Did you know that Longfields had an active scout group?
This was the 2nd Swansea Grove Scout Group and there were six boy Scouts and five Wolf Cubs. They met every Friday evening at Dumbarton School in Swansea and the BP Guild of Old Scouts, Rotary Club and Round Table worked a rota system to transport the members from their homes to their meetings.
The group was registered with the Scout Authorities and in 1958 they purchased their own Troop Flag and won the Herbert Levick Award. This Award was given to the Scout Group who ‘put the best effort into Scouting during the year’.
As a group, they made links with other active Scout Groups and special mention was given to the 30th Swansea (Hill) Scout Troop and the 1st Cockett Girl Guide Company. Richard Paton from Longfields was awarded a First-Class Badge and was one of the first members of the group to achieve this.
The following extracts from the Association Year Books describe some of the activities of the scout troop.
Active and Busy Year for Our Scout Troop
by Colin Rand (Scoutmaster)
Through the generosity and kindness of the Association in making us a gift of a bus we were able to take a number of scouts on visits to Scout Camps in Gower last August. “Bob-a-Job” week proved very successful and as a result we were able to purchase a Totem Pole for the Cubs.
The Scouts and Cubs, in company with all the other packs and troops attended the divisional St Georges’ Day parade held at Pantygwydr Church. The Cubs also attended the Cub Grove competition held at Scout Headquarters, Bryn Road in October. The Christmas Party this year was a combined function with the 30th Swansea (Hill) Scout Troop and the 1st Cockett Guide Company at the Children’s Home, Cockett.
Activities of Our Scout Troop
by Colin Rand (Scoutmaster)
Richard Paton and Huw Williams were able to camp under canvas for the first time. They attended the Whitsun Camp of 30th Swansea Scout Troop, held at Wernfadog, Ynystawe. Richard also camped for 10 days at Kinsham, Herefordshire, with the 30th and 42nd Swansea Scout Troops during August, 1962. The troop also thoroughly enjoyed a visit to Swansea Docks to see the Dutch Naval Squadron.
During the year, we were represented at most of the Scout functions held in the town, while Richard Paton represented us at the Scout/Guide Conference held at Swansea University.