It has been celebration-time in recent months as 30th Rotherham Scout Group marked their 60th anniversary.
The group, based at the Stag Community Church, have organised activities including a family campfire, birthday party, disco and sleepover and a full Group indoor camp at Hesley Wood for their young people.
During a church parade service, Group chair Miriam Ramsden was also presented with a medal of merit by Andy Moore, District Commissioner of Rotherham Scouts, in recognition of her longstanding commitment and support to the Scout group.
It was during a church meeting in early 1965 that then-minister the Rev Andrew Clynes expressed a wish to see the uniformed organisations start at Herringthorpe with the formation of the Cubs and the Brownies.
Once this idea had been agreed by both the Elders and the church congregation, the task began to find suitable leaders and it wasn’t long before it was pointed out that church members Ted Russell and his son David had both previously been in the Scouts.
They were quickly approached and agreed to take on the challenge. Formal applications had to be made to the Scout association, warrants granted and a Group number and neckerchief approved.
Mr Russell had been both a Scout and leader at the 30th Rotherham, based at Doncaster Road Congregational Church (now known as the Civic Theatre) in the town centre. It was one of the most prominent Groups in the district in the 1920s and 30s, winning many competitions and trophies, but unfortunately had to disband when most of the leaders were called up for service at the outbreak of the war in 1939.
With this in mind, Mr Russell enquired as to whether the name and neckerchief were still available, and to his delight they were.
The first eight boys were recruited from the Sunday school, David Russell took on the role of ‘Akela’ with Peter Wilson assisting and Mr Russell became the Group Scout Leader.
The Cubs held their first Pack meeting on 22nd September 1965 in the old wooden annexe where the activity centre now stands.
Parents were approached to form a Group Council to raise funds for equipment. They soon had a team of willing volunteers and that little group worked so hard.
In 1966 the Scout Troop was formed and the Pack had trebled in size. Rachael Ridsdale took over the Pack as Akela with the strong support of Mr Russell. She had been working with the Cubs for two years, despite only being 18, and is still a Scout Leader today.
30th Rotherham have maintained a good parents support group throughout their existence and it has been their efforts and fundraising that has kept the Group financially afloat.
Over the last 60 years the Group has gained strength and grown. A Venture Unit was formed in 1995, before the formation of Explorer Scouts replacing Ventures and being District-based, while 1997 saw the start of the Beaver Colony.
There have been many changes during six decades with leaders, badge work schemes, girls joining all the sections and uniform changes. Numbers have gone up and down and there have been challenges along the way but the unwavering support of too many individuals to mention by name has been phenomenal.
They keep evolving, starting a Squirrel Drey in April, and they have always been well supported by the community. They now have six young leaders working in the Squirrels, Beavers and Cubs and, including the Leaders, they have almost 90 members in the Group.
Long may their success continue. Find out more about Rotherham District Scouts at www.rotherhamscouts.org.