60th Anniversary

On Saturday 8th, 1st Woodcutts Scouts marked the 60th anniversary of the founding of the group with a special day of celebrations.

Naomi Booth :: Saturday 23rd September 2017 :: Latest Blog Posts

The event began with a parade through the village of Sixpenny Handley, followed by a well-attended church service at St. Mary's Church where John Curtis, who founded the group as a 13 year old boy and is still regularly involved, spoke very movingly about how proud he is of the group's growth and achievements, and how it still plays such a central role in the local community.

As well as the young people of the various sections, the service was also attended by the group's leaders and ASU (Adult Support Unit) members, many local parents, friends and former members of the group along with County Commissioner Brendan Booth, County Secretary Carol Head, and Derek Burk Chairman East Dorset DC and Chairman East Dorset Scouts.

One of the many highlights of the service was the unveiling of a new badge to mark the anniversary, a commission based on the designs of two of the talented young people in the group.

After the service, proceedings headed for a picnic at the 1st Woodcutts HQ, which opened 5 years ago after a £250,000 project made possible by generous local donations, gifts and fundraising. At that moment, torrential rain decided to arrive, but that didn't keep the young people away from the inflatables and games hired for the occasion! Fortunately it brightened up later and everyone present enjoyed the rest of the afternoon, culminating in a traditional camp fire and sing song.

Rob Easton, scout leader since 2001 said, 'Woodcutts are truly a unique group, to have the same person leading the group 60 years after he founded it with his 5 friends. It was great for the young people who enjoy the fun and friendship of Scouting at Woodcutts now, to meet the founding members of the group and many people who have made the group such a success over the last 6 decades.'

The group has gone from strength to strength over the years, now having a a Beaver colony with 30 beavers, a Cub pack with 24 cubs, and 40 Scouts and Explorer Scouts. Adding in the many adults who give their time so generously to lead or assist in so many ways, there are over a 100 members. 1st Woodcuts has welcomed both boys and girls since 2001 and is now fairly evenly mixed. Recent summer camps have taken the group as far as Scotland and Cornwall, and they have every intention to carry on helping the young people involved experience the fun and adventure of the scouting movement for the next 60 years and beyond!