Scouting in East of England

Scouting in East of England is about Scouting in the official region of East of England. It is largely represented by The Scout Association of the United Kingdom and some Groups of traditional Scouting including the Baden-Powell Scouts' Association.

There are two student associations at various universities in the region, each of which is affiliated to the Student Scout and Guide Organisation (SSAGO). These are Cambridge University Scout and Guide Club[1] and University of East Anglia SSAGO.[2]

History of Scouting in East of England

The 1st Bury St Edmunds Scout Group holds a registration certificate dated to 5 February 1908, and the Group claims to be the oldest surviving Scout Group in England.[3] However, this claim is not currently upheld by The Scout Association.[4]

1st Southwold Scout Group was established in 1908 and claims to be the first Scout group established in Suffolk.[5] 1st Reydon and 1st Wrentham in Suffolk also existed in 1908.[6] In Norfolk, 1st Norwich Sea Scouts[7] and 1st Dereham Scout Group[8] also claim to have been founded in 1908, making them some of the earliest Scout groups to have formed.

The 21st World Scout Jamboree, celebrating 100 years of Scouting, was held at Chelmsford in Essex between 27 July and 8 August 2007.[9]

The Scout Association Counties

The regional commissioner for Scouting in the East of England is Matt Mills.[10] The Scout Association in East of England is administered through six Scout Counties

Bedfordshire Scout County

Scout County badge for Bedfordshire

Bedfordshire Scout County is a Scout County of The Scout Association of the United Kingdom. It is concurrent with the political county of Bedfordshire, and provides Scouting opportunities for young people and adults in the area around Bedford, Luton, and Dunstable.[11]

The badge worn by members of the Bedfordshire Scout County shows a red falcon on a yellow background. The current version of the badge was phased in over a ten-year period, starting in the early 1980s. It replaced a previous version which had either a silver or gold falcon on a green background.

The County currently has 2 County Scout Networks (Bedfordshire County Scout Network & Bedfordshire Air Scout Network) and 5 Local Scout Networks [12]

The County is currently divided into nine Scout Districts.[13]

Total membership of Bedfordshire Scout County was 6,271 at January 2012.[15]

Cambridgeshire Scout County

Scout County badge for Cambridgeshire

Cambridgeshire Scout County is a Scout County of The Scout Association of the United Kingdom. It provides Scouting opportunities for young people and adults in the area.[16]

Scouts in Peterborough were given the Freedom of the City in April 2007. This is the first occasion in Britain when Scouts have received this type of award.[17]

The badge worn by members of the Cambridgeshire Scout County is unusual in its design, as it is shaped as a shield rather than the more standard rectangle. The elements on the badge represent towns covered by the Scout County, the cross-keys representing Peterborough.[18]

The County is currently divided into nine Scout Districts:,[19] following the disbanding of Granta District at the end of 2012:

The current County Commissioner for Cambridgeshire is John Taylor. Membership of Cambridgeshire Scout County in 2012 stood at approximately 6,000 young people and 1,200 adults.[20]

CamJam

In 2006 the Cambridgeshire Jamboree moved from the East of England Showground,[21] in Peterborough, to the Huntingdon Racecourse.[22] CamJam 2006 was the fifth such jamboree to be arranged by Cambridgeshire Scout County.

On site activities included go-karts, a skate park, ice rink, a planetarium, climbing walls, radio controlled cars, caving and hot air balloons on two evenings. Other activities included archery, rifle shooting, model land yachts, car mechanics, scavenger hunt and model aircraft.[23]

CamJam will return to Huntingdon Racecourse from 15–22 August 2015.

Essex Scout County

Scout County badge for Essex

Essex Scout County is a Scout County of The Scout Association in the United Kingdom.[24]

Chelmsford in Essex was the location for the 21st World Scout Jamboree, held between 27 July to 8 August 2007.[9] The Chelmsford District had a number of special events.[25] By 2007 there were 16,000 members in Essex Scouting covering every community in the county.

The County HQ is at the Thriftwood Training Centre.[26]

There is an Essex Scout County Caving Team to train Scouts in Caving.[27]

The badge worn by members of the Essex Scout County shows the heraldry of the regional county of Essex of "Gules three Seaxes fessewise in pale Argent pomels and hilts Or points to the sinister and cutting edges upwards.".[28]

The County is currently divided into 19 Scout Districts:[29]

Membership of Essex Scout County was 15,300 young people and 3,800 adults in January 2012.[31]

Essex International Jamboree

The Essex International Jamboree was first held in 1927 when it was visited by the Founder, and then Chief Scout, Sir Robert Baden-Powell. Essex have held jamborees every four years since 1952 and at their last site, Devereux Farm, Kirby-le-Soken, from 1996 to 2008. In 2012 a new site was established at Boyton Cross near Roxwell, Chelmsford following coastal erosion and an increasing flood risk at the Kirby Le Soken site.

The next Essex International Jamboree is due to take place in July and August 2016, with the theme "Our Changing World" and the jamboree has its own dedicated website.[32]

Between 26 July and 2 August 2008, thousands of Scouts and Guides from Essex and beyond attended the Essex International Jamboree 2008.

Over 8,000 participants and 2,000 staff attended the jamboree representing 30 different countries, including: Canada, Denmark, Egypt, Finland, Germany, Ghana, Gibraltar, Ireland, Israel, Kenya, Nigeria, Norway, Pakistan, Palestinian Territories, Romania, Spain, Sweden, Turkey, Uganda, UK, USA and Zimbabwe. Another 4,000 people, including hundreds of Cub Scouts and Brownies were hosted for the jamboree open day.[33]

The theme for 2008 was "The World's Endangered Animals" and included a strong emphasis for 'green issues' such as recycling and developing global links. In keeping with the theme, the site was sub-divided into 10 sub-camps containing a mixture of UK and international Scouts and Guides, with a further sub-camp for staff. Each of the participant sub-camps was named after an endangered animal. All of the animals could be found at the nearby Colchester Zoo, and each sub-camp became involved in the zoo’s adoption scheme as a lasting legacy of the event.

Essex International Jamboree 2012 moved from its previous location at Kirby Le Soken to a new site at Boyton Cross just outside Chelmsford. The Jamboree was attended by over 8000 Scouts and Guides with over 1500 adult volunteers on the staff team.

The next Essex International Jamboree will be held between 30 July and 6 August 2016.

Hertfordshire Scout County

Scout County badge for Hertfordshire

Hertfordshire Scout County is a Scout County of The Scout Association in the United Kingdom covering the County of Hertfordshire.[34]

The badge worn by members of the Hertfordshire Scout County shows a hart on a blue background, which is based on the heraldry of the regional county of Hertfordshire.[35]

They have a Falke SF25C motor glider[36] which is based at the Cambridge Gliding Centre.[37]

There are 18 Scout Districts

The total membership of Hertfordshire Scout County in January 2012 was 16,103, of whom, 13,025 were young people.[41]

Hertfordshire Scouts Peak Assault

Herts Peak Assault is a navigational and teamwork challenge for Explorer and Network Scouts, held at a different location each year. Groups must navigate their way around, visiting 'checkpoints' within the given time limit.

Norfolk Scout County

Scout County badge for Norfolk

Norfolk Scout County is a Scout County of The Scout Association in the United Kingdom, covering the county of Norfolk.[42]

There is a Norfolk Scout Canoe Team.[43] The badge worn by members of the Norfolk Scout County shows the shield from the coat of arms of the county of Norfolk. The current version of the badge has a light green background, whilst earlier versions had been black.[44]

The Norfolk Scout County is divided into nine Scout Districts:[45]

Norfolk International Jamboree

In 1960 the Norfolk International Jamboree, held at Sennowe Park near Fakenham, drew media attention due to the presence of fifty "European refugees." [46]

The 12th Norfolk International Jamboree (NorJam) was held at the Royal Norfolk Showground between Saturday 29 July and Saturday 5 August 2006.[47]

Around 5,000 participants and staff attended the jamboree representing 17 different countries, including: Austria, Australia, Denmark, UK, USA and Spain. Three Guides were presented with their Queen's Guide Award by the Chief Guide, Liz Burnley, during the camp. The Jamboree included a Christmas celebration, held on Thursday 3 August. Other activities included scuba diving, horse-riding and sailing.

The theme for the 2006 Jamboree was "Around The World In Seven Days", with each sub-camp being named after a famous landmark, and the event included a strong emphasis on current issues such as recycling and developing global links.[48]

In 2010 the theme for the Jamboree was "The Modern World", each sub-camp was named after an innovation or issue affecting society in the modern age.[49]

The Norfolk International Jamboree is held every four years, with the next one due to take place in 2018.[50]

Norfolk Air Scouts Centre

Norfolk Scouts used to own Vickers Valetta XV580, which was used as an Air Scout activity centre at Norwich Airport.[51] The aircraft is now owned by the Norfolk & Suffolk Aviation Museum.

Sea Scout vessels

A number of Sea Scout units operate in the County, and MTB 102, one of few surviving motor torpedo boats that served with the Coastal Forces of the Royal Navy in the Second World War was owned by 1st Blofield and Brundall Sea Scout Group from 1973 to 1995.[52]

Suffolk Scout County

Scout County badge for Suffolk

Suffolk Scout County is a Scout County of The Scout Association of the United Kingdom. It is concurrent with the political county of Suffolk (with the exception of Newmarket whose Scout Groups are associated with Cambridgeshire Scout County).[53]

The badge worn by members of the Suffolk Scout County shows a crown "enfiled by a pair of Arrows in saltire points downwards", which is an element from the heraldry of the regional county of Suffolk. The pierced crown relates to the martyrdom of Saint Edmund by the Danes in 849.[54]

The County is currently divided into eight Scout Districts:[55]

Membership of Suffolk Scout County was quoted as "over 6000 young people aged 6-25" in 2012.[56]

Baden-Powell Scout Association

The East Anglia Area is part of the Baden-Powell Scout Association. The Association is represented in Norfolk by the Fakenham Lancaster B-P Air Scouts and the Four Feathers B-P Scouts,[57][58] and with other groups in the surrounding counties.[59]
The badge worn by members of the Baden-Powell Scouts East Anglia Area shows the arms of the Wuffingas Dynasty on a shield. The Wuffingas were the ruling family of the East Angles. Their last king was Saint Edmund, King and Martyr, who was murdered by the Vikings in 849 and was later canonised.

Pathfinder and Rover Explorer Scouts' Association

The Pathfinder Scouts Association operates the 1st Bedfordshire Scout Troop at Houghton Regis, Bedfordshire,[60] while the Rover Explorer Scout Association operates a Rover Crew in Lowestoft, Suffolk.[61]

European Scout Federation (British Association)

The European Scout Federation (Fédération du Scoutisme Européen) operate in the East of England, with groups operating in Cambridgeshire and Essex.[62]

The British Boy Scouts

The British Boy Scouts operated Groups in Norfolk, including the 1st Norwich (St Marks) Group, although these were closed by 1999.[63]

Campsites

Bedfordshire

The Bedfordshire Scout Association County has a large campsite and training centre, three District maintained campsites and three group maintained campsites.[64]

District Campsites

Cambridgeshire

Essex

Essex has several camp sites including:[67]

Hertfordshire

Hertfordshire County Scout Council of the Scout Association is the owner of Tolmers Scout Activity Centre and six othe centres in Hertfordshire, Scotland, Wales and the Peak District [71]

Tolmers
Owner Hertfordshire County Scout Council
Location Cuffley,
Hertfordshire
Country United Kingdom
Founded 1939
Scouts rafting on Bert's Pool at Tolmers Scout Camp.

History of Tolmers Scout Camp and Activity Centre

The land occupied by the campsite was purchased from Tolmers Park Estate in 1939, with the aim of completing a ring of Headquarters’ campsites around London. The site was bought for £4,600 of which £2,000 was donated anonymously by a "Mr B", and the balance of £2,600 came from the Gang Show fund.

It was officially opened on 11 May 1940,[73] 800 Scouts and visitors attended, despite wartime restrictions. The opening was performed by Baron Wigram, a distinguished member of the Council of the Boy Scouts Association and former private secretary to King George V. Sir Percy Winn Everett, the Deputy Chief Commissioner, read a letter from Lord Baden-Powell wishing he "could be there in person to support you on the opening of Tolmers".[74] Almost immediately afterwards, Tolmers temporarily lost the use of the site apart from the Brick Field and the Valley Field, as it was requisitioned by the Ministry of Food. Defence works, including pill boxes, tank traps and barbed wire entanglements were constructed along Cuffley Brook, as part of the Outer London Defence Ring.[75]

After the war, development of Tolmers continued and all the requisitioned land was returned by the end of the 1950s. The site was very popular with Scout troops from North London who came by train to Cuffley Station, often hauling their equipment the rest of the way in trek carts. By 1970, flush toilets had been installed,[76] work had started on a hut for Cub Scouts and the camp centre had moved to its present position.

The original service crew were the Cuffley Rover Scout Crew, led by Ron Erwood. They were responsible for a great deal of the work in 1939-1940 prior to the official opening of the campsite. Before long, Rovers and Scouters from across North London joined them. In 1964, a system of five separate crews began, ensuring a team of volunteers was available every weekend. In 1968, the first female service crew members joined. Today, the service crew has over 100 active members.

Bert Longdon, the camp warden from 1964, envisaged the creation of a small lake by damming Cuffley Brook. In 1976, a licence was granted by Thames Water Authority for the flow of the brook to be impeded "by means of a weir" and to create "a pond suitable for canoe instruction" with a capacity of 120,000 gallons.[77] Bert died in 1977 before any work could be done, but it was completed as his memorial, and the first Scouts canoed on it at Easter 1980.[78] It is now regularly used by Tolmers' fleet of kayaks and canoes and for raft building. Bert's Pool also supports a variety of wildlife: carp and roach, moorhens and mallards, as well as visits from grey herons and kingfishers.

In January 1953, work started on a plantation of Scots pines in the Main Field, in the shape of the new Queen's cypher; EIIR. Despite damage by the storms of 1987 and 1990, the original shape is still clearly visible.[79]

Phasels Wood lies between Kings Langley and Hemel Hempstead and can be accessed directly from the A41 Aylesbury road, close to Junction 19 of the M25 motorway. The campsite covers 95 acres (35 hectares): 30 acres (12 hectares) of meadow, 30 acres of woodland and a 35-acre (14 hectares) field.[80] Phasels Wood was purchased by Scout Headquarters in 1937 and was opened on 30 May of that year, when Sir Percy Everett planted an oak tree.[81] Management of the site passed to Hertfordshire Scout County in 1987.[82] In May 1991, a new climbing tower was opened at a cost of £117,500; at that time, it was the tallest in England.[83] In 1995, a further 10 acres (4 hectares) were added, giving access to the A41 Kings Langley By-Pass.[84]

The centre is in the hamlet of Well End, between Borehamwood and Shenley. It has 5 acres (2.2 hectares) of camping fields and 4 acres (1.6 hectares) of woodland.[85] Well End is the training centre for Hertfordshire Scouts and was opened on 3 June 1933. Lord Baden-Powell later visited the site and planted a horse chestnut tree.[86]

All Hertfordshire Scout Association Activity Centres are members of the ASGC, the Association of Scout and Guide Centres.[87]

Norfolk

There are a large number of Scout camp sites in Norfolk and the Scout Association County publishes a directory.[42] These include:

An independent site, which has been used by both The Scout Association and the Baden-Powell Scouts' Association, is provided by the Mid-Norfolk Railway at County School railway station.[89]

Suffolk

There are a number of camp sites in Suffolk including

Gang Shows

See also

References

  1. ↑ Cambridge University Scout and Guide Club
  2. ↑ University of East Anglia SSAGO
  3. ↑ 1st Bury St Edmunds (Mayor's Own)
  4. ↑ "The First Troops" (PDF). The Scout Association. August 2006. Retrieved 2007-02-21.
  5. ↑ http://1stsouthwoldscouts.onesuffolk.net/ 1st Southwold Scout Group
  6. ↑ http://1stsouthwoldscouts.onesuffolk.net/history/ 1st Southwold Scout Group History
  7. ↑ 1st Norwich Sea Scouts
  8. ↑ First Scout Troops
  9. 1 2 21st World Scout Jamboree
  10. ↑ Matt Mills has been appointed to lead Scouting in the East of England.
  11. ↑ Bedfordshire County Scout County
  12. ↑ Bedfordshire County Scout Network
  13. ↑ Bedfordshire Scout County Districts
  14. ↑ Bedford District Scout Council
  15. ↑ "News - Bedfordshire helps boost UK Scout numbers to highest total this century". www.bedfordshirescouts.org.uk. Bedfordshire County Scouts. Retrieved 10 July 2014.
  16. ↑ Cambridgeshire Scout County
  17. ↑ Freedom Of the City for Scouts
  18. ↑ Heraldry of Cambridgeshire
  19. ↑ Cambridgeshire Scout County Districts
  20. ↑ "Join the adventure". www.cambridgeshirescouts.org.uk. Cambridgeshire County Scout Council. 2012. Retrieved 10 July 2014.
  21. ↑ CamJam 2002
  22. ↑ CamJam 2006
  23. ↑ CamJam2006 Activities
  24. ↑ Essex Scout County
  25. ↑ Scouting centenary events in Chelmsford and District, home of the 21st World Scout Jamboree
  26. 1 2 Thriftwood - Essex County Scout Council County Headquarters & Training Centre
  27. ↑ Essex Scout County Caving Team
  28. ↑ Heraldry of Essex
  29. ↑ Essex Scout County Districts
  30. ↑ Thurrock Scouts
  31. ↑ "Essex Scouts' Annual Review 2011/12 (p. 6)" (PDF). www.essexscouts.org.uk. Essex Scouts. Retrieved 10 July 2014.
  32. ↑
  33. ↑ Essex International Jamboree 2008
  34. ↑ Hertfordshire Scout County
  35. ↑ Heraldry of Hertfordshire
  36. ↑ Hertfordshire Scouts Gliding Days
  37. ↑ Hertfordshire Scouts at CGC
  38. ↑ Hemel Hempstead Scouts
  39. ↑ Stevenage Scouts
  40. ↑ Ware & District Scouts
  41. ↑ "County Review 2012" (PDF). www.hertfordshirescouts.org.uk. Hertfordshire County Scout Council. Retrieved 10 July 2014.
  42. 1 2 Norfolk Scout County
  43. ↑ Norfolk Scout Canoe Team
  44. ↑ Heraldry of Norfolk
  45. ↑ Norfolk Scout County Districts
  46. ↑ Jamboree report, "Look and Learn"
  47. ↑ NorJam2006 dates
  48. ↑ Norjam 2006 Diary bbc.co.uk 29 July 2006
  49. ↑ norjam2010.org.uk
  50. ↑
  51. ↑ Photo of XV580 at Norwich in Scouts livery
  52. ↑ About us
  53. ↑ Suffolk Scout County
  54. ↑ Heraldry of Suffolk
  55. ↑ Suffolk Scout County Districts
  56. ↑ "Suffolk Scouts - About". Suffolk Scouts. 2011/2012. Retrieved 10 July 2014. Check date values in: |date= (help)
  57. ↑ Fakenham Lancaster B-P Air Scouts
  58. ↑ Four Feather B-P Scouts
  59. ↑ 1st Dullingham and Setchworth B-P Scouts
  60. ↑ Pathfinder Scout Association Archived 19 June 2008 at the Wayback Machine.
  61. ↑ Rover Explorer Scout Association Archived 19 July 2008 at the Wayback Machine.
  62. ↑ European Scout Federation (British Association) Iceni Province
  63. ↑ The British Boy Scouts - History
  64. ↑ Bedfordshire Camp Sites
  65. ↑ The Leslie Sell County Scout Training and Activity Centre
  66. ↑ "Jordans Close Scout Activity Centre". Bedford District Scout Council. Retrieved 25 September 2014.
  67. ↑ Essex Scout Camp Sites
  68. ↑ Recent News on Belchamps Scout Centre
  69. ↑ Skreens Park Campsite
  70. ↑ GiGA Camp website
  71. ↑ Hertfordshire Scouts - Activity Centres
  72. ↑ Scouting Magazine, December 1979, p.935
  73. ↑ Scoutbase 1940
  74. ↑ The Scout Magazine: June 1940 issue p.162
  75. ↑ http://www.brookmans.com/history/features/defences/index.shtml
  76. ↑ Scouting Magazine, February 1971, page 84
  77. ↑ The London Gazette, 28 June 1976
  78. ↑ Scouting Magazine, July 1980, p.460
  79. ↑ Maps Aerial View of Tolmners Scout Camp Site
  80. ↑ Stack, Doug. "Phasels Wood Activity Centre Information Pack, 2013" (PDF). www.phaselswood.org.uk. Retrieved 10 July 2014.
  81. ↑ Brittain, Frank L (2008), Milestones of 100 Years of Hertfordshire Scouting, Hertfordshire County Scout Council (p. 62)
  82. ↑ Brittain, p.142
  83. ↑ Brittain, p.146
  84. ↑ Brittain, p.152
  85. ↑ "Our Activity Centres - Well End". www.hertfordshirescouts.org.uk. Hertfordshire County Scout Council. Retrieved 10 July 2014.
  86. ↑ Brittain, p.54
  87. ↑ Association of Scout and Guide Centres
  88. ↑ Eaton Vale Scout and Guide Activity Centre
  89. ↑ County School station camping field, Norfolk
  90. ↑ Hallowtree Scout Camp
  91. ↑ Herringfleet Scout Campsite
  92. ↑ Billericay, Wickford and Basildon Gang Show
  93. ↑ Cambridge Gang Show
  94. ↑ Chelmsford Gang Show
  95. ↑ BBC Report on Ipswich Scouts and Guides Gang Show
  96. ↑ Letchworth and Baldock District Gang Show
  97. ↑ Peterborough Gang Show
  98. ↑ St Albans Scout & Guide Gang Show
  99. ↑ Southend Gang Show
  100. ↑ Southend Scout and Guide Gang Show
  101. ↑ Thurrock Gang Show
  102. ↑ Colchester Gang Show
  103. ↑ Harpenden Gang Show
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