The Rushden Argus August 12^th 1921, transcribed by Susan Manton

Rushden B.P. Scouts at Camp

During the week various sports took place, the following being the results of some of the events

230 yards handicap 1. F. Pinnock 2. F. Sharp 3. C. Desborough

Three quarters mile race 1. C. Childs 2. C. Desborough 3. F. Sharp

Boxing was also part of the programme, and young Mobbs is a promising lad. On January 13^th at Stoke on Trent he defeated Young Quinn, and his future is looked to with great interest.

Scoutmaster Preston was in charge of the troop, and with the assistance of Mr. Fountain, the week was made one of the most enjoyable camps the Scouts have ever held.

The troop is proud to have in its number F. Sharp, who is a King’s Scout (the highest distinction a Scout can possess).

THE BOY SCOUTS’ annual tea was held in the Congregational Church Room on Friday evening when about 50 Scouts, including Cubs, were present under District Scoutmaster F. E. Preston, Scoutmaster G. N. Fountain, Assistant Scoutmaster B. Houghton, and Cub mistress Miss C. I. Knight, by Mr. and Mrs. Pogson, Mrs. Houghton and Mrs. P. Sanders. After tea, games were indulged in. A great many of the parents were present, and diaries for 1922 were presented by the District Scoutmaster and Scoutmaster to about 29 boys for good attendance during the year. Ambulance badges were presented to the following: Second Archie Tompkins, Scouts Cecil Knight, Leonard Ward, Charlie Goodman, and Kenneth Sharpe. The following programme was carried out: A fine display by the Pyramid Class under Asst.-Scoutmaster B. Houghton; ambulance display by Scouts under Mrs. Pogson; songs by Scouts Cyril Mobbs, Stanley Shrives, and Kenneth Sharpe; recitations by Cubs T. Bird and W. Desborough and Miss Dorothy Mobbs. The Athletic Club quartette party was a great addition to the programme. A presentation of a silver-mounted walking stick was made by Patrol Leader F. Sharpe to Mr. F. E. Preston, on behalf of the Troop, and Mr. Preston suitably acknowledged the same. The singing of "Auld Lang Syne" and "God save the King" completed a most enjoyable evening. The following teas were given:—by the District Scoutmaster to the Patrol Leaders and Seconds on December 2nd at Headquarters; Asst Scoutmaster B. Houghton to the Pyramid Class December 17th at Headquarters; Mrs. Pogson to the Ambulance Class on January 1st at Headquarters.

Scouts’ Fete at Rushden - Three Troops’ Combined Effort - A Permanent Camping Ground?

By kind permission of Mr G S Mason, the 1st and 2nd Rushden Troops and the 1st Higham Ferrers Troop of Boy Scouts held a fete in aid of their funds, at his garden in Hayway, Rushden, on Saturday.

Excellent preparations had been made and there were a number of amusements, some of a novel kind, which were supervised by the Scouts during the day.

The three troops, who were accompanied by the 2nd Rushden Girl Guides and the Rushden Salvation Army Band, marched into the grounds, and a brief opening ceremony took place in front of the house.

Dr D G Greenfield presided, and the fete was declared open by General Fortescue, who was deputising for Lord Erskine who was to have been the opener, but who was absent through illness.

Dr Greenfield remarked that they were there to help three troops of Scouts, and it was so seldom that they appealed to public generosity on behalf of the scouts that they did so with every confidence.

The Rushden 1st Troop wanted help for their headquarters and also wanted to get a permanent camping ground so that the various members could go away for week-ends.

Dr Greenfield referred to the Scout movement as one of the most promising things of this generation, and he hoped the scouts would advance from strength to strength.

Declaring the fete open, General Fortescue said illness prevented Lord Erskine from attending. They had a very praiseworthy cause for their fete, he remarked, and he hoped they would be able to get a camping ground of their own. He appealed for all to so as much as possible to make the fete a success.

District Commissioner F E Preston proposed a vote of thanks to general Fortescue, to the ladies who had helped with the refreshments, and also to Mr and Mrs G S Mason for granting them the use of their garden. This was heartily carried by the scouts, who responded with three cheers.

Mr Preston referred to the combined effort of the troops and also to their needs in the way of headquarters and increased accommodation in view of the fact that all three troops were growing.

Supporting Dr Greenfield at the opening ceremony were the Rev T S Stoney, Rector of St Mary’s, Rushden, the Rev S S Black, curate of St Mary’s, the Rev P Barwell Spriggs, Vicar of St Peter’s, Rushden, Mr G S Mason, and Mr T Baxter, Assistant County Commissioner for Wolf Cubs, and Mrs Baxter, and District Commissioner F E Preston.

Others present were Scoutmasters B Houghton (1st Rushden), D Winters (2nd Rushden), F Sharpe (Higham Ferrers), Cubmasters R Hall and S Fensome, and District Cubmaster R Brown.

A tennis exhibition was arranged, and dancing took place during the evening to music supplied by Mr H Tear’s band. Refreshments were served by a ladies’ committee.

The arrangements for the fete were made by a ladies’ committee, the scoutmasters of the three troops and District Commissioner Preston.