History of 114^th Trentham Scout Group
(we believe this information is accurate, but, if you find and error please contact us)

1915 to 1949

Although there are stories of Scouting taking place in Trentham as early as 1915, the group was not formed and registered until 14^th August 1940.

From the outbreak of World War II, Trentham Gardens had housed the Clearing Banks and it was from these ranks Miss Carter, Miss Williams and Miss Veysey, started the Wolf Cub Pack (now Cub Scouts).

        
        Clearing Bank at Trentham Gardens                 Trentham Gardens Clock Tower

Meeting in either the vestry or first aid centre, which was housed under the clock tower in the courtyard of Trentham Gardens.

Their interest moved Roger Butler to start a Scout Troop early in 1941. However, having just started the Scout Troop he received his calling-up papers and promptly disappeared into the Royal Navy.

This left the Scout Troop with ten to twelve members with the eldest being sixteen and the youngest being twelve. Trentham having never had anything interesting for young people, decided to carry on with the Scout Troop. The Scout Troop gradually grew to around the twenty four mark.

They performed much as any other Scout Troop would have at that time. Some were A.R.P. (Air Raid Patrols) message runners, others assisted at the First Aid Post. The usual collection of jam jars, on which 1/2d (old money) per jar was made at regular intervals, providing a steady income and proving what a lot of jam was eaten in Trentham.

It was at the end of 1941 that the Scout Troop managed to get use of the Parish Room which served as a Headquarters for many years. This was due to the help and interest of the Vicar at that time Rev. E. A. Grimes.

Papers and books were also collected at regular intervals for salvage and at one stage, having completely filled the room to a depth of 4 feet, the Salvage Authority decided that they had too much to deal with, and that they were unable to move it. After a few Scout Troop meetings on, in and under the paper, it was eventually moved.

With the arrival of Marshall Amor (the legendary C.M.A.) in Trentham the Scout Troop began to settle down. His help and guidance soon established the Scout Troop on a sound footing. So much so that throughout the war years, and for a period afterwards, the Troop ran itself without a Scoutmaster, (Scout Leader) always finding a young man with the ability to keep things moving.

Post war years did not bring much help and again the Scout Troop was forced to run itself, though fortunately at this time A. Kellam arrived on the scene. Working for Wedgwoods, after much of his life—time abroad, he proved to be a staunch and sound supporter

Early members were:— D. Lysett, John Hussey, Eric Baggley, R. Allerton, John and Jim Grantham, J. Townsend. John and Peter Bailey.

Front Row: No ID, Marshall Amor, Cub Brian Ward, two King Scouts, Cub Desney Paul
2nd Row: Cub Lionel Whitehead, Cub Ken Buckley, Scout Eric Baggley, Scout John Walker, Cub Peter Whitehurst
Top row believed to be one of the Scout Masters John Parton.

1950 to 1965

Unfortunately the Group’s history is not known between these dates.

1965 to 1975

In 1965 Peter Hembrow was invited to become Group Scoutmaster, immediately being drafted on to a Wood Badge preliminary course at Kibblestone Scout Camp (which was run by C.M.A.) without being in uniform at the time.

At that time the Group had 2 warranted Leaders — Wilt Burt (Stone Mason), (later to become Assistant District Commissioner — Leader Training for Stoke Central District) as the Scoutmaster (Skip) and Eileen Boulton as the Cubmaster (Akela).

A Group committee was formed with the Rev. Frank Ramsden, the Vicar of Trentham, as chairman (a post which he held for 12 years) and former Scouts such as Peter Whitehurst as members. A Supporters Association followed chaired by the Curate at the time, Geoffrey Smith. Although the Group was never a sponsored church group, the church in Trentham has always been of great strength and support. In those days the Wolf Cub Pack met in the Parish Hall and the Scout Troop in a room off the courtyard of Trentham Gardens.

Other Leaders quickly followed Peter’s Hembrow’s appointment. David Roberts and Sybil Hembrow as Assistant Cubmasters, David Leese as Assistant Scoutmaster and Rob Jorden as Senior Scoutmaster (Ventures) and in September 1965 Jim Plant formed the Rover Crew. In the same month Peter Brough took on the position as gearmaster and 2 more probationary Assistant Cubmasters, Hellen Boulton and John Pools, joined the Group. It is also to note that at the District Weekend camp held at Kibblestone Scout Camp that month the Group had more members in camp than any other Group in the District.

In January 1966, Peter Hembrow was promoted to District Commissioner for Stoke Central District and Rex Pease succeeded Peter, but only lasted until May 1966 as Group Scoutmaster

Jim Burton, a member of the Group committee took over leadership of the Group on an acting basis after Rex Pease departure. Robert Bell, having just moved into the area, was invited to become the Group Scout Leader and happily accepted. A position he held for 14 years until he left the area.

1975 to 1994

The stability at the head of the Group brought considerable success and expansion. The Group grew to 4 Cub Packs, 2 Scout Troops, and 1 Venture Unit. In 1975 the Group moved into its first Headquarters in Churchill Avenue. The building was erected on the site of the old branch railway line to Trentham Gardens Station. The Headquarters was called ‘The Ron Boulton Scout House” in memory of Ron Boulton (of Fenn’s Ltd.) who, with Robert Bell, was the driving force behind the planning and fund raising necessary to bring the Groups dream to fruition.

On the retirement of Rev. Frank Ramsden, David Edwards, a parent, took over the role as chairman, a position he filled for 13 years.

The Search for Scouters was never ending, as people arrived in Trentham they where asked to help in one way or the other. John Boulton was Leader of Red Troop then this passed to Keith Ramsey then onto Alastair F. Sutton.

Jack Howes succeeded Robert Bell as Group Scout Leader in 1980 with Sheila Bennett replacing Jack Howes in 1985. Then in 1989 Keith Ramsey took over the post. At the time had responsibility for some 167 members in 1 Beaver Scout Colony, 4 Cub Scout Packs, 2 Scout Troops, and 1 Venture Unit.

Since 1972 the Group has sent representatives to the World Jamborees (which are held every 4 years) in countries such as Japan, Canada and Australia. In 1977 the Group hosted Scouts and Guides from Sweden at the First International Friendship Camp to be held at Kibblestone Scout Camp. Then in 1988 hosted a parted of Scouts and Guides from Notodden in Norway at the Fourth International Friendship Camp. In 1989 the Scout Troop was invited to go over to Norway and join in with the National Camp of Norway at Skaugum just outside Oslo, followed by home hospitality afterwards, This was repeated again in 1992 when we hosted the Notodden Group at the 5^th International Friendship Camp and in 1993 went over to the National Camp of Norway which was held at Eidskog this time. Which was followed by home hospitality back in Notodden.

Between 1983 and 1987, the Group put on three Gang Shows in which all the members of the Group participated in, which where organised and presented at Trentham High School. These shows knitted the Group together, giving good publicity for the Groups involvement both in the locality and throughout North Staffordshire.

A Equipment Store was added to the Scout House in 1991. The project was spear headed by Paul Marks then Cub Leader of Gold Pack. In 1993 the old roof on the Scout House was worn out and had to be replaced.

1994 to 2004

To follow

2004 to Present

Between 2004 and 2006 the Group were successful in receiving a number of grants to purchase new equipment & tents, build a new toilet and shower block, create wheelchair access, repair the roof and upgrade the emergency exits and lighting. The opening of the new facilities was combined with the Centenary celebrations of 2007 which included a Group Camp and a community open day attended by the Lord Mayor, local Scouting dignitaries and past members. The leadership team at this time included Keith Ramsey (GSL), Kevin Hodgekinson, Andy Martin, Nick Haynes, (Scouts), Scott Ramsey, Phil Marks, Simon Marsh,Annette Logan, (Cubs) Mark Steele, Karen Wooliscroft, Laura Martin, Barbera Cannings (Beavers)

Between 2006 and 2010 the group grew very quickly partly due to a national renewed interest in Scouting but also due to an increase in popularity of our group, all three sections were full and the leadership team also increased with assistance from new leaders Greg Julian, John Ryan-Viggars, Steve Honeyball, Steve Dono, Lisa Stec

From Ken Buckley, former Trentham Scout, now living in Bangor, Maine.

January 2007

Finally found a copy of an old photo that shows Trentham Cubs and Scouts greeting two King(?) Scouts at Trentham Station.

The two had just completed a tour of the United States. Later they described their journey to a huge audience at Victoria Hall in Hanley, during a "Screamline" entertainment show put on by Scouts and Cubs.

Although the picture was taken quite a few years ago, I can identify most of the people. One especially renowned for his promotion of scouting throughout the Potteries was C. Marshall Amore (sp). He is on the left greeting one of the scouts.

The picture was taken by a Sentinel photographer who had us pull a wagon out from the platform so he could stage the photo. As I recall, he was using a large bellows camera, similar to a Speed Graphic. And I do believe, although I'm not sure, he used some flash powder to illuminate the shot.

I remember the event as though it was yesterday. Especially the extra tight scarf that Eric Bagley pulled on before the shot was taken.

Front Row, No ID. C. Marshall Amore(sp), Cub Brian Ward, two King Scouts, Cub Desney Paul ( who was killed in a motorcycle accident). 2nd Row, left to right: Cub Lionel Whitehead, Cub Ken Buckley, Scout Eric Bagley(sp), Scout John Walker, and partially hidden, Cub Peter Whitehurst. Top row believed to be one of the Scout Masters John Parton.

Oh, happy days.

All the best,

Ken Buckley

February 2006
The Clearing House of the Bank of England was re-located in Trentham Gardens during the war. That's how the Cub Scouts were started by a wonderful London lady (Akela) and some of her friends.  We used to meet inside the Gardens where we learned knots, and all kinds of good stuff. not far from the West Wing of the old hall, I remember some beautiful sunny day sitting on manicured grass learning the lore of the jungle, Mowgli, and other jungle titans. As for the Scouts, we had our HQ behind the old schoolmaster's house opposite the Gardens. There was a freezing ice cold stone room where we played British Bulldog and lit candles and tried to keep warm. Trentham Parish School used to be alongside the building, next to Wenger's, opposite the Mausoleum - a fearful place -. Remember shimmying up ropes from the lower playground to upper level, running through Trentham Park and fording a stream using the human catapult. At one time, believe it was near the golf club, there was a cluster of woods, and we given permission to camp and meet there. But let me think back a bit more and try and give you a better recollection. I used to live at "Cranberry" an old rambling hulk of a castle opposite the old school site. Before that my family lived at 25 Stuart Avenue. Both places stir many beautiful memories I grew up at 25 during the war. What a store of memories that home holds. Trentham is a beautiful place. I have revisited several times and will never forget it, and the wonderful Gardens, as the best place anyone could live. Used to belong to the choir at St. Mary's. Could go on. However, will get you some more information. All the best Ken