Our Group President, Ian, passed away recently. He was a gentleman in every good sense of the word and will be sadly missed but not forgotten.
His son Nigel commented, “His love affair with Scouting actually started in India when he was aged about 10 (until aged 14). He told a story that he had happily disappeared to Scout Camp when across the river he heard his Mother shouting. She had discovered that plague was in the area and her son was then going home, despite his protestations. He was then promptly sent off to Boarding School in the foothills and so ended his (early) Scouting.“
Ian joined the Scout movement as an adult volunteer over 50 years ago and was an Assistant Leader and then Scout Leader and later Group Scout Leader at Dringhouses also adding Assistant District Commissioner to his roles. When the family moved to the Isle of Man, he continued his scouting roles there as well.
Upon his return to York, he joined the Scout Fellowship and again held various roles including District Appointments Secretary and District President alongside the role of Group President at Dringhouses Scouts, a post which became a lifetime appointment and in which he only stopped being active 18 months ago.
Former Group Scout Leader Graham Stirk recalls: “One of my earliest memories is from a group camp when Ian was camping near to me in a tiny one-man tent. I think he was well into his seventies then and getting up at the crack of dawn to do his chores. We all know the amount of work he put in at the camps, from toilet cleaning to kitchen duties, with never a word of complaint.”
His achievements, dedication and long and committed service were recognised and he was awarded the Silver Acorn in April of 2008 for “at least 20 years’ service, which was specially distinguished and appreciably better than outstanding“.
His contribution to the group was unwavering, doing whatever was needed when he was able and his relationship with our young people was always kind and considerate, never talking down to even the youngest of Beavers.
Ian will be certainly missed by all in Scouting. I was privileged to work under Ian for many years at Dringhouses.
I have many fond memories of our camps, meetings and activities.
My condolences go to his family.
Hi Chris, if you are in the area and wish to attend the funeral on Wednesday 19th July please reach out to us via the contact us page on our website and we’ll share details of time and venue.
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