Cubs & Scouts
From Lacey Green History
click1940 Scouts for a previous Scout Troop
click Organisations for Children for others
A Cub scout troop was started in 1978 by John Munday of Byways, Goodacres Lane, Lacey Green (click John & Jill Munday for more bout John.)
Report in Hallmark 1980 by John Munday, Cub Leader. click 1980The Cubs 'egg tombola' for a full explanation.
The 'Egg Tombola' on behalf of the Jimmy Saville Stoke Mandeville Hospital appeal raised £40 and thanks are due to all who braved the bitter weather. Apologies to the residents who were disappointed not to be dragged from their homes to play egg-tombola in the road on a Sunday morning.
Hallmark 1980 by Stuart Stansfield
I became involved with Scouting in Lacey Green in 1980. There was a thriving cub group in the village, under the leadership of John Munday, who was assisted by Brian Biggs and Arthur Watters. click Brian & Betty Biggs or Arthur & Valerie Watters for more about Brian and Arthur.
At age 11 the boys needed to move onto Scouts and there was no group for them, so with sons aged 11 yrs and 9 yrs respectively I felt I ought to perhaps do something about it and Arthur Watters agreed to share the responsibility with me.
We began the troop with about a dozen boys, mostly from the cubs, but with a few more from outside the village. Initially we met in the school hall, but we really needed a place of our own and John West kindly offered a site on his land at Kingswood Farm. We had been offered a redundant building from a firm in Marlow, which we could have at no cost, if we were prepared to break it down and reassemble it in situ at Kingswood. Over a few months this duly happened and it remained the headquarters for a couple of years until Lacey Green and Speen Scouts amalgamated. We then met in the established Scout hut at Speen, which had its own surrounding woodland, which lent itself to all Scouting activities. We were able to do some adventurous pioneering and enjoyed cooking over wood fires etc.
28th October 1980 A lease was signed between John R West of Stocken Farm and The Scout Association for a plot of land at Kingswood Farm
In Hallmark December 1980. Lacey Green And Loosley Row Scout Group. Reporting John Munday
Several issues of Hallmark have passed since the last report. During this time our numbers have increased to 40 boys, the Scout section has made great progress under the leadership of Arthur Watters and Stuart Stansfield. Both were last seen heading for the New Forest on a weekend training course — rumour has it that when the Scouts go camping next year two herds of cows have got to go with them. (click Arthur & Valerie Watters and Stuart & Kathleen Stansfield from more about Arthur and Stuart who were both herdsmen on farms)
Our most wonderful achievement has been the raising of £523.74 by the boys on. the recent Sponsored Walk, (it is not true that this was partly due to donations received by Akela from sympathisers during his temporary indisposition - preventing him from taking part this year); it was a tremendous effort for which the boys deserve every praise. Together they walked over 500 miles to reach this sum, and once again we must thank all villagers for their generous support. This money will go towards construction of our new H.Q: at Kingswood and the purchase of camping equipment. It is hoped that the H.Q. will be ready for use by the Spring, always assuming that we can negotiate the rather bumpy access along Kiln Lane.
Unfortunately, the planned trip by the Cubs to Aylesbury Police Station has been delayed by the Prison Officers industrial action. Apparently, the cells are full of remanded people and there is no room for the Cubs.
Hallmark December 1981. The Cub and Scout movement continues to flourish within our community. There are 24 cubs with a long waiting list, and 18 scouts. Progress with the H.Q. building at Kingswood Farm is very slow, however the roof is complete and most of the exterior work, but much remains to be done inside. It is hoped that completion will be by next Spring.
The average age of the Cubs has increased, since the group was first formed, and this is reflected in our success in District events, First prize as taken in the District Sports at Stokenchurch, many of the boys won certificates and the group won a large silver cup which we hold for a year. Our prowess on the football field has been outstanding with the last half-a-dozen matches won by a large majority. An excellent camp was held at Dorney Wood, and although a little damp everyone (including the leaders) enjoyed themselves.
As the Scout section is still relatively new the average age of boys tends to be lower and we look to similar successes to the Cub section in a year or two. Nevertheless one of our two man teams entered in the District lightweight hike, held at the Nation. Camp site at Broadstone Warren and did very well indeed despite atrocious weather A very good weeks camp was held at Youlbury in Oxford and a team of boys travelled to North Wales one weekend for some mountain experience, Stuart Stansfield spent a week at Gilwell Park participating In a National advanced training course for Scout Leaders and should soon obtain his Wood Badge award.
Both Cubs and Scouts took part once again in the District Sponsored Waik, and over £400 was raised towards equipment and the New H.Q.
Hallmark October 1982. Lacey Green Scouts and Cubs reporting John Munday
The Scouts had an excellant weekend mountain camp in N. Wales followed by a district camp at Marlow. The Cubs enjoyed their annual camp at Burnham Beeches, the highlight being a soapy water slide, a camp fire with Slough and Flackwell Heath Cubs and the "cordon bleu" cooking of Mr & Mrs Gibbons.
The Cubs had an excellant football season and finished well up the league. Unfortunately we had to be satisfied with coming equal in the Sports thereby losing the cup we won last year. Perhaps we shall retain the Swimming Trophy again at the annual gala in October. Ten scouts have been having canoeing instruction on the Thames at Marlow.
Hallmark March 1983 Lacey Green & Loosley Row Scout Group reporting John Munday.
Our organisation continues to remain popular with boys from the village. There are now 21 scouts and 24 cub scouts meeting on Tuesday and Friday evenings.
During Easter week 24 of the boys will be taking part in the Scout Association Venture Week held at Butlins Holiday Camp in Minehead. Over 30 different activities are available each day from Abseiling to Volleyball as well as hikes across Exmoor and visits to local places of interest.
On returning all the boys will be taking part in the National Job Week (formerly Bob-a-Job). Please try and find a small job for them, remember inflation has hit the Scout Association hard, but they must earn their money.
Sunday, April 24th is the West Chiltern Scout District George's Day parade and service. This year it is being held at the Princes Risborough Church and hopefully some 400 boys attending.
Lacey Green & Loosley Row Scout Group By John Munday
A party of scouts spent the week before Easter on a trip to the Lake District with their leader Stuart Stansfield. They were able to climb several of the peaks and spend time exploring the area. Accommodation was a wooden hut at the Great Tower National Scout Camp Site, but the more hardy members slept under canvas.
On 4th May both Cubs and Scouts undertook a litter collection throughout the village. From Grymsdyke to "The Whip" and all side roads were covered, together with the triangle around Loosley Hill. A total of 15 sacks of rubbish were filled during the clean up and it is hoped that this will boost our chances in the Best Kept Village Competition. This was done purely as an act of community service to the village, and not as a fund raising event.
The next day a party of Cubs joined 4 coach loads of other Cubs in a district visit to Wickstead Park in Northampton. This is a pleasure park and a good time was had by all.
I am sorry to report the resignation of Brian Biggs and John Tory from active service in our group. Brian has helped for the last 5 years in the Cubs and feels that he has "done his bit". We are now desperate for adult leaders again, and I appeal to anyone between 18 and 65 male or female to help these young lads in their formative years
Hallmark December 1983. By John Munday. Work on the Scout H.Q. is progressing slowly, but with the connection of electricity we are able to continue our meetings at Kingswood during the autumn evenings. It really is a long dark walk down Kiln Lane, but the boys seem to enjoy the torchlight procession, playing hide and seek as they go.
Perhaps our major achievement was to see Graham Stansfield presented with his certifcae for completing the Chief Scout Challenge. The had undertaken a hike in the Oenines with three Scouts from Naphill and then had to make a presentation
in the form of a lecture illustrated by slides to some of the "top brass" in Bucks County Scouts.
The 5th AGM of the group was held for the first time in the new Scout H.Q. at Kingswood.
Hallmark October 1984. by John Munday. I am writing this at the end of the summer holiday, anxiously looking at the weather, which has been so good for the last ten weeks, and wondering if it will hold for another fortnight until the annual camp at Dorney Woods. The scout section are going to spend another two evenings on the Thames at Medmenham.
Because of the low numbers of Scouts both here and at Speen, it is proposed to integrate the two groups on an experimental basis and overcome the shortage of leaders.
The problem with leaders in all sections continues. Surely somewhere in the village someone is prepared to commit themselves to help permanently. How about some male or female in their late teens or early twenties?
"Excuse me, but can you tell me where .........house is? How many times do motorists stop and asked you this? The Scouts have solved this problem by producing a diagram of every named house in Lacey Green, in relation to its neighbours and the road. Copies will shortly be available for 10p each from the leaders, so why not keep one handy near the front door and you can help the lost ones find their way.
Hallmark December 1986. It is now 18 months since Lacey Green and Loosley Row Scout Group merged with the 1st Speen Group to form the Speen and Lacey Green Scout Group.
The new group has now really found its feet with 35 boys in the two Cub Pack and 22 boys in the Scout Troop.
The new Group is fairly unique in having two separate Headquarter buildings both set in beautiful surroundings. At Speen we have the College Wood facility and at Kingswood there are the fields which are ideal for summer activities.
To keep going in this successful way the Group urgently needs new leaders. If you feel that you can help in any way PLEASE contact Stuart Stansfield on PR 4005 or John Hazelden on Naphill 2570.
Hallmark April 1987. Reporting Pat Smart.
Congratulations too our team of Scouts (James and Giles Edwards, Marcus Elmidora and Colin Hazelden} who have gained the chance to represent West Chiltern at the County Scout Quiz, when they won the District Competition. They enter the semi-finals and finals on 8th ay. We wish them luck.
The Cubs are still on a winning streak; on 14th March they won 3-2 against Princes Risborough and on 21st March 4-0 against Lane End. Well done boys.
Hallmark May 1988. report by Pat Smart
In the last edition of Hallmark I said that the Scouts were doing well now that we had found a new Leader but unfortunately the Speen Cub Pack are losing their leaders this summer. Lacey Green & Loosley Row Pack will now also have to close in July due to the leader and assistant leaving the area. Thank you Sandie and Ian Denny for all your hard work in keeping the pack together up to now.
The boys very much enjoy this activity and it would be a pity to see our parish without a Cub Pack. Without Cubs there will eventually be no Scouts.
Again I ask if anyone is interested in any way in helping with this situation please ring Stuart Stansfield (PR 4007). To become a Leader you do not need to have had previous experience. The Scout Association will provide you with the necessary training and the costs for this and for uniforms will be met by the Group. If you do not wish to go into uniform and could help on a regular or even occasional basis we would still like to hear from you.
Hallmark June 1989. Congratulaions to the Speen and Lacey Green Scouts on winning the CountyQuiz Competition beating 23 teams to win.
Hallmark April 1992. Speen & Lacey Green Troop.
Recently a team conssting of six mothers/committee members entered the Scout Quiz which was held at Radnage Village Hall. Our team consisted of Sandra Moulder, Christine Savage, Jane Clayton, Margaret Gray, Jean Millet and Stella Boll finished 9th out of 16. A fish & chip supper was served half way through the evening and a good time was had by all.
Although the cubs are still desparately in need of uniformed assistance, Margaret Gray (Leader) would like to express her thanks to the three Venture Scouts, Sarah Brown. Kari Clay and Peter Dell for their valuable help, without which she would be unable to carry on.
The Scout Troop are still in need of uniformed (or otherwise) assistance - for details please contact Stuart Stansfield on 0i844 4005 urgently.