Scouts with 'X' factor appeal for former members to celebrate 60th anniversary

The group wants to hear from any members from the last 60 years.

And it is currently seeking former members to help mark its 60th anniversary by asking leaders, other former members and families to get in touch to share their memories, photographs and stories of life in the

The most famous former member of the 53rd Angus (1st Newbigging) Scouts, however, is ‘X- Men’ star Alan Cumming, who was a Cub at the Monikie-based group in the 1970s.

Alan grew up in the area and attended Monikie Primary School and Carnoustie High School before going into showbusiness in the 1980s.

Since then he has enjoyed a varied and highly successful career on the big screen, television and on the Broadway and West End stage.

But the group has said that you need not be a Hollywood star to join in the celebrations, as the current leaders and members want to hear from anyone with connections to Newbigging Scouts to help make their 60th anniversary as memorable as possible.

Lynne Cattanach-Rodger, Group Scout Leader, who has been a leader at the group for 23 years, said: “It was David Malcolm and John Barratt who first set up the Scout group in Monikie back in 1962, initially based at Newbigging School then moving to Monikie and it is still going strong after all of these years.

“Despite all the challenges of Covid-19 over the past two years and having to meet online for months at a time, our young people have shown great resilience and continued to enjoy their Scout activities.

“In fact, we have grown in numbers during the pandemic so want to celebrate with our current young people and families by sharing the experiences of Scouts who have gone before them over the past 60 years.”

The group hopes to host a special 60th anniversary celebration later this year and is also planning to hold a special camp and other activities for Scout group members.

Anyone with a connection to the Newbigging Scouts as a former member, leader or parent is invited to join the dedicated Facebook group to keep up to date with the 60th anniversary plans at https://www.facebook.com/groups/newbiggingscouts60th.