Scouting
Scouting, also known as the Scout Movement, is a worldwide youth movement employing the Scout method, a program of informal education with an emphasis on practical outdoor activities, including camping, woodcraft, aquatics, hiking, backpacking ...
in the region of
Greater London
Greater may refer to:
*Greatness, the state of being great
*Greater than, in inequality (mathematics), inequality
*Greater (film), ''Greater'' (film), a 2016 American film
*Greater (flamingo), the oldest flamingo on record
*Greater (song), "Greate ...
is largely represented by
The Scout Association
The Scout Association is the largest Scouting organisation in the United Kingdom and is the World Organization of the Scout Movement's recognised member for the United Kingdom. Following the origin of Scouting in 1907, the association was for ...
of the
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, commonly known as the United Kingdom (UK) or Britain, is a country in Europe, off the north-western coast of the continental mainland. It comprises England, Scotland, Wales and North ...
and some Groups of
traditional Scouting
Traditional Scouting is "old-fashioned" or "back to basics" Scouting in some form, often with an emphasis on woodcraft and scoutcraft activities. As a pluralist movement, there is no one set definition for the term, but most traditionalists share a ...
including the
Baden-Powell Scouts' Association
The Baden-Powell Scouts' Association (''B-PSA'') is a worldwide youth organisation originating in the United Kingdom, with friendly relationships with similar traditional scouting organisations in various countries. Baden-Powell Scouting focuses ...
.
The Scout Association has defined Greater London as a Scout Region with a Regional Commissioner, Terry Kingham.
The Greater London Scout Region web site i
londonscouts.net
There is a single member of the national
Student Scout and Guide Organisation (SSAGO) covering all the universities in Greater London.
History of Scouting in London
Boys from
East London
East or Orient is one of the four cardinal directions or points of the compass. It is the opposite direction from west and is the direction from which the Sun rises on the Earth.
Etymology
As in other languages, the word is formed from the f ...
were amongst those invited to attend Lieutenant-General
Robert Baden-Powell's experimental camp at
Brownsea Island in August 1907, now regarded as the founding of the
Scout Movement
Scouting, also known as the Scout Movement, is a worldwide youth movement employing the Scout method, a program of informal education with an emphasis on practical outdoor activities, including camping, woodcraft, aquatics, hiking, backpacking ...
. Records exist of
Scout Troop
A Scout troop is a term adopted into use with Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts and the Scout Movement to describe their basic units. The term troop echoes a group of mounted scouts in the military or an expedition and follows the terms cavalry, mounted infa ...
s being started in London in late 1907, before the publication of the first installment of Baden-Powell's book, ''
Scouting for Boys
''Scouting for Boys: A handbook for instruction in good citizenship'' is a book on Boy Scout training, published in various editions since 1908. Early editions were written and illustrated by Robert Baden-Powell with later editions being extensi ...
'' in the following January.
In March 1909, a Conference of London Scout Officials was held and at about the same time, Sir
Francis Vane
Sir Francis Patrick Fletcher-Vane, 5th Baronet (16 October 1861 – 10 June 1934) was an Irish-born British military officer and aristocrat. Francis became the 5th Baronet of Hutton on the death of his first cousin, Sir Henry Ralph Fletcher-V ...
was appointed the first Commissioner for London of
Baden-Powell Boy Scouts by Baden-Powell. Vane and Baden-Powell soon fell out over the former's
antimilitarism
Antimilitarism (also spelt anti-militarism) is a doctrine that opposes war, relying heavily on a critical theory of imperialism and was an explicit goal of the First and Second International. Whereas pacifism is the doctrine that disputes (especia ...
, and he was dismissed in a dispute about renting an office for London Scouts. Vane later became the second President of the
British Boy Scouts which had begun in
Battersea
Battersea is a large district in south London, part of the London Borough of Wandsworth, England. It is centred southwest of Charing Cross and extends along the south bank of the River Thames. It includes the Battersea Park.
History
Batter ...
, London. A further meeting of London Scouters in November 1909 agreed to the establishment of six
Scout districts covering the
County of London
The County of London was a county of England from 1889 to 1965, corresponding to the area known today as Inner London. It was created as part of the general introduction of elected county government in England, by way of the Local Government A ...
. Such was the size of these districts that Baden-Powell granted the
commissioner
A commissioner (commonly abbreviated as Comm'r) is, in principle, a member of a commission or an individual who has been given a commission (official charge or authority to do something).
In practice, the title of commissioner has evolved to in ...
s in charge of them the rank of County Commissioner. This led to a degree of autonomy which prevented the formation of an effective London-wide organisation for some years, despite the appointment of an eminent London Commissioner, Sir
Herbert Plumer
Field Marshal Herbert Charles Onslow Plumer, 1st Viscount Plumer, (13 March 1857 – 16 July 1932) was a senior British Army officer of the First World War. After commanding V Corps at the Second Battle of Ypres in April 1915, he took command o ...
. His successor from 1911, Major-General H B Jeffreys, had no more success in bringing the districts together, but did oversee the start of the first troops for
Scouts with disabilities in London
special schools
Special education (known as special-needs education, aided education, exceptional education, alternative provision, exceptional student education, special ed., SDC, or SPED) is the practice of educating students in a way that accommodates th ...
.
In September 1909, the
Crystal Palace Scout Rally was attended by 11,000 Scouts including a patrol of "Girl Scouts", now recognised as the founding event of
Girl Guiding
A Girl Guide or Girl Scout is a member of a section of some Guiding organisations who is between the ages of 10 and 14. Age limits are different in each organisation. The term Girl Scout is used in the United States and several East Asian co ...
. London troops played a leading part in the event. In November 1909, an American publisher,
William D. Boyce
William Dickson Boyce (June 16, 1858 – June 11, 1929) was an American newspaper man, entrepreneur, magazine publisher, and explorer. He was the founder of the Boy Scouts of America (BSA) and the short-lived Lone Scouts of America (LSA). ...
, was lost in a London
smog
Smog, or smoke fog, is a type of intense air pollution. The word "smog" was coined in the early 20th century, and is a portmanteau of the words ''smoke'' and '' fog'' to refer to smoky fog due to its opacity, and odor. The word was then inte ...
, but was directed to his hotel by a Boy Scout who refused any reward; an act which led directly to the founding of the
Boy Scouts of America
The Boy Scouts of America (BSA, colloquially the Boy Scouts) is one of the largest scouting organizations and one of the largest youth organizations in the United States, with about 1.2 million youth participants. The BSA was founded i ...
. The Scout was never identified and is known today as the
Unknown Scout
The Unknown Scout was an anonymous member of The Boy Scout Association in the United Kingdom whose good turn inspired William D. Boyce to form the Boy Scouts of America (BSA).
Legend
William Boyce was lost on a foggy street in London in 1909 w ...
.
The
1st World Scout Jamboree
The 1st World Scout Jamboree was held from 30 July 1920 to 8 August 1920 and was hosted by the United Kingdom at Kensington Olympia in London. 8,000 Scouts from 34 nations attended the event, which was hosted in a glass-roofed building covering ...
was held at
Olympia
The name Olympia may refer to:
Arts and entertainment Film
* ''Olympia'' (1938 film), by Leni Riefenstahl, documenting the Berlin-hosted Olympic Games
* ''Olympia'' (1998 film), about a Mexican soap opera star who pursues a career as an athlet ...
, London in the summer of 1920. Here Baden-Powell was designated as
Chief Scout of the World.
The service performed by Scouts during war and particularly during air raids and
the Blitz
The Blitz was a German bombing campaign against the United Kingdom in 1940 and 1941, during the Second World War. The term was first used by the British press and originated from the term , the German word meaning 'lightning war'.
The Germa ...
on London in
World War II
World War II or the Second World War, often abbreviated as WWII or WW2, was a world war that lasted from 1939 to 1945. It involved the vast majority of the world's countries—including all of the great powers—forming two opposin ...
is recognised by their presence every year on
Remembrance Day
Remembrance Day (also known as Poppy Day owing to the tradition of wearing a remembrance poppy) is a memorial day observed in Commonwealth member states since the end of the First World War to honour armed forces members who have died in t ...
at the
Cenotaph in London.
In 1961,
Baden-Powell House was opened in
South Kensington
South Kensington, nicknamed Little Paris, is a district just west of Central London in the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea. Historically it settled on part of the scattered Middlesex village of Brompton. Its name was supplanted with ...
, which included a small museum of the story of Robert Baden-Powell. In 1965, the new
County of Greater London was formed; the Scout Association reorganised their boundaries accordingly, replacing the former Scout counties of
London
London is the capital and largest city of England and the United Kingdom, with a population of just under 9 million. It stands on the River Thames in south-east England at the head of a estuary down to the North Sea, and has been a majo ...
,
London over the Border and
Middlesex
Middlesex (; abbreviation: Middx) is a Historic counties of England, historic county in South East England, southeast England. Its area is almost entirely within the wider urbanised area of London and mostly within the Ceremonial counties of ...
, with the seven new Scout counties (Greater London Central, North, North East, North West, South, South East and South West). Included in these new Scout counties were districts which had previously been part of the neighbouring
home counties, but were now within the borders of Greater London.
London Scouts celebrated the centenary of Scouting on 1 Aug 2007 in many ways, including the
New Year's Day Parade in which many Explorer Scouts were led by the Enfield District Scout Band, LIVE 07, Festival of Scouting, and a Sunrise Ceremony at the London Eye. The first UK international camp of the new Scouting century was Campdowne 2008 in July 2008, where nearly 2000 participants from the UK and 23 other countries camped at
Downe Scout Activity Centre
Downe Scout Activity Centre is one of the National Scout Activity Centres under the direct control of The Scout Association in Downe near Orpington, Greater London. It provides camping and indoor accommodations for Scouts and Guides.
The Downe s ...
.
John May from London become the first UK Scout elected to the
World Scout Committee since 1994 at the 38th World Scout Conference in Korea on 16 July 2008.
The Scout Association Counties
The Scout Association in Greater London is administered through six
Scout Counties.
Greater London Middlesex West
Greater London Middlesex West (GLMW), formerly known as Greater London North West, covers an area stretching from the
City of Westminster
The City of Westminster is a City status in the United Kingdom, city and London boroughs, borough in Inner London. It is the site of the United Kingdom's Houses of Parliament and much of the British government. It occupies a large area of cent ...
in the east to
Stanmore
Stanmore is part of the London Borough of Harrow in London. It is centred northwest of Charing Cross, lies on the outskirts of the London urban area and includes Stanmore Hill, one of the highest points of London, at high. The district, which ...
in the north,
Feltham
Feltham () is a town in West London, England, from Charing Cross. Historically part of Middlesex, it became part of the London Borough of Hounslow in 1965. The parliamentary constituency of Feltham and Heston has been held by Labour Party MPs ...
in the south and
Uxbridge
Uxbridge () is a suburban town in west London and the administrative headquarters of the London Borough of Hillingdon. Situated west-northwest of Charing Cross, it is one of the major metropolitan centres identified in the London Plan. Uxbrid ...
in the west. It serves the London Boroughs of
Brent,
Ealing
Ealing () is a district in West London, England, west of Charing Cross in the London Borough of Ealing. Ealing is the administrative centre of the borough and is identified as a major metropolitan centre in the London Plan.
Ealing was histor ...
,
Harrow,
Hammersmith and Fulham
The London Borough of Hammersmith and Fulham () is a London borough in West London and which also forms part of Inner London. The borough was formed in 1965 from the merger of the former Metropolitan Boroughs of Hammersmith and Fulham. The borou ...
,
Hillingdon,
Hounslow,
Kensington and Chelsea, and City of Westminster.
The county has 145 Scout Groups serving over 6,500 young people with 1,600 adult volunteers. It is divided into a number of districts, some of which are based approximately but not exactly around present London Borough boundaries:
*
City of Westminster
The City of Westminster is a City status in the United Kingdom, city and London boroughs, borough in Inner London. It is the site of the United Kingdom's Houses of Parliament and much of the British government. It occupies a large area of cent ...
- previously part of Greater London Central which was disbanded in the early 2000s
*
Ealing
Ealing () is a district in West London, England, west of Charing Cross in the London Borough of Ealing. Ealing is the administrative centre of the borough and is identified as a major metropolitan centre in the London Plan.
Ealing was histor ...
and
Hanwell
*
Greenford
Greenford () is a suburb in the London Borough of Ealing in west London, England, lying west from Charing Cross. It has a population of 46,787 inhabitants, or 62,126 with the inclusion of Perivale.
Greenford is served by Greenford Station (Lo ...
& District
*
Harrow and
Wealdstone
*
Hayes
Hayes may refer to:
* Hayes (surname), including a list of people with the name
** Rutherford B. Hayes, 19th president of the United States
* Hayes (given name)
Businesses
* Hayes Brake, an American designer and manufacturer of disc brakes
* Ha ...
and
Harlington
*
Pinner and
Headstone
A headstone, tombstone, or gravestone is a stele or marker, usually stone, that is placed over a grave. It is traditional for burials in the Christian, Jewish, and Muslim religions, among others. In most cases, it has the deceased's name, da ...
*
Ruislip,
Eastcote,
Northwood
* Stanmore and District
* Thameside Grand Union, a new district which came into being in 2009, taking in the former districts of
**
Acton Acton may refer to:
Places Antarctica
* Mount Acton
Australia
* Acton, Australian Capital Territory, a suburb of Canberra
* Acton, Tasmania, a suburb of Burnie
* Acton Park, Tasmania, a suburb of Hobart, Tasmania, formerly known as Acton
Canada ...
,
Brentford
Brentford is a suburban town in West London, England and part of the London Borough of Hounslow. It lies at the confluence of the River Brent and the Thames, west of Charing Cross.
Its economy has diverse company headquarters buildings whi ...
and
Chiswick
Chiswick ( ) is a district of west London, England. It contains Hogarth's House, the former residence of the 18th-century English artist William Hogarth; Chiswick House, a neo-Palladian villa regarded as one of the finest in England; and Full ...
**
Feltham
Feltham () is a town in West London, England, from Charing Cross. Historically part of Middlesex, it became part of the London Borough of Hounslow in 1965. The parliamentary constituency of Feltham and Heston has been held by Labour Party MPs ...
**
Heston and
Isleworth
Isleworth ( ) is a town located within the London Borough of Hounslow in West London, England. It lies immediately east of the town of Hounslow and west of the River Thames and its tributary the River Crane, London, River Crane. Isleworth's or ...
The name of this district is taken from the
River Thames
The River Thames ( ), known alternatively in parts as the The Isis, River Isis, is a river that flows through southern England including London. At , it is the longest river entirely in England and the Longest rivers of the United Kingdom, se ...
and the
Grand Union Canal
The Grand Union Canal in England is part of the British canal system. It is the principal navigable waterway between London and the Midlands. Starting in London, one arm runs to Leicester and another ends in Birmingham, with the latter st ...
, both of which flow through the area. This name was chosen rather than Hounslow district, because the Acton area falls partly in the
London Borough of Ealing, although most of the district is within the
London Borough of Hounslow local authority
*
Uxbridge
Uxbridge () is a suburban town in west London and the administrative headquarters of the London Borough of Hillingdon. Situated west-northwest of Charing Cross, it is one of the major metropolitan centres identified in the London Plan. Uxbrid ...
* West London
*
Willesden
Greater London North
Greater London North (GLN) covers an area stretching from central
London
London is the capital and largest city of England and the United Kingdom, with a population of just under 9 million. It stands on the River Thames in south-east England at the head of a estuary down to the North Sea, and has been a majo ...
directly north out to the
M25. It covers the London Boroughs of
Barnet
Barnet may refer to:
People
*Barnet (surname)
* Barnet (given name)
Places United Kingdom
*Chipping Barnet or High Barnet, commonly known as Barnet, one of three focal towns of the borough below.
*East Barnet, a district of the borough below; an ...
,
Camden
Camden may refer to:
People
* Camden (surname), a surname of English origin
* Camden Joy (born 1964), American writer
* Camden Toy (born 1957), American actor
Places Australia
* Camden, New South Wales
* Camden, Rosehill, a heritage res ...
,
City of London
The City of London is a city, ceremonial county and local government district that contains the historic centre and constitutes, alongside Canary Wharf, the primary central business district (CBD) of London. It constituted most of London fr ...
,
Enfield,
Haringey and
Islington
Islington () is a district in the north of Greater London, England, and part of the London Borough of Islington. It is a mainly residential district of Inner London, extending from Islington's High Street to Highbury Fields, encompassing the ar ...
The county is divided into four districts with over 80 Scout Groups, as well as being responsible for the Dockland Scout Project. The 2012 census showed a total membership of 6,036 - an increase of more than 20 percent since 2007.
*
Barnet Borough - the result of a merger between three districts - Barnet, FFBGG (Finchley, Friern Barnet & Golders Green) and Hendon & Edgware
*
Enfield - incorporating the previously separate Edmonton District since 2007
* North London District - formed in 2014 by the merger of
Haringey with CCI (
Camden
Camden may refer to:
People
* Camden (surname), a surname of English origin
* Camden Joy (born 1964), American writer
* Camden Toy (born 1957), American actor
Places Australia
* Camden, New South Wales
* Camden, Rosehill, a heritage res ...
,
City
A city is a human settlement of notable size.Goodall, B. (1987) ''The Penguin Dictionary of Human Geography''. London: Penguin.Kuper, A. and Kuper, J., eds (1996) ''The Social Science Encyclopedia''. 2nd edition. London: Routledge. It can be def ...
&
Islington
Islington () is a district in the north of Greater London, England, and part of the London Borough of Islington. It is a mainly residential district of Inner London, extending from Islington's High Street to Highbury Fields, encompassing the ar ...
); the latter had been part of Greater London Central until that county was disbanded in the early 2000s, with its districts being split between GLMW and GLN
*
Southgate
Southgate or South Gate may refer to:
Places Australia
*Southgate, Sylvania
*Southgate Arts and Leisure Precinct, an area within Southbank, Victoria
Canada
*Southgate, Ontario, a township in Grey County
* Southgate, Middlesex County, Ontario
Ed ...
*
Dockland Scout Project
Enfield District Scout Band
Enfield Scout District runs a traditional marching band which is open to members of the local Scout and
Guide organisations.
The band was formed in 1976, and is a corps of
bugles and
drum
The drum is a member of the percussion group of musical instruments. In the Hornbostel-Sachs classification system, it is a membranophone. Drums consist of at least one membrane, called a drumhead or drum skin, that is stretched over a she ...
s. The band is a member of the Traditional Youth Marching Band Association, and competes regularly in competitions run by the Association across the UK.
Since its formation, the band has continued to lead the District as it marches through
Enfield Town
Enfield is a large town in north London, England, north of Charing Cross. It had a population of 156,858 in 2018. It includes the areas of Botany Bay, Brimsdown, Bulls Cross, Bullsmoor, Bush Hill Park, Clay Hill, Crews Hill, Enfield Highway ...
for the
Remembrance Day
Remembrance Day (also known as Poppy Day owing to the tradition of wearing a remembrance poppy) is a memorial day observed in Commonwealth member states since the end of the First World War to honour armed forces members who have died in t ...
and
St George's Day parades which are a traditional part of the Scouting calendar.
The band is also available to play at fetes, carnivals and other parades. In recent years the band took part in the 2002, 2007, and 2008
Lord Mayor's Shows, a Royal Visit to Enfield by
Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II and the
Duke of Edinburgh
Duke of Edinburgh, named after the city of Edinburgh in Scotland, was a substantive title that has been created three times since 1726 for members of the British royal family. It does not include any territorial landholdings and does not produc ...
in 2003.
In 2007's
Centenary of Scouting, the band took part in the
London New Year's Day Parade, and played at the
21st World Scout Jamboree
The 21st World Scout Jamboree was held in July and August 2007, and formed a part of the Scouting 2007 Centenary celebrations of the world Scout Movement. The event was hosted by the United Kingdom, as 2007 marked the 100th anniversary of the found ...
. In November the band formed part of the Promise Centenary Scout Band at the
Lord Mayor's Show, and also played at the Scouting's Live '07 show at
The O2 in
Greenwich, London.
Greater London North East
Greater London North East (GLNE) covers the London boroughs of
Barking and Dagenham,
Hackney,
Havering,
Newham,
Redbridge,
Tower Hamlets and
Waltham Forest
The London Borough of Waltham Forest () is a London borough in north-east London, England. Its population is estimated to be 276,983 in 2019. It borders five other London boroughs: Enfield to the north-west, Haringey to the west, Hackney to t ...
. In 2011, the county had 8,300 members in 138 Scout Groups.
The county is divided into ten Districts:
*
Barking and Dagenham
*
Chingford
*
East London
East or Orient is one of the four cardinal directions or points of the compass. It is the opposite direction from west and is the direction from which the Sun rises on the Earth.
Etymology
As in other languages, the word is formed from the f ...
(formerly
Tower Hamlets and
Hackney)
*
Epping Forest South (covering
Woodford Woodford may refer to:
Places
Australia
*Woodford, New South Wales
*Woodford, Queensland, a town in the Moreton Bay Region
*Woodford, Victoria
Canada
* Woodford, Ontario
England
*Woodford, Cornwall
* Woodford, Gloucestershire
*Woodford, Greate ...
and
Wanstead
Wanstead () is a town in East London, England, in the London Borough of Redbridge. It borders South Woodford to the north, Redbridge, London, Redbridge to the east and Forest Gate to the south, with Leytonstone and Walthamstow to the west. It is ...
)
*
Hornchurch
Hornchurch is a suburban town in East London, England, and part of the London Borough of Havering. It is located east-northeast of Charing Cross. It comprises a number of shopping streets and a large residential area. It historically formed ...
*
Ilford East
*
Ilford NorthWest
*
Newham
*
Romford
Romford is a large town in east London and the administrative centre of the London Borough of Havering. It is located northeast of Charing Cross and is one of the major metropolitan centres identified in the London Plan. Historically, Romford ...
* Waltham Forest South (formerly
Leyton and
Walthamstow
Walthamstow ( or ) is a large town in East London, east London, England, within the Ceremonial counties of England, ceremonial county of Greater London and the Historic counties of England, ancient county of Essex. Situated northeast of Chari ...
)
Greater London South
Greater London South (GLS), also known as South London Scouts, covers the London Boroughs of
Wandsworth
Wandsworth Town () is a district of south London, within the London Borough of Wandsworth southwest of Charing Cross. The area is identified in the London Plan
The London Plan is the statutory spatial development strategy for the Gre ...
,
Lambeth
Lambeth () is a district in South London, England, in the London Borough of Lambeth, historically in the County of Surrey. It is situated south of Charing Cross. The population of the London Borough of Lambeth was 303,086 in 2011. The area expe ...
,
Southwark
Southwark ( ) is a district of Central London situated on the south bank of the River Thames, forming the north-western part of the wider modern London Borough of Southwark. The district, which is the oldest part of South London, developed ...
,
Lewisham
Lewisham () is an area of southeast London, England, south of Charing Cross. It is the principal area of the London Borough of Lewisham, and was within the Historic counties of England, historic county of Kent until 1889. It is identified i ...
and
Greenwich, an area stretching from the
South Bank
The South Bank is an entertainment and commercial district in central London, next to the River Thames opposite the City of Westminster. It forms a narrow strip of riverside land within the London Borough of Lambeth (where it adjoins Alber ...
in the north to
Thamesmead
Thamesmead is an area of south-east London, England, straddling the border between the Royal Borough of Greenwich and the London Borough of Bexley. It is located east of Charing Cross, north-east of Woolwich and west of Erith. It mainly consi ...
in the east,
Putney in the west, to
Crystal Palace in the south.
The county currently has over 4700 members + 1,900 adult volunteers, with 90 Scout Groups and 30 Explorer Scout Units, led by Darren Lodge the County Commissioner, the Deputy County Commissioners responsible for people, programme and perception and the wider County Team. The County Team is support by the County Board of Trustees.
The county is now divided into five districts which have the same boundaries as the five London Boroughs.
*
Lambeth
Lambeth () is a district in South London, England, in the London Borough of Lambeth, historically in the County of Surrey. It is situated south of Charing Cross. The population of the London Borough of Lambeth was 303,086 in 2011. The area expe ...
,
*
Lewisham
Lewisham () is an area of southeast London, England, south of Charing Cross. It is the principal area of the London Borough of Lewisham, and was within the Historic counties of England, historic county of Kent until 1889. It is identified i ...
,
*
Royal Greenwich,
*
Southwark
Southwark ( ) is a district of Central London situated on the south bank of the River Thames, forming the north-western part of the wider modern London Borough of Southwark. The district, which is the oldest part of South London, developed ...
*
Wandsworth
Wandsworth Town () is a district of south London, within the London Borough of Wandsworth southwest of Charing Cross. The area is identified in the London Plan
The London Plan is the statutory spatial development strategy for the Gre ...
The county has a centre based in Dulwich, The South London Scout Centre
Greater London South East
Greater London South East (GLSE) covers the London Boroughs of
Bexley and
Bromley
Bromley is a large town in Greater London, England, within the London Borough of Bromley. It is south-east of Charing Cross, and had an estimated population of 87,889 as of 2011.
Originally part of Kent, Bromley became a market town, char ...
, an area stretching from the
Orpington
Orpington is a town and area in south east London, England, within the London Borough of Bromley. It is 13.4 miles (21.6 km) south east of Charing Cross.
On the south-eastern edge of the Greater London Built-up Area, it is south of St Ma ...
in the southeast to
Bexleyheath
Bexleyheath is a town in south-east London, England. It had a population of 31,929 as at 2011.
Bexleyheath is located south-east of Charing Cross, and forms part of the London Borough of Bexley. It is identified in the London Plan as one of ...
in the north.
From 1 October 2011 the four heritage districts of Beckenham, Bromley, Chislehurst and Orpington were merged into a new single district, called 'Bromley Scouts' (as opposed to the old 'Bromley District Scouts'). The new district is the largest Scout district (by membership) in the UK.
The county is divided into two districts:
*
Bromley
Bromley is a large town in Greater London, England, within the London Borough of Bromley. It is south-east of Charing Cross, and had an estimated population of 87,889 as of 2011.
Originally part of Kent, Bromley became a market town, char ...
* Bexley
Greater London South West
Greater London South West (GLSW) covers an area stretching from
Sanderstead in the South East to
Hampton and
Whitton in the North West.
The county is divided into five districts which have the same boundaries as the five
London Boroughs
The London boroughs are the 32 local authority districts that together with the City of London make up the administrative area of Greater London; each is governed by a London borough council. The present London boroughs were all created at t ...
:
*
Croydon
Croydon is a large town in south London, England, south of Charing Cross. Part of the London Borough of Croydon, a local government district of Greater London. It is one of the largest commercial districts in Greater London, with an extensi ...
*
Richmond upon Thames
The London Borough of Richmond upon Thames () in southwest London forms part of Outer London and is the only London borough on both sides of the River Thames. It was created in 1965 when three smaller council areas amalgamated under the London ...
*
Royal Kingston
*
Sutton
*
Wimbledon
Wimbledon most often refers to:
* Wimbledon, London, a district of southwest London
* Wimbledon Championships, the oldest tennis tournament in the world and one of the four Grand Slam championships
Wimbledon may also refer to:
Places London
* ...
and
Wandle (
Merton)
The county has 3 Scout Bands, Kingston & Malden Scout and Guide Band,
1st Hook Scout and Guide Band
and Wimbledon, Wandle and Sutton District's Scout and Guide Band.
Activity Centres and Camp sites
Three of the six Scout Association
Activity Centres are in Greater London.
Baden-Powell House is a hostel and conference centre in central London.
Gilwell Park
Gilwell Park is a camp site and activity centre in East London located in the Sewardstonebury area of Waltham Abbey, within Epping Forest, near the border with Chingford. The site is owned by The Scout Association, is used by Scouting and Gu ...
is a camp site and activity centre, as well as a
training and
conference centre
A convention center (American English; or conference centre in British English) is a large building that is designed to hold a convention, where individuals and groups gather to promote and share common interests. Convention centers typica ...
for
Scout Leader
A Scout leader or Scouter generally refers to the trained adult leader of a Scout unit. The terms used vary from country to country, over time, and with the type of unit.
Roles
There are many different roles a leader can fulfill depending on t ...
s. It is close to
Chingford,
London
London is the capital and largest city of England and the United Kingdom, with a population of just under 9 million. It stands on the River Thames in south-east England at the head of a estuary down to the North Sea, and has been a majo ...
. The White House at Gilwell Park has been the headquarters of The Scout Association since 2001, although Baden-Powell House (the former headquarters) still facilitates some departments of the Scout Association.
Downe Scout Activity Centre
Downe Scout Activity Centre is one of the National Scout Activity Centres under the direct control of The Scout Association in Downe near Orpington, Greater London. It provides camping and indoor accommodations for Scouts and Guides.
The Downe s ...
is in Kent, but was owned by the Greater London South East Scouts from 1987 to 2005, when the site became under the direct control of The Scout Association.
Greater London Middlesex West is responsible for the
PACCAR Chalfont Heights campsite 30 minutes from London at
Chalfont St Peter
Chalfont St Peter is a large village and civil parish in southeastern Buckinghamshire, England. It is in a group of villages called The Chalfonts which also includes Chalfont St Giles and Little Chalfont. The villages lie between High Wycombe a ...
in
Buckinghamshire
Buckinghamshire (), abbreviated Bucks, is a ceremonial county in South East England that borders Greater London to the south-east, Berkshire to the south, Oxfordshire to the west, Northamptonshire to the north, Bedfordshire to the north-ea ...
. Originally purchased in 1938, it was operated by Scout Headquarters until 1970 when it taken over by the Greater London Middlesex West County as its County campsite and Training Centre. The current name was adopted following major sponsorship from a charitable foundation owned by
PACCAR Inc, the multi-national heavy vehicle manufacturer. Ealing & Hanwell District in GLMW own and run the Walter Davies Activity Centre near
Stoke Poges, and the City of Westminster Scout District is responsible for Coombe Farm Campsite, located in
Addington Addington may refer to:
Places
In Australia:
* Addington, Victoria
In Canada:
* Addington, Ontario
* Addington County, Ontario (now Lennox and Addington County, Ontario)
* Addington Highlands, Ontario
* Addington Parish, New Brunswick
* Adding ...
.
Districts in Greater London North own or operate campsites and activity centres at: Danemead Scout Campsite near
Broxbourne (Enfield District, with Chingford District of Greater London NE), Scout Park at
Bounds Green
Bounds Green is a residential suburb just north of Wood Green, in the London Borough of Haringey in north London. Parts of it are also known as New Southgate, but most of New Southgate lies in the London Borough of Enfield to the north-west.
B ...
(North London District) and Frith Grange near
Mill Hill
Mill Hill is a suburb in the London Borough of Barnet, England. It is situated around northwest of Charing Cross. Mill Hill was in the historic county of Middlesex until 1965, when it became part of Greater London. Its population counted 18, ...
(Barnet Borough District).
The Training ship
RRS ''Discovery'',
Captain Scott's Antarctic expedition vessel, moored on
Victoria Embankment
Victoria Embankment is part of the Thames Embankment, a road and river-walk along the north bank of the River Thames in London. It runs from the Palace of Westminster to Blackfriars Bridge in the City of London, and acts as a major thoroughfare ...
near
Temple Underground station
Temple is a London Underground station located at Victoria Embankment in the City of Westminster, close to its boundary with the City of London. It is on the Circle and District lines between Embankment and Blackfriars, and is in fare zone 1.
...
, was used by London
Sea Scouts between 1937 and 1979, when it was handed over to Maritime Trust and relocated in
Dundee
Dundee (; sco, Dundee; gd, Dùn Dè or ) is Scotland's fourth-largest city and the 51st-most-populous built-up area in the United Kingdom. The mid-year population estimate for 2016 was , giving Dundee a population density of 2,478/km2 or ...
. The Dockland Scout Project was then created. Based on the ''Lord Amory'', the only permanently moored Scout 'campsite' in the UK, the DSP is located in the West India Dock, east of the
City of London
The City of London is a city, ceremonial county and local government district that contains the historic centre and constitutes, alongside Canary Wharf, the primary central business district (CBD) of London. It constituted most of London fr ...
and opposite
Greenwich across the
River Thames
The River Thames ( ), known alternatively in parts as the The Isis, River Isis, is a river that flows through southern England including London. At , it is the longest river entirely in England and the Longest rivers of the United Kingdom, se ...
.
Districts in Greater London North East own or operate campsites and activity centres at: Crow Camp near
Noak Hill
Noak Hill is a village in outer East London, in the London Borough of Havering. It is located 17.1 miles northeast of Charing Cross.
History
Noak Hill was a ward in the ancient parish of Hornchurch. By the 16th century, it had come under the con ...
(Romford District), Fairmead Scout Campsite near
High Beach
High Beach (or High Beech) is a village inside Epping Forest in south-west Essex, England. Part of Waltham Abbey, the village is within the Epping Forest District and the ward of Waltham Abbey High Beach, and lies approximately north-east of Cha ...
(East London District), Hargreaves Scout Campsite,
Little Heath (Ilford East District), and the Michael Mallinson Centre,
Highams Park (Waltham Forest South District).
Greater London South owns the South London Scout Centre, the closest camping centre to central London at
Dulwich
Dulwich (; ) is an area in south London, England. The settlement is mostly in the London Borough of Southwark, with parts in the London Borough of Lambeth, and consists of Dulwich Village, East Dulwich, West Dulwich, and the Southwark half of ...
. Also known as "The Fort" it was the site of an ant-aircraft gun battery during the
Second World War
World War II or the Second World War, often abbreviated as WWII or WW2, was a world war that lasted from 1939 to 1945. It involved the vast majority of the world's countries—including all of the great powers—forming two opposin ...
and has been used by Scouts since 1961. Hammerwood Scout Campsite, located in
East Grinstead
East Grinstead is a town in West Sussex, England, near the East Sussex, Surrey, and Kent borders, south of London, northeast of Brighton, and northeast of the county town of Chichester. Situated in the extreme northeast of the county, the civ ...
, is owned and operated by 6 Groups in Lewisham; it has of woodland plus a field. The forest is mostly unpartitioned with an unmanaged area for survival training weekends and is popular with Scout, Cadet and Duke of Edinburgh groups. Lewisham Scout District is responsible for Frylands Wood Scout Campsite in Croydon. Royal Greenwich District also operate 3 campsites two within the district: Avery Hill Scout Activity Centre located in the former New Eltham district and the ExNet centre named after the explorer and network sections in scouting. There is also a campsite located in the village of Downe, Kent called Eleven acres Scout Camp
Wilberforce Scout Centre in
Keston
Keston is a village in Greater London, England, located within the London Borough of Bromley, Greater London. Prior to 1965 it was withing the historic county of Kent. It is part suburban, part rural in nature and lies on the edge of Hayes Com ...
is owned by Bromley Scout District, and Cudham Shaws Site (previously a Guide Association site) is run by Bexley Scout District, both of the Greater London South East Scout Association County.
Yr Hen Neuadd ('The Old Hall'),
Bethesda, Gwynedd, North Wales, originally a Salvation Army Hall, was converted in 1970 by Greater London South West as an Activity Centre. Other sites owned or operated by districts within Greater London South West include the Bears Wood Training Centre in Croydon and Pinewood Campsite in
Shirley (both Croydon District), also Polyapes Campsite at
Stoke d'Abernon, which lies just outside the county boundaries but is managed jointly between Royal Kingston and Esher Districts and has been in continuous use since 1929.
21st World Scout Jamboree
There were 36 Scouts from Greater London North taking part in the
21st World Scout Jamboree
The 21st World Scout Jamboree was held in July and August 2007, and formed a part of the Scouting 2007 Centenary celebrations of the world Scout Movement. The event was hosted by the United Kingdom, as 2007 marked the 100th anniversary of the found ...
in August 2007. The Enfield District Scout Band played at the Closing Ceremony.
The Greater London North East Scout County sent forty-five Scouts to the
21st World Scout Jamboree
The 21st World Scout Jamboree was held in July and August 2007, and formed a part of the Scouting 2007 Centenary celebrations of the world Scout Movement. The event was hosted by the United Kingdom, as 2007 marked the 100th anniversary of the found ...
. Thirty six, plus four leaders, acted as a whole contingent while the remaining nine were part of another contingent with Guides from
Cambridge
Cambridge ( ) is a university city and the county town in Cambridgeshire, England. It is located on the River Cam approximately north of London. As of the 2021 United Kingdom census, the population of Cambridge was 145,700. Cambridge bec ...
and a Scout troop from
Montserrat
Montserrat ( ) is a British Overseas Territories, British Overseas Territory in the Caribbean. It is part of the Leeward Islands, the northern portion of the Lesser Antilles chain of the West Indies. Montserrat is about long and wide, with r ...
.
Two contingents from the Greater London South East Scout County attended.
Greater London South West (GLSW) had two full contingents (of 36 Scouts plus 4 leaders each) named Victory Unit and Nelson Unit. GLSW Additionally provided a patrol (9 Scouts) and the overall unit leader in the most diverse unit at the jamboree, consisting of 25% GLSW Scouts, 25% Scouts from Fife in Scotland, 25% Guides from Somerset and 25% Scouts from Mauritania in North Africa. This unit was named The Discovery Unit. Two of the unit were present at the Sunrise Ceremony on Brownsea Island to welcome the 2nd century of Scouting at the movement's birthplace.
Wimbledon, Wandle & Sutton District's,
Kingston & Malden
the 1st Hook
and 2nd Hook Scout Bands played at the closing ceremony.
Gang Shows
* Southwark Gang Show in Greater London South, started 1950. Originally named Bermondsey Gang Show, then Thameside Gang Show, then Albany Gang Show
* SOUWEST Gang Show in Sutton - started 1982. Greater London South West Scout County.
* ShowStoppers Gang Show. Greater London North East Scouts Gang Show. Started 2003.
* Erith and Crayford "CAPERS" Gang Show.
* Greenford Gang Show - started in 1953.
* 1st Leyton Scout Group Gang Show, started in 1947.
* Waltham Forest Gang Show - started in 1959. This was formerly Walthamstow Gang Show.
* 2nd Whitton Scout Group Gang Show - started in 1951.
* Woolwich Gang Show (known as Showtime) - started in 1954.
* Greenwich Gang Show (known as OurShow)
See also
*
Girlguiding London and South East England
Girlguiding London and South East England is one of the nine Regions and Countries of Girlguiding. Region HQ is in Wandsworth Common, London. The Chief Commissioner is currently Sally Christmas.
Counties
Girlguiding London and South East England ...
References
External links
Greater London North ScoutsEnfield District Scout BandWaltham Forest South Gang ShowWaltham Forest South District Scouts
{{DEFAULTSORT:Greater London, Scouting in
Culture in London
Scouting and Guiding in the United Kingdom
Youth organisations based in London