Articles - Miscellaneous

GRADBACH - A SCOUTING GEM

May Day weekend is the date set aside every second year for St Edmund's Scout Group leaders, past and present, to gather for a weekend of friendship and activity.

This year our group included a current District Commissioner, Church Warden, Section Leader and people from Lancashire, Lincolnshire and Durham, adding up to well over 200 years service to Scouting at St Ed's. Some of us go back 30 years or more with the Group, a sure confirmation of the fact that when you make friends in our outfit you are often stuck with them for life!

Gradbach Scout Camp, the site of this year's gathering, is set up on the borders of Derbyshire, Stafford-shire and Cheshire, in 48 acres of gorgeous Scouting territory, in the hills south of Buxton. Apart from various converted farm buildings, one of which we occupied, it comprises 17 camping sites in all. Most of the sites were in use by a total of around 250 young people of all ages from all parts of the UK. Anyone sceptical of the calibre of modern British youth would have been heartened to share our experience in coming across all sorts of cheerful, industrious and clearly focussed and disciplined young people and their leaders, embarking on various outdoor pursuits.

Nothing but exemplary behaviour was seen and a spirit of community and companionship was in evidence everywhere.

On Saturday we hiked over the "Roaches", a dramatic outcrop of rocks, following a visit to the famous Lud's Church - a deep fault in the rocks, much lauded in Victorian times, to be met by the non walkers at (the appropriately named) Rock Inn. The more intrepid amongst us hiked back, the rest used the time to enjoy the welcome sunshine and each other's company. Following Ted and Carol's "Scouts Own", Sunday saw us tackle the local orienteering course - a great opportunity to understand the full extent of the site with its wooded valleys leading down to the beautiful River Dane. However one group's supposed experience proved no match for a couple of bright young cubs who spotted the first two bases whilst they were still scratching their heads!

The weather closed out David's barbecue but the spirit of the group was no way dampened as we enjoyed our final meal, remembering old friends, and committed to meet up in 2 years time.

It has been said before but I was reminded that St Edmund's is truly blessed with its heritage of a depth of leadership of the highest order with which it has been my privilege to be associated.

A huge thank you to all who contributed to making Gradbach a camp to remember.

Bev Wilkinson

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