The 11th St James Hill is a popular group and is run entirely by volunteers. We meet in the Scout Hut at Mere Green Road, Sutton Coldfield, West Midlands B75 5BW. We are also known as 11th Sutton Coldfield East, or 143rd Birmingham.
We offer 6 to 14-year-olds fun and challenging activities, unique experiences, everyday adventure and the chance to help others so that we make a positive impact in communities.
In November 1945 the Group was restarted as the 11th Sutton Coldfield (143rd Birmingham) with Headquarters on the site now occupied by Sainsbury’s car park adjacent to the tennis courts, entrance from Cremorne Road. At that time the group consisted of two Cub packs (8 to 11), Scouts (11 to 15), Senior Scouts (15 to 18) and Rover Scouts (18 to 25).
In 1966 Rover and Senior Scout Sections were abolished and a new section Venture Scouts was introduced (16 to 20). It was not until 1978 that the 11th had its own Venture Unit (Enterprise). Up to that time our Scouts joined District Units. In 1984 our first Girls (Young Ladies) in the Group joined the Unit.
In 1987 we opened our first Beaver Colony.
In 1986 the site our HQ was on was sold to ASDA and we had to vacate the site by August 1988. It was at that time that The Group Exec and led by the GSL (Mike Stanley) that an agreement was reached with BCC to build on and rent the land on which our present HQ stands.
During the period 1988 to 1991 the Group managed to give all sections a full scouting programme, including expeditions, camping and taking part in District competitions. Meetings were held at various locations in the area.
Our New Headquarters was officially opened on the 5th October 1991 by the then County Commissioner Graham Shaylor.
From then until the present time the Group has gone from strength to strength being the largest group in the Sutton Coldfield East District. The group consists of two Beaver Colony’s, two Cub packs and the Scout section.
Unfortunately there is no Explorer Unit, when the Venture Unit closed no leaders could be found to run a new section. This meant that the Group did not have any girls until they were introduced into the Beaver Colony’s in 2007
1910 to 1925: Scouting at Hill – (Interrupted during the first world war)
Nov. 1945: Group Restarted
1966: Rover & Senior Scout Sections abolished.
1978: Enterprise Venture Unit started
1988: Depart Cremorne Road Headquarters.
1991:New Headquarters Opened.
2007: Girls started in Beavers.
An explorer, adventurer and TV presenter, Dwayne's been seen in BAFTA nominated Channel 5 series Race to the Pole, on BBC Springwatch, Countryfile, National Geographic and Disney+.
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