Tributes have been paid to Brantham scout and guide legend Roger Dann who has passed away at the beginning of January.

Mr Dann was an outstanding leader within the scout and guide movement, respected across the world.

He started his scouting career in Colchester in 1980 but moved to Brantham on the executive committee and later as chairman. He took on leadership roles within the group and was later ADC Scouts in Ipswich South, now Wolsey.

In remembrance, his family will be holding a memorial service for all who knew him at St. Michael's Church, Church Lane, Brantham, CO11 1PU, on Tuesday 24 January at 11:30am.

Wife Marian has requested anyone wanting to wear Scout/Guide uniform or colourful clothing should do so; no flowers please, instead donations will be accepted for the 1st Brantham Scout and Guide Group - Project 2017.

Immediate family only will accompany Roger to the Ipswich crematorium, returning to join everyone at The Brantham Bull, which will be open specially for guests from 12:30pm.

If you are planning to attend the service and wake please send an email to [email protected] would be helpful so we have an idea of numbers.

The following tribute has been made by Julie Price on behalf of the Brantham Scout and Guide Group 

"It is hard to know where to start with a tribute to Roger. To say he will be missed is a huge understatement. Few people are genuinely irreplaceable but for us who form the current generation of custodians of Brantham Scout & Guide Group to use that word does not seem out of place.  

Roger had a long association with Brantham Scout & Guide Group in a range of roles; Group Scout Leader, Explorer Leader including the Duke of Edinburgh Award scheme, champion of the replacement headquarters Project 2017 and custodian of the headquarters building and most recently Quartermaster.  

He championed the principles and values of the Scouting movement in all that he did and he felt strongly that involvement in Scouting had the power to change and improve the lives of young people.  

Roger held an encyclopaedic knowledge of the history of the Group and those who have played key roles in its development over the years.  

A man with a great sense of duty and responsibility, even when he moved away from Brantham with the opportunity to pass the cares of the Group on to others and take a well-earned retirement, he chose to continue to take an active involvement, making a significant contribution right up to the last Executive meeting in November.  



Roger was awarded a Bar to his Silver Acorn by the Scouts for more than 40 years distinguished service

A mine of useful information and contacts. Roger always knew someone who might be able to help. Ever resourceful in his quest for useful information, there was not a tradesperson setting foot on the factory site in Factory Lane who hadn't experienced a casual chat with Roger about what was going on. Roger would then report back in full detail on the contractor, what they were doing, how long they expected their job to take and all the hitches they expected to encounter along the way!  

He had a detailed knowledge and understanding of every inch of the hut with all its nooks and crannies, all backed up by extensive record keeping which he produced on many occasions to assist with resolving a problem or clarifying a query.  

His great sense of duty saw him often offer to undertake the unpopular tasks and uncomplainingly shoulder burdens when there were few others to help. 

Although a champion of high standards Roger was also pragmatic, accepting that things change over time and that standards of old cannot always be maintained in the rush of modern times. His ability to adapt and accept changes, even those not for the better, is a quality rarely found in the older generation.  

A true man of the community who understood the importance of small acts and contributions by many individuals in working for the common good of the community.  

Roger was kind, wise, with a quiet manner yet determined. 

Each and every one of us will have memories of events and incidents with Roger at its heart, things he taught us, useful suggestions he made, and many acts of kindness.  

I feel a great personal loss at the passing of Roger. I was recruited, possibly ambushed, in one of his typical opportunistic meetings when I happened to be visiting our past Treasurer Nicola's home at the same moment Roger dropped something off. Having been told who I was he immediately embarked on an impressive and persuasive conversation at the end of which I had agreed to stand as Group Chair!  

This is the Roger we knew in the Group, his loss to his family will be enormous and our sympathy and good wishes are with them all. '

Julie Price 

Chair Brantham Scout & Guide Group