Norman Hall
Norman was born on 16th July 1940, living a couple of streets away from Carole who would become his wife. When he was in Cubs (Wolf Cubs) he went round during “bob-a-job” week and, as Carole was one of only a few girls in the area, became part of the same “gang”. Her dad called him "a good boy – he was a Boy Scout” He started in 1948 and was at 5th Morecambe and Heysham Scout Group in Lonsdale District, Lancashire County. His Akela was Mary Gray. The neckerchief was made from old blackout curtains!
He moved from Cubs to Scouts, then Senior Scouts and went on to be a founder member of the “Shrimps” Rover Unit in Morecambe in 1958. He attended the World Jamboree in 1957 That was the year he took out his first Warrant (now Appointment), dated 18-11-58, as Assistant Scout Master. On 29-9-60 he became Scout Master, proudly wearing with great pride his green plume in his beret. On 28-3-69 he became Group Scout Leader, even more proudly wearing his green and white plume! Carole was Group Secretary.
As the meeting place was getting dilapidated, they amalgamated with the 6th Group, building brand new premises and formed a new “Centurion” Group in 1974. Norman was a major player in this project and would no doubt help with what came in the future more locally to us.
Norman’s work promoted him and he was sent up to Aberdeen and they bought a house in Westhill. While still working on it, a Leader (Trevor Jenkins) met him and mentioned that there was a new Scout Group started, meeting in the Primary School. “Fancy that”, said Norman and there it was, a new Scout Group for him. He became Scout Leader.
After a lot of work with Norman leading the way, a new Scout Hall (the current one) was built and opened its doors in 1983. After being District Commissioner, in 1995 he became Area Commissioner until 2005 when he returned to his favourite role, Assistant Group Scout Leader. He looked after all the property related stuff, which he loved. If anything broke, Norman was the man to sort it, going on to add a kitchen to the building. So, he managed to get two Scout Huts built – not bad is it?
He continued his Scouting because he loved it. The young folk, helping people when they needed it, the camaraderie of the Scout Movement, seeing so many youngsters take their place in society in the best possible light. Asked to provide so many references in his time to help them in their future life. There aren’t too many folk that spend time doing things for others for so long a period. Over 63 years!
A man who, in old terms, was called a “Real Scout”.
Carole told me a good while back that if he was missing, she just had to shout “Skip” and he would be there. To Carole he was “Norman Hall – he’s a Boy Scout”.
Norman Hall’s Resume
16/7/1940 Born
1948-1950 Wolf Cub (8th Morecambe Sea Scout Group)
1950- 1957 Scout (5th Morecambe Scout Group)
1957 Attended 9th World Jamboree (Sutton Coldfield, England)
1958-1960 Assistant Scout Master (5th Morecambe Scout Group)
1960-1963 Scout Master (5th Morecambe Scout Group)
1963-1965 Break
1965-1969 Scout Master (5th Morecambe Scout Group)
1969-1976 Group Scout Leader (Centurion Scout Group, Morecambe)
1971-1974 Assistant District Commissioner - Scouts (Lonsdale)
1976-1990 Scout Leader (1st Westhill Scout Group)
1982-1996 Area Mountain Advisor (Gordon)
2002-2005 Area Duke of Edinburgh Advisor (Gordon)
2002-2005 Area Safeguarding Awareness Advisor (Gordon)
1990-1996 Group Scout Leader (1st Westhill Scout Group)
1996-2005 Area Commissioner (Gordon Area)
1990-1999 Assistant Area Commissioner – Leader Trainer (Gordon)
1990-1996 Assistant Area Commissioner – Development (Gordon)
1999-2002 District Commissioner (Eastern)
2002-2005 District Commissioner (Central)
2002-2005 Assistant Area Commissioner – Cubs (Gordon)
2004-2005 District Commissioner (Western)
2005-2021 Assistant Group Scout Leader (1st Westhill Scout Group)
2010-2015 District Training Advisor (Gordon)
2011-2015 District Appointment Committee Member
2021-2025 Vice President (Gordon District)
2021 Carole Hall died
31/5/2025 Died (aged 84)
Other Volunteering
2007-2011 First Responder and Chair of Westhill First Responders
2007-2011 First Aid Trainer
2006-2012 Advanced Driving Instructor and Chair of Aberdeenshire Branch
1978-1982 Westhill Academy PTA Chair
RAF Mountain Rescue member
Gordon Gathering - Coming soon!
12th - 14th September
16-4-25