A Little History
A long time ago...
The 31st Croydon Scout Group was formed at the Shirley Methodist Church in about 1932 under Mr. Morgan and was then known as the 75th Croydon. It continued to function until the end of 1936, although in 1933 they were given a new number in the re-allocation and became the 31st Croydon (2nd Shirley). In October 1937, by forming a Cub Pack under the then District Cub Master Mr. Winning, the 31st Croydon re-started. Later on in 1938 a Scout Troop under Mr. Nightingale was formed.
A further account of the groups history and more photo's can be found by clicking here.
The origin of our tartan scarf
In August 1936 the 31st Croydon Scout Group, under Mr. Winning, went on a cycling tour of the Trossachs - Edinburgh - Glasgow - Loch Lomond etc. Whilst camping at the Glasgow Scout camping ground at Auchengillan, they became very friendly with Mr. Whitelaw, the camp warden. Suffice to say that on leaving the camp site they were all wearing tartan scarves of the Campbell of Argyll, the Clan of which Mr. Whitelaw was a member. This was instead of their normal scarves of Green & Gold.
On returning home permission was granted by the then Imperial Headquarters and the Scottish Authorities for the group to adopt the Campbell of Argyll tartan as the Group Scarf. Shortly after this event there was a misunderstanding with the Methodist Church, so we believe, and the Group broke up with some members joining the 1st Shirley, St.Johns Group.
However, early in 1938 after St. George's Church was consecrated, Mr. Nightingale started a group sponsored by the Rev. Willis, Vicar of St. George's, and took over the old number of 31st Croydon, 2nd Shirley, which was vacant at that time. Mr. Nightingale contacted Mr. Winning who told him all about the scarf and permission was granted for them to continue to wear it.
The period during the war years becomes a little cloudy. Mr. Nightingale joined the army and until Mr. Knife came on the scene in 1942, the Group was run by the junior officers. Mr. Knife ran the Troop after the war and Miss Dartnell ran the Pack.
The HQ wasn't built in a day
In 1968 due to pressure on the use of the church hall and its limitations on the group, which had in recent years 
increased at an alarming rate, permission was applied for a grant to build our own H.Q.
The Chairman of the Group Committee, Mr. G. Brown and Mr. Ken Metcalf (GSL), reached an agreement with the church. We gained our grant and together raised our share of the building costs.
Work on the site started in early 1972 with regular working parties of Scouts and Parents digging trenches and erecting shuttering, once the site was cleared by a Bulldozer. It is noted that the novice Bulldozer driver, a parent contact, had a few near misses with the surrounding buildings. With advice from Wally Greenfield and expert help from two committee members, Alan Kemp and Ron Spanner, the basic site work was completed. Mr. Watkins, another parent, organised the concrete and the base slab was laid.
The shell was erected by Compton Sectional Buildings, closely watched by Alan Kemp. The Internal work was completed with materials scrounged by Bob Wright, friends and parents. This variety can easily be seen at the kitchen end.
Bob Wright, a Scout Leader from 1966 and GSL until 1996, was awarded the Chief Scout’s Commendation in 1973 for his efforts during the building work.
So, with some very hard work and enthusiasm from all those involved, the H.Q. was officially opened by Ralph Reader, the great ‘Scout Gang Show’ organiser, on the 2nd June 1973.
..and up to today.
After the headquarters was built the Group expanded forming a second Cub Pack and, for some time, a very successful Venture Unit. In 1990 we formed our first Beaver Colony and it has been highly successful ever since, so much so that we now have two. The H.Q. also provides a base for the Guides and Sunday School to hold their meetings.
