4th Hyde - a brief history

1997 was a very special year for our Group, as we celebrated our 70th Birthday. The group was founded in May 1927 and Registered at Scout Head Quarters on the 26th October 1927. Or first Scouters were, the late Mr. Norman Pollit, who was the first Scoutmaster, and the late Mr. Les Tonge, both of whom were trained at 1st Hyde (YMCA) Group.
      A Scout Troop was formed during the summer of 1927, followed during the year by a Rover Crew, then a Cub Pack. The Rover leader was Mr. Les Tonge and the Cub leader was Mr. Eric Warburton, who is still living in Woodley.
      The meetings were held in the old School until the nineteen thirties when the Authorities gave permission to the Group to use a cellar, known as the 'Dug Out'. This room has a warm place in the affections of many old Scouts.
      Since the founding of the Group we have remained open even during the war years when the Group was provided with its first great test, as one by one our Scouters and Rover Scouts were called to serve in the armed forces. However, the boys played their part by becoming A.R.P. and Fire Service messengers, and the Troop continued to meet led by the Patrol Leaders. Several of our members gave their lives in the service of our Country. The present Headquarters in Albert Road was built in the nineteen fiftes, by the enthusiasm and splendid efforts of the Group Committee and Parents of the boys.
      The Group has always endeavoured to carry out the aims of the movement to encourage the physical, mental and spiritual development of young people so that they may take a constructive part in society. In recent times we were the first Group in Hyde District to open a Beaver Colony, and to accept girls into all our sections, and to appoint a Lady Scouter as Scout Leader.
      All our leaders are not only dedicated to providing the best training possible, but also the fun of Scouting, which is essential and hopfully our young people will find the Scout spirit will stay with them in the years to come. I feel it will, for the evidence was shown on Friday 24th October at our Birthday Party in Hyde Town Hall when a number of 'Old Scouts' accepted our invitation to celebrate this historic occasion.
      We can pride ourselves on not only being one of the oldest Groups in Hyde with continuous service, but a thriving and progressive Group.

Norman Harrison

PS. Norman is now the Group President and has served the Group continuously from joining the Wolf Cubs, as they were then known, in 1928.

Brian Pugh, Group Scout Leader

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