Lonsdale District, by way of its descent from the previous Associations of South Lonsdale, Lancaster & District and Morecambe & Heysham & District, has a long and proud heritage going back to the earliest days of Scouting.
Through the foresight and diligence of a number of individuals over the years, including among others the late Peter Gedge and previously R. E. Wright, we are fortunate in possessing an extensive archive illustrating many achievements and milestones in local Scouting. Some of this material is now displayed on this website under the ‘History’ tab above.
The booklet “Scouting in Lonsdale 1908 – 1999” collated and written to celebrate the Silver Jubilee of The Lonsdale District Scout Council by Peter Gedge and assisted by Peter C. Hunt, and available to view in the District HQ, is also an interesting record and summary of the archive.
In this first article, perhaps there may be others, regarding our heritage your humble writer is seeking information concerning the trophy shown above, which has been on display in DHQ for some time.
The shield comprises a wooden, perhaps oak, plaque intricately carved with great skill, and dexterity to show the arrowhead badge, surrounded by the words ‘ BOY SCOUTS’ and flanked by a rose (presumably red) and another unrecognised emblem and two flags – the union and scout, and with the background finely worked with a small triangular motif. The date of the work is unknown but would be between say, 1925 to 1966.
The question is does anyone out there know who produced the shield, and when, and was it purely for decorative purposes or for some competition or another. My informed guess as to the carver would be Frank Hayton, with his Gillow’s background.
Answers please on a postcard to “Heritage Corner”, Lonsdale District Scouts, 3 Moor Street, Lancaster, LA1 1PR or by any other means you fancy!
