Discovering History

The Qrendi Scout Group – Malta have a long history of Heritage Appreciation and have participated in numerous Heritage orientated tasks all around Malta. A call for help from the “Collagata ta' San Pawl” Museum Curator and the Group's dear friend Mons . Dun Gwann Azzopardi, brought the Qrendi Scout troop to Malta's old capital Rabat, to provide assistance in the clearing of a well that was backfilled with excavation rubble, within the museum's medieval kitchen

The newly discovered well had been filled with debris during the excavation of a nearby WW II shelter and had consequently been built over. The task entailed the use of “small people”, (as space was limited), and the scouts were the ideal and only choice. (Don't mention the GSL's size please)

Armed with the mentality of “If the Qrendi Scouts can't do it, nobody can”, the whole male troop members turned up at the Rabat Museum, armed with scouting picks, shovels, lifting equipment and the necessary personal safety equipment to ensure that the task be carried out efficiently and without incidents.

The task was laborious but Teamwork, teamwork and more teamwork, made the near impossible tasks attainable to these highly industrious young lads.

Samuel, Small but powerful

Returning Saturday after Saturday and recovering over three full skip loads of small boulders and loose rubble, the well was finally excavated but not without learning more on its origin and the reason for its backfill. During the works in question, it was learnt that entrance to the WW II shelter beneath the museum, was extended right from the well's bottom. In order to protect the shelter's inhabitants, a “bomb proof” tunnel was constructed with the originally excavated shelter debris being used to protect against the bomb blasts, and adding extra protection to the shelter's inhabitants. “Due to the urgency of the works in question, very little works were charted and so these discoveries are highly significant in order for us to learn the people's way of life during harder times” explained Dun Gwann Azzopardi, the museum's curator.

“The Museum feels indebted to the young members of the Qrendi Scouts for their unconditional assistance every time their services are required” continued Dun Gwann. “The lads also take huge pride and joy in knowing that they are doing their part, no matter how small, in favor of our countries'. Heritage”.

“There will always be a place for the Qrendi Scouts at our museum, and “pastizzi” and soft drinks whenever they turn up to help us out”, explained Dun Gwann, who had by now become quiet popular and most loved by all the lads that turned up again and again at Rabat.

“We are there every time you need us” explained Senior Patrol Leader Manuel Busutill, on behalf of all his troop, “and the more pastizzi you make available, the more the effort we shall put in” he concluded with a smile.