MORE than 130 former and current members, leaders and committee members of the 113th Glasgow Scout Group gathered together recently for a reunion dinner at the King's Park Hotel. Guests enjoyed a three-course meal and engaged in memory games with their peers and those of different generations. A number travelled from far flung places including Chicago and Turkey, as well as Jersey, Northern Ireland and England to join in the celebrations. Group treasurer Jim Mortimer competently chaired the evening. He said: “When we started planning our Centenary events we considered a commemorative dinner, but were a little hesitant in case there would be no enthusiasm for something like this. How wrong we were. “From old records, photographs, and personal recall, we pulled together a list of over 700 names of boys across the generations who we would be able to contact. Right from the word go there was keen interest, and as a result we now have around 140 former members here tonight - travelling from Switzerland, the Channel Islands, the US, Asia - and East Kilbride. “We also believe we have members from every decade from the 20s right through to the present day. “One of the most rewarding aspects of having been part of the centenary committee organising all of the events has been seeing the enormous amount of goodwill there exists in and around Burnside towards the Group. “It's only when you do something like this that you realise what an institution the Scout Group has been in the area, and just how many local people have been involved over the years.” Jim added: “Boys still love to build things, to climb , to explore, to play team games, to get soaking wet. So too do the adult leaders and helpers! “It's often said that children speak the plainest truth, and I think that's borne out when you consider the motto of the youngest section of the Scouts, the Beavers. “Their motto is, simply, ‘Fun and Friends’ - and you can't say it much more simply than that. We've come here to celebrate the fun and friendship, which we have had over the years, and hopefully to renew the bonds we have with the Scout Movement. “Those present at the dinner were invited to write either a message of congratulation to the Group, or perhaps jot down their favourite recollection of their time in the 113. All these cards will be collected and put together to form a commemorative album, along with the photos of the evening.” Eleanor Lyall, Chief Commissioner for Scouts in Scotland, was the principal speaker and she shared a few Scouting memories with the gathered members. She said: “The 113th started in the cellar of a house in Burnside - now it doesn't say whether it was a wine cellar or a coal cellar - and I am not asking, but then the Group moved to the Golf Club because the Scoutmaster of the day was also the Club Captain. “It was great in those days that for the co-operation between organisations for a bit of weeding and bridge building, premises were made available for your meetings. “Scouting today has a lot to live up to not only because of the enthusiasm of yesteryear but of all the other activities which are now available for young people yet it would appear that the 113th is able to capture what is required to attract young people. “Our founder Baden Powell is credited with saying that he didn't start anything - it was like Topsy - ‘it just growed.’ “His idea was of giving young lads the chance to fend for themselves, gain confidence and form a sense of duty. He said: ‘I want each of them to be efficient all round and reliable individuals.’ “I hope today that Scouting affords the young people these opportunities. The Chief Commissioner for Scotland then proposed the toast to the 113th Glasgow Scout Group, and Graeme Hamilton, 113 Group Scout Leader gave the reply. Graeme, who has been writing the history of the 113, said: “100 years old and what a party we've been having all year. And what a night we're having tonight. “We're all a little greyer, a little heavier and perhaps a little slower than we were that night we entered the scout hall in Crawfurd Road for the first time. “But I bet most of us remember that night and the many that followed over subsequent years. I did a quick calculation, allowing for not being there for several Fridays during the summer holidays and a few others missed for positive reasons, usually some other scouting activity, I've been going to that hall for over 1900 Fridays. “In 1909 Burnside was a small community out in the countryside at the fringes of expanding urban Rutherglen. The ‘big’ houses of Blairbeth Road, Douglas Avenue and Peveril Avenue were only recently built. “Victorian times had made way for the Edwardian era. Baden Powell's book ‘Scouting for Boys’ had been published in weekly parts for a couple of years and the excitement of legitimate gangs had taken hold across the whole country. “George Walker, Arthur Cowan, Tommy Greenhill, James and Thomas Allison and their friends found a great den in the Allison's cellar in Peveril Avenue and there they formed in to the 113th Scout group. “The rest as they say is history, and boy what a history. Each and every one of us here is a part of that history- past, present and future. “I've uncovered so much of that history over the past year as I've worked on the book, and I'm so grateful to so many people for sharing stories and information to capture that history and to make that story real and available for future generations. “This Group is full of history. The examples I've mentioned are just a tiny fraction of our story. This group has been, and remains, an integral part of the social history of Burnside, of Glasgow and of scouting throughout the world.” In the hotel, there were displays in abundance and a painting of a camp scene at Carradale, painted in acrylic and donated to the Group by former member Hugh Hartley was auctioned. It raised £350 for funds for the Group's future activities. The winning bidder wished to remain anonymous and the Group expresses its deep appreciation for his kind donation to further Scouting in Burnside. Attendees all signed a memory album and this will be added to Group's record of the centenary year. Photographer David Millar captured many wonderful images of the evening including a scene of all attendees, which will be used in the 2010 calendar. The evening ended with everyone socialising and viewing some old photographs and displays. | 
