Our History
Scouting has been part of South Craven since 1907. Read our history book below, then follow the story through the years.
The History of Scouting in Craven 1907-1965, compiled by Gladys M. House for the South Craven District Scout Council.
Through the years
The milestones below are drawn from the history book above. Mrs House described a "thread of continuity" running through it all - nearly severed by war in 1914 and again in 1939, but held together by the loyalty of its members.
-
1907
Scouting begins
Sir Robert Baden-Powell founds the Boy Scout Movement, and Craven is quick to take up the new idea.
-
1908
First Scout patrols
Ernest Metcalfe forms Skipton's first patrol, the Wolves, which is absorbed into the 1st Skipton Troop, with Mr Breedon as Scoutmaster. In Kildwick a Goose patrol was formed which was the start of 1st Kildwick and Farnhill under Mr Edwards.
-
1909
A District of our own
The Skipton Local Association comes into being in November. Until then every Group in the area belonged to the Keighley Association. Ben Walls is its first Chairman and C. Driver its first Secretary.
-
1911
The Bulldogs
The 1st and 2nd Skipton Troops amalgamate and become known as the Bulldogs, after the dog that always accompanied Scoutmaster Anthony Slingsby. The bulldog is still the symbol of the Local Association. The 1st Cononley is formed the same year under Mr Ashlea.
-
1912
Rally in Colne
2nd Skipton (Bulldogs) attended the rally in Colne where all the Troops were inspected by the Chief Scout Sir Robert Baden-Powell. They contributed a display of signalling and first aid. Many of the boys in the Troop fought in the war as a complete unit in the "Royal Signals" with Mr Slingsby as their officer. Unfortunately, most died in action, including Mr Slingsby. Those who survived carried on the Scouting traditions.
-
1914
War, and the Grammar School Troop
The 4th Skipton (Grammar School) Troop is announced on 16 November, in navy blue shirts and red scarves, with six patrols of seven boys and the first Scout band in the Association. Anthony Slingsby is killed in action; his sister Barbara succeeds him and becomes the District's first lady District Commissioner.
-
1915
Malham and a rush of new troops
The 3rd Skipton (St Stephen's), 5th Skipton (Parish Church) and 6th Skipton are all formed. The 4th and 5th Skipton hold their first camps at Malham Tarn and Malham Moor respectively. The 4th Skipton receives its first colours from Mrs Powell, and Robert Steel gains the District's first King's Scout badge.
-
1920
The Slingsby Memorial Hut
The Slingsby family and friends erect a hut on Broughton Road for the troop, in memory of Anthony Slingsby.
-
1929
"The days the rains came"
Scouts and Scouters travel to the World Jamboree at Arrowe Park, Birkenhead - remembered ever after for the mud.
-
1935
The Jubilee beacon
The 5th Skipton's old bus body, long used to store camping gear at Millfields Hall, becomes the King George V Silver Jubilee beacon.
-
1942
The first Gang Show
Proposed in February 1941 and staged at Skipton Town Hall, the Gang Show becomes a fixture of District life and a mainstay of Group funds for decades.
-
1947
Forty years of Scouting
The Association marks the Movement's 40th anniversary with an exhibition in the Gala Field, photographs and articles from the earliest days filling a huge marquee. Membership had reached 310 boys the year before - up from around 200 in the late 1930s.
-
1955
Queen's Scouts at the Castle
The County Conference is held in Skipton, and Deputy Chief Scout Sir Robert Lockhart presents Queen's Scout badges in the grounds of Skipton Castle.
-
1958
Fire at The Dump
On 3 November the 5th Skipton's headquarters burns down, destroying almost all the camping equipment, records and flags. The whole district rallies round, and the rebuilt hall is opened on 8 April 1961 by Rex Hazlewood, editor of The Scout. Everyone still calls it The Dump.
-
1965
The history is written
Gladys House finishes her history in May 1965, having spent two years gathering it. Brook Naylor, District Commissioner since 1962, writes the foreword.
-
2018
Group reformed
1st Bradley reformed at least 10 years after the original Group closed. This grew from a "drop in" evening in the village and started with Beavers, Cubs and Scout sections.
-
2022
New Group
1st Embsay and Eastby started with one section and quickly grew to include Squirrels, Beavers and Cubs with 50 members.
-
2026
Activity Centre
The District reached an agreement with the National Trust to lease High Stables along with adjoining field and Malham House, which are part of the Malham Tarn Estate, to create and run Malham Tarn Activity Centre.
-
Today
The thread continues
There are 5 Groups and the District Explorers who continue the Scouting tradition across South Craven, covering all sections from Squirrels through to Network.
If you are interested in being part of South Craven Scouts, why not explore the opportunities?
About the book
The History of Scouting in Craven 1907-1965 was compiled by Gladys M. House and published by the South Craven District Scout Council, covering the first fifty years and more of Scouting in the area. She finished it in May 1965.
In his foreword, District Commissioner Brook Naylor records that Mrs House spent two years searching out information on the local Groups, and that the booklet stands as a memorial to her enthusiasm for Scouting at Grassington, Skipton and Cross Hills.
Share your memories
Mrs G. M. House knew herself that there were omissions in the text, and hoped readers would come forward with more. That invitation still stands - if you were a member of one of our groups, or you have old photos, badges or logbooks, we would love to hear from you.
Annual Reports
Our more recent history, year by year. Each report is presented at the District's Annual General Meeting.