Charlton Kings Scouts have celebrated their Scouting Centenary throughout 2010, with a series of special events.

The Group, which first met in February 1910, now has over 200 members and continues to thrive and grow at a steady rate. It boasts an Explorer section, two Scout troops, three Cub packs and two Beaver colonies – the second of which opened in 2010.

In February, nearly 500 past and present members got together on the 100th Anniversary of the first Scout meeting in the village in 1910.

An exhibition of Scouting history was on display together with a collection of scouting memorabilia. Current members enjoyed a range of different activities including crafts, firelighting and making camp gadgets and received a special commemerative badge designed by one of the Beavers, to wear on their group scarf

In June over 200 members of the group took part in a Centenary Camp at the Gloucestershire County Scouting Centre at Cranham. All sections joined together and enjoyed activities such as archery, rifle shooting, backwoods cooking and crafts. A campfire was held on the Saturday evening and on Sunday the curate from St Marys in Charlton Kings, led a ‘Scouts Own’. Parents and former members had the opportunity to watch the children enjoying the various activities.

In December, nearly 200 Beavers, Cubs, Scouts, Leaders and Committee members took over Ten Pin Bowling in Gloucester, to celebrate the end of the year in style.

Activities come to climax in February with a special firework display to mark the end of the first 100 years and looking forward to the next!

Our Centenary Camp held at Cranham in June this year was a great success with over 110 Beavers, Cubs, Scouts and Explorers attending over the weekend + around 60 leaders and Adults. The weather was great and activities included rifle shooting, archery, backwoods cooking, confidence course, woggle making, water rockets and fire lighting.

To see more photographs of the camp, click on the links below.

Ted’s Centenary Photographs
Richard’s Centenary Photographs

GENERATIONS of Scouts went to Charlton Kings for a party to remember.More than 300 former and current Scouts turned out to enjoy the centenary celebrations of the 7th Cheltenham (Charlton Kings) Scout Group. Group Scout leader Julien LePlain said it was particularly impressive that the group had continued to operate through two world wars and said the event had been a big success.

Photographs of the centenary launch are now coming back and will be published under the following categories:

The “Oldest Scout in town” behind the camera.

Scout’s Centenary Project

Official Launch Night Photographs

“It was quite moving at times because the old boys discovered pictures of themselves, and some friends who went to war and never made it back, so in a lot of ways it was quite emotional….”

“It was quite moving at times because the old boys discovered pictures of themselves, and some friends who went to war and never made it back, so in a lot of ways it was quite emotional. I think they had a really good reminisce and it was great to have a mix of young and old. It’s an important landmark on our history. The Scout movement gives youngsters the chance to do things they might not otherwise get to do. It’s a great way of making lots of friends and creating a camaraderie. It’s very much about having fun.”

As testament to the hardiness expected of all Scouts, an outdoor barbecue took place along with tent and handicraft demonstrations.In addition, huge wall displays from past decades were put up in the headquarters to show what the old boys used to get up to. In tribute to them, Scout Nathan Baker wore a uniform from the 1940s.

A large centenary cake was enjoyed by all visitors including Scout leaders, Beavers, Cubs and Explorer Scouts affiliated to the group.

Scout George Dimery, 18, has been with the movement for the past 11 years. He said: “It was really good and interesting to be part of because I got to see the roots of where it all began. Seeing what they used to wear was quite funny too and the mix of young and old made it quite special. I’ve been part of the Scouts for so long because I get to do so many things through them.”