Malcolm MacLeod
1937-2006

Malcolm MacLeod, a Vice-President and former District Commissioner of West Wirral, passed away peacefully on May 29, 2006, at St John’s Hospice, Clatterbridge, Wirral.

Malcolm was born and brought up in Wallasey and his Scouting career started here too, initially with the 12th Wallasey where he also took out his first Warrant as an ‘Assistant Scoutmaster’ in October 1956.  Ten years later, his allegiance switched to 7th Wallasey and, after 5 months ‘helping out’ as an ASM, he found himself appointed ‘Scoutmaster’ in October 1966.  These early years in Wallasey were often fondly remembered when reminiscing and he retained a close friendship with Wallasey District throughout his life.  Indeed, he followed the ‘careers’ of “his” Scouts with interest and pride and, for instance, was quietly pleased and proud at the appointment of the current DC, one of ‘his’ Troop.

Following marriage to Joyce in 1964, they took up residence in West Kirby and Joyce was already well known within West Wirral circles through her enthusiastic promotion of ‘joint activities’ with Oxford Castle Rangers.   Initially, Malcolm continued to ‘Scout’ in Wallasey but he also became increasingly involved with West Wirral until, in 1969, he took out the first of his many Warrants with that District, initially as ‘District Venture Scout Leader’.  He became ADC (LT) in 1979 and then Deputy DC in 1981.  Ten years later he took over as DC and completed a distinguished ‘full term’ of 10 years in this post.  Thus for a continuous period of 20 years, Malcolm was at the heart of District affairs and it is particularly worthy of note that during his period as DC, he handled several difficult issues with great sensitivity and skill which any DC would hope never to encounter once, never mind twice (as in Malcolm’s case).  Since he finished his term of office in 2001, Malcolm continued to work hard ‘behind the scenes’ in the best interests of ‘his’ District, providing support and encouragement to successive DC’s.  He also worked hard, with his friends in Wallasey, to bring the jointly owned ‘Old School Lodge’ Activity Base at Deiniolen to fruition and served as a member of the District Executive and Chairman of the ‘Geoffrey Beavan Challenge’ Committee.  He was a District Vice-President and a popular and highly respected figure in the District to the very end.

Of course, all through this period, Joyce and Malcolm were working together as a formidable Team, Joyce fully supporting all Malcolm’s Scouting activities whilst Malcolm was equally fully supporting Joyce’s parallel career in Guiding especially her term as Wirral Guide’s County Commissioner.  He was particularly pleased when she was invited to become Wirral Guiding’s President earlier this year.

Malcolm was the recipient of several Scout Association Awards, all for ‘Distinguished Service’;  the ‘Medal of Merit’ in 1979, the ‘Silver Acorn’ in 1988, and the ‘Bar to the Silver Acorn’ in 1997.  He was also the proud recipient of a Guide ‘Thanks Badge’ in 1996.

In recent times, Malcolm had also joined ‘Rotary’ where he had applied himself with typical enthusiasm;  a Rotary/Scouting co-operative venture, which was his inspiration, is appropriately going ahead in the shape of a ‘Handicapped’ Activity Weekend when pupils from Foxfield Special School will be hosted by Explorer Scouts from West Wirral at the ‘Old School Lodge’, Deiniolen.  This is a typical example of how Malcolm brought together so many of his parallel interests to mutual benefit.  Despite all these huge demands on his time and energy, Malcolm also found time to pursue his hobbies of Model Boat construction, Caravanning, and Gardening.

Malcolm is survived by his wife, Joyce, and their son Nigel and wife Gail.  Nigel and Gail are, of course, also fully involved in Scouting/Guiding, Nigel as West Wirral’s District Secretary and Gail as a Brownie Guider.  We must not forget that he is also survived by his two beautiful cats who will also be greatly missing their ‘Master’.

The Funeral Service will be held at St John the Divine’s Church, Frankby, at 11.00 a.m. on Tuesday, 6 June, followed by Internment at Frankby Cemetery.   Family Flowers only but, if desired, donations may be made at the Service or to Quinns, Funeral Directors, 217 Greasby Road, Greasby, which will be divided equally between St John’s Hospice and West Wirral Scouts.

(RMT)