Diocesan News10 May 16

Scouts to Breathe New Life into City Centre

Scouting is returning to the centre of Londonderry after an absence of over 40 years.

Around 30 boys and girls are expected to attend the first formal meeting of the new St Augustine’s Cub Pack in the church hall in Palace Street, inside the city walls, on Tuesday 10 May at 7pm.

St Augustine’s was formerly home to First Londonderry Scout Troop, which ceased operating in 1972 because of the security situation in the city. The Rector of St Augustine’s, Rev Malcolm Ferry, says the church is delighted to be hosting scouts again.

“We have been amazed,” the Rector says, “by the enthusiasm for our new cub pack. We already have four volunteer leaders who will oversee the new group of thirty, and we’re eager to gain even more recruits – boys and girls – from the whole community.”

Joan Reid, of Scouts NI, says, “We are delighted and excited to be breathing new life and energy into Scouting in St Augustine’s, especially in this year when Cub Scouts celebrate their 100th birthday. This is a super opportunity for young people aged 8 ½ to 10 ½ to join in fun and challenging activities, unique experiences, everyday adventure and have the chance to help others so that we make a positive impact in the city.”

Rev Ferry says the ‘Wee Church’ is starting off with a cub pack but plans to form a beaver pack in the near future, for 6–8 year olds, and hopefully a scout troop for older children in the not too distant future. “I’m a Boys Brigade ‘old boy’, myself,” the Rector says, “but I appreciate the huge opportunity that scouting presents and the enormous benefits it can bring to young people in our community nowadays.”

Among those who will be present at this evening’s meeting will be Rev Canon John McKegney, a former member of the First Londonderry Scout Troop, whose father was a former Scout leader in St Augustine’s.

A formal investiture ceremony for members of the new cub pack is planned for St Augustine’s in about one month’s time.

For further information, call Paul McFadden on 07525 826290, or email [email protected]