1st Bodicote Scout Group.

News Letter No.70. March, 1964.

March 31^st 1964 is a very important date in the history of Scouting, for on that date a Capitation Fee of 5/- for every uniform member of the movement is due at Headquarters in London. The Committee of the Council, our governing body claim that this is the only way to enable the movement to keep clear of debt. In addition to this our Treasurer has to find 2/6 per head for the Oxfordshire County Association and 1/6 per head for the Local Association, making in all a total payment of 9/- for every registered member of our Group. This was last year in the region of 63 [6/3???????????]. How is our Treasurer to meet about £28? Well, firstly, the Cubs and Scouts are doing BOB-A-JOB again this year and will be calling for jobs either the week before Easter or the week after. Although this is voluntary this year the Group Council suggest that this is the best way for the younger members to do their bit. Please think up your jobs now so that the boys can be kept busy during the BOB-A-JOB week.

The Seniors are making their effort by running a JUMBLE SALE at our Headquarters on Saturday March 14^th at 2.30p.m. Please look out all your saleable jumble, let us know and we will collect it on Monday, Tuesday or Wednesday, March 10^th, 11^th, or 12^th.

In addition the Seniors are offering a CAR WASH for 2/- per car at our H.Q. on the same day. Keep them going by bringing your car along for a shampoo on March 14^th.

I hope that all Scouters and Rovers will do their share in some form or another to cover the 9/- payable on their behalf.

The Group Committee have provisionally agreed to run the fete again this year on September 12^th. I hope that this year no weddings will take place on that afternoon and take away our Public and choir boys.

CUBS. I am pleased to know that Akela has invested Stephen Lutman, Christopher Barnett and David Clark. Good Cubbing to you all. Congratulations to John Crabtreer who has been made a Sixer and to Peter Rainbow who is a Sixer Second. I have heard whispers of other promotions and badges earned in the Cubs but will confirm these in the April letter.
I am told that the Cubs now meet at 6.30 p.m. on Tuesdays and not at 6.I5 p.m. as announced in the last news letter.

SCOUTS. I am sorry to report a slackening of regular attendance at Scouts on Fridays. It is almost impossible to run an interesting programme if boys do not turn up regularly. Again, may I appeal to Parents to encourage the boys to come each week and to arrive punctually at 7.00 p.m. Points are awarded for regular and punctual attendance and some Patrols are suffering badly as a result of such discourtesy. The boys who are attending are making good progress with badge work and we hope soon to have some more 1^st and 2^nd class Scouts

SENIORS: These are going great guns at the moment and I hope they keep it up. Last weekend they enjoyed a night hike as a prelude to a Venture Hike, which is vital to the prospective Queen Scout.

We are very pleased to welcome Mr.Dick Bolton to the Senior evenings. Dick is an "old" and knowledgeable Scout and has asked if he can be absorbed back into the movement. We are delighted that he has come to us and is willing to take on the Seniors. I am sure that they will benefit greatly if they give him their full backing. Heythrop Rovers are starting a Seniors course leading to Venturer Badge, commencing on March 19^th. Full details will be promulgated later.

MEET the CHIEF DAY at BLENHEIM on JUNE 20^th. This will be a great day for Oxfordshire Scouts and it is hoped that every boy will have the chance to be there. I am hoping to arrange for the Scouts to camp in the park for the weekend, whilst the District is arranging for coaches to take Cubs and Parents etc. to Blenheim on the Saturday. The charge will be only 3/- per head including admission to the Park but adults in "civvies" will pay 1/- extra. As I have to advise the D.C. the numbers likely to go from Bodicote by March 7^th please let me know right away if you are thinking of making the trip.