Group History

The current Group was formed as 21st Warrington (1st Appleton) Scout Group in 1964 with Sheila Warham as Group Scout Master. Back then we were in Warrington & District, part of South West Lancashire Scout County.

We are always interested to receive notes or photographs of the history of the Group, particularly from the 1960s and 1970s.

The first meetings were in Appleton Parish Hall, an old Officers Mess building from the Military camp sited on what is now the Appleton Park area. The current Appleton Parish Hall was opened in 1968.

In 1966, the Group moved to Smarts Barn (sited on what is now the foot path from Dudlow Green Road to Longwood Road). This was a two-storey, part fire-damaged barn (damaged before the Scouts started using it!!).

Early records show that the Group Neckerchief was Apple Green with White edges. (Apple for Appleton?). Unfortunately, that colour seems to have disappeared from Scout Shop options so now we are Emerald Green with White borders.

In 1975, a new Head Quarters was opened on the current location, using a recycled portacabin which was a former Site office from the build of Fiddlers Ferry Power Station.

The site of the current HQ was purchased from Warrington New Town Commission, with a Land Purchase £ 5,750 the Scout Association Trust Charity, as Trustees for the Group and £1,500 donation from Appleton Parish Council towards the purchase. On older maps the area is shown as an orchard, and we have one remaining pear tree (from 3 in recent years) that is still producing wonderful fruit.

The current purpose-built building was completed in 1991.

Building – £ 45,000 Ashall Construction (includes Shell + Plumbing + Drainage)
Fit out – £ 30,000 Steel work, painting, flooring, electrical, landscaping, fencing

It was officially opened in June 1991 by WA Bromley-Davenport Lord Lieutenant of Cheshire.

By the time of the Groups 21st Birthday in 1985 it was the largest in Warrington.

Past Group Scout Leaders

• 1965 -1967 Sheila Warham as Group Scout Master.
• 1968 – 1981 Alan Fletcher
• 1981 – 1988 George Thorburn
• 1989 – 1993 No Record
• 1994 – 1997 Bob Moore
• 1998 No Record
• 1999 – 2007 Alan Jones
• 2008 – 2014 Stephen Cummings (First as Scouter in Charge, then as GSL)
• 2015 – 2018 Paul Carey (Acting)
• 2019 – Current Stephen Cummings

Earlier History

There were two earlier Groups formed in the 1930’s, 21st Warrington (1st Stretton) and 22nd Warrington (1st Appleton). We have some brief notes of scouting in these Groups, but they did not continue after the Second World War.

The Stretton Group had a Group Scout Master Jack Gardner from the Cat & Lion Pub. The Appleton Group were registered with an HQ in a disused chapel in Chapel Lane (now Appleton Thorn) with Group Scout Master Sydney Davey from Latchford.

We have a record from a Scout Week booklet of 1948 that the 22nd Group was “currently dormant”, with Sydney Davey still the contact, now based in Stockton Heath.

A separate article reports (author unknown):-

“The 22nd Warrington (1st Appleton ) Scout Group was founded by Sydney Davey in 1936. The initial Scout Troop was joined by a Wolf Cub Pack, circa. 1937, the Group strength averaged 20 scouts and 12 cubs.

Leaders included Scout Master S Davey, Assistant Scout Master G Carman, Cub Leader Miss B Breese and Assistant Cub Leader Miss W Lord.

Meetings were held in a disused chapel in Chapel Lane Pepper Street Appleton and the Group neckerchief was green and white halves. The Group continued until 1940 when war-time conditions made it impossible to carry on.

Some reference should be made to Sydney Davey, a person of great character. He came into Scouting at the age of 50, learned to swim, went to camp and was instrumental in obtaining the exclusive use of the Warrington Corporation swimming baths for Cubs and Scouts one night per week.

He had a difficult speech impediment which would have put off lesser mortals but he took up Lay Preaching to give him confidence. He continued in Scouting after the demise of the 22nd Warrington and was Assistant District Commissioner Scouts during the late 1940’s and 1950’s during which period I was his District Scout Master.

Our fellowship continued until his death in the early 1960’s. An indication of the esteem in which he was held is evidenced by the existence of the Sydney Davey Memorial Trophy for Swimming.”