In 1989 the Group Scout Leader (GSL) was Fred Burgess and his wife Eve as Scout Leader (SL) and David Barker as Cub Scout Leader (CSL).

During this year three others joined the group, Graham Alexander who transferred from 1st Mansfield, he was a warranted leader and joined the cub sections as 'Baloo'. Also new to the cub section was Ian Clark, Assistant Cub Scout Leader (ACSL), a local man originally from Buckhaven in Fife, Scotland. Ian took the name of 'King Louis' who, as we know from the Jungle Book film, was a character. Ian was also a character, a proud Scot with a big heart. The third member to join was Steph Musgrove, who also entered the cub section as 'Bagheera'.

The Group met at St. Albans Church Hall off Old Mill Lane which was a sizeable meeting place with all amenities. The Hall was used by many community groups and active most evenings.

In 1990 the GSL Fred Burgess and his wife Eve decided to retire from scouting. Steph Musgrove was asked to take over the role of GSL by District Commissioner Patricia Henson which he accepted. At this time the Group consisted of only boys on a Cub and Scout sections.

In 1992 a third section was started called Beavers, this was formed as part of the training for Steph Musgrove the new GSL. With the new Beaver Leaders (BL) Tania Peace and her mother Dianna Bell opened the first meeting on 9th April 1992.

In 1993 Bridget Wright came to beavers with her six year old son Daniel. He became a beaver and Bridget became an Assistant Beaver Leader (ABL).

The Scout Section, then without a Leader were fortunate to acquire the services of Mansfield Fire Fighter, Steve Philips. He stayed with the group for two years when work commitments forced his retirement. Bridget Wright then took over as Scout Leader (SL). Other Leaders with the Group from this period in the 90's included…. Linda Riley (ACSL) Barbara Clark (ACSL) Carroll Cantrell (ACSL) Gary Brotherhood (SL) Tony Collins (SL) Simon Sweeney (ASL) Glenys Evans (BSL) In 1997, following the Groups decision to have mixed sex groups, Rebecca Collins became the first girl to join the group. It was in March 1997 that, sadly, we lost Ian Clark (King Louis) to heart surgery which he failed to pull through, he was 49. In his memory, an oak tree was planted on the Cemetary at the rear of Birchlands, Forest Town. King Louis remains a name missed within the Group.

The current leaders can be obtained through the website.

1st Forest Town Scout Group are very active within the Mansfield District and have been on many International Camps as part of a regular programme since 1998.

• Sherwood 1998, Walesby, Notts a gathering of some 10,000 scouts and Guides from all over the world
• Poacher 2000 at County Showground Lincolnshire
• Tolmers 2001, Scout Activity Centre, Cuffley, Herts
• Encounter 2002 at Crosby, Liverpool
• Red Rose 2004 at Waddecar Scout Camp, Preston, West Lancs
• Nailer 2006 at Towcester Racecourse, Northants
  

We are celebrating our 25 years as a group during 2006 and we will continue to build on what we have achieved over the next 25 years.
If you have any further information on the group please contact our Group Scout Leader

groupleader@1stforesttownscouts.org.uk