About the Group

Situated in the heartland of west Cheshire our headquarters lies approximately 10 miles south-east of Chester city. We are a thriving, successful, rural group serving a wide area around Tarporley village, which has a local community of approximately 3,000 people. We like to put the Out into Scouting and to get involved in the local community. We hold our own Gang Show every two years, run the annual village bonfire and fireworks event, and provide support for Rotary, local churches and other local charities.

Our group, one of the largest in Chester District, consists of four sections, comprising two Beaver Colonies, two Cub Packs and a Scout Troop. In addition, our HQ is home to the "Maverick" Explorer unit. The total number of youngsters involved in Scouting in Tarporley is around 140.

We have our own headquarters which was rebuilt in 1999 as a result of receiving a lottery grant. The new building was opened by the Duke of Westminster in February 2000.

Our group has the distinction of being the oldest group in the Chester District and we are lucky enough to have records, in diary form, of the first few formative years. The St. Helens Troop (affiliated to the local parish church), as it was first called, was started for the choirboys in early 1910.

A second troop, 2nd Tarporley, was also formed around the same period. Late in 1910 the St. Helens Troop was taken over by the Rev. T.L.T. Adams. In April 1911 the two troops amalgamated. The diary was written by the Rev. Adams and they give a fascinating insight into Baden Powell scouting in the early years and through the beginning of World War I. Unfortunately book one ends in December 1915 and book two is missing! Anybody out there with knowledge of it?

Nick Oates, Group Scout Leader