Viv Kendal

24/1/1927 - 30/12/2005

A friend of Scouting, particularly in the Midlands Area – Viv Kendal has gone home. Viv wouldn't ever think of tying a Sheep Shank or a Bowline, but he certainly knew and understood how Scouting worked.

He realised that without communication and information Scouting would grind to a halt. He was the ultimate group magazine man and encouraged the formation of Group Magazines with his "Press Club" suggestions which ran for many years in National publications.

The Area, particularly the old Cape Midlands has a rich heritage of old photographs of the goings on in this Area, thanks to him. He revived the Cape Midlands Trail magazine and in the sixties as a Scouter was involved in running St Hugh's, 1st Westering and helped start Capeways, the first Chinese group.

Looking back on copies of "Veld Lore" over 25 years, we see the many contributions that Viv had made, in photographs and stories, putting our Area on the South African Scouting map.

He had a lot to do with the building of the Gilsands Training Centre outside Port Elizabeth and was the Treasurer of Gilsands for many years.

To Ruth, his children and grandchildren, we say, be proud of the "old man" who made a difference to Scouting and has left it a better movement because of his effort over so long a period.

Ack: Scouting About, Autumn 2006