The History of 1st Flixton
It all started with a photo found in the H.Q. showing 1st Flixton in 1917, the photo had been used for dart practice and was covered in small holes.Intrigued by 'word of mouth' tales that the first Flixton patrol started three months after B.P's experimental camp on Brownsea Island, the writer set out on a fascinating jouney of discovery.
The picture on the right shows a copy of that picture of the 10th Anniversary of 1st Flixton Scout Group in 1917.
The picture below shows three 1st Flixton Scouts hiking near Tatton Park in 1926.
By identifying some of the boys, (now elderly) on the photo, tracking them down and talking/ corresponding with them, one name led to another.Like a pebble in a pond, the circle widened and brought details, old photos and programmes etc...
Further time was spentgoing through the old news papers in the local history sections at the libraries and walking round Flixton checking out addresses and locations. It proved to be a fascinating pastime and very worthwhile.
Eventually from an old B.P guild file, there was proof that it all started in 1907.
The history was compiled year by year, and resulted in a group history, year by year from 1907 - 1974.This was updated in 1982 after the 75th Anniversary.
The plan now is to update again in time for the 100th Anniversary in 2007.
The picture on the right shows 1st Flixton Leaders on the 75th Anniversary in 1982.
The first boys are reputed to have met around a lamp post to make their plans, following the weekly copies of B.P's 'Scouting for Boys', but the writer admits that which lamp post can not be proved!They were led by Percy Holden and called themselves the Plover Patrol.
In the archives we have the original Log Book for 1908 - 1909 and a 1909 Magazine complied by them. Their first press report appeared in the old local paper, 'Western Telegraph', on 4st September 1908.
They were there when the West Division of Manchester was formed in 1912, which became Urmston, Flixton and District L.A in 1919.They never closed during the wars - indeed in the H.Q there is the Memorial Plaque to those who gave their lives in 1914 - 1919 First World War.
