HAVE you got any old artefacts and photos for the IW Scouting Heritage Unit (IWSHU)?
The organisation is keen to hear about items that could be added to its collection.
The IW is home to the oldest scout troop in the country and by extension, the world.
“1st Newport (The Old Guard) Scout Troop was founded in 1908,” says Malcolm Cox.
“And from this proud start, our team have become custodians of 116 years of amazing Scouting History from the Island, the mainland and beyond.”
Archivists Barry Groves and Malcolm Cox are working to make their photos, documents and memorabilia accessible to us all, online at isleofwightscoutingheritage.blogspot.com, as well as through exhibitions and talks.
Material is also sent to them through the heritage unit’s Facebook group Isle of Wight Scouting Heritage.
“We’re always looking for new memorabilia,” says Malcolm.
“And we’d really like you to join us and give us an insight into any heritage information you’ve come across.
“Let’s just think about some numbers.
“There are more than 50 million Scouts in the world – 0.6 per cent of the world’s population.
“That’s about the same as the population of Italy.
“There are more than 1,400 Scouts on the Isle of Wight alone.
“The average time someone stays in Scouts is about six years, so we have many generations of ex-Scouts on the Island, too.
“There could be more than 5,000 ex-Scouts here on the Island.
“Since 1908, it is estimated that, worldwide, 500 million Scouts have made their promise.
“So just think of all the Scout memorabilia that could be tucked away in boxes in the attic.
“Don’t throw it out – please donate it to our Heritage team!
“Just pause for a moment and think: Where do all our Heritage artefacts come from?
“It’s memories of the experiences Scouts have been through.
“What memories do you have of your time in Scouting? Enough to share? Enough to make you want to find out more about our heritage?
“Enough to make you want to get involved again, and help today’s Scouts make their own memories of Scouting, to become our future heritage stories?”
With the 80th anniversary of D-Day on the horizon, on Saturday, June 8, the Heritage Unit will be involved in a Carisbrooke and Newport Heritage Centre Anniversary event at Victoria Recreation Ground.
The group will also be staging an exhibition on Scouting during the Second World War throughout August and September, and running several presentations on the history of Scouting.
You can also learn more about scouting, and in particular the Scout auxiliary units set up during the war, on the Heritage unit’s website.
“The first 116 years of Scouting have brought some amazing stories,” says Malcolm.
“I wonder what the next 116 years will bring?”
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