Wednesday 18 October 2017: Maurice Lee: Scouting in Fermanagh.
In his introduction Probian Jim McBain congratulated Mr Lee on the award of an M.B.E. for services to Scouting in the Queen’s Birthday Honours List of 2017. Maurice had brought with him an impressive display of scout memorabilia from World and European jamborees, as well as copies of his book, “Scouting in Fermanagh”. Dressed in scout uniform decorated with badges which record his contribution to scouting both local and national Maurice began by telling members that currently there are some 40 million scouts worldwide, over 500,000 in the UK and over 1,000 in Fermanagh. Formed by Lord Baden Powell in 1907 the organisation remains true to its founder’s aims of providing young people with character building opportunities in supporting each other and serving the community. Illustrated by period photographs Maurice talked about scouting in Fermanagh from the formation of the first troop in Enniskillen in 1910 to the present day. His talk included archive pictures showing scouts at camp in the 20′ and 30’s and on parade with their band at important public events such as the unveiling of the War Memorial in Enniskillen shortly after the the First Word War, their participation in celebrations to mark the coronation of King George VI in 1937 and Queen’s first visit to the town in in 1946 when she still Princess Elizabeth. He traced the changes in scouting down the years concluding with reference to the new £350,000 Scout Centre soon to be opened in Cladagh Glen, outside Enniskillen. His talk was particularly well received by those members of the Club who had been in the Scouts in their youth.