A lifetime shaped by Scouting
There’s a new bench at Frith Grange, ready for everyone to use for rest and conversation.
It’s been installed in memory of Dennis Hagger by his family, daughters Linda and Janet and son Graham.
Linda has kindly shared the information that she used for the speech that she gave at the unveiling event on Saturday.
Dennis was born in Kent, and was a member of the 2nd Deal and Walmer Sea Scouts. In the 2nd he enjoyed sailing boats, and racing the rowing boats. Their activities were curtailed by the war, and unfortunately the hut and the few boats that the Group owned were destroyed. Of course, they just started again.
Moving to London, Dennis joined the 11th Finchley Rover Scouts, where he met Sid Collins and Peter Trollope. He spoke about memories of pushing the trek cart, collecting jumble for sales.
In the late 1970s Graham became a Cub (and later a Scout) at the 2nd Friern Barnet. Dennis helped with Group events and fundraising, and became the treasurer of the Group.
One of their efforts was to collect newspaper and cardboard, which at that time could be sold if collected in bulk. Their house and garage were soon filled!
Dennis moved on to become the treasurer of Finchley, Friern Barnet and Golders Green District where he helped to develop the District. The sale of Finchley Lodge meant that the headquarters was moved to Frith Grange, and some of the funds raised from the sale were duly invested into improving the campsite.
Dennis was clear that his role was to make sure that no-one missed out on Scouting, and to make sure that funds were always available. At the same time he is remembered for not being keen on spending money!
He was very proud of the award that he was given for his service, and had the certificate on display on the wall at home.
In later years Dennis was a member of the Active Support Unit. He particularly enjoyed the fish and chips and Burns’ Night suppers, with a particular emphasis on puddings.
Dennis died during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, which delayed the installation of his memorial.
As the plaque on his bench says, his was “A lifetime shaped by Scouting.”