4TH SEVEN KINGS SEA SCOUTS
1952
A sea scout patrol is formed within the 1st Aldborough Hatch troop
1st Aldborough Hatch scouts including sea scout patrol.
1954
18' National dinghy "Eagle" built.
1956
4th Sea Scout troop founded on 1.4.56. The group name had been formerly used by the St Mary's Church group, which was originally formed in 1918 and disbanded in 1936. Group Scout Master is Derek Williams, and Scout Master is Doug Mountford.
1957
Netherlands
Cub pack formed. Akela is Fred Simpkin
1958
Summer camp at Looe, Cornwall
Senior Scouts formed.
Hargreaves Scout Camp opened
1959
Summer camp at Glencoyne Farm, Ullswater (26.7 - 9.8)
Summer camp was first event to be filmed by Doug. Cine film from 1959-1969 has been transferred to four videos
1960
Summer camp at Waddeton Court, River Dart. (9-23.8)
Bumblewick's first sail.
Became Admiralty recognised (unit 5). This recognition lasted until 1988.
Summer cruise to Holland in National.
1961
Summer camp at Llyndy Isaf, Nantgwynant, North Wales (22.7-4.8)* Senior Scout cruise on "Iyruna". Several nautical mishaps, followed by legal proceedings resulted in the decision to build "Seven Kings"
1962
Summer camp at Knowles Farm, Lawrenny, Pembrokeshire, South Wales * Merlins and Gannets patrols merge to form Seagulls
(26.7-11.8)
Work begins on the building of the "Seven Kings"
Uniform prices are: woggles 4d (less than 2p!), scarves 2/4d (about 12p), caps 5/- (25p)
1963
Summer camp at Ashlake Farm, Wootton Creek, IOW (26.7 - 9.8)* Wolves and Herons patrols formed.
Senior Scouts sailed/rowed whaler from Leigh-on-Sea to Reading.
Senior Scouts help catch thieves stealing from tents, after a trap is laid.
1964
Summer camp at Decoy Broad (24.7-8.8)
Senior Scouts to Holland in caravet (27.6-11.8)
Patrols reduced to three - Otters, Beavers and Coypus
Senior scouts win the Worcester to Discovery race in 3 hours, the fastest time since 1958.
1965
Summer camp at Glencoyne Farm, Ullswater (24.7 - 7.8) Senior Scouts to* The summer camp was not a sailing one.
Denmark in caravet (24.7 - 8.8)
Moved sailing base from Leigh-on-sea to Stansgate Abbey, on the River Blackwater.
First bus acquired.
1966
Summer camp at Kingsbridge, Devon (27.7 - 4.8) with Dutch scouts* 4th SK is one of only 4 Admiralty recognied sea scout troops in London NE.
Ketch is provisionally named "Rebel".
St George's parade takes place at Becontree Odeon.
Bill Barnes retires as Hargreaves camp warden to be replaced by George Gardner.
Venture Unit becomes part of a Seven Kings Unit, with the 2nd and 5th Seven Kings and 1st Aldborough Hatch.
Plans to build a HQ are shelved.
Chris Coman is the escort to the colours at the St George's Parade at Windsor.
1967
Summer camp at Holland (24.7 -7.8) The cost is £12 per head.
Fair equipment sold to Ship Carbon Ltd., 18' National sold to Peter Hearn, the whaler sold to another sea scout group, and 3 Bosun dinghys purchased.They were called "Rebel", "Phantom" and "Geebee".
1968
Summer camp at Saltern's Wood, Yarmouth, IOW (25.7 - 8.8)
7th Ilford West sea scout group closes, and some members transfer to 4SK in a new patrol - Kingfishers.
Hazelwood school in Hampshire donates the proceeds from its chapel service - £7-7-6p to 4SK
1969
Summer camp at Glencoyne Farm, Ullswater (25.7-6.8) with Paul Kruger
Seven Kings launched on 12th April by Joan Gardner, wife of the Hargreaves Camp warden. She is blessed by the Rev George Frost, the District Chaplain.
Summer cruise to Holland (24.7 - 22.8)
Venture Unit formed (formerly with 1st Aldborough North)
200 clubs starts. Despite heroic efforts, membership never reaches 200
Newer bus acquired.
4SK suggested as in top 6 groups in the country, after another successful RN inspection.
1970
Summer camp at Clifton Hampden (23.8 - 6.9)
4SK jointly win the London NE mini regatta at Cheshunt
Launch of "Seven Kings" featured in Scout Association annual "Scouting '70"
Patrol membership restructured on a geographical basis.
Seven Kings on show at Tower Pier 4 -11th April 1970.
Scouts rescue three boys after their dinghy sank in Lawling Creek. Unfortunately, a fourth boy was later found dead.
Subs raised from 1/6 to 2/- per week.
Summer cruise to Holland.
1971
Summer camp at Cobnor House, Chidham, near Chichester (26.8 - 4.9)
Summer cruise to Brittanny and the Channel islands and then to summer camp
4SK again win London NE mini regatta.
Summer camp of '71 featured in "Scouting '72" annual.
1972
Summer camp in Veere, Holland (27.7 - 10.8)
Fire in the equipment store at Hargreaves on 24th June 1972.
Summer cruise to Holland
4SK are 2nd in London NE mini regatta despite being represented by just Doug and 4 scouts
4SK Cub Scouts win Alden Trophy.
Floating of the £ adds £1 to the cost of the summer camp - now £17.50.
18' launch 'Champ' is bought for £1,200
1973
Summer camp at Woolverstone Hall near Ipswich (with Paul Kruger group).
Sea base built at Easter
Summer cruise to Holland
4SK called "one of the best of the RN recognised groups" at RN inspection.
4SK BP Guild is formed. (Chairman is Cyril Thomas, secretary is Hilda Eagar and treasurer is Christine Knight)
The 1st edition of Doug Mountford's book "Enjoy camping: a handbook for Scouts" is published by the Scout Association. It features a lot of Doug's drawings, featuring 4SK patrols and the "Seven Kings". It is still in print.
1974
Summer camp at Rydal Hall, Lake District
Whitsun cruise to Holland
Summer cruise to Norway, Sweden, Denmark
Six scouts help crew the rescue boats during the Windermere international Long Distance Swim
Bridge added to Sea Base.
Second troop opens in Woodford Bridge, known as port watch. It has three patrols - Merlins, Falcons & Ravens. The SK group is starboard watch.
Leigh Brand, Ian Arnold and Andy Travell gain the Pilots badge, the only three awarded that year.
1975
Summer camp in Den Brielle, Holland 25th Jul - 8th August.
4SK promote a fund raising jazz concert featuring Humphrey Lyttleton at Ilford Town Hall.
1976
Summer Camp Brecon, Wales (26.7 - 6.8)
Summer cruise to Holland
One of the Bosuns is blown from the sea base and lost.
1977
Summer camp at Clifden Hampden (6 - 13.8) with 1st Ilford N sea scouts.
1978
RN field gun crew from 4SK, lead by ASL Geoff Durand, became first scouts to perform at the Royal Tournament on 28th July.
Sea Base broke its moorings during a storm on 31st December.It is insured for £10,000
1979
Derek Williams resigns as GSL after 24 years to be replaced by Mick Swinyard
1980
Summer camp at Kibblestone Scout Camp Site, Oulton, Nr. Stone, Staffs. (11 - 18.8.80)
1981
4SK Cub Scouts are joint winners of mini gala (splash night)
1982
Seven Kings Sailing Trust formed.
1987
George Gardner is awarded the BEM in the new year's honours list for services to scouting
4SK merged with 1st SK to form 14th SK.