A Brief History
The 3rd Shoreham Sea Scout Group was formed in 1919 by William L T Roberts a Cornish seaman who settled in the town at the termination of the First World War. In 1923 he joined the Metropolitan Police, later transferring to the Thames River police. The first recorded Group Scout Leader was Captain C T Keigwin, R.D, R.N.R, F.R.G.S, also a Cornishman, appointed in 1929.
In 1919 the Sea Scouts occupied a small shack situated on the Surry Hard.
It was in 1939 that the Group adopted the title ‘Sea Scout Ship Terra Nova’ after R.F. Scott’s Terra Nova Expedition, officially known as the British Antarctic Expedition 1910-1913
In 1939 a new HQ was built from a second hand aircraft designers’ building acquired from the now famous F G Miles the British aircraft designer and manufacturer. This was sited in the Shoreham Urban District Council works yard in Ropetackle.
The first recorded registration of the Group with Scout Headquarters appears to be in 1937 when 2 Scouters, 5 Sea Scouts and 7 Rover Sea scouts were recorded. There was a dramatic increase in membership during the Second World War shortly after the Ropetackle building was erected, due to the evacuated children in the town mainly from the Croydon area. As the war progressed the Group rendered much public service as Auxiliary Coast Guards, Air Raid Precaution Volunteers and of course older members joined the armed forces. Some became convoy signallers through a scheme sponsored by Scout Headquarters.
No account of the history of the Group would be complete without mention of the Newman family. Charles (Pop) Newman virtually built the Ropetackle HQ and was later Scoutmaster and group Chairman, whilst his sons Eric and John were scouts and later leaders, an association which lasted from 1938 to 1962.
Cub Scouts were introduced into the Group in 1952. Over the years Rover Scouts were disbanded. Senior Sea Scouts and later Venture Scouts formed.
In 1963 the Group applied for and gained Royal Naval recognition at its first Royal Naval Inspection. This it has kept ever since.
In 1977 girls were introduced into the Venture Unit. Beavers Scouts were formed in 1982.
By the 1980s the Ropetackle building was beyond repair and in 1985 the present HQ was built and opened on the new Les Goodbody Centre, Adur Recreation Ground. Leslie Goodbody served as Group Scout Leader from 1962 to 1981 and it is after him that the building is named after.
Today the Group consists of 2 Beaver colonies, 2 cub packs, 2 Sea Scout watches and an associated Explorer Scout Unit, a total membership including leaders, instructors, and helpers of over 200.
2025 Paul Osborne.
Archive Photos courtesy of 3rd Shoreham Scouts Group Scout Leader.
Aerial images Britainfromabove.org.uk