The 1st Wallington, the oldest Scout Group in the London Borough of Sutton, was 100 years old on 24th March 2008 and used its centenary celebrations to show why scouting was and remains so popular with young people.

The actual anniversary was marked by a congratulatory e-mail from Group Scout Leader Jeff Gregory, but the real effort was put into the Centenary Open Day on 29th March at the Group's Headquarters in Ruskin Road, Carshalton.

The building was festooned with bunting and balloons, both inside and out. Centre stage indoors was a tent on a platform of pioneering poles. This proved very popular with the younger Group members, who enjoyed climbing up the rope ladder and hiding in the tent. All around the sides of the hall were displays of the present-day activities of the sections: Beavers, Cubs, Scouts and Explorers, as well as displays of historical material illustrating the Group's past.

The Group has produced a book, A Celebration of 100 Years of the First Wallington Scout Group, that tells its story through archive material and through the voices of current members. It describes the growth of the Group from its earliest meetings under a lamppost in Boundary Road to today's thriving organisation. Proof copies of the book were on show during the day, and further information is available by clicking on the book image below:

The morning saw a steady stream of past members who spent some time looking at the archives. These also interested Lady Patience Baden-Powell, wife of the founder's grandson, who came in the afternoon. GLSW Scout Network members Robert King and Lucy McLaughlin made their presentation & were awarded their Explorer Belt by Ian Newbery, County Commissioner, Greater London South West.

Unfortunately it decided to rain just in time for the first outdoor event, the 1st Wallington (Sutton District) Scout Band's annual band inspection by David Gould, County Band Advisor. The rain continued while Group Scout Leader Jeff Gregory read out a congratulatory message from the Chief Scout, Peter Duncan, and then while the Deputy Mayor of the London Borough of Sutton, Councillor Dr Brendon Hudson, unveiled a Sutton Heritage plaque on the outside of the building. A Queen's Scout, Dr Hudson congratulated the Group on its first hundred years and spoke warmly of the Scouting movement and its role, both in the past and still today, in helping young people develop as active citizens, involved in their community. Their enthusiasm not dampened by the rain, the band played again before the Deputy Mayor and Mayoress, Lady Baden-Powell and local scouting dignitaries moved indoors to take a glass of wine, sign the Visitors' Book and tour the exhibitions of scouting, old and new.

One Scout had the honour of being invested on this special day, four Scouts were presented with the Chief Scout's Gold Award and two Cubs the Chief Scout's Silver Award by GLSW county Commissioner Ian Newbery. Jeff Gregory, GSL, then made a special presentation to Scout James Tapsell, who had designed the Group's Centenary Badge.

After the Open Day, the Hall was cleared for a succession of parties for the different age groups, first the Beavers, then the Cubs and Scouts and lastly the Explorers, leaders and other volunteers. Refreshments were provided throughout the day and evening by Rosemary Parker and her hard-working team of helpers. At the end of the evening, Group Scout Leader Jeff Gregory thanked everyone who had put so much effort into running the Centenary Open Day and who also work tirelessly, week in week out, to keep the Group at the forefront of scouting in Sutton. Everyone was exhausted, but exhilarated by the success of the day.

The celebrations continued with a Centenary Camp at the Walton Firs Scout Campsite in Surrey for all sections, with all the traditional scouting activities over the weekend of 4th-8th April 2008.

For more detailed information on the Group's history and its current activities, contact

Jeff Gregory, Group Scout Leader,
Telephone: 01929 427119
e-mail: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it