In 2009 1^st Fleetwood Scout Group celebrated 100 years of providing fun and adventure for young people since it was formed in 1909.This is quite an achievement for a self supporting group.

The Group started with some of the boy’s and leaders breaking away from the ‘Boy’s Brigade’, who met at St. Margaret’s C of E Church, corner of Walmesley St. Now St. Margaret’s Court Flats.

From St. Margaret’s Church the Group moved to a room overlooking the Market Hall in Adelaide St. The then Scoutmaster was a Mr. Harry Forshaw of Ash St, his assistant was Mr. Alfred Jones of Church St. A scout at the time was Sam Shuttleworth who belonged to a family who became keen supporters and also leaders of the Group for many years.

1^st Fleetwood received its official Registration in 1912 with final approval by the then District Commissioner Mr. R. A. McNab in 1915. By this time Alf Jones had moved to Scoutmaster, a Mr. R. Nicholson his assistant and a Mr T. Bond was an instructor.

Later that year a Mr. H. V. Kemp took over as Scoutmaster with a Mr J. R. Bailey as his assistant. There is also mention that at sometime 1^st Fleetwood was also at Lord St. School rooms above Refuge Association in London St.

In 1917 Herbert Ford became the 1^st Scout to receive the ‘Kings Scout Award’. There is a trophy which is given out each year in his honour. Also in this year a County Rally was held on grounds at the back of the North Euston Hotel. This land now has the Magistrates Court and Police Station built on it.

Round about 1918/23 Mr Arthur Collins of ‘Collin’s Bike Shop’ fame became Cub Scoutmaster. In 1927 Mr Collins and his father helped to erect an old army Nissan Hut on land purchased by the Group in Lune Rd. This was up the side of the telephone exchange between Mersey & Ribble Rd, now a housing estate.

In 1955 the Group was given a plaque by Fleetwood Town Council to use at the Jamboree. The Plaque was signed by all those who took part from 1^st Fleetwood.

In 1968 we were still at Lune Rd when we were the victims of vandals. They put all the gear, records and most of the photos in the middle of the room and set fire to it. The group was not allowed to rebuild and the land was compulsory purchased and houses built on the land.

The group kept going as best it could, meeting in an old wooden hut. The then Fleetwood Council found us the land where we are today, on St. John Ave. Councillor Jim Shaw and Aldermen Baker, Minns and Peel were ardent helpers, supporters and friends of the group for many years. A building was erected and an official opening of the building was held 29^th November 1971. It was a sight never to be forgotten. There were that many people present the group could not close the doors. At the time Bob Sutton was GSL and Cliff Shuttleworth Scout Leader. Cliff followed on from Bob as GSL. Sadly they are both no longer with us, but remembered with fondness, and admired for what they achieved.

We provide a large variety of activities to suit all tastes. From the Outdoor which includes, Camping, Walking, Canoeing, Archery, Shooting, Climbing & Abseiling, to activities such as IT, Swimming & First Aid. Depending on which section they belong to the young people can even do Micro-lighting and Fencing. The children and young people can also gain badges in Art, Sport, Road, Home & Personal Safety, Martial Arts, Cycling and many more. They are also taught to appreciate other people, the environment, different faiths and their own surroundings, building on their life skills as they progress through the sections. Whilst in Scouting, the young people can also put themselves forward for ‘The Duke of Edinburgh Award’ alongside doing their ‘Queen’s Scout Award’.

The young members of the Group both boys and girls, are aged 6 years upto 14 ½ years. If they wish they can then move onto the District Explorer Scout Section, which is an add-on District led section to our Group. The young people in this section are from the age of 14 upto the age 18 years.

The leaders and helpers from the Group give up their time and effort voluntarily to provide these activities week in week out. They age from the Young leaders at 16 upto our Granny Scouts who are in their 70’s. Showing you Scouting is ageless and you are never too old to feel young again.