|
The Scout Troop also celebrated its
25th anniversary last year being the oldest section in the Unit. Over the years many
people have given of their time freely. Bill Fitzpatrick was the first scout leader
to lead the troop in the early seventies. Soon after the need to open a second
section became obvious to all and so the 20th Scout section came into being under Francis
Buckley, Frank McGonigle and Michael Briggs. Both sections were finding their feet
at this time and numbers grew. Towards the late 70's the 17th ran into leadership
problems and in this time saw many leaders going and coming, Sean Hayes and Maxi McCabe
both doing a stint. Meanwhile Frank McGonigle had become leader of the 20th Scouts
and this showed in young leaders staying on in the unit to a great deal of success at
Scout events. Annual camps were held every year, Glenstal 1974, Glenshalane 1976,
Jamborora 1977 at Melleray, Kilsheelan 1979, Kilteagan 1980, Nire Valley 1981 (will anyone
forget the weather, 9 days of rain). In the early 80's Tom Sutton
took over as leader of the 17th Scouts and was helped by Dick Tubbritt, Frank Drohan, Tony
McCabe and Tony Madigan.Tom stabilised the troop and it reaped the benefits
accordingly. Success in the 1985 Melvin in Kilcully was the greatest moment in that
period. The 20th Scouts now had a new leader in Brian Kennedy and he was followed by
Richie Walsh. Gary Gordon became our first Chief Scout Award holder in 1985.
Both troops now became very successful winning all local events at Regional level.
The 17th won the Melvin four out of five years in '85, '87, '88, '89. The final
victory in Melleray. Annual camps were held in Lismore 1982, this was a regional
camp. 1983 saw us in Derrynane, Co. Kerry, Carne 1984, Curracloe 1985, Lough Dan 1988.
The early 90's saw us run into leadership problems, both troops had now been
amalgamated into one section. Pat O'Connor returned as Scout leader in October
1990. Since then we really have never looked back. Numbers have remained
steady, scouting is at the top of the scale. Success had followed success.
Annual camps have been held at Glenshelane '94, '95 and '97; Stradbally '93; Curracloe
'94; Cappanalea '92, Fethard on Sea '96, Glenshelane '97 and Blackwell Court '98. Patrols
|