This past week...

2010 Wall Calendar

This years brilliant, full colour, 1st Pioneer (Bulawayo) Scout Troop fund raising calendar is out... To request a copy please contact any Troop member (A scanned copy can be found/printed from:-
http://matabele.altervista.org/troops/1stdiary/Bulawayo-Scout-Calendar-2010.htm

Many thanks to all the international scouts/companies (below) who sponsored its printing.

And many thanks to Jono de Jong for wrapping, addressing, stamping and posting out tons of calendars to folk around Europe!

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Every Single member of the 8th Hillside

Michael Hopkins has been spending painstaking hours researching and putting together a register of all the 8th Hillside (Bulawayo) Scouts - that is every registered member since the Troop opened in 1933... The register so far, can be found at:-

http://matabele.altervista.org/troops/8thregister/index.html

and if you can think of anyone he has missed out, please let him know, preferably with dates/proof (Michaels email address can be found at:-
/troops/8thcontacts/michaelhopkins_e.jpg
Many thanks.

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I found this email/brochure from Neil Rix:-

http://matabele.altervista.org/troops/1stdiary/scout-den-appeal.htm

FIRST BULAWAYO (PIONEER) SCOUT TROOP APPEAL

Lord Baden-Powell, the founder of the international Boy Scouts movement was first involved in scouting during the Second Anglo-Matabele War, in the Matobo Hills of Matabeleland in Zimbabwe. It was here that the germ of the movement was formulated, while he developed many of the principles by which the Scouts still operate.

Today, the Boy Scouts Movement in Zimbabwe is celebrating its centenary and the First Bulawayo Troop is still up and running.

The Troop is appealing to donors to help fund the purchase and construction of a permanent Scout den. To date, a site has been secured at the Hillsrde Dams Conservancy in Bulawayo and we are appealing for assistance to erect a suitable building where the Scouts can meet regularly, practice skills and generally operate as a Troop.

The Hillside Dams Conservancy Trust will supervise the erection of the building before handing it over to the First Bulawayo Troop. We believe that by creating this Scout den, we will be able to ensure the continued operations of this historical Troop, thus benefitting current and future generations of Zimbabwe's youth.

Reciprocal arrangements will be made with any donor and Scout Troops with which they may be associated or designate. A commemorative naming of the den would also be considered.

Should you be able to assist please contact either of the following:

Mr Neil Rix on projects@ hillsidedams.com
Rob Burrett on estate@ hillsidedams.com

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1st Pioneer Troops Calendar of forthcoming events:-

February
26 Troop Meeting: Mabukuwene
March
5 - 6 Monthly Hike
12 Centenary Group Dinner
13 Africa Scout Day
14 Gordon Park Service: 12:00 noon
19 Troop Meeting: Mabukuwene
26 Troop Meeting: Mabukuwene (Sausage Sizzle)
31 Schools Close
April
2 - 5 Easter
9 - 10 Monthly Hike
11 Gordon Park Service: 12:00 noon
16 Troop Meeting: Mabukuwene
17 - 19 Mini Expedition
18 Independence Day
23 Troop Meeting: Mabukuwene
25 St. Georges Day
30 Troop Meeting: Mabukuwene

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With thanks to all the following scouts and companies who sponsored the 1st Pioneer (Bulawayo) Scout Troop 2010 Calendar:-

Design and Origination Sponsored by Directory Publishers (Pvt)Ltd For all your calendars and diaries P.O.Box 1595, Bulawayo Tel: 09 7883, 880591/3, 880598 Fax: 09 78835 African Wanderer Safaris Around Zimbabwe, In the Matopos Hunting and Photographic Safaris Ian Harmer P.O.Box 1976, Bulawayo, Zimbabwe Tel: +(263)(9) 72736 Cell:- + (263) (0) 912 224 069 Email wanderer @yoafrica.com Rumson Trading (Pvt) Ltd Clearing & Forwarding Agents Agents For: Colbro Transport (Pvt) Ltd - Byo Professional Consolidators (pvt) Ltd S.A. For your cross border clearing and transport requirements Contact Us: Bulawayo 9 Cardiff St Belmont Bulawayo Tel:71621/77991                  Fax:(09)60400 Harare 5 Greentrees Rd Willowvale Harare Tel:(04)660625 / 661066 Fax:(04)620010 Mealie Brand Ploughs - The best buy my father ever made. Tel: +(263)(9)71363/4/5 Fax: +(263)(9)71365 E-mail: sales @zimplow.co.zw        Custom        Rebuilds      28 Pretorius Street Donnington Cell + (263) (0) 11 636 651 Domino Supplies UK You Need It? We'll Find It! Tel: UK +(44)(0)7747 824 508 Dominosupplies @blueyonder.co.uk        Paul's Pest        Control (Pvt) Ltd Advice * Sales * Service Tel: 6*123*6 Acacia Insurance Consultants 5th Floor Old Mutual Centre Jason Moyo St, Bulawayo Tel: 79333 Fax 63895 direct 66891/66432 Lithe Enterprises (pvt) Ltd. t/a Satib Africa Zimbabwe Tourism Insurance for Africa P.O.Box 3065 Bulawayo Zimbabwe 63 Heyman Rd         Suburbs Tel/fax +(263)(9) 230 708 Cell +(263) 912 211 165 satib @netconnect.co.zw dstephen @netconnect.co.zw        Hillside Dams Conservancy Office: +(263)(9) 885333 Dam: +(263)(9) 242490 estate @hillsidedams.com Banff Rd, Hillside. P.O.Box Fm690 Famona ANDREW BARKER   Development Consultant          Trp(SA), Bsc. TRP. CVE (SA) 144 Berrymead Avenue, Mondeor, Johannesburg, 2091 South Africa Tel/Fax: +27 (0)11 680 9791 andrew @andrewbarker.co.za      Postal: PO Box 1073 Mondeor, 2110 South Africa Mobile: +27 (0)83 274 4424 www.andrewbarker.co.za

Printing Sponsored by:   abf   Commercial Printing Specialists Manufacturers of Continuous Stationery Automation Business Forms; The Feathered quil (pvt) Ltd t/a Head Office 9 Wolverhampton Rd Donnington.      P.O.Box 8075, Belmont Bulawayo Zimbabwe Tel: 471017, 460521 Fax 464129 abfbyo @mweb.co.zw                              Harare Office 17018 Sande Crecent Graniteside P.O.Box CR 343 Cranborne, Harare Tel/fax 758133 758118 / 775360 abfhre @mweb.co.zw Cheeseland Deli 124 Robert Mugabe Way Bulawayo, Tel: 885095 cheese @yoafrica.com Major Meats Butchery 122 Fort St, Btw 11th & 12th Ave Bulawayo, Zimbabwe Tel: +(263)(9) 69748 Fax +(263) (9) 888265           Cell:- +(263) 11 613 977 Zimbabwe Cutting Tools    Manufacturers & suppliers of:- Drills, Milling Cutters, Tool Bits, Hacksaw Blades and tools to Customers Requirements Stand KW12, Copper Alley, Kelvin West, P.O.Box 8533 Belmont Bulawayo, Zimbabwe Tel: +(263)(9) 488421/4 Fax:- +(263)(9) 488074            zct @ecoweb.co.zw Safeguard when security Matters! 2 Woburn Rd, Thorngrove, Bulawayo Tel: 68919, 69419, 885509/17 (ALL HOURS) Fax 885518 email Guards @safebyo.co.zw P.T.Royal Ostrindo Zimbabwe (Pvt) Ltd Specialist in Exotic Leather and Quality Leather Products Tel: +(263)(9) 48881/489188 Fax: +(263)(9) 484464 E-mail: Johnnykl @ostrindo.co.zw International Service Centers Colbro Masvingo (Pvt) Ltd T/A Fully equipped to provide Quality Parts, Repairs or Maintenance to International Trucks and Cummins Engines by Cummins Qualified Artisans Harare P.O.Box ST620 Southerton Tel; 620011/8                           Fax: 620000 Bulawayo P.O.Box 8219 Belmont Tel: 880391/8 Fax: 880608 Drillwell Mining Drill Blast - Exploration Drilling Water Boring - Survey - Demolition Contracting P.O.Box 8593 Belmont Bulawayo Zimbabwe Tel: +(263)(9) 467549 / 460580 Fax: +(263)(9) 471992 e-mail: drillwell @netconnect.co.zw Lobels Biscuits (Pvt) Ltd. P.O.Box 8099 Belmont Bulawayo Zimbabwe Tel: +(263-9) 69831 Fax: +(263)(9) 69839 Jus Teak Furniture & Flooring cnr Khami / Cowden Rd Steeldale bulawayo P.O.Box 493, Famona                 Bulawayo, Zimbabwe Tel:+(263)(9)63066 Fax:+(263)(9)881201 admin @justeak.co.uk www.justeak.com

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Matabeleland Scout Website /
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Bulawayo, 22/2/2010