Tribute to scouting stalwart

A stalwart of the Midland scouting movement will be commemorated at a fundraising event in aid of Kinver Scout Camp.

Alfred Raybould was assistant scoutmaster for 1st Cradley Scouts and was one of the region's first recipients of the Gilwell Park Wood Badge.

He received the prize, which is awarded for exceptional leadership skills, in 1931.

The former coal miner, who lived in Ladysmith Road, Cradley Heath, was involved in his local scout troupe for more than 20 years.

He died, aged 58, from pneumoconiosis – caused by his time spent down the mines at Beech Tree Colliery – in 1960. His son John, a retired painter and decorator of Woodland Avenue, Quarry Bank, recently began researching his father's scouting achievements.

The father-of-two said: "I don't know much about his time in the scouts but I have been trying to find out more. He loved the outdoors though. He was a very clever man, and I never heard him say a bad thing about anyone."

The 67-year-old added that his father would have been especially proud that Alfred's great-grandson, 12-year-old Timothy, had followed in his footsteps, becoming a member of a scout troupe in Bromsgrove. John has loaned the two wooden beads, leather woggle and neckerchief, which make up his father's much-prized award, to Kinver Scout Camp at La Compa.When he took his leadership course, Alfred was required to record his activities in a notebook, which was written in ink and pencil by the light of the camp fire. This has also been included in the display.

In commemoration of his father's achievements, John has organised a fundraising event in aid of the scout camp this Saturday.

The Kinver and West Midlands Society of Model Engineers will be offering rides on model steam and diesel locomotives built by its members, which include John.

All the money raised will go towards paying for new toilet facilities for children with disabilities and special needs at the camp.

The event will take place at the Marsh Playing Fields, off High Street, Kinver, home to the model engineers society, from 10am to 4.30pm.