Dedicated scout Ossie earns highest honour

OSBORNE Millar with the Silver Wolf award

EXCEPTIONAL dedication to Scouting over 60 years has earned on Oldham volunteer the highest honour for service to scouting.

Osborne Millar, known as Ossie, has been presented with the Silver Wolf award and was invited to a special presentation and parade at Windsor Castle on St George's Day.

The award is an unrestricted gift of the Chief Scout, currently Bear Grylls, and is only awarded for service of a most exceptional nature.

Ossie (83) said: "It is a great honour to have been given this award.

"The Silver Wolf is the highest award you can receive in service to scouting and it is very rare to achieve.

"It is nice to have been recognised for my time with the scouts but I enjoy what I do - I would have stopped if I didn't.

Ossie, who is married to Betty and has two children, first joined the cubs at the age of eight and became a Scout leader in 1951 while living in Nottinghamshire.

After moving to Oldham to take up the headteacher role at Fir Bank Primary School in Royton in 1972, he continued his commitment to scouting and was eventually appointed as District Secretary of Crompton and Royton Scouts - a position he held for 30 years.

While in the role he helped to organise a variety of activities including swimming galas, five-a-side football competitions and ensured there was always a good turn out for the St George's Day and Remembrance Sunday Parades.

The grandfather of four also became involved with The Greater Manchester North County Scout Council and took up the post of treasurer in 2000, giving him responsibility for 5,500 members in the area.

Ossie said: "I get a lot out of being involved in the Scouts and I find that the more you put into things, the more you get out of it.

"Since I retired from my job as headteacher in 1993 I've been able to dedicated more time to scouting.

"I could not have obtained an award without the support of local Scouters and groups, particularly in Crompton and Royton, and my wife and family who have often have to share their lives with Scouting."

To celebrate his award Ossie, along with other recipients of good service and contribution to Scouting awards, attended the St George's Day Parade of Queen's Scouts and celebration event at Windsor Castle.

The event, attended by Bear Grylls, sees young people who have achieved the Queen's Scout Award, march into the Quadrangle at Windsor Castle where the parade is reviewed by Her Majesty the Queen or her representative.

The parade then marched through the castle to St George's Chapel before leaving the castle.