About us

The group has undergone a lot of changes in recent years as the village has changed. At 1st Farnsfield Scout Group, we prepare young people with skills for life. You can learn survival skills, first aid, cooking and even expedition skills that can lead on to Duke of Edinburgh Awards. It’s a great way to have fun, make friends, get outdoors, express your creativity and experience the wider world. There’s something for every young person, whatever their physical ability.

We’re talking about teamwork, leadership and resilience – skills that have helped Scouts become everything from teachers and social workers to astronauts and Olympians. We help young people develop and improve key life skills.

We believe in bringing people together. We celebrate diversity and stand against intolerance, always. We’re part of a worldwide movement, creating stronger communities and inspiring positive futures.

We’re always learning more and more about us and our group. If you were previously in the group as a young person or adult and have pictures, know some activities that use to happen, funny anecdotes, or just who the leaders were then drop us an email by going to the Contact page and let us know the information.

Our History

1940’s

1st Farnsfield Scout Group was founded in 1943 in the village of Farnsfield. Prior to this it was part of 1st Bilsthorpe & Farnsfield Scout Group located in the nearby village of Bilsthorpe. With the increase in mining and local populations Farnsfield gained it’s own group. The group initially wore green neckerchiefs and were led by the local vicar. During it’s history the neckerchief changed to half blue, and half red with a white trim. The blue trim wore on the right side. If you know when this changed let us know.

Prior to 1940 the Scouts do appear in local newspapers but we are unsure where exactly the group was based. On Tuesday 8th June 1915 the Sheffield Daily Telegraph wrote an article talking about local groups in the area collecting over a thousand eggs for the wounded soldiers. Farnsfield Boy Scouts, as the article writes, collected 182 eggs with local Southwell Girl Guides collecting 132. 100 plus years on the group are still helping the local community.

1950’s

During the 1950’s Farnsfield has a sea scout group, however, current day there is only a land scout group who take part in many water activities. In 1954 the scout section was led by Reverend K B Frampton and Mr John Robinson. The cub section was led by Mrs Dorothy Robinson and Mrs Ivy Roe. The group even had it’s own animal mascot called Ben. Ben was a dog owned by Mr and Mrs Robinson.

1960’s

Little information is known on the group between 1960’s and 1980’s. It is believed Mr John Robinson continued to lead the scout section and Mrs Dorothy Robinson ran the cub section. If you know any further information get in touch.

1970’s

No information known.

1980’s

In 1986 the Group Scout Leader was John Webb. This century saw the group develop further with it’s very first Beaver Scout Colony opened in 1986 by Mrs Jenny Elston. Assistant Leaders were Mrs Nicky Fordyce and Nora. Some of the first Beavers were Peter Cracknell and Graham McCabe. Graham being the first Beaver to move upto Cubs in 1988.

1990’s

In the nineties, John Webb continued to be the Group Scout Leader with the scout section leaders being Mr David Bell and Assistant Mr Tom Reddy. Beavers was Mrs Jenny Elston. Mr John Cobbley was also a leader but it is not known what section he volunteered in or the number within the group at that stage. Do you know? Let us know.

2000’s

During the millennium Farnsfield Scouts prepared a time capsule, which was placed in the Church Tower of St Michael’s church in Farnsfield. This still resides there today.

2010’s

The group had a revival during the 2010 decade. Mrs Karen Ashwell was Group Scout Leader for the early part of the decade where the group rose to 50 members. From 2015, Mr Chris Blockley took over as Group Scout Leader. The Cubs celebrated 100 years of being founded with a special year of activities. In January 2017 a new Beaver Colony was opened to meet demand by Mrs Helen Blockley. Later in February 2018 a second Cub pack was opened on a Thursday by Mrs Emma Turner. 2018 saw the group celebrate its 75 years of Scouting in Farnsfield. With the population size the group continued to rise during the decade with 2019 seeing the group hit the largest amount of adults and young people in the millennia with 145 (and 48 on the joining list).

2020’s

In the twenties the membership of the group continued to rise with 160 adults and young people being involved in the group. In February 2020 the second Scout Troop was opened by Mrs Nicky Downer. The Beaver section celebrated 35 years of Beavers by inviting the first Beaver Scouts and Leaders along for a party. On 17th May 2021 Farnsfield’s first Explorer Scout Unit was opened by Miss Samantha Freeman with assistants being Sarah Windibank and former Farnsfield Scout, Richard Sneade.