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training schemes and expeditions is not an easy task, and
the scnools making the attempt are to be congratulated for
taking on such an onerous duty. In this field, the work of
the Bexleyheath Boys' Brigade has been of outstanding merit
and the Company is to be complimented on its share of
Palace honours.
Canoeing and camping have progressed over the last
year, and the K.E.C. Site at Foots Cray has been well used
by Bexley Scouts and Boys' Brigade Companies. At this site
there are. opportunities for simple canoeing and climbing as
well as the more traditional forms of outdoor life.
The new Bexley-Erith Technical School has become the
venue for the Bexley Gymnastic Club. This club has expanded
until it now has 150 boys and girls as well as a good
number of adults and teachers practising Gymnastics every
week. Two of its members, a boy and a girl, appropriately
enough, are now Southern Area Gymnastic Champions. The
club has definitely influenced the standard of gymnastics in
the local schools, and stimulated intelligent competition, as
well as providing a meeting place for teachers to study the
more complex forms of apparatus work. This development
has been of considerable importance, and the. Headmaster is
to be thanked for his knowledgeable understanding of the
place of gymnastics in and out of school.
In the after school youth world there is a steady expansion
of the programme to include the more unusual activities
and some of the older historical skills are coming back, such
as fencing and archery. Fencing in particular is a well coached
and much practised local sport and the Schools and the Adult
Centre produce some very fine fencers worthy of National
recognition. Judo is another sport that attracts the school
leaver but is handicapped for lack of instructors. It does
seem that many of the clubs attempt to teach too many
sports without adequate staff, causing first a decline in interest
and later a wastage of equipment. It indicates that the formation
of specialist clubs would give better service for less
money than the general purpose organisation in the field of
youth physical education.
The Advisers wish to thank the physical education personnel
of all the schools, for their fine efforts in and out of
school during the past year, and the Borough Education
Officer and his staff for his friendly co-operation and ready
help and loyal support at all times.
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