The 15th Pancras Scout Association

THE mother of the last remaining scout in the early 2000s, who helped keep the Somers Town group alive, is still turning up 30 years later – but says its survival continues to face challenges.

Cynthia Ramsey, began helping out at the 15th St Pancras Scout Group, based at the Somers Town Community Association, in 1996 when her son Will was a cub.

By 2003, he was the only child left in the group, which was on the brink of closure due to falling numbers.

“It’s me, I’m the mum and I’m still here,” said Ms Ramsey, adding: “At that time, when Will was the only scout left, he had tons of scout leaders but not enough actual scouts. Even though it was just him, he loved it, loved learning new skills and was spoiled for attention.

“Scouts are a great thing to have in the area for the community. They have had a hard time finding places to go, and to see how much we have grown now makes me proud. For a lot of families that work all day, they need this – it gives parents that space, where they can do things for themselves.”

Today, instead of just one scout, the historic 15th St Pancras Scout Group, founded in 1921, has 23 children attending weekly sessions in the Ossulston Street centre, learning new skills and eager to gain badges of achievement to stitch onto their uniform.

Scout group lead volunteer Mike Whittick said that while numbers had increased, the main challenges were recruiting adult volunteers and meeting the rising costs of hall hire in the borough.

“Scouts offer a sense of belonging and I’m trying to give back what I got out of scouts. The sad thing is we’ve only got a few adults in the group, I’ve only got a scout leader and a cub scout leader. If it wasn’t for the volunteers we have we wouldn’t survive.”

Mr Whittick, who was born and raised in Holloway, has been involved in scouting since childhood and joined the 15th St Pancras scout group in 1973 after attending William Collins School in Somers Town.

He has spent 50 years running cubs and scouts across the borough.

Cynthia Ramsay began helping in 1996 when her son Will was a cub, below, as featured in the Camden New Journal at the time

Mr Whittick said: “The Scouts have massively changed since when I was a child. When I was young there were no girls in Scouts and now there are.”

The Scouts began accepting girls in 1976.

“Beavers are celebrating their 40th and Cubs their 110th anniversary this year, so we’ve come a long way.

“The training has changed, the badges have changed and the uniforms have changed. We’ve tried to become as modern as possible. And the changes are not for the worst, they’re for the best.”

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On Thursday evening, Cubs aged 8 to 10-and-a-half and Scouts aged 10-and-a-half to 14 met to work towards their digital maker badge. Sessions begin and end with a salute to the flag and the Scout honour.

“Some of the children are more disadvantaged but that is the area,” said Mr Whittick, adding: “In other groups in the borough, perhaps in more affluent areas, you would have 20 kids sign up to camp on the night, and we’re sitting here not having that situation as some parents simply can’t afford it. So we try to help out as much as possible.

“I believe you have to give every child the opportunity to go to camp.”

Ms Ramsey added. “We do have to help some families out with uniform or camp costs because many families can’t afford it. Those that need support we try to help as this place is vital.”

Will Ramsey, the only remaining Scout of 2003, is now 37 and lives in Somers Town where he runs his own courier business.

“He’s a good boy, much like his father,” said Ms Ramsey, adding: “And I’m sure the Scouts taught him a lot.”

If you are interested in joining the Scout group contact 15thstpscout­group@gmail.com