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Dr Frank Barry
Smith OBE was Akela with 2nd Bracknell Cubs for over 30
years. He died in February 2005 so this is our tribute to
those 2nd Bracknell years.
He wasn't just
known and respected for his work at 2nd Bracknell. He
received an OBE for his work at the Met Office. Helen
ApSimon of Imperial College wrote an
obituary which gives more
information about his life. She says:
I promised to send you a
copy of the obituary I compiled, and want to thank you for
your help. You will see I sent it to Atmospheric Environment
as an international journal. It has also gone to Weather
produced by the Royal Met Soc, and will appear in the May
edition. I have also sent it to the European Association for
the Science of Air Pollution for their newsletter. Barry was
a founder member and the first treasurer.
Barry is someone who has had an enormous influence on my own
work, and was also a very good friend. I did not find it
easy to write to do him justice.
At his funeral
they used a psalm that
Barry had written.
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A packed programme
Barry's programmes were always packed. He ran all 3 packs himself plus badgework and swimming on a Wednesday evening and boardgames at his house on a Friday. Then there was something on every Saturday too. This programme is from Autumn 1986 |
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The coach
Having our own coach made things a lot easier in those days. When the time came for the group to get rid of it we were told that the most valuable part was the number plate - 81 DBL - which raised over £1000 for the group |
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Pony Trekking - twice a year
We used to go pony trekking in the Black Mountains near Abergavenny twice a year. We'd sleep in a scout hall in the town and then go to the farm near Cymyoy. Half of the group would ride while the others hiked. After lunch we'd swap over. |
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Nature study
Barry loved nature and found a real soul mate in Chil (Diane). This picture was on a trip to Amberley Chalk Pits Museum when they stopped to look up another plant - this time it was a rare bee orchid. |
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Getting invested at camp
Sometimes getting invested in the hall can be a bit ordinary. Barry liked to do things differently. Here Paul makes his promise on the top of Bodiam Castle in April 1990 |
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District events too
As well as all the group events, Barry ran several for the District. His paperwork style was well known. This is an example of the arrangements for the District Breakfast Hike where Sixers slept at 2nd Bracknell before getting up early to go off to hike and then cook their breakfast |
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Disappearing into the distance
A feature of Barry's expeditions was a good brisk walk. Even in those days the Cubs were not all as fast and so quite often all you'd see of Akela was him disappearing off into the distance! |
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Doing the cooking
Barry's camps could be quite busy for the leaders as we'd generally run the activities and do the cooking. This is at one of Barry's favourite sites - Cranham in Gloucestershire - a site we still use regularly |
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Camp fire songs
Barry was a great camp fire leader and always enjoyed a good sing song. When the fire died down and night drew in you could always rely on him to have created a spooky story that was somehow woven into things that had happened on the site you were on |
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Time for an ice cream
The Cubs pause for an ice cream on Ventnor sea front |
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DIY Camping
When the Cubs were doing their weekend camps it wasn't worth taking the hard to put up kitchen shelter but we needed something to cook in. Barry designed this new kitchen shelter which was used for the first time at Ford Mill in 1989 |
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25 Years at 2nd Bracknell
When Barry had completed 25 years at 2nd Bracknell the group held a party to celebrate. We also marked Ivy Riggs' 25 years on the group exec |
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If you have
pictures of Barry in action at 2nd Bracknell we'd be pleased
to hear from you. Our collection is only based on the period
in the late 1990's when Nick and Barry were Scouting
together. Please e-mail
Akela if you can help. Here are the pictures that you
have submitted so far:
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Beaver Investiture 1998
Barry with Robert Morgan. Submitted by Dawn Morgan |
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Crossing the line
Barry, Nick and the Cubs visit the Greenwich Observatory. Submitted by Dawn Morgan |
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St George's Day Parade 1990
Barry and Diane bring up the rear of the Cubs. Picture submitted by Allan Coles |
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St George's Day Parade 1990
Barry and Diane wait for the parade to start. Neil Coles (Mang), Lee Morgan, Alex Roberts and Andrew Agar are amongst the Cubs pictured. Picture submitted by Allan Coles |
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St George's Day Parade 1996
Allan and Barry wait with the boys. Picture submitted by Allan Coles |
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Keep up Allan
Barry strides out at St George's Day Parade in 1996. Picture submitted by Allan Coles |
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There are more
pictures from the Simpson Cup Winners Camp at Cranham in
1991. Click on "Past Events" in the links bar.
If you were a Cub in 2nd Bracknell we'd be
delighted to hear from you and find out what you are doing
now. You may like to enter your details at Scouts
Reunited or simply e-mail Akela.
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