Mafeking (Be Prepared 2)
Powell Reserve
Lord Robert Baden-Powell was the father of the Scouting movement. This is part of a small homage to this organisation and its motto “Be Prepared”. A great way of being ready for eventualities is to be able to tie knots.
You are looking for a small container within the reserve that contains a log, pencil and two short pieces of rope/cord. The rope is not for swapping (see below).
Read on for backstory to the name and the skill session.
Lord Robert Baden-Powell served in the British military in India then in South Africa during the Boer War. It was his military command, during the siege of Mafeking (1899-1900) where he successful repelled the Boar attacks until relief arrived, which propelled him to fame. As a war hero with the rank of Colonel he had the gravitas and was then able to garner the attention and interest back in Britain to start the Scouting movement (boys and girls) in 1906. Scouting teaches a variety of disciplines including confidence, camping, outdoor crafts, community service and teamwork, but the over-riding ethos can be well summarised in the motto “Be Prepared” and how I view it, self-sufficiency.
I do not know if this street was named after the great man, but I can easily convince myself that it was given Baden Street is just to the south.
Whilst you are here, take 5 minutes to learn what is possibly a new skill or refresh and old one.
- Reef Knot and 2) Sheet Bend Knot
There are instructions and items (not for swapping) in the hide. So go on, “It doesn’t take much flair to tie a knot which is square” and be better prepared. A Reef knot is also called a “Square knot” and the term ‘Reef’ came from its use in reefing sails. Its very handy for tieing up a package, parcels etc rather than ‘granny knots’ but the downside is that it does not work when the rope(s) are different diameters. In that case, when joining two ropes your should use a Sheet Bend.
Reef knot - Short animated example https://www.animatedknots.com/square-knot
A Sheet-bend is a knot which is used for joing ropes of two diferent thickness. An essential knot.
Sheet Bend knot - Short animated example https://www.animatedknots.com/sheet-bend-knot