City Scout Link

Bob Taylor

Your Memories

Sadly Bob is no longer able to be with us in person but fond memories of the great example he set to all he came in contact with will remain with us for a considerable time to come.

These are a few of mine.

I first came into contact with Bob soon after we moved to Peterborough back in the late 1970s. On becoming involved with the Newborough Scout Group I was advised that we had acquired from a building contractor one of their disused site buildings as a Group HQ. The building was a considerable collection of wooden sections that needed sorting and assembling. I learned that Bob had been instrumental in the Group gaining the building for virtually nothing. The building once erected served as our base for a number of years and Bob (and Olive) happily came to join us for the opening celebrations.

Soon afterwards our paths crossed again when our Scouts wanted to sample canoeing. This I soon learned was another Bob Taylor area of expertise. Bob had been a founding member of the Peterborough Scouts and guides Canoe Club. Thanks to Bob I learned to enjoy fitting my long legs into a kayak and attempting to paddle where I wanted to go (rather than in circles or worse still capsizing!)

As time went by Bob devoted his energies and enthusiasm into organising for many years County wide week end “Splash” and “Moot” camps at Ferry Meadows. More happy times spent in providing fun and adventure for many Scouts (and Guides as well).

Bob was soon busy setting up the whole range of activities for County’s first Cam Jam at the East of England Showground. He set the standard for this event with a great mix of events and skill bases for others to try and emulate at succeeding camps.

He also found time to become business manager for the Peterborough Gang Show and saw to it that a coherent back room structure was put in place. This enabled the Show’s directors to concentrate putting on a show without having to deal with negotiations with the Key Theatre. His expertise

came to the fore when an emergency occurred and it was vital that correct decisions were taken and eye witness reports recorded.

When Bob considered that it was time to move on he retained his connections with the Show by looking after the Groups and individuals who wanted to make advances bookings for seats. I knew as Treasurer that our patrons had a good man looking after their needs.

Another area Bob worked at was in organising the annual city wide St Georges Day services at our cathedral. This project involved keeping the interests of the Scouts clearly in mind whilst respecting the views of the Dean and Chapter and Civic leaders and officials so as to provide an enjoyable event for both younger and older members.

Bob’s continued commitment and high level of sustained service to members of the Movement has been rightly recognised nationally by Gilwell. At one memorable April service Bob was presented with a well deserved bar to his previously awarded Silver Acorn. (These awards are only given after a considerable period of especially distinguished service.)

Away from Scouts Bob’s professional life and training as an engineer led him to visit clients on behalf of an Insurance company to assess risks and to see that such diverse items as cranes earth movers etc were safe and good for their declared purpose. He had a great fund of stories about journeys across East Anglia to visit his clients. (No sat nav. in those days either!)

Bob has always enjoyed being out in the fresh air. Be it bird watching or painting in water colours or other media. He even has been known to accompany me watch some games of professional golf at Turnberry and Woburn, but I suspect the flora and fauna was just as interesting to Bob.

Bob in conclusion was a great friend and unafraid to tell you his views. So thanks Bob for your example and help over the last 30 or so years.

Malcolm

Robert Kenneth Taylor
Born 6th September 1927
Died 25th June 2010

Leaves for Camp without his wife Olive or his son John and daughter in law Andrea or daughter Susan and son in law Bobby. Plus grandchildren Andrew, Robert and Jack

My memories of Bob go back to my days at Ravensthorpe Group when Mark was eight years old.

As Treasurer at Ravensthorpe and Bretton, then eventually into uniform at Bretton, Bob always seem be there when I need help and Advice. Nothing was too much trouble and both Bob and Olive have always taken the time out of their busy lives to chat whenever we met up.

RIP Bob

Marion Royle.