***   Date of Last Update: 14/08/2010   ***

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I have very pleasant memories of 2nd Nobs, which gave me the opportunity to try so many activities that I would never have had the chance of experiencing if it where not for the marvellous work of the leaders and helpers in those days.  I used to go to camp as often as I could.  I remember going to Seasalter with the cubs and listening out for Auntie Mabel's Ghost Train in our bunks at 12 o'clock (I think it was)!

In the Scout Troop I remember going to Polyapes, Walton Firs, and Bentley Copse among others and I loved every camp I could possibly get to. The pinnacle of my scout camping life though was going to Sweden in about 1970 or thereabouts, for the scout Jamboree.  Boy, what a camp that was.  It was a three week camp, split into two halves. The first half was spent under canvas with so many other troops from all over the world.  The atmosphere was fantastic.  Unfortunately, all I can remember about the camping part was admiring the Swedish Scout Uniform ( which was a denim shirt and Levi jeans with group scarf), and falling in love for the first time with a Norwegian Girl Guide by the name of Gudy Fossum.  God she was lovely.  I used to write to her nearly every month for about a year after the camp until she mentioned in her letter that I ought to write to her sister more as she knew me from the camp and she fancied me as well!

I ignored her pleas and continued to write to her until she finally told me she was coming to England and visiting Weston-super-Mare and because of the distance from there to where I lived, she didn't think she would be able to visit me.  I was gutted.  So that was the end of my first romance.

The second half of the camp was spent with a family in Monsteros, in Sweden, which I shared with Glyn Pilsbury (Pilchards) where I spent my time fishing, rifle shooting, water skiing and learning about farming and caring for animals.

But getting back to the Scouts, apart from the actual Troop meetings, I remember being part of the football team (though not very good), PL Council, the Kingston & Malden District Group Scout Band which consisted of 3rd Molesey, 1st Hook and us.  Geoff was a marvellous bugle and drum instructor and I progressed from bugle to cymbals to tenor drum and onwards to become lead drummer in the side drum section.  We used to practise at Tiffin Boys School and I remember winning the County Youth Marching Band Championships in the early 70s and what a great feeling of pride that was.  I've still got some photos now.  All these experiences were due to one man's commitment to Scouting.

Unfortunately, my work took me away from the Kingston area.  I eventually ended up getting married and living in Cranleigh where, whilst bringing up a family of two boys and a girl, I thought I would like to help out our local Scout group by assisting somebody in running a Cub pack.  This progressed to running a scout troop, and I eventually I ended up becoming Group Scout Leader of the 1st and 2nd Cranleigh Scout Group.

It was a pleasure to be able to read your newsletter "Light on the Right" (how many times did I hear that through my time with 2nd Nobs?) but this was mixed with great sadness at learning of Geoff's death; I am glad however that Bangers is still going strong (Bangers was 90 in January 2003.  Ed.) and hope she remembers something of me, because she is always in my deepest memories of a happy and fulfilling Cub life.

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Lambert family involvement at 2nd Nobs started when the eldest son, Matt, joined Cubs in 1989.  Next entry was Richard, "persuaded" into the section as a helper by Linda Stacey in autumn 1990, and further "persuaded" into uniform as Akela at the beginning of 1991!  In February of that year Simon, second son, joined Cubs.  Matt moved up to Scouts in the autumn of 1991, and that was how it stayed until the family moved to Farnborough, Hampshire, in March 1993.

Continuing down in Hampshire, Richard and the two boys joined 5th Farnborough immediately, with Richard starting as an ACSL, but once more being "persuaded" into becoming Akela, by spring 1994.  Matt stayed in Scouts until he was 16 and then left.  Simon become a Scout in early 1994 and also left at 16.  Third son Neil also joined Cubs, in October 1993, and left at 15 1/2.  Daughter Jennie joined neighbouring 7th Farnborough (the only pack at the time to take girls) in 1997.  Karen - Richard's other half - chose not to be formally involved, but is always there in the background for advice and moral support.  As a local Infant School teacher, she passes Richard the "low down" on up-coming new Cubs!

One significant difference between Hampshire and Kingston is the accommodation: in Hampshire, they have a large, purpose-built District Headquarters, complete with Scout Shop and licensed bar (!), and surrounded by an Activity Centre - climbing/abseiling tower, archery & air-rifle ranges, caving complex, camp fire circle and camping ground.

Richard is now Akela with 5th Farnborough and is "...still enjoying it, with a pack of 24 boys, two ACSLs and two other helpers, but currently struggling a bit with the new programme!"  (Aren't we all? - Ed!)  "I made it up to St Peters for the 50th anniversary celebrations in 2000, and it was good to see so many faces I knew.  In retrospect, I was very pleased to have been able to see Geoff Mynott  just a week or so before he died."

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Ken joined the 2nd Norbiton Supporters section in 1966 when it was first formed.  He became secretary in 1967 and then moved into the Chairman's role in 1968.

In 1970, Ken was persuaded onto the Group Executive Committee and was elected Chairman in 1973, in which role he remained until 1978.  A few weeks after resigning the post, Ken was asked by Geoff Mynott to represent the Group on the District Executive Committee.

In 1979 Ken was asked to serve on the District Appointments Committee and then, on 26 April 1980 at the District AGM, he was elected District Executive Chairman.  He remained in post for 11 years until he stood down in 1991, but took up the role again in 1993 when the current Chairman moved overseas.  Ken then remained as Chairman for another 5 years until he stood down in 1998, though remaining on the Executive and Appointments Committee.

Ken was elected District President in 1999.

Over the years, Ken has received numerous Scouting awards:  the Thanks Badge in 1968; the Chief Scout Commendation in 1985/6; the Medal of Merit in 1990; and, in 2002, he was awarded the Silver Acorn.

Ken had three sons pass through the Group - David, Ian and Peter.

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Geoff first became a Cub in 1941, though only for 9 months owing to the air raids.  Evacuated in 1943, he rejoined as a Scout with 18^th Rochdale in Lancashire and from then on was involved in Scouting in many and varied ways, including the Band and the BLS Football League.

He was involved with the Kingston & Malden Scout and Guide Band (as it is now known) from its inception in 1950 right through to his retirement, having held the position of Band Master some 35 years.

In 1953, as part of his National Service, he was posted to Moascar in Egypt and there he ran the Cub Pack.

After National Service, Geoff returned to England and took up the role of Scout Leader with 2nd Norbiton, running Summer Camps in places like Luxembourg, Sweden, Switzerland and Holland.  Geoff moved on to become GSL for a period, followed by ADC Scouts and then District Commissioner for Kingston & Malden.

After his tenure as DC, Geoff spent some 12 years as Scout Leader with Bedlesford School Scout Troop, a Troop for handicapped Scouts.  During the latter years, Geoff reforged the links with 2nd Norbiton, holding several joint Summer Camps, until Bedlesford Troop closed.  Geoff then returned to 2nd Norbiton as Scout Leader, bringing many of the handicapped Scouts with him.

Geoff continued as Scout Leader with 2nd Norbiton until age forced him to stand down from the role, though he continued to attend Troop meetings as a helper, run the accounts, and attend Summer Camps and weekend camps.

Geoff was presented with numerous awards throughout his Scouting career, culminating with the award of his Silver Wolf in 1998.

Geoff died in June 2000.

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Having been a cub in the group, Colin moved out of scouting but then, less than a year later, he joined a mate at 1st Coombe (now defunct) where he spent time as a Scout and a Senior Scout earning his Queen's Scout Award and D of E Gold Award.

Colin then left Scouting for a life in the Army but, on retiring from the services, he eventually found himself in Wokingham and, as a result of attending the local group's AGM, soon found himself on the Executive Committee (work didn't allow time to become a leader) before eventually becoming GSL.  During this time, the group moved into a new HQ, which allowed them to expand to what is now one of the largest in Berkshire.

In time, Colin moved to the District Team, and has since held held a number of positions, as well as helping to run the odd pack and troop from time to time.  He is currently responsible for Adult Training within the District.

Memories of 2nd Nobs include "...my first cub camp at Polyapes, the regular church parades down to St Peter's and even the odd District swimming gala!  And of course, one never forgets Akela! I know what they say about old scouters not fading away, but it's really good to hear that Connie Bangs is still around!"  (Connie is now in her 90s! - Ed.)

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