Cubs all across Norfolk celebrated the 100th Birthday of Cub Scouting last night and renewed their Cub Scout promise at 19:16hrs.
In January 1914 a pilot programme for younger boys named ‘Wolf Cubs or Junior Scouts’ was launched and 12 months later the section was 10,000 strong.
After a two-year trial it was time to decide what to do with the Wolf Cubs. In June 1916 the first Cubmasters Conference was held and the following month Lady Scoutmaster Vera Barclay, who established one of the first Cub packs in 1914 was appointed as Assistant Secretary – Cubs.
Momentum gathered; in October it was announced that the Wolf Cubs ‘…has been put on to an official standing in the Boy Scout Association’. At the end of November the Wolf Cub Handbook and Magazine were published and on 16 December a launch was held with a Wolf Cubs display at Caxton Hall, London.
Influential guests were invited to the Wolf Cubs’ display. Following a speech from Baden-Powell, guests were presented with displays of Cub activities including gymnastics and ‘good turns’, a Grand Howl and the investiture of a new Cub.
We believe that the first Cub Pack in Norfolk was 1st Thorpe which was opened in 1915 by Hazel Addiss with 32 Cubs. She was only 16yrs old then, but subsequently went on to write 15 books for Cub Leaders and Gang Shows.
In 1996 HRH Prince of Wales was an unexpected guest at the Kings Lynn Cub Cooking Competition, staying to present the awards. In 2016 his daughter in law HRH Duchess of Cambridge has followed in his footsteps by visiting 14th Kings Lynn
This article will now continue with reports from around the County.
East Norfolk
Cubs from East Norfolk celebrated the Cub Scout Centenary by coming together at the Hippodrome Circus in Great Yarmouth. All of the Cubs enjoyed a special performance of the Christmas Spectacular .
At 19:16hrs, all of the Cubs and Leaders renewed their promise surrounding the Grand Ring which was lined with flags from each Cub Pack in the District.
The promise was lead by the ADC Cubs, Linda Hansby-Patterson and the District commissioner, Jennifer Chetwynd.
Linda told me that “It had been a wonderful evening for everyone and all of the Cubs had really enjoyed themselves. The Hippodrome put on a fantastic show and were really accommodating towards all of the Cubs”
Northern Norwich District