On track to remember scout leader Alfred Raybould

Apr 4 2008 By Steve Johnson

THE train will be taking the strain at a special fund-raising event in memory of a Midland man who devoted his life to the scouting movement.

Alfred Raybould, who lived in Ladysmith Road, Cradley Heath, and died in 1960, aged 58, was one of the first recipients of the coveted Gilwell Park Wood Badge for leadership skills in 1931.

The two wooden beads, leather woggle and neckerchief which made up his much prized award have been loaned to Kinver Scout Camp by members of his family and are on display at the scout training camp, at The Compa, Kinver.

Now the memory of Mr Raybould, who was an assistant scoutmaster with the 1st Cradley Scouts, is to be commemorated with a day devoted to the train.

Rides on 3.5ins and 5ins gauge scale models of steam and diesel locomotives, built by members of the Kinver and West Midlands Society of Model Engineers, will be available at the event on April 19.

Each ride costs £1 and all proceeds will go to Kinver Scout Camp, which is raising funds for toilet facilities for children with disabilities and special needs.

The event takes place at the Marsh playing fields, off High Street, Kinver, the home of the society.

Members of the club are volunteering to run their engines, while a model engineer from Kent is so enthusiastic he is bringing his own model locomotive and offer rides.

The event, from 10am to 4.30pm, is being organised by Mr Raybould's son John, 67, from Quarry Bank, to mark his father's services to the Scout Association.