Holy Trinity Rover Scouts
Holy Trinity Rover Scouts
History 1924-1938
Many thanks to David Fry for the following -
Holy Trinity Scout Troop held its 100th anniversary in 2018. How the boys of Yeovil’s Holy Trinity parish lived between the First and Second World Wars was significantly different from today. With strong allegiance to King and Country, as well as Yeovil as home, Scouting was an emerging movement. Its principles were expressed in Baden Powell’s Scouting Today which reflected an outdoor life associated with the British Colonial Army in the South African Boer War (1899-1902).
My grandfather married a house servant and moved to Yeovil to live in Peter Street where my father was born in 1918. My father was in the Holy Trinity choir and joined the Cub Scouts in 1927 (age range 8 -10). He went up to the Scouts from age 11 to 17, and at 18 my father moved to the Rover Scouts which had been running informally since 1924. A Crew Log was started when the Rovers were formally established in 1936. The run-up to the Second World War appears to have curtailed Rover activity from August 1938 when entries ceased. This is the time at which Territorial Army recruiting was beginning and Rovers were likely to be the sort of young men that volunteered.
I was born in Peter Street in 1948 but moved to Sandhurst Road in 1952. I joined the St Mary’s (Holy Trinity offshoot) Cub Scouts in 1955. I then joined Holy Trinity Scouts (Town) in 1959 and moved to their Senior Scouts in 1963. I gained Queen Scout and left for University in 1966. During my time as a Scout, much of the activity was still based on Scouting for Boys, such as cooking on open fires at camps for all meals and fire lighting without paper. Like my father, I built a bridge out of poles and rope.
A copy of
the Rover Crew
Log along with
period photos,
reproduced
below, provides
a historic
insight into a
period when life
was much
simpler, more
formal, with
less expendable
income. Despite
the deprivations
of the 1930’s
recession, the
Log portrays
much enthusiasm
for
Scout and Church
life. The Log
refers to a
Whitsun Camp in
1937 at
Ringstead Bay
near Weymouth,
with “excellent
weather and some
splendid
bathing”. One of
the few events
from this time
that my father
mentioned was
the Rovers
swimming several
miles out to sea
for the sheer
fun of it. Not
something likely
to be
contemplated
today unless
properly
controlled. No
Health and
Safety then! A
number of the
Crew Members at
the time of the
Log were present
at Church and
Scout events as
I was growing
up.
Holy Trinity,
Yeovil, Group of
Boy Scouts
Rover Crew Log.
May 1937
Separate Log
Section
initiated, by
Rover Leader: R.
Giles and
Scribe, W.E.
Giles.
Retrospective
(1924 – 1936)
In March 1924,
the Patrol
Leaders (PL’s),
seconds and
scouts of
requisite age
and stature were
formed into an
experimental
‘Rover Crew’
under the
leadership of
Henry Priddle as
Rover Mate. As a
mark of esteem
to the founders
of the Holy
Trinity Troop of
Boy Scouts, (Rev
E A Barrett) the
crew was named
the ‘Barrett
Crew’. The
original members
were: Henry
Priddle (Rover
Mate), Walter
Priddle, Reg
Priddle,
Cliff Dover,
Roland Wensley
and Bill Giles.
The ‘Squires’
(novices)
continued for a
considerable
period in their
original
formation
holding somewhat
informal
meetings,
reviewing
interesting
talks on a
diversity of
subjects, and
generally
holding together
as part of the
group. With
changes of
leadership and
continually
fluctuating
membership, the
Crew continued
without definite
status being
obtained for the
rather lengthy
‘experimental’
period of nine
years. However,
much useful work
was done during
the time by
these elders, in
connection with
troop activities
of all
description.
On 23 April 1933
(St Georges
Day), Scout
Master Reg
Priddle received
the Rover
Leader’s
Warrant, and the
first
investiture was
held, at which
the following
Squires were
officially
appointed
Rovers: Walt
Priddle, Jim
Jennings, F
Hains, L Hains,
Roy Dover,
Norman Dover,
Aubrey Whensley,
Stan Ricketts
and George
Marsh.
Thus Holy
Trinity Group
could now boast
an official
Rover Crew of
one Patrol.
Activities
continued much
as before,
little tangible
work being done
as Crew, but
invaluable help
being provided
to the Troop.
For a
considerable
period, the
Rovers ran a
Sunday afternoon
service in the
church, which
they conducted
entirely by and
for themselves.
A useful sum of
money was
collected, which
was eventually
devoted to
churchyard
improvement.
MMarch 1936 saw
the biggest step
forward, when
the Rovers
occupied a
separate ‘den’,
a separate fund,
and generally
‘set up house’
on their
account. Reg
Giles was
appointed Rover
Leader at this
juncture,
although his
warrant was not
granted till the
following
February,
because of his
age. The ‘den’
was a room at
the Leader’s
house. The
personnel at
this stage were;
Reg Giles (Rover
Leader), Jim
Jennings (Rover
Mate), Sid
Harding
(Treasurer),
Fred Ricketts
(Secretary),
Wref Sartin,
Stan Fry, Norman
Dover, Ron
Ellis, Bert
Norman, Ron
Ponsford, Ron
Ellis, Rev PA
Allan (a few
weeks), Chas
Chambers (ten
weeks, a
visiting
Portuguese Kings
Scout) and
Douglas Harris.
The following
rules, in
addition to
those of the Boy
Scouts
Association,
were agreed
upon; regular
weekly meetings,
2d per week
subscription,
monthly
corporate
attendance at
Holy Communion,
75% attendance
to return
membership, and
privilege of
attending annual
camps. 2/6d
entrance for
members joining
after formation.
Shortly after
the formation of
the ‘improved
status’, Rover
Fred Rickets was
awarded ASM’s
warrant and Sid
Harding received
ACM’s warrant.
Both continued
their Rovering
activities.
The first corporate task to be undertaken - care of the churchyard.
First Camp. August 1936.
Present; Reg
Giles, Sid
Harding, Wref
Sartin, Stan
Fry, Reg
Ricketts, Ron
Ponsford, Norman
Dover, Bill
White and Bill
Giles (a
visitor).
During the first
year, the
following
ceased, for
various reasons,
to be members;
Ron Ellis, Bert
Norman and Ron
Ponsford. One of
the original
members of the
‘experimental
crew’, Bill
Giles, returned
to Yeovil from
Chard and
resumed
membership on 19
January 1937.
Appointed
Scribe.
January 1937
A Free and easy month, Tuesday evenings being chiefly spent in games and light discussions. The last meeting of the month was addressed by the vicar (Rev J A Lloyd Armstrong) on the subject of ‘Rovering and Religion’. The Address was followed by a half-hour of questions.
February 1937
Tuesday 2nd - Address by the vicar on the ‘Essential of Marriage’. Questions.
Sunday 7th -
Walk to
Brympton.
Inspection of
House Church.
Tuesday 9th - Vicar concluded his talk of last week.
Sunday 14th -
Walk to
Limington.
Tuesday 16th -
Discussion at
addresses at two
previous
meetings.
Sunday 21st -
Discussion and
suggestions re
Coronation.
Bonfire to be
erected in
cooperation with
St Michaels
Rovers.
Sunday 28th -
Walk to
Montacute and
inspection of St
Michael’s Mount.
March
1937
Tuesday 2nd -
Talk on internal
combustion
engines by Rover
Fred Ricketts.
Tuesday 9th -
Reg Giles gave a
talk on various
aspects of
glove-making.
Sunday 14th -
Walk to Thorne
Coffin and
inspection of
the church.
Tuesday 16th -
Discussion
regarding the
possibility of a
separate camp
for Rovers, with
ideas for a
potential trip.
Sunday 21st -
Walk to West
Camel and
inspection of
Church. “The tea
that was not”.
Tuesday 30th -
Free and easy.
April
1937
Sunday 3rd -
Walk to
Yetminster, an
inspection of
the signal box
by permission of
Station Master F
Ricketts. An
excellent tea
was provided by
Mrs Ricketts,
done great
justice to. Doug
Harris ‘did his
stuff’ on the
cider.
Tuesday 6th -
Reading by Wref
Sartin and Stan
Fry.
Tuesdays and
Saturday’s April
13th to May 11th
- Preparing wood
at Clifton
Maybank for the
Coronation Fire
at Mudford Rd,
and building
same.
May 1937
Wednesday 12th -
Coronation Day.
Reg Giles and
Sid Harding
attended the
Mayor’s parade
and service in
the church. Fred
Ricketts
assisted with
the sale of
programmes.
Whitsun, Friday
14th to Monday
17th - Weekend
camp at
Ringstead Bay,
attended by R
Giles, J
Jennings, S
Harding, S Fry,
D Harris, W
Sartin and F
Ricketts.
A very Happy
camp, in
excellent
weather.
Principal
events; Steak
and onions and
slumber. The
return journey
from a visit to
Weymouth was
remarkable for
the number of
dogs upset by
the Male Voice
choirs. Some
splendid bathing
was enjoyed.
Saturday 22nd -
Assisted with
Girl Guides’
Coronation
Rally.
Tuesday 25th -
Reminiscences of
Whitsun Camp.
Discussion
regarding Summer
Camp. Rota
worked out for
churchyard
duties. The
decision to
cancel Sunday
walks in the
Summer.
June
1937
Tuesday 1st -
General
Knowledge Paper,
prepared by R
Giles.
Interesting and
‘enlightening’
replies. The
decision to
purchase some
camp gear for
Rovers’ use out
of funds.
Discussion
regarding
member’s
programme for
summer evenings.
Bridge-building
at Newton. The
crew formed into
two patrols,
named Kangaroo
and Curlew, in
recognition of
first two
patrols in the
Troop.
Monday 7th -
Commencement of
bridge building
at Newton. Did
Frig (Stan Fry)
enjoy his bath?
Bridge building at Newton, June 1937
Tuesday 9th -
Special effort
at the
churchyard.
Tuesday 15th -
Bridge building
and axemanship
at Newton.
Monday 21st -
Another big
evening at the
churchyard.
Tuesday 22nd -
Newton again.
Quite proficient
these days.
Sunday 29th -
Some physical
excesses, and
leap-frog that
disturbed the
poultry.
July
1937
Monday 5th -
Churchyard
efforts
continued, to
get clear before
camp.
Tuesday 6th - A
pleasant stroll.
Tuesday 12th -
Final clearing
at the
churchyard
before camp
(Yarmouth, Isle
of Wight).
Monday 13th -
Cleaning and
preparing camp
gear.
Walking while at camp on the isle of Wight, July 1937.
After camp, it
was observed
that the general
funds needed
replenishing and
it was decided
to hold a dance.
After a lengthy
discussion, it
was agreed that
the most likely
place to prove
successful would
be Yetminster.
The dance
committee was
Messrs Harding
and Ricketts.
It was suggested
that we should
get some games
of chess as
during the
winter months it
would not be as
easy to work
outdoors and as
several members
were taking part
in the Opera, it
was thought that
the Crew should
be run more as a
club for a few
months.
5 November – The
Rover Scouts
Dance at
Yetminster Hall.
We were very
grateful for the
help rendered by
the people of
the village,
especially Mr
and Mrs Jervis
and Eric. The
four lady
helpers, and Mr
Bastable who
provided the
milk gratis.
Also to Mr Fred
Giles, who very
competently
judged the
Waltzing
competition for
us. The evening
was a
surprisingly
successful one,
both socially
and financially.
19 to 22
January
In July 1937, it
was noted in the
parish magazine
that Trinity
Scouts' next
production was
to be San
Marino "a
tuneful comic
opera by Stanley
Guise and
AJ Silver...
offering a wide
scope for
colourful
settings...
there was plenty
of humour, and
the music was
admirable."
A scene from 'San Marino'. January 1938.
... and another scene.
After the Opera,
our Tuesday
evenings were
spent playing
chess etc and
attending to the
business
necessary.
February
1938
On Tuesday, 15
February, a
special meeting
was called, at
which Rev PA
Allan took the
chair. Several
important items
of business were
discussed,
including subs,
attendance,
uniform. It was
also discussed
whether or not
we should
continue our
help to the West
Coker Scouts,
whether they
were deriving
any benefit from
it. Our leader
then explained
that it would be
necessary for us
to alter our den
since he would
shortly be
wanting his
room. However,
he approached
Miss Paynter and
arranged for us
to have the
Guide Hut for
the winter
evenings at a
very low charge.
March
and April 1938
1 March - Our evening was spent getting used to our new quarters. It was on this evening that we heard the news that our Rover Leader has been presented with a daughter, and that his wife Nancy was doing well.
Throughout March and April we spent very pleasant evenings at the den, with again gentle reminders about our subs, uniform and more especially our Cooperate Communion.
April 24th - a
parade was
“commandeered”
and a service
held in our own
church, attended
by
representative
bodies of Scouts
from our Local
Association.
May 1938
May 2nd - The evening, the last indoors for the season, we welcomed to our Crew Mr Jack Oxenbury. This was the last day of the Scouting Year. Our Treasurer read his accounts, showing a very favourable financial position, and officers were filled as follows; RL RC Giles, RM Jim Jennings, Treasurer Det Harris, Secretary W Sartin and Scribe SG Fry.
Saturday, May 25th - The following members of the crew RJ Giles, S Harding, D Harris and S Fry cycled to the Oxenbury Estate with the intention of building a shack for the forthcoming event at Yarnfield Gate. In spite of the rain and many discussions, we were fortunate in getting the frame work erected, after which we retired for tea in the company of the grateful friends Mrs Oxenbury and family. After tea the members of the crew were interested in various games, while waiting for rain to stop. Eventually we started for home, after a few repairs of the RL's cycle, we arrived at Yeovil about 9-30.
Monday, May 30th
- Signalling in
great style, and
arrangements for
Whitsun camp.
June
1938
Whitsun, 4 to 6
June
Camp held at
Ringstead Bay
Members who
attended were,
R. Giles, D.
Harris, J
Oxenbury, J.
Jennings, W.
Sartin, S. Fry.
J Oxenbury very
kindly took grub
in his car also
R Giles,
remainder being
tough cycled. We
were fortunate
by having much
sun at whit, and
it takes a lot
of sun to
compare with the
whit, of course
remembering the
Captain it is
possible. So a
real sporting
and enjoyable
weekend was
spent, everyone
returning
sunburnt.
Thursday, June
9th - The
talented members
of the Scouts
and Rovers made
a Journey to
Castle Cary, to
entertain the
public with a
few camp songs,
in aid of the
Boy Scouts
Appeal Fund.
Saturday and
Sunday June 18th
and 19th -
Weekend camp
spent at
Whitevine for a
practice of
shack building.
Sunday morning a
rush as usual
getting to
Corporate
Communion, after
which the
initiation of J
Oxenbury took
place. Followed
by an hour's
swimming at the
baths. Sunday
evening was
spent by the
boys
entertaining Mrs
Oxenbury, Mr and
Mrs Robins and
company. High
spots were W
Sartin piano
accordion. J
Oxenbury violin,
for which he has
a well developed
chin.
One of the 'shacks' made at Whitevine, June 1938.
July 1938
Monday, July 4th - Painting of tent poles.
Monday, July 11th and 18th - Overhaul of camp gear.
July 22nd and 23rd - Haymaking at Whitevine under the supervision of P. Oxenbury.
July 25th - Packing of camp gear.
August 1938
Annual Camp at
Boscastle,
Cornwall
The home-made bridge supports seven Rover Scouts at Boscastle in August 1938.
Monday,
August 8th -
Cleaning of pots
pans, tent
drying etc
Monday, August
15th - A meeting
held at the
Parish hall when
by the G. S. M.
produced a
favourable
balance sheet of
the annual camp.
Also, the
arrangements
were made to
book the
Boscastle site
for the annual
camp of the
troop’s 21 year
1939.
Monday, Aug 22nd
- A walk to
Odcombe. On
entering the
village boys
made no
hesitation of
having a little
refreshment at
the Rising Sun.