SAD PASSING

Warm tributes have been paid to a stalwart worker for the Scout Movement in the Brigg area. Ken Parratt died suddenly at his home on Scawby Road. He was 75 and leaves a widow, Mavis.
Ken and Mavis were married at St Hybald's Church, Scawby, on Easter Saturday, 1958. They soon began a lifelong association with the Scout movement nationally, as well as locally, through their association with 1st Brigg.
The couple had one son Alan, who died at the tragically young, aged 15.
While doing National Service, Ken went to Suez Canal area and Cyprus.
He had joined the Royal Warwickshire Regiment in 1954 and one particularly proud moment was when he was chosen from the regiment to act as a wreath bearer in a ceremony at the memorial to victims of the Battle of El Alamein.
Back in the Brigg area, he become well-known as a lorry driver for Spring's, whose preserves factory, which closed in the 1970s, was beside the Old River Ancholme.
He later became a long distance driver and then a bus driver for Lincolnshire Road Car, where he was well-known for a ready smile and jokes shared with his passengers.
His interests saw him go to steam railway weekends and traction engine rallies.
But his involvement with the Scout movement will be where he is best remembered. Holding a warrant as a leader for many years, he was a regular helper at group and district camps and also at the Poacher County Camps. He helped with camp security and also drove coaches for Cub and Scout trips.
He led the St George’s Day Parade through Brigg and Barton. Less known is the fact he and Mavis were recruited to help with camps and jamborees in other areas of the country.
He travelled to Devon one year in the 1980s giving up his fortnight's holiday to act as a volunteer.
Harry Mortimor, local District Commissioner, said: “East Glanford will miss Ken very much. I personally knew Ken and he was a larger-than-life character who called a spade a spade, with a wonderful sense of humour. If you really listened to him he did talk a lot of sense and his commitment to Scouting will never be questioned. His loss will be felt personally and by East Glanford District, and we all join with Mavis at this difficult time to offer her our love and support."
Long-serving colleague at 1st Brigg Scouts, Denis Naylor, said: “Ken was a wonderful fellow who gave great support to the group. He was one of life’s characters and thousands of Cubs and Scouts have benefited through knowing Ken.”
The funeral service was conducted at St. Hybald's Church, Scawby, by the Rev Jeff Wilson, with cremation following at Woodlands Crematorium.

Brigg Blog's thanks go to Peter Thompson for supplying that fine tribute to Ken's life and work, and the super picture. On a personal level I first got to know Ken in the 1970s, mainly through his interest in football, notably the fortunes of Grimsby Town FC. Later, as Peter rightly says, those of us who used local bus services would enjoy a laugh with Ken when using the 136 or 114 service to and from Cary Lane. Only a few weeks ago he was in touch with helpful information about 1970 photos of Spring's factory the Scunthorpe Telegraph featured, which he found very interesting.