Thanks to Rodborough Scout Group for permission to copy items from their archive.
Rodborough Scout group was formed at Rodborough Tabernacle in 1909 by Rev. Ernest Watson, assisted by Fred Daniels and Frank Shaylor. One of the first Scouts was Mr Fred Hatton who was guest of honour at the 80th birthday celebrations in 1989
A meeting for younger boys began in 1914 and in 1916 became the first registered Rodborough Cub Pack.
One of the earliest items in the archive is a Scout leader’s small notebook. It notes members, subs and plans and has various items pasted inside.
Sadly on 15th October 1918 Charles Knee, Assistant Scoutmaster died of wounds in the Belgium.
1920s
The Scout Master was Mr Cyril Taylor and his ASM was Mr Harold Haines. The summer camp was held at Cranham.
1930s
Mr Harold Gazzard became Scout Master of two patrols, Bulldogs and Peewits, later Mr Haines became Scout Master.
Cub Masters were Miss Nellie Watts and Miss Daisy Smith and Mr Wally Cawthorne, a former Patrol Leader became Assistant.
The GSM was Rev. Watson.
The Wolf Cub Pack was led by Mr Mervyn Short with Mr Lionel Carter assisting.
The Re Lawrence Miller formed an extra Scout troop at The Endowed School.
Summer camps were held in 1935 at Porlock, Somerset
1936 at Westward Ho, Devon
x, x, Wally Cawthorne, Mervyn Short
“Morning dip with help”
and 1937 at Osmington Mills, Nr. Weymouth, Dorset.
At the Weymouth camp a diary was recorded in an exercise book with photos.
The Scouts left Stroud by GWR and the Rovers by car.
Detailed notes were kept logging menus, expenses and provisions ordered. Those from International Stores included 4 pints of lemon blanc mange powder, flour, suet, raisins 1lb candles, 6lbs butter, 3lbs prunes, 4lbs sausages, 56 lbs potatoes and 4 Swiss rolls.
From Neaths of Preston 21 loaves of bread were ordered. A note records that 4lbs of steak was sufficient for one meal. The total cost of food, excursions and transport for the week was £20.
The Rover Den was built during 1936-7 and opened by Colonel W.F. Walton HQ Commissioner for the Rover Scouts. Mr Lionel Daniels became the Rover leader.
Thanks to Facebook followers for information:
The picture may have some significance because there is a mix of “regimes” here among the ladies. The darker (blue) uniforms define them most likely as Rangers, the lighter coloured (blue) uniform is probably Guides, while the other lady is probably in a brownie uniform.
The lady in the middle does not seem to be in uniform and may be Mildred Humpidge. Miss Humpidge was the step daughter of the Rev. C.E Watson (of Rodborough Tab), and she started the Rodborough Guides in 1914 when Rev Watson started the Scouts at the Tab. She was Captain of the Rodborough Guides until 1936 (then Captain Barbara Daniels – sister to Lionel and Eric and Betty Daniels took over possibly after the war, with my Nancy Cawthorne as Lieutenant).
1939-45 Second World War
Some Rover Scouts joined the Armed Forces, others joined the District Scout Air Raid Precaution / Messenger Service centred at the Rover Den.
During the 1940s Eric & Lionel Daniels led efforts to re-establish the Group back to strength. Rev. Watson died in 1942.
After WW2
By 1946 there was a mixed troop of Scouts and Sea Scouts. the latter led by Mr K. Jarvis (Tarka) and Mr Norman Blandford became ASM.
1947 camp at Youlbury, Oxford
In 1946 a small plantation of beech trees was was placed on Rodborough Common to mark the visit in 1915 of Lord and Lady Baden-Powell. It is marked by a brass plaque.
Sadly, the trees died in the following severe winter of 1947 and in Autumn of that year were replaced by evergreen fir trees.
1949 – celebrating the completion o f 40 years of Scouting in Rodborough – photos from a commemorative card.
1950s
The Group now known as 2nd Rodborough Scouts met under the Little Chapel in the former stables, above had been the coach house.
Lionel Daniels tragically died in a car accident in 1958. He had been head of the family firm T.H & J. Daniels and his death was a great loss to the district.
Eric (Skip) Daniels became GSL assisted by Bob Simmons, Tom Tanner and Kevin Shillham and with Cubs by Peter Howe.
1960s
Eric Daniels continued as GSL.
1970s
Tragically Eric Daniels died in another car accident in 1970. For a time Peter Howe and John Marks stepped into the breach, with cubs led by Mr D.J. Holford and later Mrs Marks. Eventually Mr Wally Cawthorne who had been an ADC for Scouts was called upon to become Rodborough’s GSL.
Mr Wakefield took over as GSL, with Mr W (Prof) Alltimes leading the Scouts with Mike Swayne as ASL.
In 1972 Len Scarrot became GSL and Ernie Major became the Scout leader. Due to the baby boom of the 60s and new housing in the parish numbers swelled. There was a full Scout Troop and two Cub Packs, one using the Rover Den.
Regular summer camps were held at Youlbury, near Oxford, Southampton, Warwickshire and elsewhere.
1980s
Len Scarrott was still GSL and was succeeded by Nick Peters in 1989. Along with the usual summer camps, the District organised jamborees at Selsley. Scouts were assisted by Alan Prowse and Michael Edwards.
Tragically in November 1982 Venture Scout, Philip Cook died in a car accident and it deeply affected many young people in the group.
Cubs meanwhile were led by April Edwards, Agnes Arkell and Ann Milston, later Martyn Weaver took over leadership. They had now returned to being a single pack of twenty-four.
In 1986 the group, urged by Mrs Mary Jones, formed a Beaver Colony for boys aged 6-8 years. It was one of the first Colonies in the county with Mary as BL and Celia Coates and Cheryl Bodenham as ABSLs.
In 1986 the group, urged by Mrs Mary Jones, formed a Beaver Colony for boys aged 6-8 years. It was one of the first Colonies in the county with Mary as BL and Celia Coates and Cheryl Bodenham as ABSLs.
1990s
Beavers continued steady with Mary Jones at the helm with Denise Westerman and Liz Mooney as Assistant Beaver Leaders.
Carol Edmunds became Cub leader.
John Hallett acted as Scout Leader with Senior Scouts assisting as Young Leaders. He was followed by Paul Oates.
Mike Oates took over as GSL, followed by Martyn Weaver.
2000
Paul Oates with Young Leaders including Neil Edwards, Adam Blake and Ralph Blatchford kept the Scout Troop active and busy.
Wendy Tomlinson succeeded as Cub leader followed by Suzanne Powers and Theresa Mansbridge.
In April the Beavers led by Mary Jones and Denise Westerman celebrated 20 years.
