Scouting Reflections from our President - Mike Cox
I joined the 2nd West Bridgford in 1949 meeting in St Giles Church rooms (now the Conservative Club), Rectory Road, WB.
Slim Summerfield, along with Barrie Hallsworth were the Scout Masters. There were regular jumble sales to raise funds for a new meeting place, which in time became Wightman Hall (1st/2nd HQ), Stratford Road, WB.
Together with ‘Nipper’ Dean helped to build the internal brick walls to create a kitchen and meeting room with storage above.
Most weekends were spent at the newly acquired Stonepit Woos along with Bill Wooton and the team from 1st WB. Clearing the wood and building alter fires and toilet facilities. This was followed by many camping breaks by taking a trek cart along the twisting Gotham road, or night hikes taking the route from the now A453 and over the top.
My personal highlights of this time were winning five events for the 2nd WB a the West Bridgford School Scout Association Athletics event (1956) – certificates presented by DC. G Hurst and appearing in the Gang Show (1957) at the Theatre Royal, Nottingham, along with Charlie Baines. As an aside, the girls from Lady Bay Methodist youth club under the guidance of Mrs Scofield did the makeup, amongst whom was my wife to be. Graham Hasnip acted as our best man at our wedding in 1962. Our children – Stephanie and Giles both followed into the Scout and Guide movements.
In 1958 I was transferred to become Scout Master at Lady Bay Troop taking over from Rex Barnet until called up for national service in 1959. Meetings were held in Trent Boulevard Methodist Church Hall.
I served from some time as Chairman of Friary Scouts along with Alan Raine & Stewart Mann and set about finding a permanent home for the group. This search eventually led to us obtaining the use of Friary Church Hall.
I was appointed President of the West Bridgford Scout Association in 1975 and subsequently on its formation, became President of the Rushcliffe Scout Association.
