Introduction

These notes have been prepared to record the 40th Anniversary of the opening of 1st Langley Scout Group's headquarters in Gosling Road on 31st October 1964.

The items that follow lean heavily on the contents of the booklet prepared for the opening. This is not because the Group has not achieved anything over the last 40 years. On the contrary, it has consistently been the largest in the Slough District and has brought the Scouting experience to many thousands of young people.

Almost every day has contributed in some way to the History of the Group. Like every such Group there have been successes and failures, progress and setbacks, laughter and tears, good meetings and bad, teamwork and individual endeavour and there have been many ups and downs. We have congratulated young people who have obtained everything from their membership badge to the Queens Scout Award. Hundreds of people have come and gone as Leaders, many of them ex- Beavers Cubs or Scouts in the Group, members of the Committee, husbands and wives, friends, helpers at jumble sales, etc.

All these people and events have contributed to the Group and we owe them all a great debt of gratitude for the time they have voluntarily invested in it. It would be impossible in these few notes to identify them all.

The continued success of 1st Langley is the real legacy of those who struggled to raise the money and had the will power to get this fine headquarters built.

History of the Group

The earliest mention of Scouting in Langley appears to arise at the formation of the Slough Local Association in 1910, when a Mr P James (Scoutmaster) represented the area. This suggests that Scouting was already active in Langley, but as the village was very small at the time, so it is likely that there was only one Troop. It was a fairly large Troop, judging by the number of badges awarded.

The 1964 notes record that there was a man living in Datchet who recalled marching as a Scout from Langley to Windsor Great Park to attend the King's Rally in 1911.

It is recorded that in 1912 a Mr Burden resigned (presumably as Scoutmaster) and the Troop was "running wild". Mr and Mrs Owsten took steps to help. They lived in Langley House, which was near the Green Drive in which is now Kidderminster Park.

In 1916 Langley scouts were "Coast watching". Where they found the coast is not recorded!

The Troop seems to have had its ups and downs after the first War, as it is recorded as being revived in 1922 and again in 1926.

In 1928 a Major Watson gave a site for a hut, probably where Langley Grammar School paying fields are now.

In 1935 approval was given for a Cup Pack

During the Second World War the 1st and 2nd Langley Groups were combined a ran for a while under the auspices of St Mary's Church, but they appear not to have been active by the end of the War.

The Troop was restarted in 1952 and the Cub Pack in 1954. Families started to arrive on the new London County Council Estate at this time and the group rapidly grew, having 120 boys by 1962/3. At this time there were 2 Cub Packs, a Scout Troop, Senior Scouts and Rovers.

In 1983 the first Beaver Colony in Slough District was opened at 1st Langley. A second Colony opened in 2003.

The John Hunt VSU was opened in 1989, but disbanded when the District Explorer Unit was formed. This was a short but successful venture. That unit provided the group with the next generation of leaders.

2001 saw the appointment of the groups youngest Group Scouts Leader Mark Foster aged 23 years old.

Meeting Places of the Group

The earliest record is of the site for a Hut that was given by a Major Watson. This was taken over by a RAF Balloon unit during the War. As the Group was inactive after the war, the hut was apparently unused and was taken over by squatters. It is believed it was dismantled and re-erected in Eton District following complaints from the Local Authority.

In 1955 the Cubs and Scouts were meeting in part of a Nissan Hut on the Recreation Ground. This was much too small for the increasing numbers and permission was obtained to use a larger wooden hut. It appears this was also on the Recreation Ground.

Very soon the wooden hut was also inadequate and the LCC Contractors workmen's canteen was pressed into service. This had a rough concrete floor, resulting in a major dust storm during every meeting.

Subsequent venues included the open air, empty shops, converted stables and four different schools. Eventually, in 1964 the current Headquarters building was completed and opened by Sir John Hunt, of Everest fame.