Morecambe Guardian 25 November 1939
Progress made in this area.
How Salford scouts have entered into the activities of the Lancaster scouts was told at the annual meeting of the Lancaster and District Boy Scouts Association, held in the Lancaster Town Hall, on Thursday, the Mayor of Lancaster (Coun. V. H. Cross) presiding.
There were present County Commissioner T. W. Helme J.P., C.A., ; District Commissioner J. Dodds Drummond; Dr. J. Buchanan (Lancaster Medical Officer of Health); Mr. J. G. Altham (Headmaster of Salford Grammar School), Ald. E. G. Smith and Mr. A. Bate J.P.
Presenting his report, Mr. F. H. Capstick (Secretary) said there had been no official census owing to the war, and the number of Scouts, Rovers and Wolf Cubs were not available. Two troops, the 8th and the 17th, where not at present in action, but three new troops had been registered, the 2nd Dolphinholme (Franciscan College) Over Wyresdale, and two groups of evacuated Salford scouts. A new Cub Pack had been started in the 20th Lancaster Group and the 16th Lancaster’s received permission to start a Rover Crew. Both before and after the outbreak of hostilities the Scouts of Lancaster had played their part in National Service of various kinds. Apart from this, the war had given them two immediate jobs or service, the absorption of evacuated Salford Scouts, and the collection of waste paper.
200 SALFORD SCOUTS.
Nearly 200 Salford Scouts and Cubs arrived in the area, and they were glad to welcome amongst them two chairmen of Salford Executives, Mr. J. G. Altham and Mr. A. Beamish, and A.D.C. R. R. Wilkinson. It was their aim to absorb all Salford Scouts into their activities so that none were lost to Scouting. They felt that Scouting had a great deal to offer in solving the problems of evacuation and already the Salford Scouters and Scouts had collected into two fine troops, connected with the Salford Grammar School and Tootal Road Central School. Nearly 80 boys were at work in these two troops, and over 20 other Salford boys had enrolled in Lancaster Association troops. Within a few weeks of their arrival, more than half the scouts evacuated had been linked up with the activities in Lancaster. They cordially invited the rest to lose no time in joining them and suggested to Lancaster hosts and hostesses that scouting could help them to solve some of the problems created by evacuated guests.
Mr. Capstick reported that in connection with the collection of waste paper, the Lancaster scouts had already collected several tons of paper. Sometimes over 200 Scouts had been busy on this work on Saturday afternoons, and D.S.M. Sharpe was appointed liaison officer.
The secretary also referred to another important event during the year -the award of the Cornwell badge to Scout Sam Cooke as a reward for fortitude and cheerfulness in suffering.
NATIONAL SERVICE
District Scoutmaster A. Sharpe gave the National Service report, referring to the work of the Scouts as A.R.P. messengers, and the duties performed in connection with evacuation and blanket distribution.
The first National Service Badge award was made to Patrol Leader D. Bentley, of the 13th Lancaster’s, who was leaving the district, and Rover K. Walkden, of 1st Carnforth group. The total number of National Service Badges awarded was 49, including three Salford Scouts.
“I would like to thank all ranks for the valued cooperation and enthusiasm shown in the work of National Service. In our final triumph the thought and the service you have been able to give so wholeheartedly will be with you in the peace, he remarked.
A GOOD YEAR – FINANCIALLY.
Mr. J. G. Swainson, presenting the financial statement, reported that they started the year with a balance in hand of £111, and they ended with a balance in hand of £105, but they had to remember that they put £30 into the “Crossland’s” venture, and they had something like £20 in the training fund, and another £5 in the badges account, so they would see they were not going back.
Mr. J. Dodds Drummond (District Commissioner) thanked Mr. Swainson for his report.
The report of the Swimming Committee was presented by Mr. F. G. T. Adams, who said that since July the 11th of this year they were allowed the use of the small bath at the Kingsway Baths, and since then the average attendance was 50, and the highest was 84. On three occasions, however, the number had fallen below the minimum number of 40. The international situation had interfered with their activities, particularly in regard to life-saving. The Life-Saving Cup was won by 13th Lancaster troop. ” I would like to say that we appreciate the intention of the City Council in keeping open the small bath during the winter months, but we would like to have season tickets,” he added.
BADGE REPORT.
The report of the Badge Secretary Mr. E. (sic) W. Ellwood * showed that the total number of proficiency badges gained during the year was 113, against 62 last year. Four King’s scout, seven Green and Yellow Cords, and eight 1st Class badges were awarded during the year, as compared with one King’s Scout, and four 1st class last year. Proficiency badges showed an appreciable improvement, there being 113 this year, as against 62 last year. Of these, 67 were King’s Scout Qualifying Badges. The National Service Badge was awarded to 46 Scouts and Rovers, and almost all registered troops in the Association were represented in the awards. Notable of troop gains were: 13th Lancaster, four King’s Scouts, six Green and Yellow Cords, five 1st Class, and 37 proficiency ; 6th Lancaster, two Green and Yellow Cords, two 1st Class and eight proficiency : 16th Lancaster one Green and Yellow Cords, one 1st Class, and 23 proficiency.
UP AGAINST A REAL TEST.
An address was given by Commissioner F. A. Impey, of Headquarters, who commented that the scout movement, like everyone else in the country was up against a very real test – a hard test for all scouters. They came through the last war stronger than when they started, and they were beginning this war in much better shape than in 1914, when people were still calling them “Scout Boys.” There was nobody in this country today who thought of them in that way. They also started with another great advantage – they were prepared. They had their try -out during the 1938 crisis, when they made preparations for what might come.
Dealing with the aims and the Scouting movement, Mr. Impey said things up to the present had been easy, and the things to come would show how simple had been their difficulties in the past. They should maintain their aims and principles, but alter their direction. They must continue to do their bit and carry on as it was their job to do so. They had not only to carry on but to increase their scope. In Lancaster they had done good work for those evacuated scouts from Salford, but they must not finish there, they had to bring in new Scouts and to keep in touch with those Scouters in the services.
The Mayor and Commissioner Impey were thanked by County Commissioner T. Helme J.P., C.A., and District Scoutmaster J. Dodds Drummond.
* Joseph William Ellwood was born 13 February 1907 in Ulverston, a son of Frank & Eliza Ellwood. In 1911 the family was living at North Lodge, Stonecross, Ulverston where Frank was a Coachman. The Lodge was part of Stone Cross Mansion, Stockbridge Lane, Ulverston, which was the home of Myles Kennedy an Iron Master.
In the National School Admission Registers & Log-Books 1870-1914 Joseph was then (17 Aug 1914) living at 28 Rosebery Avenue, Lancaster.
In 1939 he was residing at 7 Warwick Avenue, Lancaster with his wife Elsie Margaret née Hodgson and was a School Attendance Officer. They were married at St. Paul, Scotforth in 1931.
