Scouting in South West England: Difference between revisions

'''Scouting in South West England''' is about [[Scouting]] in the official region of [[South West England]]. It is largely represented by [[the Scout Association]] of the [[United Kingdom]] and some Groups of [[traditional Scouting]] including the [[Baden-Powell Scouts' Association]].

There are five student associations at various universities in the region, each of which is affiliated to the [[Student Scout and Guide Organisation]] (SSAGO). These are ''[[University of Bath|Bath University]] Guides and Scouts'',<ref> [http://www.ssago.org.uk/bath Bath University Guides and Scouts]</ref> ''[[Bath Spa University|Bath Spa]] SSAGO'',<ref> [http://www.ssago.org.uk/bathspa Bath Spa SSAGO]</ref> ''[[University of Bristol]] Guides and Scouts'',<ref> [http://www.ssago.org.uk/bristol University of Bristol Guides and Scouts]</ref> Scouts And Guides at the [[University of the West of England]] and<ref> [http://www.ssago.org.uk/uwe Scouts and Guides at the University of the West of England]</ref> ''Scout and Guide of Exeter'', covering [[Exeter University]].<ref> [http://www.ssago.org.uk/exeter Scout and Guide of Exeter]</ref>

==History of Scouting in South West England==

===Brownsea Island===

From 1 August until 8 August 1907, [[Robert Baden-Powell, 1st Baron Baden-Powell|Lieutenant General Baden-Powell]] held the [[Brownsea Island Scout camp|first experimental Scout camp]] for 22 boys on [[Brownsea Island]] in [[Poole Harbour]] in Dorset. The subsequent publishing of ''[[Scouting for Boys]]'' started the [[Scouting|Scout]] Movement.<ref name="themesold">{{cite web | first = Johnny | last = Walker | url = http://www.scouting.milestones.btinternet.co.uk/brownsea.htm| title = Scouting Milestones - Brownsea Island| |publisher = Scouting Milestones | accessdate = 2006-09-06}}</ref>

==Scout Association Counties==

[[The Scout Association]] in South West England is administered through seven [[Scout Counties]]

===Avon Scout County===

Avon Scout County is concurrent with the former political county of [[Avon (county)|Avon]]. It provides [[Scouting]] to young people in [[Bath & North East Somerset]], [[Bristol]], [[North Somerset]] and [[South Gloucestershire]].<ref name="avon">{{cite web|url=http://www.avonscouts.org.uk|title=Avon Scouts Homepage}}</ref>

*Axe District provides Scouting to the area around the seaside town of [[Weston-super-Mare]]. There are five active Explorer Scout Units in the District.

*Bristol South District is an amalgamation of two former Districts, and was created in 2005. There are 21 Scout Groups, and 4 Explorer Scout Units, with a total of 1,100 Scouters of all ages in the District. The District also runs a small activity centre at, East Winds, in [[Brislington]].

*City of Bath District covers the area around the city of [[Bath, Somerset|Bath]] in [[Somerset]].

*Cotswold Edge District covers the southern reaches of the [[Cotswolds]], an area immediately to the north of Bristol. The District also runs a Scout Campsite, Mafeking Hall, near [[Coalpit Heath]] in South Gloucestershire.

*Gordano Scout District covers the [[Gordano Valley]] in North Somerset, immediately to the south of Bristol.The District also runs a Scout Campsite, Glenny Wood, which is now open again following maintenance work.

====Marching Bands====

===Cornwall Scout County===

Cornwall Scout County is concurrent with the county of [[Cornwall]], and provides [[Scouting]] opportunities for young people throughout the whole of the County and the [[Isles of Scilly]]. There are nearly 80 Scout Groups with nearly 5,000 members in total involved in Scouting across the County.<ref> [http://cornwallscouts.net/default.aspx Cornwall County Scouts] </ref>

===Devon Scout County===

Devon Scout County is concurrent with the county of [[Devon]]<ref> [http://www.devonscouts.org.uk/ Devon Scout County]</ref>

*[[Plympton]] & [[Ivybridge]]

*[[West Devon]]

===Dorset Scout County===

Dorset Scout County is concurrent with the political county of [[Dorset]], and provides Scouting opportunities for young people and adults in the area.<ref>[http://www.dorsetscouts.org.uk/Dorset_Scouts/Home.html Dorset Scout County]</ref>

*[[Bournemouth]] - Avon

*[[Poole]]

*[[Wareham, Dorset|Wareham]] and [[Isle of Purbeck]]

===Gloucestershire Scout County===

Gloucestershire Scout County is concurrent with the political county of [[Gloucestershire]]. The County Scout HQ is based at Cranham where it has been present since 1947.<ref> [http://www.gloucestershire-scouts.org.uk/ Gloucesterhire Scout County] </ref>

*Cotswold Vale District encompasses the towns of [[Berkeley, Gloucestershire|Berkeley]] and [[Dursley]]

*North Cotswold District encompasses the towns of [[Chipping Campden]] and [[Moreton-in-Marsh]]

===Somerset Scout County===

Somerset Scout County covers the political county of [[Somerset]].

*[[Camelot]]

===Wiltshire Scout County===

Wiltshire Scout County covers the political county of [[Wiltshire]].<ref name="wilts"> [http://www.wiltshirescouts.org.uk/county/ Wiltshire Scout County] </ref>

* [[Salisbury]] and South Wilts

* [[Swindon|Swindon North]]

* [[Swindon|Swindon Ridgeway]]

==Campsites==

===Avon===

[[Chelwood]] is a camping field owned and managed by the 1st Keynsham Scout Group, in the Wansdyke Scout District.<ref> [http://www.1stkeynshamscouts.org.uk/chelwood/index.htm Chelwood] </ref>

Woodhouse Park is an activity and camping centre managed by Avon Scout County, sited in South Gloucestershire, and overlooks the [[River Severn|Severn]] crossings.<ref> [http://www.avonscouts.org.uk/woodhousepark/ Woodhouse Park] </ref> The site has five large camping fields, and two buildings which can be used for accommodation or training purposes. Woodhouse Park offers a large range of activities, either on site or nearby. Site hosted activities include [[Abseiling]], [[Pioneering]], [[Tracking]], [[Climbing]], [[Archery]], and [[Air gun|Air Rifles]]. Off-site activities include [[Sailing]], [[Kayaking]], and [[Caving]].

===Cornwall===

===Devon===

===Dorset===

===Gloucestershire===

Cranham, Gloucestershire Scout Association County Scouting Centre is situated in a [[Cotswold]] valley on the edge of the village of [[Cranham]]. It comprises a main camping area and residential accommodation. It also has a wooded valley known as Daniels Grove where there are facilities for 12 smaller "patrol" camp sites. It is adjacent to over {{convert|1200|acre|km2}} of beech woodland to which there is access for activities such as nature trails and orienteering.<ref> [http://www.gloucestershire-scouts.org.uk/cranham/index.htm Cranham County Scout Centre]</ref>

===Somerset===

===Wiltshire===

==Gang Shows==

===Bath and District Scout and Guide Gang Show===

This [[Gang Show]] was started in 1997, and generally has a cast of about 60 Scouts and Guides from the city of [[Bath, Somerset|Bath]].

===Bristol Gang Show===

The Bristol Gang Show is an annual production held at The [[Bristol Hippodrome]], in Bristol. As the production is a [[Gang Show]] the cast is made up entirely by members of the [[Scouting]] and [[Girl Guides|Guiding]] movement; many of the supporting members are also involved in Scouting and Guiding. The show currently takes place in October/November time, usually to coincide with the English school holiday held at this time. The show itself is a variety show, with singing, dancing and comedy. The show has a live orchestra, contains many different styles of songs such as 'pop' songs past and present and songs from musicals.<ref> [http://www.bristolgangshow.org.uk Bristol Gang Show] </ref>

In the 1930s there were two Boy Scout Revues, but it was not until 1971 that the Bristol Gang Show as it is now known was held. The 1971 show was performed not at the Bristol Hippodrome, but at the [[Victoria Rooms]], the cast consisted of 85 Cubs and 59 adults. As over 6,000 people attended, the need for a larger venue was obvious. So, the 1972 show was held at the Bristol Hippodrome. In 1974 the Bristol Gang Show became Avon County Gang Show as the county of Bristol had become part of the Avon.

The Gang Show was first performed in the [[Victoria Rooms]], but moved to the [[Bristol Hippodrome]] the year after when it was realised how popular the show was with the general public. The show has remained there since.

===Exeter Gang Show===

===Gloucester Gang Show===

===Swindon Gang Show===

==See also==

==References==

==External links==