Group History
A Brief History
In 1908, following on the success of his experimental camp at Brownsea Island in Poole Harbour, Robert Baden‐Powell wrote the fortnightly parts of “Scouting for Boys”. Although it was written for the purpose of providing programme ideas for established youth organisations, it was not long before boys began forming themselves into Patrols and kitting themselves out with scarves, bush hats and staves. It was no different at All Hallows Church on Tower Hill where the choirboys with their copies of “Scouting for Boys” in hand approached their choirmaster, Arthur Poyser, with the request that they wanted to be Scouts. Thus it was that on 24th May 1908, the All Hallows Scouts became the 1st City of London – the first Troop of the world’s first City. Since then the Group, as it was to become in due course, has had its ups and downs. Before the First World War, numbers reached 160, by 1929 when the Group was 21, the Troop numbered 32 and the Pack 24, plus a large team of Scouters. At the end of the Second World War, numbers were very low. The Group had lost its Headquarters at 22 Tower Hill to a flying bomb. Nevertheless, a small band of adults rejuvenated the Troop and ensured continuity, which has led to today’s Group consisting of a Beaver Colony of 20, a Cub Pack of 30, a Scout Troop of 30, an Explorer Unit of 8 and a leadership team of almost 30.
Legend has it that 1st City was in fact the second Group to be set up in England. The original troop members wore two lanyards – one with a whistle and one with a knife. An example of the latter has recently come to light and has been donated to the Group.
The choirboys of All Hallows, in addition to being the Scout Troop, were also the Lord Mayor’s Players and Singers (founded 1905). We have many examples of the plays and shows they put on. Arthur Poyser also wrote and published the first Scout Song Book (first published in 1912) – an example is in the Group Archive, and signed by Mr. Poyser. In addition, he wrote a Marching Song for the Group. In 1920, the Lord Mayor’s Own Players supplied the musical programme (together with Dame Nellie Melba and Arthur Rubinstein) at the Albert Hall, with Arthur Poyser conducting. In fact the original “Boy Players” were founded in 1419 by Henry V, and they came to the City of London when Richard Whittington was Mayor. They were disbanded in 1609, and did the comeback of all comebacks in 1905. Given that apparently the vast majority of the Lord Mayor’s Players and Singers were members of the choir and the Troop as well, we feel there is merit in claiming our birthday as three years earlier!
In 1908, following on the success of his experimental camp at Brownsea Island in Poole Harbour, Robert Baden‐Powell wrote the fortnightly parts of “Scouting for Boys”. Although it was written for the purpose of providing programme ideas for established youth organisations, it was not long before boys began forming themselves into Patrols and kitting themselves out with scarves, bush hats and staves. It was no different at All Hallows Church on Tower Hill where the choirboys with their copies of “Scouting for Boys” in hand approached their choirmaster, Arthur Poyser, with the request that they wanted to be Scouts. Thus it was that on 24th May 1908, the All Hallows Scouts became the 1st City of London – the first Troop of the world’s first City. Since then the Group, as it was to become in due course, has had its ups and downs. Before the First World War, numbers reached 160, by 1929 when the Group was 21, the Troop numbered 32 and the Pack 24, plus a large team of Scouters. At the end of the Second World War, numbers were very low. The Group had lost its Headquarters at 22 Tower Hill to a flying bomb. Nevertheless, a small band of adults rejuvenated the Troop and ensured continuity, which has led to today’s Group consisting of a Beaver Colony of 20, a Cub Pack of 30, a Scout Troop of 30, an Explorer Unit of 8 and a leadership team of almost 30.
Legend has it that 1st City was in fact the second Group to be set up in England. The original troop members wore two lanyards – one with a whistle and one with a knife. An example of the latter has recently come to light and has been donated to the Group.
The choirboys of All Hallows, in addition to being the Scout Troop, were also the Lord Mayor’s Players and Singers (founded 1905). We have many examples of the plays and shows they put on. Arthur Poyser also wrote and published the first Scout Song Book (first published in 1912) – an example is in the Group Archive, and signed by Mr. Poyser. In addition, he wrote a Marching Song for the Group. In 1920, the Lord Mayor’s Own Players supplied the musical programme (together with Dame Nellie Melba and Arthur Rubinstein) at the Albert Hall, with Arthur Poyser conducting. In fact the original “Boy Players” were founded in 1419 by Henry V, and they came to the City of London when Richard Whittington was Mayor. They were disbanded in 1609, and did the comeback of all comebacks in 1905. Given that apparently the vast majority of the Lord Mayor’s Players and Singers were members of the choir and the Troop as well, we feel there is merit in claiming our birthday as three years earlier!
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