2nd Cradley Scouting History

There have been Scouts in Cradley since the movement was founded by Baden Powell.

1st Cradley ("(Lone Scouts") were formed in 1908 and considered to be the first Troop to be formed

in the Blackcountry and the first to register in Worcestershire. Two other Cradley Troops were

started in the 1930s, Windmill Hill Troop and 1st Cradley (St Peters).

Sadly, all these Troops closed down during the Second World War and there was no Scouting

available in Cradley.

In 1949, Scouting was restarted in Cradley and 2nd Cradley (St Peters) Scout Group was formed, The

Group was officially registered with the Scout Association on 6th April 1950.

New Groups could not take on the title of a previously closed group hence our title of:

2nd Cradley (St Peters) Scout Group

Throughout the 1950s, the Group was meeting at Cradley Church of England School in Church Road

Cradley. During this time The Group was actively seeking a permanent home, after a few false hopes

the group was given the chance of a lease on the recently redundant Beech Tree colliery pithead

baths in Foxcote Lane Cradley. The Pit closed in 1958.

Beech Tree Pit Baths and 2nd Cradlev (St Peters) Scout Group Headquarters.

The Group officially opened the new headquarters in 1961; it had taken nearly two years of hard

work and a considerable fund raising effort to finance all the repairs and refurbishment that was

need to make the building usable. The building was extensively vandalised after the closure of the

pit: there were no windows intact, most of the doors were missing all the electrics and water pipes

were stripped out, the list was endless : We have been here since.

During the last ten years, we have raised around £60000-00 this as allowed us to make many

improvements: which include new male and female toilets, with a disabled person's facility, a

shower room and new boy's washroom. Relocate and refurbish the kitchen area. We have improved

our security with a new perimeter fence, and landscaped our outside area. During this time, we have

raised funds for new equipment to aid our scouting activities.

We have Beaver Scouts, Cub Scouts and Scouts here at 2nd Cradley (St Peters).

2nd Cradlev (St Peters) Scout Group.

Halesowen District Explorer Scouts are also here weekly

Paul Strangwood