Canon John Oates, vicar of Richmond, back row left, looked on in encouragement and admiration in 1978 at the brute strength required when the bells were changed. Pictured with the canon, back row are l-r: Bert Rogers, Jim Chalk, Keith Sheldon, Jim Samuels and Philip Sheldon. Front row, Richmond Crockford, left and John Ellis.
The 1st Richmond Scout Group will be celebrating their centenary in 2009 and have planned a host of celebratory events.

The group was founded in 1909 by the Reverend Claude Beckwith who was curate in charge at Saint Matthias Church and Henry Dalgarno Robinson, a well known local gentleman at Richmond Parish Church, St Mary Magdalene. The group formed an active part of the community for all these years. Originally it was a sponsored group of St Matthias Church, Richmond and the group attends church parade there every year.

In 1978 the 1st Richmond Service Crew replaced the bells at the St Mary Magdalene Tower in Richmond. This was a mammoth task involving removing all bells, taking down and renewing the substantial iron bell frame with the use of ropes and pulleys and reassembly. In the early 1980s the group was destined to be closed down but new leaders emerged and it has gone from strength to strength. They now have more than 120 members in ages ranging from six years to 18 years plus many trained leaders. It is now the largest scout group in Richmond.

Now they want to contact and invite past members to the reunion which is planned for June 2009.

Please contact Natalie Nesbitt on 07946 351 189 or email firstrichmondscouts @yahoo.co.uk.