Unknown newspaper
From R.E. Wright’s log book
“Quernmore Fete, June 14th, 1911”
BOY SCOUTS’ DISPLAY – MR GARNETT ON THE MOVEMENT.
Additional interest was lent to the proceedings by the presence of six or eight local troops of Boy Scouts, who attended as the special guests of Mr. Garnett; the commissioner for the Lonsdale district association. Some forty or fifty lads were present, and in the evening gave a display of ambulance work, flag and arm signalling, rescue work, and other accomplishments which go to make up the perfect scout, Mr. H. F. Beeton, principal scout-master of the district, and Mr. R E. Wright, secretary, were in charge of the arrangements, and the lads did their work smartly and well. The chief event from the scouts’ point of view was the presentation to Patrol-leader Dobson of the 4th Lancaster troop, of the King’s badge, possession of which, constitutes him a King’s scout. Dobson is the first King’s scout in the district.
In making the presentation, Mr. GARNETT congratulated the lads on their fine appearance, and said he was sure the winning of the badge by Dobson would be the very strongest inducement to every scout to do his best to gain a similar honour. The King’s scouts at Windsor would form a special guard of honour to his Majesty, and he hoped Dobson would be included in it. “You lads,” continued Mr. Garnett, “have a very high aim before you. Scouting is a business which you must aim at carrying out throughout life. There are three things you have to do, and if you do them properly you will be making a new page in the history of England. You have, first, to do your duty to God and your King; secondly, to do good to everybody every time; and thirdly, to obey the scout laws, which, if obeyed, will carry you through life under any circumstances whatever.” He wanted the movement to be a strong one in the neighbourhood, with troops in every township and village, and if they supported him they would make scouting a thing of which Lancaster would be proud. He urged that the older members should set a good example to the younger ones, and not only that, but he wanted them to justify the scout movement to the public so that they might feel that whenever they saw a boy scout they saw one whom they could trust , through thick and thin. “Once a boy Scout, always a Boy Scout.” If they carried out the scout law the public would be able to say ” That lad must be right because he is a scout.” In handing the badge to Dobson Mr. Garnett said he had won four proficiency badges and passed difficult tests. His brother scouts and leader were proud of him. (Applause.)
At the call of Mr. Beeton cheers were given for Mr. Garnett, and an exhibition of fire drill brought an interesting display to a close.
