A PLACE of adventure for thousands of Radcliffe youngsters over the years, Giants Seat was opened a half century ago.

Four years work by the Radcliffe Boy Scouts Association had taken place before the camp was first used in May 1954.

The guest of honour for the event was Deputy Chief Scout, General Sir Robert Lockhart.

Covering 55 acres, the site cost the local association about £2,000 to purchase and equip, with a large hut built to serve as a headquarters and for storage.

The business of acquiring the land near Ringley Woods and its equipment was done by a committee composed of senior Scout officers and other local parties who were not members of the movement.

Those who were involved were rewarded with "Thanks" badges from Sir Robert on the opening day.

"We are in tremendous debt to these gentlemen," he told those gathered.

After being introduced to officials, Sir Robert toured the site for about an hour, and inspected several of the camps that had already been set up by youngsters from Radcliffe, Prestwich and Bury.

At each point he looked at the tents and the equipment and chatted with the youngsters.

A small number were waiting outside the headquarters when Sir Robert returned, and they saw him formally open the building.

The Radcliffe Times reporter said of the special guest: "There was no fuss or ceremony about the visit as Sir Robert strode from tent to tent with a few words for almost every Scout he encountered.

"He had the knack of putting boys at their ease immediately and none of the many he spoke was non-plussed or unduly overawed."