In January 1980, a half Century of Scouting in Blantyre was being celebrated by 3rd Blantyre Scouts.
Amongst the company celebrating that Golden Jubilee were 2 original members, Mr W McDonald and Mr. A Gillespie. Group Leader R Izett took the opportunity to tell everybody that the Scouts movement had never been stronger in Blantyre with membership actually doubling between 1975 and 1980.
Pictured are Scouts S Yates and J Lyons cutting the cake, whilst looking on is Area Commissioner R. Steele, District Commissioner P .Watt, Group Scout Leader R Izett, Group Chairman D Reid, Father McGurk of St Joseph’s RC Church, Rev J Hunter of Livingstone Memorial Church and original members Mr McDonald and Mr Gillespie.
I’m going to make a little clarification here. The Golden Jubilee was indeed the anniversary of 3rd Blantyre, but whilst 3rd Blantyre Scouts origins date back to 1930, there were actually earlier Scouting Groups in Blantyre. Even prior to WW1, Boy Scouts had been inaugurated in Low Blantyre in Springtime 1909, based at the Caldwell Halls on Glasgow Road. By April 1909, in a matter of weeks, there were over 70 boys enrolled for adventure, learning and friendship.
On Social Media, the following comments were received on Facebook about this article:
Anne Marie Nisbet Remember father mcgurk used to shout you down from the very back of St Joseph’s and make you sit on the half bench in front of the altar if you came in late for mass.
Jeanette Allardyce Ward I remember Rev Hunter, went to school with his daughter(Jan) & son(John).
Jim Cochrane David Reid centre back still going at 95.
Brendan O’neill A was in the 3rd cub pack in the livvies school on a Wednesday night.
Karen Nicoll Remember Fr McGurk very well, recognised him straight away.
Maureen McCallum Me too ,I found him really scary especially at confession when he used to shout at me.
Wilma Rodwell I recognised Steven Yates and Father McGurk straight away. Steven was in my class at St Blanes.
Stephen Yates Its an easy bowl cut to remember wilma
Pamela Kelly Ducie Wilma Rodwell is that you Wilma Fairley? I was talking about your Sindy/Barbie house just the other day
Jim Reid Great memories at 3rd Blantyre
Tracy Little Jan, your wee Dad
Kee Nettie Aww wee Mr Hunter
Helen Henderson Mclaughlin Went to school with rev hunters daughter at Calder street.
Marion Jones Helen Henderson Mclaughlin was her name Marion hunter
John Richardson Father McGurk, theres a throwback. Couldnt stand that man. Hit my head several times off the wall at the school, he wasnt long in shitting himself when my wee da appeared at his door.
Robert Izett the scout group was actually formed in November 1929.
Mary McGuigan Remember father mcgurk used to scare life out of me