Cranleigh Scouts are sad to report the death of Tom Worsfold aged 84. Tom was latterly Assistant Scout Leader with Cranleigh’s Baynards Scout Troop and formerly; Quartermaster, Group Scout Leader, Vice Chair Cranleigh Executive as well as a Member of Guildford East District Team and Guildford East Scout Active Support Unit.
Tom has been the backbone of support at Cranleigh Scouts for over 50 years, first playing an active role in the reconstruction of the Scout HQ and then helping to maintain it as a hub for local Scouts for 34 years. Tom had an unrivalled reputation for being able to “fix things” or, if necessary, construct them from scratch. Forever resourceful and having a vast supply of useful bits in the boot of his car, Tom fulfilled his unofficial role as Quartermaster always ensuring Scouts had the camping equipment they needed even working late into the night to ensure it was available.
Not only would Tom make or repair essential equipment he would transport it to their campsite and help set up camp. As recently as July this year, he could be found hammering in pegs for the patrol tents on Group Camp. He was always there helping with the camp set up and telling us we’d put the tents up/down incorrectly!
Tom started his long association with Cranleigh Scouts as a Member of 1st Cranleigh Executive Committee becoming Vice Chair by 1984. Although preferring a backroom role he stepped up to fill the vacant GSL position from 1989 to 1999 and helped oversee the amalgamation of 1st and 2nd Cranleigh Scout Groups in 1996. Tom then moved back to his preferred role as Quartermaster but still helping out with Scout Troops and remaining a Trustee of Cranleigh Scout Group ever since.
We are immensely grateful for his sustained and dedicated support for Scouts over so many years. Not only has he always made himself available to help Scouts he has worked tirelessly to help the local community in Cranleigh and deprived communities in Eastern Europe, he will be greatly missed by all those he has befriended over the years.
Colin Desmond
Group Scout Leader : Cranleigh Scout Group
Assistant District Commissioner (Cubs) : Guildford East
