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Bell-tents and Bugles

Barwicker No. 23
September 1991


I was pleased to see in 'The Barwicker' No.20 another contribution from the late Bert Howlett. As one of Bert's contemporaries (we called him Albert) I have read his memoirs with much interest and pleasure, I'm sure everyone reading them will have been impressed by his amazing memory, his ability to describe such a wide range of events in so much detail and his penetrating observations on life in Barwick in the early part of the century. Bert's reminiscences brought back many memories for me. To mention one or two - there is the account of the fox going to ground in the Hall Tower Field; then there is the reference to the forced landing of the plane in the field off Aberford Road in World War I. Both of these events, which I witnessed, created quite a stir in the village at the time.

Bert has referred more than once to camping out in Reed's field near the footpath leading up from the bottom of the Boyle, over Rake Beck and on to the Flying Horse Farm on the York Road. We knew this path as 'The Frying Pan Start'. He has described how he and others used a tent left over from the scout group to sleep in during the summer months. I have a rather faded snapshot of the group concerned which included Bert, Roland Lovett, Harold Wilson, Bob and Jack Woodwark and myself.

Like Bert I remember we all enjoyed the open air, the peace of the valley with its sounds and scents as well as the companionship of the group. The photo. was taken in the field on a Sunday morning in 1926, the year Bert left for Australia. At the end of that year the tent was called in by the scouting authorities and as a result the group camping activities ceased.

The following year however Roly Lovett and I bought a second- hand bell-tent which we were given permission to pitch in a field in Potterton Lane. The field is opposite the saw-mills and to the north of what then was the footpath leading to the Banks and Wendel Hill. It falls steeply into the valley of Potter ton Beck. Since then there has been some building development near the road.

Roly and I slept out in the tent for three years starting at Easter and finishing in September. In those days the valley here also was full of wild life and I well remember the pleasure of waking up in the mornings to the sound of the lovely 'dawn chorus'. I remember too the eclipse of the Sun in the summer of 1927. It was I think total by about 7.30 to 8.0 am. As it progressed and the light faded the bird song died away and a hushed silence fell over the valley. It seemed quite uncanny at the time and was an experience I shall always remember.

Bert also referred to the scout troop in the village. In fact this was quite active during its brief life of three years or so. It was started around 1921/2 with the support of Mr T H Prater, land agent to the Gascoigne family, who was scouting District Commissioner at the time. The Rector, Rev R H Harvey, also helped by making the old Reading Room in the school yard available for the troop's HQ. In addition he took an interest in the general activities.

The scoutmaster Joe Burden was assisted by Herbert Free. I was one of the two dozen or so members of the troop. Indoor activities in the Reading Room together with field work: outdoors provided training for the various proficiency tests. Several members obtained their First Class badges.

Outdoor activities also included a couple of 'camps' in the then almost derelict Parlington Hall. This was by permission of Kr Prater who also allowed the other troops from the Leads area similar facilities. We slept on palliasses in what had been one of the principal rooms of the Hall in its hey-day. We washed at the pump in the stable yard. For the scouts the park: was ideal for nature study, with its abundant wild-life, including a herd of deer, and its wide variety of shrubs and trees.

I remember Mr Prater presenting the troop with its scout flag. This was carried out with due ceremony in the garden of his home, Hicklam House, Aberford. The troop marched from Barwick through Parlington Park: to Aberford for the presentation and marched back again with the flag flying proudly at the head of the column. We thought it very fine with its '1st. Barwick: 'Scout Group' embroidered in gold letters.

We also had a 'band' which played at the more formal meetings such as the occasional church parade when we marched to All Saints' Church. George Kirk and Bill Lumb were the drummers and Jack Birch and I were two of the buglers. I remember we made a good deal of noise but I don't think: our technique was quite equal to the effort put in. This might explain reports that some people in the village were not too pleased to have the peace of their Sunday mornings disturbed. On reflection I think perhaps they had a point.

There is no doubt the scout troop provided some interest and benefit for the youth of Barwick: at the time. Looking back it seems a pity it had such a brief existence.

GEOFF HARTLEY


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