2nd Ruislip (St Martin’s) Scouts

The St Martin’s Ruislip Scouts Group, later renamed 2nd Ruislip (St Martin’s), had its first meeting on 26 May 1931, led by Scoutmaster Jack Puttick. Early success soon led to adventurous Summer Camps being held on Jersey and in the Scillies at a cost of £l . 2s .6d. (£1.12 1/2p) for two weeks. Initially meetings were held in the ‘Tin Tab’ in Bury Street. A wooden building in Station Approach (where Kings Lodge, formerly Times House, now stands) was acquired and later moved to Ladygate Lane. This was replaced by a larger wooden structure. Uniform, in these early years, was blue shorts, khaki shirt and grey scarf.

9th Ruislip Scouts

It was ten years after the birth of the 2nd, when in 1941, Tom Garratt (who had founded the 2nd Rayners Lane), moved to Ruislip and started the 9th Ruislip. Uniform was blue, possibly due to the shortage of khaki. Various garages, Ruislip Common Methodist Church, the Guide HQ, and the 1st Ruislip HQ were all used as meeting places. Standards were set when the Ninth won the District Camping competition in its first year (1942). By 1948, a wooden HQ was being built on the site of a Wardens Post at 18 St Catherine’s Road.

2nd/9th Ruislip Scouts

The 2nd and 9th continued to expand and meet in (friendly) rivalry until in 1967 when Doc’ Lindley was given the task of amalgamating the two Groups to form one of the ‘super groups’ advocated by the Chief Scout’s plan for the 80’s. In 1967, on its first anniversary following amalgamation the 2nd/9th had a total membership of 111 boys.

A HQ fit for a ‘super group’ was envisaged but while the old building in Ladygate Lane was removed, an elm tree fell on St Catherine’s building making it un-useable. The Group was back to the ‘Tin-Tab’. The new 2nd/9th HQ was finally opened and blessed on 26th September 1977; the ‘Tin-Tab’ has since been demolished.

Move and rebuild

The Scout Hut on Ladygate Lane was cleared out and vacated on 31st January 2021, so that the land could be redeveloped. The Beavers and Cubs are currently being hosted by the Guide Hut in the Manor Farm complex, between the Great Barn and the Winston Churchill Theatre, and the Scouts are meeting at 1st/3rd’s HQ on Poplar’s Close.

The new hut will be built at 18 St Catherine’s Road and is expected to open in 2025.

Travelling and activities

Over the years 2nd/9th Scouts have visited Australia, USA, the Arctic Circle, Belgium, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Switzerland, and Turkey as well as attending events nearer home. Gliding, abseiling, canoeing, sailing on tall ships, mountain walking, and caving are some of the various activities that have been undertaken, but at all times the aim is to make possible a safe worthwhile program for all the Beavers, Cubs and Scouts who make up the 2nd/9th.