The origins of the district at fox coverts, Kirkby Mallory.

Following the outbreak of the Second World War in 1939, Scouts became active in various ways in the District to “help the War effort”. This was the most commonly used expression to describe any form of service to the nation by individuals or groups. Where Scouting was concerned this covered such diverse chores as ‘collecting medicine bottles, razor blades! Rose hips and waste paper. Voluntary duties included acting as hospital orderly’s, police messengers, A.F.S. Duties, window cleaning at the two British restaurants in the town, acting as escorts at Rest Centres, distributing ration books, and fire watching. Coupled with these unpaid duties, members of the Movement in Hinckley where expected to report to the former Work Council in London Road on Saturdays (now the Technical College, opposite Clarence Road) to be briefed by Sam Malpus, who was organising the collection of waste paper.

George Wilson was also involved as acting – the Revd Cydney Odom having been called to the Colours.

These later duties earned us the coveted Service Badge, Red and Gold Cloth Emblem, worn on the Scout Shirts over the left pocket. Overall something like 70 tons of waste paper was collected, for which the District received around £200. It such be borne in mind that at the outbreak of war, there were only six groups operating in the area, though by 1947 there were 11 Groups. With the end of the War, and our return from the forces, we learned that the money earned from the collection of waste paper was in a special fund. This account was specifically earmarked for the purchase of a district camping ground, always referred to, as such, never as campsite, as we would describe it now.

So, with £200, the quest began for a suitable site. Meanwhile, £50 had been forthcoming from a legacy donated by a Mr Peach (the Peach Hut commemorate, this members of the District Executive). Grants also came from the County Council (£50) and from King George the VI Jubilee Fund (Profits from a Scout week held in 1949 helped to swell the funds, and part of an early ‘bob a job week proceeds were also collected’). In November 1952 an area of 15.942 acres of mixed scrub and woodland came on the marked and was acquired by HDSC for £192. The location – O.S.140/453018 – Fox Coverts.

Before going into details into the development of the site, it must be recorded that two people in particular where responsible for the sheer hard work and dedicated commitment required in this formidable project. They were DC – Bill Seal and ADC George Wilson. Sometime later the expertise of Ken Reece ensured that water was always available.

In respect of the vital necessity of water Bill Seal was found to have the gift of water divining.

Eventually Ken Reece sank two wells where the DC had indicated a positive reaction and these were the only source of water supply to the site for many years. Washing for all of us was down ion the stream in the wooded are, and when a toilet block was eventually built it comprised a wooden structure housing four elsans.

Despite its purchase in 1952, it was to be four more years before the site was officially opened. In the interim much work was being done by groups, friends of scouting and business people who gave materials freely in support of whatever project was being undertaken. Eventually on a very hot day in June 1956 the Lord Lieutenant of Leicestershire – Lord Cromwell declared the campsite open.

In 1956 a pair of attractive wooden gate were erected at the entrance to the site and dedicated by the vicar of Holy trinity, rev LS Collis. They were presented to the District by Mr and Mrs E Melson in memory of their son, killed while serving in the forces in Cyprus, these are the gates which now form the entrance to the campsite chapel.