In 1975, John Hinks was an assistant leader at 2nd Warwick. One night, he and a group of Venture scouts decided to do a survey around the new estate, Woodloes Park. After gathering the results, it was found the local boys wanted to have their own Scout group on the estate. John passed this information to the District Commissioner, who suggested that he set up the new group himself.

The group officially started on the 14th February 1977 at Woodloes Junior School. 8 boys turned up that night, alongside John’s wife Pam.

In 1980, the group decided they wanted to buy their own hut, which would allow them to do a wider range of activities than they were allowed in the school. The group heard that Coventry Technical College was carrying out building work and had some huts they wanted rid of. John approached the college and got the last hut, measuring 20ft x 90ft it cost £100. The following Saturday was the deadline for taking the hut away. On arrival 2 artic lorries and 2 forklifts were waiting to take the hut down and away. John was joined by the venture scouts, and as a team they had the hut packed and away by 5pm that night.

Despite having a hut, the group had no land to put it on, and so it was stored on a farm. The group approached the council who were unable to assist and so the local land owners were contacted and in 1979 the hut was erected. In the early 90’s the land owners sold the land to the local health authorities and so the group had to relocate once again.

The search for a location started again, with the sections being spread out around the area temporarily. Beavers moved into Woodloes Primary School, Jubilee Cubs moved to the Ridgeway school, Prince of Wales Cubs used 2nd Warwick’s hut and the Scout’s used buildings on Hatton Campsite.

For 2 years the search for a new location continued, meanwhile the group started to raise funds for the purchase of a new building. Many were worried during this time that 7th Warwick would be disbanded. Eventually, out of the blue, the local council found an area of land which was available. Ironically, the land which was offered had been suggested by the pack back in 1979, but the group had been turned down.

With fundraising and a generous grant from the Henry VIII Trust, the new building was purchased and built in Bluebell woods. It was decided that the building should not damage or require removal of any trees, hence the angle the hut sits at.

Sections in 7th Warwick:

    *   Beavers

    *   2 x Cubs Packs (Jubilee and Prince of Wales)

    *   Scouts