Tributes have been paid to a former Gainsborough scout leader

Maurice Brunton MBE died on April 14, aged 95. He moved to Gainsborough in 1976 and after already been involved with scouting in Middlesborough he became chairman of Gainsborough District Scout Association followed by district commissioner.

When he took on the role of district commissioner (DC) in 1982, Maurice appointed a new team of experienced young leaders and recruited a strong group of active parents to manage the district, while he and his assistant DCs concentrated on providing a new programme of different challenging activities for the youngsters

Jonathan Swatton, group scout leader of 6th Gainsborough Sea Scouts, said: “When Maurice retired as DC he handed over an effective and energetic organisation to his successor and as the new treasurer he was able to use his experience to provide guidance and support to the District.

“He continued in this role until 2015 when he was asked to become President of Gainsborough District Scout Council, a post that he held until his death.

“Maurice was awarded the highest award achievable in Scouting the Silver Wolf on the April 23, 2001 and the 70 year long service award in 2015. In 2017 he was awarded the MBE for services to Scouting.”

Maurice was not only passionate about the Scout Movement, from an early age he was a keen follower of cricket and a member of The Yorkshire County Cricket Club, supporting the club by attending matches in York, Middlesbrough, Leeds and Scarborough. Up to his mid 80’s he was a regular visitor to the Scarborough Cricket Festival.

He was a keen railway enthusiast, as well as having his own model railway in his roof space that he designed and built and took great pleasure in showing it to Beavers, Cubs and Scouts.

He was also a member of the Gainsborough Model Railway Society and the Scunthorpe and District Model Railway Club and regularly attended meetings at both associations.

Maurice was also a member of the Gainsborough Probus Club and Gainsborough Methodist Church.