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14 - Following the Final on Holiday Nigel Anstead: travelling home from Scout camp in Sussex

During the final few games I was at a Scout camp in Sussex aged 12 with the 9th Reigate Troop. I recall hearing about England winning their semi final against Portugal on the Wednesday (I think), there was much excitement in camp. We were due to come home at the weekend on the day of the World Cup final.

The Scoutmaster, John Stoneman, promised to get us home in time to see the game on tv. Mr Stoneman's father founded the 9th Reigate in 1927 and was still alive in his 90s at that time. Always smart in his khaki shorts, shirt and long socks with green tabs. (is tabs the word, not sure, it's a long time ago!)

Now, with a name like Stoneman, you might guess his day job and his father's. Undertaker.

Travelling to and from Scout camps, I enjoyed many in my five years as a scout, was an interesting and rather unusual affair. We travelled in the back of the funeral directors open truck. You can imagine about 20 boys, tents, poles, tent pegs, kitchen stuff, our own gear all loaded on the back of an open wagon. All coffins had been removed. Health and Safety was unheard of, but It was one of the best bits, travelling in the open rear. If it was raining, we might be lucky and have a temporary cover over us.

Mr Stoneman promised to get us home for the final. I don't remember much but we were caught in a traffic jam, unusual in those days. Commonplace now. So when the road was clear, John put his foot down and we were bounced about like rag dolls in the back. We were holding on to each other or anything we could grab. Anyway, after an eventful journey, with no harm done we got back to see the second half and an England win.

I shall never forget the day of the World Cup final in 1966.

Come on England!

Nigel Anstead

Memory added on August 25, 2016

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