Many people will not have known that for the past two years Dave Jackson, previous District Commissioner, was being treated for Prostate Cancer. This treatment was successful and following the expected course. Relatively suddenly, after the Fellowship Quiz, Dave developed severe pain in his lower back and was rushed to hospital the next day.

It turned out that the cancer had moved into the base of Dave’s spinal cord, leaving him without any feeling in, or the use of, his legs. The doctors are confident that this cancer can be relatively easily treated with hormones and steroids, and that is currently the case. However, for the foreseeable future he will be in a wheelchair.

Sadly I have to report that Ina Passingham and Malcolm Hampton have died over the Christmas period. Both made significant contributions to Brighton Scouting over many years. Full obituaries will be appearing shortly.

With all the cold weather around the corner what better way to restart the short articles on First Aid issues than with Hypothermia.

We all get cold in winter but feeling cold is not the same as Hypothermia. Hypothermia is the cooling of the body’s internal circulatory system and vital organs. Our body normally regulates our internal body temperature very well by adjusting the amount of food it burns to produce energy/heat. This is also helped by the relative active nature of most people as movement helps produce heat. The best way to avoid hypothermia yourself or anybody around you is to consume adequate amounts of food and water.

Europe's oldest man has rejoined the Scouts 100 years after he first joined the movement.

Henry Allingham, 112, who is the last surviving member of the RAF to have served in the First World War, joined the 6th Brighton Scouts for their 30th birthday celebrations.

Mr Allingham, who lives in Ovingdean, Brighton, went along to his local Scouts with his cousin before the the war and took part in camping and other activities for about six weeks before he had to leave. He said: “I really enjoyed it and wanted to join but I was unable to do so because my mum could not afford the uniform.”

 When the 6th Brighton Scout group heard Harry had missed out on a hundred years of scouting they invited him to their birthday event where he was invested as a Scout.

Mark Denham, a 12-year-old Scout, presented Mr Allingham with a special certificate on behalf of the Chief Scout.

He said: “It was great to meet Henry.

“It’s cool that he is exactly 100 years older than I am and I feel really proud to have met him.

“He was great. He spoke to loads of the Cubs and Beavers who were celebrating the group’s 30th birthday party.

“They will always remember meeting him.”

Simon Carter, from the Scout Association, said: “Henry was a real inspiration to the girls and boys in the 6th Brighton. He is certainly the oldest living Scout in the whole of Europe and probably the oldest living Scout in the world.

“Henry had a sparkle in his eye when he joined in the celebrations with 120 youth members, leaders and parents to celebrate the group’s birthday.

“He told me that just being around young people and adults with so much energy and enthusiasm for life made him feel young again.”

Rachel
30th Brighton Chipperwa Colony

District Cub Quiz

A very enjoyable day,although we were down on the number of packs entering.

All the cubs enjoy the day,which this year took a different format,covering trivia questions, picture puzzels, pot luck and bonus questions, plus three questions masters.

The following packs played in the morning

4th/7th-41 points

14th-29 points

30thE)-29 points there was a tie break round between these two packs, with the 42nd S geting through to the semi finals

42ndS)-29 points

Afternoon packs

6th-35 points

29th-21 points

42ndM-21 points

Semi final results

4th/7th-15 points

14th-15 points

29th-14 points

6th-13 points

Finals

4th/7th-50 points

14th-47 points

Well done to all the teams taking part.

Elsie Shekle (DCSL)