113 Scouts mark their centenary

Apr 15 2009 by Kenny Smith, Rutherglen Reformer

BURNSIDE’s 113th Scout Group celebrated their first 100 years recently with a civic reception in Rutherglen Town Hall.

Guests were welcomed at the door of the Town Hall by three scout pipers, Stewart Graham, Norman Mort and Allen Angus

A display of scouting artefacts, trophies and memories was laid out for the guests to look at during the pre-dinner reception.

Scouting banners provided the backdrop to this, along with a static display of photographs across the decades.

Around 140 guests assembled including Councillors Anne Higgins, Brian McKenna, Denis McKenna, Eileen Baxendale, MSPs James Kelly and Robert Brown and Tommy McAvoy MP.

Provost Russell Clearie hosted the evening, where most of the guests were young members of the scout sections aged six to 18.

Also present representing the local scout district was District Commissioner Carslaw Purdie and for Clyde Region, Regional Commissioner (Communications) Graeme Kinnear.

Whilst the adults looked at the displays, bought raffle tickets and ordered fleeces, baseball caps and calendars, the young people and leaders were enjoying a photographic jamboree with the Provost.

Rev Tom Morton, former minister of Stonelaw Parish Church and former Chaplain to the Scouts led everyone in grace before we all enjoyed a satisfying and pleasant buffet.

During the meal a continuous slide show was presented on the large screen again depicting scenes from the last 10 decades.

Each section then did a short display on the stage to entertain the guests.

The Beaver Scouts, in completing their Scottish Challenge sang a song "Three Craws" with three of them dressed up as black crows. Accompanied by Scout Allen Angus on the bagpipes, they then all performed a very energetic Highland dance.

Beaver Logan Boyd received his Chief Scout's Bronze Award from district commissioner, Carslaw Purdie.

The Cub Scouts had prepared a poem with visual effects. As each line of the poem highlighted something else they had done or enjoyed during the past year, cubs held up large placards for the audience to see.

Cubs Paul Coffey, Sean Dempster and Christopher Burke received their Chief Scout's Silver Award from Carslaw Purdie.

The scout section arrived on stage with laden rucksacks. Scout Leader Nigel Macdonald advised the audience that it's not safe to leave your garden unlocked when the scouts are on a night hike. In a speed competition the youngsters proceeded to unpack their rucksacks, set up their stoves, sleeping bags and bivvi bags, settle down to sleep and then pack everything safely away again.

Speaking on the night, Provost Clearie said: “Since the Town Hall re-opened a few years ago it has become a real hub for the community, used by many groups and organisations for a whole range of activities and meetings.

“And that is what your own scout hut is - and has been for almost the entire 100 years of the 113th.

“Your group has played a vital role in the community, providing a fantastic source of excitement and instruction for thousands of people of all ages for a whole century.

“That alone is something for you all to be very proud.

“But, just like scouting itself, there is always something else to be gained or discovered as time rolls on.

“Your members have represented the 113th at all levels of scouting over the years.

“And just like the movement itself, former members have gone out into the wider world where I have no doubt they have continued to do good deeds and uphold the traditions of scouting whether with a new troop or by simply using the tools scouting provides to achieve things in everyday life.

“And I was delighted to hear that many of your former members are returning from far and wide this year to help in these centenary celebrations.

“It is therefore a great honour for me to be able to host this reception in recognition of all that the 113th stands for and the positive inputs you have made to your community.

“And finally I would just like to say that any organisation that can survive a 100 years must be doing something right - indeed I believe you are doing so well that there is a waiting list for all levels of entry to the 113th.

“So all that it remains for me to say is I hope you will all continue to enjoy everything that scouting stands for as you enter your second century.”

The Provost then unveiled his gift to the Scouts - a large badge - with Scout Eric Lennox-Devion.

Eric (14) had designed the badge in a competition in 2008 to design an image for the group's centenary.

Eric replied: “On behalf of all the scouts and leaders of the 113th Glasgow (Burnside) Scout Group, it is my pleasure to say thank you to you and to South Lanarkshire Council for this wonderful gift of a large framed badge. This will be sited within our hall for all to see as a permanent reminder of our centenary.

“For one hundred years, young people in and around Rutherglen have been meeting, socialising, learning and having fun in our Scout hall in Crawfurd Road.

“In its time that hall has hosted a school, many sports clubs, dancing schools, adult recreation classes and the grounds have even been turned in to allotments during the war to support the local community.

“Placing the large framed badge will remind future generations of the many people who have benefited from the 113th Scout group's existence in Burnside.

“Over the years the Scouts have forged a strong relationship with South Lanarkshire Council.

“We young people look forward to that partnership continuing so that we have the support of all to develop as good citizens of this community and in turn to offer something back when we too become adults able to keep the good work of a voluntary scout group going for a second century.”

Eric then presented a book Play the Game by Robert Baden-Powell, the founder of the scouts to Provost Clearie.

Eric was followed by 113 Group Scout Leader Graeme Hamilton who reflected on the worth of local scouting over 100 years, highlighted links over the years between the Scouts and the local council, and who encouraged everyone to keep "playing the game".

Graeme said: “Eric presented Provost Clearie a short time ago with a book- a book written by Baden-Powell, the man who started Scouting, entitled Play the Game.

“Scouts, you all play the game for fun, friendship, adventure, excitement, camping and outdoor activities. We adults too play the game - for those same reasons but also because we wish to see you develop, mature, grow in confidence, try new things and accept tougher challenges. Together we play the game well.

“Provost Clearie, the 113th and the local council in its various guises have played the game together over these past 100 years.

“Provost Clearie, we have received a number of greetings in this our centenary year. I'd like to share two of them with everyone tonight. Firstly we have a dvd message from our Chief Scout. Young people, you may not know him but many of the adults will recognise him as a former presenter of Blue Peter- Peter Duncan.

“The chief scout had suggested we should celebrate 113 years of the 113th next. There's a challenge - I look forward to us all being back here in 13 years time.

“Secondly, I'm delighted to share a letter we received a couple of weeks ago from her Majesty the Queen.

“It reads, ‘Please convey my warm thanks to the members, leaders and supporters of the 113th Glasgow (Burnside) Scout Group for their message of loyal greetings, sent on the occasion of their centenary which is being celebrated this year. As Patron of the Scout Association, I appreciate your kind words and, in return, send my best wishes to all concerned during this most special anniversary year’.”

Two leaders, Nigel Macdonald and William Goldie were presented with Silver Acorns by District Commissioner Carslaw Purdie and Provost Clearie.

The Silver Acorn is a Scouting award for adults, which was first introduced in 1933. Awards are usually presented annually around St George's Day, as St George is the patron saint of Scouting.

Research had shown that only six scouts from the 113th had received this award before Nigel and William in those previous 76 years.

It is awarded by the Chief Scout in recognition of specially distinguished service to Scouting and is seldom awarded for less than 20 years service.

Graeme added: “From tonight we can all go away refreshed, recharged and raring to go, to prepare for the next part of our celebrations - a taste and try scouting day on May 16, and our family camp with over 120 people already booked up at the end of May.”

After the draw of the raffle tickets, it was time for home. A very successful evening and one in which many thanks are due to many people - all the organisers and contributors, to Provost Clearie and his team at South Lanarkshire Council and to the leaders, parents and supporters of the 113th Glasgow (Burnside) Scout Group.

The next event on the 113’s centenary calendar is a taste and try scouting fun day/ plant sale at the Scout Hall on Crawfurd Road on Saturday May 16, running from 10am to 3pm.