May I take the opportunity of using your letters page to make a correction to an article printed in last weeks Standard regarding the 1st Cirencester Scout Group to celebrate their 80th birthday.

This is not the case, I may be getting on a bit now, perhaps not the brightest star but in my reckoning when the present 1st Cirencester group came into being it was in 1967 (50years).

There was most likely scouting in Cirencester for 80 years but not as it is now.

I came to Cirencester in 1959, I was both Queen scout and a scout leader when I came, I joined the 2nd Cirencester (Corinium) scout group as an assistant scout master, our neckerchiefs were green with a red border, our HQ was in Cotswold Avenue.

The other scout group in Cirencester was the 1st Cirencester (St Johns), they were affiliated to the parish church, their neckerchief was all red, and their HQ was behind the Barracks on Cecily Hill.

During the mid-1960s, both groups were having a crisis, St Johns were under notice to leave their HQ while we at 2nd Cirencester were short of leaders.

I was acting as group scout master, trying to keep both a scout troop as well as a cub pack running. 

I approached Bill Waldron who was GSM of the 1st Cirencester (St Johns), to see what he thought of the two groups amalgamating.

This took place with the 1st Cirencester having to break their ties with the church. 

The new group became just 1st Cirencester, with the neckerchiefs changing to half green and half red and the HQ where it still is today in Cotswold Avenue. 

This was in 1967, it would seem that all the old members of the St Johns group never accepted the amalgamation, this perhaps apparent with the party invitation not being extended to old members of the 2nd Cirencester (Corinium).

I had over 25 years in scouting and thoroughly enjoyed every moment, things have changed dramatically over the years, but I believe the 1st Scout Law remains the same. ‘ A Scouts Honour is to be Trusted’.

BRIAN ROBBINS
Cirencester