Morecambe Guardian 12 January 1929
[Note. – Each month, under this heading, will be published items of interest to the Boy Scouts here in the various troops in and around Lancaster. The notes will be contributed by the various scoutmasters and the feature edited by a senior scout master.]
“WHAT IS A SCOUT?”
I have met and talked with many people who hold various views as to what really is a good Scout. Some (thank goodness in the minority) think that a Scout is a bloke with a big hat and dirty knees whilst others rightly think of a Scout as a fellow with a big heart and a clean mind.
Our tenth Scout Law tells us that a Scout is clean in thought, word, and deed, and the Scout who keeps that law is carrying out the spirit of scouting in its truest sense, because we cannot have an A.1. body with a C.3. mind.
Wearing the Scout uniform does not make a fellow a Scout even if he has badges plastered all over him and he sleeps in it. But if a Scout wears his uniform realizing the high ideals and all that scouting stands for, then he is going a long way towards being a Scout in the truest sense of the word. There is only one definition of a Scout and that is: a scout is the fellow who stands at the alert and makes his three fold promise: –
“I promise on my honour to do my best
To do my duty to God and the King
To help other people at all times,
And to obey the scout laws.”
When a scout can truthfully say that he has lived his life in fulfilment of his promise then he can say “I am a scout.”
“When the One Great Scorer
Comes to right against your name,
He writes not that you won or lost
But how you played a game.”
I shall be glad if all scoutmasters will let me have their reports on the last Friday of each month at 27, Balmoral Road.
SKIPPER.
DISTRICT NEWS.
4th Lancaster. – The 4th Rover Crew held their annual social on Wednesday, January 2nd. As each Rover was entitled to bring a lady friend, a very happy and enjoyable evening was the result.
The proceedings commenced with a competition, followed by games and dancing to the strains of either the piano or gramophone. At the appropriate hour, and in the firelight, thrilling ghost stories produced some delicious shivers.
An excellent and dainty supper was presided over by Mesdames Riley and Wilson, to whom all rovers extend grateful thanks for their very efficient and graceful service.
We are all very delighted to welcome back Patrol Leader H. Riley after his prolonged illness. The weatherman class will be resumed on Wednesday next.
13th Lancaster. -A happy and prosperous new year and the best of scouting for 1929 to everybody
During December, we have been very busy tidying up our new club rooms, which we hope to make very comfortable and Scouty when we can get hold of some furniture. We have had the pleasure of welcoming some of our old members back who were prevented by night school from attending on Wednesday. In future, we shall be parading on Monday and Wednesday, which we hope will bring more of our old boys back.
1st Ellel. -Inspector Bennett ended his very interesting lecturers on the “Friend to Animals” badge on Tuesday, January 1st. We all wish them good luck when they take the examination, to which we understand they are all looking forward. The troop are working hard in preparation for their concert at Cockerham on February 12th. We HEAR that Second J. Brayshaw has added the sum of 10s. to troop funds by selling pencils. Well done!
BADGES PASSED IN DECEMBER.
12th Lancaster. -leather worker: R. Varey, L. Cooper, A. Lees. Handyman: there are no deadline on D. Gayton, W. Corless, K. Cooper, M. Gardner, F. Ainsworth, E. Sallis, S. Sallis, A. Lees, E. Mount, C. Brayshaw, W. Brown, A. Redhead. Book Binder: C. Brayshaw. Fireman: L. Shenton, D. Gayton, E. Caton, M. Atkinson, K. Cooper, W. Corless, C. Bungham, A. Lees, S. Sallis, E. Sallis, A. Redhead, W. Brown, junr., C. Brayshaw, E. Mount, W. Lamb, N. Caton.
4th Lancaster. – Fireman: J. H. Stirzacker, H. Lydiald, Z. Ward, H. Howard, F. Dickson, C. Sugden, T. Shaw, I. Kemp, N. Needham.
11th Lancaster. – Fireman: W. Hayhurst, F. Bryan, S. Dirkin, L. Parkinson, S. Singleton, R. Harrison, L. Davies.
13th Lancaster. – Fireman: T. Hodgson.
14th Lancaster. – Fireman: H. Leach, R. Richardson.
1st Ellel. – Entertainer: A. Newman.
7th Lancaster. – Gardener: W. H. Mitchell.
