Page 102 - IT'S A RUM LIFE BOOK TWO "BOSTON 1960 TO 1970"

The village proper comprised a number of small
“Cotswold” stone built houses dotted haphazardly on either
side of the road. At the very base of the valley and adjacent to
the Scout HQ car park a small river crossed through.
In a group of trees about two hundred yards to one side a
natural dam had created a small lake which was used for
strictly supervised swimming.
The 1 Boston Troop had held a memorable camp there in
st
1958 when eight patrols of eight boys had enjoyed superb
weather on a hill top camp site overlooking the village from
the East.
There were no shops close by so all provisions had to be
ordered from the General Store in nearby Painswick. Some
form of vehicle was therefore needed at camp to ensure
transport of supplies and provide for emergencies.
I had completed my “First Class hike” here which had
included circumnavigating Birdlip Hill...on foot! A memorable
feat, for anyone knowing the size of this local feature.
Back to the present and earlier in the year, the Patrol
Leaders Council had decided they would like to revisit
Cranham on my recommendation. All that remained was a
brief trip with some of the leaders to confirm that everything
was still available.
Back at “the garage”, it took some considerable persuasion
and assistance from Herby for me to procure an actual day off
and manage to obtain a car for the planned journey. Heart in
mouth during the “negotiations”, which should not really have
been necessary; only Herby knew the true destination for the
day!

TRANSPORT and ARRANGEMENTS
It was the end of a week in April. The entourage included
me and Ruth plus two teenage Patrol leaders and Charlie
Newham our Troop leader, all in full uniform for this “official”
outing. A “Troop Leader” is responsible through me for the day

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