A stalwart of Scouting in Angus has been honoured for his outstanding commitment to the movement and one of its key facilities in the county.
Senior Scouting figures from across Angus and beyond gathered at the Jock Neish centre, near Tannadice, where Ivan Laird’s management committee involvement has stretched over almost half a century.
Over that time, Mr Laird, 76, has helped lead the development of the complex to its current status as a year-round facility for Scouting, as well as youth and adult organisations from across the country and abroad.
Mr Laird’s involvement began when his sons Andrew, Neil and Ewan were members of the 22nd Tannadice Scout group but after they left, the movement he remained as part of the support group set up in the wake of the death of Major Jock Neish to run the Angus base.
He served as support group chairman for a number of years and was then chairman of the Angus area Scout Council prior to Angus becoming part of the movement’s east region, when Mr Laird became involved with the new body set up to manage the centre.
“When I joined, there were only two ex-army Scout huts and we now have this excellent centre with dormitory and conference accommodation,” he said.
Mr Laird’s long-standing service was also recognised with Scouting’s Medal of Merit some years ago and in 2007, he received the Silver Acorn from the Chief Scout at a Blair Castle ceremony.
He has now decided to retire from the management committee and is being succeeded in the chairperson’s role by Jacqui Laird, assisted by Anne Shand as vice-chairperson.
South Angus District Commissioner Stewart Duff, who made a presentation on behalf of the Jock Neish Scouting Centre management committee, said: “Ivan has been one of the stalwarts for Angus, in particular the Jock Neish centre.
“If we could get a few more people like Ivan as volunteers, the movement would be all the better for it.”