HISTORY - 7th Ashford Scout Group

The Scout Troop was started in 1943 by Mr. Biddle in a hut in his own garden. This in itself is unusual, possibly unique, because although the tide of the Second World War was turning, many groups were struggling to continue due to leaders being called up. A Cub Pack was formed by Mrs. Lickfold. The group was formed and later moved to larger, rented premises in Spelthorne School, the cost being one shilling per meeting. The group lost the services of Mr. Biddle and Mrs. Lickfold during 1947/48. An S.M. warrant was granted to Mr. R. F. Sheppard in 1949.

A group committee was formed on August 23rd 1945 and on the 10th June 1950 a new H.Q., "Rowland Hall", an ex-army hut, was opened on a piece of land to the side of the Queen Mary Reservoir, Ashford. The H.Q. was named after the Chairman, Mr. E Rowlands.

The other committee members were :
Vice Chairman : Mr. R. D. Grogan, Secretary : Mrs. L. A. Grogan,
Assistant Secretary : Mrs. Palmer, Treasurer : Mrs. Speller.
Also present at the first meeting was D.S.M. Frank Joyce.
At about this time the Scoutmaster was Mr. N. Hurn and the Cubmaster Mrs. Y. Downing.

In 1955 the Senior Scouts won the Senior Scout Camping Competition and were also awarded the Jersey (Channel Islands) Camping Standards Pennant. About five pennants were awarded each year and a very high standard of camping had to be achieved. In the same year, Gerrard Jewell gained the Leaping Wolf award. Between 1953 and 1963 (at least), the annual summer camp was awarded a Camping Standard certificate.

A lease was made between the group and the Metropolitan Water Board in 1968 for 0.19 acres on which to build the new H.Q. The group moved into their present H.Q., "Dunford Hall" on the 23rd January 1971, still next to the Queen Mary Reservoir but at the other end of Ashford Road.

The group was very strong in the 1970's with two cub packs, 7th Ashford "A" and 7th Ashford "B".
There was a feeling, however, that the "B" pack was second best and Bob Bull suggested changing the Tuesday pack to "Tigers" and the Wednesday pack to "Wolves". The packs amalgamated in 1976 but the pack retains the "Tigers" name to this day.

The group committee in 1972 included :
Chairman : Mr. C. Goodbarne, Treasurer : Mr. G. N. Wyatt,
Secretary : Mr. J. H. Reynolds, Leader (G.S.L. ?) Mr. A. H. Kane.

In 1993, the group celebrated their 50th anniversary, and in 2003 their 60th anniversary. Long serving section leaders over the years include Bob Bull - G.S.L., Ina Bull - Akela, Geoff Sully - Scout Leader. Records show that 7th Ashford may be unique in having a Groundsman - Mr. D. Hicks, and Mr. D. Rushton, who looked after the vehicles.

Achievements, Awards, Competitions
Senior Scout Camping Competition 1955
Jersey (Channel Islands) Camping Standards Pennant 1955
District Campercraft Competition 1954
District Campercraft Competition 1956

Queens Scout Award Holders
R. Charlesworth, 1961; P. Jennings, 1961; J. Jewel, 1962; M. Farrer, 1985; P. New, 1987; S. New, 1989;
D. Howes, 1990; D. Sully, 1991; L. Sully, 1992.

Chief Scout Gold Award Holders
M.New, D.Hillman 2009; S.Pilkington, A.Hall, M.Bridger 2010