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St John’s (14th Farnworth) Cubs Closed in April 2017

What have we been up to?

It is with great sadness to report the death of a former (14 th Farnworth) St John’s
Group Scout Leader, Colin Hilton, on 6 th October 2019.
Colin attended St John’s School and Church. He joined the 14 th Farnworth St John’s
Cubs (there were no Beavers in those days) in 1955 and never left the Scout
Movement. He became a Scout and gained the ‘Queens Scout’ award, before
becoming St John’s Scout Leader, Group Scout Leader and Farnworth District
Commissioner.
Colin was instrumental in setting up the first ‘Beaver Colony’ in the district, at St
John’s in 1982.
Throughout his service to the movement, he organized many Gang Shows, Scout
Camps and encouraged hundreds of Scouts to work towards their scouting badges
and achievements.

St George's Day Service at St John's Church on Sunday 27th April 2014.

Beavers, Cubs and Scouts, from Bolton South with Farnworth District took part in the St George's Day Parade, which started at 2.00pm at the Cenotaph in Farnworth Park. They then paraded up Market Street, turning left onto Church Street, before being welcomed at St John Church.  The service was conducted by Rev'd Carol Pharaoh and was attended by over 230 members of the Scout movement, friends and parents.

During the service Johnny Lewis, who has been involved in Scouting for over 70 years, was presented with the 'Silver Wolf,' the highest award in Scouting, by Colin Hilton.  All the Beavers from the newly formed 12th Bolton (Rosehill) Beavers were invested.

Keith Entwistle - Leader in Charge

Thankyou to John Entwistle for the photos.

The 14th Farnworth (St John’s) Beavers, Cubs and Scouts display at the ‘Waterloo Open Weekend’ held at St John’s Church on Saturday 10th and Sunday 11th October 2015.

Our Beavers' History

St John's Beaver Colony was formed in 1983


The photographs show the group meeting in St John's School yard before they travel to Peel Park, Salford.  It was a sunny afternoon in August 1983 and the group took advantage of the weather to have a terrific time in the park.


The trip had been organized by Diane Lemon, who was one of the founders of the colony.

Beavers, Cubs and Scouts ‘Flower Festival’ Display September 2001.

The  14th Farnworth (St John’s) Beavers, Cubs and Scouts sponsored a floral arrangement, depicting the hymn ‘O Jesus I Have Promised’, at the church’s Flower Festival celebrating the 175th birthday of St John’s Church.  The event was held from Friday 7th September to Sunday 9th September 2001. 

14th Farnworth (St John’s) Scout Group

The Scout Group was very active during the year with eight Beavers, eight Cubs and five Scouts. We also had five leaders/helpers.

They were involved in a variety of activities such as map reading, knot work, cooking, crafts, first aid and a hike. However, as the year went on, numbers began to decrease and we lost leaders and helpers as well. We contacted several people who had expressed interest in joining the group but unfortunately this did not materialise.

After Christmas we were down to FIVE members with 1 leader and 1 helper.  The District Commissioner was aware of our situation and came to discuss our plight.  He reluctantly concluded that we would have to close the group, particularly as there was no ‘back-up’ committee in place.

It was with great sadness, that after so many years, 14th Farnworth (St John’s) Scout Group would close and for the first time since 1954, there will be no scout group associated with St John’s church.

Yours in Scouting,

Graham and Heather

Church Magazine May 2017

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