1st Hullbridge Scout Troop
It was in 1960 that Mr Hardy, the school headmaster, had the idea that Boy Scout, Cubs and Girl Guide, Brownies troops
should be formed in Hullbridge. He put the proposal to the Residents Association who concurred and so volunteers were
sought and found. Peter Rusling became the Group Scout Leader with Sid Harber the Scout Leader and Jack Williams the
Assistant Scout Leader, Bill Trower was the Group Secretary.
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A photograph cutting taken from the Local Review newspaper Jan 1961.The photo is taken in Hullbridge Village Hall from the Saturday
previous where the 1st Hullbridge Scout, Cubs and Brownies had their Christmas Party with the food being mostly donated by the children's parents.
In attendance was Mr D. Dack Assistant District Commissioner for Cubs who presented warrants to Group Scout Leader Mr P Rusling, Cub Mistress
Mrs E Vaughan and Scout Master Mr S Harber.The photographer is standing just in front of the kitchen and the Hall's stage can be seen in the background.
The Guides had not yet been formed due to lack of a volunteer to run them. Sid was a very good pastry cook and artist
1964
In 1964 Sid Harber resigned his post as he was moving out of the village. Jack Williams also resigned as his job offered him living
accommodation near Hadleigh Bus Depot this left GSL Peter Ruisling to run the troop but this did not last long and Peter also resigned.
The elder boys in the troop then went to Bill Trower as did Cis Vaughan and explained there were some elder boys in her cub pack that
were really looking forward to becoming Boy Scouts and would Bill be so kind and take over the troop, even if it was on a temporary
basis. Bill having two young sons Paul and Alan, Paul was nearing Scouts age and so he decided it might be a good thing and accepted the position
on a temporary basis. At this moment in time the troop had only one patrol which was headed by Nigel Booth and his Assistant was Terry Harper.
Bill had moved into the village around 1953 and lived in a bungalow in Ferry Road just along from the Primary School which is where,
with the blessing of Mr Hardy, the Scout Night was held every Friday evening. Bill soon had an Assistant Scout Leader Alec Baker who lived
with his wife, son Paul also nearing Scout age, and two daughters Valerie and Hazel at "Gardenia" 161 Lower Road which is on top of Coventry Hill. Both Bill and Alec were men
built of the stronger stuff, you had to be in order to wear the early uniform of khaki cotton shirt and shorts with woolen knee length socks during winter and camps !
The Scout Nights started around 7.30 although many of the boys got there much earlier so that they could play football in the schools playground.
Once Bill or Alec turned up with the key to the school the boys would mill into the main large classroom and when called to order would line up behind their patrol leaders
ready for inspection. Inspection was on state of uniform, was the hat on properly, was the scarf folded tidily and cleanliness, was the finger nails clean and not bitten, was the neck
and knees clean.
1st Hullbridge started with two patrols, Kestrel and Seagull whose colours were Green and Claret and Light Blue respectively. Each scout when enrolled was given the two badges
to be sewn onto the breast pockets one was the scouting badge the other was a badge of Essex they were also given a epaulet which was pinned to the shoulder to show what patrol the scout belonged to.
The scarfs worn around their neck was in the colours of the troop, Hullbridge was light blue.
1968
The following is extracted from 1968 Southend Standard.
1st Hullbridge retained the cup at the South East Essex Scouts, North District Sports Meeting at Rocheway Youth Centre. Their win was
a fine piece of team work, Bernie Quinn gained points in all junior events and Mick Wilkinson did the same in the senior events.
David Carter won the senior 100 yards and the long jump, Jeff Livesey, Ian Cranstone and Steve Polain added points to give Hullbridge
a convincing victory.
2nd Rayleigh improved on last years 3rd place and gained second place but had to share it with 2nd Hockley who improved considerably on
last years performance when they were 5th.
Results :-
- 1st: 1st Hullbridge 34pts
- 2nd: 2nd Hockley and 2nd Rayleigh 13pts
- 4th: 1st Hockley 10pts
- 5th: 2nd Rayleigh 2pts
- 3rd, 4th, 5th Rayleigh 0pts.
JUNIOR EVENTS 11 to 13 years:
100 YARDS
1st: Martin Bate, 2nd Rayleigh
2nd: Bernie Quinn, 1st Hullbridge
3rd: Paul Bate, 2nd Rayleigh
LONG JUMP
1st: Martin Bate, 2nd Rayleigh
2nd: Bernie Quinn, 1st Hullbridge
3rd: Steve Polain, 1st Hullbridge
HIGH JUMP
1st: Martin Bate, 2nd Rayleigh
2nd: D Kettles, 2nd Rayleigh
3rd: Bernie Quinn, 1st Hullbridge
OBSTACLE RACE
1st: Bernie Quinn, 1st Hullbridge
2nd: J. Hills, 1st Hockley
3rd: S. Cook, 2nd Hockley
PITCHING THE BALL
1st: G Orford, 2nd Hockley
2nd: Ian Cranstone, 1st Hullbridge
3rd: Bernie Quinn, 1st Hullbridge
SENIOR EVENTS 13 to 16 years
100 YARDS
1st: David Carter, 1st Hullbridge
2nd: M.Preston, 2nd Hockley
3rd: Mick Wilkinson, 1st Hullbridge
LONG JUMP
1st: David Carter, 1st Hullbridge
2nd: M.McKenzie, 1st Hockley
3rd: ??
HIGH JUMP
1st: Mick Wilkinson, 1st Hullbridge
2nd: Jeff Lievesey, 1st Hullbridge
3rd: M.Preston, 2nd Hockley
OBSTACLE RACE
1st: M. McKenzie, 1st Hockley
2nd: P.Ball, 4th Rayleigh
3rd: Mick Wilkinson, 1st Hullbridge
PITCHING THE BALL
1st: M.McKenzie, 1st Hockley
2nd: Mick Wilkinson, 1st Hullbridge
3rd: Nigel Clare, 2nd Hockley
RELAY 4 x100 YARDS 11 to 16 years
1st: 1st Hullbridge
2nd: 2nd Hockley
3rd: 2nd Hockley B and 2nd Rayleigh.
July / Aug 1968 the 6th Essex International Jamboree took place at Belchamps. 1st Hullbridge participated.
For a brief summary of the Jamboree CLICK HERE
On 7th December, 1st Hullbridge was awarded the District's colours for gaining the most points in competitions. The award was made at
the District's H.Q. at Belchamps.
A photograph cutting taken from the Local Review newspaper Dec 12 1968.The photo is taken at Belchamps, Hawkwell and shows
Mick Wilkinson being presented with the District's colours by the District Chairman Mr L. C. Cogman. Behind them is Assistant Scout Leader
Alec Baker. The boys in cubs uniforms have recently joined the Scouts as they are no longer the right age for Cubs. The boys are L to R:-
??, Alan Lee, Winfred Turnball,Ian Cranston directly behind Winfred, ?? behind right of Winfred,Jeff Livesey, ?? behind Jeff,
?? between Winfred and boy holding certificate, ??,??, behind boy holding certificate left shoulder, ?? boy holding certificate,
David Carter, directly behind boy holding certificate, ?? behind Dave Carter,Gary Congram, right at back, ?? boy behind flag,
??, ??,?? between boy behind flag and boy holding certificate.
