From Bernard Butcher

Connections to Scouting

July 17th, 2005, Bernard Butcher, whilst not an Old Boy, was directed to this site by Richard Poyser and has provided us with information about the school's scouting connections. Bernard writes:

I am President (ex-GSL) of the 35th. Derby (Markeaton) Scout Group. This was formed in about 1970 with the merger of the 35th. (Derby) St Alkmunds and the 105th. Derby (YMCA) Groups.

As you may know Ron Cook was one of the founders of the YMCA Group in 1938, and remained connected with the Group virtually until his death, as a Leader and later as one of my predecessors as President. We have a large number of photos of this Group, many of which came from Ron. Last year I wrote a history of the 35th. for its 90th Anniversary (the St. Alkmunds Group started in 1914) and sorted through hundreds of pictures. Amongst them are pictures of Ron in uniform and at camp, and also I believe some slides which are possibly Central School. I will see if I can look them out.

This picture of Ron Cook was taken in May, 1965. and shows him in his uniform as Group Scout Leader of the 105th Derby (YMCA) Group. You can tell he was then GSL from the plume on his beret, which was green with a central white stripe. The 105th wore grey jerseys instead of shirts, as shown .

I asked Bernard what he knew of the group run by Boss Swaine.

In answer to your question, the Group you refer to was the 126th. Derby (Centaurs), registered number 0075. It was formed in January, 1955, and I have been told that Ron Cook helped with the formation. I understand that it incorporated the 79th. Derby (Christ Church) Group, formed about 1929, which had become the "Sherwood" Firs Estate in 1937. It was still running in 1947. I suppose that Centaur is connected with the badge of the school.

Very little seems to be known about your old Group. If you have any other information I would be interested to know.

I am not from Derby. Came in 1963, as a Lecturer at the College that is now the University. However I do remember taking a lecture many years ago in a large lecture room with sloping floor in a school in Abbey Street. Was this the old Central School building you mention? It has long gone. [Yes, it was – Ed]