845 help with Scout badges
EXCITED Scouts from 2nd South Petherton, visited RNAS Yeovilton today to conclude their work necessary to become the proud owners of the Scout Basic Aviation Skills Activity Badge
The badge teaches Scouts about various aspects of aviation, from the principles of flight, rules relating to access to airfields, to building their own glider. The Aviation badge is particularly relevant to 2nd South Petherton being located so closely to RNAS Yeovilton and seeing aircraft frequently pass over the town on their way to Naval Air station Merryfield RNAS Yeoviltons Satellite Air field.
On the Scouts agenda for the day at RNAS Yeovilton, organised by Naval Airman Neill Claringbold, were visits to the Fire Station, 845 Naval Air Squadron, the Survival Equipment Section and the Royal Naval Historic Flight. At these destinations the Scouts received a brief and tour.
Their visit to 845 NAS will give the Scouts a superb opportunity to get up close to the helicopters that they will see frequently flying over them. One element of the badge is being able to understand the terms used and what they look like. It was also an opportunity for 2nd South Petherton to see how the Royal Navy Maintains a state of readiness to Protect our Nations Interests.
In the hangar at 845NAS the Scouts were able to get up close to a Sea King as Pilots Lt Jim Bayliss and Lt Matt Harding from 845 NAS took time to explain the aircrafts capability in protecting out Nations Interests. Branden aged 11 years Said “that was crazy inside there are 1000’s and 1000’s of controls”!
Peter aged 12 years said ‘my favourite bit was with the Sea King as I am building a model one so it might help me with what it looks like. I’ve never been in a real one it was great”
Neill Claringbold has been visiting the Scout group during their weekly meetings to teach them Survival Training. During their visit to the Survival Equipment Section, Neill involved the Scouts in practical demonstrations with some of the equipment vital to saving the lives of Naval personnel. Amongst the activities enjoyed by the Scouts was the opportunity to inflate a life jacket and try on a Flying helmet.
Giving them an insight into an often overlooked element of naval aviation heritage was Lt Cdr Ian Sloan When the Scouts visited the Historic Flight they compared the old with the new Royal Navy and they were able to see the last airworthy Swordfish and a Sea Fury. Ryan aged 13 years said of his visit “ I didn’t actually think it was going to be such good fun, infact I’ve loved it”
The 2nd South Petherton Scout Group offers Scouting for boys and girls, ranging in age from 6 - 18. The opportunities offered by the group enable them to engage in challenging and educational activities from a young age. A large input of the programme comes from the members themselves, and the leaders help put in place a wide variety of activities, from the adventurous, such as caving and rock-climbing, through to good life skills, such as navigation and cooking.
Renira Pollard , 2nd South Petherton Scout Leader said “We had a great time, thank you. When we have our meeting next week I'm sure I will hear more from my scouts...their feedback is always interesting!