Two decades of Waterford's scouting past preserved with huge donation of historic log books

Historic log books charting more than 20 years of scouting in Waterford have been officially donated to Waterford City and County Archives.

The presentation took place during National Heritage Week at Waterford Central Library, where the Mayor of Waterford City and County, Cllr Séamus Ryan, welcomed the handover from Waterford Scouts County.

The log books which date back to 1999, provide a vivid record of scouting life in Waterford, from Beavers to Venture Scouts, showcasing their adventures, activities, and achievements. They also highlight the dedication of volunteers who gave their time.

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Central to the collection is the work of Brian Fanning, who has been compiling and preserving the history of scouting in the county for more than two decades.

PHOTO: Brian Fanning reluctantly accepting applause for his hard work

In attendance on the night were Chief Scout of Ireland, Eoin Callanan, Waterford County Commissioner Seán Hayes, and a large gathering of scouts from across the county who paid tribute to Brian's work in capturing their stories.

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Along with the original log books, printed sets have also been produced for the public to view, thanks to the support of local sponsors including Waterford Credit Union, Lisduggan Credit Union, Doyle Concrete, and several local families, groups and businesses.

To arrange to view the log books, contact the Waterford City and County Archivist at archivist@waterfordcouncil.ie or the Local Studies Librarian at lstudies@waterfordcouncil.ie.