Scouting in North East England

Scouting in North East England refers to Scouting in the official region of North East England. It is largely represented by the Scout Association of the United Kingdom and some groups of traditional Scouting, including the Baden-Powell Scouts' Association, and the European Scout Federation (British Association).

The Scout Association North East Region includes two official regions of England, North East England and Yorkshire and the Humber. This region contains eight Scout Counties. Cleveland, Durham and Northumberland are in the official region of North East England, while Humberside, Central Yorkshire, North Yorkshire, South Yorkshire and West Yorkshire are in the official region of Yorkshire and Humberside and are covered in Scouting in Yorkshire and the Humber.[1]

Durham University Scout and Guide Group, and Newcastle Universities Student Scout and Guide Group (a.k.a. NUSSAGG, serving Newcastle University and Northumbria University), affiliated with the Student Scout and Guide Organisation (SSAGO), are in this region.[2][3] A notable Scout at Durham University was Professor John Alan Chalmers (1904–1967) who was Durham University Rover Scout Leader, Assistant County Commissioner and District Commissioner for Durham City, with his Scouting and scientific work recognised in his obituary by the Royal Meteorological Society.[4]

## History of Scouting in North East England

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The first official Scout Camp after the creation of the Scout Movement was at Humshaugh.[5][6] In 2008, Jamboree 2008 an independent Jamboree, was held near the original site to celebrate the 100 year anniversary of the first official Scout Camp.[7] A notable early Scout in Northumberland was Captain Cecil Victor 'Swannie' Swan, M.C. (1887–1964), a friend of Baden-Powell and a contingent leader to early Jamborees.[8]

## The Scout Association Counties

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The Scout Association in North East England is administered through three Scout Counties, Cleveland Scout County, Durham Scout County and Northumberland Scout County.

### Cleveland Scout County

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County badge as worn on the uniform of Scouting members in Cleveland

Map of England highlighting the location of Cleveland

Cleveland Scout County is concurrent with the former county area of Cleveland on the border between County Durham and North Yorkshire, and provides Scouting opportunities for young people and adults in the areas around Hartlepool, Stockton-on-Tees, and Middlesbrough.[9]

The county is currently divided into 5 Scout Districts.

* East Cleveland District[10]
* Tees Valley North District[11]
* Middlesbrough District
* Redcar and Eston District
* Stockton and Thornaby District

*   *   *   *   *   *

### Durham Scout County

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The badge worn by all members of Durham Scout County.

Durham Scout County covers an area corresponding with the North East Combined Authority and the borough of Darlington.[12]

The earliest record of Scouting in Durham City is 1910. At this time there were 6 Scout Groups and 140 Scouts. By 1936 there were 24 Scout Groups stretching from Waterhouses to Cornsay and Pittington. Over the years the various Scout Groups across the district have opened, closed, merged and reformed. 4th Durham Scouts were founded in their present form 1926 and 5th Durham Scouts two years later. Some signs of the Scout Groups which have now closed can still be seen in the current Group numbering system for example, 3rd Durham (founded 1953) and 6th Durham (founded 1930) merged in 1966 to become 9th Durham Scout Group. In 2006 the 1st Durham Group and 9th Durham Groups merged to form the 19th Durham Scout Group.[13] According to the 2012 Census there are currently more than 500 young people involved with Scouting in Durham City and District.

The county is divided into 14 Scout Districts:

* Bishop Auckland[14]
* Blaydon and District[15]
* Chester-le-Street
* Crook and Weardale
* Darlington and District[16]
* Derwentside[17]
* Durham City and District[18]
* Gateshead and District[19]
* Houghton-le-Spring and District[20]
* Peterlee
* Seaham and District
* South Tyneside[21]
* Sunderland[22]
* Teesdale

At the 2012 Census there were over 5,500 young people involved in Scouting in Durham County being supported by over 1,000 adults.[23]

### Northumberland Scout County

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Map of the UK highlighting the location of Northumberland

Northumberland Scout County covers the historic county of Northumberland.[24] the county has introduced an award for Groups, to give them goals and create a more efficient and better group. The award "The County Standard" is gained by achieving a number of goals/targets published every year by County. 2nd Seaton Delaval Scout Group was the first to achieve this award.

The county is divided into ten Scout Districts:

* City of Newcastle (Great North & Newcastle East Districts combined in 2012)
* Benton District
* Blyth Valley District[25]
* Castle Morpeth District
* Hadrian District[26]
* Mid-Northumberland District
* North Northumberland District[27]
* Tynemouth District[28]
* Wansbeck District
* Whitley Bay and District[29]

Northumberland Scout County organises Caud Marra, an annual winter camp at Hawkhirst Scout Activity Centre in Kielder Forest for the Scout section, and fun days for Beavers.[30][31]

## Campsites

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The Cleveland Scout Association County Camp Site is Raven Gill Campsite.[32] Stockton District's campsite is "Pybus".[33] 'Seeonee Lair' (Kettleness) Activity Centre is the responsibility of East Cleveland Scout District.[34] Moor House Adventure Centre is run by Durham Scout Association County [35] and licensed by the Adventure Activities Licensing Scheme.[36]

Several camping and indoor accommodation sites are available within Northumberland.[37] These include the Ford Scout Campsite and Powburn Adventure Centre].[38][39]

Former Scout Campsites within the North East Region: Gosforth Park was situated close to the race course in Newcastle.[40]

## Gang Shows

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* Blyth Valley Gang Show started in 1992.[41][42]
* Middlesbrough Gang Show, started in 1950, runs every two years.[43]
* Newcastle Gang Show is the second oldest Gang Show in the world, having been started in 1937. It closed in 1992, but resumed in 1998.[44]
* Tynemouth Gang Show, started in 1947, runs every two years.[45]
* WYS On Show is West Yorkshire Scout County’s Gang Show and runs every two years. [46]
* Whitley Bay Gang Show.[47]

## See also

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* Scouting portal

* Scouting sections
* Scouting staff
* Girlguiding North East England

## References

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1. ^ Scout Association North East Region
2. ^ Durham University Scout and Guide Group
3. ^ "Newcastle Universities Student Scout and Guide Group". nussagg.ssago.org. Retrieved 10 February 2018.
4. ^ Hutchinson, W. C. A.; T. W. Wormell (1968). "Obituary Notice, Dr. J. A. Chalmers". Quarterly Journal of the Royal Meteorological Society. 94 (399). John Wiley: 121. doi:10.1002/qj.49709439922.
5. ^ "Humshaugh: - A Fortnight in Baden-Powell's Holiday Camp". "Johnny" Walker's Scouting Milestones. Archived from the original on 13 August 2006. Retrieved 26 January 2007.
6. ^ Walker, Colin (2008). The Dawn of the World Scout Movement. Write Books. Archived from the original on 17 May 2008.
7. ^ News report on Jamboree 2008 Archived 2008-09-06 at the Wayback Machine
8. ^ "Scouting Milestones - Scouting Personalities". Archived from the original on 8 September 2012.
9. ^ Cleveland County Scouts homepage
10. ^ East Cleveland District
11. ^ Hartlepool District
12. ^ Durham Scout County
13. ^ http://www.durhamcityscouts.org.uk/history.php Durham City and District History
14. ^ Bishop Auckland
15. ^ Blaydon and District
16. ^ Darlington and District
17. ^ Derwentside
18. ^ Durham City and District
19. ^ Gateshead and District
20. ^ Houghton-le-Spring and District
21. ^ South Tyneside
22. ^ Sunderland
23. ^ Durham Scout County Directory 2012-13
24. ^ Northumberland Scout County
25. ^ Blyth Valley District
26. ^ Hadrian District
27. ^ North Northumberland
28. ^ Tynemouth District
29. ^ Whitley Bay and District
30. ^ Caud Marra Online
31. ^ Hawkhirst Scout Activity Centre
32. ^ Raven Gill Campsite
33. ^ Stockton District Campsite "Pybus"
34. ^ 'Seeonee Lair' (Kettleness) Activity Centre
35. ^ Moor House Adventure Centre
36. ^ Adventure Activities Licensing Scheme
37. ^ Camping & Indoor Accommodation
38. ^ Ford Scout Campsite
39. ^ Powburn Adventure Centre
40. ^ Gosforth Park
41. ^ History of Blyth Valley Gang Show
42. ^ Blyth Valley Gang Show
43. ^ Middlesbrough Gang Show
44. ^ Newcastle Gang Show
45. ^ Tynemouth Gang Show
46. ^ "One moment, please..." Archived from the original on 20 April 2023. Retrieved 26 May 2025.
47. ^ Whitley Bay Gang Show

* v
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Scouting and Guiding in the United Kingdom

Affiliated organisations

* The Scout Association
* British Boy Scouts and British Girl Scouts Association
* Girlguiding UK
* European Scout Federation
* Baden-Powell Scouts' Association
* Scouting Ireland

Non-affiliated and Scout-like organisations

* Boys' Brigade
* Girls' Brigade
* Royal Rangers
* Pathfinder Scouts Association
* Pathfinders

Alumni organisations

* International Scout and Guide Fellowship
* Student Scout and Guide Organisation
* Scout and Guide Graduate Association

Historical organisations

* British Camp Fire Girls' Association

Countries, regions and territories

| England|

* East Midlands
* East of England
* Greater London
* North East England
* North West England
* South East England
* South West England
* West Midlands
* Yorkshire and the Humber

|

Scotland|

* Scouting in Scotland

Northern Ireland|

* Scouting in Northern Ireland

Wales|

* Scouting in Wales

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Sovereign countries|

* Saint Kitts and Nevis
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