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2022 - 2023

The Group has maintained a full and varied programme of activities during 2022 across all its sections. We are pleased that there have been no further COVID restrictions introduced, and we are now back to operating as we did pre-COVID. During the year, we organised a number of nights away opportunities for our members allowing them to earn nights away and we continue to ramp up this provision as young people become more confident once again to participate in these.

Following approval in FY22 to open a Squirrels Drey, it was great to see this come to fruition in September 2022 with the opening of our Squirrels Drey, the first in Blackwater Valley District. We are incredibly grateful to Jo Green [Spider] who stepped forward to take the lead and Jo is now running a full, popular Squirrels Drey with all the feel of a typical Scout section. We are also very grateful to all the leaders who support Jo in running Squirrels, many but not all parents of young people in the section. We look forward to seeing all Groups in the District open Squirrels sections in the years to come – there is a phenomenal demand for this provision based on our waiting list.

In terms of membership, we had another record year of young people registered with the Group. Based on the 2022 - 2023 census returns, our youth membership (excluding young leaders) has increased from 58 to 82.

The Group’s shooting club has continued to run monthly and the club also Have a Go sessions for other Groups in the district. We are very grateful to all the leaders who give up their time to support this activity provision for young people across Blackwater Valley District, especially Iain Roy [Skip], George Biddlecome, Mike Hughes, Allen Sayers, Jo Green, and Tim Ford. In FY24, we hope to invest in some air pistols to offer a different shooting experience.

2 Leaders achieved their Wood badges in FY23 – Lisa Roy, and Jo Green. Well done to these Leaders, and congratulations to Lisa for also being granted a Nights Away Permit. 4 Beavers (Devon Golds, Jake Nettleingham, Harry Nettleingham, and Ethan Favell-Potter) achieved their Bronze Chief Scout Awards this financial year. 6 Cubs (Craig Smith, Riley Langridge, Sofia Boyle Torices, Charlie Highton, Anthony Freeman, and Bailey Shoesmith) achieved their Silver Chief Scouts Award this financial year. 4 Scouts (Ethan Cronin, Jamie Pocock, Jimisola Okuwobi, and Nathan Roy) achieved their Gold Chief Scouts Award this financial year. Over the course of the year, 1,129 badges (including occasional badges) were handed out to young people.

We continue to host Blackwater Valley Spitfire Explorer Unit and it has been great to see many of our Scouts continuing their Scouting journey through into Explorers now there is increased provision in the Farnborough area.

Our funding position is stable and we have continued to invest, now drawing into reserves that were built up during the COVID pandemic. We completed the installation and commissioning of our bouldering wall, and look forward to this being used for fun activities.

Plans for future activities depend crucially on leaders and helpers continuing to come forward to maintain, and ideally expand the activities the Group can offer, both as Section Leaders and Trustee Board members. We are incredibly grateful to all our adult volunteers, whatever role they play in the Group.

Read our Annual Report below.

2021 - 2022

Read our Annual Report below.

2020 - 2021

In March 2020, face-face Scouting was suspended for the first time ever by our parent organisation The Scouting Association meaning that as a Scout Group we were unable to do all the things we love doing.  

Well, we were unable to do them in the usual ways, but as Scouts, we're never ones to be beaten, so we rolled up our sleeves and used our spirit and resilience to turn a negative into a positive.

We had to learn new ways of Scouting, helping others, and even how to run virtual camps and campfires!  We met online, we did scavenger hunts, and we cooked and cleaned.  We camped indoors and outdoors.  We ran a virtual campfire.

Our Young People earned over 350 badges during the Lockdown period.

In short, we carried on Scouting in what was a very difficult year for everyone and we are immensly proud of all our members - adults and young people - that carried on Scouting with us.  Our census return in January 2021 reflected the significant drop in membership that we suffered, like all charities it was a very difficult year.

Read our Annual Report below.

2019 - 2020

Read our Annual Report below.

The Group continued to enjoy steady growth through word of mouth.  Our limiting factor is numbers of leaders, however we welcomed a number of new leaders this year.  Welcome Sarah Hearnden (Fox) and Adam Hearnden (Bear) to our Scouts section.  Welcome Steve Worsfold (Akela) to our Cubs section.  And welcome  Dan Langridge (Ranger) to our Beavers and Scouts sections.  

We now have an Akela again, and this enabled Iain to step back a little from Cubs.  

We said "au revoir" to Francina Butterworth at the end of the Summer Term, as she stood down from her Beaver Leader role handing over to Lisa Roy (Malak) as our new Beaver Leader.  It was lovely to present Francina with thank-you gifts at our AGM in the September.  I am delighted that both Francina and Chris continue to support the Group and both help out whenever called upon!

Summer Camp 2019 was at Ferny Crofts again by popular demand from our Scouts.

2018 - 2019

Read our Annual Report below.

2017 - 2018

The Group enjoyed lots of growth through word of mouth especially in its Beavers and Scouts sections.  Lots of focus on adult volunteer recruitment as a result of the growth and following Chris Butterworth (Bagheera)'s semi-retirement.  We welcomed Sarah-Jane Anderson (Chipmunk) and Gloria Smith (Otter) to our Beavers section.  We welcomed Jo Lane (Raksha) and Stephen James (Sahi) to our Cubs section.  And we welcomed William Lucy (Wolf) to our Scouts section.  

Iain Roy (Skip) took on running the Cub Pack in September, and Chris Butterworth was presented with thank-you gifts on behalf of the Committee and the Group at the AGM as he stood down from this role.

Summer Camp 2018 was at Ferny Crofts with 14 scouts joining us for a week of activities.  One of the hottest summers on record.

2016 - 2017

Iain Roy became Group Scout Leader in September 2018 taking over from Chris Butterworth.

2015 - 2016

Iain Roy (Scout Leader) and Mark Cronin (Assistant Scout Leader) along with Susan O'Mara (Troop Assistant) opened 3rd Farnborough Scout Troop on 3rd October 2016, with 3 scouts all of whom had moved up from the Cub Pack.

2014 - 2015

2013 - 2014

2012 - 2013

2011 - 2012

2010 - 2011

2009 - 2010

The Group celebrated its Diamond Jubilee (60 years) and had a special blanket badge commissioned.  A party where former leaders were invited was organised by Chris and Fran Butterworth.

2008 - 2009

2007 - 2008

2006 - 2007

2005 - 2006

2004 - 2005

2003 - 2004

2002 - 2003

2001 - 2002

2000 - 2001

1984 - 1985

Liz Griffiths became Assistant District Commissioner (ADC) for Cubs in 1984.

1982 - 1983

In the early 1970's a second Cub Pack was started, and the two Cub Packs were known as Orion and Pegasus.  Whilst we now just have the one Cub Pack, in a nod to this part of our history our two activity rooms in our HQ are called the Orion Room (Beavers), and the Pegasus Room (Cubs and Scouts).

Liz Griffiths was Cub Scout Leader of one of the packs until she became Assistant District Commissioner (ADC) for Cubs in 1984.

1977 - 1978

3rd Farnborough Pegasus Cubs with Bunty Leversuch (Cub Scout Leader) and Jackie Edwards (Assistant Cub Scout Leader)

1973 - 1974

3rd Farnborough Cubs with Bunty Leversuch (Cub Scout Leader) front row, far left.

A new headquarters (which we still use today) was opened on October 30th, 1965 by Frank Hamel.  Our headquarters was build by craftsmen of the 1st Parachute Battalion.  Material costs were raised by the Group with assistance from 4th Farnborough Guides and Brownies, from a grant by the Hampshire Education Committee, and with the generous and material assistance of the Building Industry Youth Trust.

1965 - 1966

1964 - 1965

Our census return for this year indicates that there were 2 Wolf Cub Leaders, and 1 Group Scoutmaster.

1963 - 1964

1962 - 1963

1961 - 1962

1960 - 1961

From census records, it would appear that during 1960 there were 2 Wolf Cub Packs running at 3rd Farnborough but just for this one year.

Frank Elliot and Jim Armsworth were Scout Leaders in the late 50's and early 60's.

1959 - 1960

1958 -1959

1957 - 1958

1956 - 1957

1955 - 1956

1954 - 1955

1953 - 1954

1952 -1953

Warrant applications were approved for R. E. Packham (Assistant Scoutmaster)

1951 - 1952

In February, as the Group was expanding the District Commisioner requested that a second pack be opened, and also that a 4th Farnborough Group be started.    

However, in March the request to open a 4th Farnborough Group was reverted.

W. G. A. Pont's warrant was changed from Assistant Scoutmaster to Scoutmaster.

Further warrant applications were approved for Mr R Kirk (Assistant Cubmaster), Mr A. H. Nicks (Assistant Scoutmaster), Miss A. M. Barton (Assistant Cubmaster), and resignations were received from Miss E. Sanderson (Cubmaster) and Miss D. Ormonde (Assistant Cubmaster).

3 boys from 3rd Farnborough were to attend the next Jamboree.  It was agreed that expenses of £16 would be repaid to 3rd Farnborough and £1-0-3d fares for Senior Scouts to Romseyt would be reimbursed by County.

Cubs won the Mayne Trophy but were then disqualified.

1950 - 1951

District minutes record that the District Treasurer pointed out that the loan of £10 made to 3rd Farnborough on 3rd March, 1949 was still outstanding.  It was left as outstanding on the books.

Warrant applications were approved for W. G. A Pont (Assistant Scoutmaster), D. D. Ormond (Assistant Cubmaster) and W.D. Monfeith (Assistant Cubmaster).

A fete was held on Saturday 26th August raising funds for the completion of the Headquarters hut.

District minutes noted that the Group will probably form a Senior Troop in the near future.

1949 - 1950

On 3rd January 1949, Col. Devereux reported to District that a new Group to be called 3rd Farnborough was being formed on the Hawley Estate.  It was agreed on 7th February 1949 that 3rd Farnborough could start when a suitable meeting place was located.

On 7th March an application for a loan of £10 was made for purchase of equipment and this was approved subject to acceptance of registration.

3rd Farnborogh re-opened in March 1949 with Registration Number 27163 and has been continuous ever since.  The Group was registered as 3rd Farnborogh (Hawley Lane) which remains to this day our official name, though we now no longer use the Hawley Lane designation.

Warrant applications for Miss Ethel Sanderson (Cubmaster) and Mr Ronald Jackman (Assistant Cubmaster) were approved.

On 30th May 1949, formation of a Scout Section was approved, and in July 1949 a warrant application for Mr D Curran (Assistant Scoutmaster) was approved, followed by applications for Mr D. Beeswing (Assistant Scoutmaster) and G F Naylor (Assistant Scoutmaster) later oin the year.

No census return available.

In 1927, 3rd Farnborough Scout Troop was merged into 2nd Farnborough and closed.  The last records we have indicated that there were 24 Scouts and 2 Leaders. There is no evidence of there being a Cub Pack in existence at the time of the closure.

On 11th June 1928, Mr J Wilson resigned as Scoutmaster, one of the oldest members of the Association.  Extracts from District minutes note that a letter of thanks was to be sent.

1914 - 1915

On 18th July 1914, the Troop under Scoutmaster Masters attended a rally in Farnham Park.  With other Troops, Scouts from 3rd Farnborough went through some musical stave drilling smart style and did a clever fire drill.

The Western Gazette

1913 - 1914

Aldershot News on 18th March 1913 reported that the Troop paraded with other Troops on the lawn of Avenue House, Marlborough Lines.  They were inspected by Mr Patmore the County Secretary.

1912 - 1913

On 15th June 1912, 3rd Farnborough Boy Scouts under the leadership of Mr Wilson attended a local rally at Government House that was inspected by General Haig.

1911 - 1912

3rd Farnborough was officially opened with Registration Number 1321 and its base was the National Children's Home in Alexandra Road.