46th Cambridge (Cottenham): Outline History

Cambridge District Scout Archive

For the full Cottenham Scout Outline History see:  Structure/ Troops and Groups/ 1^st Groups/ Villages named in Group titles/ Villages/ Cottenham

Cottenham is the only Scout Group to use the number and name 46th Cambridge.   It had several names

• 14^th Cambridge District                      1924 – 19?
• 46^th Cambridge (Cottenham)                        1928 – 1934
• Cottenham                                          1935 –
• 1^st Cottenham                                     ?    -1948
• 53^rd Cambridge(1^st Cottenham)                     
• 1^st Cottenham
• 2^nd Cottenham

14^th Cambridge District (Cottenham)         

The Troop had been in existence since February 1924.  The last reference is in 1925, it is not listed in the AGMs of 1925/6 (printed in 1927) and 1926/7 (printed in 1928). 

In 1928 Troops and packs were re-registered as Groups.  Around the same time the old dual system of registration Cambridge (inside the town boundary) and Cambridge District (outside the town boundary) was ending. 

46^th Cambridge (Cottenham) 1928 – 1934

Whilst not registered until 1931 the Group is listed in 1928.  The lack of census returns for the years 1928 – 1930 is unexplained.  It is not unlikely that the Troop/ Group had fallen into abeyance and was listed in anticipation but not registered until active in 1931.

The Group was re-registered in 1^st July 1931 with the IHQ number 12904 with two officers and twelve Cubs.   It was based at Old Meeting Baptist Church schoolroom.  The only listed leader on the registration document was

• Rev Albert Edley? Willing      

It was a ‘Open’ Group

The Group sent in Census figures to Cambridge District for Scouts. 

• Cubs                1931 – 1934
• Scouts              1932 – 1934

Note: From this date the record is less absolute.  It comes from many sources.

Cottenham                             1935 –

In 1935 the large Cambridge District split into four.  Cottenham was initially working in Sub District Cambridge North ahead of the division.  This name lasted for a year and Cottenham, alongside other Groups dropped the X^th (Village) and became known by location alone.

Cambridge North quickly changed names twice to East Cambridge and finally Mid Cambridgeshire.  Cottenham does not appear not have transferred on either occasion, presumably being closed.  As the records relating to Mid Cambridgeshire Groups are lost the date of (re)starting is lost.

JWR Archivist July 2022