About Us

Our group was formed in early 1908 by some of the boys who had taken part in that experimental camp with Lord Baden-Powell, which led to the founding of the Boy Scout Movement.

One account of our history tells of humble beginnings, with the very first members meeting in a shack at the bottom of somebody’s garden, to read and study Lord B.P.’s guide to scouting; “Scouting for Boys”. It did not take long for the expanding patrols to outgrow the shack, so found an older person as “Scout Master” and rented accommodation in a local school. Soon came the day when they had three patrols and could officially qualify as a “Troop”. They applied for a charter and Troop flag, which was presented to them at a special ceremony at Canford Magna by Lady Wimborne, thus becoming one of, if not the first, Troop of “Boy Scouts” registered as the “1st Parkstone Troop”, later to be known as “Lady Baden Powell’s Own”.

Archives show the date of registration for the group as February 12, 1908.

That early troop formed the guard of honour at the wedding of Robert Baden Powell to Olave Soames at St. Peter’s Church in Parkstone on October 30, 1912. They also formed the guard of honour at the christening of the Baden Powell’s first child, Peter, on February 14, 1914.

Lady Baden Powell remained supportive of the group until her death in June 1977. 1st Parkstone were the only Scouts representing the Worldwide Scouting Organisation at a service of thanksgiving held for Lady Baden Powell at Westminster Abbey on September 26, 1977, with twelve Scouts and two Scouters as the guard of honour among 2000 Girl Guides.

In February 1997, members of 1st Parkstone, among others, were present at the unveiling of the limestone bust of Lord Baden Powell on Brownsea Island. On February 23, 2007 some of those members returned to the Island to unveil the bronze bust of B.P, replacing the weathered limestone bust, celebrating what would have been his 150th birthday.

We have also celebrated the group’s 100th birthday with a church service for past and present members, held at St Peter’s Church on February 10, 2008. This was followed by a display of the group’s history with photos, films, certificates, newspaper articles and personal accounts.