Goodbye Rainbow: The Beaver leader who brought fun and colour to hundreds of lives
17.03.2022 - 21:31
/ manchestereveningnews.co.uk
There was one song that was always going to be played at the funeral of Patricia "Tricia" Dunning. As the contralto voice of Judy Garland filled St Michael's Church in Urmston with her signature tune, Somewhere Over The Rainbow, it unlocked emotion and fond memories of a woman who helped shape many young lives.
For more than two decades Tricia was devoted to the Scout Movement's "beginners" - Beavers. Her name, to hundreds, as a Beaver Scout leader, and later a district leader, and a World Scout Jamboree Team Leader, was Rainbow. Today there was a guard of honour at the entrance to the church provided by young scout leaders for the start and end of the service.
As scouts and leaders carrying troop flags saluted the sound of spring birdsong filled the air. The church was packed for the service, which ended with a favourite song of Tricia's, "Take Me Home, Country Roads" by John Denver.
Her own colony of Beavers were the Flixton 1st, and her death from a blood clot on the lung, at the age of 61, has triggered a flood of tributes. On a WhatsApp page set up for parents to leave messages, one wrote: "So sorry to hear the sad news. Tricia was instrumental in starting both my children in Scouting, she taught them so much, along with other leaders, shaped them into the wonderful young adults they are today. Scouting has lost a wonderful leader and friend."
District Commissioner of Urmston and District Scouts, Chris Knowles, said: "Tricia where do you start? What an amazing lady she was. Nothing phased Tricia, she always had the sensible solution. Tricia started as beaver scout leader at 1st Flixton in 1998, where she soon became a big part of the group with her dedication and organisation skills.
"Tricia was soon a well