“Origins”
Baden-Powell returned to England a national hero, after defending Mafeking for seven months during the Boer war, the first real British triumph in the Boer War. When he returned to England, he discovered that many young boys were reading his book Aids to Scouting. This book was intended as a military training manual, teaching soldiers techniques such as observation, tracking etc.
Baden-Powell met with various influential people in youth movements across the country, and was
persuaded to write a version of his book aimed at teenage boys, Scouting for Boys was
published in 1908.
Earlier in 1907 Baden Powell held a camp on Brownsea Island, Poole Harbour, Dorset, where he tried out his ideas on four patrols of boys from London and Bournemouth. The start of this camp on 1st August 1908 is regarded as the start of the Scouting movement.The movement grew quickly and within 3 years had over 100,000 members
“Chorley District”
The Scout movement in Chorley has developed since the early days of scouting ut with a number of changes, one of these being the title. At the start it was Withnell and Chorley Local Boy Scouts Association, then in 1933 the Association linked up with Leyland and in 1940 this was officially reflected in the title which became Chorley, Leyland and District.
“Whittle Origins”
Kem Mill Print Works destroyed.
Article - 17 October 1914 Chorley Guardian and Leyland Hundred Advertiser.
Huge fire at Whittle-le-Woods, Kem Mill printworks destroyed.
Throughout the whole time valuable assistance was rendered by a number of boy scouts from
Leyland and Wheelton, also employees of the firm and these were provided with refreshments. It
was not until two o'clock on Thursday morning that the Chorley fire brigade were able to leave,
but after this water was poured on the flames by works brigade, until the early hours of the
morning.
Could these some of the first Scout's from Whittle and Clayton as well?
http://www.boydharris.co.uk/kem007.html
“1910 to 1930”
Many local Scout Troops were first registered in either the "Leyland and District Local Association" or the "Withnell and Chorley Local Association". Early Registrations This include the 1st Whittle-le-Woods (St John's) which was registered under the registration number 13591 Registration 13591.on 27th March 1925. There was one Scout Master, David Fitchie and 15 Scouts. This Troop seems to have been short lived as it was cancelled on 19th January 1927. However 1st Whittle-le-Woods (St John's) was re-registered on 11th July 1927 under a new registration number, 16465. Registration 16465. David Fitchie was again Scout Master,there were also 2 Assistant Scout Masters and 56 Scouts.
The Troop Headquaters seems to have moved about, the original 13591 registration gave the Headquarters as St John's church, whilst the 16465 registration was based at the "Old Manor House". The 1st Whittle-le-Woods Troop was registered as a Scout Group in the Withnell and Chorley LA (No. 6698) on 1st October 1928.
Early Leaeders registered in the area include T. Baker from Crooke Hall (scout Master 2.10.1913; A. Desoer from Shaw Brow (Assistant Scout Master 24.1.1914) and J. Fairhurst from Rock Villa Road. The 1st Whittle-le-Woods Troop was registered as a Scout Group in the Withnell and Chorley LA (No. 6698) on 1st October 1928.
“1950's”
1956 - The Whittle and Clayton Scout Group registered as 32369 originally started on the 1st February 1956 and was called the Whittle-Le-Woods Methodist Scout Group. There were 20 “Wolf Cubs”, 3 “Boy Scouts” and 5 “Leaders” when the Group started. The leaders were: a Group Scout Master, Thomas Bates; a Cub Master, Edward Hullock; an Assistant Cub Master, Harry Ellison; a Scout Master, Ernest Cornes and an Assistant Scout Master, Gerald Mason. The Group first met in the Methodist Church on Preston Road. Registration 32369.
“1960's”
1961 - The Scout Group name changed to “Whittle-Le-Woods Scout Group&rdquo. This change officially occured on the 27th March 1961. The G.S.M. was a Mr Ellison. Name change 1961.
“1970's”;
1973 - In February 1973 whittle-le-Woods Scouts formally became “Whittle and Clayton Scout Group". The C.S.L. at the time of the
change was Ian Mcdonald.
1974 - In 1974 the local government bundries changed scouting boundries also changed to reflect these. Chorley, Leyland and
District split into two seperate areas; "Chorley and District Scout council" and "South Ribble District scout Council".
Whittle and Clayton were one of 16 groups incorporated into the Chorley and District Scout
Council. Chorley and District registration 1974
Also in the 1970's:-
Joy started as a Cub leader.
The Scout's moved to the present HQ on Chorley Old Road in 1974.
“1980's”;
Information needed.
“1990's”;
Information needed.
“2006 - 2007”
In late 2006 after a period where the Beaver Section had disbanded it was reformed, the leaders being Fiona P, Liz F and Judith B.
And following on from this the Scout Section was reformed in February 2007, the leaders being Steve F, Chris B, Peter B, Steve Y and Liz S.
During 2007 the new Scout Troop and Beaver Coloney joined the rest of the scouting movement in celebrating 100 years of Scouting which included the Scouts participating in the West Lancs Centenary Camp at Waddecar and the sunrise celebrations on 1st August to mark the 100th anniversary of the Brownsea Camp.
“2009”
Joy finally retires (or does she!)
Please contact us if you have any information, pictures or can remember your time in Whittle and Clayton Scouts.
