IN THE BEGINNING

In 1906 Pearsons Weekly included “The Aid of Scouting” by Lt. General R. Baden-Powell. This inspired a Syston boy, name unknown, with a pal or two, to put together ideas for putting B.P.’s theories into practise.

This eventually led to the formation, in September 1907, of the Wreake Valley Scouting Club with members drawn from villages round about.

In January 1908 the Scouting Movement was officially launched and Syston registered in February 1908. Syston became the first officially enrolled Troop in Leicestershire consisting of 12 members with two Patrol Leaders.

The Boys in the Troop needed a Scoutmaster; they accepted the offer of Mr. H. Franklin, a local bank manager. He was enthusiastic but unable to give a lot of time. He drew up a programme which was faithfully carried out, promoting the ideas of Scouting.

As part of an alternative programme a drum and fife band was started, the first Scout Band in the kingdom.

The first great National Scout Rally was held at Crystal Palace in June 1909 attended by over 13,000 Scouts from all over the Kingdom. Syston's drum and fife band was requested to parade before the chief Scout and was described in "The Scout" magazine as a first rate band.

At the Crystal Palace Rally, 70 'All Round Cords' were presented. Five of these were to Syston lads. The next award was the 'Silver Wolf'. Syston's Patrol Leader, B.J.F. Franklin, claimed the award.

The Chief had not anticipated anyone would gain this award and had only brought one badge with him, which was intended for Lord Roberts, one of England's greatest generals. His Lordship couldn't be presented so the Chief Scout said he had the greatest pleasure in presenting this to P.L. Franklin.

Therefore the Syston's went down in history as the Troop which gained the first Silver Wolf in the world.

On Easter Tuesday 1910 General Baden-Powell visited Leicester. 800 Scouts assembled in the Magazine Square and marched to the Town Hall (Municipla) Square to salute B.P. The Parade, being led by Syston Scout Band, then marched on to the Boulevard Skating Rink where an exhibition was staged of displays by various Troops. The Systons gave displays of signalling and ambulance work.

In 1911 the Assistant Scoutmaster was Mr. Henry Moore, 'Skip', and in the Spring of 1912 he took over as Scoutmaster. Mr. Franklin remained as Honorary Scoutmaster right up to his death. The membership by then was back up to 14 boys following another sticky patch and Patrol Leader C.D. Ogden was warranted as Assistant Scoutmaster.

The Above extracts are from Dorothea Wilkes book
'The First 90 Years of Scouting in Syston'
Dorothea is putting together information to add to the book, to make it up to date, and to make it 100 years of history.