History of the GROUP

Mr.R.J.Reeve ( scoutmaster from 1933-1939 ) has searched his memory and written a short history of the group from its founding up until the second World War

The Group was formed in approximately 1910. Scout Alex Coker was awarded the Cornwell Badge, the highest Scout Honour in the early days of scouting (very few of these were ever presented). During the First World War, scouts helped the Coastguards to man a night-time look-out post at Bradwell on Sea.

After 1918 the Group expanded. Mr. P. Marchant was Group Scout Master with Assistant Scoutmasters Rev. Pring, Rush and Douglas Stevens. The Cub Mistress was Connie Eves, with Assistant Cubmaster Fred Mead and Gym Instructor Norman Eves.

During this period a Drum and Pipe Band was formed. Bob Rush emigrated to Canada and became a professional Scout, in charge of Canada's equivalent of England's Gilwell Park Training Centre. The Otter Patrol entered the Essex County Patrol competition in 1925 and won the Hilda Cup. This was considered a great achievement. Mr. Marchant was very proud of this as he had instructed and trained this patrol three evenings per week for many months. Tom Archer was patrol Leader. The tests included signalling and reading messages in Morse code and with flags, first aid, physical training, bell tent pitching, surveying and pioneer work. During the period 1925/26 many scouts achieved King Scout Class and 1st. Class with Green and Yellow cords, Red and White cords, and a few with gold cords (Cords at that time were marks of achievement).

In approximately 1928 Mr. Marchant was appointed District Commissioner and Stan Hardy-King became Scoutmaster. Up to this time the ground floor of St. Peter's Church was the Scout Headquarters (where the County Library used to be), but the tower became unsafe, and the scouts were forced to move. This was a great loss and a big set back for two or three years during which time meetings were held in a shed in Hardy-King's commercial yard which stood on the site of the car park at the rear of today's Woolworths and Budgens. Later meetings were held in the Parish Hall , and continued there until the outbreak of World War Two. Then the Parish Hall was requisitioned by the Government.

Mr.R.J.Reeve was Scoutmaster from 1933 to 1939 with Jack Towler Assistant Scoutmaster, Reg Everard was Cubmaster and Len Savell Assistant Cubmaster.

From 1920-39 the 1st. Maldon All Saints Patrols won the District Shield and later the Leslie Cup. This competition was always held on Whit Monday and a determined effort was always made to win, and it was never lost.

The Patrols during this period were :- Otters Senior (Colours Brown/White); Peewits (Colours Green/White); Badgers (Colours Mauve/White); Lions (Colours Red/Yellow); Wolves recruits (Colours Black/Yellow).

The Group was disbanded in 1939 on the outbreak of World War Two when the blackout restrictions came into force.

Unfortunately the records of the Group were lost during the Second World War.

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FURTHER HISTORY

1950 - 1952

The Group was re-opened in 1950 with Miss Nell Metcalfe as Akela of the Cubs, the name of the pack was 'Herons'.

1952--1983

Scouts restarted in 1952 with Mr. Frank Cruess as the Scout Leader, the name of the Troop was 'Merlins'. Both Sections met in the Parish Hall before moving to All Saints Church Hall in London Road when this was built in 1966. Later a second Cub Pack, the 'Eagles' was started, and a third, the 'Kestrels' started in 1978. The Scout Troop split into two in the late seventies, the other Troop was named Vikings'.

1983--1985

In September 1983 the Venture Unit was formed. Two Beaver Colonies were started in November 1984, and due to the number of six year olds on the waiting list, a third Colony was opened in the following year. In the Autumn of 1985, the 'Viking' Scout Troop closed due to falling numbers and problems with Leadership.

1985--1992

In 1985, with the kind permission of the landowners we acquired on lease, a sizeable plot of land at Ulting for use as a camp site and training ground. The plot was very much overgrown at first but much time and effort was put into clearing the ground making it suitable for overnight camping etc. As there were no trees on the site , in 1986 it was suggested that parents might like to donate a tree and those trees are still there today. At the end of 1987, 6th Maldon Sea Scout and Cubs relinquished sponsorship with the United Reformed Church and became part of 1st Maldon All Saints Group. They were housed at All Saints School Highlands Drive for a short period. The Cub pack unfortunately closed and the sea Scouts went on to meet in the Baptist Hall Butt Lane. The new Cubs and Scouts re-affirmed their Promise and were presented with their new scarves of the 1st Maldon Group and welcomed in at a bonfire and fireworks party at our campsite.Owing to local pressure from the neighbours and the village we were forced to relinquish the lease and not to re-new; this was in 1992. In September 1988, one of the Beaver Colonies was closed due to the resignation of the Leaders and no offers of Uniformed help available.

The town of Maldon is twinned with Cuijk in the Netherlands, and as a result of this the 1st Maldon All Saints Merlin Scout troop has forged a link with Scouting Cuijk which has been very successful since 1987. Exchange visits regularly take place between the two Troops.

To see more about the Dutch connection please visit their home page. http://scoutnet.nl/~scoutingcuijk/final/

1992--1996

The numbers of six year olds again meant us opening a third Colony but in 1994 the Kingfisher Colony closed , and the Weazel Colony closed during 1996 due to lack of Leaders leaving us at present with only one Colony the Otters. In 1996 the Venture Unit was forced to close because of the lack of members.

1993--1999

On the 28th September 1993 the Group started work on the renovations to the new Scout Headquarters to be known as Brickhouse Farm in the Community Centre Block. Unlike the rest of the complex, we have had to fund all the renovations ourselves and undertake all the work involved. The benefits of having our own building are enormous, allowing the full potential of Scouting to be exercised in helping and training the young people to achieve as many awards and qualifications as they can.

All the sections moved into our partly renovated building early 1995. The interior construction of the headquarters continued whilst we met around the building progress. The finances would not allow us to spend money for rented accommodation as well as funding the building work at Brickhouse.

In April 1999 the Venture Unit was re-opened with a new influx of members.

This had to close again at the end of the year when nearly all the members went to various Uni's 

2002 - 2006

July 2002 saw the closure of the Otter Beaver Colony when the leader resigned from our Group and shortly joined North Fambridge to run a Colony there.

In April 2004 The Group was given permission to start an Explorer Scout Section within it were some Young Leaders.This Unit called 'Vikings' was to be one of the Maldon & Dengie District's Satellite Units running in Maldon on a Monday Evening.

June 2005 saw the re-opening of the Otter Beaver Scout Colony with new Leaders and a full complement of boys and girls.

December 2006 saw the Leadership change  but the Otter Beaver Colony managed to stay open.

In September 2007 we were lucky to find some Adult Leaders to re-open our Kingfisher Beaver Colony. This now brings the Group to Two Beaver Colonies.

If any Adults feel like a challenge, we could even open a Third....let me know GSL.

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It has always been the aim of the Group to supply Scouting for all ages as the need demands, hence the need to open or close Sections as necessary, but we always need more Adult help especially Uniformed help.

If you feel that this might be the challenge that you are looking for, either to help Beavers and Cubs as parent helpers, or as Uniformed Leaders in any section, to help organise the Duke of Edinburgh's Award Scheme, or a member of the Group Council Committee... just contact the Group Scout Leader.mailto: cliff.hunter1942@btinternet.com