1st UPMINSTER SCOUT GROUP
The following is a short history of the 1 st Upminster Scout Group.
Firstly the name "Gwillcoo" derives as follows:- 'G' - Gilwell, 'Will' - Colonel Wilson who was camp chief at the time, 'Coo' - Cuckoo Patrol, thus Gwillcoo.
T'he Group was started in May 1917 by Mr. W. Tompson who was the founder and first Scout Master, and met in the vestry of the Congregational Church (Upminster). The flags were presented to the troop in the Convent Gardens as it was felt from the beginning that the Group should be interdenominational, and thus it not only became the first Group in Upminster but the first 'open' Group. Later the Troop moved to an ex-servicemen's hut where the new library stands. The land where the present day H.Q. stands was starting to be developed and being sold in plots. the Committee thought it would be a good idea to buy some, so in 1920 the ground was bought. the hut was bought and erected in 1930, the Rover Den started life as a garage. The hut cost about £250 and the ground about £230. The mainstay of the organisation was Mr. Brunwinn.
A bout 1952 the Venture Den was built using bricks,taken from a stable on the ~Convent Grounds.
Mtr. Fred Halestrap, who joined the Group in 1918, ran the Group for many years ,as G.S.M. In fact from 1939 to 1961. Although he retired from the Group he still kept an interest, he provided most of information of the Groups History. Mr.,King Prentis took over and despite difficulties occasioned by lack of Scouters was responsible for the planning of the new extension and keeping the Group going. In 1970 when King retired after 30 years with the Group, Vin Dodd became G.S.L.
1n 1971 the 5th Upminster - Branfil Group amalgamated with the 1st Upminster Group.
In 1976 the new H.Q. was officially opened by John Moore - the County Commissioner. .
During 1977 the Group extended its buildings by the addition of its 'stores' - that is the building between the H.Q. and the "Venture Den.
Firstly the name "Gwillcoo" derives as follows:- 'G' - Gilwell, 'Will' - Colonel Wilson who was camp chief at the time, 'Coo' - Cuckoo Patrol, thus Gwillcoo.
T'he Group was started in May 1917 by Mr. W. Tompson who was the founder and first Scout Master, and met in the vestry of the Congregational Church (Upminster). The flags were presented to the troop in the Convent Gardens as it was felt from the beginning that the Group should be interdenominational, and thus it not only became the first Group in Upminster but the first 'open' Group. Later the Troop moved to an ex-servicemen's hut where the new library stands. The land where the present day H.Q. stands was starting to be developed and being sold in plots. the Committee thought it would be a good idea to buy some, so in 1920 the ground was bought. the hut was bought and erected in 1930, the Rover Den started life as a garage. The hut cost about £250 and the ground about £230. The mainstay of the organisation was Mr. Brunwinn.
A bout 1952 the Venture Den was built using bricks,taken from a stable on the ~Convent Grounds.
Mtr. Fred Halestrap, who joined the Group in 1918, ran the Group for many years ,as G.S.M. In fact from 1939 to 1961. Although he retired from the Group he still kept an interest, he provided most of information of the Groups History. Mr.,King Prentis took over and despite difficulties occasioned by lack of Scouters was responsible for the planning of the new extension and keeping the Group going. In 1970 when King retired after 30 years with the Group, Vin Dodd became G.S.L.
1n 1971 the 5th Upminster - Branfil Group amalgamated with the 1st Upminster Group.
In 1976 the new H.Q. was officially opened by John Moore - the County Commissioner. .
During 1977 the Group extended its buildings by the addition of its 'stores' - that is the building between the H.Q. and the "Venture Den.
1st Upminster Scout Group 25-27 Brookdale Avenue, Upminster, RM14 2LT
Registered Charity Number: 271754 (England & Wales)
Registered Charity Number: 271754 (England & Wales)
