Liam redux

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Elfin, Pioneer and Venturer groups take a stand

This is a message from the leadership of the Woodcraft Folk, a less militarised outdoor movement for children, to their young members. They don’t seem to have Central Committees or that sort of thing and I’m guessing Elfin, Pioneer and Venturer groups are a series of shadowy cabals and Blue Skies is a P O’Neill…

Liam
2–3 minutes

imageThis is a message from the leadership of the Woodcraft Folk, a less militarised outdoor movement for children, to their young members. They don’t seem to have Central Committees or that sort of thing and I’m guessing Elfin, Pioneer and Venturer groups are a series of shadowy cabals and Blue Skies is a P O’Neill style pseudonym. The important thing is that they are supporting today’s student walkouts and should we have to continue the struggle in the hills at least there will be someone able to light a fire and cook a rabbit.

Many of you have been contacting us about walking out and taking part in protests against cuts to your education and increasing fees for university. Today the elected group of leaders and young members who help lead Woodcraft announced that Woodcraft Folk will enthusiastically support action taken by young people to protest against government cuts to education. This includes walkouts and non-violent direct action on the 24th November (this Wednesday)

You, and young people in Woodcraft before you have a long history of taking a stand on issues that affect you, your communities and your future. Your Elfin, Pioneer and Venturer groups have met with local councillors and MPs to discuss important issues. Your DF movement runs campaigns and stage non-violent actions, making front page news and contributing to national struggles for a better world. Young people from your districts have even been to parliament and appeared on national television and radio to explain their message.

Many young people protested against the Iraq war and Woodcraft Folk was proud to support them as they marched in London, walked out of school and held their own demonstrations. Young people who take bold action sometimes get into trouble, but Woodcraft Folk will always defend your right to express your opinion act on your convictions.

Tonight we will write on behalf of the movement to the national newspapers, to make clear that Woodcraft Folk will stand behind you in taking action to influence the society we live in. Many critics will say that Woodcraft Folk should support you and young people like you in having your say, but that we should condemn "radical" action like school walkouts. We think differently. We believe it is your choice and in empowering young people to make your own decisions in life. We will never condemn important means of protest like walkouts if they have come from young people.

This decision to stand by you is especially important now as on Wednesday the 24th of November at 11am students, school children, education campaigns, teachers, graduates and parents will take action together across the country to say education is vital and the education cuts are wrong. We believe education isn’t just a means for a higher income, we believe it empowers us and is a right not a privilege.

We encourage all members to talk about these issues in your groups and districts and what ever actions you choose to get involved in we will stand beside you.

Blue Skies

General Council of Woodcraft Folk

9 responses to “Elfin, Pioneer and Venturer groups take a stand”

  1. maeve66 Avatar
    maeve66

    Hahahahahaha. That’s the most enjoyable and hilarious thing I’ve read in ages. I have to say, though, only in England. No version of the Girl Scouts/Boy Scouts/Campfire Boys and Girls/Bluebirds or whatever else exists here in the USA would ever do that. The tone is…. hilarious. They sound like protective but wise old childminders: “Young people who protest might get in trouble, but we support their right to do so.” Awwww.

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  2. Rob M Avatar
    Rob M

    Ah, but don’t you have the Spartacus Youth Clubs? 🙂

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  3. bristolred Avatar
    bristolred

    I always thought Caroline Lucas had a rather Elfin look about her. Maybe it’s an eco-socialist version of the Durruti Column?

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  4. Liam Avatar
    Liam

    Their hearts are in the right place but did they have to pick such a bloody stupid name?

    Pioneer and venturer have a 1930s proletarian ring to them but elfin?

    They could have called themselves oak, elm and chestnut or earth, wind and fire if they’d wanted to sound less beardy, hippy, sandally, veganny, moonchildy.

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  5. Jodley Avatar
    Jodley

    under 6s are apparently called “woodchips”. But I suppose it would be irresponsible to support a walkout of reception classes.

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  6. prianikoff Avatar
    prianikoff

    Like many things, Elves were bowdlerised in the post Victorian era.
    In classic German, English and Scandinavian mythology, they were quite dodgy characters.
    If offended, they were likely to fire an elf-bolt at you, give you a nasty skin rash, or nightmares.
    In the worst case scenario, like in ‘Childe Rowland’, they were positive psychopaths.

    Tolkien’s version of them was much closer to the original mythos.
    One positive feature of them in his books being their habit of forming United Fronts with Men.

    But it all ended in tears as they were destined to pass beyond the Circles of the World to regain immortality.
    ( I think he made that up though)

    ‘Utúlie’n aurë! Aiya Eldalië ar Atanatári, utúlie’n aurë!”‘
    Fingon, at the Battle of the Unnumbered Tears

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  7. bristolred Avatar
    bristolred

    Prianikoff: I think a careful re-reading of the original text will confirm that Tolkien is talking about a Popular Front, not a United Front.

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  8. Cliffite Avatar
    Cliffite

    The Woodcraft folk are a sort of lefty scouts. Some of their groups round here in SouthLondon are involved in various campaigns we work in and often have kids from both lefty parents and do work in more working class areas.

    Locally a lot of their members lead walk outs and I think their general council is still mainly made up of young leaders (ie the under whatever age people who convene the groups).

    I think we’re relatively lucky and most of their other groups are filled with the a sort of hippy crowd. either way surely a good thing. Definately increased the number of walkouts round here.

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  9. skidmarx Avatar
    skidmarx

    And here’s worse elf.
    Given the Woodcraft Folk’s 1920s Lefty origins the terminolgy shared witht the Komsomol shouldn’t be a great shock.
    Not the first time they’ve upset Decent People.

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