The 1st Romsey Scout Group have held an evening event to celebrate the contribution of lifelong Scout Ivor Demain.

Ivor has had an affiliation with scouting throughout his life, previously serving as a lead volunteer in Cyprus. He was an active member of the group at 1st Romsey, as well as supporting with the developments of the Dr Peter Centre which is used by the whole local community. A member of the executive committee, Ivor stepped down in the middle of January.

The Romsey Scout Group held a special celebratory Gun Run evening in Ivor’s honour on Monday, February 6, with Ivor appearing as a special guest.

Hampshire Chronicle: L-R: David Sutton, Phil Coles, Ivor Demain and Fiona Durrant (image: 1st Romsey Scout Group)L-R: David Sutton, Phil Coles, Ivor Demain and Fiona Durrant (image: 1st Romsey Scout Group) (Image: 1st Romsey Scout Group)READ MORE: Romsey Carnival makes donations to local groups

Scout group leader Phil Coles said: “We’ve had those guns for 25 years, they use them for different evenings and different events, and they’ve fallen into a bit of disrepair. Romsey Men’s Shed refurbed and repainted them for us over the winter. Ivor stepped down from our committee and gave us a donation as a leaving present, so we thought we’d put it to some use and use that money to pay for the guns.”

Ivor said that he was "touched" by the whole evening, where he was also presented with a special "Thanks badge" by group chairperson Fiona Durrant and group scout leader Philip Coles.

Other special guests included members of Romsey Men’s Shed and Scouts District Vice President David Sutton.

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Phil said that the event went well, saying: “Ivor was very pleased, it was a complete surprise to him. The Men’s Shed were happy to be invited along. The Cubs enjoyed themselves as well, so that’s why we do it.”

The 1st Romsey Scout Group is a co-educational opportunity for young people aged 4-18 to take part in adventures and learn skills for life. Based at the Dr Peter Centre on Baden Powell Way, the 1st Romsey Scout Group continues to grow year on year. The group is currently planning to open its newest section - Squirrels - for 4–6-year-olds to join in the fun.

Those who have an hour to spare and would like to get involved in volunteering - either as an executive committee member or within the leadership team – are asked to get in touch with the Group Scout Leader Phil on gsl@1stromsey.co.uk.