A KEY player in setting up the first Beaver group for children in Dorset, Ruth Wingfield, has passed away aged 76.

Ruth was the youngest daughter of Dorrie and Pat Sherrard and was born at the family home in Priory View Road on June 17, 1941.

Her parents kept pigs and she adopted a pig of her own called Fred who she would take around the roads in her dolls’ pram, surprising people when they asked to look at her dolly.

Ruth’s grandfather was a founder member of the Mayfield Park Holiness and Evangelistic Mission Hall in Bournemouth where her parents were married.

Her mother played the organ at the local chapels and Ruth often attended services there and used to go on the chapel outings taking her children Claire and Sean with her when they were younger.

Ruth played netball as well as skittles with her father for the Bournemouth Electric Club. They both worked for Southern Electric, Ruth on punch cards, her dad in the stores. She took pride in the fact that she had been on a course that enabled her to work on the overhead live power lines.

Ruth married Brian Wingfield on October 1, 1966 at St Christopher’s Church in Bournemouth and for the next 36 years they lived next door to where she was born. This became the family home where they raised daughter Claire and son Sean.

She supported Brian in his involvement in Scouting and during his time as District Commissioner of the Scout Association she helped the Beaver section to start. Ruth sat down with other leaders and worked out what the boys could wear together with a programme as there was no guidance.

This led to the formation of the first Beaver colony in Dorset and the section recently celebrated its 30th anniversary.

When Bournemouth Scouts held their annual Gang Show at the Pavilion theatre in previous years on the civic night, Ruth would be there receiving the civic dignitaries and honoured guests on behalf of the Scouts of Bournemouth. For her support and work in Scouting in Bournemouth, Ruth had been awarded the “Thanks Badge”.

Ruth and Brian had been invited to Windsor Castle for the Queen’s Scout parade on number of occasions, the last time it coincided with the Queen’s 76th birthday as VIP guests stood alongside the saluting dais.

The following year they were invited to a service at Westminster Abby and afterwards lunch with the then Chief Scout George Purdy.

Brian and Ruth moved to Coleford almost 16 years ago.

She was always knitting and producing cross stitch pictures, while she also provided support to many neighbours as they became less mobile. Ruth and Brian celebrated their Golden Wedding anniversary in 2016.

Ruth Wingfield passed away on Monday, March 26 aged 76. She is survived through husband Brian, daughter Claire, son Sean and grandson Evan.