History of 2nd Coatbridge Scout Group

No one exactly knows who and when the first troop was formed but many troops claim they were the first to start but without any records we will never know!

The session meeting in Dunbeth church, Coatbridge clearly shows in their minutes of October and November 1907 that there was a concern as to the number of boys leaving the boys brigade section to get involved in this alternative youth movement being proposed and organized by Baden-powell which proves our claim in starting during 1907. Addie Biggar maintained and noted his concern in the log books that we should have been called 1st Coatbridge and not 2nd Coatbridge since we were the first Group in Airdrie and Coatbridge on checking with Gilwell records who have no proof prior to the 1st World War 1914-1918. The following information confirms Addie's suspicions.

2nd Coatbridge registration number 3110 - 1/10/19

1st Coatbridge registration number 3109 - 8/09/20

Why the difference in numbers when you check the date. Were the original records destroyed during the war or did scouting take off in such a big way they couldn't keep up?

A list of troops who claim they started in 1907, including 2nd Coatbridge can be found here.

Throughout the years 2nd Coatbridge have had many traditions which are still in place to this date. The troop have an annual Christmas dinner, where the scouts, leaders and invited guests all participate. The dinner consists of steak pie, potatoes & veg with the desert being christmas pudding (burnt) and custard. Anyone who attends the dinner arrives and prints their right thumb print on a sheet of paper and sign their name at it, this is proof of attendance. The statement reads:

"To right hand thumb print is here appended to prove all time that I attended"

2nd Coatbridge scout group are known and recognized by their neckie and high standards. The colour of the neckie, which in past years had changed shade should be gold with a black border but now is more like orange with a black border, this is due to changes of colours within the scout shop.