Village celebrates 100 years of Scouting

10:39am Saturday 10th May 2008

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A DISPLAY of a village's Scouting history was attended by more than 50 Scout leaders and helpers recently.

The Scout, Cub and Beaver leaders gathered at Church House, in Hutton Rudby, near Stokesley, to view Scouting memorabilia including uniforms, photographs, log books, equipment and badges.

One of the oldest items was a photograph from 1909 of the Scout troop outside the old school house in Hutton Rudby.

Old films of Scout camps and other activities were shown and there was a buffet and drinks for visitors.

The event was attended by County Commissioner Ian Bardon and his wife, Rosalind, and District Commissioner Ian McWilliam and his wife, Jean.

After welcoming guests, Martin Rayner, group Scout leader, cut a celebratory cake and gave a brief history of Scouting in the village.

The original troop was started by stationmaster John Walls, in 1908, in the old linen mill next to Church Bridge.

After it was demolished in 1937, the troop moved to a workshop called the Smuggler's Den.

The group was suspended soon after because there were not enough members, but was restarted in 1943.

It moved to Church House in 1959 under the leadership of Fred Deacon and Mac Parker.

In 1970 it joined with Swainby to become the Hutton Rudby and Swainby Scout Group.

A day of celebration will be held for Beavers, Cubs and Scouts on June 14, on the village green.

A centenary badge, designed with the help of the Scouts, has been made for all the youngsters, as well as those present at the exhibition.