40 years 1948

FORTY YEARS OF SCOUTING HISTORY

A display by 150 local Boy Scouts and Cubs reviewing 40 years of Scouting history was given at Woodhill Lane, on Tuesday evening last week. Heavy rain failed to damp the enthusiasm of the youngsters as they turned out in force to celebrate the 40th anniversary of Scouting.

As the display started in a torrent of rain, County Commissioner J. Dodds Drummond quoted the 8th Scout Law: “A Scout smiles and whistles under all difficulties.” Right nobly the lads lived up to it. They carried on with unabated cheerfulness and were rewarded when the sun broke through soon after the rainy start.

Parents and friends who watched the display from the shelter of the pavilion warmly applauded the Scouts.

The display was arranged by the Assistant District Commissioner for Morecambe, Mr. J. C. W. Catterall

LOCAL HISTORY

It is known a Scout troop existed at Heysham in 1915, but it became defunct during the 1914-18 war.

The 1st Morecambe, formed almost 25 years ago, was attached to St. Barnabas Church. Its registration number was 370. A few years later it was transferred to St. Laurence’s Church, but lapsed towards the end of the last war. It was successfully revived last November.

The new Scoutmaster, Mr. K. H. Harmsworth, is brother of the first Scoutmaster of the troop, Mr. C. W. Harmsworth, now of York. The original Group Scoutmaster Mr. Whittle, has been followed by Mr. Antenen.

Scouts and Cubs in the display were drawn from the 1st Morecambe; Lordsome Grove, 3rd; Bare and Slyne-with-Hest, 4th; St. John’s Church, 5th; Heysham, 7th; Central, 8th; Morecambe Parish Church, 11th; St. Mary’s R.C, Church, 13th; and Torrisholme, 16th.

* Kenneth Hildebrand Harmsworth, younger brother of Carl William, was born 11 May 1913 in Halifax. In 1939 he was living at 2 Heysham Avenue, a Timekeeper & Cost Clerk (Civil Engineering). He married Irene Mabel Holt in 1940 at St. Lawrence, Morecambe. He died in the Kensington & Chelsea area in 1987.

FIRST CAMP RE-ENACTED

Fitting opening to the display was a representation of Baden-Powell’s experimental camp at Brownsea Island, Poole Harbour, in 1907.

This camp, attended by 21 boys, was the prelude to the worldwide Boy Scout movement. Scoutmaster Gordon, 7th Morecambe, enacted the rote of ” B.P.” Typical Scouting activities demonstrated the founding of the Movement in 1908.

The 5th built a monkey bridge and dismantled it in six minutes, beating their previous record by 11/2 minutes. Comic relief was provided by an unrehearsed incident, when a small Scout crossing the bridge fell onto the grass below.

A first-aid demonstration with the aid of a trek -cart, was given by the 1st Morecambe. The 11th set up a camp in business-like style.

The 4th and 8th Sea Scouts illustrated the founding of their branch of Scouting in 1909. Their display included signalling, and an impressive breeches-buoy rescue. A Morse message flashed by lamp to the spectators was : ” The Boy Scouts’ Association wishes you all, the best.”

GIRL GUIDES “OLD LOOK”

Girl Guides had their share in the pageant with an episode showing the founding of their organisation in 1910. It was a camp scene, with some pleasant singing. They were 1st Heysham, under Captain Miss Sharp. Some of the girls wore the long skirts which formed part of the early uniform. It proved there is nothing new in the New Look.

A spirited interlude followed from the Wolf Cubs, whose foundation goes back to 1916. They did P.T., team games and a jungle dance.

Senior Scouts celebrated their founding, as recently as 1945, with an expert first aid display. Scouts, Cubs and Girl Guides gathered in an imposing finale, illustrative of a Jamboree.

Colour parties bore the Union Jack and flags of the Dominions and the U.S.A.

In the centre was raised a large picture of Baden-Powell, the work of Cubmaster T. Moss, 20th Lancaster, art master at the Friends’ School.