2013
Mar
18

Tomb Cleanup by Cub Scouts

1

Dateline: Sunday 17th March, 2013 – 2pm-4pm

Project: A Community Service by Pack 3017 of the Cub Scouts of America (age 7-11 years)  to “spring clean” the tombs on Hill 1,  supported by the Brownies.

The project  began with  showers of blessings, that came and went. Undaunted, about 30 cub scouts accompanied by their parents  cleaned up some 40 tombs on Hill 1.

Their timing was perfect, 2 weeks before the annual Qing Ming festival when descendants  spruce up  tombs to honour  the memory and contributions of their ancestors.

Thank you Cub Scouts of America for honouring the pioneers of Singapore at rest in Bukit Brown  A meaningful job well done.

Collecting their cleaning kits which included “green” brooms from the branches of a fallen tree at BB (photo Gan Su-Lin)

Gloves on! We are handling diluted chemicals needed for a good scrub without eroding stone or inscriptions (photo Gan Su-Lin)

Eternal  scout, Lim Su Lin -the wandering minstrel of Bukit Brown, sending off the cubs (photo Raymond Goh)

 

Marching on…(photo Gan Su-Lin)

Demo by Victor Lim and Sugen (photo Gan Su-Lin)

Attention! (photo Gan Su Lin)

Spray cleaning liquid, then give it a firm scrub down, followed by some water  (photo Gan Su-Lin)

And voila!, the beautiful marble beneath .(photo Gan Su-Lin)

A daunting task! (photo Gan Su-Lin)

Finally, the cleaning begins with much vigour and diligence!

Parents got into the act (photo Gan Su-Lin)

Roar……. a cub tackles a lion (photo Gan Su-Lin)

“Bonding” (Gan Su-Lin)

“So what do you think, Dad?” (photo Gan Su-Lin)

 

“Not yet, Dad,  I haven’t quite finished” (photo Gan Su Lin)

Replenishing water needed to wash down the tombs. An estimated 10 tubs of water had to be transported from main taps at the entrance. (photo Gan Su Lin)

“Look at me if you don’t  believe me, I did a good job over there” (photo Gan Su Lin)

And indeed, the whole pack did a brilliant job in the final reveal

Cleaned tombs marked by windmills for a job well done! (photo Gan Su-Lin)

Part of Hill 1 now planted with windmills (photo Gan Su-Lin)

 

The tomb of Siow Cheng Watt  (photo Khoo Ee Hoon)

 

A close-up of Siow Cheng Watt (photo Khoo Ee Hoon)

When this photo was posted on the Bukit Brown Facebook Group, Madelene Seow said “Please send my appreciation & thanks to the cub scouts.” She is the great great granddaughter of  Siow Cheng Watt.

The beautiful tiles of Tan Joo Khoon’s tomb  brought to light by the cub scouts. He was the chief clerk at the Master Attendant’s office and acted also as a Chinese interpreter. (photo Raymond Goh)

Victor Lim on the left with some of cub scouts. Victor planned the logistics and prepared materials for this project ( photo Ai Loon)

Before and After (photo Ai Loon)

 

The smiles say “Tombs Cleaned – A Community effort by the Cub Scouts of America & All Things Bukit Brown”  (photo Gan Su-Lin)

The supporting cast of Brownies (photo Gan Su-Lin)

From left to right: Peter , Yik Han, Danny ,Hang Chong, Zen , , Anna ,Ai Loon, Catherine, Ee Hoon and last but not least Victor Lim who organised logistics and materials needed. Not in photo Sugen and  Su-Lin (who was behind the camera).

Su-Lin sheltering her camera from the elements (photo Victor Yue)

Here are 4 videos  by Khoo Ee Hoon on  cubs with parents ar work.

The preparations behind the scene:

45 cleaning kits, containing gloves, brush and good morning towel. Water Spray bottle and green brooms prepared separately ( photo Ai Loon)

 

Tags designed by Ai Loon with inputs by Sugen (photo Ai Loon)

Finishing touches by Sugen (photo Ai Loon)

Ai Loon with the finished windmills (photo Ai Loon’s camera)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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