Scouting in East Midlands

Scouting in East Midlands is about Scouting in the official region of East Midlands. It is largely represented by the Scout Association of the United Kingdom and some Groups of traditional Scouting including the Baden-Powell Scouts' Association.

There are four student associations at various universities in the region, each of which is affiliated to the Student Scout and Guide Organisation (SSAGO). These are "Students of Leicester Universities Guides and Scouts", covering the University of Leicester and De Montfort University, [ [http://www.slugs.me.uk/main/ Students of Leicester Universities Guides and Scouts] ] "Loughborough University Scout and Guide Club" covering Loughborough University, [ [http://scogui.org.uk/ Loughborough University Scout and Guide Club] ] "Northampton University Scouts And Guides", covering the University of Northampton, [ [http://northamptonssago.piczo.com/?g=1&cr=7 Northampton University Scouts And Guides] ] and "Society of Nottingham Guides and Scouts" covering the University of Nottingham. [ [http://www.su-web.nottingham.ac.uk/~snogs/ Society of Nottingham Guides and Scouts] ]

History of Scouting in East Midlands

Lady Olave Baden-Powell(1889-1977), the 'World Chief Guide' was born Olave St. Clair Soames at Stubbing Court, Wingerworth, near Chesterfield, Derbyshire. Her husband, Robert Baden-Powell, the Founder of Scouting, wrote part of Scouting for Boys in the week following 15 June 1907 at the Izaak Walton Hotel in Ilam close to Dovedale in Derbyshire. Scouting links with the hotel have continued since Baden-Powell's death. In the summer of 2008, for example, Derbyshire Scouting presented a plaque to the Hotel to mark its link with "Scouting For Boys". [ [http://www.youandyesterday.co.uk/articles/Robert_Baden-Powell_-_%27Scouting_For_Boys%27_in_Dovedale Peter Seddon on Robert Baden-Powell in Dovedale] ]

The 1st Nottingham (YMCA), 1st Buxton, 1st Market Harborough, 2nd Chesterfield and 4th Derby (Derwent) Scout Groups claim to have started in 1908. [ [http://www.scoutbase.org.uk/library/hqdocs/facts/pdfs/fs295303.pdf List of Scout Groups The First Troops] ]

The Scout Association Counties

The Scout Association in East Midlands is administered through five Scout Counties, Derbyshire Scout County, Leicestershire Scout County (including former Rutland Scout County), Lincolnshire Scout County, Northamptonshire Scout County and Nottinghamshire Scout County.

Derbyshire Scout County

Derbyshire Scout County is a Scout County of the Scout Association covering the administrative County of Derbyshire in England. [ [http://www.derbyshirescouts.org/ Derbyshire Scout County] ] The town of Glossop in the far North West of the county is not included in the County but in the Greater Manchester East area instead.

Scouts from all over Derbyshire marked the centenary of Scouting in August 2007 at Sunrise ceremonies renewing their Scout Promise. [ [http://www.bbc.co.uk/derby/content/articles/2007/08/01/scouting_centenary_video_feature.shtml BBC Report - Derbyshire celebrates 100 years of Scouting] ]

Derbyshire villages are unusual in holding Well dressings during the summer. In 2005 the well at Whitwell had a theme acknowledging "Peak 2005", Derbyshire's International Scout and Guide Camp at Chatsworth Park. [ [http://www.whitwell.com/welldressing.shtml Whitwell Well Dressing] ] [ [http://www.peak2005.org.uk/ Peak 2005 International Scout and Guide Camp] ]

Derbyshire Scout County is responsible for organising the Four Inns Walk, an annual competitive event over the hills of the southern Pennines, the Kinder Walk of approximately 29km and the Kinder Challenge (new for 2008) of around 16km. [ [http://www.fourinns.org.uk/ Four Inns Walk] ] [ [http://kinderwalk.derbyshirescouts.org/ Kinder Walk] ]

The County is now administered through three divisions for the North West, North East and South of the County, each with Division Commissioners. [ [http://www.derbyshirescouts.org/index.php?Content=County%20Team Derbyshire Scout County Team] ] It was previously divided into fifteen Scout Districts:-

*Alfreton and District
*Belper [ [http://www.belperdistrictscouts.org.uk Belper District] ]
*Chesterfield
*Derby East
*Derby North
*Derby South [ [http://www.derbysouthscouts.org.uk Derby South Scout District] ]
*Derwent and Dove
*Dronfield
*East Scarsdale [ [http://www.eastscarsdalescouts.org.uk/ East Scarsdale District] ]
*High Peak
*Ilkeston
*Long Eaton and District
*Peak
*Ripley and Heanor
*South Derbyshire

Leicestershire Scout County

Leicestershire Scout County is a Scout County of the Scout Association covering the administrative County of Leicestershire in England. [ [http://www.leics-scouts.demon.co.uk/intro.html Leicestershire Scout County] ]

In the 2007 Centenary year, the BBC investigated the relevancy of Scouting in Leicestershire. [ [http://www.bbc.co.uk/leicester/content/articles/2007/02/12/scouting_feature.shtml BBC - Being Prepared 100 years on] ]

There is a Leicestershire Scouts Sub Aqua Unit (LSSAU), a Scout based diving group providing experience in diving and snorkelling for all members of the Scout Association. It was formed in 1982. [ [http://www.scubascouts.co.uk/ Leicestershire Scouts Sub Aqua Unit] ]

The County is split into eleven districts:

*Ashby And Coalville [http://www.willesley.org Willesey Online] ]
*Charnwood
*Hinckley
*Leicester North East
*Leicester South East [ [http://www.southeastscouts.org Leicester South East] ]
*Leicester South West
*Leicester West
*Loughborough [ [http://www.loughboroughscouts.org.uk Loughborough] ]
*Market Harborough
*Melton Mowbray And District
*South Leicestershire

Leicestershire Scout Headquarters is on Winchester Road, Blaby.

Lincolnshire Scout County

Lincolnshire Scout County is a Scout County of the Scout Association in the United Kingdom, covering the counties of Lincolnshire and Rutland.. [ [http://www.lincsscout.org.uk Lincolnshire Scout County] ]

In 2007, the Centenary Year of Scouting, the County appointed local presenter and broadcaster Ian Cashmore as a Media Development Manager to actively promote Scouting activities through the media. He was also involved with national scouting media on Brownsea Island and the sunrise camp. [ [http://www.scoutmedia.co.uk/ Lincolnshire Scouts Media Development Website] ]

The County is divided into ten districts:

* Boston
* Gainsborough [ [http://www.gainsboroughscouts.org.uk/ Gainsborough District Scouts] ]
* Grantham [ [http://www.grantham-scouts.org.uk/ Grantham District Scouts] ]
* Holbeach and Spalding
* Lincoln
* Louth [ [http://www.louthdistrictscouts.org.uk/ Louth District Scouts] ]
* Skegness Spilsby and District
* Sleaford
* Stamford and Bourne
* Rutland, previously a separate Scout County covering the County of Rutland. It was one of the smallest Scout Counties in the United Kingdom. It is now a District in Lincolnshire. It is bounded on the west and north by Leicestershire, northeast by Lincolnshire, and southeast by Northamptonshire. The new district has 7 Scout Groups along with an Explorer Scout Unit and a Scout Network. [ [http://www.rutlandscouts.org.uk/ Former Rutland County Website] ]

The Lincoln District has a Scout Band. [ [http://www.lincolnband.net/ Lincoln District Scout Band] ] It is the only Scout Band in the County. [ [http://flagspot.net/flags/gb-e-lin.html#ldsb Flags of the World] ]

Northamptonshire Scout County

Northamptonshire Scout County is a Scout County of the Scout Association in the United Kingdom, covering the county of Northamptonshire. [ [http://northants.ukscouts.net Northamptonshire Scout County] ]

A Northampton Scout Amateur Radio Group was formed in 1981. [ [http://www.btinternet.com/~nsarg/ Northampton Scout Amateur Radio Group] ]

Northampton District runs the Northampton Scout Gang Show. [ [http://www.bbc.co.uk/northamptonshire/stage/gang_show.shtml BBC Report - Riding along on the crest of a wave] ] [http://www.rockhoppers.net/telys/shows/uk2.html UK Gang Shows] ]

The County is divided into six districts:

* Daventry
* Grafton Scout District basically covers the area of South Northants. [ [http://northants.ukscouts.net/districts2.shtml Grafton District Scouts] ]
* Glendon?
* Nene Valley [ [http://www.reefknot.org.uk/parser/?CPD=index Neve Valley District Scouts] ]
* Northampton District was created in 2005 following the merger of Northampton East, West and Brixworth districts. When merged it had 27 groups and about 1600 members. By 2007 it had grown to 1800 members. Currently it has 24 Groups and 1700 members. [ [http://northamptondistrictscouts.co.uk/ Northampton District Scouts] ]
* Wellingborough

Nottinghamshire Scout County

Nottinghamshire Scout County is a Scout County of the Scout Association in the United Kingdom, covering the county of Nottinghamshire. [ [http://www.nottinghamshire-scouts.com/ Nottinghamshire Scout County] ]

In 1980, a group of Cub Scouts from the 2nd Sutton St Mary’s troop wrote to the Television programme Jim'll Fix it asking to have a meal in an unusual place. The show sent them, complete with packed lunch, to ride the Revolution at Pleasure Beach Blackpool with hilarious results. The clip became one of the most requested on British television. The stunt was repeated in 2007 with the same former Cubs for "Jim'll Fix It Strikes Again", with similar results. [ [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5wwPeSDCCAs YouTube Clip of Jim'll Fix it] ]

The County runs Nottinghamshire Scout & Guide Gang Show.

The County is divided into eleven Scout Districts:

*Ashfield
*Beauvale [ [http://www.beauvalescouts.org.uk/ Beauvale] ]
*Central Notts
*City of Nottingham
*Mansfield [ [http://www.scouts-mansfield.org.uk/ Mansfield] ]
*Newark
*Retford and District
*South East Nottinghamshire
*South West Nottinghamshire
*West Bridgford [ [http://www.scoutswestbridgford.co.uk/ West Bridgford] ]
*Worksop [ [http://www.northnottsscouting.com/ Worksop] ]

Campsites

Derbyshire

Derbyshire has several campsites:

Birch Hill Plantation in Bolsover is ideal for those wishing to walk the Peak District and the Sherwood Forest, with several local walks along old disused railway lines that are all linked to provide either long or short hikes in a traffic free environment. The site is one acre of grassland that is sheltered by woods and can camp up to 120 people.

Drum Hill is a 47 acre site located in Little Eaton that has three open areas for camping and a choice of three residential centres. Large enough to hold 1,000 campers, the site offers a number of activities including abseiling, archery, an assault course, climbing wall, mountain bikes, orienteering and shooting.

Gradbach is a greenfield site located near the village of Flash, the UK's highest village in the heart of the Peak District between Leek and Buxton. As well as large camping areas, there are two buildings available for hire - the Farmhouse and the Cottage.

Great Hucklow Scout Centre is a centrally heated converted playhouse located in Great Hucklow providing indoor accommodation for 54 people in a combination of bed and bunk bedded rooms and dormitories. It comes with a fully equipped kitchen, toilet facilities which include hot showers, lounge area, dining room and drying rooms. There is a grassed area outside suitable for games. The site is ideal to use as a base for those wishing to climb, cave, hike or mountain bike in the surrounding area.

Spitewinter is positioned on the edge of the Peak District National Park in Chesterfield. The site has four acres of sloping woodland with open camping areas. The camping areas are served by a purpose built ablution block, which has hot water and coin-operated showers. There are two accommodation huts, both of wood construction.

The Mill Pond is part of the North Leeds Estate. This back-to-basics site accommodates a maximum of six small tents. There are no facilities of any description offered on-site but would make a suitable overnight stop for a hiking party. It is operated by the Peak District National Park Authority.

Leicestershire

Leicestershire has several campsites:

Fox Coverts is a campsite between Leicester and Hinckley.

Johns Lee Wood is a woodland campsite, in the North West Leicester scout district. It lies near to the village of Markfield and is a stone's throw from Bradgate Park. The site has its own climbing tower among other facilities, as well as several huts and clearing-style camping areas.

The Oaks is located in the heart of Charnwood Forest, close to Oaks in Charnwood. It is a large field, with woodland along one side, and has a variety of activities available from climbing to archery, grass sledging to tunnel trail.

Ullesthorpe campsite is in South Leicestershire, and was once the home of Leicestershire Scouts Training. A mixture of woodland, huts and fields.Willesley is a Scout campsite that was once a stately home near Ashby de la Zouch in North West Leicestershire. The hall fell derelict and was bought by the local Scout district in 1952 along with a small area of land. The hall was demolished and turned into a Scout campsite. Further land was later bought by the Scouts, with other areas becoming a fishing lake and a golf course. Willesley Campsite is located 1 mile south west of Ashby de la Zouch, Leicestershire. It occupies 14 acres of the old Willesley Hall and estate from which part of the original gatehouse is still visible. The site has open fields, patrol areas, a coniferous wood its own church.

Holwell Pastures is a field campsite north of Melton Mowbray and managed by Melton District.

Lincolnshire

Lincoln Scout Association District has a camp site at Sudbrooke. [ [http://www.scoutbase.org.uk/cgi-bin/camping/db.cgi?db=camping&uid=default&SiteCounty=Lincolnshire&view_records=View+Records&Check=Yes&mh=1&nh=2 Lincoln District Scout Camp] ]

The former Rutland County site at Shacklewell Hollow, on the A606 between Empingham and Stamford can camp up to 100 people in four and a half acres of grassland and woods. [ [http://www.glswscouts.org.uk/campsites/search?q=S&n=5 Shacklewell Hollow Camp Site] ]

Northamptonshire

Northamptonshire Scout Association County owns Yr Hen Felin Cottage, a former Youth Hostel at Cynwyd, North Wales. [ [http://www.northamptondistrictscouts.co.uk/news/ Yr Hen Felin Cottage] ] It was purchased in 2007. [ [http://www.jwjonline.net/scouts.php Cynwyd Youth Hostel bought by Northampton Scouts] ]

Nottinghamshire

There are a number of Scout camp sites in the County including: [ [http://www.nottinghamshire-scouts.com/campsites.html Nottinghamshire Camp Sites] ]

*Hollygate Scout Camp [ [http://www.hollygate-scout-camp.org.uk/ Hollygate Scout Camp] ]
*Robin Hood Scout Campsite [ [http://freespace.virgin.net/robin.hood Robin Hood Scout Campsite] ]
*Sherbrooke Scout Campsite [ [http://www.sherbrooke-campsite.co.uk/ Sherbrooke Scout Campsite] ]
*Walesby Forest Scout Campsite [ [http://www.walesbyforest.org.uk/ Walesby Forest Scout Campsite] ]

ee also

*Age Groups in Scouting and Guiding
*Scouting sections
*Scouting staff
*Girlguiding Midlands

References