A Northern English Perspective.
It seems that this issue has opened a huge can of worms. Allow me to share
my experiences.
The area that I come from is as you know by my postings NW England, as
specific knowledge of geography is in the main a local thing I have not
needed to go into greater detail, however for the purposes of this posting,
I will be specific.
England 51 is a ministry of Pendle Community Church, Pendle, East
Lancashire. When people think of Lancashire they usually think of dark
satanic mills. The reality is the imagery is very close to the truth. Pendle
is a multi-ethnic, multi-faith & quasi-pagan community, Legends of
witchcraft go back to the 1600's and covert satanic activity is rife in the
area. In addition to this Unemployment is amongst the highest for the whole
North of England, Break up of the family unit and divorce is also very very
high.
We find that many of the children who we charter come from families with
only one parent in residence, who are on limited income or State benefit.
Many children do not recieve the love and attention that they crave at home,
and in the first instance will buck at being asked to wear a uniform.
However, a child from that back ground will buck at any form of authority.
After the child has got used to wearing the uniform, this ceases to be a
problem (if it manages to be laundered in time). The uniform is seen as
being something different to everyday life. In our state schools uniform is
compulsary. Children see this uniform as being no fun at all. not because
they don't like the uniform but because they see through what it represents.
They see the inequalities and double standards so prevalent in our society.
But on Friday nights at 6:30pm their ranger uniform becomes a fun garment to
wear. Children are the best indicators for if you are going of the spiritual
boil. they will soon tell you. But, if they see Jesus in you, then they see
the ranger programme as a fun thing to be identified with, the uniform
becomes an exclusive designer label, that is something special to them.
It is true uniform does improve dicipline, but I believe that has to be
coupled with patrol spirit. If the patrol spirit is there then the ranger
will be the best ambassador the outpost can have.
An example,
2 years ago now we held our Pioneer outpost camp at the county Scout
Association site.
as we arrived at the site myself and the other commanders went to the office
to find our pitch. All the rangers were in the cars and were in uniform. The
last thing I said to my Senior Guide before joining the other commanders was
"Anneka you are in charge". The fellow who was to show us to our pitch was
the Assistant Scout Commissioner for Lancashire.
We emerged from the office with utter astonishment and my heart rose with a
flush of pride.
Anneka had got all the kids out of the cars and had them in a parade
formation of two patrols with Patrol Guides and Assistant Patrol guides in
their correct order with herself stood infront of the formation as per the
leaders manual. The whole formation was at ease and ready to accept the next
order. Jim, our scout guide who was advanced in years said that he had not
seen so great a show of dicipline or group spirit in many a long year. He
wasted no time in telling his colleagues.
That story is not isolated, everywhere Royal Rangers go in the UK our
reputation as the very best example of a uniformed voluntary youth
organisation preceeds us.
In summary I think it works because the kids don't just see a khaki shirt or
a blue sweatshirt, they see Jesus.
Stu Precious, England 51, Nelson NW England.
-----Original Message-----
From: Benjamin Wolfson <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
Date: 27 June 1999 11:51:pm
Subject: [RR] UNIFORMS
>My outpost is considering eliminating uniforms from
>
>the weekly meeting. I am concerned about this.
>
>Please post your thoughts on this.
>
>Thank You!
>
>
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