South Yorkshire Times, April 29th, 1944

Camping Site for Scouts

Major M.E. Clark’s Gift of Squirrel Wood

Major Clark (left) handing over the deeds to Mr. Nevill

Deeds of a gift of a 60-acre wood were formally handed over to the Doncaster Association of Boy Scouts at a ceremony on Saturday attended by Scouts from the Doncaster, Mexborough and Maltby Associations.

The wood, Squirrel Wood, Burghwallis, is the gift to the Scouts of Major M. E. Clark of Doncaster, District Commissioner, and is to be used by Scouts of the area as a camp site.

The deeds were handed over by Major Clark to Mr. P. R. Nevill O.B.E. A.C.A., a representative of the Boy Scouts’ Trust Corporation.

Major Cark reviewed the progress of his association with the Doncaster Scouts during the last 20 years.  “I don’t think,” he said “that there is an association anywhere where you will find a spirit of brotherhood like we have in the Doncaster Association.”  Scouting is aimed at preparing a boy for anything he might meet in life.  It taught him to make himself safe and comfortable in almost any circumstances.  For this preparation Squirrel Wood was a grand training ground.

Mr. Nevill, thanking Major Clarke for his gift, reminded the Scouts of the old maxim, to develop the “out” in Scouting.  That is what they would be able to do now that they had Squirrel Wood.

Mr. Nevill asked Mr. R. Frank, Chairman of Doncaster Local Association Executive Committee, to accept the administration of the site. He hoped it would be administered in the spirit in which it was given.

The Count Commissioner, Mr. H. E. G. West, thanked the speakers and said the wood would become a Mecca for scouting.  Also present at the ceremony where Mr. H. E. Elliott, (County Secretary), and Mr, W. P. Turner (Chairman) of the Mexborough Scout Association.