Group History

It was back in the early summer of 1908 when a few lads from New Malden decided they wanted to start their own scout group in a new movement launched the previous year by war hero Robert Baden-Powell. On the 8th April 1909 the group was registered at Imperial Headquarters and has been running non-stop (including the war years) ever since.

The group's first HQ was a garden shed in Acacia Grove, this was followed in 1910 by a timber pavilion at the top of Alric Avenue by the railway line. The pavilion was owned by local businessman and group president Mr Paul Typke and he later moved the whole building in 1913to his back garden in Sycamore Grove. Here the group stayed until 1934 when 1st Malden moved into a new purpose built HQ in Tadworth Avenue and despite a forced move due to a major fire in the 70’s has been home ever since.

With the Troop and Rover sections proving popular it was time for the younger age group to join the group, this happened in 1914 when as a trial a Wolf Cub Pack was set up. This was 2 years before Wolf Cubs were officially launched, we can therefore claim to have one of the oldest scout troops and possibly the oldest cub pack still running today. It would be another 72 years before the Beaver Colony started. The first girls joined the group in the late 70’s when they were allowed to join the venture unit (the equivalent to today's Explorers) and then in 1992 girls were finally allowed to join the troop and pack.

The group is based at the Scout Headquarters in Tadworth Avenue, New Malden. 1st Malden has a Beaver Colony, a Cub Pack and a Scout Troop and is open to all who wish to join and accept the aims of the Scout Association.

Each section is run by a dedicated team of adult volunteer leaders and helpers, along with a number of Young leaders. All the leaders must hold a current DBS certificate. They are also required to attend regular Safeguarding, 1st Aid and risk assessment courses.

There is also a Group Executive committee that is made up of parents and section leaders who look after the day to day running of the HQ and fundraising.

The Aim of the Scout Association

The Aim of the Scout Association is to promote the development of young people in achieving their full physical, intellectual, social and spiritual potentials, as individuals, as responsible citizens and as members of their local, national and international communities. The method of achieving the aim of the association is by providing and enjoyable and attractive scheme of progressive training, based on the Scout Promise and Law and guided by adult leadership