Hooe Boy Scouts & Girl Guides

After reading what my grandfather had written, on the Hooe Scouts, in his book, "The Records of Hooe", I searched the local papers for information, because I believed these would be the best source – and I didn′t know where else to go!

In the beginning, in the early years of Hooe Troop, there was a reasonable amount of information but, as time went on, mention became less. I was always hoping to find a list of those boys who had joined either the scouts or the cubs but I never did – apart from the list in my grandfather′s book, that is.

Mention of the Girl Guides was even less as I only found one article on them - and you can′t get much less than one! I suppose the scouts came to the fore because of what they were asked to do, in the early formative years, during WWI, and it was, then, more than now, a male dominated society.

If anyone reading this has the names of any scouts or guides, I would be pleased to know and would like to add these to this page, if there is no objection.

Going back to the story, the following is what my grandfather had to say about the origin of the scouts, in Hooe: –

"At the suggestion of Lord Brassey, to a schoolboy named Sidney Plester, outside Hooe School, one midday, in 1913, a troop of B. P. Boy Scouts was formed which, by permission, was styled "Brassey′s Own". The scoutmaster was Mr. J. J. Newport who organised Wolf Cubs too, and had patrols in Ninfield and Catsfield. Mr. Lancaster lent his barber′s shop for meetings in Catsfield. Hooe School was the headquarters where all equipment was stored. All expenses were met by donations of £2 from Viscount Hythe, £1 from the Rev. C. Routh, 4s collected by Scout Gilbert Munn, payments by the boys, or their parents, supplemented by grants from the Hastings Association and grants by the Admiralty for coastndash;watching. The troop joined in the manoeuvres at Battle and Crowhurst, attended special services on St. George′s Day, at Hastings, Battle and Ninfield; also took part in public processions on behalf of local hospitals.

On the outbreak of the Great War, on the second Sunday evening, they were called upon to take up coast watching duty at Bexhill. They occupied the Boathouse, in which they slept (on mattresses on the floor), cooked their meals (on oil stoves), stored and repaired bicycles, washed and repaired clothing.

Services were held there, too, on Sunday evenings, with visitors standing around. One shilling and sixpence was the allowance for each scout per day: there were ten scouts. Any surplus, after defraying all expenses, was shared among the boys at the weekend. For a few days the duties of the scouts were directed by the police and the coastguards. Afterwards, the coast from Glyne Gap to Cooden Halt was patrolled - by the scoutmaster, from 11 p.m. to 4 a.m., by the boys, in pairs, during intervening hours.

As the scoutmaster had no sleep other than that he got between 4 and 7 a.m., after five weeks of such service he obtained relief. Scouts R. Brand and R. Pocock were drafted to Fairlight for service there.

Troop Leader C. J. V. Newport joined the 15th Royal Welsh Fusiliers, R. Pocock, the 3rd Royal Sussex Regiment; W. Plester, the 5th Royal Sussex Regiment, and E. M. Elphick, the 6th Sussex Royal Field Artillery. W. Plester "went home".

Some useful scoutcraft was done in surveying public rights of way in order to assist in the migration of civilians to the interior if necessity arose. On the marsh fire-lighting, cooking, drawing, colouring, signalling, swimming, map reading, direction-finding, and games (including "Kim′s") were practised. At one time the collection of paper was an important duty; and at another the gathering of fruit, especially blackberries, for jam.

Instruction was given in tracking, first-aid, life-saving (from fire and flood).

During the war prices of clothing advanced so that uniforms became too expensive, and there was such a demand for boy labour that the troop broke up in 1920.

One "camp" was held in a field adjoining Knebworth House, Bexhill, by permission of Mr. J. Keylock, who gave the troop a bell tent and instructed several lads in carpentry.

A Troop Committee was formed with Mr. J. E. Brand, Grove Farm, and Mr. R. Hayward, Quiddleswell Mount, as members. They thoroughly examined all accounts and equipment. Equipment bought while in Bexhill cost £9 5s; food cost £10 us; monies paid the boys totalled £1 12s, badges and similar items, £1 2s.

The accounts of the Catsfield Patrol were examined and approved by the Countess Brassey, July 21st, 1917. Her Ladyship gave 12s to the funds for flutes and the Rev. E. A. Ridge, 10s.

Donations by Bexhill residents in 1914 amounted to £8 14s and Admiralty grants to £13 18s.

Robert Baden-Powell

Robert Baden-Powell had been a soldier and had served in the Boer War, where, because of the part he played in the relief of Mafeking, he had become a popular, national hero.

As a result of his experience, he wrote a book on army scouting, which was published in 1899, and became a "best-seller".

He had noticed the general poor physical condition of the young men who, during the Boer war, came forward to join the army and wanted to do something to improve the Nation′s health, so when asked to produce a version of his book for boys and young men, he was happy to do so.

The creation of the "Boy Scouts" was not the result of a sudden burst of inspiration by Robert Baden-Powell but an idea that developed from his writing of the second book, what he knew of the Boy′s Brigade, which had been founded in 1883, of similar organisations, and his strong desire to do something to make the nation healthier both physically and mentally.

He thought of, and considered, many ways of doing this until the basic ideas of what we know today as the "Boy Scouts" settled in his mind.

He decided to try out his new idea and, in August 1908, set up the first, experimental, Boy Scout camp on "Brownsea Island". Using his experiences of this camp, he went ahead with writing the book he had promised, but in six parts with the first part of "Scouting for Boys" going on sale on 1st January 1908.

This, too, sold fast and, in the following years, in villages and towns throughout the country, young men began asking adults about forming a troop of their own, and adults began suggesting the same thing, which, it appears, is what Lord Brassey did, in 1913.

In 1909, Robert Baden-Powell, published a similar book for "girl scouts", which he named "Girl Guides". He insisted, however, on the same structure as the "Boy Scouts" because, he said, "Girls must be partners and comrades rather than dolls".

Hooe Boy Scouts

So, according to my grandfather, the Hooe Boy Scouts were formed in 1913 and we have a list of what must be the very first troop. My father was the Cuthbert J. V. Newport mentioned on the list, he was sixteen in March 1914 and, like too many other young men, later that same year joined the army. Luckily for me he survived and though he told me many stories about his time in I never really listened and have ever since regretted that.

When I first read the above I couldn′t understand what my grandfather meant by the statement "W. Plester "went home".′ It wasn′t until much later, when I was reading the names of those killed in the First World War, that I realised that this ′W. Plester′ was the same William Ernest Plester, who died on 2nd December, 1919. I have often used the terms ′Going home′ and ′gone home′ to refer to articles that are wearing out or have worn out but never in the context of people who have died but this is, obviously, what my grandfather meant.

The new "Boy Scouts" still had to discover what being a scout meant so they needed somewhere to train, drill, and learn their craft and the first place in Hooe was the school rooms.

At a meeting of the School Managers, it was agreed that they could use the Girls′ lobby at the school, a decision noted in their Minute Book, for 16th October 1913 [page 41]. Those present at the meeting were the Rev C. Routh, Chairman, Messers J. E. Brand, S. Dodson, and R. W. Hayward, and the records state it was: -

"agreed that the Boy Scouts should have use of girls′ lobby for practising."

A year later, my grandfather made a note in the School Log Book (PAR 382-25-1-2, page 298), that, on 10th August 1914: -

"The First Hooe Troop of the B. P. Scouts were ordered for service at the Coastguard Station, Bexhill, last night and have begun duty there this morning."

A further four days later, on 14th August 1914, he made the following entry in the same book [page 298]

"School closed for the Summer Holiday -- to reassemble 28th September."

"During the week the master, with the consent of the Managers has been at Bexhill with the Scouts, being Scoutmaster; and Miss Ethel Newport has assisted as a Supply Teacher."

[Note: Miss Ethel Newport was my Aunt who, it is worth mentioning, died in 1998, just a month before her 106th birthday – I hope longevity runs in our family!]

"The Boy Scouts and the War" were the words heading an article on Hooe, in the "Bexhill Chronicle" of 22nd August 1914. It seems obvious, from this article, that, as far as the public were concerned, these boys played an important part in the war effort – much more an important part than, with the sophistication in modern technology and the training and expertise required today, boys of the present day, could do or would be allowed to do – times change. The article, however, didn′t go into details (because it couldn′t) as to the duties of the scouts so we may never know what those scouts did that was so important.

The article continues: -

"The local Boy Scouts have played a busy part since the war started. The Bexhill Boy Scouts, under Scoutmaster Holes, have been called for duty in the interior of Sussex, and their place at Bexhill has been taken by the Hooe Scouts, under Scoutmaster Newport."

"There was quite an excitement on Sunday night week in Hooe village, we are informed, when Scoutmaster Holes, who is the local secretary, met Scoutmaster Newport on his way home from church, and informed him, that the Hooe Boy Scouts were wanted on duty. Mr. Newport tore around the village on his bicycle, and warned his scouts that they had to report themselves in Bexhill for duty next morning at ten. He had only finished his task at midnight, but he and his scouts were on duty in Bexhill next morning – not at ten, but a quarter of an hour before it."

"We are not allowed to go into details of the duties of the various forces but it has to be said that the duties of the Scouts were both onerous and delicate, and they were being discharged in a manner which merited the highest praise."

A week later, on the 29th August, two boy scouts, from the Hooe Troop, up early in the morning, heading for Bexhill from Cooden camp, spotted a man lying on the beach. Unfortunately, the paper doesn′t name the two boys, which is a great pity. The newspaper report said:

"BOY SCOUTS′ FIND"

"On Thursday morning about seven, when a couple of the Hooe Boy scouts were returning from Cooden, they saw a man lying on the beach. He was taken to a house near at hand, and the police were informed. P. S. Robbins later took him in charge, and he was brought before Mr W. R. Dewing later in the day, on a charge of attempted suicide, and remanded until Saturday.

It would appear that he went into the sea about three o′clock that morning intending to drown himself but the tide was going out and not coming in so he did not effect his purpose. He stated that he came from Birmingham, had been thrown out of work, and would not be accepted for the Army because of physical defects."

In those early days of scouting, the physical, intellectual, and practical life for a scout must have been very exciting by comparison with the sort of life they could have expected in such a small village.

When I first read the extract below, I thought that someone, some people or some organisation must have raised the question, "Who′s paying for the scouts?" but, then, when I read the extract again, much later, it became obvious that my grandfather had, most probably (allowing a small element of doubt!), raised it so that he could give an answer while asking for donations to the funds!

The following extract comes from the "Bexhill Observer", dated 5th September 1914.

"THE EXPENSES OF THE BOY SCOUTS"

"To the Editor of the "Bexhill Observer"

"SIR – Through the "Bexhill Observer" I beg to be allowed to answer the question: "How are the expenses of the Boy Scouts met?"

"The Admiralty are making a grant towards the cost of their food, and this is sufficient where circumstances allow economical expenditure. There is no other source of income except private gifts. While living in camp or quarters, as we are now doing, we need a repair fund to meet the cost of repairs to boots worn in the King′s service; and an equipment fund to supply haversacks, billies, staves, and (especially at this time) first aid material."

"The boys′ parents provide them with their shirts, shorts, scarves, stockings, belts, knives, rugs, and badges."

"Our Troop Committee at our last audit found that out of an income of £7 15s., no less than £3.14s was contributed by the boys and their parents."

"To those who have already sent gifts we hereby offer our best thanks publicly."

"Contributions may be sent to the Scoutmaster, or to the Rev. C. Routh, The Lodge, Hooe (a member of the Troop Committee for Finance)."

"Yours Truly,"

"John J. Newport., S. M."

"P. S. – I shall be pleased to answer any inquiry respecting the aims, principles, methods, and government of the Boy Scouts′ Association, and to explain the uses of the hats, scarves, billies, etc. From two to five o′clock is the best time of the day to find me free to speak upon Scout matters."

"Hooe Scouts′ Bungalow,
Coastguard Station, Bexhill-on-Sea."

"26th August, 1914"

An example of the above appeared in the "Bexhill Chronicle", on 14th November 1914:-

"The Hooe Boy Scouts, who meet three times a week, are working for pathfinding and signalling badges. They are also practising ambulance work, hoping to be ready to assist the police and military should occasion arise for them to do so."

Then, in the newspaper, on 6th February 1915: -

"HOOE"

"In April, at Hastings, there is to be an exhibition of work by the Scouts belonging to Battle, Hastings, Bexhill, Hooe, and the villages round about. The Hooe Scouts are engaged in preparing suitable things for exhibition."

The "Bexhill Chronicle", of 20th March 1915, published the "week′s orders" for the Hooe Scouts; these orders were written by my grandfather, as Hooe Scoutmaster.

"THE SCOUTMASTER"

"1st Hooe Troop"

"Orders for week ending March 27th."

Monday 22nd – 6.30. Physical Exercises with dumb-bells. Morse and Semaphore Signalling, Kim′s Game.

Wednesday 24th – 6.30, Ambulance Practice, Staff Drill, Marching.

Saturday 27th – 2.30, Pathfinding with Scout′s Signs, Report making."

"John J. Newport, Scoutmaster"

In the strange belief that someone, other than myself, might, actually, be reading this and may not know what "Kim′s Game is or was, I will explain.

KIM′S GAME

The idea for the game came to Baden-Powell from the book, "Kim", which had been written some time earlier by the author, Rudyard Kipling, who was, and had been, a friend of Baden-Powell's for some years.

In the book, Kim, the main character, is the orphan son of an Irish soldier, living among native boys, in India, and making a life for himself as best he can.

An old jeweller, who is a member, of the Government′s Secret Service, befriends the orphan boy and notices that Kim, in many ways, has the potential to become a secret agent so he sets out to improve the boy′s ability to observe, notice, and remember by the use of a simple game, which he deivises.

He lays out many different jewels on a tray and covers them, then puts the tray in front of Kim and removes the cover, giving the boy ust one minute to look at and remember as many of the jewels as he can before the cover is replaced.

Kim, then, has to tell the jeweller which jewels he remembers - the more he remembers, the higher his score, obviously.

Anyone who saw and remembers the TV game "The Generation Game", on British television, many years ago, will recognise the game at the end of the show, which included the "cuddly toy"! Those who never saw it will, probably, wonder what on earth I′m on about!

Back to the story of Hooe Scouts!

In the edition of 10th April 1915, the "Bexhill Chronicle" reports that:

"A very enjoyable day was spent on Easter Monday in the scout manoeuvres, at Crowhurst, by Hooe scouts, under Scoutmaster Newport."

"Next Wednesday the scouts are to have a good business meeting, to see what they can do to make the scout service at Holy Trinity Church, Hastings, on 22nd inst. a success, and also to prepare for a camp at Whitsuntide, etc."

The report, on 1st May, again in the Chronicle, on the service at Hastings and the camp, was as follows: -

"HOOE"

"Several Hooe scouts attended the service at Hastings on St. George′s Eve. At the desire of the Chief Scout, a service for the Scouts on St, George′s Day was held at the headquarters, Hooe, at 7 o′clock. A novelty in the service was the renewal of their promises by the scouts and the Wolf Cubs whilst standing at their respective salutes.

On Wednesday last, the District Scoutmaster, Mr H. Nickalls, inspected. He questioned those present on the Union Jack, scouts′ knots, and ambulance. He saw some practical work and expounded the scout law.

The lads will not soon forget the earnest words to live a clean and useful life, as required by the tenth law."

From the "Bexhill Chronicle", dated 29th May, 1915.

"HOOE"

"The scouts are at present working for the annual competition which will shortly be held at Hastings. At the last meeting it was decided to have a meeting once a week only – on Wednesday."

"The Hooe Scouts, under their Scoutmaster, Mr. J. J. Newport, spent a very enjoyable week-end camp in Mr. Keylock′s field. Mr Keylock had kindly presented them with the bell tent some time ago. A bicycle was used to convey the kit to the camping ground, where they arrived in time for tea on Saturday. The camp was struck on Monday afternoon, after an instructive week-end."

We now come to the only article solely on the Girl Guides though I′m afraid it doesn′t mention any Hooe Girl Guides but only those from Bexhill and Eastbourne - but they were at least camping at Hooe. Some of the girls in the Bexhill Guides may have come from Hooe but, perhaps, Hooe, being a small village, didn′t have a Guide troop of its own.

I include this because at least it does concern Hooe and several people from the village are mentioned – including my grandfather!

I had a problem with the photocopy of this article because the quality of the film was so poor that some of the words were far too faint to read but I think I′ve managed to piece it together and what may be incorrect is not, really, important.

This edition of the newspaper was published on 26th June 1915

"GIRL GUIDES AT HOOE"

"Accompanied by their old friends ??? Eastbourne Company, the 2nd Bexhill Company of Girl Guides went into camp at Hooe for the past week-end. Mr J. Rogers??????? Old Town) most kindly lent them ?????? hand-carts so that they were able to take out all their bedding, tents, and camp kit themselves, thus greatly lessening expense."

"After a halt for lunch in the High Woods, Hooe was reached in good time and by four o′clock tents were pitched, wood collected, fires lit, and the kettles boiled for tea."

"The Bexhill Guides slept in tents, while Eastbourne was accommodated in a large loft, where they slung from the beams hammocks improvised out of rugs and some ropes."

Saturday was spent in going through the ordinary camp routine, ending with a double despatch run after tea; both pairs of runners arriving safely."

"On Sunday morning, after church, the camp cooks turned to and made a large number of cakes and scones for their guests at an impromptu display in the afternoon. All the baking was done in the invaluable field oven brought over by the Eastbourne Guides."

"Tea was served about 4.30 and the guests included Mr and Mrs Renwick, Miss Salter and party (Eastbourne), the Rector of Hooe, Mr and Mrs Beaney, Mr Newport (the Hooe Scoutmaster) Mr and Mrs Saxby Hurst, Miss Flack, Mrs Albert lade, and Miss Lade."

"The proceedings ended with cheers for various guests, especially Mr Renwick, who lent the field, and at five o′clock Eastbourne loaded up and marched off to catch their train. Bexhill staying on till Monday morning, and then striking camp with great regret that their first and quite successful experience had come to an end."

"The officers in charge were Captains Miss O′Connor and Miss Astley, of Eastbourne and Bexhill respectively, while Miss Bourne acted as quartermaster for both companies, assisted by Mdlle Renard. The Girl Guide Committee has reluctantly decided that owing to the war, the annual display for East Sussex cannot be held, as all the committee and officers are engaged in Red Cross and other war work, and it is quite impossible for them to spare the extra time needed for display practices.

In the "Bexhill Chronicle", dated 31st July 1915, a report appeared on the "Military Funeral" of William Plester who died in the East Sussex Hospital, and was buried in Hooe Churchyard, on Tuesday 27th July. The article mentions that William had been a scout and his is the only name I have, so far, been able to find, of someone who had been a Hooe Boy Scout, other than those given by my grandfather in his book.

For those interested, the report, on the funeral, appears in the section on the "First World War", under "The Villagers who gave their lives".

11th September 1915

The Boy Scouts of Hooe must have felt very important and grown up when, as reported in the "Bexhill Chronicle", on the above date, they were told that they would be training with the "Volunteers" and were given a serious role to play for the community, and the country, in the case of an emergency. See below:

"HOOE"

"The Hooe Troop of the B-P. Boy Scouts are to be organised under the special constables, for the purpose of acting as guides and messengers in case of emergency. The lads are now allowed to drill with the local detachment of the Volunteer Training Corps, for which purpose the days of meeting have been changed; scout meetings now being held on Tuesdays and Thursdays at 7 p.m."

In early October 1915, the Company of Scouts, which included the Hooe Troop, was granted the right to be called "Brassey′s Own" as per the report in the Chronicle of 9th October.

"HOOE"

"The Hooe Baden-Powell Boy Scouts, with those of Catsfield and Ninfield, have been granted permission by Earl Brassey to bear the name of "Brassey′s Own" Troop."

"In the same column there is the only report I have found of the Hooe Wolf Cub pack. Unfortunately, the article gives no names, no mention of how many cubs there were or where the pack held its meetings.

"The ′Wolf Cub′ pack, which has recently been started in Hooe, has up to the present been very successful. The Wolf Cub packs are for those lads not sufficiently old to become Boy Scouts."

On 16th October 1915, the Chronicle gives a report on a very serious event - it must have been a day when there wasn′t much news around!

"HOOE"

"A letter has been received from the County Boy Scouts′ secretary, Mr. W. R. Mealing, of 12, Hurst Road, Eastbourne, stating that a few days ago, when driving in a motor-car from Eastbourne to Ewhurst he dropped his hat, a regulation Scout hat, and would be obliged if anyone who may have picked it up would return it to him at the above address; or to Mr. J. J. Newport, Hooe."

For a short while there was a column, headed, "Scout Notes" in the "Bexhill Chronicle", which sometimes mentioned the Hooe Boy Scouts, as in the two given below:

23rd October 1915

"HOOE"

"SCOUT NOTES"

"On Saturday afternoon last, the Hooe troop of Baden-Powell Boy Scouts, under the leadership of Scoutmaster J. J. Newport, performed several interesting scouting operations. The lads marched to Bexhill, and during the time they were on the road the Scout signs were used and followed. The lads showed much skill in following the signs which reflects credit upon Mr Newport, who has trained the lads

"A Scout "recruiting rally" is to take place at Catsfield, on Monday next. It is hoped that a good number of lads will then come forward and join the Troop."

"The Troop, when completed, will be called "Brassey′s Own" by kind permission of Earl Brassey.

A Scoutmaster′s meeting is to be held at Hastings on Wednesday of next week. The business to be discussed will be the Emergency Defence scheme. This scheme is one which is being planned for the assistance of the special constables, in any emergency, by the Boy Scouts. The lads, trained as they are should, if called upon, prove of much value to the authorities."

30th October 1915

"HOOE"

"SCOUT NOTES"

"Good work continues to be done among the lads residing in Hooe or thereabouts by Mr J. J. Newport., the energetic scoutmaster of the Hooe Troop

Efforts have been made during the past week to obtain Scouts in Catsfield to form the Troop to be called "Brassey′s Own".

At the scoutmasters′ meeting, held on Wednesday last at Hastings, the subject was, "The Emergency Defence Scheme", which is being organised for the assistance of the police authorities by boy scouts in the case of any emergency."

The part played by the Boy Scouts during the First World War, was brought up in an annual parish meeting held in Hooe Village Hall, on Friday 20th March, 1936, in a review of the local "rights-of way", which the parish had only recently finished mapping out, in compliance with the Act of 1932.

Present at the meeting were - Councillors A. R. Hayward (in the chair), H. Clifton, F. Hayes, and W. Sargent; Messers Alfred Freeman, A. Freeman, W. Luck, F. Vitler, G. Vitler, and J. Newport (Clerk).

"A Review of the Past Year was given by the Clerk. He told of the completion of the labour on the Public Rights of Way by the signing of a Certificate at a Special Meeting of the Council on the 6th February, 1935, at which Mr Walker, the R. D. C. Footpath surveyor was present."

"Referring to V. A. D. and the Boy Scouts′ work before and during the war and to forthcoming lectures on "Air Raid Precautions" he submitted that it was during times of peace to "Be prepared"(Boy Scouts Motto) for an outbreak of war. In the last war, scouts had to survey all footpaths in their neighbourhood, that they might help in movements of civilians, so as to leave the roads to the military, and it is wise now to ensure that all public rights of way are open and unobstructed. It is well, too, to be able to fight fires that may result from air raids"

The "Scout Notes" in the "Bexhill Chronicle" of 20th May 1916, startled me until I actually read the article. Little did, little could, the scouts, the people at the investiture, and the reporter who wrote the article have any idea as to what the scouts′ "badge of esteem" would mean to them, and to the world in just over a decade from then.

"SCOUT NOTES"

"On the last day of the present month there is to be held at Ewhurst Place, the residence of General Sir R. Baden-Powell, a large scout display, to be given by the scouts of Bexhill and adjoining districts."

"The Hooe scouts will be taking part in the manoeuvres to be held on Whit Monday at Sedlescombe."

"There have been several new members added lately to the new troop, "Brassey′s Own", as an outcome of the recent investiture at Normanhurst. On that occasion, Patrol-Leader Sidney Plester presented Lady Idina Hythe with a silver scout′s "thanks" badge; one was also given to Mr. George Lancaster. The scout′s thanks badge takes the form of a "swastika" , and is given as a mark of esteem."

The last reference, I found (that doesn′t mean to say that there weren′t others that I missed!) of the Hooe Boy Scouts was in the "Bexhill Observer", on 5th February 1938. My grandfather wrote a letter concerning the condition of the pathways, and of ensuring that these were kept clear, and open in case they were needed during the coming war; a war he was convinced would come about though he was a strong believer in the League of Nations and had been a member of the 1918, "Peace Committee".

The article reads:

"FOOTPATH MAINTENANCE"

"To the Editor of the "Bexhill Observer"

"Sir, - With much pleasure I read your report of the Bexhill Council′s meeting, for the Chairman of the Highways Committee there expressed a hope that "some prompt action would be taken in connection with their public footpaths", and stated he intended to press it at the next meeting of the Highways Committee."

I am expecting a visit from a Bexhill Scoutmaster who is anxious to know the public footpaths that cross the borough boundary into Hooe. During the Great War, Hooe Boy Scouts ("Brassey′s Own") traversed them as part of their duty, in preparation for a possible migration through the village of persons evacuating the borough to tramp towards Heathfield.

Has any member of the Bexhill Highways Committee used one of theses paths recently? If he has, did he find its condition satisfactory? I expect he found a need of co-operation between Councils to maintain the public rights-of-way over their boundaries. It is no use one Council keeping their parts of paths in order if a neighbouring Council neglect theirs.

"Yours truly,"

JOHN J. NEWPORT

Hooe,
January 29th"