Report by Neil Wibberley
The first half of 2025 has been busy for Scouting in Guildford.
February saw Scouts from both Guildford East and Guildford West attend Frost Camp at Bentley Copse, where they camped in muddy conditions as the rain on the Friday night made the site more like Glastonbury festival!
However, that didn’t stop the fun and the excitement of the Scouts and Guides who were there.
Scouts from Guildford East and Guildford West attend Frost Camp at Bentley Copse.
Scouts were able to enjoy a weekend of activities including tree climbing, segways, crossbows, air pistols, archery, radio-controlled Land Rovers, air rifle, crate stacking, adventure course, laser clay pigeon shooting, zip line, cave maze, nerf zone, circus skills, tomahawk throwing, and Jacob’s ladder, to name a few.
On the Friday evening there was a film and on the Saturday evening a campfire and silent disco.
On Good Friday, St Nicolas 9th Guildford held its Good Friday breakfast, which goes back as far as 1915.
Members of St Nicolas 9th Guildford pictured with the then Mayor of Guildford, Sallie Barker, at their Good Friday breakfast.
In the early years, Scouts from the group who had been motor-cycle couriers during the First World War, rode from their HQ in Guildford to the Hurtwood Inn in Peaslake.
Over the years, motorbikes turned to cycles, and this has now turned to a walk-up Pitch Hill from Peaslake. This year the then Mayor of Guildford, Sallie Barker, attended.
The 1st Rydes Hill (St Mary’s) Cubs aboard HMS Belfast in London.
The 1st Rydes Hill (St Mary’s) Cubs enjoyed a tour of HMS Belfast in London, followed by a sleepover on the warship where the crew would have slept.
The 1st Stoughton Cubs who represented the district at the County Cub Quiz.
The 1st Stoughton Cubs represented the district at the County Cub quiz, losing out to Leatherhead who took the trophy.
The 5th Guildford Scouts who took part in the Monopoly Run around London.
The 5th Guildford Scouts took part in the Monopoly Run, which sees thousands of Scouts go around London for the day.
The day is about having fun and creating a reason to visit some of London’s well-known (and not so well-known) locations.
For some, it was the first time they had visited London as part of a large Scout / Guide-based event with their friends.
Guildford West in the High Street at their annual St George’s Day parade.
Guildford West held their annual St George’s Day parade in Guildford town centre.
Starting at St Mary’s Church, the parade walked past the then Mayor of Guildford, Sallie Barker; the Scouts’ county rep, Paul Iverson; the district chairman, Andy Kemp; and the district commissioner, Quentin Vaughan; before assembling in the Castle Grounds where some of them renewed their promises.
Having fun at Bentley Copse for Cubs Cause Chaos.
Cubs from 1st Shalford and 1st Cranleigh joined other Cubs from Surrey and beyond at Bentley Copse for Cubs Cause Chaos.
Cubs were able to enjoy activities including circus skills, bouncy fun run, climbing, abseiling, tomahawks, air rifle, archery, pedal go-karts, aero ball, adventure course, zip wire, cave maze, crate stacking, radio-controlled cars, gladiator challenge, nerf wars and Jacob’s ladder, to name a few.
Beavers from both districts attended Bazzaz, a county activity day at Merrist Wood College, Worplesdon.
It takes place every three years and provides the opportunity for Beaver Scouts and Rainbows to take part in more than 100 adventurous and fun activities, ranging from rock climbing to caving.
Guildford MP Zöe Franklin visited the Beavers’ Bazaar at Merrist Wood College, Worplesdon.
Other activities included go-karts, circus skills, inflatable activities, cooking and tomahawk throwing.
Those who visited during the day including the High Sherriff of Surrey, Peter Cluff, and Guildford MP Zöe Franklin.
They were shown the activities on offer as well as meeting many of the volunteers who help run Scouting in Surrey.
Sections in Scouting include: Squirrels (ages four to six years), Beavers (six to eight years), Cubs (eight to 10 and a half years), Scouts (10 and a half to 14 years) and #skillsforlife (18 to 24 years).
If you are interested in volunteering, please contact us via the websites.
Guildford West: www.guildfordwestscouts.org.uk
Guildford East: www.guildfordeastscouts.org.uk
This website is published by The Guildford Dragon NEWS
Contact: Martin Giles mgilesdragon@gmail.com
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Tony Harrison
July 10, 2025 at 10:06 am
What a great shame that GBC – despite granting planning permission after trousering several thousand’s of pounds of charity money – has forced Shalford Scout Group to close after more than 100 years on the Common, by refusing them permission to re-build their comdemned hut.