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Francis Minogue Group Leader/ Provincial Commissioner opened proceedings welcoming all the guests to this auspicious day and in particular welcoming the Kavanagh family and The Chief Scout Martin Burbridge.
Francis told the attendance that the late Larry Kavanagh RIP built this marvellous facility some years ago as an Outdoor Adventure Centre. He thanked the Kavanagh family for leasing Roscrea Scouts the property. He briefly went through the history of Roscrea Scouts. He then said that he hoped that the centre would benefit both Scouting and the people of Camross.
A group of Roscrea Cub scouts at the official
opening of Srahan Scout Centre
Caroline Marks Deputy Section LeaderScouts/County Program CoOrdinator then led the scouts own cermony expalining that there are occations when scouts would be far away from any church of a Sunday. Inorder to keep a sense of sperituality Scouts would hold a scouts own cermony . She then said a prayer based on community and friendship.
Then there was a Song: Ciara Fitzgerald vocal- Kate Lupton & Niamh Marks Flutes
Next up was 1st Reading: Paul Spencer Leader
Alas, Poor Scapegoat, Thy name is Leader.
If a leader writes a letter.....It is too long.
If he sends a postcard.....It is too short.
If he sends a bulletin.....It is too expensive.
If he calls a meeting.....He is wasting time.
If he doesn't call a meeting.....He is a know it all.
If attendance at the meeting is slack.....He should have phoned all the members.
If he does phone them.....He is a pest.
If he asks where the money went.....He is insulting.
If he does not.....He is not interested.
If a function is a huge success.....The Committee gets the praise.
If it is a failure.....He is to blame.
If he asks for advice.....He is incompetent.
If he does not.....He is trying to run the show.
Ashes to ashes, dust to dust,
If the others won't do it,
The Leader must.
Adrian Hewson then Blessed the Scouting Community & the Community of Camross and this was followed by further readings from Thomas Cashin and Kalen McNamara.
Fr. Lawlor PP of Camross then Blessed the Centre. There was a final rousing rendition of Irelands Call with singing and music.
James Marks Roscrea Scouts/Deputy County Commissioner then spoke and thanked the Kavanagh family for leasing the Scouts the fabulous centre they have in Camross for the next 4 ½ years. He then thanked Sean Delaney without whom the Scouts would not have had the opportunity to eventually take a lease on the premises.
James Marks then thanked all the youth members that worked so hard to have the centre ready for the official opening. James also thanked the scouting leaders and the parents who conducted work at the centre, free of charge. In particular he thanked Barry O’Donnell who did all the work on the main Building and the water feature and Pat Mullally who did likewise in the white building. James Marks then thanked Ger Hogan who gave all the locks for the doors free of charge, and Alan Drought who gave the scouts stone and the use of his lorry for the day. Thanks were also extended to Joe Abbott who did tiling work and James Shanahan who sterilised all the beds.
Michael Breen was thanked for looking after the legalities and Paul Hanlon was thanked for all his help.
The scouts would also like to thank Bob and Ann Fay, Denis Ryan, Josie Stone, Trish Doherty, Kathleen Marks and Pat Flanagan and Jim and Martin Bennett- for all their assistance. Thanks are also extended to Pat Doran who fitted doors and plumber Tony O Meara who did remedial work.
Roscrea Credit Union were thanked for their sponsorship of a lot of the work done at the new centre. Roscrea Town Football Club was thanked for their generous contribution as were Scouting Ireland and The Slieve Bloom Scout County for their generous donation.
Laurance Kavanagh MCC and James Marks Roscrea Scout Group/Deputy County Commissioner shaking hands at the unvailing of the Name Plate in memory of Laurances Late Father Larry Kavanagh who originally built Srahan Scout Centre
James concluded by referring to the great community spirit in Roscrea and the scouting movement. In his own words, “Long may it continue”
Francis Minogue and Tommy Ryan then made a presentation to Mary Kavanagh and Eileen Burbridge.
Mrs Mary Kavanagh then spoke telling the guests of the many happy times she and her family had in Srahan, She recounted family weddings, 21st ‘s engagement parties etc that had all been held here. She mentioned some of the men who had actually built the centre that were in attendance and remembered those who had since died including her late husband Larry who loved the centre so much. She wished Roscrea scouts well and hoped they would have as many happy times there as her family had.
James Marks Roscrea Scout Group/Deputy County Commissioner,Sean Delaney Roscrea Scout Group,Martin Burbridge Chief Scout, Laurance Kavanagh MCC,Mrs Mary Kavanagh (Widow of the Late Larry Kavanagh) Helan Kavanagh, Francis Minogue Group Leader Roscrea Scout Group/Provinchal Commissioner & Mary Lorrigan (nee Kavanagh )unvailing the Name Plate in memory of the Late Larry Kavanagh who originally built Srahan Scout Centre
The Chief Scout Martin Burbridge then spoke. He thanked Roscrea Scouts for the invitation. He said that it was a fabulous centre and that the youth would be delighted to spend time here.
Sean Delaney Roscrea Scouts/ Treasurer and Chief Scout Martin Burbridge then cut the ribbon. Mrs Mary Kavanagh then unveiled the name plague, which was dedicated to her late Husband Larry. The flags were then raised.
Finally On the eve of his retirement from active service in the Roscrea Group a surprise Presentation of the Cu Chulann Award (The highest award in Scouting) was made to Noel Ryan by the Chief Scout Martin Burbridge. We wish the Roscrea Scout troop the very best with their new venture.
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