Scouts dig up memories 25 years on
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The original leaders of the 9th Westmeath Milltownpass Scout Group at the event on Sunday – Margaret Dardis, Bernie Cleary, Brendan Dardis, Peter Corroon, Loretto Flanagan, Margaret Treacy, Colette Boardman (standing in for Nigel, RIP along with Collie Kavanagh and Sean Farrell, Scouting Ireland – and (front) Michael O’Sullivan.Image 2 of 5
Former Scout Cubs who put items in the time capsule in 2000 and who attended on Sunday; Loreto Flanagan’s sons Conor and Ronan (on right) were 12 and eight years old when they buried the capsule.Image 3 of 5
Fr William Coleman, PP, Ita Fletcher, Loreto Flanagan and her sister Mary Loran.Image 4 of 5
The time capsule was in good condition.Image 5 of 5
Loreto Flanagan received the Group Leader Emeritus Award from Collie Kavanagh and Sean Farrell on behalf of Scouting Ireland.Letters young members of the 9th Westmeath Milltownpass Scout Group wrote to their future selves were among the items recovered when they dug up a time capsule on Sunday week last.
The founders and leaders of the Scout group and many of the members from 25 years ago gathered at the church grounds in the village to uncover the time capsule buried on January 1, 2000. Present for the event were founding members Loreto Flanagan and Peter Corroon; and Nigel Boardman (RIP) was represented by his widow, Colette Boardman.
Given the cold on Sunday, the group didn’t delay over the digging in the church yard, and they took the time capsule to the community centre to inspect its contents.
All the items were in good condition, which says a lot for the quality of the milk churn they were buried in for the 25 years and the way they were wrapped up.
As well as the letters, the Scout Cubs wrote to their future selves (one seven-year-old girl wrote that she wanted to be an accountant, like her father; and now she is), there were grocery shopping receipts, cash, toys, photos, and items related to the interests the children had at the time, including the Spice Girls and the Simpsons.
Loreto Flanagan said it was an emotional, nostalgic event as the Scout leaders who formed the original group remembered those who are no longer with us, including Mr Boardman, and some of the parents, including Loreto’s husband.
The Cub Scouts are now in their 30s and many hadn’t seen one another in years, so the gathering was also an emotional event for them.
During the afternoon, Loreto Flanagan was honoured with the Group Leader Emeritus Award, only the second presented in the country. Collie Kavanagh and Sean Farrell made the presentation to her on behalf of Scouting Ireland.
Sean and Collie were also present at the official launch of 9th Westmeath Scout group in 1996 and attended their first investiture ceremony.