We’re going to a new home!

In September 2026, an exciting change will be occurring at Weston Green Scouts.

Following recent discussions between Weston Green and Hinchley Wood scouts, we have agreed to merge the two groups from the September term.

Why

There is a natural match between these two small neighbouring groups.

Hinchley Wood scout group has a fantastic HQ located on Lynwood Road, with a built-in activity centre (rifle range, climbing wall, etc.) and lots of storage space. They are well supplied with vehicles, equipment and funds, but have been struggling to find enough adult volunteers to run their sections.

Weston Green scout group has been meeting for the last 30 years in the shared rented space of the Church Hall. The lack of our own hall and storage space has limited us on the types of activities we can run and makes life harder for our leaders. We have also struggled in the past to keep the group fully staffed, but we currently have a strong and experienced team of leaders.

Together we believe we will be bringing the strengths of both groups and will be able to offer excellent scouting opportunities in the local area for both the current and future members. The larger catchment area of the combined group should make it easier to recruit young members and adult volunteers.

What

From September we will meet at the current 1st Hinchley Wood HQ on Lynnwood road. Meeting days and times will remain the same, apart from Cubs which will now start slightly later. Most of the leaders will be the familiar 1st Weston Green teams. Nick Fisk, who has led gthe Weston Green team for the last four years will be leading the new combined leader team.

• Beavers: Mondays, 6–7.15pm
• Scouts: Mondays, 7.30–9pm
• Explorers: Mondays, 7.30–9pm (shared use of the hut with Scouts)
• Cubs: Thursdays, 7–8.15pm

The merged group will be officially be known as “Hinchley Wood & Weston Green Scout Group”, but we are working on a more catchy short name to be used day to day.

As a reflection of our coming together we will be supplying new neckers, which will be striped with the two colours of our groups (Red & Orange)

But fundamentally, aside from the change of location, the day to day scouting activities will remain the same. Just that we will be a bigger, more enthusiastic group with a fantastic head quarters to run activities from.

How

In the background a lot of work will be done to merge the two groups, including migration of data between OSM systems. We are hoping that we can make this as transparent as possible, but will communicate clearly if there is anything we need you to do.

Both Weston Green and Hinchley Wood leader teams, and their trustee boards, are fully behind the merger. Approval has already been sought from both the Esher District and Surrey levels of scouting and both have shown enthusiasm for the plan.

Work is continuing to plan out the exact steps of the merging process and we are hoping to be able to discuss further at our virtual AGM on the 14th July. However if you have any questions or concerns in the meantime, please don’t hesitate to get in touch.

The new group will be launched at 1st Hinchley Wood’s AGM on Saturday 5th September at 4pm. Complimentary food and refreshments will be available and will be an excellent opportunity to say hello see our new HQ up close.