Scouting in Raglan had its roots in the early 1920's. Mr. Hyam, a WWI veteran was the earliest known scoutmaster in Raglan. The troup met at the Old Billiard Hall on Usk Road (near the entrance to the current Sunnyvale Estate). Later they moved to the Broom outside Raglan village. Both of these venues were owned by the Jenkins-Pryce family of Willsbrook. For many years the Scout troop has met in the Independent Chapel building off High Street.


The scouts took part in the 1935 Jubilee Celebration in Raglan. Raglan Boy Scouts took part in either King George V Silver Jubilee in 1935 OR King George V! coronation in 1937. Scouts were: Back: __, John King, Howard Cleeves, Roger Hampshire, --, Berice Cann. Mid: --, Arthur Jenkins*, Wyndham Davies*. Front: Robert Bigham, Jack Davies, David King, Edward Meredith* (*killed on active service in WWII. The photo was taken Photo taken on the New Ethley, Brooks Farm, Raglan. Scouting stopped for World War II. Sadly 3 of the scouts in the above photo never returned home.

After WWII, Alec McGuire, a student at Monmouth School and Brian Lewis (who later died of cancer) re-activated the Raglan Scout Troop. Alec recalls, "They just let me get on with it!" he says. "We gained the use of the disused Billiards Hall at the end of Wilcae Terrace, a great deal of public support and ample funds from collecting tons of wastepaper. Brian Lewis joined me in running the troop until 1953 when as adult Scoutmaster (Lewis Gwatkins) was found. but for five years we ran a Scout troop of some renown in Monmouthshire, and were complemented on our sense of adventure, our smartness and the achievements of individuals. A fourteen and a fifteen year old would not be allowed such responsibility today."

The scouts met once again at the Billiard Hall, later the met in the garage at the Broom (when Miss Pryce-Jenkins lived there). In the 1950's Lewis Gwatkin became Scout Master.Colin Powell recalls the garage as very cold. The group returned to the Billiard Hall and were still there in 1957 when Colin went off to University.

Raglan Scouts at Raglan Station. Brian Lewis, David Purver, Mr. Lang, Malcolm Gardner, Colin Powell, --, Lewis Gwatkin, Clive Lewis, Reg Davies, Desmond Lewis, John Rennie, John Morgan, Glyn Morgan (Castle)









Today the Scouts are still active in Raglan Village - things have changed - girls are now Scouts too.

The scouts have long left the Billiard Hall (it was torn down and in it place is a tractor dealer). The scouts meet at the Independent Chapel off High Street. A local resident, Steve Heath is scout master