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Century old Scout group moves from home of 45 years

Sumaiya MotaraClitheroe
News imageSumaiya Motara/BBC Ten children wearing dark green Scout shirts with yellow neckerchiefs stand together inside a hall. The group is arranged in a line with arms around each other’s shoulders, facing the camera. An adult man in a cream Scout uniform stands behind them. The hall has a wooden floor, white walls and exposed dark wooden roof beams overhead. Noticeboards, chairs and other people can be seen in the background.Sumaiya Motara/BBC
The Loyola Scout group has been active since 1924.

A Scout group in Clitheroe, which has been active since 1924, has moved from its Grade II listed home after being there for more than 45 years.

The St Michael and St John's Loyola Scout Group bid a final farewell to The Old Stables on Wednesday 23 September.

The historic group of Beavers, Cubs and Scouts has moved to Clitheroe United Reform Church and will be renamed in due course.

District lead volunteer Glen Fendall said: "A Scout group isn't all about a building, it's about the people and we've had fantastic representation from the people here."

"We've had Scout groups here, guides here and we used it as a district headquarters. It's been a bit of a spiritual home for us, really," he said.

The group gathered on Wednesday to say goodbye to their "spiritual home" since 1981 - which is being sold by the church.

Many pieces of Loyola memorabilia were brought in by community members and Scouts, including an Apostolic blessing from the Roman Catholic Church after the group visited the Vatican in 1950.

Volunteer Nathan Prince said: "It's very important. These pictures here are signed by the Pope - it's amazing."

News imageSumaiya Motara/BBC A display of historical Scout and Guide memorabilia is arranged on tables inside a hall. At the centre is a large green sign reading “SS Michael and John Scout & Guide Headquarters” in cream lettering. Around the sign are framed certificates, photographs, documents, medals and books, creating an exhibition about the history of the local Scout and Guide movement.Sumaiya Motara/BBC
The scouts travelled to Rome by boat to mark the Pope's 50th anniversary in the priesthood.

Another piece of history on display was the Queen's Scout Award, signed by Queen Elizabeth II and given to Michael Fox from Clitheroe.

Fox, now in his 70s, was presented the award in London when he was a young Scout in the Clitheroe district.

He said he felt "proud" to see the certificate displayed at the Loyola headquarters and hopes today's Scouts and Cubs have "good adventures like I did".

One such young Scout is Alexander, who has been with Loyola for five years. Alexander said he is "sad" about the move but looking forward to settling into their new home.

News imageSumaiya Motara/BBC A man stands holding a framed award in front of a dark wooden plaque mounted on a wall. The plaque commemorates the opening of the S.S. Michael & John's Scout and Guide Headquarters in 1981. Scout flags are displayed on either side of the plaque, and part of a historical display table can be seen to the right.Sumaiya Motara/BBC
Michael Fox hopes young Scouts will have the adventures he did

Former assistant cub leader Betty Collinson said she was "really sad" to say goodbye to a place that held many happy memories.

But Clitheroe Scouts district team member Ian Macdonald said: "I think it's going to be a great move for the group.

"The United Reform Church will be a great place. They'll get well looked-after and well supported from the elders there."

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