MEMORIES of lemon squeezer hats, knee-length shorts and songs around the camp fire will be brought to life when youngsters tell the 100-year story of scouting.
MEMORIES of lemon squeezer hats, knee-length shorts and songs around the camp fire will be brought to life when youngsters tell the 100-year story of scouting.
To mark the centenary of the popular movement, Hadleigh Sea Scouts is staging a show charting the eventful journey from Robert Baden-Powell's devising of his unique idea to the present day.
But to do so, the group is desperately seeking old scouting uniforms, badges and other kit to ensure the performance is as authentic as possible.
Jonathan Moore, chairman of Hadleigh Sea Scouts and show producer, appealed to former scouts to rummage through their wardrobes.
He said: “We're really desperate for original uniforms, badges and hats - the felt Mountie hats we've got are a pale reflection of the real Wide Awake Hats that were a key part of the uniform until the 60s.
“The show is about celebrating the brilliant experience of being a scout.
“It will be a chronology of the movement showing the progression over the last century.
“We're therefore appealing for people to rummage through their own past for these vital parts of the costume.
“Our contingency plan is to find a group of needle-mistresses to replicate these vital parts of the costumes.”
This year marks the 100th anniversary of scouting, which started with Lord Baden-Powell taking a handful of boys to Brownsea Island.
The show, which includes story, sketch and song, has been written by the boys and girls of the Hadleigh Sea Scout group and will be performed on June 28, 29 and 30.
If you can help the gang with costumes, please contact Jonathan Moore on 07905709547.
Tell us your scouting memories. Write to Your Letters, Evening Star, 30 Lower Brook Street, Ipswich, IP4 1AN or e-mail eveningstarletters@eveningstar.co.uk
Did you know?
Robert Baden-Powell's godfather was Robert Stephenson, the son of railway pioneer George Stephenson.
Scouting
Scouting is split into five categories - Beaver Scouts, Cub Scouts, Scouts, Explorer Scouts, and Scout Network.
Scouting started in 1907, with an experimental camp on Brownsea Island for 20 boys from a wide variety of social backgrounds
Around 28 million young people enjoy the benefits of scouting across 216 countries
Two-thirds of scouting's international membership is in developing countries
Source: www.scouts.org.uk
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