Memorial bench dedicated to man who devoted many years of his life to scouting movement

Ian Spence, who was a member of the 45th Scout Troop all his days, passed away in 2017 at the age of 74 and the organisation wanted to mark his stalwart service.

His grandfather John Smith was the man who founded the scout troop and Ian was proud to follow in the family tradition.

His niece Anne Clinton, 69, from Gourock and her daughter decided to place a memorial bench in his memory at Everton Scout Camp, a place close to his heart.

His grandfather was the first scoutmaster of the 45th and Ian joined as a youth.

Ian, who became an offshore project manager in the North Sea, retired early to look after his wife Moira, who died in 2008.

After she passed away he devoted almost 10 years working on various projects at Everton.

It was Anne's daughter Lynne who came up with the idea of ordering a metal bench with the tree of life design to remember him.

There is a plaque on the bench which reads 'We miss you so much. Hope you enjoy the view.'

Anne said: "My aunt Moira enjoyed cross-stitch and she made a big tree of life tapestry which was in their house.

"We thought it was a way to connect the two of them and we decided to put it up at Everton as there is no bench there.

"It overlooks the water.

"It's a beautiful place and it was close to his heart.

"He devoted so much time to the scouts and the camp at Everton.

"He treated my granddaughters like his own, he was very good to all of us."

The 45th Renfrewshire (13th Greenock) dates back to 1920.

The group met in the halls of Orangefield Baptist Church and took their scarf colours from the church name.

Jim Bell, a member of the Everton Scout Camp team, said: "Ian and I go back as boys in the 45th and we camped as boys and youth leaders here.

"Ian was a good scouter and in 2010 he came back and became involved in clearing up and developing the camp, applying for grants to provide outside toilet cabins.

"We were lifelong friends and I really miss him."