'Onwards Mosta' : the life and times of the Mosta scout group, 1916-2008

Abstract

It was about a year ago that I was asked by Mr Charles Vella to write a book about the Mosta Scout Group. As the Group is one of the oldest in Malta and as it has a long and interesting history, it was a pleasure writing about one of Malta's most active Scout Groups. I must confess that I myself was quite surprised at the hundreds of activities the members of the Group experienced along the more than 90 years of existence. When I began to research and write the book I at once realised that this Mosta organisation can boast of a valid contribution not only to the life of its own community but no less to the life of Malta in general. The Group was found anywhere and everywhere. In its own village/town of Mosta it participated in many of the festivities and ceremonies the local community have ente1ia~ned from 1916 to this day. The Scouts were somehow involved, sometimes on a large scale and on other times on a minor scale - but generally they were always there. In the various events, be they social or religious, the Mosta Scout Group left its print. One would see the Scouts marching smartly in a parade, play music by means of their Group band, provide a guard of honour for an important personality visiting Mosta, cleaning up the locality during organised environment campaigns, providing help in national marathons passing through Mosta, and myriad other contributions. On a national scale the Group supported other Groups in their activities, visited different localities in Malta and Gozo parading and playing music, took part in national festivities and Scout Association events, joined national worthwhile campaigns, took paii in special events in honour of personalities in other towns and villages, and so many other f::iings. But the Group first and foremost took care of its own members. It organised training, educational and cultural activities, helped the young and not so young to become better citizens, and contributed their social and personal maturity through the various activities such as hikes, exhibitions, pioneering, talks, races, and so on. Not least, one may add, the Group grasped opportunities to send members abroad to widen their perspective and meet others from different cultures, religions, continents and traditions. The various Jamborees and similar international gatherings helped to upgrade the Mosta Scout Group's expectations, skills, and values. All this must be credited to the leaders who through its history have taken care of the Group. One must of course pay tribute to Mgr Edgar Salomone who, as a young priest, came up with the initial idea of establishing a Scout Troop in the Mosta Boys' Oratory. His seminal work gave rise to an organisation which, with all its ups and downs, all considered, has grown in strength to become one of the more successful entities, not only in Mosta but also in Malta. Though the book aims to be as comprehensive as possible, admittedly not everything that the Group experienced is included. This is not only due to space but also as there would be details that somehow have not been recorded well enough, if at all. Thus, readers may find that they know some detail or other which is not included in this publication. The reason would many a time be that recordswise little or nothing was found. On the other hand the many details and situations which are included come thanks to the meticulous collection of all that Mr Charles Vella has collected in the long decades he has been interested in Scouting in general and in the Group's history in particular. I thank him not only for the opportunity he gave me to write this book but also for the information, ;Jhotographs and other material which helped me put together this publication. I must also thank Mr Joe Sciberras and Mr Edward Vella who cooperated with me by putting at my disposal material found at the Mosta Scout Group H.Q. Mr Sciberras also shared with me some of the infonnation he himself had gathered. I must also thank Mr Saviuor Frendo for his cooperation. I hope that those who read this book appreciate that there is much to commend about the Mosta Scout Group. One should appreciate the work being done among our youth and support it. After all this is a voluntary organisation whose only aim is to help others to become better persons for themselves and their families and friends and better citizens for their community and their country.