On February 9th 1971 9 Boys from the two villages met at The Peace Memorial Hall in North Bradley were they were invested as Cub Scouts by the new Akela Mrs Averil Bailey and they became the first members of Southwick and North Bradley Scout Group. Due to an increase of numbers a Scout Troop was formed in 1972 with David Ludlow as Scout Leader and then a mixed Venture Unit in 1979 with Brian Russe
ll as Leader. After using a variety of halls for all the various meetings a marvellous opportunity came in September 1978 when The Group Executive under the chairmanship of Mr Bert Payne were able to obtain a 99 year lease on The Old School Southwick Village Hall and it was officially opened by Ron Jefferies the Editor of Scouting Magazine on September 15th 1979 and it has been the Groups Head Quarters ever since. Other notable achievements have been the authorisation to have a group badge in 1983; the formation of a scout and guide band in 984 which became well known across the United Kingdom as well as in France and Germany. The formation a Beaver Colony in October 1988 and more recently the opening of an Explorer Unit. Since 1991, Girls have been able to join Scouting, that still surprise people! Over the last 50 plus years many young people have benefited from being members of what has been a very successful Scout Group which hopefully will continue for many years to come.
