Group History

Our Scout Group (in name anyway) has been in existence since 1909. Considering Scouting started in 1907, it could be considered an early Scout Troop. The Troop Registration documents of 1919 shows that it was registered on the 20th September 1909. The first warrant for the Troop was issued in 1912. The same registration document shows the Troop based in the town of Saltcoats. For those of you who are not local to Ayrshire, Saltcoats is about 20 miles from our home town of Ayr. At this time it registered 49 members in total, made up of 33 Scouts, 12 Rovers and 4 leaders (1 Scoutmaster and 3 Assistant Scoutmasters). The registration form highlights that the troop was "open" and highlighted that the troop was finding it difficult to secure headquarters. The Troop had an I.H.Q No. 4772.

When the Group system was introduced in 1928 the Group was registered as the 18th Ayrshire (Saltcoats) (click here to view document) with 26 members, 24 being Scouts with 2 Scouters. The Troop ID number also changed with I.H.Q registering the 18th Ayrshire with No. 2763. In 1935 a further change to the title was made to show a move of Local Association (LA). The group moved from the Northwest Ayrshire and Arran LA to Northwest, Arran and Cumbrae. This could indicate the 18th was once off the mainland!

It is possible at this stage, that the original 18th Ceased to exist and the name 18th Ayrshire was then used by a newly formed Group. Although no evidence is available to either confirm or deny this, it is worth mentioning at this stage, as the next section could have been a new group emerging using the 18th Ayrshire name. The sudden jump from Local Associations does support this theory, although the move highlighted above would not put it in the Ayr locality, but moving it a little bit closer!

The first sign of the group in Ayr itself was in 1949 when it was registered at Trinity Church, Ayr. We do know however, that the 18th was not the first Troop to be based at Trinity Church. As an extract from the Kirk Session Records for the time highlights, both Cubs and Scouts where in existance in the late 1920's, early 30's.

It was reported "A Troop of Boy Scouts and Cubs has now become a regular organisation of Trinity Church and it is hoped that parents will show their interest in the Troop by encouraging their boys to become Members."

(Extract from Session Report 1929, Minute book 1929 - 1942, Trinity Church, Ayr)

It is a shame however to note that prior to the 1940's this appears to be the only entry in the Church records so it is safe to assume the Troop wasn't supported by a lot of people and closed. It is also disappointing to note that the Troop name and number where not mentioned.

The first sign of a return of the 18th Ayrshire (as it was to be known) was recorded at a meeting of the West Midland LA on 10th october 1949, when it was reported that New Groups are likely to be registered at Ayr by the Salvation Army and Trinity Church. Two Months later this was a reality. Cub Scouting resumed at Trinity with the Group registering as the 18th Ayrshire (Ayr, Trinity Church) on the 16th December 1949 with the first warrant (for Cubmaster) being issued the following day. The 18th attended its first LA meeting in 1951, with the Group continuing to grow with the Scouts returning in 1952 with the Scoutmaster attending his first Local Association Annual General Meeting on 1st May 1952 and presented with his warrent 2 meetings later on 19th February 1953. Leaders continued to join (and leave!) and the Troop and Pack where joined in 1969 by a Venture Scout Unit. It is presumed that Ventures started at this time, as one of our minute books is ever so slightly lost! 

During 1970 at a committee meeting of the Group Executive, the question of building our own HQ was discussed. Although a debate on this commenced at the meeting, it is presumed it was dismissed as no further evidence of any action on this can be found, and considering we are still at the Church, it is safe to say this wasn't pursued.

The Ventures ran until 1971 at which time our census shows they ceased running at the Group. This occurred because the Ventures at this time decided to join the 100th (Alloway). Joint meetings had been held before this to test the viability of joint meetings. This was reported at a Committee Meeting during April 1971. In September of 1971 it was reported Ventures from the 18th had joined the 100th Alloway, and it would remain under the 100th Alloway name. The joint Unit had 24 members at that time. Ventures however seemed to make a comeback at the 18th in 1979 when they ran for 1 year. Evidence suggests that Ventures made a further comeback between 1982 - 1988, with Venture Unit funds being transferred to general Group funds during 1988. That was the last time Ventures would ever be part of the 18th Ayrshire as in 2003 as a result of the Programme review the Section as abolished.

The Group itself saw a period of expansion in 1971 when there were 3 Cub Packs. This was due too 2 Packs opening in the Belmont Area of the town. These Packs where affiliated to the 18th Ayrshire Group and a Troop followed shortly afterwards. Although an independent Group at Belmont was discussed, it never materialised. The Cub & Scout Sections there gradually closed, beginning with one of the Packs which joined with the one remaining Pack, after which the Troop closed around 1982 and that only left one Pack until the early 1990's when it closed. This left the Group with Sections only at St Columba.

The introduction of Beaver Scouts to the Group came about in 1987, one year after their official launch in the UK, and have ran ever since.

In 1981, three Churches in the area amalgamated. These Churches where Trinity, Sandgate, and Cathcart, and became St Columba Church. The Trinity Church Building was used as the home for St Columba, and our Group title changed again to 18th Ayrshire (St Columba), just as it is today.

Apart from the introduction of Beavers the Group saw very few changes until 1990 when an amalgamation with the 5th Ayrshire took place in 1990, and retained the same name as the 5th had in essence of fact joined the 18th, so the name remained the same.

The 5th Ayrshire was also affected when the 3 Churches amalgamated. It was based at Sandgate Church, and changed its name to 5th Ayrshire (St Quivox) in 1982. Further information on the 5th Ayrshire is avaliable here (link coming shortly)

We have remained a 3 section "Sponsored " Group since the introduction of Beavers and that is how the Group stands today. However, we have recently launched in partnership with Kyle and Carrick District Scout Council an Explorer Scout Section whic hstarts a new chapter in our Groups history. The Group are currently celbrating two birthdays this year, the first one being the Centenary of Scouting and the second, our Colony's 20th Birthday. This follows last years official Birthday celebration for the official launch of Beaver Scouts nationally.

2007 is a busy year for us and in 2009 we have no fewer than 3 celebrations:

1) Original Celebration of Establishment of Group.

2) Formation of Group at Trinity Church.

3) Cubs Celebrate their 60th Birthday.

Still lots of events to record!!

Many thanks to the Headquarters staff in the Records & Archive Section for their assistance in compiling information on our Group history. Thanks also go to Kyle and Carrick District Scout Council and Ayrshire Archives for access to documents. This is however far from comprehensive and may contain errors. If anyone has any additional information, we would be happy to hear from you.