“BRIDGE Building Team. Keighley Gala. 1938”, runs the title of this group in a photograph album belonging to the late Albert Sunderland, founder of a Scout troop at Marlborough Street, Keighley.
At that time the Gala activities in Victoria Park included Scouts’ competitions. In 1938 the Utley Congregational troop came overall first with 85 points, winning a cup. Riddlesden were second with 82 points, while Marlborough Street came third with 74 points. In the Cubs’ competitions, however, Marlborough Street won a cup with 92 points.
These boys are well turned-out. Keighley’s 1938 Gala coincided with the start of National Scout Week, when the County Commissioner wrote to all Yorkshire headteachers requesting permission for boys to wear their Scout uniforms at school that week.
Pride in the movement was emphasised during the Second World War, when Keighley Scouts were encouraged to wear their uniforms in the evenings, as “someone may want some help, and if a Scout is seen, it may be taken that he can be relied upon”.
The photograph was supplied by Mr Keith Sunderland, of Exley Avenue, Keighley.
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