I HAVE recently uncovered a large quantity of unusual Scouting ephemera from the 1920s and 1930s. This includes a large, framed, personally-autographed photograph of Lord Baden-Powell, the Chief Scout, with a presentation plaque on the bottom dated June 1, 1932.

This is obviously of Blackburn significance, for on the back is written: "Presented by Mr and Mrs Thompson, Braeton, West Park Road, Blackburn.

Can anyone throw any light on Mr and Mrs Thompson and what was their involvement in the Boy Scout movement in Blackburn so long ago?

I also have about 155 interesting items from this period of the Boy Scout Association of Ryde, Isle of Wight

However, as my hobby is collecting autographed photographs and books on music hall and film stars, perhaps some Scouter would care to make a swap.

CLINT WILLIAMS, Carr Meadow, Clayton-le-Woods, Preston.

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.