12th Northolt Scouts

A short history of the 12th Northolt Scouts by Monica Smith

scouts-logo12th Northolt Scout Group is based behind 32 Laughton Road, Northolt, UB5 5LL

  • Beavers (Mondays 6-7.15pm) 6-8 years old
  • Cubs (Wednesdays 7.15-8.30pm) 8-10 1/2 years old
  • Scouts (Fridays 7-9pm) 10 1/2 – 14 years old

It all started with the 7th and 5th Northolt joining together which formed the current 12th Northolt Scout Group.

The 5th started in 1944 by Norman Thorn and first met in a garage in Laughton Road before moving to the Old Kensington Road Playing fields sports pavilion (this ground is now the new country park – Northala Fields).

The 7th, run by Bert Wheeler met in St Joseph’s Church Hut which he formed in 1955 and is now demolished. The hut was was sited at the start of the Old Ruislip Road (entry from the main Ruislip Road) and is now an unused piece of land with building materials stored there plus they also met in the now ‘Jehova Witness’ Hall – Hawtrey Ave.  Norman Thorn, became the Scout Leader of the 12th and began fundraising events to enable the purchasing of land at the back of Laughton Road Northolt which he’d had his eyes on for some time. He negotiated with the Council which was successful and built the present timber HQ with assistance from the Parents Committee. The 12th is one of the existing timber built structures in the Greenford District and the building was officially opened on 29th September 1967. An extension was added to the premises approx 18 years ago (1994) which provided a better kitchen, toilets, and store room, however due to failing numbers the HQ deteriorated and the building and grounds desperately needed a facelift. The late husband of the now secretary designed the existing building and extension

Our Local Safer Neighbourhood Police Team came to the rescue through Lord Hunt, who at the time was Parliamentary under Secretary of State at the Ministry of Justice. The Community Pay Back Teams were employed in the refurbishment of the building and grounds. Work started December 2008 and was featured on the Local TV news and in the Northolt Gazette. The building was completed with a reopening ceremony on 4th April 2009.

After the opening ceremony a local firm kindly donated a brand new kitchen and appliances which has made a great difference to the HQ.

Leases
The recent purchase of the Scout leases across the borough – covering a 125 year period – has provided us with a permanent base and security, thus enabling us to continue Scouting in the local community with peace of mind for the future.

Fundraising
Some of the Functions / Achievements that have been held by the 12th in the past for the Group – Parents – Friends and Neighbours to raise funds are as follows:-

Firework Displays – Country and Western Evenings (live bands)
Fetes in the grounds – New Years Eve Parties – Christmas Dinners – Quiz nights – Bingo – Jumble Sales – Christmas Bazaars – Variety night at the Beck Theatre Hayes featuring the band ‘Marmalade’to raise funds for the 12th.

Northolt Carnivals – with parades (floats and bands) through Northolt then into Lime Trees Park with all the stalls and sideshows. The last Carnival featured the Battle of Britain Flight (Spitfire and Hurricans) 3 times circling over the Park.

The Present
Today, with the dedication of our Group Scout Leader and Section Leaders, our numbers have risen considerably. We have been host to visiting Scout/Guide Groups from home and abroad and have recovered to become once again a thriving Scout Group. Other outside agencies use the HQ for their regular meetings and we allow the HQ to be used for children’s parties but charge a fee for the use.

We still need all the help we can get from Parents and Friends of the Group to continue making the 12th a successful Scout Group. If you can give us your help please speak to one of the Sections Leaders.

For more and the latest info visit their website: http://www.12northoltscoutgroup.org.uk/