Group Information
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 Packs 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 and girls aged from 6 to 8 years of age, a Cub Pack for children aged 8 to 10.5, and a Scout Troop for young people aged 10.5 to 14. At 14 young people can go on to join the District Explorer Scout Unit. There are normally around 75 youngsters in 2nd Thatcham at any time. There is a waiting list for boys and girls who would like to join the Beaver Colony when they are six.
It is advisable to put childrens 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 children 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
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.
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.