100 years of scouting

Representatives of each local Scout group proudly paraded their standards into the church where the movement had its Bexhill beginnings on October 26, 1908.

In the presence of members of every group, of Senlac Scout District leaders and of invited guests, the standards were laid beside the altar for the duration of the centenary service of thanksgiving.

A service led by the Rev David Frost, Vicar of St Stephen's and Rural Dean of Bexhill and Battle, culminated in the unveiling by Rother chairman Cllr Joanne Gadd of a plaque marking the occasion.

For the sake of the large congregation, the plaque had a prominent if temporary position on the front of the pulpit where all could see it.

The service wove hymns, prayer and an address by the Vicar together with three potted histories detailing the development of Scouting in Bexhill.

Today, Senlac Scout District had 500 members in eight groups.

Addressing the assembled Scouts and Cubs, the Rev Frost said they were part of history. In years to come, they would tell their children and grandchildren that they had taken part in the centenary service.

He said: "Be proud to be part of this organisation.

"Remember that you are part of its history a history which is remembered by people not only in this country but around the world."

Barry Wilkinson, Group Scout Leader of the 2nd Bexhill, recalled how Robert Baden-Powell's first camp at Brownsea Island in 1907 and the publication of Scouting For Boys had led to the birth of the international movement.

"The first patrol was formed in Bexhill on the 26th of October, 1908. They became the 1st Bexhill St Stephen's'¦

"Their leader and Scoutmaster was William Heather, a local solicitor."

By April 1909 they had been joined by the 2nd Bexhill, All Saints' Sidley and the Fox Patrol at the Congregational Church.

"There was no Scout Association in Bexhill so they joined the Scout Association in Hastings.

"The Baden-Powell Boy Scouts Association in Bexhill was formed on the 1st of July, 1910."

A red-letter day for the movement had been on October 24, 1909 when Baden-Powell visited Battle Abbey.

During the First World War Scouts in the town assisted the Coastguards with coast-watching and assisted at Little Common Army Camp,

By 1921, Bexhill had four Scout Groups, the 1st Sea Scouts had 60 members, the 1st Bexhill St. Stephen's had 34; the 2nd Bexhill St Peter's 32 and All Saints 37.

There were also three Wolf Packs.

Taking up the story of the Middle Years, ex-GSL Harry Saunders said Bexhill in the 1920s was a Mecca for independent schools and this led to an expansion of Scouting in the town as they formed their own patrols

In 1927, a Scout, Roy Webb, was awarded the Certificate For Gallantry for rescuing a girl from drowning. Sadly, he died the following year from meningitis aged 15.

When war came again in 1939 Scouts were up for the challenge, collecting scrap for the war effort.

When Bexhill's schools were evacuated in 1940, David Williamson formed an evacuee troop of Bexhill boys in St Alban's who performed fire-watching duties in the town.

As the evacuees returned to Bexhill in 1943, the evacuee troop became the 10th Bexhill.

Harry recalled as a Cub ignoring Akaela's warning to go straight home after meetings, preferring to watch the anti-aircraft gun on the Down in action.

Bexhill started the post-war era with five groups. The returning independent schools did not resume Scouting activities,

Taking up the post-war story, David King, ADC Scouts, said these were the 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 9th and 11th together with Cub Pack at the 1st, 2nd, 9th and 11th.

Paying tribute to the many distinguished leaders of the movement, he mentioned "Skip" Wellerd, who had joined as a Cub in the 1920s, became Assistant Leader of the 2nd in 1927, Scoutmaster of the 1st in 1931; was Group Scoutmaster for 33 years until 1964 and District Commissioner from 1947..

Lionel "Banco" Banks had joined the 10th as a Scout in 1943, was a Leader with the 1st from and then the 11th and then the 9th until his retirement this year after 65 years.