INDEX
It is with the very deepest regret that I have
to inform you of the sudden passing of one of our stalwarts of scouting
in the Barnsley area, Joseph Massey. He was born in August 1934 Joe (as he preferred to be called) had just left
the doctors on 30th January and was walking home with Margaret
when he suffered what is believed to be a massive heart attack
from which he was unable to recover. Both Joe and Margaret came into scouting as parents
and helpers to support their sons when they joined the
Monk Bretton Group, way back in the 70's. Joe took his first warrant as an Assistant Cub Scout
leader in June 1978 and accepted the Group Scout Leader warrant
in May 1980 until April 1997. During this time and many years
afterwards Joe was the Parade Marshall for Central District with
his deep 'leather-lungs' parade voice In more recent years following his retirement
from warranted service, Joe has been a stalwart of 'Dads Army' at
Silverwood, regularly turning out on Thursdays to undertake
maintenance on the camp site. Joe was a big man who gave much to many hundreds
of young people in Barnsley. He will be very sadly missed. The arrangements in respect of Joe's funeral are:
Adrian Eggleston
Our Friend and Brother, Eric Billingham, passed
away early Saturday, 22 January 2011, following his prolonged
battle with his gallstones. The service took place at St Thomas’s Church,
Worsbrough at 10.00 am on Friday 28th January led by Revd Sue Rose
with Adrian Eggleston giving a eulogy. This was followed by
committal at the Crematorium, Ardsley at 11.00. Family and friends then adjourned to the Ardsley
House Hotel for refreshments and plenty of reminiscences. Adrian E
Cynthia Walker, the widow of former District and County
Commissioner Howard Walker, died early January. Born in Cawthorne, she attended Barnsley High School
before training as a nanny at Bramham, and returned to the area as
nanny to the Walker family at Bloomfield House, Silkstone Common.
Howard’s wife died and eventually he and Cynthia married and cared
for a young family. It was while living at Silkstone that she became
interested in Scouting, becoming a leader and later Assistant District
Commissioner in the Barnsley area. Howard, a great benefactor of Scouting in Barnsley
and South Yorkshire, was well supported by Cynthia who, during his
time as County Commissioner, entertained more Chief Scouts and their
staff than any other person in the country. Both Howard and Cynthia were great admirers and
supporters of the Monk Bretton Air Scout Group, joining them on
camps, with Howard officially opening the new headquarters in
Rotherham Road. If in need of help for a charity, I would call on
Cynthia, and the result of my last request was for beds for the
Churches Trust Holden House for the homeless. Her £9,000-plus
bought the beds. Her love to work with all denominations was shown
at her memorial service at Silkstone Common Methodist Chapel,
where both Methodist and Church of England ministers were involved. Cynthia was a lovely lady who was always smiling
and was ready to help anyone. Don Booker
Joe Massey
Date - Thursday 9th February 2012
The cortege will leave Joe's home at Monk Bretton at 12 noon for
Ardsley Crematorium at 12.30 p.m.
Afterwards at Barnsley Football Club for drinks and refreshments
County Vice-President,
South Yorkshire Scouts
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Eric Billingham
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Cynthia Walker
Former Monk Bretton GSL
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