Group Enquiry Line : 0845 644 5257
Group Website: http://www.7th-eastleigh-scouts.co.cc
The 7th Eastleigh (2nd Fair Oak) group started as a result of the long waiting list for Cubs to join 8th Eastleigh (1st Fair Oak). The first Akela was ‘Dusty’ Miller and they met in the ‘New’ Parish hall that has now been demolished to make way for housing.
The Pack soon grew and a second Pack was needed. The Packs took on the names of St. George’s and St. David’s as those were the days on which they were formed. St. George’s have always met on a Wednesday and St. David’s on a Thursday. The first GSL of the Group was Paul Dovey. The Scout Troop soon followed and met on a Thursday evening.
The Group needed its own accommodation and a fund raising task was set up to build a new headquarters in about 1970. An old medical centre was being demolished in Eastleigh and the Borough Council gave it to the Group as long as they could take it away. The Group stored it in a farm building in Fair Oak. A site was obtained on the corner of the recreation ground in Shorts Road. The roofline was altered to make it more usable. This architectural work was carried out by a parent of a Scout. Building work commenced in 1980 with the help of parents, helpers, leaders and even the youngsters themselves. A team of young offenders working under the NACRO scheme assisted with the building work. The Building was opened in 1982 by the County Commissioner Mr John Derben.
In the same year two Scouts attended the World Jamboree in Canada. Much of their fares and expenses were raised by the fund raising committee. This was in addition to the building costs that were still having to be met.
Over the years the Group has had mixed fortunes. There have been times when every competition in every section has been won by the 7th. There have been times when the total numbers of youngsters in the Group have been below minimum standards and the threat of closure has hung heavily in the air. There have been times when the funds have been so low that essential maintenance and even membership of the Scout Association has been in jeopardy. There has never been a time when the 7th have not been represented at District events. There has never been a time when the 7th have not been able to help other Groups in the District or have refused to do so.
This group is comprised of a Beaver Colony, a Cub Pack, and a Scout Troop. The group did have a Venture Scout Unit. [click here] to go to the Explorer Scout page.
