Read, Wilf – Father of Grantham scouting

Wilfred E Reed 1900 – 1986

Regarded locally as the “father of Scouting,” Mr Wilfred E. Read was associated with the Scout movement from its pioneering days, and initially joined the first Grantham troop in 1919.

He held a number of offices within the movement. He was chairman of the District Scout Council, a member of the Lincolnshire Scout Council, and founder member of the local branch of the B.P. Guild, now known as the Scout Fellowship.

He was district commissioner from 1951 until 1968, and for his outstanding services was awarded the movement’s Medal of Merit in 1967, and the higher award of the Silver Acorn.

During his long life on Scouting trail” bsd met all the chief scouts including a meeting with founder Baden Powell  at rally in Belton Park in 1926.

In 1965 he started the Scout and Guide shop in Cambridge Street which became a flourishing  concern.

For many years he edited the County Bulletin Links with Lincs and until his death was  president of the Grantham and District Association. _

Mr Read. Who lived at Church Trees, Grantham, was well known too for his business, Read’s Laundry, and for his associations with the Probus the Rotary Club of Grantham, the Elsham Singers, St. Peters Hill Players, and the United Reformed of which he was treasurer.