7:43am Sunday 11th May 2008
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 to view scouting memorabilia including uniforms, photographs, log books, scout 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 scouting activities and camps were also shown while those attending enjoyed a buffet and drinks.
The event was also attended by county commissioner Ian Bardon and his wife, Rosalind, and district commissioner, Ian McWilliam, and his wife, Jean.
After welcoming everyone 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 by Church Bridge. After it was demolished in 1937 the troop moved to a workshop called the Smuggler's Den.
It 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. Then in 1970 it joined with the Swainby to become the Hutton Rudby and Swainby Scout Group.
A day of celebration will be held for the current Beavers, Cubs and Scouts on June 14 on the village green.
A special centenary badge, designed with the help of the scouts, has been made for all the current Beavers, Cubs and Scouts as well as to all those present at the exhibition.
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