My Dad George Mills was instrumental in getting the scheme going in 1961, 62(?). Al Hart and Ray Teigh, already mentioned are names I remember from then, and Keith Robertson was also involved. Early courses were run from Stubb House, Ireshopeburn, near Winston, and I came up a couple of times to visit. As a 12 year old speccy grammar school swot (Grangefield) I was very impressed by the tough lads on the courses, with their exotic (to me!) hair styles – quiffs and DA’s, and all the stuff they were doing which was very much based on Dad’s long connection with Synphonia Scouts. The photo is a presentation piece made by Apprentices, given to Dad when we moved away from Billingham, down to ICI Severnside, in 1965. Dad died at the end of last year, would have been 100 next week!
Photograph and details courtesy of Rob Mills.
I knew a George Mills who lived on the corner of Wharfdale Avenue, and Central Avenue, Billingham. His parents were Scottish and the lady was a good friend of my mothers.
It was and still is the Billingham Synthonia Scout Group and hopefully for many more years to come .