History of Scouts in Ashby

Scouting in Ashby de la Zouch and North West Leicestershire has a long history.


The 1st Ashby de la Zouch Scout troop came into being as early as 1908, a little over one year after Baden-Powell’s inaugural camp in 1907.


The records suggest our group met intermittently during the inter-war period, but we have been running continuously since 1953.

Adult Volunteers

Providing young people with a range of skills, experiences and opportunities that will help them develop as individuals and members of our community.

Sign up

Timeline

  • 1 – 8 Aug 1907:  1st ever Scout camp on Brownsea Island, Dorset, led by Robert Baden-Powell
  • 6 Oct 1908: 1st Ashby de la Zouch Scout troop formed
  • 1910:  Girl Guides formed officially by Agnes Baden-Powell
  • 7 Sep 1916:  Ashby & Coalville Scout district registered with 11 Scout troops, including 1st & 2nd Ashby. 

The District Secretary was Edith Hastings, 12th Countess of Loudoun, 20th Baroness Hastings..

  • 16 Dec 1916:  Wolf Cubs established
  • Aug 1918: Rover Scouts established
  • 1920:  first ever World Scout Jamboree, held in London
  • 19 Jan 1922: re-registered as 1st Ashby de la Zouch (St Helens), troop no. 9424
  • 1 Nov 1928: following the introduction of the group system, registered as 1st Ashby de la Zouch Scout Group, no. 6731
  • 15 Feb 1934:  re-registered as 1st Ashby de la Zouch (TOC H), no. 16029
  • 1952: Ashby & Coalville district buys the run-down Willesley estate to form New Campsite
  • 30 Sep 1953: re-started as 1st Ashby de la Zouch, no. 30855
  • 10 Mar 1956: formation of 2nd Ashby de la Zouch (Manor House), no. 32460
  • 3 Dec 1958: 2nd renamed 2nd Ashby de la Zouch, no. 34231
  • 16 Nov 1959: formation of 3rd Ashby de la Zouch (Holy Trinity), no. 34765
  • 27 Nov 1963: agreement between Shell-Mex, BP & 1st Ashby de la Zouch results in the acquisition of the site on Willesley Gardens
  • 1967: Venture Scouts replaces Rover Scouts
  • 7 Mar 1969: final re-incarnation as Ashby de la Zouch (Hastings), no. 39269, following a merger of the 3 Scout groups in Ashby
  • 14 Sep 1976: formation of 4th Ashby de la Zouch (Baptist), no. 42054
  • 1983: existing Scout Hut built
  • 1985: Beaver Scouts established
  • 20 Apr 1985: Ashby Hastings Beaver Colony formed
  • 1 Jan 1989: 4th renamed 4th Ashby de la Zouch
  • 2019: formal name change to Ashby Hastings, reflecting common usage
  • 2024: Ashby Hastings squirrel drey formed, the third in the Ashby and Coalville district