Waddington, 10th Lincoln, celebrate 90 years of scouting
Author: Carolyn Greig
Published: September 3, 2024
Visit to Brownsea
Waddington Scout Group was formed in 1934 and the leaders decided that it was time to celebrate this momentous achievement. So, very early at the start of a August bank holiday, leaders from Waddington along with several other scouting friends from across the county set off towards Poole Harbour for a weekend on Brownsea Island. Packing light was the word of the day although some people packed lighter than others. However, as we were on the 3.30pm ferry onto the island, there were very few other passengers making their way out at that time of the day so we had sufficient space for all of our luggage and food. We were greeted at Brownsea Quay by National Trust Staff and, with our kit transferred on a trailer we began our walk to the wonderful South Shore Lodge. We were delighted to see not one, but two red squirrels during our walk across the island. Not everyone had their eye in yet, but it was a good omen which saw us all seeing red squirrels at various points over the weekend.
We soon decided to explore more after a bit of a rest and a sort out and took a short walk to the “Scout stone” which is situated above the Outdoor activity centre and the site of Baden-Powell’s first experimental scout camp on the island in 1907. However, whilst out, several squirrel leaders showed their hoarding tendencies “pocketing” numerous huge pinecones for section activities in the forthcoming term. There was some serious squirrel giggles as hoods were filled with pine cones to carry more home and set the tone for the whole weekend of fun and friendship.
Saturday started wet, but didn’t dampen our spirits. Some of us took advantage of the Squirrel Shuttle, an electric bus which provided a guided tour of the island for less mobile visitors whilst others chose to walk and explore more of that experimental campsite, the old Pottery and its pier as well as the calm of Cambridge woods on the north side of the island. As the sun came out in the afternoon, we took full advantage of our beach access for a refreshing swim in the sea even though some people took a dive into the briny sooner than they expected to do!
Other highlights of the weekend were our evening quizzes and lunch in the Harbour Café with the seagulls who certainly had a taste for any leftover coffee. We had a resident peacock, visiting us all day on Saturday and some of Sunday as well. He was much happier when the sun came out and he could dry his glorious plumage. Many of us also managed to visit the Dorset Wildlife Trust nature reserve on the north side of the island. The video cam in one hide helped those of us less certain of the birds, to identify birds which were spotted whilst others watched the deer, birds and squirrels in isolation in one of three bird hides.
The final part of our visit was of course to the Scout Trading Post, the volunteer run shop at the camp site where everyone spent their “pocket money” on Brownsea mementoes and more camp blanket badges. It was wonderful to look at all of the neckers of visiting groups, read the signs brought to the site and see other scouting memorabilia stretching across many decades and from across the world. The main aim of the visit was fulfilled on a sunny Sunday evening when we renewed our promises as leaders to continue to do our best, serve our King and help other people for a few more years yet.
If you’ve never been to Brownsea Island, it’s certainly doable in a day, but with 1300 visitors on a warm summer day, we all highly recommend a night on the island with just a few other visitors and lots of wildlife which comes so close to surprise and delight you in equal measure.
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