Scout law could form the rules of civilisation

THE letter from Mrs Elizabeth M Jones (Yorkshire Post, September 24) on her Ten rules of Civilisation has prompted me to write (for the first time).

I, too, am retired and have thought for some time now that a moral code seems to be lacking from a small but noticeable part of our society.

I was brought up in Brixton, south London, where, during my childhood and as a youth in the 1940s and 1950s I was a member of the Scout movement – Cubs, Scouts, Senior Scouts and Rovers.

After moving to Yorkshire in the 1960s, I was invited to help out with the local scout troop after my sons had joined. I have seen the good that the Scout movement, with its Promise and Law, can achieve.

So why not use the Scout Law as the basis for a set of “rules of civilisation”?

I dare say the Scout Law has changed somewhat since I learnt it as a boy, but I still remember the aide memoire used to remember it: Trusty, loyal, helpful; brotherly, courteous kind; obedient, smiling, thrifty; pure in body and mind.

There was an alternative for the last line: pure as the rustling wind.

This is a set of headings that few could argue are not worthwhile aims for all members of our society.