Scouting/Guiding
1st Whickham St Marys Cubs Field Day 1986
Thomas Heron 1899-1977
'Skipper' Heron became Scoutmaster of 1st Whickham (St. Mary's) Scout Troop in 1916. Skipper was awarded the Medal of Merit for outstanding service in 1937 and appointed District Scout Leader in 1949. The Silver Acorn, one of the Scout Association's highest awards for dedicated service to scouting was awarded to him in 1955. He retired from scouting in 1976, a presentation was made to him in January 1977and he died in July 1977.
One of the biggest events of his scouting life was a play presented in St. Mary's church hall in Whickham in 1923 to raise money for the troupe to attend the Empire Jamboree. The Jamboree was attended by scouts from 25 countries as well as the founder of scouting Lord Baden-Powell and author Rudyard Kipling.
1st Whickham St Mary's (32nd Gateshead) Scout Group
Boys from the Whickham Boys' Brigade Unit formed the Scout Group in 1915. A Mr. Thompson acted as the Scout Master. The first summer camp was held at Lintzford near Rowlands Gill. Trek carts being the form of transport in early scouting days, you could see them being pushed and pulled to Scout Camps laden with tents and other equipment.
In 1916 due to the sudden death of Mr. Thompson, Mr. Thomas Heron (Skipper) was appointed Scout Master. This was the start of 60 years of leadership by "Skipper" Heron. In 1920 a Wolf Cub Pack was formed, this enabled younger boys to experience scouting type activities. In 1924 the 1st Whickham Group sent a contingent of Wolf Cubs, Scouts and Rovers to the Empire Jamboree at Wembley.
The first group Field Day was staged in Chase Park, Whickham in 1928. This was a huge success and continues to this day. A Brass Band was formed in 1929 to lead the Armistice Day Parade through Whickham. At the outbreak of war, scouts became messengers, controllers and constructors of indoor air raid shelters and were also involved with fire-watching duties. There were many scout camps including one to Wimereaux in France in 1954. The cost of this was £23.7.0d each.
Skipper Heron died in 1977 but is remembered with affection. The new Scout Headquarters is named in his memory. Today the Group consists of Beavers, Cubs, Scouts and Venture Scouts.
Ann Urwin's Memories of the Scout Hut in Park Drive.
In 1926 a hut was erected in the street unnamed then but later called Park Drive. Mr Heron was the Skipper and really looked after boys from Cubs to Senior Scouts. He was dedicated to the boys work, taking them to camp with the help of others.
One of the events which was staged yearly was the "Field Day" which raised money to help to take the boys to camp. There was great excitement on this day in June, the grounds around the hut were big enough to house the many stalls set up and run by the scouts. Many parents helped to organise the games and mothers made and served teas in the hut. The Scouts and Cubs, lead by Skipper Heron, and leaders marched from the end of Fellside Road, through the village in spotless white uniforms. The Union Flag and Scouts Flag were at the front of the parade held by Scouts who walked behind the leaders. A salute was taken at the cenotaph then the parade marched down Park Drive - an impressive sight.
When we moved into our new house in Park Drive, Skipper Heron wanted to forge good relationships with neighbours, so we were invited to Country Dances with gramophone music on one Saturday in the month and we were glad to be asked to assist in the Field Day, which Bill, Christine and myself enjoyed .
The old hut was demolished and a new brick building erected - named Heron House - in memory and appreciation of the work done by Skipper Heron to train many, many boys in Scouting and Christian Faith. This building was opened in 1992 and serves a great need for boys who are interested in Scouting, and there are still dedicated leaders who run a full year's programme for the boys.
The group have a website at: http://www.1stwhickham.freeserve.co.uk
19th Dunston Christ Church Scout Troop
Colonel Surtees Own in Camp July 1912
The annual camp of the Christ Church, Dunston Scout Troop (Colonel Surtees Own) was a great success. The camp was pitched on a secluded spot in the grounds of Mainsforth Hall, the residence of Colonel Surtees.
In spite of poor weather the scouts managed to carry out their programme except for the cycle dispatch run. On the Sunday morning a drum head service was held on the hall lawn after which the Colonel presented each Scout with a photograph of Mainsforth Hall, the gifts being much prized by the boys.
On the Sunday evening Colonel Surtees took charge of a combined parade of the Dunston and Bishop Middleham troops, and they marched to Bishop Middleham Parish Church.
On Wednesday, which was a fine day, seventy friends from Dunston visited the camp at the invitation of the Officers. In the evening a campfire concert was held. At the camp was Patrol Leader Fred Scott, who had recently been awarded the Silver Wolf. This is the highest award a Scout can achieve.