20 February 2001
to all members of Council,
County, Area, and District Commissioners
copy Headquarters circulation
Dear Colleague,
Uniform
When I wrote to you before Christmas, I explained that it was not then possible to circulate photographs of our new uniform. We promised to circulate them later.
We have now got samples of the new uniform made up, and arrangements are being made for its public launch this week. In particular, the media will be briefed tomorrow, so that Friday's papers and television may contain short items: we know there will be a Blue Peter item on Monday 26th February at 1700 hrs on BBC1.
A fairly detailed article has been prepared for publication in March's SCOUTING Magazine, which discusses the consultation, tabulates the key results, and contains good quality photographs of the new uniform. I enclose an advance copy for your use. The article will also appear on ScoutBaseUK, though I should warn you that the current state of technology almost certainly means that the uniform colours as seen on, or printed from, computer screens will not be quite right. The same may be true of colour copies of the enclosed article.
The Chief Scout has asked me to let you know that although he will be wearing the new uniform for publicity purposes on various occasions this week, he will not then be wearing it again until after it is generally available to us all from Scout Shops in the summer. The last date for the change to the new uniform remains, of course, as before: 1 January 2003. And at that date, young people may still continue to wear the existing uniform, if they wish to do so, until they change Section.
You will notice that the photographs show only World, County, District and Group badges. This is mainly because the design of the new programme badges is not yet complete. However, I should emphasise - and you should emphasise to your Leaders and young members - that all their existing programme badges may be transferred to their new uniforms, and replaced with badges from the new programme as and when they gain them.
Yours sincerely,
John Bevan
Chairman, Committee of the Council
