Cub Pack - 1943-2000
The first Cubmaster was Miss Elsie Friend - in those days all Leaders, male or female, were referred to as "Master". She was assisted by Miss Patricia Kennedy as Assistant Cubmaster.
In April 1944, Miss Friend left and Miss Kennedy took on the role of Cubmaster, a position she was to hold until she retired in 1990 although as a result of the reforms following the publication of The Advance Party Report in 1966, her title changed from Cubmaster to Cub Scout Leader.
Each year the Pack celebrated its birthday with a party in February to which the parents were invited. The birthday cakes were baked and decorated by Miss Kennedy's sister.
In 1953 the Pack joined several others for a camp at Orcheston, on Salisbury Plain.
Each year the Pack joined the other Groups of the District for the annual St George's Day Parade. In the early days, Roman Catholics were not permitted to take part in non-Catholic services and so the Pack, together with any Roman Catholics from other Packs, Troops, Guide Companies and Brownie Packs, would peel off from the main parade and march to the Catholic Church where one of the priests would lead a short service before the Pack returned to the main parade.
The dates on the photographs below have been estimated, based on the apparent ages of individual Cubs.
In 1984, Miss Kennedy organised the first of several summer camps at the tennis club at Freshford. The Cubs camped on the grass around the tennis courts and the meals were all cooked on an open fire and eaten in the club house.
In 1990 Miss Kennedy was required to retire following the Scout Association's age rule. Her retirement was celebrated with a presentation from the District, a cake made by her sister, a campfire and a presentation from the Group. When Miss Kennedy was asked what she might like for a retirement present from the Group, she suggested, "Just a box of chocolates". The Group Scout Leader ensured that a substantial cheque, the result of donations from those within the Group, was inserted into the box before it was presented to her. She was also presented with an engraved glass from one of the first Cubs - shown to the left of Miss Kennedy in the fourth picture below.
Following Miss Kennedy's retirement Mrs Julie Midcalf, who had been one of Miss Kennedy's Assistant Leaders, took on the role of Cub Leader. She led the Pack until 2004.
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3rd Devizes (St Joseph's) Scout Group
