37th Bournemouth Group History

We do not have many records about the 37^th Bournemouth Scout Group but it would appear from the few we have, that the 37^th was functioning in 1960 although we were not officially registered with the Scout Association until 19^th May 1961.

The Scout Group met at St Walburga’s School in Malvern Road, Charminster. Our Sponsor was, and is still, the Annunciation Church in Charminster Road.

The first Census return from 1962 showed that there was a Troop of 27 Boys with 2 Leaders with Les Upson as the Scouter in Charge. By 1963 the Group had formed a Cub Pack of 13 Cubs whilst the Troop had reduced to 19 boys. We also had a GSL ( S W George ), 2 Cub Leadersand 4 Scout Leaders.

In 1965 the Group consisted of 16 Cubs with 18 Scouts and 3 Senior Scouts although by 1967 the Senior Scout Section had disappeared never to re-appear. Receipts dated 1967 confirm that the 37^th were now meeting in a disused classroom in the grounds of St Walburga’s School. Our Group Scout Leader at the time was John Barker.
By 1968 we were 35 strong and paid the princely sum of £21 – 1s – 9d Membership Fees to Scout Headquarters ( Oh how times have changed ! )  16 Scouts who paid £7-10s-0d for the privilege attended the1969 Scout Camp at Lynton. The total cost of the camp was £190-8s-1d !

Itwas about 1970 that one of the priests from the Annunciation Church ( our Sponsors ) visited a Pack Meeting and was horrified to find that there was no heating or sanitation in the disused classroom which was being used as our Headquarters. In winter ice used to form on the concrete floor of the classroom but we still carried on ! We were promptly invited us to meet at the Annunciation Church hall, where we still are.

Although we do not have anything concrete it is believed that the 37^th originally started life as the 53^rd Bournemouth ( St Walburga’s Own ) when St Walburga’s school was in the YelvertonRoad.

Then, when the school moved to it’s present site in 1929 we believe that the 53^rd moved with the school as the records show that it remained active until 1953 when it closed . During that period the 53^rd was the only Catholic Group in Bournemouth.

In 1961 the 37^th opened, based at St Walburga’s School and in 1964 the 22^nd formed as the Ilford Sea Scouts based at Our Lady, Queen of Peace Church in Douglas Road ( The 22^nd closed in 2001 ).

It would be great if I had enough time to research this - but maybe later.

By 1974 we had to pay £30-35p for the Membership/Capitation Fees. For a Group of 40.

Today we are about 90 strong and still meet at the Annunciation Church hall.

enquiries@37thbournemouth.org.uk