The Group was formed in 1955,
and originally met in an old wooden army hut in a corner of the Memorial
Playing Field. However, twenty years later the land on which the hut was
built was sold for building, and the money raised was used to build a
new headquarters. This building is now used not only by our Beavers, Cubs
and Scouts, but also by two Brownie Pack and a Guide Troop. During the daytime it is used by a Playgroup.
At present 2nd Thatcham is made up of a Beaver Colony,
for boys aged from 6 to 8 years of age, a Cub Pack for boys aged 8 to
10.5, and a Scout Troop for boys aged 10.5 to 14. At 14 young people can
go on to join the District Explorer Scout Unit. There are normally
around 75 boys in 2nd Thatcham at any time. There is a waiting list for
boys who would like to join the Beaver Colony when they are six. |
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It is advisable to put boys' names on the
Waiting List before they start school, to ensure that they do get into
the Colony. Once they become Beavers, then they automatically get a place
in Cubs when they are eight. We do sometimes have spare places in the
Cub Pack, which we can offer to boys who have not been Beavers. 2nd Thatcham
Scout Group is always looking for adults who are willing and able to train
to become Leaders in all Sections. This can become a very rewarding hobby,
with many new challenges to be found, new skills to be learnt, and new
friends to be made |
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We are part of the "Taceham
Hundred Scout District", which covers not only Thatcham, but the
neighbouring villages of Cold Ash, Compton, Hermitage, and Woolhampton
too. A few years ago there were also Scout Groups in the villages of Hampstead
Norreys and Chieveley. Due to a lack of adults to help, these Groups have
had to be closed. The Scout Group in Woolhampton takes girls into its
Beavers, Cubs, and Scouts.
As you can see by the fact that we have a waiting list
to join our Beaver Colony, there is still a demand for Scouting in the
twenty first century. However, it is now much harder to find adults with
the spare time to organise these activities. All Leaders in the Scout
Movement are unpaid volunteers. Most adults involved in Scouting would
say that they find it an extremely enjoyable and rewarding hobby. |