Celebrating 100 Years of the Westbourne Cup
In a thrilling celebration of 100 years of the Westbourne Cup, nearly 100 Scouts and leaders from Hallam District gathered at the Whiteley Woods Outdoor Activity Centre on the evening of 20th September. The excitement was palpable as the teams geared up for a night of challenges. Amongst them was St. Tim’s Scouts from Crookes, featuring Teven, Lacey, Seth, George, Grace, Beth, and Max – last year’s champions, now returning to defend their title.
The Scouts embarked on an exhilarating trek through the night, navigating various challenges and pushing themselves to the limit. The competition – the legendary Westbourne Cup – is organised by local Scout Leaders, all passionate volunteers. This year’s theme, "The Hundred," inspired by a popular TV show, honoured the 100th anniversary of the Westbourne Cup’s inaugural competition in 1924. The first competition was a different affair, with Scout Troops logging their activities, but the spirit of adventure remains the same.
It's fascinating to think of those early Scouts, like the Montgomery Scouts pictured in 1924 on their Danish adventure. How many Westbourne Cup points would that trip have earned them?
The prestigious Westbourne Cup was originally gifted by silversmith Hugh Dobson Cass to the Westbourne Scout Group in Broomhill in 1924. A century later, his great-grandson James remains involved in local Scouting, continuing the family tradition.
Chris Eyre, the Group Leader Volunteer from the 16th (Westbourne) Scout Group, reflected on the event’s rich history, saying, “I’m incredibly proud that the competition our former leaders began a hundred years ago is still going strong. It’s inspiring to see today’s Scouts embrace the same spirit of adventure and challenge, gaining vital skills for life.”
As dawn broke, the St. Tim’s team completed their journey and returned to camp for a well-deserved rest before breakfast. Despite the challenges, the mood was high. Beth and Lacey found the trek both tiring and thrilling, with the darkness of the woods adding an extra edge of excitement. Lacey shared that the activities were “loads of fun” and loved how the experience brought the team closer together, forging new friendships along the way.
Although St. Tim’s Scouts didn’t reclaim their crown this year, they still performed brilliantly, with a team from Fulwood Scouts taking the top spot. But for everyone involved, the experience was a win in itself, filled with adventure, laughter, and teamwork.
Scouting within Sheffield is ran entirely by volunteers, from the new Chief Scout Dwayne Fields to the dedicated leaders in Squirrels, Beavers, Cubs, Scouts, and Explorers. There are countless ways you can join in the fun – whether it’s helping out with one of the groups, organising events, admin or management and district support roles.
Volunteering is a great way to meet new people, make friends for life and improve your mental health.
Why not become part of this incredible adventure? Volunteering with Scouts might feel a little daunting at first, but you’ll soon find yourself having a blast, making lifelong friends, and sharing in the joy of Scouting! Visit www.HallamScouts.org for information, to volunteer and find links to local opportunities to you.