Group History - 1st Newport (The Old Guard)

1st Newport has several claims to fame:

It is the oldest continuously operating Scout Group in the UK and therefore in the World. Find out more about this story elsewhere in our blog here.

Members of 1st Newport took on wartime duties in both WWI and WWII and is entitled to add the phrase "The Old Guard" to its' Group name.

Here are some odd stories about 1st Newport (newest addition first):

Cartoon

Barry recently discovered this cartoon from the County Press.

Band

The 1st Newport IW Scout Group (The Old Guard) band marching through their home town in the spring of 1972. The band featured heavily in the 'Scouting 73' Annual and also in the Scouting calendar for 1973 and this was taken on the day of the photo shoot for both publications. Whilst not exclusively a Scouting Skill many of the top youth marching bands of that era were actually Scout bands. Unfortunately, not too many still around these days.

This photo was taken in Shanklin Bus Station in February 1969 on the occasion of a Royal British Legion parade. It was freezing cold so the original, smart uniforms did the drummers and buglers no favours whatsoever. These two drummers are still active in Island Scouting.

1st Newport IW (The Old Guard) Scout Band - St Georges Day Parade in Shorwell 1964.

60th Anniversary Parade

1st Newport - 11/02/1968 - This church parade was held on the closest Sunday to 60 years from the original date of the formation of the 1st Newport IW Scout Group (The Old Guard) - the 8th February 1908. I was on parade myself with the Wolf Cub pack. Other Scout Groups were invited to take part - hence there being Sea Scouts in the photos - along with any 'Old Scouts' who wished to march. This explains the gents not in any sort of uniform. By this time the band were National Scout Band Drum and Bugle Champions and the Director of Music - Captain A.E. Hollowell A.R.C.M. - penned an original march entitled 'Diamond Jubilee' which was played by the band for many, many years. There were also a number of other Scouts and Guides who didn't march in the parade but took part in the service which was held at St. Thomas's Church. More information is available in the Group Archive.

Flags

The Scout Group have in their possession their two original ‘formal’ standards which we now know to be of significant international Scouting importance. The 2 flags date back to approximately 1909 and were, until early 2018, 'laid up' in St. Olaves Church, Gatcombe, where they had been since May 1965.

We will be adding more information to this page as resources become available. Can you help or do you have any information we can add? if so, please contact us via our Facebook group, here.