Aylesbury Scouting material

In September 2007 Dr R Colin Welch, formerly of 22 Fairmile, Aylesbury, kindly donated to Buckinghamshire County Museum a collection of scouting objects, including his scouting shirt, badges, membership cards and log books, which he used when he was a member of the Second Aylesbury Troop 1946-1953. Dr Welch had a long-standing involvement with the scouts; he began as a cub and later, was a troop leader before being called up for his National Service.  On the following pages, is the text of a log written by Dr Welch when he was 14, recording the details of the camping expedition undertaken by him and a friend on 5 – 6 September 1949, for their First Class Badge.  (The spelling and punctuation are all as they appear in the log book)

A guide to passing the First Class Test, published at the time, notes of the expedition requirement: 

‘Journey.  Go on foot or row a boat, alone or with another Scout, for a total distance of fourteen miles, or ride an animal or bicycle (not motor) a distance of thirty miles; he must write a short report of the journey, with special attention to any points to which he may be directed by the Examiner or his Scoutmaster (a route map of the journey is not required).  The journey should occupy about twenty-four hours and camping kit for the night must be taken and used.  Whenever practicable the camp site should be of the Scout’s own choosing, and not where other Scouts are camping.  His S.M. or Examiner may indicate the route and suggest the approximate area but not the actual position where he will make his camp.  … This test should normally be the final one taken for the First Class Badge.’ 

The image on the following page shows a map, drawn by Dr Welch, which outlines the route from Little Missenden to Beaconsfield.  The level of detail which has been recorded regarding sites seen and things experienced is remarkable, as is the degree of self-sufficiency on the part of these two young people.  The assessor of Dr Welch’s log (L Guy Anderson, who was a veterinary surgeon in Aylesbury) wrote ‘This is very good indeed.  One of the best logs I have seen, and with all the information asked for.  Perhaps a little too much of the journey was by road rather than footpaths.  I hope the feet are better!!!

Other items donated by Dr Welch will be on display in the Museum’s new acquisition case November 2007 – January 2008.