Scouts celebrate jubilee

Members of the 113th Scouts in Rutherglen marked the Queen’s recent platinum jubilee with a week of events.

And there was particular cause to celebrate for Scout leader Graeme Hamilton, who was invited to attend a Service of Thanksgiving for the Queen in London at St Paul’s Cathedral.

Graeme, who was awarded an MBE in the New Year Honours list, was delighted with his invitation and he joined 400 people who had been recognised for their contributions to their local communities, especially during the pandemic.

Graeme told the Reformer: “When you see these events on TV you think they are huge spectacles, but to take part, to walk up the steps to the west door of the cathedral and join in the televised service really is something else.

“Our Scout group here in Burnside is celebrating 113 years of existence this year; to combine that with 70 years’ service by her Majesty, the Queen, and offer an outstanding week of fun, laughter, skills development for all our young members, and growing friendship with each other really has made it a week to remember.”

All the sections of the 113th Scouts who meet in the hall in Crawfurd Road took part in a range of different activities and parties.

The Squirrels, the newest and youngest section, made an afternoon tea for their parents before heading up to Calderglen Park for a dash through the zoo and some activity time in the play park.

The Scout group has two Beaver colonies, which meet on Wednesdays and Thursdays, and both ran similar evenings, with the youngsters designing crowns and making flags, investing some new Beavers and then having a lovely party in the hall decorated with bunting and flags, including the chance to “toast” marshmallows at their Jubilee camp fire.

The Cubs were a little more adventurous, opting to set up barbeques in the sunshine and to organise some outdoor sports and games.