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In Remembrance of Service to 1st Claygate
 
Linda Doreen Antell - 26th August 1943 - 20th May 2010 Origin date: 01/06/2010
Linda first joined 1st Claygate in 1974 but due to moving overseas with the family did not settle back again until after a period in Bolivia. Her scouting though had commenced much earlier when she was 17 and based in St. Albans Hertfordshire. Even while abroad the scouting connection continued with leader appointments and in fact she had continuous Scouting service from her original appointment through to her retirement, through illness, in 1997.
While in Claygate Linda had appointments of: Cub Scout Leader, District Cub Scout Leader and Akela and in 1995 was awarded the Scout Association Medal of Merit in recognition of outstanding service to the Movement.
For most of Linda’s active years with 1st Claygate there were three Cub Packs. During that time they were the Lions, the Panthers and the Jaguars and in 1983 Linda was appointed Akela of Jaguar Pack. She brought with her the skills and attitudes from her upbringing within her Scouting family and, additionally, over 20 years of experience with other Cub Packs, particularly in basic Cub camping skills, still quite new to Claygate at that time. New to her, however, were the challenges created for her and her Pack by the Group Shows but she was not phased by the experience and there are many who recall Jaguar’s contribution to the show in “Pedro the Fisherman” and then a home-grown production where the “Mum” dressers had a field-day turning their sons into bugs for a sketch about computer viruses. Linda’s own performance as Katherine of Aragon in Henry VIII demonstrated the example required of a leader who knew Scouting as a game – a serious game but a game all the same!
Linda’s legacy to Scouting is not just her children and grandchildren – however impressive they indeed are – but also hundreds of her former Cubs who will have grown up with memories of their Akela – a lady of high distinction and a life-long belief in the Scout Promise and Law. Her health robbed Scouting of her active involvement but she continued as secretary of the District Cub Scout Leader’s meeting for a number of years and, even when bed-ridden she continued to give support to Scouting through her family in whatever way she could. Thanks, Linda – we owe you so much.
(extracted from the eulogy delivered at the Thanksgiving and Celebration of her life at Holy Trinity Church Claygate on the 1st June 2010)
Ken Mallery - to 28th December 2008 Origin date: 01/02/2009
Ken Mallery who gave valuable service as an active supporter and Supporters' Chairman of 1st Claygate sadly died on the 28th December 2008. He had been suffering from Alzheimer's disease for over two years and at the time of his death was in hospital following a fall and had contracted pneumonia. His funeral was to take place on 23rd January 2009 at Beckenham Kent.
After his time helping on the supporters’ activities of the Group Ken rejoined the uniformed side in 1972 when he was appointed Deputy Group Scout Leader of 1st Claygate. His particular role was the setting up of Group-wide activities and the annual Group Activity Weekend and is probably the legacy of which he would be most proud. He was also co-producer of the 1975, 1977 and 1979 Group Shows when his experience as a Rover Scout in Wimbledon was invaluable. Ken subsequently accepted the responsibility of District Venture Scout Leader where he worked closely with the Assistant District Commissioner, John Wright.
JWS