South Yorkshire Times, March 25th, 1944
Scout Week
Interesting Swinton Programme
Mrs. Turner, wife of Major E. D. Turner, who is serving with the Eighth Army in Italy with George Cooper (who presented her with a bouquet) and Mrs. R. Cobb (Acting Cubmaster) after she had opened Mondays bring and buy sale.
Swinton Boy Scouts this week embarked on a programme of efforts to raise £250 to build a new Scout headquarters to replace the present inadequate building.
They had yesterday (Thursday) raised more than £70 with three efforts still to be held. This sum is in addition to generous donations which have been received.
Swinton Parish Church was filled for a special service on Sunday, which started the week. Three hundred and forty-five Scouters marched in the parade which left Market Square, Mexborough, for the Church headed by the band of Mexborough and Swinton Army Cadet Force.
The Vicar of Swinton, the Rev. H. W. Quarrell conducted the service, supported by the District Commissioner, Major M. E. Clark who read the lesson.
The Vicar of Mexborough, the Rev. E. H. P. Rawlins, who is Assistant District Commissioner, gave the address. He likened the Scout badge to the compass which directed our soldiers, sailors, and airmen, and on which they were dependent. It pointed the way to a happy, full life. He asked parents to teach their boys in accordance with Scout law. When the flower of the country’s manhood was being sacrificed on the battle fields there was no room for slackers in this country.
Patrol Leader H. Matthews, recited the Scout Law and Patrol Leader W. Reeve the Promise. Walter West recited the Cub Law and Brian Holliday the Promise. A collection for Scout Week realised £11 3s 3d. After the service Maor Clark addressed the parade in which the following troops took part: Mexborough Parish Church, 4th Mexborough, Goldthorpe, Conisbrough, Denaby Methodist and Wath Grammar School.
Bring and Buy Sale
Mrs. Turner, wife of Major Eric D. Turner, of Swinton, opened a Bring and Buy Sale in St. John’s Methodist schoolroom on Monday. Declaring the sale open, Mrs. Turner said everyone connected with that effort had worked extremely hard. Everyone knew how good was the cause. There was no need for her to tell them of the achievements of the self-supporting movement of the Boy Scouts; it spoke for itself. “Never before in its long and glorious history,” she said “has it been more essential than it is today.” Those boys, many of them had fathers fighting in H.M. Services, working on munitions and down the mines. If they had any spare time, it was often given to the Home Guard; they had little spare time for their sons. The Scout movement taught the boys self-reliance and discipline. “The Scout movement, is to my mind, of the utmost importance if they are to be good citizens of the future.” Mrs. Turner added.
Mrs. Turner appealed for support in the building of new headquarters. The present building was altogether inadequate.
Cub George Cooper thanked Mrs. Turner on behalf of the Scouts and Cubs, and presented her with a bouquet. Mrs R. Cobb (Acting Cubmaster), who introduced Mrs. Turner, proposed a vote of thanks.
There was a brisk sale at the three stalls which had been plentifully supplied by Scouts’ and Cubs’ parents and friends, some of whom acted as stall holders. The afternoon’s takings amounted to £22 7s 3d.
Film Show
Mr. J. R. Smith of West Melton had an audience of about 250 for his film show “Travel at Home and Abroad” given on Tuesday in Swinton Church Hall. The films, taken by Mr. Smith himself, constituted a travelogue of many parts of this and other countries. R. Smith gave a commentary. Mr. A. Platt, of Mexborough, presided and thanks to Mr. Smith and Mr. Platt were proposed by Mr. A. Froggatt (Kilnhurst).
Dr. C. J. H. Aitken opened “Camp Fire” in Kilnhurst Church Hall on Wednesday. Nearly 100 scouters, including members of Mexborough Air Scouts, and Wath, Goldthorpe and Conisbrough troops were led by Mr. E. G. Trowbridge, the Swinton Scoutmaster in the singing of camp-fire songs. Swinton Cubs presented a play “The Concert, “produced by Mrs. R. Cobb (Acting Cubmaster). Mrs. C. Clarson (Kilnhurst) won a competition.