Group History |
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Mick Garside
1953 - 2016
Mick was called to Higher Service in March 2016.
Mick started with 150th as a Cub Scout. This was in 1961, in the days before Beavers. Mick remembered that he hadn’t intended joining, but was simply dragged along by his brother.
So began a long involvement with scouting and, in particular, 150th (Wadsley Church) Scout Group.
Mick’s early years in scouting were heavily influenced by his scout leader, Paddy Bryan, a former war wounded soldier who had been recovering in a local hospital, following the war. Even many years later, Mick spoke with admiration for the man who had been his Scout Leader.
By Mick’s late teens, Paddy’s health was again poor and Mick became the Scout Leader.
Because of the passing of time and changes to the volunteer team, little is known about Mick’s involvement during the 1960s, 70s and 80s. However, Mick spent many years as scout leader during this time and, after having stepped down as scout leader made ‘comebacks’, such as in the mid-1980s when he stepped up to temporarily fill the post.
During the early 1990s, Mick served as Treasurer. This was an age before spreadsheets and internet banking. Managing a charity’s finance was done long-hand. Annual accounts meant hours hunched over a calculator, bank statements and a typewriter.
Mick’s trade was TV repair. His skills were used to build contraptions for all sorts of the scout activities. This included Andron (a box filled with motion sensors and an enormous alarm – you knew if you didn’t carry it carefully!)
One of his possessions from his techie days remained for many, many years: His landline answerphone. This was notable for the recorded message which remained unchanged for over a decade.
A monster of a vehicle, Mick’s Cadillac was limousine in its appearance. For a few years, visits of his car became a feature of cub summer camps. It was a sight to see this exquisite motor sauntering over a field towards the campers’ tents.
Another feature of Mick’s visits to camps was Mars bars. Over many years, he developed an elaborate theory: that the earth is just one big Mars bar. He loved to explain this to kids. When told on camp, it would often end with Mars bars being handed out – free chocolate is always a good thing for morale on camps.
In the late 1990s, Mick’s trademark typewriter came to good use as he penned a very brief history of 150th. By generously sharing his memories, Mick provided a legacy which later formed the Group History pages on the 150th website.
During the early 2000s, Mick became more heavily involved with the group again. Mick spent years volunteering in the roles of Group Chair and Group Treasurer. Mick was decisive and determined.
Around this time, Mick was personally delighted when better finances saw the group pay off the mortgage on the HQ sooner than planned.
After decades of fundraising, and years of paying the mortgage for our permanent HQ, we were finally debt free and owned our own HQ.
Mick could remember how our old wooden 150th Scout HQ had been burned down in an arson attack. Mick contributed to the effort over many years to secure our current HQ. Having this experience may make you have a different insight into the value of our own building.
Mick took responsibility for HQ repairs. Many may remember his ability to create inventive solutions on a tiny budget.
The term ‘big black marker pen’ will henceforth be used warmly, as people remember how notices in HQ were written upon walls, doors and furniture. Whilst generally sensible advice, occasional missives amused, such as the tips given on using the push taps in the gents loo.
Mick was incredibly dedicated to this role, which included many thankless and unseen tasks. Mick also contributed to looking after camping equipment at the same time. He was able to drag extra years out of some kit which was already 40 years old.
Towards the end of the noughties, the Scout Troop was bulging (almost 40 in number). A second troop was needed. Step forward Mick Garside…. Always 100% committed.
Mick was passionate about running and developing the Thursday Troop.
Mick ran the troop for 3 years, during which time it had grown from 0 to 24. A particular strength was the devotion Mick would invest in planning activities for the young troop.
Over many years, Mick made varied and significant contributions the group and, in doing so, helped bring adventure to many young people.
Nature of Mick’s Passing
In the later part of his life, Mick had front lobe dementia.
Mick’s family report that this illness saw Mick in decline over a number of years. This included changes to his behaviour and personality.
Behaviour and personality changes are a key symptom of front lobe dementia, a degenerative illness.
Typically, those who pass away due to front lobe dementia have been developing the condition for 8 years.
In the last weekend of his life, Mick was very ill. He had experienced seizures and was unable to eat, drink or swallow.
On Saturday 12th March 2016, Mick lost his battle.
His funeral at Wadsley Church was well attended by many former scouts and leaders.
Michael Joseph Garside
1953 - 2016
Rest in Peace
Mick started with 150th as a Cub Scout. This was in 1961, in the days before Beavers. Mick remembered that he hadn’t intended joining, but was simply dragged along by his brother.
So began a long involvement with scouting and, in particular, 150th (Wadsley Church) Scout Group.
Mick’s early years in scouting were heavily influenced by his scout leader, Paddy Bryan, a former war wounded soldier who had been recovering in a local hospital, following the war. Even many years later, Mick spoke with admiration for the man who had been his Scout Leader.
By Mick’s late teens, Paddy’s health was again poor and Mick became the Scout Leader.
Because of the passing of time and changes to the volunteer team, little is known about Mick’s involvement during the 1960s, 70s and 80s. However, Mick spent many years as scout leader during this time and, after having stepped down as scout leader made ‘comebacks’, such as in the mid-1980s when he stepped up to temporarily fill the post.
During the early 1990s, Mick served as Treasurer. This was an age before spreadsheets and internet banking. Managing a charity’s finance was done long-hand. Annual accounts meant hours hunched over a calculator, bank statements and a typewriter.
Mick’s trade was TV repair. His skills were used to build contraptions for all sorts of the scout activities. This included Andron (a box filled with motion sensors and an enormous alarm – you knew if you didn’t carry it carefully!)
One of his possessions from his techie days remained for many, many years: His landline answerphone. This was notable for the recorded message which remained unchanged for over a decade.
A monster of a vehicle, Mick’s Cadillac was limousine in its appearance. For a few years, visits of his car became a feature of cub summer camps. It was a sight to see this exquisite motor sauntering over a field towards the campers’ tents.
Another feature of Mick’s visits to camps was Mars bars. Over many years, he developed an elaborate theory: that the earth is just one big Mars bar. He loved to explain this to kids. When told on camp, it would often end with Mars bars being handed out – free chocolate is always a good thing for morale on camps.
In the late 1990s, Mick’s trademark typewriter came to good use as he penned a very brief history of 150th. By generously sharing his memories, Mick provided a legacy which later formed the Group History pages on the 150th website.
During the early 2000s, Mick became more heavily involved with the group again. Mick spent years volunteering in the roles of Group Chair and Group Treasurer. Mick was decisive and determined.
Around this time, Mick was personally delighted when better finances saw the group pay off the mortgage on the HQ sooner than planned.
After decades of fundraising, and years of paying the mortgage for our permanent HQ, we were finally debt free and owned our own HQ.
Mick could remember how our old wooden 150th Scout HQ had been burned down in an arson attack. Mick contributed to the effort over many years to secure our current HQ. Having this experience may make you have a different insight into the value of our own building.
Mick took responsibility for HQ repairs. Many may remember his ability to create inventive solutions on a tiny budget.
The term ‘big black marker pen’ will henceforth be used warmly, as people remember how notices in HQ were written upon walls, doors and furniture. Whilst generally sensible advice, occasional missives amused, such as the tips given on using the push taps in the gents loo.
Mick was incredibly dedicated to this role, which included many thankless and unseen tasks. Mick also contributed to looking after camping equipment at the same time. He was able to drag extra years out of some kit which was already 40 years old.
Towards the end of the noughties, the Scout Troop was bulging (almost 40 in number). A second troop was needed. Step forward Mick Garside…. Always 100% committed.
Mick was passionate about running and developing the Thursday Troop.
Mick ran the troop for 3 years, during which time it had grown from 0 to 24. A particular strength was the devotion Mick would invest in planning activities for the young troop.
Over many years, Mick made varied and significant contributions the group and, in doing so, helped bring adventure to many young people.
Nature of Mick’s Passing
In the later part of his life, Mick had front lobe dementia.
Mick’s family report that this illness saw Mick in decline over a number of years. This included changes to his behaviour and personality.
Behaviour and personality changes are a key symptom of front lobe dementia, a degenerative illness.
Typically, those who pass away due to front lobe dementia have been developing the condition for 8 years.
In the last weekend of his life, Mick was very ill. He had experienced seizures and was unable to eat, drink or swallow.
On Saturday 12th March 2016, Mick lost his battle.
His funeral at Wadsley Church was well attended by many former scouts and leaders.
Michael Joseph Garside
1953 - 2016
Rest in Peace
