Lancaster Guardian 11 July 1952
Lancaster Boy Scouts retain Scorton trophy
The 12th Lancaster Troop of Boy Scouts repeated their last year’s success by winning the Scorton challenge cup for the best campsite at the annual cycle rally of the North West Lancashire County Scout Council at Scorton on Saturday and Sunday, the 3rd Blackpool troop were runners-up, and the 16th and 18th Barrow tied for third place. The 5th Penwortham were specially mentioned.
More than 250 scouts occupying 50 sites on a camping ground near Woodacre railway crossing, lent by Major T. Shepherd Cross of Barnacre Lodge, and Mr. G. Whittaker, the tenant farmer, came from Preston, Lancaster, Morecambe, Hornby, Barrow, Blackpool, Fleetwood, Lytham St. Annes, Bispham, Fulwood, Lostock Hall, Penwortham, Garstang, Winmarleigh, Lea, and Woodplumpton.
Smartest parade
The cup was presented to Patrol Leader Ronald Gunn on behalf of the winning troop by Mr. J Dodds Drummond, of Lancaster, the County Commissioner, who congratulated the boys on the smartest church parade since the rally was inaugurated some years ago, and referred to the visit to Preston in April next year of Lord Rowallan, Chief Scout, who will address a big rally on Preston North End football ground .
The services at Scorton parish church, and Scorton R.C. church were conducted by the Vicar, the Rev. E. J. Ward , and the Rev. Fr. B. A. Whiteside parish priest. Patrol Leader Davidson (Scorton) and Mr. H Todd, District Commissioner for South Lonsdale and Garstang, read the lessons at the parish church, and the County Commissioner led the scout promise.
The rally was organized by Messrs. H. Todd, T. Gregson, Assistant County Commissioner for Training, E. W. Bowtell, D.C. Blackpool; W Fazackerley, A.D.C., Preston (who along with R. Flitcroft A.S.M., Preston, compered a get-together camp fire on the site on Saturday night); M. Sharpe, S.M. seniors, Lancaster; and C. Robinson, S.M., Garstang.
The campsites were inspected by Messrs. W. Hargreaves, District Scoutmaster, and F. Moss, A.D.C., Preston, R. E. Wright and Miss J. Beck, A.D.C.’s, Lancaster.
Other officers present included Lieut.-Col. R. Ord, D.C., Preston, Mrs M. Lloyd, Akela Leader, Blackpool, and Mr. J Eastham, Assistant Warden, South-East Lancashire.
FOREIGN VISITOR
Scout Carston Baling of Ry, Denmark, on holiday in Blackpool, came along with the 4th Blackpool troop, and another scout, A. C. Barker, who belongs to a Warrington troop, joined the rally for the weekend while hiking in the district.
The rally was favoured by fine weather, although a strong east wind caused about half a dozen small tents to be dismantled.
