16th Edgware was first born when a group of parents decided to break away from their predecessor unit, 11th Edgware and they began meetings in the Reform Synagogue of Edgware.
Peter Harris the original Scout Master, met weekly with his troop as Fay Abrahams & David Lyons took charge of the Cub packs. Much of the activity then remains as relevant today – camping, in particular, is still a ‘hot topic’ and the backbone of what Scouting and 16th Edgware are about. The unit moved to their current meeting place in Stanmore Synagogue back in the 1960s when the building first opened and met on Sunday afternoons.
For a time in the 60s and 70s, the cub group was so popular that there were indeed two packs, named 16th Edgware Seeonee and 16th Edgware Waingunga. Both names taken from The Jungle Book, as is the word ‘Akela’ still used by the group today to reference their leader.
Peter’s brother John took over when work didn’t allow any more time and there he remained for the next 25 years or so. The unit, both Cubs & Scouts, were now flourishing – and can boast some very well-known names amongst the community – Richard Desmond, Harvey Goldsmith, and Tony Page to name but a few! The boys even participated in shows and, as some of the well-preserved minutes suggest, were even able to turn a profit of £39! A small fortune back then!
Without question, the biggest strength of 16th Edgware has been its leadership. Both Peter & John Harris, Fay Abrahams & David Lyons, Stephen Freeman, Mark Wilson, John Serlin, Sheldon Kosky, Andrew Donn & Brenda Dresner are just some of those who were selfless in giving up hours, weeks & months of their lives to ensure that the boys had a packed and meaningful programme each week. Irving Shindler, as Group Scout Master, was also instrumental in the early years and oversaw both Cubs and Scouts.
Parents also formed an integral part of the unit. John Beer, the first Chairman, met regularly from November 1957 onwards with his Executive Committee and minutes of those meetings still exist today. Topics such as buildings, equipment, unit numbers and of course the never-ending cycle of fundraising haven’t changed too much over the past 60 years.
For many, 16th Edgware formed the roots of people’s social lives as well as learning lifelong skills with each badge earned. The weekly meetings were and still are the veins of the unit. But it’s the camps where most of the stories and friendships were made – the heart of 16th Edgware.
Peter Harris started to take the troop on camps almost every 2-3 weeks, main camp usually fell over the May Bank Holiday weekend. By the 1970’s Summer Camp was the highlight of the year. Shirley Sherman cooked a stew before each year’s camp and ‘Shirley’s stew’ became famous in NW London!
With the addition of the Beaver Colony back in the late 80’s early 90’s, 16th Edgware remained strong. Sadly, some of the units’ leaders became unwell and the early loss of Murrary in 1977 together with the sudden loss of Fay back in 1989 meant the group was also touched by its fair share of sadness.
Thankfully, due to the dedication of the leaders and having done the job they were meant to do, 16th Edgware was never without capable and passionate leadership. Cubs who became Scouts became Leaders and the cycle continues today. Alison Jacobs (nee Sevitt) took up the reins for Cubs in 1987 and last year deservingly gained her Long Service Award. It’s a huge testament to the unit that Alison is only the 3rd person to have ever been Akela in its 60 year history.
Stephen Gafson is today in charge of our Scouts having taken over from Sam Gaus, Akela’s son, in 2013. The troop is as strong today as when it started in 1958.
Stephen, Alison and Richard together with Aimee and Ruth (and a host of amazing assistant leaders and Young Leaders) still provide the group with the same excitement, philosophy, skills & challenges as the day they first met.
Scouting is all about making a positive impact on the lives of young people and their subsequent impact in communities.
16th Edgware is responsible for exactly that! The lives of thousands of boys…now men and of course more recently in their history girls, have been forever imprinted by what the unit did for them, who they turned out to be and subsequently what they gave back.
16th Edgware is a family. One we can all be proud of.
