Centenary Celebration

Report on Event

On Saturday 29^th June 1^st Radlett Scout Group marked its Centenary with a Celebration Event. The Group invited back all past members to celebrate this achievement.

1^st Radlett Scouts was officially registered on 16^th May 1919, although it is commonly believed there were Scouts in Radlett prior to this. The Group was set up by Jack Nash as Scoutmaster assisted by Charles Cuddiford. Both of these are believed to be part of a group of boys from Radlett who walked to 1^st Elstree (one of the oldest groups in the country set up by Sir Percy Everett – Lord Baden-Powell’s right-hand man) each week to get involved with Scouting.

1^st Radlett was delighted to welcome relatives of Jack Nash including his daughter, Jennifer Nixon, and two grandchildren, marking his importance in the history of our Group. 1^st Radlett also welcomed a large number of former leaders including one travelling from the Isle of Man, one from Felixstowe and many from all across the country as well as those who remain locally.

1^st Radlett rejoiced with the weather on the hottest day of the year, and luckily with the event based at its headquarters Kent Lodge in Scrubbits Wood were able to keep cool.

Guests were served afternoon tea, and many stayed for an evening barbecue. Attendees met up with old friends and reminisced about their Scouting days. Inside our headquarters many photo albums and scrapbooks were left out with other historic documents and a picture slideshow, representing the 100 years of 1^st Radlett. Music from across the years was played to guests, with the top chart songs from each of the 100 years being played.

In the early evening our Group President, Ron Worthy – who has been involved with the Group for 56 years, spoke welcoming guests and marking the Centenary of the Group. Jack Nash’s grandson Rod also spoke about memories of his grandfather and on Jack’s involvement in 1^st Radlett. He represented his father Reverend David Nash, Jack’s oldest son, whose distance from us and age prevented him attending. He also presented the Group with a photo of Jack from his later life, when he had moved away from Radlett. Guests also enjoyed a Centenary Cake after singing the Group Happy 100^th Birthday. Jack’s daughter Jennifer Nixon officially cut the cake.

This has been part of a range of celebrations the Group has held marking our Centenary, including a Group Celebration along with our AGM where we took a photo of our current members. We have had a Centenary Woggle designed by one of our younger members, Barney, with all members given one. As the Radlett Guides also mark their Centenary, we have been having a series of joint events including an event marking Founders Day in February (known by Guides as Thinking Day) and an event at Schopwick House in Elstree Village, the home of Sir Percy Everett, in June with themed old Scouting and Guiding activities. We plan to continue to mark the Centenary over the rest of the year.

On Saturday 29 June we will hold a Celebration event at our Headquarters, Kent Lodge. To this we would like to welcome all past members of the Group and their families or relations to join in the celebrations. The event will run from 3pm and final details will be on this page once they have been agreed. Please do however spread the word about the event to those you know who may wish to come and book on the form below. The below letter is one to send out to anyone who you think would wish to come to the event.

Guests are invited to attend any time from 3pm, we will start with afternoon tea, have some short speeches and cutting of Centenary cake at around 5:30pm, time to be confirmed. There is no need to rush away if you wish to chat to old friends as drinks and a BBQ will be available in the evening. You are welcome to attend at any time depending on your availability.

There is limited parking outside the Headquarters, so would rather this be used for disabled parking. So please use the main Car Park in Watling Street, Newberries Car Park, which is within walking distance of the Headquarters. There may also be space in the Recreation Ground car park, which is a shorter walk to the Headquarters, but this does close earlier in the evening.