My researches led me to read a copy of this magazine from 1936 (it was called The Herts Scout News then), where it mentions a story about Michael Collins of the First Wheathampstead Troop.? He died on Armistice Day 1935 aged 12 of peritonitis.? His distraught mother had asked the Scoutmaster Lloyd Arnold if Michael`s Scout hat could be put in the coffin.

?His mother got her way and the Troop had lost a very smart and able Scout.? Michael is buried in a family plot at the Parish Church of St Helens in the village.? Subsequent researches enabled interviewing his sister Sheila Vaughan of Hertford, other members of the Collins family and John Potter who was a Scout with Michael.? They were all very helpful in completing the historical facts surrounding this story. I have offered a copy of the full file complete with photographs etc. to the Group for their archives.

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While at the Gilwell Reunion this year I met up with my old friend John Ineson who amongst many other things is Chairman of the Scout and Guide Stamps Club (www.sgsc.org.uk).? He showed me around their trading base in The Lid and gave me a copy of their Bulletin.? This told me that the Club was 53 years old, having been founded at the Jamboree in 1957.? I am aware there are many Scout philatelists of all ages in our county and for those who would like to join I recommend you contact the Membership Secretary Tim Read This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .?

Every day I am updating my book with items of history about Groups and Districts, mainly from decades ago. At the time of writing there are 27 pages of new material and photos.? I need your Group and District contributions with recent Milestones.?
An example is the centenary of the First North Watford Scout Group.? Prior to 1972, the Ninth South West Herts. Many old Scouts who were active during WWII were present including brothers Eddie and Steve Griffin. The flag was broken by the youngest recruit of the Group Chloe Lacey, assisted by Norman Hicks the oldest member. Over a hundred friends attended this well organised event at their Leggatts Way HQ on 26 September.

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After two years of reminders I have had great difficulty in squeezing District Badges and their heraldic meaning from some Districts.? The following are still outstanding: Harpenden & Wheathampstead, Elstree, Bishops`s Stortford, Ware & District.? Fred Eardley, a retired Leader from Staffordshire, has been in touch.? He is a collector of Group badges.? That is, special badges in addition to the shoulder name flash.? These might be for a special event like a 50-year or centenary or the additional names of Beaver Colonies etc. He lists some Groups in Hertfordshire that already have these:?
1 Cheshunt, 3 St Albans, 6 Stevenage.? Please let me know if you are in this league??

You will be aware that I attended the events around the country in August to celebrate Centenary of Sea Scouting.? Following these I was asked to write an illustrated report.? This has been circulated to many sources around the UK and worldwide.? I am please to tell you that this has been well received. If anyone in Hertfordshire would like a copy, please ask.

I represented the County at three funerals recently.? John (Ratty) Medhurst died on 4 September aged 63.? He was a life long member of 7 Stevenage Group, holding a number of Leader appointments.? In 1978 he became a member of the District Team as Caving Adviser and specialised in providing adventurous activities in the hills of Scotland and the caves in Derbyshire.? He set up the Stevenage UDAG (Up and Down Activity Group) that ran for many years.? A very well liked personality and able to turn his hand to a number of relevant skills, he gave hundreds of young people and adults