Welcome back* (* delete as applicable) to all and sundry, new and old, rich and poor, two or more legged! Here bringeth the new-look Postscript, which looks suspiciously like the old-look Postscript but never mind. I've been busy doing lots of market research for Postscript over the last few weeks. Weighing up the good and bad points of articles in magazines like Cosmopolitan, More, Mizz, 19 etc. (Rachel will no doubt tell you the effect they've had on our kitchen table!) As a result I have come to the conclusion that OUSGG in general does not want to know about this seasons fashions or about how to get rid of those extra inches on your thighs! Nevertheless Robin was quite surprised to discover that according to one article, he is in fact psychic. Anyway rather than fill this issue of Postscript with star signs and problem pages we instead have some good, honest, down-to-earth Scouting and Guiding topics; trip reports, information, letters, quotes and an article by Hugh questioning OUSGG's role which I think we should all take time to read. I hope you all have a good term and are going to write LOTS of articles for me, and by-the-way, this season's colour is chocolate!
Katrina Bonninga, St Hilda's
Welcome to the new academic year. First of all I would like to warmly greet all our new members. I hope you are having a great time in Oxford....Indeed now you are a member of OUSGG things can only get better!! Welcome back of course to all our existing members.
I've (hopefully) devised a fun, action packed term card featuring food, fires, skittles, pubs and lots more besides. Also there are three trips this term. The first at the end of 3rd week to southern Snowdonia (see Stephen's article) and of course there is the essential OUSGGer's trip Winter Walking at Christmas.
In 7th week there will be a repeat of last year's successful London show trip. So if anyone desperately wants to see something in particular please tell me soon.
I'll send emails on Sunday mornings confirming the details of the Monday meeting.
Enjoy the term,
Robin Taylor, SEH
Would anyone be interested in buying 'Official OUSGG Merchandise' i.e. sweatshirts or T shirts with the group design on the back? In the past we've done them in a variety of colours-red, navy, green or black and they've cost in the region of £15- dependent of course on the size e of the order.
Also it has been suggested that a new design might be in order for these and anyone with any bright ideas should let me know. However a redesign would mean an increase in the cost.
Andrew Skae, SEH.
Do you like meeting people from other countries? Interested in talking to Scouts and Guides on the other side of the world? Now's your chance! For many years there has been an annual 'Jamboree on the Air'. This is a short-wave radio Scouting festival taking place in October, but for the last few years Jamboree on the Internet (JOTI) has proven even more accessible. It is being held this year on 19th-21st October (2nd/3rd weekend)
The action takes place on 'Internet Relay Chat' (IRC) this is simply an Internet version of short- wave radio. There are lots of channels with titles like #England, #Football and of course #Scouting. You can create your own channels and invite people to come and 'mingle' with you. I've had great fun over the last few weeks meeting people from all over the globe. And they're not just net-nerds or web-surfers...these are real people!
The IRC client program can easily be copied to your university sable account. If you're interested in taking part please see me. I know of somewhere where we can all crowd round a terminal and talk to the world!
Robin Taylor, SEH.
After an early start on Saturday of 9th week last term, and several hours in Gareth's car, we reached the campsite on Skye where we met the others who had also arrived. With absolutely no faffing, we swiftly got round to putting the tents up, whilst marvelling at the scenery around the site. We were camping at Sligachan, conveniently close to the Sligachan Hotel. After eating, we transferred to the bar of this establishment (to plan the following day's walks, of course).
The time people got up each morning for some reason got progressively later each day, but on Sunday most people managed to get up fairly early, and after faffing about over breakfast and making packed lunches, we set off on our first excursion into the Cuillin hills. During the first week there were several walks in the Black and Red Cuillin ranges, as well as slightly gentler walks around the coast. Scree running down the side of one mountain was good fun, although our boots weren't quite the same afterwards. Not every day was spent doing energetic activities though, and the occasional downpour gave an excuse to visit some of the villages on the island. Some people chose to stay in tea shops, although a few people decided to engage in cultural pursuits such as visiting Dunvegan Castle as well. The food wasn't at all bad, considering it was cooked ourselves on little petrol stoves, although Chris's allergy to anything green or remotely healthy meant that he had rather a lot of hot-dogs. The deserts were most impressive, although on occasion a little sickly, for example Gareth's chocolate sauce and the bowls of whipped cream decorated with pieces of orange and ginger nut biscuits. I'm sure that our diet must also have been supplemented by the vast number of midges which seem to get absolutely everywhere. Unfortunately, despite his impressive efficiency, it was beyond Chris's power to organise good weather for the week. There were times when the mountains could barely be seen due to the mist, although not being able to see the huge drop when you are on the top of them is not necessarily a bad thing. We had planned on moving across to Laggan, on the mainland, on Saturday, but torrential rain all through Thursday night and Friday morning meant that we actually moved on Friday. After breakfast in the Hotel, we were able to find out just how quickly a campsite could be cleared when necessary. This was particularly unfortunate for Jeremy and Rachel Healey, who had only arrived the day before, so hadn't managed to see much of Skye. For the second week most of us had very fine accommodation in the village hall, although an 'elite' group stayed in Matt's cottage, with added luxuries such as showers. The main room in the hall very quickly began to resemble a tent showroom, as everyone put up their damp tents to dry out. Having a kitchen meant that we could be a little more adventurous with the food during the second week. Chris's letter to his stomach is a fairly good indication of over-indulgence of some people. Our slight disorganisation meant that we rarely ate before about half past nine, and the cottage group always seemed to come round before we'd finished. Obviously the company in the cottage wasn't exciting enough. During the second week there were several trips up mountains in the Cairngorms, Glen Coe, the Drumochters. We decided to go up Ben Nevis one day, when we had very good weather despite the forecast. We could actually see the Cuillins quite clearly from the summit, which was more than we were able to do most of the time when we were on Skye. Some of us decided to do a 'hard' route rather than the 'tourist' one, which provided the 'munroe-spotters' in the group with an extra mountain on the way. On Sunday some of us decided to visit Loch Ness and went round one of the many Loch Ness visitor's centres, which claimed to be the 'official' one. Despite my initial scepticism about such a 'touristy' place, it was actually quite good. Sadly it all came to an end after the second week, which meant I had top face doing some work to earn money for next year. Climbing up mountains even in the pouring rain is definitely more enjoyable than sitting in an office all day. It was a thoroughly enjoyable trip, and so I must end by thanking Chris for organising it.
Matthew Bemand, Merton.
Over the summer Rachel Healey wrote to me enclosing the letter below. By way of explanation to those who did not go to Skye I'll tell you what Rachel told me.
"We had pancakes for pudding, and Gareth made his infamous chocolate sauce to have with them. Chris insisted on making a pancake-cake. This is quite simple: put a pancake on a plate, pour sauce on it. Put another pancake on top etc. You continue until it's 'as high as a cake'. It's delicious, but incredibly rich, and Chris ate rather too much. After dinner, we were playing Lexicon, and he sat there silently, writing. After a while he pushed the letter towards the person nearest him. We all laughed so much we nearly died. It's not quite so funny when you can't see Chris' green face, though, but we thought it deserved publication."
LAGGAN VILLAGE HALL
SCOTLAND
1st July1996
Dear Stomach,
I would like to apologise humbly and sincerely for depositing such vast quantities of chocolate into your delicate spaces. I didn't know what I was doing and will not do it again, ever.
I hope I have not caused any extreme inconvenience for you or your subsidiary systems and hope you get well soon.
Yours apologetically,
Your Brain.
For all those who went on the trip here's an opportunity to relive those moments and for all those who missed the trip here's an idea of what you missed.....
Rachel H: "There's not much you can do with shovels and latex."
Robin: "Where's its big hole?"
Robin: "I joined OUSGG for some good clean fun."(still fondling dinosaur)
This article is to provoke a discussion on a subject which some people will realise I was concerned about last year. Throughout the article I use Scouting to refer to both Scouting and Guiding movements- I understand the non-PC effect of this but it gives you the correct impression that I am seeing this entirely form the perspective of the Scout leader and avoids making the article impossible to read.
The background to my views of this subject are that I have had contact through my parents, my sister and older friends with Scout and Guide clubs at Universities across the country. I have had strong links with SSAGO committees over the last few years and believe that I have a fair idea of the SSAGO ideal. This is broadly outlined in POR and it this that I shall quote from to outline my point. I'm also fairly well aquainted with the new legislation on adventurous activities.
When I arrived as a Fresher I was surprised to find out how little contact with Scouting OUSGG had. No particular reason for this was given and from past issues of Postscript I can see that although good links were maintained in the past these have slowly faded and no new links forged in their place. For me this is a shame. Much of my enjoyment of Scouting comes from meeting and sharing experiences with many different people and I thoroughly enjoyed meeting all of OUSGG last year. However we are a limited group and I felt that as far as our existing activities schedule went we had become somewhat insular and had lost our Scouting way.
I quote from POR:
"b) the aim of a Student Scout and Guide club is to provide a framework within which Scout and Guide and other social activities may take place, ideas may be exchanged, and Students may maintain, renew, or acquire an interest in the principles of Scouting and Guiding."
We have a framework for the activities but I would ask who has actually thought about the principles of Scouting and Guiding. It could be a useful (if idealistic) exercise sometime.
"The aim and method of the Scout Association
The aim of the Scout Association is to promote the development of young people in achieving their full physical, intellectual, social and spiritual potentials, as individuals, as responsible citizens and as members of their local, national and international communities. The Method of achieving the Aim of the Association is by providing an enjoyable and attractive scheme of progressive training based on the Scout Promise and Law and guided by adult leadership."
"h) All SS& GC must comply with the Camping, Activity and Safety Rules of the Scout and Guide Associations."
Yes rules are a hassle but we're bright students with a great many opportunities to further both our own minds and training whilst at University and that of others. We bring a wide spectrum of experience from across the country which we can bring to bear on our activities within OUSGG.
The new laws effectively allow small groups of 'friends' possibly acting with neither the correct equipment nor the necessary experience to attempt any adventurous activity they like without any safety checks. Groups from an organised body such as OUSGG must work through mountain of paperwork in order to walk together up a small hill outside Oxford. We may think this is wrong and that we can get round the rules by undertaking activities as a group of friends- I would question both the moral ground for this and whether all members of the party really understand the consequences of this. The rules were dreamt up by a committee it is true and are consequently unwieldy and bureaucratic but we have the brains to set up systems to minimise hassle and devise better ways of doing things. The Scout Association has a standing committee to deal with suggestions for amendments to the activity rules. Can we not make them work harder instead o the poor Mountain Rescue dealing with those who cannot be bothered to comply with the rules?
" c) The purpose of a Student Scout and Guide Club is:
-to provide a programme of activities for its members whether or not they are members of the Scout and Guide movements:"
Great we're doing something exactly right!!
"-to create a wider understanding and appreciation of the work of the Scout and Guide movements particularly among fellow students, by spreading the information by example:"
"-to render service as a club to Scouting and Guiding and the community;"
Thought provoking that one.
Last year I went out on my own and found a Scout group with which I could work. I undertook Introductory Leader Training and have spent a happy ten months working as an Assistant Beaver Scout leader. I undertook this every Thursday night during terms and helpers were found from amongst the parents to take my place during the holidays. I have been able to act as a welcome pressure relief valve in the group as well as bringing intelligent (I would like to think) and new experiences to the group to inject a little more life into tired programmes.
Scouting in Oxford is in a mess. Cowley District does not have a worthwhile District Team capable of supporting groups or individual leaders working with the kids. This puts undue pressures onto the leaders discouraging others from helping out or parents from entering Scouting Service. The lack of support also makes resurrecting individual posts in the district very hard. If some of us can find the time to become leaders with groups we can ease much of the pressure.
If weekly personal service is not your idea of fun then there are opportunities for service involving less regular commitments. Youlbury the County campsite has large events from time to time which need manpower to run smoothly and on a smaller scale these events happen in the districts of Oxford. If we were to be really adventurous we could even organise our own event. Bristol University have an event each term which they run for local Scouts and Guides. As each event happens annually they're well known and loved and competition at the Cooking Competition is fierce.
If anyone does want to undertake personal service get in touch with either Imogen in her role as Scout and Guide Liaison or speak to me.
"-to maintain relationships with the Scout and Guide groups locally."
Not a problem if we are rendering service around Oxford!
Steps are already being taken to involve Scouting more in what we do to give us something special and different rather than just being yet another Oxford club undertaking adventurous activities. I believe this is a move in the right direction and I hope that this article along with future discussions will accelerate that process. I would welcome other people's views on this and hope that a lively discussion will ensue. Monday 6th week we have representatives from both the local Scouts and Guides coming to speak to us and then take part in an open discussion. That will be an ideal opportunity for us to link with the local associations and take up service if we wish.
Hugh Miller, SEH.
In the middle of July, after only a short respite from the Scotland trip, Steve, Ian, Simon, Mark and myself departed for a three week mountaineering excursion to the French Alps around Chamonix. The word "fantastic" only begins to describe the time we had. A full report on the trip is being prepared for the Irvine Fund and will appear later this term, but in the meantime, here's a brief summary of what happened...
For me, it was a trip of 'firsts'. My first time abroad; my first overnight coach journey; my first climbing at altitude; my first attempts at speaking French; my first time on a glacier; my first serious sunburn and so on. So right from the start, the trip looked as though it might be quite interesting.
In the beginning, only Steve, Mark and I had arrived in Argentiere - our base camp near Chamonix (or "Cham", as everyone but us seemed to call it). The campsite had excellent facilities - showers, sinks, ski- lifts and those strange French toilets - and was filled with mountaineers from all over the world. Americans and Germans were particularly noticeable, along with a heaving British contingent.
As a 'warm-up' excursion, the three of us decided to head up to the Argentiere hut in the mountains and bivi the night there before attempting some simple snow/ice work before returning to base. It was a great plan, save only the fact that we left too late to reach the hut, and ended up bivi-ing just off of the path. And this would have been okay if Mark hadn't decided to feed dinner to the local wildlife instead of us. Personally, I wasn't too bothered about this, because the dehydrated meals that we ate whilst in the mountains were DISGUSTING. That's right - I wasn't eating hot-dogs for once. More fool me.
Arising at 5am the next morning, we still failed to achieve much, other than actually reaching the hut. But we did get to try out the glacier. It was all very hard work, and I managed to aggravate the ankle injury I picked-up in Scotland, which meant I had to miss the next expedition whilst it recovered. That was a scary and boring few days on my own, culminating with Simon arriving to find me sitting in my tent reading a book about "Modern Rope Techniques"...! Yes, it really was that boring.
The next trip into the mountains, to the Albert Premiere Hut, provided the opportunity for my first Alpine peak. After bivi-ing in a boulder-field overnight, we awoke at 3:30am and tackled the South Summit of the Aiguille du Tour. Steve didn't feel so good and so stayed behind (probably because of the grim food I thought), and Mark sprained his ankle just after departure, so also remained at the bivi-site. The peak itself was quite fun: glacier travel to start with, followed by a steep snow gully and finishing off with a rock scramble. On the top, we were astonished to find dozens of French school-kids up there in jeans. Still, I guess that was better than finding someone walking their dog on the summit.
We conquered a stunning 50 snow-slope the next day before returning to base. After that excursion, we only managed a few more days in the mountains because of some rather spectacular thunder storms, which mostly seemed to appear from no-where... very bizarre. Mark also had to go home because his ankle injury was very severe.
The bad weather did break long enough for one final bash at some snow. Mont Blanc was just round the corner, so we decided to have a go at it: the highest mountain in western Europe. We travelled up to the Aiguille du Midi via cablecar and camped the night on a snowfield at around 3400 metres. I cunningly brought my own food and so didn't feel ill after dinner for once. We watched the sun go down in spectacular fashion before retiring early in preparation for our early start the next day.
2am didn't feel as bad as it sounds. We set off fairly quickly - staying in tents made all the difference - much nicer than just bivi-bags. Mont Blanc de Tacul was first to fall - my first 4000 metre peak just as the sun was rising. Then down and up over Mont Maudit, even higher than Mont Blanc de Tacul. And then Mont Blanc itself at 4807 metres. Blimey is it hard to walk when there's no oxygen supply to your body! Going was very slow, but we made it in the end - altitude sickness and all. But the view was unlike anything I have ever seen before - being the highest thing around is amazing - scores of mountains unfolded before us - my photos hardly do justice to the spectacular sight. Anyway, we couldn't stop for long: it took us hours to get back - a twelve hour round trip in all! The most exhausting days mountaineering I have ever experienced. And I got more sunburnt than I had previously thought possible. But scaring little kids on the way home was kinda fun I guess.
Chris Seward, Jesus
** The Irvine Fund Presentation Evening is Thursday of 6th Week - anyone who wants to see all of our fantastic slides (as well as those from lots of other people's trips) is welcome to come along - further details in the next Postscript **
twelve hour round trip in all! The most exhausting day's mountaineering I have ever experienced. And I got more sunburnt than I had previously thought possible. But scaring little kids on the way home was kinda fun I guess.
Chris Seward, Jesus.
**The Irvine Fund Presentation Evening is Thursday of 6th week- anyone who wants to see all of our fantastic slides (as well as those from lots of other people's trips) is welcome to come along- Further details in the next Postscript.**
Here's a sample of Alison's clipart for your amusement!
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feel free to add your own witty captions...
A Letter from Italy
I'm afraid being so far from Oxford I won't be able to join OUSGG again... anyway, thanks for your letter. It's nice to see that Scouts are the same, friendly and busy, wherever you go, and I have a good memory of OUSGG. Have a good term and say hello to everyone.
Yours,
Marco Archetti
A letter from Zimbabwe
Seeing as the new Oxford year is about to start, I thought I'd write an article for Postscript to let everyone know what I'm up to. I guarantee that anyone who writes to me will get a tailor-made individual reply complete with all the latest gossip! (And believe me there's always juicy gossip when I'm around!!)
Our OUSGG African Correspondent Reports....
Faced with the unexpected choice between starting work as a trainee solicitor in the law firm or taking six months off and stepping out into the unknown, what would you do? Some people may go for the security of paying off their loans as quickly as possible. I Though, took the opportunity to try a new challenge. I'm now in Zimbabwe on a six month Experience Exchange Programme (EEP) with an organisation called USPG (United Society for the Propagation of the Gospel, or 'bit of a mouthful' for short)
The object of an EEP placement is to gain an understanding of another culture and to enrich one's own life as a Christian. My placement is in an all-girls secondary boarding school in the middle of the bush. My role is to teach English in the local primary school and to teach English and Religious Knowledge (don't laugh) to the form 1s in the girls' school.
Teaching the primary children is hard work as some of them have poor English- these tend to be the ones who walk 13km to school every day. The form 1 girls are easier to teach, as they have to do an entrance exam. Since I've never taught before, I'm glad I don't have to teach any exam classes. Just like in Britain, exams fall in the hottest part of the year: October is nicknamed 'Suicide Month' and it's pretty hot here at the moment.
I've actually got a room in a former convent and share a kitchen with some Africans. I've tried sadza the local staple food. It is eaten with 'relish' a sauce of meat and vegetables with the fingers. I usually cheat and use a knife and fork though.
Zimbabwe is an amazing country as everything grows here from carrots to coffee, potatoes to paw-paws and you can buy practically all the food you can get in England including baked beans and marmite.
The school day begins at 7:30am followed by assembly at 7:45am. Lessons start at 8am and end at 3:15pm and if that wasn't a long enough day there is also and hour prep in the evening. The school has one of the best reputations in Matabeleland mainly because the girls work so hard.
Outside school facilities are limited. Although this is a fee paying boarding school this does not mean that the parents of the girls are rich. Only primary education is free in Zimbabwe. Apart from school work the girls enjoy splashing around in the small open air pool and I hope to organise some swimming lessons as the teacher who did this formerly has now left. There are several school societies each headed by teacher but the impetus comes mainly from the girls themselves. There is a Ranger Unit which I have volunteered to help run. It's reassuring to know that Guiding exists here 5000 miles away.
This Friday we are fund-raising to pay the warden of a campsite near Bulawayo by having a 'civvies' day. All the girls pay 50 cents to coe to school in ordinary clothes. The teachers are supposed to either wear a school unifrom or something they wouldn't normally teach in. The uniform is an orangey-pink dress with white trim. I think it will look quite fetching on me! I've made quite a few friends among the staff here including two British lads, unfortunately they're going back to Britain in November because they're getting sick of the place. Mind you they have been here for about two years and hopefully I shouldn't get too fed up in six months. I won't be around for Winter Walking, perhaps it's just as well!!!
A final plea: PLEASE write to me. I need to be kept up to date woth all the latest OUSGG gossip plus if you write you are guaranteed a personal reply including all the things I don't want the Chief Scout to read!
work the girls enjoy splashing around in the open air swimming pool and I hope to organise some swimming lessons as the teacher who did this formerly has now left. There are several school societies, each headed by a teacher. There is a Ranger unit which I have volunteered to help run. It's reassuring to know that Guiding exists here, 5000 miles away. This Friday we are fund-raising to pay the warden of a campsite near Bulawayo by having a 'civvies day'. The girls pay 50c to come to school in ordinary clothes and the teachers are supposed to wear school uniform. The uniform is an orangey-pink dress with white trim. I think it'll look quite fetching on me!
I've made quite a few friends among the staff here, including two British lads. Unfortunately they're going back to Britain in November because they're getting sick of the place. Mind you, they have been here for about 2 years and hopefully I shouldn't get too fed up in six months. I won't be around for Winter Walking this year- perhaps it's just as well!
A final plea: PLEASE write to me! I need to be kept up to date with all the latest OUSGG gossip. Plus, if you write to me you are guaranteed a personal reply including all the things I don't want the Chief Scout to read!
Anna Johnson, ex-St Hilda's
For all those who were moved by Anna's plea, here is her address:
St James School
PO Box 31 (or 23)
Nyamandhlovu
ZIMBABWE
Rachel H: "Is anyone any good at screwing desks
together?"
Robin: "Yes, I love screwing!"
Robin: "I'd like to have the food file, or Rachel."
Chris: "I go to bed with these bike lights"
Katrina to Rachel H: "you've been elected to a Hairy
Male Exhibition"
(in fact it was supposed to be 'Helen Mary
Allen Exhibition')
Chris: "get a map of me sometime"
This was a mistype in an email (yes we're branching out into electronic quotes) where Chris was talking about directions to Simon's room. I was just rather curious as to what a map of him looked like. Any suggestions? Answers on a postcard to The Editor!
