South Yorkshire Times, December 10, 1926

Denaby Scouts
Installed in New Hall
Colliery Companies Generosity

The third Doncaster (Denaby Main troop of Boy Scouts) came into their own on Tuesday, when Mrs JH Leslie opened the new headquarters in Cliff View, Denaby Main

the building which is of brick, timber, steel and asbestos, is a typical example of what Boy Scouts can do by a practical application of their handicrafts training, for it was erected in six months during the coal trade dispute by the Scoutmaster (Mr AN Trowbridge) who is a builder by trade, and members of the Troop, and no outside assistance was called in.

The hall is 60 feet long, and has separate rooms for cubs, scouts, and Rovers, a kitchen and a Scoutmaster’s room, and is fronted by a shop, at which will be sold sweets and tobacco.

By means of the trade done at the shop it is hoped to clear off the debt in the building.

The Corrie Company have borne most of the cost, which amounts to about £400. Before they had these quotas, the Troop use the colliery offices as their temporary headquarters.

The opening ceremony on Tuesday was well attended, and Mr H Hully presided, supported by Major JH Leslie, chairman of directors of the Denaby and Cadeby Collieries company, Capt Higgins, and the Rev H Lee (vicar of Denaby Main), Mr J Smethurst, Mr Moses Soar, and the Rev I.E.Riley (Supt of the Wesleyan South Yorkshire Coalfield Mission.

In unfurling the Union Jack on the top of the building, and unlocking the door, Mrs Lesley said: “I now declare the hall open.”

A Commemorable Day

Mrs Lesley expressed a pleasure it gave her to open the hall, and said she had often discussed with major Lesley the needs and welfare of that growing township, and they both realised that the development of the Boy Scout movement could do a great deal for the place. Their own boy, who was seven years old, would be joining the Cubs this year. She urged upon them the significance of the Scout Laws; their duty to God and the king; to help others at all times; to obey the Scout laws; and to do some kind deed every day. She hopes they would bear these in mind, and help to make the Scout movement at Denaby a great success.

Fellowship

Major Lesley said he had always taken the greatest interest in the Scout movement. One of the first things he did when he came to Denver Main was to enquire as to the progress of the Boy Scouts, and they had had it in mind for three years as to how they could forward the movement, because they realise the good it did in fostering a spirit of fellowship and comradeship which are so badly needed today amongst all classes.

His family were not unconnected with the movement, for Col Lesley, chief commissioner for Yorkshire, was an uncle of this, and are given a great deal of his time for many years to the Scout movement.

He (major Lesley) was frequently corresponding with Col Lesley about the moment, and as to how they could help each other in the different districts.