Dore to Door internet edition

Local organisations - Winter 2003

Saving our heritage - Luncheon club vacancies - Folk Trains - The Scouts (Syd Crowson M.B.E. 1928-2003)

Saving our heritage

The Hallamshire Historic Buildings Society was founded in 1971. Its aims are:

• to protect the architectural heritage in and around Sheffield
• to promote interest and pride in architecture and local history
• to increase public awareness of our historic past through its buildings
• to conserve whatever is beautiful in our environment and to improve that which is not.

Members of the HHBS not only have the satisfaction of knowing that they are helping to look after their heritage. They also, receive two newsletters per annum, have the opportunity of attending talks throughout the year, and of joining the Society on its summer excursions to places of historic interest, some of which are not generally open to the public in the Hallamshire area.

For membership details write to: The Membership Secretary 45 Greenfield Road, Sheffield, S8 7RR or you can phone 230 9663

Luncheon club vacancies

The Totley Rise Luncheon Club, which meets at Totley Rise Methodist Youth Church building on Baslow Road each Friday, has vacancies for members.

The club is open to lonely and housebound older people who live in the S17 area. Members are collected by Transport 17 and arrive at the Club around 10.30 am and are returned to their homes by Transport 17 leaving the club around 2.30pm.

They have coffee and a chat when they arrive, a 2 course lunch at around 12.15 pm and there is usually some form of entertainment after lunch. The Club is supported by a grant from Sheffield City Council and members pay £2.50 per week towards the meal and transport.

If you are someone who would benefit from the friendship and fellowship of the Club, or if you know of someone who would benefit, please contact Angela Lashmar on 262 0033.

Folk Trains

Once a month Folk Trains with guest bands run from Sheffield [7.14pm but collecting at Dore & Totley 7.22pm] to Edale.

Refreshments (special beer prices) & more music is available at The Rambler Inn, Edale, then 9.28pm return journey arriving at Dore & Totley for 9.52pm.

25 November: Little Bigfoot Band

23 December: Bourgeoise Zoo

27 January: m_c_cajun

24 February: Airs & Graces

23 March: Fagan's Back Room Band

27 April: Crucible

25 May: The Sheffield Folk Chorale

For up-to-date information ring 266 9532 or visit www.folktrain.f9.co.uk

The Scouts - Syd Crowson M.B.E. 1928-2003

Syd Crowson, the long-time Group Scout Leader of the 267th (Dore) Scout Group died on 30th September. His funeral service took place at Christ Church Dore on 8th October with full scouting honours. A troop of scouts, with flags flying and more than 50 scouters and guiders in uniform drawn from the Group, District and Headquarters followed the hearse from the scout hut and formed a guard of honour as his coffin was carried into the church overflowing with relatives and his friends.

Syd joined the 201st Christ Church Dore Wolf Cubs in 1936 and maintained close contact with the Group for the rest of his life. He took out his first leader’s warrant at the age of 17 and in 1949 was a scout leader when the Group, led at that time by Jim Wainwright disbanded and reformed at the 267th Sheffield (Dore) Scout Group (unattached) largely as a result of disagreements with the vicar of the time.

By 1955 the Group had moved to its present location and Syd had become Group Scout Leader, somewhat against the wishes of the District Commissioner who felt that, as a young and energetic leader, he would be wasted in that role. What he could not have predicted, however was that Syd was to become one of the most enthusiastic and charismatic leaders of his generation.

Syd never sought high office within the Scout Movement. When asked as a child what he wanted to become he replied "A tramp" and later on it was "A full-time scout leader". He was content to serve the Group and the Village he loved so much and to fully integrate scouting into the life of the community.

During his tenure the Group grew from strength to strength. The Gala, Gang Show, Well Dressing, Festival Fortnight, Flowers in the Village, Guy Fawkes Night celebrations and Remembrance Day Parade are all scout initiatives introduced during his stewardship.

His knack of recruiting leaders and his encouragement of his leader teams are legendary. "Together we are a great team" was his favourite saying. The position of the Group now, as one of the biggest and most active in South Yorkshire is in great measure due to his constant endeavours.

He involved himself too in many other aspects of Village life, particularly those to do with the Church which he joined as a choirboy on the day World War II was declared.

In 1991 Syd was awarded his Silver Acorn and in 1993, an MBE for his Services to Scouting, an award that was justly deserved and of which he was immensely proud. In the same year, he retired as GSL and became President of the Group. Nonetheless he continued to be actively involved, sitting on the Group Executive, Gala and Festival Committees, representing the Group at District level and regularly attending the meetings of his beloved Sheaf and Dore Scout Band, standing in as drummer or parade leader as the need arose.

Syd was a very kindly man who was loved and respected by all who met him. For many years he suffered from ill health but his strong faith, cheerful disposition and positive attitude to life were an inspiration to all around him. At his funeral he asked that an extract from Baden Powell’s last message to scouts be read out. "Try to leave this world a little better than you found it and when your time comes to die, you can die happy in feeling that at any rate you have not wasted your time but have done your best."

He will be long remembered and sorely missed.

Geoff Cope