Finchley, Friern Barnet & Golders Green District history

Our aim

The purpose of this project is to try to provide a permanent record of Scouting in Finchley, Friern Barnet and Golders Green, up until it merged in 2008 with Barnet and Hendon & Edgware, to form the new Barnet Borough District.

This is being done by creating a number of pages that not only relate specifically to the District, but also the individual Groups within the District. The pages will be supported by photographs and individual memories.

It’s a big project and one that may never be “finished”!  We make no claims to having a complete archive of information, so if you spot any mistakes, or can add anything to any section, please let us know.

Sources

We are grateful to the people that have already provided us with information, which includes special books and booklets from the archives of a number of Groups.

Additionally we have received some personal records from individuals and are also in possession of a number of records from the District archives that include District Bulletins, old photographs and press reports*.

Although it will take some time to properly review all the documents that we have, and that we still hope to receive, we have started to share some of the information.  New pages will be created with additional information as soon as we are able.

As such the project will be ongoing for some time so it is not too late for you to contribute. If you wish to do so by adding a memory or by providing material please click here.

*Please note that some press articles contain incorrect information.

Exploring our records

The information we have, that spans nearly 100 years, has been divided into a number of categories. We hope that this will enable you to easily find the topics that you may like to read more about. As a result here is a list of the sections we have created together with details of what we have already published or plan to, within that section.

Please note that it may be some time before we are able to produce the intended articles, so it is worth reviewing these pages from time to time. In the meantime though, we are continuing to gather information and if you would like to contribute in any way please get in touch.

In the beginning
Using some early press cuttings and other documents we have provided a broad outline of how Scouting got underway in our District.

Our Groups
In this section you will find a list of all the Groups that we currently know about. We hope to write an article about each one and attach associated photographs and press cuttings along with our reader’s memories.

We have also included in the section a table, produced using the annual census, which shows how the size of the District fluctuated over the years.

Leaders and Officials
Here we have tried to provide details of who had overall responsibility for Scouting in our District. We have provided information about the District Commissioners and, where possible, their ADCs. Additionally we have given the names, where known, of those that held key positions on the District Executive.

Articles relating to the old District HQ (Finchley Lodge) and the District Camping Ground (Frith Grange) are also included in this section.

Competitions and Events
We have divided this section in two. The first part covers all the regular competitions that took place on a regular basis, and the other tries to cover events that not only occurred on a regular basis but also on an ad hoc basis as a special occasion.

Achievements
In this section we are trying to list the names of those who have been presented with the top awards for good service in Scouting as well as those who have received Honours for Meritorious Conduct and Gallantry. 

We have also produced an article about the King’s and Queen’s Scout Award, the ultimate goal of the progressive award scheme, and produced a list of those that are known to have achieved this award.

Lastly we thought it would be nice to recognise past and present member, from our District, who have made their mark a variety of ways.  They are not all necessarily well-known or all been rewarded with an Honour, but they are famous in their own field.

Key dates
Here you will find a year by year guide to significant events that occurred both nationally and locally over the years. There is reference to some events that have not specifically been covered elsewhere and a link to an article about the War Years.