-----Original Message-----
From: Stuart Precious <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
To: Rangernet <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
Date: 30 June 1999 11:55:pm
Subject: Re: [RR] UNIFORMS
>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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