Bradford Industrial Museum exhibition marks district's scout history

The exhibition will feature stories and pictures of scouts over the years in Bradford

Bradford's scouts are being celebrated with a new exhibition exploring the history of the world's largest youth movement.

The district's scouts have helped to pull together stories and pictures for the Bradford Industrial Museum display.

Members have joined many notable events over the years, including supporting the lying in state process for Queen Elizabeth II in 2022.

It's hoped it will inspire youngsters to join the Scout Association.

Scouts UK is the largest scout organisation in Europe and has more than 360,000 members.

In Bradford, about 8,000 young people are connected to more than 50 groups.

They are split into five scouting districts of Aire Valley, Bradford South, Bradford North, Keighley and Wharfedale.

Sally Clarke's memories of girlguiding and scouts will feature in the display

The young people involved are supported by more than 3,000 adult volunteers.

Scouts in the district helped while thousands of people queued to pay their respects to Queen Elizabeth II in London's Westminster Hall.

Bradford scouts have also done community work at a Romanian orphanage as well as raising money for various charities.

The exhibition will feature information about famous scout ambassadors as well as individual stories, including that of former girl guide leader Sally Clarke.

"Being part of the brownies and guides were the best years of my life," she said.

Mrs Clarke, whose husband was also a scout leader, shared memories of her wedding day in 1971 - where scouts, cubs, brownies and guides formed a guard of honour as the couple left St Clements Church.

"I will never forget the things that we did, it was a wonderful time," she said.

"I loved the trips we used to go on, including visits to Switzerland and Norway. I had never been abroad so it was exciting."

The exhibition, which starts on Saturday and runs until September, also features a family "campfire corner" with den building and other activities.

Councillor Sarah Ferriby, from Bradford Council, said the exhibition would bring back fond memories for past members and hopefully "encourage more young people to become involved in the movement".