| 'Evergreens' reunion facts | - The Evergreens intend to promote a series of local events during the period February to October, as a lead in to the Reunion of former members in October 2005
- An increasing number of former members are being contacted 鈥 often by word of mouth at present 鈥 and they will be encouraged to talk to each other and to make their arrangements to meet once again, maybe after a gap of up to fifty years in some cases
- Scouting has undergone many changes over the 75 year period and some of the old members may be surprised at those changes
- Points of contact are being established for written and electronic communication
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Douglas Berwick, the group鈥檚 leader and inspiration until his death in 1954, founded the 3rd Bromsgrove Scout Group known locally as 鈥淭he Evergreens鈥 in September 1930. A scout group with long traditions, The Evergreens has continued to provide Scouting activities for generations of local boys throughout its 75 years history. Originally meeting in a room over a shop in the town's High Street, they eventually relocated to the legendary Loft at Whitford Hall - at the former home of the Green family - and finally to their present purpose-built Headquarters at Kidderminster Road. The present leader in charge of the group, Gary Webley, has set the challenge to find any original members from 1930 and invite them to share the celebrations with the many others who were members during the last 75 years. Two of the original members still live in Bromsgrove. Harvey Banner and Bill Kings, now aged 85 and 87 respectively, have joined the Groups planning team and are actively involved in finding as many former members as possible, their current enquiries leading them as far away as South Africa, Australia and many European Countries. Harvey Banner said, "There were six founder members of the Troop back in 1930, then a further six joined including my friend Bill Kings. "When I was old enough I asked to join but Douglas, known to us all as the Skipper, said they were full! "In the end he relented and so, I became the thirteenth member of the Troop". Bill Kings continued, "Scouting really changed our lives as youngsters because as well as our work within the Troop we worked hard to help less fortunate people. "We also made many friends overseas, from Denmark and Germany and, although we lost touch during the war, it was not too long after the war ended that we became friends once again, and were mutually pursuing our Scouting aims and, once again holding International Camps". Gary Webley added, "over the 75 years of the Groups history, hundreds of local lads have learnt the art of working together as a team and using their many skills in a way that has helped them to take a leading part in the modern world. "Over the years we have seen former members progress to become professionals in their own right, to be leaders in industry, commerce, public services and the armed forces, whilst others became the backbone of the many successful businesses in which they were employed. "I continue to be amazed when I hear of former members, many generations apart, all actively using similar life skills gained through their Scouting at Evergreens".
 | | Recognise any of these 1950s Evergreens? |
He continued, "the immediate task for the Scout Group is to make contact with as many former members, leaders and supporters as possible, to determine if they wish to be a part of the reunion celebrations and, if they are, to ask them to provide details of name, address, contact numbers and approximate dates of membership. "Our database of former members is growing continually as contacts are made literally around the world". How to make contact with the 'Evergreens': - e-mail to evergreen3bsg@hotmail.com
- writing to Evergreens Reunion, c/o 2 Junction Road, Sidemoor, Bromsgrove B61 8PG.
- visit http://uk.msnusers.com/EvergreenScoutGroup
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You can link to the Evergreen Scout Group reunion page, and the Bromsgrove District Scout Council website by clicking the links on the top right hand side of this page. | 
