Scouting history

It would seem that Group Scout Leader Mr John Green of 1st Bingham Scouts may be unaware of the history of the group (Scouts Seek Place To Settle, Bingham Advertiser, June 28).

Mr Green states that the group was established shortly after the second world war. Not so.

The 1st Bingham Scout Troop was registered at Imperial Scout HQ London on February 22, 1921.

It was disbanded around the beginning of the war, possibly because the leaders had joined the armed forces, then in 1943 a wonderful Scouter from Stoke Newington, Ernie Smart, serving at Newton with the RAF, restarted the troop.

At least three of the original members still live in Bingham.

This troop was later named Orion which, except for a two year period in the 1970s, continues to be part of the group.

In September 1944, for the first time in Bingham, a Wolf Club Pack was formed.

This pack, “A” Alpha pack, ran continuously until 2004/5 when it closed down. It then reopened and renamed Andromeda.

In 1947 three cottages, little more than hovels, were converted into a Youth Centre by members of TocH, generously supported by the people of Bingham, and in 1949 the centre was opened by The Duke of Rutland.

The Scout group had sole use of half the building.

With the growth of Bingham this became inadequate so, during the 1960s, £4,400 was raised to obtain Wykhams House, part of the Youth Wing at Toot Hill.

Because of the fundraising done at that time, two Scout troops, Cygnus (which was forced to close in the late 1990s) Orion and the “A” pack of cubs were able to meet there rentfree for nearly 40 years.

In the report, Mr Green says the cost of refurbishing the old barn behind the town’s fire station as a Scout will be £70,000-plus.

From experience, we know that it will take a lot of hard work and perseverance to bring the project to a successful conclusion.

We wish them well in the venture.