By Hazel Boyes
After 20 years, 1st Filton Scout group is saying a fond farewell to one of its most influential leaders.
John Cahill is handing over the reins as trustee and group lead volunteer (previously group Scout leader) as he retires from Scouting this Easter.
John first became involved with the Scout movement in 1992, when he attended the AGM of 204th Bristol, the group his son was in.
After volunteering to help on the parent rota, little did he know that this would lead to a 33-year involvement in Scouting.
Within six months, John was leading the Scout troop.
Another 12 months on, he was the group Scout leader (GSL). An eventful few years followed as the group failed to find a permanent home and had to move from place to place.
This, and other factors, led to dwindling numbers before the group closed permanently in 2005.
This may have been the end of 204th Bristol, but it was not the end of John’s journey in Scouting — the next adventure was only just the beginning as he, along with a few of the remaining leaders, moved just down the road to 1st Filton.
Over the next few years, John represented the group in various guises – a GSL, chair and treasurer as well as leading all of the different sections.
During this time, the group hit an all-time low with just 18 young people and three leaders. With very little money to survive on, the group nearly folded on more than one occasion.
In 2011, things began to look up as a new chair, treasurer and secretary were found. With a sound structure in place, the group could begin to grow.
By the end of 2019, the group had nearly 80 young people, but John was still multi-tasking, leading or supporting across 1st Filton.
After a brief hiatus during the Covid pandemic, the group once again began to grow.
John facilitated the opening of new Beavers and Cub sections to accommodate the increasing numbers. He was kept busy leading both sections, as well as often stepping in to help at Scouts and overseeing the smooth running of the group as a whole.
In January this year, the Scouting census recorded 118 young people and 26 leaders in the group.
And now, a new Scout section is needed to accommodate the number of Cubs moving up.
Scouting highlights
When asked about the highlights of his time in Scouting, John recalls some of the early Scout camps that he was involved with. He said: “My first Scout summer camp was in August 1992, a farmer’s field overlooking Sand Bay. Unfortunately, it was one of those years when a hurricane/tornado went up the Bristol Channel. The camp was destroyed – large marquee broken, troop tents torn apart and scattered across the field. We abandoned camp.
“My second Scout camp was Easter the following year. Lovely farmer’s field at Cymdu in Wales. Unfortunately, Wales was struck by a snowstorm. More troop tents destroyed. The Scouts loved it as they got to sleep in the Land Rover.
“Millennium camp was an Avon county camp at Tyntesfield Estate … probably around 4,000 young people and adults.
“It rained continually before and during the camp – classic pictures of kids in puddles up-to-and-over their welly boots. It was eventually abandoned and, typically, when parents came to pick up their children, the sun was shining.”
Fortunately, Scout camps were not always so disastrous, although John did recount another memorable event: “One summer camp we took all of Saturday to transport and put up the tents and marquee. The next day, we had a visit from the farmer who said we were camping in the wrong field!”
These events did not put John off taking the young people away on camps and over the years he has spent many nights under canvas.
Fortunately, the weather was kind for once last September for John’s final group camp. He said: “My final camp at Woodhouse was the largest I had ever taken away – around 100 young people from 1st Filton plus 20 adults … and the sun shone.” A fitting end to Scouting nights away.
Sharing some final words, John highlighted the support from Filton Town Council and the local community. He added: “1st Filton have been very fortunate over the last few years with the fantastic support from Filton Town Council and local councillors. This has enabled 1st Filton to improve the hut which in turn has enabled the Group to grow and accommodate the young people we currently have.”
Without a doubt, 1st Filton would not be where it is today if it wasn’t for the hard-work and dedication of John.
Over the years, he has given thousands of hours to both the group and to Scouting in general.
A generation of young people in Filton have grown up knowing him as Akela — their Beaver, Cub or Scout leader. As a group, we would like to say a massive thank you to him for all he has done.
To send a message of thanks to John, email secretary@1stfiltonscouts.co.uk.