The cubs and scouts were formed in February 1961 when Reverend Bradshaw, who had connections with the scout movement, had the idea after he had noticed bored youngsters hanging around the village centre. The brownies and guides were formed a little later.
Reverend Bradshaw advertised in the village magazine for those interested in joining the cubs and scouts to contact him. The rules were that those wishing to join the cubs had to be aged from eight to eleven years old and would be given preference if they were known to attend church. At first only a limited number of boys were allowed to join while others were placed on a waiting list. After a few months the organisation got into full swing with good attendance.
The movement began with eight Wolf Cubs and some of those registered in 1961 included David Robinson and Derek Phillips from Drakes Close, Stephen Bishop and Stephen Davies from Horsham Lane, Leonard Hopson from Windmill Hill and David Wood from Ham Green.
Joan Bowden from Oak Lane served as cubmaster and was referred to as ‘Akela’ a symbol of wisdom, authority and leadership. Her husband Peter ran the scouts with assistant Cyril Robinson from Drakes Close. They met one evening a week in the vicarage room, an extension at the back of the vicarage house where Bradshaw Close now stands. The cubs met first followed by the scouts immediately afterwards.
With the motto ‘Be Prepared’ the idea was to introduce cubs to a wide variety of activities which included physical fitness, creativity, local community involvement, personal development and adventure.
The evening began with the cubs dressed in compulsory uniform standing and reciting the cub pledge.
I promise that I will do my best.
To do my duty to God and to the Queen.
To help other people.
And to keep the Cub Scout Law.
Weekly activities included British bulldog, hide and seek in The Paddock and competitions. Joan Bowden also talked about the scout movement and the founder Baden-Powell. A range of badges and challenge awards were available and cubs worked towards getting these and ultimately the coveted Leaping Wolf award. Occasionally, Reverend Bradshaw attended for a short period to inspect proceedings and occasionally turned up in full scout uniform to hold inspections in The Paddock.
In April 1961 ‘Bob a Job Week’ became the main fund raising event of the year when more than £14 was raised. Paper drives took place when newspapers were collected from houses around the village. The cubs also attended a jamboree in Sittingbourne during the summer, met other cub troops and sat around a large bonfire singing songs and listening to live music.
When Joan and Peter Bowden resigned and left the village in 1963 Cyril Robinson took over as the main scout organiser, while Reverend Bradshaw took over the running of the cubs until another person could be found. Cliff and Fay Wanstall from the post office assisted him.
From the very beginning the cubs and scouts followed by the brownies and guides proved to be a great success in the village and the movement has continued up to the present.
About David
David Wood was born and raised in Upchurch and is able to write from personal experience about many people and aspects of the village and of changes that have taken place over the years making ‘Memories of Upchurch’ a very readable book and a detailed historical study of the village. David's book ‘Memories of Upchurch’ is available direct from David at: david3702001@yahoo.co.uk or from us here at Upchurch Matters. Price £12 + £3.50 postage and packing.
David Wood
