History of the 52nd Epping Forest South Scout Group

Our roots go back to originally the First World War when we were established in 1916 (as the 12th Epping Forest) at St Marys  South Woodford Parish Church Memorial Hall, South Woodford, London, E18. The records from Gilwell Park only go back to the document attached to the 30th September 1919. The records we have from Gilwell Park show that in 1919 the Scout Group had 5 Adult Leaders and 72 Scout Members. The Curate of Parish Church was the Scoutmaster Rev. Arthur S. Frudgett of Abbottwood, Grove Hill, South Woodford.

The 12th Epping Forest was then moved to in ‘Oaklands Farm’, Chigwell Row, Essex and another group called the 52nd Epping Forest South Scout Group was formed to continue to serve the children of the South Woodford community.
Our Scout hut is located behind the Library at 118 High Road, South Woodford, London (and we are still here).

?? -2015
Group Scout Leader ??
Section Leader and notable helpers Mike Knell, Gary Hustler, Sue Waites, Emily Martin, Barbara Lynch

The group suffered falling adult volunteers and this meant that it could no longer support a Scout section and had to be shut down. It was heartbreaking to say to parents (many of whom who could have volunteered to help it continue) that the section was closing down and their children had to find other forms of activities. (requires more investigation)

2015- present day  
Group Scout Leader Allen Chan
Section Leader and notable helpers Barbara Lynch, Amanda Sarkar, Jody Gilbert, Barbara Rouse-Booth, Jill Mead, Susan Biswas, Ahamadur & Yousuf Choudhury, Amber Jain, Danyaal Ali, Eva Jaiswal, Kate Irvine, Stephanie Woodley, Patricia Smith, Lucy & Eva Battson, Katherine Farrell

After a Cub Leaders district meeting where the current Cub leader Mike Knell announced that he was going to close the Cub section for exactly the same reasons, another Cub leader, Allen Chan, from the 21st EFS St Gabriels Church, Aldersbrook decided to help after he had enough, of seeing Scout huts being demolished, never again to provide Scouting adventures for the community. Allen transferred over from the 21st EFS, leaving a thriving adult volunteering team. He knew that this groups long term objective was to rebuild a dedicated, trained and confident adult volunteers who would enable the Scouts to run succesfully, following on from the saying of "If you build it, they will come". It is a hard but worthwhile journey with getting our adults to the point where they feel that this is their group and that with their help, it will continue to thrive and provide scouting adventures to all. He believes that everyone can learn and pass it on their knowledge that will help it thrive.

Parents (grown up kids) have also forgotten that it is about having fun and adventure, participating and getting involved. There are so countries and cultures to visit; better understanding and helping others and being kind to the environment that forms part of our Scouting values.

Our YPs are all busy with completing their badges and this has been fully mapped out for them. Our challenge is working out our adult training and attendances for each terms to ensure that we are properly trained and can safeguard the YP whenever we embarked on activities. 
(to be continued) 

2016 - Scout Shop - In 2016 Margaret Campbell retired and gave up looking after the Scout shop in the hut. She was a brilliant shop keeper and not only that she also handled the hall bookings for parties and functions. Truly a wonderful woman who was bright, chirpy and intelligent. (to be continued)

Still under construction....  if you can help with filling in the blanks please write to me rickyt.21stefs@gmail.com