8th Ashford Scout Group

Insight into the 8th Ashford Scout Group
by Mary Eyers

We have been going for 62 years, a mere baby in comparison to some Groups in the District. Mrs Gadd started the Group and is still playing an active part, she holds the honour of being our President, and has been District ADC Cubs, was award the Silver Acorn , also a 60 year badge, I believe the first in our county. I asked here what or who inspired her to take up Scouting. The answer came back, B.P., of course. She had heard him speaking at a Girl Guide Rally in 1929.

The 8th Ashford Scout Group was started primarily for the boys of St Hilda's Church choir with the approval of the D.C., the late Reg Shelton, and of the ADC Cub Scouts, Kathy Rosewell. We held our first cub meeting on 5th May 1945, but we were not officially registered until the following October. There were about 10 boys and Mrs Gadd had two Girl Guides, Molly Miles and Beryl Hoare to help her. Mr J.Youseman started the Scout section, with Dennis Gadd running the Rovers. I cannot catalogue the names of all the Scouters and helpers who have worked with us over the years so please don't be offended if you're not mentioned. Scouting works because it has many unsung heroes working hard in the background and all their efforts are very much appreciated. Suffice it to say that we have been very fortunate in our helpers. For instance, in 1952 we had a £50 donation from the Ashford home guard, a considerable sum in those days. We had a rather unorthodox beginning. The only meeting place we could find was the kitchen of the old corrugated iron building which served as St. Hilda's Church Hall. This was burnt down some years ago; the main hall was used as a buffer store of food in case we were blockaded. We could however, use the kitchen unless there was a bun-fight going on. When this happened we used the choir vestry or the grass outside. One of the drawbacks of the kitchen was the rough floor. An essential part of Cub night equipment was a stout needle for removing splinters from boys' bottoms. The war was almost over and Hitler had given up bombing but was sending over V1 and V2 rockets, so there was no point in blacking out our windows.

As folk took down their black curtains we begged them of their old material. Perhaps some of you don't realise that we were all issued with a certain number of clothing coupons to last for a year. These had to be surrendered when buying an item of clothing or length of cloth, so there were none spare for scarves. Braid was coupon free and we sewed this round the black triangles. Green for 'All Clear' Signal. We are proud to still wear these colours to-day. We soon out grew our cramped quarters, and began a wandering existence using Woodthorpe Road School Hall and other venues. Everyone began working hard to get our own HQ. The Council granted us a lease on a piece of land in Convent Road. We had Mr W T Slaughter on our committee. He was the prime mover in planning, designing and erecting the HQ we bought from the R.E.M.E. for £7l.l.6d £71.15p in today's money. In September 1959 work was completed and the building was opened by Mr A Wingrave (if anyone calls it a hut they will get a flea in their ear). By this time we had been joined by some of the boys & leaders of the 6th Ashford, and boys from the 7th Staines, this was in early 1950's when their Groups closed down. The Group were taking part in both County and District events and winning trophies such as the Wolfhead Arrow Competition which the Cub Section won from 1945 to 1959. The Scout section was winning the County Campercraft Childers Shield, I am told 11 times, and in 1976 our Venture unit won the Woodhouse trophy, and continued their success to 1981. The Group were given all three awards outright. Unfortunately our Venture Unit close through lack of support. In fact the Group went through a bad patch from 1981 to 1999 due to changes in peoples work patterns. Our HQ roof was also in urgent need of repair. We had to go back to being nomads for a while. In true Scouting spirit, we soldiered on. I think if I was to describe our Group I would say we were Pioneers. Through the years the different sections have shown that we had a wealth of talent. .

One of the earliest memories was in June 1953, on Coronation Day the 8th Ashford were at the Lamas Park setting up a model camp in the rain, as only a few people came it was decided to abandon the camp and retreat to someone's home and listen to the Coronation on the radio. The boys for many years used to camp every weekend at Laleham Park, They also took part in a cycle rally at Wembley. I asked other members of the Group, who they thought had the most influence on the Group other than Mrs Gadd and they came up with Ernie Etches our Group Scout Leader from 1976 to 1985, who sadly died in 1985. He had a great sense of fun and was an inspiration to all who knew him. He was always there to help and advice. During his time with us we started joint Group fairs which were always known by the numbers of the Groups participating that year, such as 658. Ernie would throw himself into what ever the theme of the event. One year it was the Flintstones and guess who dressed up as Barnie Rubble. Yes! Ernie.

One time we held a tramp supper at Walton Firs Camp site with Brain Sansom and our families early in our Scouting career, not being entirely sure of the way, we walked into Walton Police Station dressed as tramps to ask the way. Brian went on to become our Group Scout Leader after Ernie. Ernie he arranged for the Group to visit the Houses of Parliament. Ernie always came along to all the Cub Camps. I remember one at Chalfont Heights when Syd Andrews and John Lane, our Group's Cook and Bottlewasher plus Ernie went for a walk round the camp site and came back with a group of Armenian Scouts complete with their Chief Scout, who joined us throughout our stay. I should mention at this point that our cooks always made sure that we were well feed and that all sections of the Group fought tooth and nail to get them to come along. On one week-long camp we had roast dinners every day. One lad, who said he would only eat burgers, told his mum when he got home that he wanted roast dinners every day. I think she was none to pleased about that.

There are many happy camps that I recall like the Father and Sons Camp at Bears Rails when we had been spending the day making Ballisters and the like. After supper we were all sat round the camp fire, the wood, or I should say huge log, supplied by Paul Svard, now a Network Leader, blazing away, when a large beam of light came from the sky and we were told to put that fire out. As it was late and we were tired we thought that a UFO was hovering above us and aliens were trying to communicate with us. I think the bravest thing that Ernie did was to rescue a Scout from drowning at Bishop Wand's pool, he told us he could swim so he dived in the deep end and hit the bottom and knocked himself unconscious. Ernie dived in and brought him to the surface and rendered first-aid. Eventually the boy recovered, none the worse for his adventure. That is not the only time a Leader has come to the rescue of some poor Scout or Cub. I myself had a lad on camp who, in spite of warnings, left his tent in the dark without a torch and fell over a guy rope and cut his head open. I spent a few hours trying to keep him awake until help arrived. Some time later his mum told me he had won an essay prize at school for relating his adventures that night. We also had to deal with splinters in bottoms etc.

All leaders need to be adaptable. On a Pack visit to Longridge Scout Centre on the Thames for a Cub water activity weekend. All our gear was put onto the van. I should tell you at this point that our Venture unit was camping near by so there gear was also on board. The idea was that they would drop our gear and us off on route. Of course it was pouring with rain and it was dark when we arrived, and guess what. Our gear was at the back of the van. Anyway the Ventures said they would put up all the tents. I was sent off to a meeting to find out what activities we would be doing during the weekend. When I got back all the tents were up and the boys settled in. It had been decided that just for that night the boys would sleep in the mess tent and we could sort ever thing out in the morning. That settled, I went to bed I had just gone off to sleep when a voice called out 'Come quick'. One of the boys was getting wet so we moved him in towards the centre of the tent, this we did several times during the night until he was right in the centre. It was still raining in the morning and it was decided that the boy who had got me out of bed should bring me a cup of tea, which he did. He called out 'Here's your tea', I told him to put it just inside my tent. When he did, water flooded out of the tent. What nobody knew was that the Ventures had put my tent over a puddle, and I had spent most of the night floating about on a lilo, bailing water out with a mug. The rest of the time was bright and sunny.

The Scouts recall two events that that happened on camps, the first being at a farm just outside Oxford where they slept in a haunted barn. The Leaders used to tell many a ghostly tale, until one day they met the ghost, so they say. For some reason they would never sleep in there again. The other was about one of our Scouters who always sang the same campfire song, and the boys who had heard this many times got bored and booed him off. He was heard to say never again, or words to that affect. I cannot leave our Venture Unit out they were all ways to be found on a sinking raft or lost on top of a mountain or lost in general. Only joking, Brian. One incident in particular was on a night hike were of course they got lost, everyone started to panic until a new boy said don't worry I will get you out of this. Walking about a hundred yards up the path there was a sign saying 'this way to the campsite'. Inspired by this they gained 14 Queen Scout Awards and some Duke of Edinburgh Awards, thanks to Brian and his team.

Brian Samson was our Group Scout Leader twice. He joined the group in 1970 and stayed until 1999. During this time there were many changes within Scouting and outside, we had two new programmes the introduction of the Beavers, and Girls were allowed to become members. We also had a new Uniform to contend with. This is what I call our lean years, but Brian kept us going as a team as well as boosting our morale. I joined the Group in 1974, helping the Cub Section under the then Akela Betty Watts, then as assistant Leader with the tittle of Baloo under Ron Bell. I took over the pack as caretaker Akela until the Alexander's took over; I became Akela when the Alexander's left the Group. During this time we became the first Pack in the District to camp at the Science Museum and to have girls in the pack. Our Cub Pack also won the Wardens Scout Challenge at Gilwell and were the regional runners up in a National Tea Competition. The challenge was too make as many cups of tea as we could in as many unusual places as possible. Some of the places we made tea were in a dustcart, a Roman Galleon, for the crew of Concorde, for the then Mayor of Spelthorne, Charles Merry, a snakepit, on Towntree roundabout, in a cell at Sunbury Police Station, at the Scout Fair, Mayors Funday, on the set of 'The Hunger' at Shepperton Studios, also on the Concourse of Terminal 4. The boys told me afterwards that the scariest challenge was making tea for our Venture Unit. I have to say a special thank you to Don Westall for setting up most of the venues.

Don was instrumental in setting up our Beaver Colony, our first Leader being Bob Hutton and then June Beasley later Theresa Rogers, led the Beaver Colony and later became our Group Scout Leader. She has now emigrated to Canada and runs a Scout Group out there. Don helped out in most of the Sections and was our Assistant Group Scout Leader for many years. The Pack also had the privilege of meeting the then Chief Scout, Gareth Morrison, while camping at Gilwell. I wonder how many Akelas can claim, after an outing to Kew Steam Museum, to have four more boys than when she started. It all began when one our boys fell over his shoe lace and broke his gift for his mum, it was Mothers Day the next Sunday, so I sent my trusty Leaders to the Station with the rest of the Pack while we went back to buy a replacement gift. When I arrived on the Platform I asked for a head count. I was told we seemed to have extra boys, and then I looked on the opposite platform and saw another Group wearing the same colour scarves. All be came clear. We learned that they were from Manchester.

Over the years we have had special places we camped at. The Scouts and Ventures used to spend their summer camps lasting a week or a fortnight on a farm at Corfe Mullen in Dorset, where they could put their Scouting skills to the test as well as visiting Brownsea Island, Christchurch or Poole and sometimes Shell Bay. The Cub Section sometimes went along as well; they also stayed at St. Mary's Bay. The other campsite we used was at Marsh Baldon, which was found by Mike Watts and Norman Garrett in the 1950's and was regularly used by the Group until 1985. The last occasion was our 40th Anniversary Camp when we planted a tree, and a special service was held in the Parish Church. This camp was tinged with sadness as soon afterwards we lost Ernie Etches, and Betty Watts died some time later, suffering terminal cancer.

In 1995 we spent our 50th Anniversary Camp at Chalfont Heights, with many of our ex-members and their families in attendance. All the sections put on a display of Scouting activities after which we had a buffet lunch, with a short service in the chapel given by Stephen Blood the Vicar of St Hilda's Church. The cake was cut by Pam Gadd our President and the youngest boy, a Beaver, who had joined us the week before. A badge was designed by Paul Beasley, one of our Scout Leaders, to wear on the back of our scarf to commemorate the occasion. For our 60th Anniversary in 2005, once again held at Chalfont Heights, this time we had 83 boys on camp including a selection from all Sections of the Group and the District Raleigh Explorer Unit. The celebrations started with a Scouts Own Led by the Rev. S. J. Blood, retired vicar of St Hilda's Church Ashford, when our new Group Colours were dedicated. Afterwards the boys enjoyed a varied selection of activities such as climbing, archery, shooting, bung run, go-carting and much more. At the Campfire we enjoyed a special appearance from the King of the Crows and the Group were joined by three other groups making about 300 young people and Adults who joined in the singing and stunts. Paul Beasley, who was also our quartermaster, organised an Easter Egg Hunt, with egg rolling and best decorated egg, the prizes being chocolate eggs Paul also filled in as cook at camps and took on the job of organising our annual fair. Talking of Fund Raisers we have always had strong support from the parents within the Group who have raised thousands of Pounds when needed and given freely of their time to keep us going. I am sorry I cannot mention you all by name; it would take too long, but on behalf of the 8th Ashford I thank you all.

In 1991 on the 75th Anniversary of Cub Scouting about a dozen of the 8th Ashford Cubs and 3rd Ashford attended a Special rededication Service at Guildford Cathedral as representatives of the Staines District, also in that year they introduced a new Cub Scout training programme. As a Group we went over to Brownsea Island and invested Cubs and Beavers by the Memorial Stone to Baden Powell. We still carry on our visits to the island annually by the Beavers and Cubs to this day. The following year girls were introduced to scouting, we were the first Group in the Staines District to take them on board in all sections. In fact we have the honour of having the first girl, Helen Talbot, in the District to receive a Chief Scout Award.

During the time I was Akela I introduced the Pack to sleepovers at the Science Museum, and we were the last pack to go round the Old Wembley Stadium in 2000. We also took the group to see the Under 21 Final, England Verses Germany. England won. We also went to Brentford on several occasions with the Group. Our Venture Unit made A Go Cart, and our Scouts built a rowing boat. Since we first started the Group have taken an active part in both District and County events, the Beavers have been to Legoland, HMS Belfast, had Fun Days, when they made anything from Pirates Hats to paper aeroplanes, played a variety of games and enjoyed entertainment from magicians and jugglers. We also participated in Sports days, taking part in sack races, egg and spoon races and so on. Once a year the Colonies make up shoe boxes, filled with small gifts for needy children, which are sent to places like Mozambique, Kazakhstan and parts of Eastern Europe.

In 2004 the County held an activity day at Imber Court called Scram, it was a two day event, attended by Beavers and Cubs over the two days from all over Surrey. On the Saturday it was the Beavers day and they were lucky as our present Chief Scout Peter Duncan attended and spent some time with the Beavers. The Pack, over the years, have always been very supportive of the many camps and activities put on by the District, such as Sedan Races, Cooking competitions, Sports days and Arrow Competitions, which were based on Scouting skills, day trips to Butlins, The Royal Tournament, were we found a couple of boys in the Royal box eating their sandwiches. And of course District camps. Themes ranging from Hollywood to Links in to Scouting, which is this years theme. The Cubs go round Bases covering Scouting activities as well as fun bases. Each Group puts on a Base. Some of the things we have done range from learning about the planets, making planes and boats and racing them, railwaymen's trucks and a Weather Station to name but a few. The District has also run a football league and Five-a-side football competitions. The Group have won these events a couple times and been runners-up many times, including this year of 2007. We have also taken part in fishing competitions. We have also shown our commitment to helping those less fortunate than ourselves by raising money for many good causes, such as the King's Fund Bed for Ashford Hospital. A worthwhile activity because on the official hand-over to the hospital one of the Cubs in the District was using it.

The Pack was busy doing joint walks to Windsor with 1st Laleham with a quiz and treasure hunt. Coming back by train I was always amazed at the number of youngsters who had never been on a train ride before. On one occasion, sharing a camp with 2nd Ashford at Broadstone Warren I got stung by a wasp. We also went on trips up to London to look round the sights, or to Greenwich to see the Cutty Sark and the Observatory or to Baden Powell House, Or Portsmouth to see HMS Victory. Back at HQ we were busy learning about the Jungle Book, knotting, how to put up a tent and many other things to help with badge work. We also paid visits to places like the Surrey Wild Life Centre to learn about the wildlife of Surrey and saw badgers, deer, ferrets and field mice among many others. We had many visitors coming and telling the Pack about their hobbies or jobs, like Bee Keeping, given by Mrs Gadd, and Dentists, and Vets. One of our parents and Beaver helper, David Skipper gave us a talk on yachting and dressed up in his yachting gear. The history of the area was explained by Vernon Gosling, who also gave us a talk on Sherlock Holmes. We used the local park for some of our games, and learned about compass work and trails as we walked round Bedfont Lakes.

While the Pack was doing all that the Troop were also busy, taking part in Campercraft Competitions, County and District Night hikes, Scoutabout, five-a-Side football Competitions and both Cubs and Scouts took part in the District Swimming Galas. The Troop had Patrol camps, rifle shooting, which Norman Garrett and Paul Beasley arranged for the District. We have always had a very strong Scout section that camped most weekends to improve their Scouting skills, as well as earning badges like the Fireman's Badge, visiting one of the local fire stations as part of the test, and were shown how to use fire extinguishers for all types of fires. As well organising Patrol camps to help them get their Chief Scouts Awards they also learnt about canoeing. In fact one of our Scouts built a rowing boat. First Aid Competitions, Patrol Leader Training Courses, County Cyclecross, and, just for fun, Ten Pin Bowling were some other activities the Scouts took part in.

As well as helping out at all our Group camps, our Venture Unit were busy helping out the various Sections, also with Group Fairs, by put up the stalls and running one for themselves. They also went out to other fairs like the Mayors Fun Day. Like the Scout Section they were camping or doing other things like building rafts, attending Aquameet, camping at NVOOT, running Bases. One of our Scouts, Stefan Svard went to Chile to the World Jamboree. Over our 62 years we have gained many Certificates, Trophies and awards. We have won 14, Queens Scout Awards and 49 Chief Scouts Awards as well as many Duke of Edinburgh Awards. Our latest going to Sam Cross who is the first Scout in our District to be appointed a cadet to the Lord Lieutenant of Surrey, Mrs Goad. His duties entail escorting her to official functions, and making sure that the event runs smoothly. I must not forget the Leaders and helpers who have received awards like Thanks Badges, Wood Badges, Medals of Merit, The Chief Scout's Commendation, or the Silver Acorn, also the 60 year award given to Mrs Gadd, our President, the three Civic Awards received by Brian Sansom, ex-GSL, Mary Eyers ex-Akela and John Eyers, ex-Chairman of the Fund Raisers Committee. I shall be listing the names of the recipients of the other Awards later on.

In 1998 we had a new GSL, Ian Boswell, who had his own approach to Fund Raising. When we needed a new Mini Bus he went in to training and took to the road, taking part in the Great North Run, in which he raised a great deal of much needed cash towards the mini-bus. He also had the Group safety in mind and made sure that HQ was a better place to be. As well as all that he spent time giving encouragement to our newer and younger Leaders and youngsters in the Group. having started off with 10 boys in 1945, and growing up to 80 boys in 1970, and up to 120 by 2000, and now 150 youngsters, and still growing stronger under the Leadership of our current GSL, Mike Wierenga. The Group is still playing an active part in Scouting today. In 2005 our Scouts re-enacted the story of St. George Slaying the Dragon at the launch of our new District when Staines District amalgamated with Sunbury and Shepperton District to become the Spelthorne District. This took place at Walton Firs Campsite on St George's Day, which was attended by the Mayor and Mayoress of Spelthorne, Cllr. and Mrs Trussler as well as many other guests. That year we had a Gang Show when our Group took an active part on stage and backstage.

During this year our Scouts, with the Raleigh Explorer Unit, went over to France, to the Somme, to see the many graves of the men who gave their lives in the Great War 1914-1918. To Commemorate and Remember those brave men they held a short service at Lochnagar Crater were wreaths were laid followed by a two minutes silence where the adults and young remembered the thousands who had given their lives. In November of 2006 the Troop revisited the War cemeteries this time to Ypres in Belgium. This time being the Guard of Honour at the Menin Gate on the Friday night Last Post Ceremony, also marching in the Poppy Parade on the Saturday and at the Service of Remembrance on the Sunday. They told me it was a very moving occasion and the boys came back with a better understanding of what happened during the war. The Pack made their Annual winter walk to Windsor.

On December 10th at St Michael's Church we held our Annual Carol Concert with many guests in attendance. We were also honoured by the presence of Lady Baden Powell, married to the grandson of our Founder, who lives in Surrey. She was entertained by each of the Sections performing part of the Christmas Story and Bible readings. She congratulated the Group and told us how much she had enjoyed it. This was our 33rd Carol Concert, the first being held in our HQ in 1973 when we had the Junior Salvation Army Band came and played for us. Up till about 1998 in those days it was just a service with Carols and readings and over the years it has progressed to include presentations given by the Sections, and of course we finish up with mince pies and a drink.

Now we come on to 2007 and 100 Years of Scouting. The World Jamboree will take place here in Great Britain and our Group will celebrate our 62nd year. I feel that the 8th Ashford have achieved a greet deal since our humble beginnings; our Motto in the Cubs was Working for the adults of tomorrow today. I hope we have helped to do this and with the current Leaders I have high hopes that the Group will carry on in into the future with the strong support of parents and fundraisers to carry us forward into the next 60 years and beyond.

Achievements, Awards, Competitions

Queens Scout Award Holders
B.Tilley, N.White, 1956. E.Beer, 1959. J.Gosling, I. McBride, J, Peppiatt, C. Wheeler, 1964. C. Bartlett, 1975. J. Nichalass, 1977. A. Alexander, M. Durbridge, 1979. C. Porter,1982. G. Collins, G. Edwards, 1985.

Chief Scout Award Holders
Peter & Gywn James, David, Simon, Jonathian Brant. Martin Walker, Coln Porter, Kevin Ambridge, Keith, Stuart, Turner, Kevin, Stephen, Spiller.Poul, Andrew, Dench. Mark Kemp. Gareth Boswell. Phillip Copus. Mark Litvak. Staurt Hone. Roy Fox. Ian King. David Lanham. Stewert Irwin. Adam Simpson. Nick Akroyd. David Turner. Stephen Diprose. Steve Harn. Russell Garrett. Alun Westoll. Jonathian Naylor. Stewart Sinclair. Christopher Levett. Vincent Albano. Helen Talbot. 1995. Chris Pearman, Gareth Recknell, Staurt, Andrew Nolan1998. Stefan Svard 1999. James, Peter, Lake, Richard Joce, 2000.Matthew Wieranga, Ben Rogers, Staurt Hairsnape.2005.

Duke of Edinburgh Awards
Bronze Sam Cross, David Nolan, Grant Soden,
Silver Sam Cross, David Nolan.

Leaders Awards
Long service Medal - Jim Simpson, Bob Hutton , Brian Samson, Mary Eyers.
Medal of Merit - Don Westoll, Owen Cross,Paul Beasley, Paul Svard.
Mary Eyers, Brian Samson, were also awarded a Chief Scouts Commendation Award.

Thanks Badges - Syd Andrews, John Lane, Mike Watts, Betty Watts, Ray Turner, Mike Diprose, Jill Ambridge, John Eyers, Paul Beasley, Jean Fox, and many more. Sorry if your name is not included, but your support and help are greatly valued.

Trophys and Shields
District Swimming Shield, Cub Sports 1955. District Scouts Swimming 1956. District Cub League football winners 1975-76. Swimming Gala First Place 1974-75. Fastest Go Cart team, Cubs District Sports, Water Safety Winners, 1975. Cubs District Arrow Competition, 1983. The Goodall Trophy 1984 also in 2000. Cubs Five aside winners,very highly Commended in a Road Safety Competition 1986. Pack won the Wardens Challange at Gilwell, And runners up in a Cart Competition 1991.Runners up in the Five a side Football,2000,2006, 2007.won the Adventure Crest Award in 2001.

To be continued ....

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