240 MEMBERS of the 23rd Salisbury Scouts came together for a special camping trip to mark the group’s 80th birthday.

The roots of the Salisbury Scouts stretch back to just before the end of the Second World War in March 1945 – and its traditions and activities are still taking place today.

This birthday celebration paid homage to the group’s very first Scouts who walked the 11.1 miles from the Scout Hall in Stratford Road to Barry’s Field in Winterslow for the very first camp out.

As a nod to days past, the Scouts dragged an original trek cart from 1945 that their predecessors used to carry gear.

This first camping trip in 1945 involved six Scouts, two of which were evacuees who pushed their borrowed camping gear loaded into the trek cart to a field in Tefont.

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This was the 23rd’s very first camp over the Easter weekend of 1945 whilst Britain was still at war.

Camp Fire at Barry’s Field in Winterslow – Picture: Ed Halsey

80 years later, and the latest generation of the 23rd’s, made up of Beavers, Cubs, Scouts and Explorers followed in their steps for the camp out.

Group Chair Ed Halsey said: “Walking the original hand kart to Winterslow captured something of what going to camp was like 80 years ago.

“I think it made the young people reflect about the slower pace of life and perhaps of some of the hardships of wartime England.

“However, it was good to celebrate how scouting hasn’t really changed – camping, camp fires and a great outdoor adventure.’

The trek cart on route Picture: Paddy McCormack

The Scouts were joined by the Squirrel section and families as well as special guests, including past leaders who took part in scouting activities in the morning, including a cave bus, tomahawk throwing, orienteering, crafting, cooking on the fire and sports games.

240 members shared a hog roast together before cutting the 80th birthday cake.

Rachel Squire, Olwen Brockway and Hilary Lucas cutting the birthday cake Picture: Julliette McCormac

Olwen Brockway, who is a leader with the group and a former county commissioner for Wiltshire, said: “The weekend not only celebrated 80 continuous years of the group’s existence but also its founder, John Wickham who steadfastly maintained it from its beginning in 1945 (when the scouts met outside in all weathers, with no indoor accommodation) until he finally retired in 2006.

“I joined the group in 1966, when my brother was a cub and John was looking for more help, and became an adult leader on my 18th birthday, in 1968.

Tomahawk throwing with Marcus Shanley Picture: Julliette McCormac

“Although I have since held many other different roles in Scouting, I still support the group which has maintained an incredible vibrancy and given so many young people amazing opportunities.

“Adults now scattered across the world hold fond memories of John Wickham and 23rd Salisbury Scout Group.

“The celebration camp was an example of the group’s success, bringing together the present young people, their adult volunteers and many past volunteers and supporters.”