3rd Brampton (St Thomas’) Scout Group was established on the 5th April 1949 with seven boys from the St Thomas’ Church choir. They were Paddy Hooley, Trevor Silverwood, Michael Allan, Noel Smith, Spencer Spooner, John Dickson and Keith Gabbitas. The Scout Master was church curate, Rev. Joyce and the Group Scout Master was the church rector, John Dawson Hooley. They met in the St Thomas’ School Rooms in Brampton, Chesterfield.
Eager were the younger brothers of those in the Scout Troop to join, the Cub Scout Pack for 8 to 10½ year olds was established in 1952 under the leadership of Joan Lilley and Mary Houghton.
The Group continued to grow as more and more youngsters wanted to join in the rich variety of activities that were offered. In 1981 a second Cub Pack was established to meet demand. The Hipper Pack, meeting on a Thursday evening, was led initially by Alec Seels and eventually Paul Smedley.
The Group was a pioneer Group in the development of Beaver Scouting for 6-8 year olds, opening the Beaver Colony in 1988. The first Beaver leaders were Janet Smith, Bernice May and Cris Devonshire.
The Group has always excelled at District (and later County) competitions and has been awarded the District Premier Pack and District Premier Troop award on many occasions. The Scout troop even won the Derbyshire County Scouts Rampage Competition in 2008!
- We currently operate Beaver, Cub and Scout troops, all of which cater for both boys and girls.
If you are a past member of the 3rd Brampton Group and you have any information or pictures that would enhance this brief history of the group, then please contact us via the website contact form. We would very much welcome your contributions!
