2nd Golders Green
The 2nd Golders Green was one of eight Groups, plus the Speedwell Venture Scout Unit, that merged with Finchley and Friern Barnet on the 1st April 1971. This was the result of Golders Green being unable to continue as a separate District and led to the creation of Finchley, Friern Barnet and Golders Green District.
It is not currently known when the Group was first established although it is known that this was after 1915 and before 1922. The Group were also originally called the 1st Golders Green and were sponsored by the Wesleyan (Methodist) church in Hodford Road (now known as Trinity Church).
We have found four references to the Group in 1922, with the first being a concert they gave in May. The second, in June, relates to the church’s annual celebrations, when at a special meeting on a Sunday afternoon the Scouts provided a display which involved building a model of the church. A substantial report of the Group’s summer camp at Chalfont St. Giles appeared in August. There were 13 Cubs from the Pack and 22 Scouts from the Troop as well as 6 Scouts from the 1st Hampstead Garden Suburb Troop who spent a fortnight at Bowstridge Farm. The last cutting, in September, points out that due to the building work at the church the Group had for a year been without a permanent HQ, and were, for the time being, going to meet at St. Michael’s Hall in Golders Green Road.
Two vastly contrasting press reports that relate to the Group in 1923 have been found. The first is from April when the Group announced that they needed to raise £300 to build their HQ on the spare ground next to the church. The other is a sad story from October about the accidental death of one of the Scouts, during an evening’s instruction on the mechanism of firearms.
In 1924 Richard Tuck joined the Group as a leader. He had started his Scouting in America, where he was born, and having emigrated to England (Finchley), he wanted to resume his Scouting activity.
During November 1924 the Group put on more entertainment at the church which received favourable press coverage and mentioned many of the performers by name.
At some stage over the following couple of years the Scout District of Golders Green was created. As part of this restructuring Imperial Headquarters (IHQ) instructed the Group to change their name to the 2nd Golders Green. IHQ had deemed that as the 1st Hampstead Garden Suburb Group had been formed before them, they should be called the 1st Golders Green. It should perhaps also be mentioned that, like the other Golders Green Groups, the newly designated 2nd Golders Green adopted the name of one of the Indigenous American peoples – the Cherokees.
By 1928 Richard Tuck had become the Scoutmaster (SM) and the Group had also become exponents in ‘Morris’ and country dancing. A press cutting from June provides a report of their attendance and success at the Folk Dance Festival held at Gilwell Park.
A further press cutting in August provided a short report of the Group’s summer camp in Dorset.
The following year Richard Tuck, who had also taken on the role of District Scout Master in Finchley, was selected to lead a contingent of Scouts at the 1929 World Jamboree at Arrowe Park, Birkenhead. The contingent comprised 50 Scouts drawn from the Districts of Finchley, Golders Green and Hendon. Later that year Richard became the GSM of the 2nd.
Unfortunately we have found little information about the Group covering the next couple of decades although we are aware that Richard was awarded the Medal of Merit in 1944 and also became the Assistant District Commissioner for Scouts while remaining as the GSM for the 2nd.
There is a press cutting from 1952 that reports on the Swimming Gala, which was won by the 2nd. The item includes a full list of the race winners.
During 1957 Richard became the District Commissioner for Golders Green and in 1960 he was awarded the Silver Acorn for his service to Scouting.
During December 1970, three months prior to Golders Green merging with Finchley and Friern Barnet, Richard retired from active Scouting. A substantial press report covered his retirement party at which he received several gifts. He remained a member of the 2nd Golders Green Group Council.
When the Districts merged in April 1971 Richard became a vice-president and at the same time was awarded the Silver Wolf ‘in recognition of services of the most exceptional character over 46 years’.
Following the merger the District bulletin confirmed that the Group met at the Methodist Church in Hodford Road. It also noted that Mr D Walker was the Scout Leader and also the acting GSL with his assistants being D West and N Stanley. The Cub Scout Leader was Mrs J West and her assistant was J Davenport. The census figures stated that there were 17 Cubs and 16 Scouts.
No information has currently been found about the Group during their first year as part of the enlarged District. By the end of March 1972 though the number of Cubs and Scouts had both reduced to 12 and two Scouters had left the Group.
More to follow.
Gallery
To view press cuttings and associated photographs click here.