History

The formation of the Group came about from Scouting’s origins. Sir Percy Everett was a friend of Lord Baden-Powell and lived at Shopwick, at the top of Elstree Hill. He formed 1^st Elstree Scout Group, one of the oldest groups in the country, with its first meeting on the 13^th March 1908. It is believed that a group of boys from Radlett including Jack Nash and Charles Cuddiford heard about the troop in Elstree and formed a patrol, walking each week from Radlett to Elstree to take part. In 1914 the First World War meant most of the young boys who formed the first Scout Troops went off to fight.

In 1919 Scout Headquarters started to register troops which included 1^st Radlett which we were registered on 16^th May 1919. Jack Nash was the first Scoutmaster on his return from active service. The first record to the Troop in Radlett is on 23^rd May 1919 where the account book shows a subscription of “2 shillings and sixpence”. It is commonly believed that there was Scouts in Radlett prior to the registration date but no proof has been found, however we know that there was not a troop in Radlett when Sir Percy Everett made a list in November 1909. On 29^th November 1919, the Scout Troop performed “Minobi” at the Parish Hall, which consisted of 19 items of entertainment including a talk by Percy Everett on “The Scout Movement.

On 6^th July 1920, Jack Nash and Charles Cuddiford found an old Army hut near Northaw which was dismantled and transported to Radlett where it was erected. It was moved in 1924 to Watling Street and on 23^rd September 1944 a new Headquarters was opened for the Air and Sea Scouts, next to what was Burrell and Co. Coal Yard, now Everett Court; so, called as it was opened then by Deputy Chief Scout Sir Percy Everett. The County Commissioner Graham Wallis was also present. It stood here until 10^th December 1965, where stormy weather caused the wall of the coal yard to collapse and knock the hut off its foundations. Hence Kent Lodge, our current headquarters, was built and opened on 10^th June 1967, named after our past Chairman, Commander Kent.

Radlett Scouts have served the community in many ways like helping with the opening of the War Memorial in Radlett and collecting newspaper during the war. In 1944 patrol leader Derek Cole helped save the life of a boy in a disused gravel pit in Shenleybury and was presented with the Gilt Cross for bravery by Sir Percy Everett at the opening of the headquarters.

They went on many camps and expeditions including to Southend, Wardour Castle in Wiltshire and the Sea Scouts went along the Thames. They also performed in Gang Shows, with us having record of 1937/38 one.

In October 1969 there was a large Golden Jubilee Fete on Christchurch Field for both the Scouts and Guides. 1^st Radlett managed to track down Jack Nash and invited him to the event. Again in 1994 we jointly celebrated the 75^th Anniversary with a Fete on Christchurch Field with an Edwardian theme, to which many older members attended.

The Cub Pack first formed on 13^th July 1926. The Beaver Colony opened on 23^rd February 1989, set up by Jackie Glover, who was the section leader and current Group Scout Leader.

1^st Radlett Scouts started entering the Hertfordshire Scouts Green Beret Competition where teams of Scouts complete Orienteering, Assault Course, Challenge Incidents and a Night exercise, coming 1^st in the county in 1988, 1989, 1991, 1998, 1999, 2008 and 2015, and regularly in the top 10,