SCOUTING IN WARMINSTER
Information from a Scouting Programme of 1953:
A troop was formed in Warminster when scouting was only in its infancy, to be precise in 1909, and the troop was the 1st Warminster. It is in the headquarters [the Greenland Hut at Weymouth Street] of this troop, which remained active until 1945 with the exception of a few short periods, that meetings are held. The Hut was erected in 1931, mainly due to the efforts of Mr. W. A. Greenland (sometime Scout Master and District Commissioner) and it was opened by the late Marquis of Bath.
A second group was formed in 1927 by the Rev. H. Wake. Known as the 1st Boreham (St. John’s) Troop, they were presented in 1931 with a grand headquarters [at Boreham Road] by Major and Mrs. O. Teichman in memory of their son Hugo. The St. John’s Troop carried on until the beginning of the Second World War, when, due to a lack of Scouters, disbandment was necessary. The Memorial Room was used for a short period by the Senior Scout section of the present Warminster Group in 1949/1950.
Yet another troop was formed in 1930, the 2nd Warminster (Minster) Troop. During the War this troop was kept going through help given by an American scouter, other adults including the Rev. Large, H. Brown Esq., and the efforts of the Scouts themselves, with Miss H. Marshman acting as Lady Scoutmaster, always ready in the background with helpful guidance.
The end of World War Two saw the return of ex-scouters to the district: Messrs. Houlton, Barber and Culverhouse of the 1st Warminster, and D. Wyer of the St. John’s. Mr. L. G. Turpin, an ex-sea scouter from Plymouth and L. Marchant were also in the town and ready to help. Building on the Minster Troop as the best surviving from the War years and a strong Cub Pack under the leadership of our present Akela, Miss J. W. Goodman, these scouters by an amalgamation of the three town troops formed the present group.
With the many “ups and downs†experienced since the War it will probably be of more interest to re-examine the history in greater detail than hitherto. In 1947 we started with seven Scouters, including one Lady Cubmaster. The group prospered and in 1948 the Summer Camp was held at Osmington Mills, near Weymouth, with six Scouters present. Because of the prohibitive costs of transport the Summer Camp of 1949 was held closer to hand at Hunstrete but with only three Scouters. Later in the year, however, we saw the arrival of the Rev. Norton, who formed a Rover Crew and was a great help to scouting in the town during his stay. With the Channel Islands as the venue, 1950 saw the first and only Rover Scout Camp. The Group Camp was held at Ladram Bay, near Sidmouth. The Seniors cycled and stayed an extra night before returning. The shortage of scouters persisted.
We now come to the darkest hour of scouting in Warminster since the War. The Summer Camp of 1951 was held at Eype, under the worst possible weather conditions, with only two Scouters helping. Later in the year the number of male Scouters was reduced to one! This was the year of the World Jamboree, which was attended by the Troop’s first post-War King’s Scout John Blagden. It was only due to the efforts of St. Boniface College Rover J. Presswell that the Troop survived.
Practically a new start was made in 1952, with Mr. A. Tracey as A.S.M., assisted by A.C.M. J. Blagden. The Summer Camp was held at Iford, in perfect weather, and was a great success. Senior Scouts were present, under S.M. R. Turpin, and also present was an ex-Scouter, J. Hunter, the local Youth Service Officer. Further highlights of 1952 were the combined Guide & Scout Fete held in the grounds of St. Boniface College in the summer, and a visit to London to see the Gang Show at the Golders Green Hippodrome. The P. L.’s saw the old year out with a night hike and the new year in with a “Bun Fightâ€, afterwards sleeping in the Scout Hut.
The record of 1952 would not be complete without mentioning the visit of H.R.H. Princess Margaret to the combined Scout & Guide Rally at Bowood. Several members of the group were camping with the district contingent and the Troop Flag was carried by Senior P.L.R. Middlebrook. At this function the whole pack was present and they were represented in the Guard of Honour by Leaping Wolf B. Airey.
In October the A. G. M. of the Group was held. The main theme throughout the evening was the shortage of Scouters. This was mentioned by the Chairman, Mr. Goodman, in his opening remarks and was further commented on by A.C.M. J. Blagden, who gave the Group report. The new District Commissioner, Col. J. Reed, introduced himself and added an appeal for men to adopt shorts like himself in the cause of scouting. This appeal was answered by Mr. H. G. House later in the evening, an old Scouter of the St. John’s Group, and Mr. A. Shilling, an ex-Scouter from London. It was decided that they should take out Warrants as G.S.M. and S.M. respectively.
1953 has been a year full of special events. A social in January was held for Senior Scouts to which were invited: Scouters, ex-Scouts, people interested in scouting and the local Guides. Later in the week a party and social was held for the whole Group. Two very enjoyable occasions. Organised by the Warminster Senior Scouts and opened by Mr. F. V. Cowie, the I. H. Q. Commissioner for Senior Scouts, the Wiltshire Senioree was held at Rushpool over Easter. Parents’ Evening, Coronation Events and training camps are such recent events to need no further comment but will take place in history in due time.