Form Downloads

Word File Centenary Annual Windy Challenge Camp Form
Word File Registration Form & Gift Aid Declaration

Scout Shops

Farnham District Scout Shop
3rd Farnham Scout HQ, Harts Yard, Farnham
Thursday 18:00-20:00, Saturday 9:30-13:00

Liphook Scout Shop
1st Liphook Scout HQ, Liphook
Open various times. See website.

Group History

The minutes of parents meeting held in 1912 show that an Annual General meeting was to be called for the 27 February 1912 would seem to imply that the group must have been active in 1911. This is further confirmed with the Scout Master's report recording that several boys had their Bugler badge and four scouts had earned their Ambulance badge.

In 1913 the Scouts of the 1st Bordon (Garrison) and the 2nd Bordon & Whitehill had a group photograph taken which survives in the group records today. Also in 1913 there are records of three boys attending a Patrol Leaders training course each gaining three badges in the process.

The group records now move to 1916 when a boy called Adolphaus Murphy joined the group. When he left in 1926 he had become an Assistant Scoutmaster. Simba, as he became known, re-established contact with the group in his later years and became affectionately known to our troop as Bordon's oldest scout. Unfortunately Simba died on the 20 April 1996 at the age of ninety.

In 1920 the Wolf Cub pack was formed and it is interesting to note that 1st Bordon Guides, who share the headquarters, were also formed. The scouts camped on Hayling Island in 1922, 1923 and 1924 and were transported to camp in a coal lorry with solid tyres.

A important event is recorded on Tuesday 27 February 1923 when the flags of the scouts and guides was consecrated by Bishop Taylor-Smith, Chaplain General to the forces in the presence of Lady Baden Powell, Chief Guide.

1926 saw a most usual camp when the scouts walked the Pilgrims Way to Canterbury, on to Dover and back home again taking two weeks for the journey.

Very little was recorded during the early 1930s the only item of interest being a camp at Hawkley Hurst when twelve Scouts and three leaders attended. The cost for one week being £8-11-0d. In 1936 the 3rd Infantry Brigade left for Palestine and with them went all the Leaders of the Scout Group with exception of the Cub Masters. The YMCA stepped in to help out. In August 1939 the District Commissioner took some boys from Bordon, Headley and Grayshott, Bramshot and Longmoor abroad to St. Malo in France returning to England just three days before the outbreak of the second world war.

During the early part of the war (1939-1945) no records were kept but we know from talking to people of the era who were cubs and scouts that the group continued with its scouting. A photograph taken in 1943 exists of the scouts and guides, along with their names but the Canadian soldiers who were assisting at the time are not named.

The end of the war brought back the troops and people trying to integrate back into civilian life. The leader running the Cub Pack was due to be demobbed so in 19946 a 16 year old Sea Ranger, Josie, was asked to run the Cub Pack. That young lady has only recently given up as Akela but continues to help to this day in an unofficial capacity. Ben Gorton, who married Josie, arrived in Bordon on Easter Sunday 1954 and looking around for a Scouting job found a Cub Pack of 24 with only one young lady in charge. He stayed to help being a stalwart of the group to this day.

At this time there were many young men doing their national service who were or had been scouts so a Rover Scout Crew was formed under the leadership of Ben Gorton and together with the Sea Rangers many a good time was had. The Golden Jubilee Jamboree was held at Sutton Coldfield in 1957 and five of the group attended, along with 35,000 scouts and leaders from all over the world

In 1960 National Service ended and consequently the Rover Crew closed. However in 1961 Ben Gorton was requested to become Group Scout Leader and being handed the group records found that 1961 it was Bordon's Golden Jubilee year. Being too late in the year to start the celebrations 1962 became the year. A party was held for all members, in the Soldier's, Sailor's and Airmen's canteen and the Brownlow Hall near the old Post Office. This was the last activity to held in the building before it was demolished. It was also the year that the gun badge was first used on the point of the group's scarf's being designed to represent 50 years of scouting in Bordon with the use of a golden field gun (or cannon) and golden circle.

The Advance Party Report in 1966 meant all change to Scouting. No more big hats, no more shorts, Wolf Cubs became Cubs, Rover Scouts and Senior Scouts merged to become Venture Scouts. Major changes to the awards schemes designed for the modern boy also took place.

In 1971 the Scouts again went to Germany to Halton forest near Munster. This camp was organised by the 3rd Munster (British) Scout Group. Unfortunately the standard of the tents, toilets etc. left much to be desired and along with the food ordered not being available it was not a very successful camp first day in camp. On the second day it was decided that somewhere else needed to be found. The Scouts were almost ready to leave when Major John Weston, acting District Commissioner, arrived to tell them that another site had been found for them. By moving to the new site and organising their own programme the rest of their stay in Germany became more enjoyable.

1972 saw a camp in Sheffield were the Scouts took part Rock Climbing, Caving, Canoeing and Hiking.

1975 saw the award of the Groups first Queens Scouts Award to Martin Green.

Adolphus Murphy came to find his old troop in 1978. He was by then was living at St Cross Winchester. The boys of the troop adopted him, or was it him who adopted them and referred to him as our oldest scout. His old patrol exchanged birthday cards etc. for many years after that until he sadly died in 1996 at 90 years old.

During 1980 Bordon and Whitehill had a twinning ceremony with Conde-Sur-Vere with the Scouts helped with some of the activities.

By 1981 the size of the Cub Pack waiting list had grown very long so a second Cup Pack was formed run Beryl Parsons. Too distinguish the two packs one was called Woolmer and the other Walldown named after the local forests. In 1982, after 21 years as Group Scout Leader Ben Gorton stood down and another leader took over. Ben continued as an ACSL with Woolmer Pack until his retirement in 1994. A notable success of 1984 was the two Cub Packs winning the local carnival float competition with a grand representation of Cleopatra and her Slaves.

The group continued to grow when in 1986 the cub waiting lists had grown again and to allow the 6-8 years in Bordon to take part in scouting a Beaver Colony was formed under the leadership of Bill Kilburn. The groups numbers were further swelled when after the Hurricane of 1987 the Hurricane Venture unit was formed under the leadership of Ted Robinson. By 1991 I had taken over as Group Scout Leader and the group was up to 170 members which included a second Beaver Colony formed when the original colony was split in 1991.

The year of 1991 was the group's 80th year and this was celebrated with activities for the members of the group. A Birthday Party was held. As many as possible of the old members of the group were contacted and a reunion was held followed on the Sunday by church service at the Garrison Church.

Four Ventures Scouts gained their Queen Scout badge in 1990 followed by another in 1991. We were represented at the Korean Jamboree in 1991 by Matthew Barney, at the Holland Jamboree in 1995 by Neil Jaques, Andrew Harris travelled to Chile in 1999 for the Jamboree and Michelle Durrant and Stephen Townsend travelled to Thailand for the 2003 Jamboree.

The Group continues into the 21 st Century after a couple of years of turbulent leadership but throughout this period all boys and girls of the group have had good scouting. Ian Garforth led the Group through the first few years after the millennium. During this time the Group unfortunately moved Headquarters twice ending up in its current home. Unfortunately Ian had to retire from Scouting in 2004 due to ill health. The Group is currently run by Guy Townsend (Scouter in Charge) whilst still running the Troop.

With new leaders joining the Group and some old stalwarts present the Group is currently running well but new faces are always welcome.

In this the Centenary Year it is hoped to bring some exciting new challenges to the young people. There are 8 Scouts travelling to the County Camp in July/August for the Centenary Celebrations.

Although many of the faces have changed it is hoped that the young people of Bordon will continue to be influenced to the better by the 1st Bordon (Garrison) Scout Group.

Any successful group cannot run without adults either as leaders / helpers or on the Executive Committee so if you have some time spare please contact the group as any help is appreciated.

Here is to the next 96 years!