About Us, from humble beginnings
Pre WW2
The group was founded during 1910 and registered on Thursday 2nd September 1915 by Doctor Captain Emlyn who was based in the Broderick hall, then a military hospital, Clayhall Road. It stayed there until WW2 when the national children’s home asked us to leave.
Notable findings: Doctor Emlyn later became Chief Scout Commissioner and wrote a number scout plays and the annual county camping competition is named after him.
During heavy rain at the 7th annual camp in 1939, held a Paultons near Romsey(then the home of Major R.C.H. Sloane Stanley a guest of the Major visit the site to enquire how the campers were camping. The visitor later turned out to be Malcolm Bowes Lyon who was the uncle of the Queen Mother, Queen Elizabeth.
Senior Scout Anthony Nicholls represented Gosport at the 12th World Scout Jamboree
Our permanent home
We were called the 7th Gosport Lord Wakefield’s Own, wearing a blue scarf. The 7th then moved to Nicholson Hall in Stoke Road and we changed to use the scarf colours we use today. In the late 60’s the group executive committee and parents worked very hard to raise funds for our own headquarters for which a sum of £3500 was raised and in 1970 our dream was fulfilled. The land the HQ is built on is owned and leased to us by the United Reform Church. Years before the land was on the site of the railway line which ran from London to Stokes Bay pier.
Notable Findings: at the 1967 AGM it was noted that the building fund was started with an aim of £1500 pounds to be raised in 3 years (equivalent today as £34000). it was noted that although difficult it could be achieved through hard work and many hands.
Wilson Grinaway Scouting Centre
The Headquarters was formally named after Geoff Wilson (Group Scout Leader 1919 to 1970) and Alice Grinaway (Cub Scout Leader 1939 to 1971) who until their deaths took a keen interest in the Group.
Gosport and Hampshire camping competition
Gosport camping competition (Elles) and Hampshire camping competition (Emlyn) is a yearly camping competition which is made up of many areas of camping like, camp planning, program, menu, cooking and backwards cooking.
The 7th have a very proud history (not only through our connection with Doctor Captain Emlyn) but through the hard work and time spent winning these competitions throughout the years from the 1970's to present day.