History of 1st Old Woking Scout Group 1914 to 1994

The following article was written by Tom Harding (Group President) 1991

The Group was founded and officially registered on 8th July 1914 by Miss M. Booth of Hoe Place and Miss M. Wilson of the Grange, yet details of its first A.G.M. (March 1915) reports suggest the inaugural meeting probably occurred even earlier – probably Whitsuntide 1914. One can only assume the ladies wanted correctness in all things before its registration took place. The following will prove the strength of the foundations laid by the ladies.

The first official Troop Meeting took place in the laundry room at Hoe Place, where the troop stayed for the first year, only to be transferred to a similar room at the Grange, (formerly Woking College), where it remained until 1918. The conclusion of World War 1 enabled the Group Committee to negotiate a more permanent H.Q. This was the use of a large room and yard at the “Hand & Spear”, a hostelry situated at Send Corner, (opposite Larry’s Paper Shop). In 1922 an offer of a site at Hoe Bridge, by the Earl of Iveagh was accepted and a hut, consisting of one large hall with two small rooms at the rear, was erected and remains, with many additions over the years, to this day, the home of 1st Old Woking Scout Group.

The fortunes of the Group have see-sawed considerably during its 77 years, the first 13 years showing steady improvement in both numbers and standards. In 1926/27, a sudden decline in the Cub Wolf Pack, formed in 1916), placed the Group in difficult circumstances. A Miss L. Duckering, a School Teacher at Horsell, decided to re-open the Pack at Old Woking, whilst still managing to run a Wolf Cub Pack in Horsell! The Group was still alive…just! The next ten years saw a flourishing Group with Cubs, Scouts and a Rover crew. The onset of World War II, claimed, not only all the Rover crew, but also Scoutmaster G.L. Bone, and his assistant Mr. Dick Collyer, for Military service, and once again the Group was on its beam ends and was being managed by three seventeen year old Patrol Leaders.

Upon the call up in 1941 of the Patrol Leaders, an approach was made to our Founder, Miss Wilson, still residing in the Grange, who promised” to keep an eye on the Group until you all return”. She was true to her word, for when Dick Collyer returned, he found about ten Scouts and fourpence, ( 2 pence) in the kitty. By 1950 the Group had returned to a strength of 80, with Cubs, Scouts and Senior Scouts in full order,

Venture Scouts succeeded Seniors, and a Unit was formed part of the Group until it was forced to close down due to lack of numbers in 1979. This had a knock-on effect on the Scouts and numbers dropped. Into the 1980,s on a low note, with the Group in severe trouble and on the brink of closing down completely, when yet again the ladies came to the rescue with the arrival of Mrs Jakki Foulkes and Mrs Linda Newman-Bale in 1982, who, with a small handful of Cub Scouts and the support of a hard working Committee, miraculously restored the Group to its former glory, and today, shows a healthy Group with the added addition of a Beaver Colony, started in 1987, plus a Venture Scout Unit re- opened by Mr Jeff Foulkes in August 1985.

A few facts: The Group has never closed its doors, a unique record in the Woking District. For the last 77 years it has proved an outlet for clean, youthful energy in this area. Approximately, about 2,500 lads have passed through and many have had varied careers of distinction. Professional and Amateur Footballers, Policemen, Fire Officers, Councillors, Clergymen, a Bishop, Social Workers, Oil Rig Giants, Servicemen, Customs Officers etc. and many others. We have provided representatives for World Jamborees. The Venture Unit, in its time has produced an average of One Queen Scout for every 18 months. Its President and Vice President can total 111 years of service to the Group, both of whom have been awarded the “Silver Acorn “, an award of high esteem by the Scout Movement.

All this is history. The present Leaders and Committee intend the very high standards to continue and ensure that these are maintained so that the Group will always be:-

THE 1ST OLD WOKING SCOUT GROUP.
Mr. Tom Harding (Group President) 1991

As well as all the Events and Activities taken part in since 1982 each Section has entered the various competitions held by District, such as Camping Competitions, Lightweight Camping and Cooking, Lightweight Hikes, Pentathalon, Handicraft, Science Workshops, Fun Days, and many other events, each year.
N.B. As an addition to the history of the Group it is worth mentioning that in the severe gale of 1987, Shey Copse suffered such severe damage, that up until now, 1993, we have had to organise Work Parties with many Leaders, Scouts, Cubs and Parents, to clear away, and make good. Mr John Wickenden and Mr David Tombs have transformed the whole site over the years. A new Camp site has been formed, plus a huge trench dug to carry excess water from the site into a pond created by the entrance. We are also in the process of laying water pipes to two new areas for Camping and Camp Fire evenings. Very sadly we lost David Tombs in 1991 after suffering from Motor-Neuron Disease. We all miss him very much and will always remember not only his hard work done at Shey Copse but his very cheerful presence and quiet sense of humour.