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History of 3rd Alton Scout Group |
According to HQ records, life at 3rd Alton began in 1938 at All Saints Church. Up to 1937, the Alton directory shows that Alton had a 1st Alton town troop, based behind the White Horse, and the Eggars Grammar School troop. Old timers however speak of 3rds going back well before '37, with tales of a Freshwater Isle of Wight camp in '36 and previous incarnations of the troop, under Mr Wenmouth, choirmaster at All Saints.
An inaugural camp at Bentley, in '37 and 2 years of scouting, was sadly followed by the 'call up' of the Scout leaders. Thirds carried on for the duration of the war, leaderless, but under the watchful eye of Charlie Hawkins and Brother Cuthbert of Beech Abbey. Scouts helped? as messenger boys and did other war work. Most scouts passed into the armed forces before '45 and the troop was suspended for the duration.
 The coming of peace in '45 caused the troop to be revitalised under Messrs Owens and Spencer, making its headquarters in the 'Iron Room' behind All Saints Church. Around '49 the group was rapidly consolidated under Skip Lailey and Bert Self, with the Seniors under Harry Crossley. Connections with Beech Abbey were still strong and the group had a bunkhouse at the Abbey, for use as a base for weekend activities. Photographs from this era show a very active troop with a love of the open air. This was reflected by the presentation of a primus stove, to Skip Lailey, when he went on to become DC of Alton District.
Scouting proceeded at a pace throughout the '50s and the troop log resounds with names like 'Tank Thompson' and 'Killer Weeks'. A patrol log from '51 relates tales of sausages, beans, wide games in Ackender Woods and camps at Cranbourne, Pangbourne and Pulborough. Plus ca change!
By 1950, Wolf Cubs were well established under Mrs Lailey and Mrs Thompson. Associations with 3rds are long lasting and the Thompson, Lailey and Hamblin families are still being associated with 3rds today.
Senior Scouts running under Harry Crossley were also very active and a log entry for '54 relates of expeditions to the Lakes and the scaling of Helvellyn, Skiddaw and Great Gable.
The 50s also saw 3rd Alton become a free troop with an HQ in Tower Street, purchased by Skip Lailey from All Saints church, backed financially by John Stevens the then Alton DC. Tower street was to become the home for 3rds until the mid 80's, when the troop moved into the new HQ close to Treloar Hospital. The end of the '70s saw the purchase of the Treloar railway embankment, as the first stage of the transfer to Treloar. Building was to wait another 5 years, whilst the group searched for a hole big enough to hold the rubble from the embankment.
The log for the tower street years shows continued leadership throughout the '60s and '70s under Chiefy Thompson, Bob Hedges, Ron Maidment, Nick Palmer and Mon and Bill Spiers. Two cub packs and two scout troops were operating by the late '70s and the log shows combined camps with Odiham and canoeing on the Arun. The beaver plant pot outside the 3rd Alton 'Den' serves as a reminder of the early canoeing building days.Tradition has it that 4 very 'solid' canoes were inadvertently built, with the materials intended for 6?
By '83 the group had finally found a suitable 'hole'. A period of intensive fund raising, a grant and the sale of Tower Street, provided the finance and building of the new HQ began. This came to fruition in '85 after much effort by a stalwart but exhausted group supporters. With the sale of Tower Street, 3rds became somewhat stateless with the Troop meeting in Beech and the Cubs meeting in Holybourne. Most of the heavy camping equipment was in storage or littering the leaders dining room floors (Which it still does in most cases).
Happily 3rds survived homelessness and the new headquarters was opened in 1985 (Or was it 'open'. Have a look at the plaque next time you are in our HQ).
Throughout the '80s and '90s the group has continued to thrive with two strong Cub packs supporting a Scout troop and occasional Venture unit. Beavers were also added to the group, many of whom matured to become fine scouts and a veritable challenge to the Scout leaders. Leadership has been probably more stable than at any time since the '50s which is now sadly close to the age of most of the leaders. A fine scout field has been cultivated at the rear of the Den and a garage erected to house the more anti-social items of camping equipment. Steady work on the embankment has created cooking and firelighting facilities and it is eventually hoped to camp in this area.
The Scout group has continued 3rds tradition for travel and the great outdoors. The Beavers have visited HMS Beaver (Still afloat). The cubs have made several memorable visits to Gilwell and also to Wellington Barracks in London. A strong programme of lightweight camping, mountain walking, kayak and cycle expeditions has taken the troop throughout the length and breadth of the UK, with expeditions included Kielder Forest in '89 and the Cuillins of Skye in '91. Recent years have extended troop explorations into Normandy and plans are to travel into Ireland and to annex most of Northern France, in the next few years.
Thirds activities usually lack a high public profile, but the group is carrying on a programme following the strongest of group and scouting traditions.
This account has been adapted from the article in Issue 3 of the "Rother Bother" written by Sparks.
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