Scouts changing with the times

1:08pm Wednesday 16th May 2007

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First Hook was first registered in 1923 under the leadership of Dickie Cole, but it is believed that the scout troop and cub pack had been meeting unofficially since 1909.

In 1924, brothers Harold and Ralph were invested in the newly-formed Rover crew. Harold's leadership of the scout group began in 1932 when, as a Rover scout, he agreed to assist the scout section as a gymnastics instructor.

I also remember my first summer camp with the scouts when we went to Milford-on-Sea near Bournemouth for two weeks. Imagine that, two whole weeks! The whole group sat in the back of a lorry and cheered the whole journey down there.”

Tony Edwards

When the scoutmaster decided to move abroad in 1934, Harold assumed responsibility for the troop. He became known as "Skipper" by the 12 scouts under his command, and started to build up the group, despite having little money, no equipment and no headquarters. Meetings were held on Friday evenings in the local parish hall, but often had to be cancelled in favour of other parish functions.

The need for a permanent headquarters was always high on Skipper's agenda and in 1936, a building fund was launched. Two years later, the plot of land in Verona Drive on which the headquarters still stands today, was bought for £178.

The outbreak of war curtailed 1st Hook's scouting activities when Skipper was conscripted to serve in the RAF. The group continued to meet at Tolworth Central School and the newly acquired piece of land was let out for allotments.

Once the war had finished, Skipper returned to the borough and picked up the reins once again. Fundraising for the new headquarters gained momentum, with a "buy a brick" scheme particularly successful. In 1950, building work started and the grand opening took place a year later on September 22, 1951.

In 1954, Phil and Audrey Menhennett arrived on the scene when their son Robert joined the cub pack. Phil quickly offered to help with the group and became scout troop leader a year later. Skipper finally retired in 1964, retaining the title of honorary scouter.

His natural successor was Phil Menhennett, helped by Audrey, and their combined energy was legendary throughout the borough. Mr M', as he was known, relinquished the post in 1984 to take on more responsibility at district and county level and was appointed county commissioner in 1980.

Mr M was succeeded by Tony Edwards, who had joined the group as a cub in 1943. During Tony's 10 years in charge, 1st Hook developed a close relationship with other scout groups abroad, going on several camping expeditions to Holland and France but were often plagued with bad weather. It was always joked that the scouts were more likely to return with trench foot rather than sunburn.

In 1983, the group opened the first of its beaver colonies, allowing boys to join from the age of just six, and in 1991, was one of the first groups to open its doors to girls.

Memories

District Commissioner Bob Bushell joined 1st Hook as a scout in 1955. He believes that scouting has changed considerably over the past few decades because of increasing concern over child abuse.

He said: "When I was a scout, if the scoutmaster said that he wanted to teach me how to tie a reef knot for example, he would then stand behind me and show me exactly what to. Now, the way we teach is different and we have to stand in front of the child and point instead."

As a young scout with the group, Bob remembers well the weekly meetings.

He said: "The two most boisterous games that we played were British Bulldogs and Man The Lifeboat. The thing that made our group unique though was the gymnastics.

"We used to practise parallel bars, box work, rope climbing and mat work in the headquarters themselves, and then the highlight of our year was a display for the local community. It was even featured in the Surrey Comet at the time."

Tony Edwards became a cub at 1st Hook in 1943 and scoutleader in the 1980s.

He said: "There were some real highlights for me about my time with 1st Hook. Firstly, I joined the group during the war and we used to meet weekly in air-raid shelters in St Paul's Primary School playground. Things were disrupted but there was this general spirit of adventure. My father was away at war and there was no money for holidays so scouting filled your time with adventure.

"I also remember my first summer camp with the scouts when we went to Milford-on-Sea near Bournemouth for two weeks. Imagine that, two whole weeks! The whole group sat in the back of a lorry and cheered the whole journey down there."

• See next week's Surrey Comet when we look back at the history of Chessington scout group.