A VILLAGE is celebrating hosting a full Scout, Cub and Beaver group for the first time in 30 years.

Former leaders from the 1970s and 1980s are among those toasting the revival in St Briavels, where Scouting can trace its history back more than a century.

And they marked the resurgence at a recent ‘sausage sizzle’ event at the Scouts’ new home on St Briavels Pavilion playing fields.

Beavers, Cubs and Scouts enjoyed outdoor games and activities, while adults looked over old photos and reminisced about Scouting events of the past.

Group Scout Leader Emma-Jayne Williams said: “We’ve been given such a warm welcome by the village and it was wonderful to see photos and uniforms that people have kept for all these years.

“Scouting has clearly had a positive impact on many people’s lives, and we’re delighted to bring the fun and adventure back to the village.

“It was great to see the community turn out to show their love of Scouting and support the new 1st St Briavels Scout Group.”

The new group was originally formed in Woolaston in 2016, with the Scouts section moving its weekly meetings to St Briavels a year ago, as it wasn’t possible to find a single venue with sufficient capacity on three different evenings.

Beavers and Cubs continued to meet at two separate locations in Woolaston, but have now joined the Scouts at St Briavels Pavilion, where the group hopes to put down roots and build strong links with the community.

Records show that a 1st St Briavels Scouts troop may have existed in 1911, although the earliest official registration was in 1921.

Tim Griffiths, who led the last St Briavels Scout Group in the 1980s, said hearing about the new group had prompted former Cubs, Scouts and Venture Scouts to dig out photos and remember old times:

“When I heard that Scouts were back in the village, I started a Facebook Messenger chat to find out if anyone had photos or neck scarves we could show the new leaders.

“My phone hasn’t stopped buzzing since.

“Everyone’s sharing memories of camps and all the other things we used to get up to, and there have been a few sad moments remembering people who are no longer with us.

“We are now planning a proper reunion sometime soon.

“Many of the people I knew from Scouts have become lifelong friends, and it’s really good to be back in touch with people from the wider group as well.”

In the 1970s and 1980s, only boys could join Cubs and Scouts, though older girls could join the Venture Scouts.

Beavers – the youngest unit – only launched in the UK in 1986, so there has never been a colony in St Briavels until now.

Today, all girls and boys aged six to 14 in the local area can join 1st St Briavels Beavers, Cubs or Scouts. 

Emma-Jayne said: “We’ve been looking for a single place our group can call home for the past year, and I’m so glad that St Briavels can accommodate all three of our sections.

“We’re really excited about getting involved in village life and helping to meet local demand for activities for young people.”

If your child is interested in joining, or you’d like to support as a volunteer helper, contact Group Scout Leader Emma-Jayne Williams for more information on 07807 068296 or [email protected]

*See more photographs in this week’s Review or on our Digital Edition, follow the link from our homepage.