As the 1st Redland Green Scout Group celebrates its centenary Gerry Brooke takes a nostalgic look back.

The original Redland troop - the very first to be registered in Bristol - owes its existence to the Bristol Times and Mirror’s “ Children’s Corner,” explained Lindon Wooster, the present scout leader.

“It first met on a Tuesday evening - October 5, 1909.”

A yellowing 1924 cutting kindly bought in by Lindon reveals a little more about how the troop, which met on Saturday’s, came into being.

Jimmie Hawkins (known to his readers as “Uncle Jack”), the then editor of the “Children’s Corner,” had been bombarded with requests for information about a new boy’s movement called scouting.

“Having a great sympathy for boys” states the cutting, “ and quick to grasp the possibilities of what has since become known as the greatest of all games, Uncle Jack called his correspondents together and found them a scoutmaster.”

“ That his judgement was well formed - plus the wisdom of his great newspaper in continuing to be the troop’s patron - has been proved by its honoured history”

After that first meeting, to which about 25 boys came, the scouts camped on Redland Green.

“The troop’s first HQ was in Chapel Green Lane” Lindon explained.

“Our present Archfield Road HQ, which we’ve used since 1916, was purchased in 1932 from our own funds and with help from Mr W.D. Fripp, a director of the Bristol and West Building Society

“Originally leased to us by the owners, the Times and Mirror newspaper, Fripp Lodge was once a coach house and stables.

“It was replaced by our present buildings in 1974.”

“The troop held several foreign camps; Belgium in 1913; Holland in 1922; Brittany in 1927 and, more recently, Malta in 1978.

“Several individual members have been to World Jamboree’s in Poland, France, Holland, Greece and the USA.

“And we still have the signature, “Robert Baden-Powell,” in our log book after the troop attended the 1920 World Jamboree held at Olympia.

“One of Redland’s best known “Old Boys” was Lord Oliver Franks, at one time the British Ambassador to the USA.

“Many “Old Boys” came to our Diamond Jubilee, in October 1969 at Christ Church, Cotham, to see our old colours paraded for the last time and new ones dedicated.

“Five years later we had a new HQ, but now, in 2009, this badly needs a new roof at a cost of some £10,000.

“Camping has always been a major part of the troop’s programme,” says Lindon.

“And we still have old photos of camps on Redland Green as well as summer camps at Brentry, at Portishead and on Failand.

“The group had a camping ground at Coombe Dingle and then later, after World War I, at Cadbury Camp.

“The Cub pack was formed in 1917 and a Rover Crew in 1919, and although many old records have disappeared over the years, we still have some records going back to 1911.

“But the troop has moved with the times and we know have 12 Beaver Scouts, 28 Cub Scouts and 33 Scouts plus a team of 7 leaders.

“Like most scout groups, we are always looking for more adult support, as instructors or leaders, to give the youngsters the activities they need and enjoy.”

A scout reunion, to which all former members are invited, is planned for Saturday, October 10.

If you would like to attend, or know more, then please contact Lindon Wooster, the group scout leader, on 0117 9241563.

Or you can email Angela Davies, the cub scout leader, at: griffcd@btinternet.com