SCOUTING in Oxford began at a meeting in the Church Lads’ Brigade orderly room at St Peter le Bailey Church, in New Inn Hall Street, on December 8, 1908.

The rules of Scouting, set out by Robert Baden Powell, were approved and Major James was elected chairman of the executive committee of Boys Scouts (Oxford), with Bernard Henderson as secretary.

Groups of city youngsters had already shown interest after reading Scouting for Boys, the fortnightly publication written by Baden Powell, which first appeared in January 1908.

At the inaugural meeting, the boys were organised into six troops.

Troop No 1 had four patrols – Owl, Peewit, Woodpigeon and Eagle – under Scoutmaster Mr A L Watts, of Park Town, and met at Hannington House, New Inn Hall Street.

Troop No 2, with Ox and Rook patrols, met at 1a St Mary’s Road, East Oxford, with Major James in charge.

Five more troops were formed at the next meeting in February 1909.

These facts of early Scouting in Oxford come from George Springall, of Staunton Road, Headington, former chairman of Headington Scout Council.