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Roscrea Scouts celebrated it’s 40th anniversary recently. The weekend was marked by a number of interesting and fun events.
Saturday the 9th saw a full days schedule of events. From noon there was a scouting archives display running in the hall, with many interesting items on view, including some rare and unique pieces from the pre-war group that ran in the town in the 1930’s and 40’s. There were also displays covering each decade since 1971 and on scouting today.
This was followed at 4.15pm by the official rededication of the refurbished hall by the Chief Scout in Ireland Mr Michael John Shinnick, and a blessing by the Chairperson of the National Spiritual and Religious Advisory Panel Fr Dave Kenneally. The Chief Commissioner Adult Resources John Brennan and the County Commissioner Gary Clarke also presented each member of the group with the One Programme Badge marking the fact that the Group have now successfully implemented Scouting Irelands’ exciting, challenging and fun new programme across all its sections. Roscrea was in fact the first Group in the County to undergo training for the programme in May 2010.
At 4.30 the whole group paraded to St Cronans Church for a multi denominational scouts own service which was led by Fr Tom Corbett, Rev., Michael Johnson and Rev., Michael Griffin representing the Catholic, Church of Ireland and Methodist communities in Roscrea.
This service saw the investiture of leaders and youth members in our new sections, Tuesday Beavers, Wednesday Beavers and Tuesday Cubs as well as new leaders and youth members in our previously existing Thursday Beaver and Thursday Cub sections. After their investiture each section performed a song, poem or short play.
There was also the presentation of a number of awards, five-year service award to Caroline Marks, James Marks, Paul Spencer, Marcella Mullally, Diarmuid Fitzgerald and Sean Delaney. Fifteen year service award to Shane Cahill, Chief Scout Commendation award to Ollie Stapleton, Shane Cahill, Paul Spencer and Sean Delaney and Bronze Merit Award to James and Caroline Marks.
The highlight of the awards was the presentation, by the Chief Scout, of The Chief Scout Award to Kalen McNamara. Kalen is the first member of the group to achieve this award in fifteen years so it was fitting it should be presented this weekend.
Other representatives from National and County level who were present throughout the day were John Watmore Provincial Commissioner, Michael Devins - National Secretary, Marie Martin - Deputy County Commissioner and Brendan Martin - County Programme Co-ordinator.
The group wishes to thank all members past and present who participated in the weekends activities, it was great to see so many past members in particular returning to celebrate with us. We would also particularly like to thank the community of Roscrea whose generous support over the last 40 years has enabled us to grow to the strong position we are now in. We look forward to serving the community and town for another 40 years.
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