1st Old Dalby Scout Group
In the early 1950's the scout group in
Old Dalby Leicestershire, was born, under the leadership of
Charlie Hinds meeting in the then military base. The group was
always forward looking. By the 1960's plans were being made
to build the present headquarters and fund raising began. Funds
were raised locally with help from the community by jumble sales,
coffee mornings, raffles and fetes. Help was always given by
the military and a large amount of money was raised in the 'depot'
(REME - regiment of electrical and mechanical engineers - and
ABRO - army base repair organisation) itself. This took a number
of years but eventually there was enough money and members of
the group built the scout hut (which virtually came in kit form)
in Queensway, Old Dalby. It was opened in 1971 by the Scouts
County Commissioner Lord Crawshaw.
The group went from strength to strength
throughout the 1970's with Brownies, Guides, Cubs, Scouts and
Ventures all being active. By the early 1980's it was a very
large group indeed. The band was started with Doug Armstrong,
the group scout leader, as the driving force. Many today will
remember the march to church in all weathers and the 'musical
Christmas post', when the instruments became frozen and refused
to play. They also went to 'fanfare' the scout massed band spectacular
at De Montfort Hall in Leicester. In the 1980's the group went
on many camps and in 1982 (the year of the scouts 75th jubilee)
the 1st Old Dalby Scout Group went to Brownsea Island, Poole,
Dorset.
