Nancy Scruton, 22 years a magistrate on the Harrogate Claro bench, an English Table Tennis Association umpire, secretary of the Harrogate District Sports Council and, among many other things, a singer and an entertaining public speaker, collapsed and died while playing bowls at Starbeck for the veterans' team. She was 73.
Nancy was, throughout her life, vigorous and active, always interested in what was going on around her and she loved people. She was meticulous in everything she did – and being involved in a huge array of activities and organisations, she did an eno
rmous amount. Whatever she took part in, her efficiency and reliability meant she was never allowed to take a back seat for long. She also had an endearing sense of humour, which helped to account for the popularity of the talks she gave on life as a magistrate.
Nancy was born in Starbeck, Harrogate, and thought dead by the doctor who attended her birth. Her grandmother, however, was having none of that and resuscitated her.
She went to Starbeck School, left at 15, and worked as a secretary with Render and Williamson Solicitors in Harrogate.
A member of Starbeck Methodist Church, she was a Sunday school teacher and in the choir. She joined the youth club when she was 14, later became the secretary and met Geoff, her future husband, who was the leader. They married in March, 1954, and following Geoff's retirement in 1981, bought the grocer's shop in Kingsley Road, Starbeck. They left there in 1989 and moved to Knaresborough.
Nancy, always active, joined St Andrew's Players in the 1970s, served as chairman for many years and took part in many musicals and plays. A soprano, she sang with Jack Duckworth's concert party for more than 20 years.
In 1968 she joined Geoff as a qualified youth club leader and both worked in the evenings at the Crypt Youth Club in Wetherby. She became its leader and retired in 1983.
She was appointed a magistrate in 1982, and subsequently gave talks on her experiences, speaking to over 70 organisations.
Nancy was also secretary of the Harrogate District Sports Council with Geoff as chairman from 1990 to 1993.
She was a governor of Starbeck School for many years and was also involved with the North Yorkshire Valuation Tribunal, finally retiring in 2005.
Nancy and Geoff acted as host and hostess for Christian Guild holidays at all of their hotels between 1989 and the present.
Nancy played table tennis in the Harrogate League, she was press secretary from 1987 to 1989, and along with Geoff ran the Woolwich Junior Table Tennis League at Granby High School for two years.
She was a qualified English Table Tennis Association umpire and travelled with Geoff to many tournaments including the world championships in Manchester in 1995.
A professional knitter, she produced many items not only for shops but also for all the family.
Whilst living in Starbeck she wrote the Starbeck news for the local paper, and was a member of Starbeck Bowling Club.
Nancy is survived by her husband Geoff and their children Annette, Hazel, Phil and David, and seven grandchildren.
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