Leading up to the 4th Annual Xmas Party organised by the Pack, 68 people had been invited by Leaders escorting a few of the Cub Scouts to personally present the invitations to our friends. As usual the Group Scout Council funded the event together with arranging the transport and refreshments.
The Pack received their guests for 7.15 p.m., taking their coats and escorting the visitors to their seats whilst Mr. Hill provided the music on his electric organ.
Three games of Bingo started the Party after Akela had welcomed the guests. Unfortunately our regular Caller, Baloo could not attend this year’s function and so Akela filled the position after some last minute swotting up the traditional calls. And with Kaa aiding the caller and Bagheera checking the winning cards, the Bingo seemed to proceed without a hitch.
The Cub Scouts and Leaders then served the refreshments and during the interval each guest was given a raffle ticket so that the three lucky winners could be found.
Eight of the Cub Scouts then performed a piece from ‘Toad of Toad Hall’ which had been directed by Mr. and Mrs. Mitchell. The audience was enthralled by the story and the very high standard of acting throughout. Some of the Scouts from the Troop then performed a ‘Fast Forward Play’ which for the second year running had been directed by Trevor Stanton Scout Instructor. This very funny sketch had many variations and produced considerable laughter in the Hall.
The Pack then arranged themselves into a choir whilst Akela invited the audience to sing carols accompanied by Mr. Hill. The carols ended a very happy evening and brought the message of Christmas to the gathering.
Akela thanked all concerned for the evening and invited the guests to enjoy a glass of sherry and a mince pie. Whilst the guests were quietly enjoying their treat Father Christmas burst into the Hall and distributed bars of chocolate to the guests and Cub Scouts, it was difficult to know which age group responded the most to this piece of magic but it certainly sealed a wonderful evening before we all made our way homewards.
Toad of Toad Hall: Graham Hill, Philip Brown, Paul Redman, Andrew Mitchell, Edwin Ashcroft, Christopher Mitchell, Andrew Wilson, Matthew Wilkinson
Directors: Mr. and Mrs. Mitchell