Boy Scouts

[anotheoldgit]

Scouting was brought up on a recent thread, and it got me wondering, why was it that during my days of being a Boy Scout, a sheath knife, a small axe and a stout ash pole was all part and parcel of a Boy Scout's equipment.

What has changed to make the carrying of these items both socially unacceptable and also illegal?

[ummmm]

I knew you'd ask this once the chat turned to boy scouts.

[wolf63]

They were probably made illegal around the time that Boy Scouts started stabbing people with them.

I don't know the law but I used to carry a one of those folding knifes around in my handbag. It had a brilliant nail file and cork screw.

I am sure(ish) that one of my nieces and/or my nephew are in the Scouts. I wonder if they are allowed to carry anything.

[wolf63]

ummmm - is there another thread regarding little Boy/Girl Scouts?

[Islay]

Wolf and using their woggle to strangle or tie people up?

[Svejk]

I expect they carry an embroidery set instead.

[melv16]

An elderly friend of mine who was a scout leader has got a photo of the scouts going to summer camp. They were all in the back of an open lorry sitting on the equipment. He shudders to think what might have happened.

[ummmm]

Wolf...in another thread the talk turned to scouts.

[maggiebee]

Not just scouts either melv, I'm sure there are photos of guides travelling in the same way. I once went as part of an "advanced party" to guide camp and we sat on canvas bags holding bell tents etc. We dug the slit trench latrines and erected the tents ready for the main group arriving the next day. Never heard of H&S in the early 60s.

[Sqad]

\\What has changed to make the carrying of these items both socially unacceptable and also illegal?\\

What a good question.

Society has changed, becoming a more violent society than half a century ago. Yes there was violence, the Krays, Crippen and one could go on, but the violence has spread to all aspects of society, no group are immune.
Boy Scouts did indeed carry sheath knives, a sort of badge of office to be used at camps, but I never remember any violence or crime related incidents.
The other aspect of the Scout Association was discipline and the prestigious attainment of "bettering " oneself........striving to achieve the rank and badges of the Scouting world.

I was a Boy Scout and then Sea Scout, went to all the camps and thoroughly enjoyed the comradeship and the competition.

[melv16]

Sqad. Were you scouting for girls? :-)

[anotheoldgit]

wolf63

/// They were probably made illegal around the time that Boy Scouts started stabbing people with them. ///

And when would that be, because I can never remember it?

I forgot to mention that in those far off days some of us also had a set of three small throwing knives, specially balanced to be able to hold them by the blade and throw then a distance into a tree.

Also a 'V' shaped branch cut from the hedgerow along with a piece of strong elasticated rubber and a piece of leather, made a superb catapult.

Not to mention the scotch arrow, a stout straight piece of a branch with a paper flight inserted in one end and the other end sharpened with our sheath knife. This could be propelled through the air with a piece of string knotted at one end, then wrapped around the arrow.

Funny in all my childhood days I never heard of any accidents or purposely carried out assaults with these dangerous implements.

But then it was a completely different era back then.

[Sqad]

melv.....LOL....;-)

[melv16]

I remember making scotch arrows. The best ones were made out of an old television aerial, they would fly for miles.

[anotheoldgit]

melv16

/// An elderly friend of mine who was a scout leader has got a photo of the scouts going to summer camp. They were all in the back of an open lorry sitting on the equipment. He shudders to think what might have happened. ///

Back of a lorry?????? sheer luxury, we loaded a large hand cart, with our camping equipment, this was called a 'trek cart' which we took turns to pull and push the many miles to our camp site.

[Mamyalynne]

With the prospect of litigation , sadly or not the Scouting Movement has also to protect itself against any potential claims - hence H&S has reared it's head as it has in all such organisations now.

I'm sure Scouts still use sharp implements in activities but not with the same freedom as they once did.

[Svejk]

We called them French Arrows, here in Wales, aog. (my little part of it, anyway) And we always carried sheath knives. (probably pre or early teens)

[stuey]

When I was in the ATC in the late '50s, we'd march, every Sunday, from the HQ building through the winding streets of a small village to a school "parade ground" for drill practice...And all of us were carrying .303 rifles. Imagine doing that now?!

[jackthehat]

"...Stands the Church clock at ten to three?
And is there honey still for tea?..."

[melv16]

// Back of a lorry?????? sheer luxury, we loaded a large hand cart, with our camping equipment, this was called a 'trek cart' which we took turns to pull and push the many miles to our camp site. //
You're sounding like a Yorkshireman now, AOG, LOL

[Sqad]

33rd Boroughberry Peterborough.........Skipper Hewson.

He was an out of work or retired (can't remember which) Merchant Navy Seaman, live in an old building with an upstairs and ground level space, he was poorly dressed but clean and was respected.
Scout night when one arrived, one would go up the stairs, stand to attention at the top stairs, salute and say:

"Evening Skipper, permission to come aboard?"

We all loved that guy and he made a marked impression on my attitude to life, through respect and discipline.......Skipper Hewson.

Trek carts......laden and pulled by 8 scouts in the pouring rain for 3-4 miles to the camp site, then set up camp..........