Present Day
As a Group we are a friendly and welcoming Group. We have strong links with the Catholic Schools and churches in Maidenhead. Many of our members have grown up through various playgroups, been to school together and the older scouts also come along to keep their friendships alive.
During the year we hold a number of family events and encourgae parents and siblings to come and “have a go”.
In 19th Maidenhead Scout Group at present we have:
- 1 Beaver Colony with 24 Beavers
- 1 Cub Pack with 24 Cubs
- 1 Scout Troop with 26 Scouts
- 5 Leaders
- Young Leaders
- 3 Helpers
- 5 members of the Parents Executive Committee
- 1 recently part refurbished Scout Hut
Brief History
As is usual when a new project is afoot an appeal was made from the pulpit in 1955 for ‘volunteers’ to form a Group. Jim Buckley and John Mangion had already been recruited as Scouters by Major Cyril Laker (D.C. Scout for the Maidenhead area and a Catholic), but more help was required to get thing s started. Beatrice Stokes came forward to help and found herself in sole charge of 36 boys aged 8 to 11, (plus a waiting list) with only occasional help from the then 17-year-old Anne Abrey.
The first task was to raise funds for the equipment, followed by decorating the old Church Hall and making sure that the gas and the electricity supply was safe before any meetings involving children could be held.
The first Scout camp was held near Shurlock Row in the summer of 1956 and in 1957 John Mangion took some of the Scouts to visit the World Jamboree at Sutton Park, Sutton Coldfield in Warwickshire.
When the Cubs wanted to take part in the District Football Competition, Akela asked the G.S.M. for someone to train the boys in football. Again John Mangion, who was also a referee, came forward to help the boys, who gave quite a good performance in the competition.
John Mangion and Beatrice Stokes were married at St. Joseph’s in Jan 1958 with a Cub and a Scout as alter servers and a guard of honour of Cubs and Scouts at the church door.
In 1960 the group gained its own premises on Holmanleaze and in the 1970s moved to its present Scout Hut . This enabled them to engage on more activities and giving proper storage space for the equipment.
In 2006, the group celebrated its fiftieth anniversary, still going strong with a full
compliment of Beavers Cubs and Scouts including, since January 2003, girls.
Equal opportunities
The Group attracts boys and girls from all parts of the Maidenhead Community irrespective of Race, religion, sex or disability.
Child Protection
The Scout Association takes everyone’s safety and welfare very seriously. Many parents have helped us at our weekly meetings, Cub camps, Scout Camps, District events, family camps and other Group run events and in helping with transport. From such events you might have noticed that the leaders observe the following policies:
- All adults have completed and obtained an enhanced CRB clearance check, which has been carried out before being allowed to assist at meetings or join in on large scale events.
- Leaders are never in the position where they are left one-to-one with a minor.
- If a minor is injured a first-aider will always consider how certain actions might be misinterpreted. Again the first aider is never to be left alone with a minor.
- All strangers in the near vicinity to the Cubs / Scouts to be questioned and identified.
- The ratio of leaders to members on an activity is predetermined to ensure that there is adequate adult help for the activity, even if there is an emergency. In any case there will be a minimum of 2 adults per activity session.
- Where ever possible there is a minimum of 2 adults at any one time. The only exception to this is where transport is arranged using parents cars.
- On camps members are not allowed to share accommodation with adults, mixed sex accommodation is not permitted
We ask all parents to complete a CRB. This allows parents, not only to assist but join in on activities. If the parent is unable to or does not wish to complete this form then the child can still enjoy scouts, however the parents will not be able to help, have contact with the other children during scouting activities or join in on Group family orientated events.
If your child is being collected by another adult the leaders must be informed before hand, preferably with an accompanying note signed by the parent.
Scouting in its very nature allows children to enjoy adventure, fun and challenges. We take every care to avoid accidents; this includes carrying out Risk Assessments where appropriate. Copies of these are available from the Group Scout Leader.
Simon Hall
Group Scout Leader