Peterborough History
Scouting in Peterborough since 1910

Peterborough District History 

Scouting in Peterborough first began in June 1910, when three troops were registered to the district 'The Soke of Peterborough.' These groups were located at The Kings School, Walton and Barnack, Ufford & Bainton.
On 8th November 1912, The Soke of Peterborough was divided into two districts - 'West Soke Association' and 'Peterborough Association.'
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By 1914/15 the two districts had re-joined again, this time incorporating the Norman Cross association too and known only as 'The Soke'. Scouting continued throughout the First World War and a total of 203 members served in the forces, with all but 25 returning home safely. 
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During the Second World War, Scouting in Peterborough was still active, but the number of groups across the city varied due to leaders going on war service. In 1946 those leaders returned and the number of groups in 'The Soke' district stood at 17.
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In 1965, a new Scout county was formed, known as 'Huntingdon and Peterborough,' and alongside this 'The Soke' became 'The District of Peterborough.' As Scouting continued to grow in popularity, Peterborough then split in to two districts - 'Peterborough North' and 'Peterborough South.'
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Again, in June 1977 the decision was made to further split the districts in Peterborough, forming three separate districts known as 'Fitzwilliam,' 'Hereward' and 'Nene.' There districts were then in place for over 20 years, until further changes were made to the structure on 1st April 1999. At this time, the decision was made to merge 'Fitzwilliam' and 'Hereward' districts which became 'Medehamstede.'
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Finally, in 2017 the decision was made that to make a more effective and collaborative Scouting provision across the city it should be returned to work as one unified district and the 'Peterborough' district was officially formed on 1st October.
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Civic Honours

On the 11th October 2006, the 17th Nene (The Hamptons) Scout Group along with all the other Scout Groups from Peterborough, within Medehamstede and Nene District, were given the highest honour from the City when we were given the Freedom of the City of Peterborough. This is the first time that any Scouting Group/District/County has been so honoured in this way.
At a Peterborough City Council meeting held on Wednesday 11th October 2006 the Council resolved:
"That we, Peterborough City Council hereby confer the honorary freedom of the City upon The Scout Movement in Peterborough with the intent that they shall henceforth be permitted to proceed at their will through the City on ceremonial occasions in uniforms and with colours flying"
Motion from Councillor J. Peach (Leader of the Council)
Seconded by Councillor C. W. Swift OBE (Freeman of the City)
The Freedom of the City was presented to Martin Hall (Divisional Commissioner - Medehamstede & Nene District 2005-2007) on behalf of Peterborough Scouting at the Annual St. George's Day Parade and Service on the 22nd April 2007 by Councillor M. Todd (Mayor of the City of Peterborough 2007-2008).

​To mark this historic event a tree was planted in Peterborough City Park and each District added the freedom of the City to their District Badges.
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Since 1st October 2017 members of the Peterborough Scout District hold the Freedom of the City of Peterborough after the merger of the two Districts.
Freedom of the City badge from
11th October 2006 to ​1st October 2017
Freedom of the City badge 
​from 1st October 2017 onwards

Chief Scouts - UK

1907 - 1941
Lord Robert
​Baden-Powell
1941 - 1945
Lord Arthur
​Somers-Cocks
1945 - 1959
Lord 'T. Corbett' Rowallan
1959 - 1971
Lord Charles
​Maclean
1972 - 1982
Sir William
​Gladstone
1982 - 1988
Major-General Michael J. H. Walsh
1988 - 1996
Sir Garth ​Morrison
1996 - 2004
George Purdy
2004 - 2009
Peter Duncan
2009 - 2024
​Bear Grylls
2024 - Present
Dwayne Fields

A History of Our Peterborough District Commissioners &/or District Lead Volunteers

Each Scout District is headed up by a District Commissioner, over the Peterborough Scouting history has had different people volunteering in this role; 

Peterborough District
(2017 - present)
2022 to Present    T. Law (District Lead Volunteer from November 2024)
2019 to 2022         J. Smith & L.Spencer (Joint DC’s)
2017 to 2019         J. Smith

Medehamstede District
​(2000 - 2017)
​2016 to 2017          J. Smith 
2015 to 2016          R. Fullicks 
2014 to 2015          M. Hall (Acting)
2013 to 2014          A. Moore
2008 to 2012          C. Pallister
2007 to 2008          T. K. Watson (Acting DC)
2000 to 2007          M. Hall (Divisional Commissioner 2005 / 2007)

Fitzwilliam District
​(1977 - 2000)
​1999 / 2000         ​M. Hall   
1992 / 1999         N. Drewett 
1990 / 1992         D. Marrington (Acting DC)
1984 / 1990         K. M. Doughty
1982 / 1984         M. Gentle
1977 / 1982         R. K. Taylor

Hereward District
​(1977 - 2000)
​1996 / 2000         ​M. Hall
1988 / 1996         A. C. B. Packer    
1977 / 1988         R. D. Ward

Nene District
​(1977 - 2017)
​2016 to 2017         Vacant
2013 to 2016         ​A. Sadler
2012 to 2013         Vacant
2007 to 2012         T. K. Watson 
2005 to 2007         M. Hall (Division)
2004 to 2004         J. Hogg (Acting)
1997 to 2004         T. K. Watson
1995 to 1996         S. Russell
​1987 to 1995         T. K. Watson
1984 to 1987         Rev. P. Gilding
1977 to 1984         D. A. V. Cook

Peterborough District
(1966 - 1977)
Peterborough North District ​(1968 - 1977)
​1975 / 1977          R. K. Taylor 
​1973 / 1975          G. B. Cooper          
1968 / 1973          E. V. Fletcher          
Peterborough South District ​(1968 - 1977)
​1973 / 1977         D. A. V. Cook 
​1968 / 1973         G. R. Webb 
​Peterborough District ​(1966 / 1968)
​1966 / 1968          N. Wright 

Soke of Peterborough District
(1911 - 1966)
Soke of Peterborough District
1939 / 1966          J. Todd
1928 / 1938          Appointment Vacant
1924 / 1928          R. English
1923 / 1924          Appointment Vacant
1922 / 1923          P. C. Clarke

Soke of Peterborough ​(Eastern) District
1919 / 1922         P. C. Clarke​
Soke of Peterborough ​(Western) District
​1921 / 1922         Major Dane  D.S.O. D.L.
1919 / 1921         Major G. H. S. Fowke
Soke of Peterborough District
1912 / 1919         Appointment Vacant
​1911 / 1912         J. A. Dane Esq
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