The Fareham District of Scouting was formed on 21st August 1910 and a Warrant issued in October of that year states there were six troops “I Fareham” to “VI Fareham”. It was not until October 1919 that the Gilwell Park Scout Headquarters kept central records of troops; that previously being left to local district secretaries. 

There are however central archives. On 31st January 1913 show Miss Maria Frederica Mathias, of Catisfield Lodge, being issued with her Warrant as Scoutmaster at II Fareham. Our first registered leader known to Gilwell Park, the headquarters of the Scout Association on their “Registers of Certificated Scoutmasters”. 

The Group would meet in the locally known “Tin Tabernacle”, Quay Mission Hall, Mill Road.  The building was owned by Miss Mathias’s mother, who was heavily connected with Holy Trinity church.

The Boy Scouts Association “Registration Form for a Local Association” dated January 1916 shows the troop to be 40 strong.  Miss Mathias continuing as SM (Scout Master) with Assistant Scoutmasters W Albeyn and R Bone until 1922.

In July 1933 as curate Rev. F H Sargeant took his warrant, Hampshire county scout registered group 14947 became known as 2nd Fareham (Holy Trinity).   The Rev. A B Hargrave later took over the helm in 1937 and Rev. D W Hoare in 1947.

Two years after Curlew Patrol had won the “Emlyn Trophy” in the 1949 Hampshire county camping competition the Group once again changed name, to be registered in 1951 as a Sea Scout Group. The SM being S.B Edom, the ASM being R Ward and the CM being Mrs E H Edom; (a real family group).

After extensive fundraising and securing of grant funding by David Hawkley (Treasurer) the long awaited fully accessible new floating pontoon was installed and unveiled on 22 September 2004.

In April 2013 we celebrated at our AGM 100 plus years of offering scouting to the community of Fareham.  Adam Jollans, Hampshire County Commissioner, presented a centenary plaque on behalf of the county with the comment “..This is the first time I have presented a centenary plaque where the headquarters is older than the group”. 

We reached out to the local community to make themselves known if they had previous connections with 2nd Fareham. Subsequently our current “fleet” of pulling boats, sailing dinghies, kayaks and canoes are lovingly maintained by Dave Hill.  A former member of Scouts, Ventures, Scout Master SM (09/63 to 06/66), Assistant Scout Master ASM (02/69 to 06/72), SM again (06/72 to 06/74), moving onto being Assistant Venture Scout Leader in 06/74.  Only to reconnect with the “family” during the Group’s centenary celebrations.

A key development from 2010 has been an ever closer relationship with our neighbours at Fareham Sailing and Motor Boat Club.  The Fareham Creek Regatta was reinstated in 2011 with the sailing club taking on the races organization while we provided the barbecue, our Gigs, Dinghies and, of course, Scouts and Explorers for a weekend of fun, and some quite serious, events on the water. 

An excerpt from The Hampshire Scout news in June 2012 reads “Congratulations to 2nd Fareham on a great regatta, held jointly with the local sailing club - and especially to the Scout crew of the ‘Enterprise’ which made some super turns in the wind.”

In 2012 the Group completed the purchase of the HQ and drew up ambitious improvement plans. The 17th Century building, on Lower Quay, had Grade II listed planning approval granted to restore the premises to be more in keeping with the conservation area whilst updating and making it fit for the purpose of 21st Century Sea Scouting.