Friern Barnet Photo Archive

Does anyone know where this scout troop were based? I was in a troop based in a church (Methodist, I think) in Manor Drive, off Friern Barnet Lane in the late 50's and very early 60's. I seem to remember it was the 177th scout troop, but I may have got it wrong. The summer camps - Somerset, Arundel, Dunwich were great fun. Any info would be gratefully received.

They were based in the scout hut on the pathway between Goldsmith Road and Glenthorne Road in Friern Barnet, which is shown in photo number 1764. I was involved between about 1957 and 1967. I have some doubts about the 1953 date given for photo 105, as I think it was later - I recognise some of the faces (but am having difficulty putting names to them!).

Strange that there were two scout troops in the same relatively small area; Manor Drive is a short distance up Friern Barnet Lane. I was in the Cubs and Scouts based at the Methodist Church and I'm reasonably certain that it was the 177th troop. But maybe old age is creeping up! Maybe someone, somewhere, sometime will enlighten us further....

The 199th North London were definitely based in the Goldsmith Road hut, and I also recall that there were indeed a lot of scout troops in the area - it was a very popular activity at the time. I was a scout and senior scout there between about 1957 and 1967. I can't remember the numbers of the others I'm afraid. The 199th were linked directly to St Johns Church in Friern Barnet Road, and to St James in Friern Barnet Lane, by Friary Park.

199th Scout Troop was definitely based at the Scout and Guide HQ in Stanford Road (corner of Goldsmith Road). The photograph is taken in the field of the old hut before the land was levelled. I know two people in this photograph: John Philpott (3rd left) and Clive Garey (far right) and have possession of some albums if anybody is interested to see them.

I too recognise most of the faces here but couldn`t put a name to them after all this time. They definately met at the hut in the alley at the end of Goldsmith Road,and were attached to the two churches mentioned above, as did the 4th Friern Barnet Girl Guides to which I belonged for most of the fifties. Does anyone have photos of those Guides from around that time?

Thelma Harris was the Guide Leader of 4th Friern Barnet Guides for over 40 years. She died in 1997. I have all of her photograph albums and cine films taken during that period. If you would like to get in touch through e-mail, please do and I will happily arrange to show them to you.

I recognise the faces from the scouts based opposite St. Johns School where I was a pupil from 1950-1952. The boys then went onto St. James School until the age of 11, for me that was 1956. I remember a scout camp at Walmer in Kent, about 1957. The scoutmasters were very good, another scout I remember was Tony Trippett(?). He went to Finchley County and I went to Woodhouse School.

I can identify most of the faces in the photograph and the year is almost certainly 1953. Left to right Michael Dilley, ? Low, Don Snowdon, Arthur Shmald, Derek Purton, (I believe) Nigel Hoare, unknown. I was in the 199 from around 1940-41 to 1951, and have been associated with the group until 1963. Several old scouts from the 40-50 period do meet up annually.

I can identify Don Snowdon who I left school with to start in Forestry, also Derek Purton who lived just down the road. I am in contact with Ron Fincher who was a member for the same period. I remember Mr Adair who was a senior member. Other names that come to mind are Victor Ablewhite and the Stratford brothers.

I recognise Derek Purton and Clive Garey who lived in Woodleigh Avenue (I lived in Hollick Wood Avenue, off Woodleigh Avenue), and I also recognise John Low. I remember in particular going to the Gang Shows that the 199th put on annually. The photograph would be circa 1951/1953.

Refering to my entry of the 27th Dec. I need to make a correction. The brothers I mention were the Strattons, Michael and Geoff, who both went off as far as I can remember to join the commandos. I too lived in Hollickwood Ave. at No2. I remember Nigel Hoare and further down a chap called Greenwood who also was in the scouts and I believe joined the the Merchant Navy. There was also a boy further down on our side, Ian Mcgregor, I remember because he fell off an air raid shelter in front of our house and broke a leg. I think this as much I can add just now so I will sign off.

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