A COUPLE who have devoted almost 30 years of their lives to the scouting movement have hung up their woggles.
Lawrence and Peggy Dubberley have decided to bring an end to their involvement with the voluntary group on a full time basis to spend more time with their family and grandchildren.
The Church Hill couple have spent almost two decades running 1st Redditch Scouts having started with just one cub in the mid-1990s which grew to 36 at its peak. In the end the group was so popular a waiting list had to be formed.
The pair first got involved in 1986 with 1st Church Hill Scouts when Lawrence took his eldest son to join and volunteered his time as a helper before becoming officially involved. He called on Peggy to join him, as at the time the group needed helpers for the Beaver section, and they stayed there for just under ten years until taking on 1st Redditch.
Over the years the pair have helped nurture hundreds, if not thousands, of young people teaching them everything from map reading to cooking and taking them on trips and experiences.
The duo have also been a prominent part of the town’s social calendar making sure scouts turnout on parade on St George’s Day and Remembrance Sunday where Lawrence has laid the poppy wreath for many years on behalf of the movement in Redditch.
Lawrence said they had seen many changes over the years including allowing girls to become scouts.
“We were one of the first groups in Redditch to have girls – it was a very positive change.” he said.
The couple were presented with life membership of 1st Redditch at a celebration party last Tuesday (February 10) at the group’s Harris Close base as well as other gifts in recognition of their years of dedicated service.
Peggy added they were sad to be leaving but hoped to continue to support the group by helping at some events.
“It will leave a big hole in our life but the time is right.” she said.
“We have enjoyed everything we have done over the years and we feel like we have done our little bit for the community, teaching young people life skills and so on.
“We have just had a thoroughly good time.”
