4th Chester le Street was formed way back in 1967. Back then things looked a little different, especially Scouting! on our registration form, the Group Scout Leader was recorded as Rev Michael Banks (priest of St Cuthbert’s), Mr Bewick Brown was Cub Scout leader, and Mr Peter Weighill was an Assistant Scout Leader. That made 3 adults and 24 ‘Boy Scouts’, compare that to the 10+ adults and around 70 kids we have today! The District Commissioner approved us on 9th October 1967, and The Scout Association Headquarters officially registered us as group 38353 on 24th October 1967; remember to say happy birthday to us then!

As with all Scout groups, we grew, numbers rose year on year as Scouting become more popular, but then during the 80’s and 90’s the world changed, and Scouting wasn’t as relevant as it once was. Over the last few years though the story changed, and with a refreshed attitude, new uniform, programme and activities, 4th is one of thousands of groups across the UK and the world who are experiencing an unprecedented demand from parents and young people!