11th Riverside Rumbles Magazine 1976

Riverside Rumbles

March 1976
From the Scout Leaders
It is some time since the last copy of Riverside Rumbles was printed. This is unfortunate as it was designed as an annual newsletter. It has not been produced for a variety of reasons. It would be appreciated if perhaps a parent would assist in this. All he would have to do is collate and print the magazine (at the Trooops expense!) Mr J. Felgate would be responsible for collecting the articles. If someone is interested would they contact him.
The Troop has gone through a change over the last year to eighteen months. For a time we had a drop in numbers, and since the beginning of this year we have had an influx of fifteen new, very keen youngsters. This is very pleasing but keeps the Scout Leaders very busy. This is where you as parents could be of great assistance. We need experts in specialised fields, particularly where badge work is concerned for instruction and testing. So if you are mechanically minded, a cook, or an expert in the Pioneering field, do contact the Scout Leaders as we are compiling a list of specialized instructors and testers so that if a boy wishes to pass a badge, we can refer him to you. Dont forget that you are very much part of the Scout Troop as well, and, having been Scouts as well, we know what it is to see and feel the support of ones parents.
This year we are holding a full Troop camp over Rhodes and Founders weekend. It is expected that every Scout will attend. We are hoping to go to the Scout Campsite, Chamavudzi in Fort Victoria. The campsite is beautifully and ideally situated. However, we will need transport assistance, either in the form of Vans(s) or Truck(s) or if people would be willing to transport us down there. We have enough 'safe' drivers in the Troop! We will also require petrol assistance, ie coupons. At the beginning of this term we put out a plea with regards to this, but no one has yet contacted us about it.
Please, we do need your support. Before concluding, we should like to thank the Group Committee for all its help and support during the past year. The Troop is Flourishing, and we feel sure that this will be a successful year. Should you wish to contact us for any reason please do not hesitate to do so either on a Friday evening or by telephone : Mr J. Felgate, Northlea School Hostel, 70062; Mr A. Lawson, 889621.

J.Felgate and A.Lawson
Scout Leaders


Page 2

Cook-Out Competition
As usual the annual Cookout Competition took place at Hillside Dams. Our Troop sent 3 teams in to compete. The competition was split up into 3 age groups, which were:-
a. Under 13 - Cook a meal in tin foil (a complete one!).
b. Under 15 - Cook a meal in an oven.
c. Under 17 - Cook and prepare a meal with an army "rat" pack.
The menu for my patrol, U15 age Group, was a steak and kidney pie, mashed potatoe and two vegetables. For desert there was apple crumble and custard.

We assembled at the Hillside Dams at approximately 12:30pm and we were given the numbers to our site at 1.00p.m. After displaying our food on a table we were instructed that we could start our fires at 1:30pm and commence cooking. All the food had to be prepared on site and no pre-cooked or pre-mixing of ingredients was allowed. The preperation took the best part of an hour and by 4:30pm we were ready to serve our food.

At about 5:00pm we all gathered in a large horse-shoe formation and we were given a talk by Mr D. Fife about the high standard achieved in the cooking. Following this, the trophies were presented and my Patrol was lucky enough to earn 2nd prize in our age group. Unfortunately we were the only Patrol from our group to win a prize and so we felt proud of ourselves. Next year (1976) I am hoping to do better and maybe even win a first prize.
Gary Rae

14th World Scout Jamboree
The 1975 World Scout Jamboree was held in Lillehammer - a picturesque town 200km North of Oslo, in the heart of Norway. The five Nordic countries, Denmark, Norway, Sweden, Iceland and Finland hosted the Jamboree - a four yearly event which is the highlight of all Scouting activities.

This year 87 countries took part in the Jamboree, which was held from the 29th July to the 7th August 1975. There were 17,000 Scouts from all over the World in the Jamboree Campsite, which was split up into 10 sub-camps. In each sub-camp there were 200 Troops, and situated in each sub-camp were a post-office, banking, first-aid and shop facilities. On the Jamboree site was a hospital, resturants and Scout Shops, as well as a camp police centre and a computer centre.

The organization at the Jamboree was controlled by a computer. This machine processed activity cards, which were issued to every Scout and which were handed back so that the computer could follow the progress, attendance and work of every scout present. Activities at the Jamboree included a hike, water and physical activities, a course in modern technology, the North Trail, nature and conservation, handicrafts and radio scouting activities. "Get togethers" such as camp-fires, "sing-songs", and a country fair were held so that friendships could be founded.

The motto of the Jamboree was "Five Fingers - one hand" to signify the unity and strength between Scouts of the five continents, and at the opening ceremony the 17,000 Scouts formed into the shape of a huge hand. This was then photographed from the air and prints were later sold.

The Jamboree was an efficient, fully functional "tent village". A newspaper was issued daily, food ration depots were situated in each sub-camp and security at night was provided by the student police force.
The activities were varied and interesting. The showering water was piped in from a glacier river and was thus freezing, the food was delicious. The weather was superb the whole time and the view of the Norwegian mountains and forests was glorious.

It was with slow, sad steps that everyone made his way to the Athling Arena (the main arena) on the evening of the 6th August for the closing ceremony, which ended with a magnificent fireworks display which illuminated the night sky with beautiful colours. I shall certainly never forget that wonderful experience - perhaps never to be repeated. The friendships made internationally will always bind Scouts all over the world in a strength and a unity that is to be reconed with.
Ian Gardener.

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Jims Camp
We left on Thursday, 18th December by car and not by bicycle as planned because it was raining too hard. I was was looking forward to this camp because there were only going to be four of us there. There was Jim, Richard Millar, David Stone, Gary Rae and myself.
We had to meet at the scout hall at 9 o'clock. When we finally loaded up the cars we left. We arrived at the Matopos Dam at about 10:30am. While waiting for Jim, - David, Richard, Gary and I managed to pitch all the tents. Gary, Richard and I decided to go for a ride in the canoe. Richard and I were in the seats while Gary sat on the front of the canoe. When we got to the middle of the dam, the canoe turned over so we bailed out and had to swim back to the shore. We never tried that stunt again! Jim arrived just after lunch, he had Hugh de Robeck with him. On Friday morning Jim and Hugh went to town, when they got back, Jim managed to get the car stuck in the mud and we had to get him out.

That afternoon he went back into town as he had asked two English chaps that he had met on the boat to come and spend a day with us. They arrived back at 6 o'clock, just in time for supper. On Saturday we fished and managed to catch a few tiddlers. At about 4 o'clock we took David's dingy to the center of the dam and had a swim. We fished again, this was on Sunday. We went for another swim just before lunch as we were going back after lunch. When Andy came we loaded his car and headed for home. We arrived at about 4 o'clock. This ended another great camp.
Peter Watson.

J.O.T.A 1975
To the consternation of some and the absolute glee of others, on the Friday before JOTA the media announced that the venu for JOTA had been burnt out. The organiseors were said to be looking for an alternative venue.
However, that evening the Scouts were told that it was to be held at the Girl Guides training ground, Rowallan Park. Once again the reception of this news was varied, some were disappointed that it was to be held at all, others hoped that there would be Guides there!
We left next morning at 9:00am and by 12 noon camp had been setup. Despite circumstances, transmitting began at 11am with an improvised antenna. The afternoon was profitably spent in the shack and back at camp completing patrol projects.
That evening at the campfire, Igor the terrible revealed himself and Ian Gardiner preceeded to spring-clean several elephants. After the campfire at the dead of night the 11th paid a visit to IzziDwadwa at the Moth Shrine. I am sure several of us will remember this for a long time to come.
Next morning, Sunday, was spent logging Q.SO's and there was lecture for the benifit of all on Amateur Radio at 10am. At 12:00 we all left on the various Patrol Hikes, each patrol had a different route. Members of Impala Patrol will remember Nigel Robas's running ability and David Davies prowess with compass and map.
The next afternoon all the hikers met at one rendez-vous, 'Old Bulawayo'. From here we were transported back to civilisation and home sweet home where we would first attend to depleated stomachs and then to bruises and blisters. Then we were to attend to the logs which we were obliged to write.
All of us enjoyed JOTA and are looking forward to this years Jamboree On The Air.
Paul de Souza

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District Camp
On Saturday, 28th February our Scout Group, 11th Riverside Troop set out on a Scout camp to Gordon Park. Transport was provided by Mr Malan, David Davies and two others.
On arrival at Gordon Park we met the other Scout Groups and began to make camp. After setting up our tents we went in search of firewood, our efforts soon produced a large pile of wood. We were then able to relax for a while, after a short rest we went exploring and returned for lunch.
At 2.00p.m. we went climbing kopjies and explored caves. We returned to camp at about 3:30pm.We played games while the patrol leaders cooked dinner. This consisted of baked beans, soup and stew. After dinner, there was a campfire and we played a wide-game. This was a game with two lanterns on hills and opposing forces had to obtain eachothers lanterns without being caught. It was 3:00am when we got to bed that night.
On Sunday we woke at 6:00am had a shower and breakfast.Then we went hill climbing and exploring with Mr Felgate.
Lunch was at 12:00 noon, this was corn beef, baked beans, spaghetti and peaches. After lunch we broke camp and packed everything into the trucks. At 3:00pm we attended a memorial service for Skipper Knapman who died last week. We left Gordon Park at about 4:00pm and returned to the Scout Hall at about 5:15pm.
Peter Coulson.

DIARY DATES
10th April - 18th April : "MASTAC" (Adv. Sct. Trng. Course)
23rd April : St. Georges Day
19th June - 20th June : ASSEGAI Competition
10th July - 13th July : Annual Troop Camp
14th August : Cook-Out Competition
2nd October : Soap Box Derby
16th October-17th October : J.O.T.A. (Jamboree On The Air)
13th November : Pioneering Day


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