Jim Kelly Gone Home

Jim Kelly Gone Home

Last month saw the end of an era in Craigalmond District, with the passing on 3 September of Jim Kelly, former District Commissioner of Haymarket District (now Craigalmond) and Assistant Area Commissioner of Edinburgh Area (now SE Scotland Region).

Jim’s Scouting career spanned over 80 years, and a celebration of Jim’s life on 18 September saw dozens of Jim’s former Scouting colleagues come to pay their last respects and share their many fond memories.  At that service, Graham Inglis, a former 10th Haymarket Scout, read a moving tribute to Jim’s Scouting life, a shortened version of which is reproduced below.

Our thoughts are with Jim’s daughter Irene, her husband Harry, and their children David and Emma.

It all began in 1938 when Jim joined the newly formed 9th West Lothian Cub Pack. This channelled Jim’s enthusiasm for outdoor activities and he became their first Senior Sixer.

During the war years, Jim’s service continued with the 3rd West Lothian Scouts, where Patrol Leaders ran the meetings, and the Scouts provided support to the local ARP Wardens and the Home Guard – this led to Jim gaining his National Service Flash and earning his King’s Scout Award.

After a period of National Service at the end of the war, Jim immediately began his career as a Scouter with the 33rd Ayrshire, where he coached his Troop into winning the County Flag Competition again and again.

Jim moved to Aberdeen in 1954 with the Air Ministry works Dept, where he continued his Scouting as Leader of 1st Oakbank Troop, based inside an “approved” school.  In 1961 Jim moved his family to Cyprus, where Jim continued his scouting journey with the 1st Akrotiri, before returning to Scotland in 1965, settling in Edinburgh.

This brought him to the 10th Midlothian based in Corstorphine and during the next 8 years he thoroughly enjoyed bringing his brand of Scouting to his boys. He loved competitions, worked hard to ensure all gained the most they could from Scouting, and continued to develop young people with fun and care.

At his first camp as ‘Skip’ with the 10th at Loch Doon, not far from his old stomping ground, Robert Young, then a Troop Leader, was responsible for the canteen and was almost caught out, having left it at the hall. He just managed to get his sister and her husband to drive it over to camp before canteen call in the afternoon – without it they would have not seen Jim showing off his party piece…

Kenny Berry had got a large bottle of fizzy juice and some sweets and Skip asked him for a swig of his juice. Jim swirled the bottle and the whole lot went down the hatch in a oner – Jim didn’t even burp and Kenny’s Jaw hit the floor! Needless to say, Jim bought him another bottle and Kenny left a happy and amazed lad.

At camps, Jim was always up at first light, hot water on for a cuppa and away for a morning wash in the stream (even if there was a toilet block on site!). On his return he would politely ask you to get up and then open and roll back both ends of the tent and allow the wind to hurtle through. Although a small lesson, one worth learning – get up and enjoy the best part of the day, and Jim always had a brew waiting to get you going!

In 1972 Jim was asked to add to his roles and become District Leader Trainer for Haymarket District. This was a role he loved, helping others to develop their skills and become enthusiastic leaders.  Jim was recognised for his efforts and awarded the Medal of Merit in 1976 and by 1978 was part of the Edinburgh Training Team and the Bonaly Committee.

Having been awarded the Silver Acorn in 1983, he became District Commissioner for Haymarket District in the same year and ran a very successful team of leaders that brought Haymarket to the fore in Edinburgh Scouting.  Jim was responsible for planning and running a particularly memorable event – the Cycleathon, where members and their families cycled round the grounds of Donaldson’s School to complete a marathon and raise money for charities. Jim was first there and last to leave!

In 1988 he took up the role of Edinburgh Area Commissioner General Duties and was a member of the Scottish Training Team.  Jim returned as District Chairman of Haymarket in 1990, running the Executive Committee and encouraging all Groups to play an active part. During this time, he was awarded the Bar to the Silver Acorn and became Honorary Scouter of the 10th Haymarket.

This was a role he truly revelled in, coming and speaking to the young people, attending every AGM, sharing his memories with joy and enjoying the friendship of all the Scouters. He was always encouraging and continually praised the efforts of the Group – ‘no one can do it like the 10th’ Jim was often heard to say!  He also was part of the team making arrangements for the 100th year celebrations, even writing to the Lord Lyon to request the inclusion off EST 1907 on the flag which appropriately covered his coffin earlier today.

Jim was of course a brother to all Scouts, extending his left hand with friendship and openness any time you met him, a trusted pair of hands who treated people with respect and care.

Jim continued in various roles including Chairman of Bonaly Fellowship right up until he retired from active service Aged 81. This sounds like the end but scouting was part of his life for so long Jim was always going to be involved. He remained a supporter through Haymarket Scout Fellowship, Corstorphine Scout Active Support Unit and of course regularly visited the 10th at the Douglas Brown Scout Hall.

Jim loved Burns and he Chaired the Scout Burns night at the Hall for many years – where he kept the honoured guests, Scouts and Executive Committee amused with his irreverent rendition of ‘Tae a Fert’!

In 2014 Jim received the highest award in Scouting, his Silver Wolf – which you can see was wholly warranted; he treasured it and was proud and honoured to wear it.

His letter from the Regional Commissioner fittingly said ‘you have made a huge difference to the lives of hundreds of young people and probably as many adults. You lived by, led by, and insisted on, the highest ideals of Scouting. Your service has been impeccable and your personal values and the standard of your leadership both an example and an inspiration’.

He was of course a Scouter to the end, often telling the staff at Murrayside Care Home when old Scouting friends came to visit, that some of his Scouts were here and they were just going upstairs for a Scout meeting.

Baden Powell said, ‘No one can pass through life, any more than he can pass through a bit of country, without leaving tracks behind, and those tracks may often be helpful to those coming after him in finding their way’.  Jim certainly left tracks for us to follow – not on the ground, but in our hearts, in our integrity, in our respectfulness, in our care for others, in our beliefs, in our voluntary service and in ourselves.

In true Scouting tradition he leaves this world a better place, with many better people across the world to this day following Jim’s example, lessons, guidance and tracks.

No one can ask more of him than that.

Cubs and Beavers have fun outdoors

Cubs and Beavers have fun outdoors

Cubs and Beavers from the 82nd Craigalmond (Cramond) Group had a brilliant September Camp at Netherurd, a fantastically equipped and located Guide centre. In total 42 Cubs and 5 Beavers spent two nights away with the camp theme of Space.

Activities at camp included zip lines, backwoods cooking, shelter building, rocket making (and launching), scavenger hunts and star gazing. Everyone who attended went on a very sunny hike that took us all up to the summit of a local hill with great views.

Thanks to a fantastic set of leaders and some thorough planning it was a very successful weekend! The camp was blessed with great weather for September and everyone went home very tired but happy!

Midlothian District Scouts, Adelboden, Switzerland 2019

On Wednesday 24th July, 11 Leaders, 16 Scouts and 16 Explorers from throughout Midlothian District set off for Adelboden, Switzerland.  We arrived safely after spending 28 hours travelling by coach and ferry.

On Friday we enjoyed a leisurely walk to Engstligenalp where Switzerland’s second largest waterfall can bee seen.  The young people spent some time exploring the area, climbing rocks and enjoying the views.  We also celebrated Damian and Linda’s wedding anniversary with cards, gifts and cake.

Saturday saw us visiting the Schilthorn where we invested seven new Explorers, a Cub Scout Leader and handed out a 10 year service award.  On the way back down we visited Murren village and Birg where the young people and some of the braver adults attempted the sky walk.

On Sunday it decided to rain, a lot, so we adapted the programme to suit.  Frutigen indoor swimming pool, then in the afternoon back at the chalet everyone took part in a bin bag catwalk, which was great fun for all.  Ron and Gravy our coach drivers kindly judged the entries.

Monday 29th we visited the Top of Europe, Jungfrau, after a brief walk out onto the glacier which we had to evacuate due to several people suffering from altitude sickness.

Tuesday the sun shone very brightly, we all enjoyed some sightseeing and shopping in Thun.  We also met some Swiss Scouts and helped them with their Monopoly game.  We travelled to Spiez by boat and met up with Ron and Gravy who took us to Interlaken to visit the chocolate factory.

Wednesday was Kandersteg day.  We took the gondolas to Oeschinensee, walked to the lake and some brave Scouts went for a swim before heading to the toboggans.  In the evening we went to Swiss night, and one of our Scouts, Struan, kindly played the bag pipes and we sang Flower of Scotland, to about 200 other Scouts and Guides.

On Thursday 1st August we celebrated Caroline’s birthday, she thought we’d forgot. Caroline tested herself by taking part in the zip wire activity at the Adventure Park.  We continued the birthday celebrations with a Luau and as it was Swiss National Day we were treated to a fireworks display at night.

Our last day, Friday, we visited Niesenbahn, Swiss Pyramid travelling by funicular to the top, the clouds lifted enough for us to get some spectacular views. 

Saturday 3rd we said a sad goodbye to Adelboden, arriving home on Sunday.

Jo Whiting, Cub Scout Leader, Midlothian District

A proper expedition – not just tourists!

Two groups of Explorers formed from Braid and Craigalmond carried out an excellent DofE Gold expedition over four days at the end of August, walking from Corrour Station and completing their circular route at Rannoch. 

One candidate unfortunately had to drop out on day 3 with an ankle problem but the other twelve completed the expedition in style, one group singing ‘Country road, take me home …’ to keep their spirits up on the last stretch. 

“It was fun.”  “I’m rather sad it’s over.”  “The views were spectacular.” “We really loved seeing a group of tourists watch us wade over the flooded causeway then turn back rather than do the same.” “The best bit was on the last day when we could see back up to the saddle we had climbed on the first day and we realised what we had achieved.”

They all had a sense of humour.  For instance, when asked how they had crossed the river the answer was “After considerable discussion and deliberation”.  And one commented at the debrief session near the end “No ticks, but there’s still a kilometre to go.”

Both groups enjoyed being out in the wilds with no phone signal and relying on burns for water.  They had built up their skills over the previous levels and really appreciated meeting and working together with new friends and having time to chat about things at the campsites.  They were delighted by the perfect weather: almost no rain and enough wind to keep the midges away for a lot of the time. They all intend to get back into the hills again.

The groups did very interesting presentations based on their purpose: one studying Gaelic place names, the other comparing the three big estates they walked through.

They can take a real pride in their achievement and are to be congratulated on it.  Thanks and congratulations are also due to the many adults who helped directly and indirectly with the training, practice and qualifying expeditions done at Bronze, Silver and Gold over several years, and without whom this would not have happened.

John Buchanan DofE Assessor, and ARC (Explorers)

Welcome to our new District Commissioner for East Lothian

Hilary Cartwright

I am a volunteer that had absolutely no relevant previous Scouting experience or Scouting skills 10 years ago. I found my way into Scouting in North Berwick like many volunteers do by stepping forward to ensure a section didn’t close, so my sons’ could get involved.

I joined the movement in 2009 as Beaver Scout leader and persuaded some friends to join me whilst away camping to secure the colony’s future. Then I moved on to being Cub Scout leader in 2014.

It is through both of these roles that my passion for Scouting for All was nurtured as I have a genuine passion to enable young people to do more, learn more and be more, through fun and adventure, as I have seen first-hand that we do make a difference and do have a positive impact on many young people through our shared Scouting adventures.

I have been Group Scout Leader with 1st North Berwick since Jan 2017. I recognise the key to successful local Scouting is continuous recruitment programmes and then active support of leaders and executive group members in their roles. 

So I became a District Training Advisor and a Regional Safeguarding Trainer in 2017. Later in the year I was persuaded to accept the role of Deputy District Commissioner (Adult Support) in 2017, which has enabled me to meet and support many leaders across the large geographical area of our District. 

I am very honoured to be appointed to the role of the District Commissioner for East Lothian. I will continue to be a passionate advocate for young people and for the adults who volunteer to support them 

But Scouting is far removed from my day job as a Chartered Physiotherapist, having worked for many years in NHS  and then subsequently in the private and charitable sectors in various clinical and managerial roles. When I’m not working or Scouting, I am the CEO of my growing family but I do find time for a good book, a box set or a kayak in the North Sea, but couldn’t do any of the above without the enduring support of my family. 

Hilary Cartwright

 

“I am delighted to announce the appointment of our new District Commissioner for East Lothian. I am very confident that she will bring enthusiasm, energy and a real commitment to working with leaders and supporters to enabling young people to have a great time in Scouting.”

Margery Naylor, Regional Commissioner.

A busy night at Cubs learning to tie the Reef Knot and Round Lashing

A busy night at Longniddry Cubs learning to tie the Reef Knot and Round Lashing. The Cubs then had to capture an escaped lizard, make a flagpole higher than the Bowling Club’s one, drop a tennis ball into a space on the roof and make a 4 metre selfie stick! As you do!