Former Scouts attend reunion weekend

More than 30 former leaders and senior Scouts from the 1950s and 60s attended a recent reunion of 1st Ben Rhydding Scout group held at the Ilkley Playhouse.

They came from as far afield as Devon, Berkshire, Hampshire and even Rhode Island, US, and many had not seen one another for more than 40 years. They were joined by some of the current leaders of 1st Ben Rhydding. The reunion took place on Thursday, June 20, and saw a presentation of photographs of activities from that era, many of visits to Hag Dyke, the 1st Ben Rhydding Scout Hostel on Great Whernside, Kettlewell, as well as joint holidays spent with the Dutch De Mohicanen Scout Group affiliated to 1st Ben Rhydding.

Many brought along their own personal photographs of the time spent with the group, bringing back lots of happy memories.

Doug Brennen who had travelled from America, proposed a toast to one and all and to those who could not be there and remembered Skipper Ibbetson who did so much to foster the camaraderie of the Scouts at that time.

The reunion was followed by a visit to Hag Dyke over the following weekend.

Four former members stayed overnight and were treated to a sumptuous meal and full English breakfast very ably cooked by Andrew Walbank. Others either walked up on the day or were transported up.

There is to be another reunion on June 16, 2016.

WOMEN’S INSTITUTE: Our speaker at the June meeting was our own Bradford councillor, Anne Hawkesworth. After describing how votes for women began, she told us that she herself was influenced from an early age by the political views of her family and that she eventually stood as a local council candidate. She went on to talk about her experience of being a woman in the predominantly man’s world of local politics, and answered questions on topics of local interest which she hoped to be able to follow up. Thursday is the date of the next meeting when we will be hearing Isobel Stirk’s talk on the Bronte Family. We meet at 2pm at Ben Rhydding Methodist Church Hall and, as always, welcome visitors at a cost of £3 and prospective members to join our friendly group. Look out an interesting old book for this month’s competition and enjoy our sale of produce and home baking in aid of our charity for this year, the Ilkley Community Bus.

FLAT GREEN BOWLS CLUB: The Summer 2013 season is well under way with many relaxing afternoon games of bowls in which to meet up with old friends as well as new faces. As the summer nears the halfway stage, the club is pleased to announce an open day on Sunday at which an especially warm welcome will be offered to all and any prospective new bowlers as well as existing club members. This is an exciting time to learn about the game, no matter the level of bowling experience. Guidance and help in learning the game of flat green bowls is offered by our friendly club members. The clubhouse and green are open throughout the summer season which extends to early October on Thursdays, Saturdays and Sundays during the afternoon. In addition the club is also open for bowling on Tuesday evenings from May until September. The club is pleased to offer a range of friendly bowling matches throughout the summer against other clubs in the Yorkshire area and many lasting friendships have been made at these matches. The club also has its own programme of annual bowls competitions already underway and due to climax in early September on finals weekend. The club which is situated just off the A65 Coutances Way adjacent to the Ben Rhydding Sports Club has its own well-equipped clubhouse together with a well-maintained six-rink bowling green where all home games are played. It has the added ease of on-site car parking.