The group was originally established in 1921 with an HQ closer to the city than at present. Our current purpose built H.Q. was built 15 years ago and has a large indoor activity hall, an upstairs room that houses our extensive scouting archives and access to an enclosed outdoor area, with car parking. We have a well-equipped kitchen and our toilet facility has wheelchair access. The HQ is available for for parties, meetings and events.
We are proud of our association with the Kings Royal Rifles and Royal Greenjackets Regiments who once had their barracks in the city. Our association came after the Second World War as a result of our group sending food parcels to prisoners of war from the Regiment captured at Calais while making a diversion for the Dunkirk evacuation. Our parcels were some of the few that actually found their way to the prisoners, many others didn’t. In recognition of our services we are allowed to wear the regimental colours of red, black and green on our neckerchief and have the regimental badge incorporated into our own group badge.
We have active Beaver, Cub and Scout Sections within the group. All sections accept boys and girls, and incorporate traditional scouting skills with modern ideas to give a balanced programme that allows young people to gain new abilities, take part in challenging activities, make friends and have fun. Each section holds one evening meeting a week, Beavers and Cubs meeting on a Wednesday and Scouts on a Friday, as well as optional extra activities on some weekends.
Our Beavers have a large lively colony who do their best to get the ‘out’ out of scouting by trying new activities, having themed sleepovers, going on visits and taking part in district events that encourage youngsters to meet new people, meet up with old friends and of course have plenty of fun in the process.
Our Cub Pack is a large lively pack that takes part in a variety of activities and is very supportive of district events encouraging the youngsters to take part and have fun.
The Scout Troop takes pride in encouraging traditional scouting craft as well as a range of modern exciting activities . They are renowned for their traditional Christmas Camp, where they invite guests to a three-course meal cooked over a traditional campfire and in a mud oven, delicious!
Our leaders have a wealth of experience in scouting, camping, first aid and many are trained minibus drivers.
Weekend camps are held throughout the year, either as combined or single sections. When sections join together in a fun environment it encourages tolerance between age groups as well as leadership skills proving that we are one big family. We also join in with district camps, meeting other Cubs and Scouts from across Winchester. Cubs and Scouts hold an annual joint summer camp visiting different parts of the country and overseas including Eire and Guernsey. We incorporate exciting and challenging activities such as climbing, caving, canoeing, hill walking and hiking into the camp programme making it a real experience for everyone.
Why not come and see what we have to offer? Contact us to discuss. You can come along for a meeting to see what it’s all about, with no commitment.
I was a rover Scout with the 12th winchesterhe I was with the group 1943 until I retired as group scout leader 1991.
WH Rose. (Joe)