1925
The earliest known registration
A Scout Troop known as 3rd Chesham Bois was registered on 25 May 1925 with five Scouts and one leader.
The registration was stamped at Imperial Headquarters two days later, on 27 May 1925.
Since 1925
A Century of Scouting in Chalfont St Giles
From a small Scout Troop of five boys to one of the village’s most enduring youth movements — this is the story of 1st Chalfont St Giles Scout Group.
25 May 1925
Earliest known registration
Earliest known registration
1946
Post-war reformation
Post-war reformation
4 April 1964
Silver Hill Scout Centre opened
Silver Hill Scout Centre opened
Our story
More than 100 years of adventure, service and community
1st Chalfont St Giles Scout Group traces its origins back to 25 May 1925, when a Scout Troop known as 3rd Chesham Bois was officially registered with The Scout Association.
In 1927, the troop was re-registered as 1st Chalfont St Giles. Since then, generations of young people and volunteers have camped, explored, served the village, built friendships and developed skills for life.
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Registration records
Registration records
Official Scout records trace the Group’s origins to 1925.
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Newspaper archives
Newspaper archives
Reports from the 1920s and 1930s show early Scouting activity.
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Group archives
Group archives
Annual reports, newsletters and minutes preserve decades of memories.
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Local heritage
Local heritage
The Group’s story is deeply linked to village life.
Archive discovery
The records that changed our history
For many years, the Group’s known history began with the post-war reformation in 1946. Recent archive research has uncovered a much deeper story, including official registration records from 1925, newspaper reports from the late 1920s, wartime annual reports and documents showing how the Silver Hill Scout Centre was created.
Together, these records show that Scouting in Chalfont St Giles has roots stretching back more than a century.
Replace this with the 1925 registration record.
Timeline
From 1925 to today
1927
Becoming 1st Chalfont St Giles
The troop was re-registered as 1st Chalfont St Giles, late 3rd Chesham Bois. The headquarters address was recorded as Shortenills, Chalfont St Giles.
1928
First camp and early growth
Newspaper records refer to the formation of a troop committee and the troop returning from its first summer camp near Weymouth.
The first known newspaper camp report dates from September 1928.
1931
A Scout Hut in the village
Local newspapers referred to a Scout Hut and the 2nd Chalfont St Giles Scouts, showing that Scouting was already well established before the Second World War.
The relationship between 1st and 2nd Chalfont St Giles is still being researched.
1943
Scouting during wartime
A surviving annual report shows that the Group remained active during the Second World War, with Cubs and Scouts continuing despite wartime restrictions.
1946
Post-war reformation
The Group was re-formed after the war with 16 Scouts and 3 leaders. This marks the beginning of the Group’s continuous post-war operation.
1957
A vision for a new headquarters
Rapid growth meant the old hut was no longer suitable. The idea of a new purpose-built headquarters began during the Jubilee Year celebrations.
1958
The Building Fund begins
The Building Fund was launched on 1 January 1958. Fundraising included Christmas cards, calendars, Bob-a-Job Week, fairs, whist drives, public appeals and the famous Buy a Brick scheme.
1960
Silver Hill land transferred
The land at Silver Hill was transferred to The Boy Scouts Association Trust Corporation for the benefit of 1st Chalfont St Giles Scout Group.
1964
The Scout Centre opens
The new Scout Centre was officially opened on 4 April 1964 by Lord Curzon and dedicated by Rev. C. R. Warner, County Scout Chaplain.
Today
The story continues
Today, 1st Chalfont St Giles Scout Group continues to provide adventure, friendship and Skills for Life to young people across the village and surrounding communities.
The Silver Hill story
Built by the village, for the village
The Scout Centre at Silver Hill was not simply built — it was earned. For six years, families, volunteers, local businesses and supporters raised funds through fairs, Christmas card sales, Bob-a-Job Week, whist drives, public appeals and the famous Buy a Brick scheme.
The result was a purpose-built home for Scouting in the heart of Chalfont St Giles.
Opening Day
4 April 1964
Opened by Lord Curzon and dedicated by Rev. C. R. Warner, County Scout Chaplain.
The opening plaque
“Through generous support of the people of the village”
The opening plaque inside the Scout Centre records that the headquarters was erected through the generous support of the people of the village and parents and friends of the Group.
It remains one of the most important physical links between today’s Group and the community effort that created our home.
Fundraising
How the village helped build our home
Annual Fairs£800
Christmas Cards & Calendars£750
Bob-a-Job Week£350
Sales & Bazaars£350
Public Appeal£325
Whist Drives£140
The land beneath the hut
Old Mead, The Crown and the Silver Hill site
Part of Old Mead
Historic deeds refer to part of a field called Old Mead, as well as a “shop and paddock at rear”.
Cannon Brewery
The land was connected with Cannon Brewery Company Limited and the estate associated with The Crown public house.
Guides to Scouts
The Girl Guides Association Trust Corporation purchased the land in 1958. It was later transferred to the Scouts in 1960.
Ministerial approval
The 1960 transfer required approval from the Minister of Education, reflecting the legal status of the charitable trust.
The old Scout Hut
Before Silver Hill, records refer to a wooden Scout Hut behind the Parish Church, near Bowstridge Farm. It had no water supply, limited facilities and solid fuel heating — but it was home to a thriving Group.
Drum & Fife Band
The Group once had a Scout and Guide Drum & Fife Band, performing at parades, local events and national competitions.
International adventures
1960s newsletters record international exchanges and links with German Scouts.
Karting champions
The Group competed in National Scout Go-Kart Championships and achieved national success.
Air Scouts
Air Scout activities formed part of the Group’s ambitious programme in the 1970s.
Sea Scouts
The Group also operated Sea Scout activities, showing the breadth of Scouting offered locally.
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Our identity
The St Giles Hand
The St Giles Hand has long been part of the Group’s identity and appears on our scarves. A 1966 Group newsheet explains that the emblem was inspired by imagery connected to the Parish Church and the village’s St Giles heritage.
It links every current member with generations of Scouts who wore the same symbol before them.
Still being researched
The history project continues
Some parts of the Group’s history remain open questions. We are continuing to research these through Scout Heritage, local archives, newspaper records and memories from former members.
What was the full connection between 3rd Chesham Bois, Shortenills and 1st Chalfont St Giles?
Why do records refer to both 1st and 2nd Chalfont St Giles Scouts in the early 1930s?
Where exactly was the pre-1964 Scout Hut behind the Parish Church?
Do photographs survive of the Drum & Fife Band, old Scout Hut or early camps?
Archive gallery
Documents that tell the story
Add scans, photographs, newspaper clippings and old newsletters here as the archive grows.
Headquarters
Our homes through the years
1925
Chesham Bois Preparatory School
Chesham Bois Preparatory School
1927
Shortenills, Chalfont St Giles
Shortenills, Chalfont St Giles
Pre-1964
Scout Hut behind the Parish Church
Scout Hut behind the Parish Church
1964–Today
Silver Hill Scout Centre
Silver Hill Scout Centre
Help us preserve the story
We are continuing to research the history of 1st Chalfont St Giles Scout Group. If you have photographs, documents, memories or stories connected to the Group, we would love to hear from you.
