On Monday the 19th of December 2016, the 29th Immaculata Scout Group based in Portswood Southampton celebrated being open and still going strong for 50 years to the day from when it was formed. Originally opening up in the local Church Hall of the Immaculate Conception Church on the 19th of December 1966, before moving to its current Scout Hut near Portswood School.
During the evening of celebrations, we were joined by some Scouting VIP’s. We had Tim Kidd join us, who is the UK Chief Commissioner, and Tim kindly presented a 29th Scout with a prize for winning our Neckerchief Badge Design, which now all members involved with the 29th Group will wear. Well Done to Chloe for designing the winning badge.
We also had Adam Jollans kindly attend too, the Hampshire Scout County Commissioner. Adam also did a couple of presentations for us – presentations for 25 years Services to our in coming District Commissioner David Bowers and 50 years Services to our Group President Graham Meering (although not all of Graham’s 50 years have been involved with the 29th Scout Group).
Over the evening, we were also joined by past and present leaders and exec members that can be traced right back to when we started in 1966. 39 Adults kindly attended to reminisce about their time spent at the 29th and how the hut had changed from when they were involved, or being shown around as they assisted when the group was in the Church Hall. We almost had all the Scout Leaders present, with 4 of the main 5 in attendance and were able to cover 45 of our 50 years!
40 of our current section members also spent the evening playing party games and meeting the adults who, without them starting up the group (before they were born!), would not be involved with in their local Scout Group today.
Here’s to another 50 years of fun and adventure at the 29th Immaculata Scout Group.
Yours in Scouting,
Russ Andrews
29th Immaculata Group Scout Leader
