A Potted History of

 1^st Finchampstead Scout Group 

By Mrs Chris Brett

 October 1919 saw a Scout Troop registered, the  first in the district. By 1930 there were 18 Scouts, which was a large number for what was then a tiny village. In 1943 the Group was sponsored by the Church Army, a function subsequently taken over by St James Church until late 70’s early 80’s. The first reference to Cub Scouts in Finchampstead in the District Scout History was 1945.

Gladys Watson became involved with Cub Scouts in 1956.  A legend in the Group, although a nightmare to administrators, she was idolised by the boys.  One memory of her was how she roped the boys together on outings so that she did not lose them.  She would be sued for child abuse these days!  Gladys got Jack Francis and Chris Brett involved with the Group in the late 1960’s and early 1970’s. Sam Clark, the Group’s President, was Scoutmaster from 1957 to 1961.  He subsequently became the Group quartermaster.

Following changes to Scouting in the late 1960’s Derek Davey became Group Scout Leader in 1970, the beginning of the group as we know it today.  Derek’s dream was that the Group should have its own HQ. As far as I know, the Scouts used the Working Mens’ Club in the village – now known to us as the old Scout Hut – from the beginning.  From the late 1960’s/early 1970’s the Cubs met at St Johns Church Hall.  When St Johns was converted to housing the packs met in Gorse Ride Infants School until Finchbase was built.  Following massive fundraising efforts, and with grants and loans from the Parish Council and District Scouts, we finally achieved our own headquarters – built by Jack Francis.

The Group kept a high profile in the area by undertaking good turns in Job Week and litter picking during annual Parish Spring Cleans, and not forgetting the very highly successful joint Scout/Guide “sort of” Gang Shows produced by Chris and Jack Francis. The group completed its Scouting family when Group Venture Scouts Units were formed in the early 1980’s.  And a Beaver Colony opened in 1989.

 All sections in the Group have taken part in District and County events and competitions.  The Scouts won the District Camping Competition so often that the Group were asked to take care of the old District Flag (now on display in the entrance hall). In all this, we must not forget the support we have received from our Group Committees.  Without their behind the scenes dedication the finances necessary to keep the group viable would not have been available.  Jumble sales, summer fetes and winter fairs also ensured that the local population knew of our existence.

 The Beaver motto – fun and friendship – applies to all levels of Scouting.  There is much fun to be had, and friendships formed through Scouting can last a lifetime.

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