Boy Scouts Rally at Rushden
Presentation of Colours
To the First Rushden Troop

Last Saturday was a memorable day in the history of the Boy Scout movement in Rushden, the First Rushden Troop being presented with their colours by Mrs E C Browning. The ceremony, which took place in the field adjoining Rushden House, kindly lent for the purpose by Mr E C Browning J P was attended by various troops from the surrounding neighbourhood, comprising Kettering No. 1 (under Scoutmaster K B Bull), Kettering No. 2 (under Assistant Scoutmasters Cockerill and Coe), Sharnbrook (under Assistant Scoutmaster Darnell), Wellingborough (under Scoutmaster Blick), Irthlingborough (under Scoutmaster Berwick), Earls Barton (under Scoutmaster Townley, together with the Rushden Troop (under Scoutmaster F E Preston and Assistant Scoutmaster Walker), numbering in all about 160.

Previous to the presentation ceremony the scouts marched through the town, headed by the Rushden Temperance Band. A large number of spectators entered the field with the scouts to witness

The Interesting Ceremony

Among the visitors were Mr F Knight J P, Miss Sartoris, the Misses Browning, the Rev E G and Mrs Betenson, The Rev E W Suart, Mr G H Skinner, Mr G R Turner, Sergt G A McLeod, of the Yeomanry, Mr D’Aubeney, Mr and Mrss W W Rial, and Mrs A Tullet and others.

Mr Browning, who first inspected the troops, in welcoming the scouts from the surrounding district, said: “As president of the Boy Scouts at Rushden, I am glad to see so many of your brother Scouts from the surrounding district here today, and we give them a hearty welcome. I have always taken the greatest interest in the movement inaugurated by General Baden-Powell and shall continue to do so. A Scout is one sent out to report on the movements and disposition of the enemy’s forces and I have no if you were called on in time of war, you would be able to give a good account of yourselves. Scouting is a healthy occupation, it educates the eye, strengthens the observation, and makes a Scout self-reliant and able to act for himself in emergencies. Mrs Browning has consented to present you with your colours, which I am sure you will guard with the greatest care, and be prepared at any time to do your duty should occasion require. As you are anxious to show your prowess in the games and sports provided for you, I will detain you no longer, but I wish you all success in your calling and congratulate you on your

Smart Appearance

and your officers on having such a fine body of Scouts under them.”

Mrs Browning, in presenting the colours, which were received by Lieut. Smith on behalf of the Rushden troop, said: “Boy Scouts, - I deem it a great honour in being asked to confide to your care these colours. I feel confident that in placing them in your charge you will always prove yourselves worthy of the trust confided in you, and that you will defend them should, unfortunately, the war dogs be unloosed, to the last drop of your blood. It must be a matter of great pride to you that, young as you are, your country looks upon you as one of its safeguards against foreign aggression. Boy Scouts, you have my fervent good wishes for your future success and prosperity, and may God bless you.”

Scoutmaster Preston, in proposing a vote of thanks to Mr and Mrs Browning, said it afforded him much pleasure to take that opportunity of thanking Mr and Mrs Browning, first for extending an invitation to them, and secondly for their sympathy and support for what was now generally recognised as a

Necessary National Institution

Mr G Turner (chairman of the local Scouts Committee) seconded the motion, and it was carried with three hearty cheers.

After the march past, the sports programme was proceeded with and resulted as follows:-

High jump, under 16 – 1 J Baxter, 2 S Smallman, 3 F Speight.

120 yards flat handicap – 1 A Rabbit, 2 G Hannan, 3 C Caswell, 4 F Baxter.

Three-legged race, over 16 – 1 C Dickman and C Caswell, 2 C Bull and C Seddon, 3 F Gent and H Slater.

Relay race, under 16 – 1 Irthlingborough, 2 Kettering, 3 Rushden.

Pole high jump – Leonard Denton (Irthlingborough) 5 feet 3 inches.

Relay race, over 16 – 1 Irthlingborough, 2 Wollaston.

The tug-of-war was won by the Wellingborough team.

During the afternoon

Service Medals

Were presented to Scouts Allen, Litchfield, Hatfield, Bridgement, and Turner, and an interesting display of first-aid was given.

Great interest was taken in a camp scene, “The unfaithful Scout,” which was skilfully performed.

The evening was spent in dancing to the music of the Rushden Temperance band.

The sports officials were:- Handicapper and starter, Mr S Denton; judges, Messrs W W Rial, A T Nichols, F Knight J.P., G R Turner, and H M Nind.

Tea was provided for the Scouts in the National Schools under the supervision of Mrs Clarke and others.

Rushden Echo, 15^th March 1912

Boy Scouts – A Year’s Excellent Work – “Good Turns”

The annual report of the 1^st Rushden Troop of Boy Scouts is as follows:-

I am pleased to say that the Troop still maintains its number. The year has been an eventful one. The Troop has taken part in most of the important functions, special features being the King’s Rally held in July at Windsor, when the King inspected over 40,000 scouts, the Rushden Troop being represented by the Scoutmaster and seven scouts, also at the coronation held at Rushden the Troop was well represented.

In August a successful camp was held at Milton Ernest Park, by kind permission of Lord Ampthill, in which thirty lads spent a most enjoyable holiday. The camp was visited during the week by Major Curtis, the District Commissioner, and the president, E. C. Browning, Esq., who spoke highly of the way in which it was conducted.

The Troop attended several parades held in different parts of the district, and in October a successful church parade was held at Rushden, when close upon 200 scouts were present, and by the kindness of several ladies and gentlemen all the boys were taken out for tea.

With regard to the object of the movement, the Troop has followed out in the usual way its work of scouting, and has during the year done the “good turns” when the opportunity has been afforded them.

Financially, the Troop has gad greatly to depend on the donations kindly given by the President and Vice-presidents, as very little chance has been afforded them in raising any funds to meet expenses, owing to the year being such a busy one. Now that the association is incorporated, it will be a great step in forwarding the movement on, and I trust the coming year will be a successful one for the Troop.

The Balance Sheet shows the year’s expenses to be £22/11/6. Including rent of rooms £3/19/0, expenses to camp at Milton Ernest £3/18//3, jerseys £3/2/6. etc. The receipts include:- Donations £4/17/6, subscriptions from the lads £4/12/4, received from lads for jerseys £2/12/0.