100 years ago in October Boy Scouts paraded through Eccles in front of a crowd of thousands, showcasing the work of the newly-formed organisation.
Meeting at Half Edge Lane, the The Eccles Association of Boy Scouts marched to the Golden Cross pub in Patricroft, led by the brass musical stylings of the Eccles Salvation Army Band.
It was a show of support for the fledgling organisation as it paraded through the streets.
The Boy Scouts were formed in 1908 by Robert Baden Powell, a man who came to national attention as a war hero for his 217-day defence at the Siege of Mafeking in South Africa during the Boer War.
An 1899 military field manual he had written for British soldiers – Aids to Scouting – caught on with a younger audience, as boys enjoyed the lessons on tracking, observation and organising elaborate outdoor games.
The Eccles Boy Scouts marched to spare ground behind Eccles Carnegie Library – now the Eccles Gateway on Church Street – where a large space had been roped off and a flagstaff erected.
They saluted the Union flag along with Councillor C. E. Clayton, then proceeded to give displays of signalling in Morse and semaphore.
The competitions between the troupes began to produce the most entertaining shows: 1st Weaste started with trumpet calls, boxing matches and cooking, while not to be outdone 2nd Eccles caused “great amusement” by their games which included piggy-back, wrestling, boxing in tubs and blindfolded boxing – which for many was the highlight of the day.
The 1st Irwell (Eccles) made an impressive roly poly jam pudding which was quickly devoured by the assembled crowd, while the Scotch pancakes were “eagerly sampled by the Matrons in the crowd”.
More displays of practical skills went next as the boys pulled their ambulance cart to pieces, hauled it over real and imaginary obstacles, and re-assembled it ready for marching with again.
The article in the Eccles and Patricroft Journal mentions that the whole event was filmed and would be shown at Eccles Picture Hall, which later became The Empire Cinema, situated on the corner of Corporation Road and Church Street over the following days.
It would be marvellous to see that footage after all these years – if it survived the last 100 years.
Talking of survival, I also wonder how many of those young boy scouts would soon be joining the British Army and being sent off to meet their fate on the First World War battlefields in France.
We still have several Scout troops in Eccles today.
Despite its age, the appeal of the organisation remains strong, moving with the times to recruit outdoor adventurist Bear Grylls as the Chief Scout of Great Britain.
