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In 1922 when BP published his 'Rovering To Success' the later adolescent members of the boy scout movement breathed a huge sigh of relief.Although Rover Scouts had been instituted in 1919 the book gave a proper identity and language to the Rover Crew.The Boy Scouts had extended the age of their membership to 17 in 1911 but there was still a 'worrying anxiety' at the prospect of leaving the 'warmth and mateyness' of the boy scout patrol tent.'Rovering To Success' answered many of the questions that boy scouts were asking their Patrol Leaders as well as many they dare not ask Skip or their Parents.When it came to Girls BP warned that there were a range of 'Conditions' which could be contracted,certainly not just with 'immoral contact' but simply from a cup or towel.BP had been right on all other things in a 'boy scouts life',his sharing of 'medical information' of a most distressing kind on 'contact with Girls', 'needed to be heeded'.BP's suggestion of a visit to a 'Lock Hospital' of which there were many at the time would have put boy scouts off sexual activity of any kind for life.Some time later a 'plucky Girl Guide','full of character' would come along but to quote Reader "Not Now Chaps,Not Now".Rover Scouts didn't just meet for two hours a week,Rover Scouting was far more a way of life and the Rover Crew became the surragate family particularly when boys were away from home.Large Rover Scout Crews became part of YMCA's,Toc H,Theological Colleges, and there was Crew in the late 1930's who were responsible for Staffing no less than seven Boy Scout Troops.Rover Scouts from Camberwell offered a unique form of Service by watching delirious Patients in Kings College Hospital (1931) and the Westminster Crew offered the same Service at St.Georges Hospital at Hyde Park Corner.Entertaining ,being entertained and allowing others to entertain quickly became part of the Rover Scout Programme.If "girls" were needed for concerts then there was a ready supply of wolf cubs,boy scouts and senior scouts who were only too willing to be involved with their elder Rover Scout Brothers.Wolf cubs proved to be very popular "Can Can Dancers" and if it were made known that a boy scout troop had provided some "Ballerinas" for a 'Rover Concert' then capacity attendance was guaranteed.Rover Crews who organised 'Concerts' in the early 1920's were not short of offers from younger members of the Scouting Movement,particularly when "girls" were required.In the 1930's whilst "female impersonations" of the American actress Mae West were always performed by the 'most fattest' of the Rover Crew,"Shirley Temples" performance of "On The Good Ship Lollipop" would often take the form of a contest when perhaps two senior scouts,two boy scouts and a wolf cub would dress as "little girls" and perform the song.A judging panel would decide which of the "girls" made the most convincing "Shirley Temple".Marks were awarded for 'costume','poise','giggling' and 'cute(ness)' amongst other criteria.The winning "girl" would receive a 'lollypop' (1934,35,37).There were however some reports of 'unlikescout' behaviour' when a particular scout troops "girl" did not win and a 'naked "Shirley Temple" had to be rescued from 'an ornamental fountain' and spend three days in the local Cottage Hospital,where 'extensive brusing on "her" buttocks' caused by contact with the 'fountains metal spout',required some 'careful treatment'.In 1933 'The Durrum Dance Band' released 'Lets All Be Faires',which although banned by the BBC was taken up as an Anthem by Rover Scouts in Rover Concerts and Entertainments.Although written by the 'ever popular',Drake,Kent and Silver many in the Boy Scout Movement thought that it had been written by 'A Holborn Rover' as it seemed to be so obviously 'scout troop show material'.Although not included on the Scout Associations list of Ralph Reader Material as it only takes up half a page of A4 'Madame Tites School of Dancing' from the 1956 London Gang Show is surely Readers 'homage' to the 'exuberant gynemimesis' of the early Rover Scout "Troop" Shows.Dr.Stu..
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