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The Sliema Scout Group was formed in 1909 under the leadership
of Mr. Dutton with Mr.Grech as his assistant. The Group was registered
at Imperial H.Q. in 1910. The original Registration Certificate still
hangs on the wall in Sliema H.Q.
Between 1910 and 1916 other leaders of the Group included Lieutenant
Briffa KOMR, Mr. O Dupuis and Mr. W. Chircop Kind. Mr. Anthony Ellul
Mercer then took over the Group with Mr. Victor Muscat as his assistant.
During the first World War 1914-18 the Scouts worked hard as Coast
Watchers, Despatch Riders, Hospital Attendants and other useful jobs.
The death of S M Ellul Mercer in 1920 was a blow to the Troop for he
had been a good Scout Master. For the next two years the Troop was
run by Mr. V. Muscat. During this time the Troop was represented at
the World Scout Jamboree which was held in England. We must remember
that the trip was no three hour flight but a sea trip taking several
days. In 1922 Mr Muscat left Malta and the running of the Troop was
entrusted to P.L.'s C Crockford and Ellul Mercer, as there were no
leaders to take over.
The Troop was expanded by the formation of the Sea Scouts in 1923
under the leadership of Mr. Sammut and Mr E Ferro, and the First GSL
Nazzareno Grima was appointed. As the Troop had problems with accommodation,
the Rover Crew was not formed until 1928 although they had been started
in 1918. Further expansion took place in 1929 with the formation of the
Wolf Cubs as they were then called. Mr. Mayo formed the Pack but as he
joined the Sea Scouts his place was taken by Mr. P. Barbaro.
By the start of the 1930's the Sliema Group had a flourishing Scout
Troop, Sea Scout Crew, Rover Crew and Cub Pack in the Oak District. The Group Scout Leader
was Mr. C. J. Crockford and he kept the group busy with many varied
activities.
The Thirties were very active years for all the Sections. In July
1934 Mr. Edward Tortell took over as Group Scout Leader, a post he
held until 1965. An important event for the continuity of Sliema
Scouting occurred in 1939 when the basement of the Sliema Government
School became our H. Q.
The Group had experienced many difficulties with accommodation over the
years and this permanent home was a welcome relief. The H. Q. was inaugurated
by Lady Bernard in the presence of many distinguished guests. During this
ceremony Lady Bernard announced that permission had been given to the Sliema
Group, to be known as Bernard's Own in memory of Sir Edgar Bernard who had
done so much to help form firm foundations for Scouting in Malta.
The War Years 1939-45 necessarily reduced the number of Scouting activities.
Camps and hikes continued in spite of the difficulties prevalent at the time.
Scouts are expected to overcome difficulties which they did during these
difficult years - for example one year they went to camp by cab and the
following year they went by jeep and returned by donkey cart - a far cry
from our mode of transport today! It was not all fun and games during
these terrible years, the Scouts did their share of war service as coast
watchers and air raid wardens - the latter could be dangerous at times.
The sick in hospitals were not forgotten. The Scouts collected books and
magazines, sorted them out and made sure that patients had plenty of
reading material.
After hostilities ceased normal Scouting
activities were resumed. In 1946 an Air Crew was formed and proved to be
very successful. During the latter part of the 40's many camps, hikes,
Church parades and sporting activities were held. The decade was rounded
off nicely by a visit from Lady Olave Baden Powell, who unveiled a
charcoal drawing of her late husband, Lord Baden Powell, on the wall of
Sliema H.Q. This was the work of AS M/R G Vassallo. Lady Baden Powell was
impressed with what she saw at Sliema H.Q.
1949 saw the first of many Canoe Races held at Chadwick Lakes. Obviously the
success of these depends on the amount of rain that has fallen.
The decade of the 50's saw the Sliema Group continue to grow and expand.
As usual the Group took part in many activities. It was also to the
forefront in Island activities and competitions. During 1951 the Rovers
had a chance to cruise on "HMS Forth". A very memorable experience.
His Grace Michael Gonzi, Archbishop of Malta paid a memorable visit to our
H. Q. in 1958. In 1959 Sliema celebrated its Golden Jubilee. A special
Jubilee Rally was held in December 1959 and despite adverse weather conditions
it was a great success. The celebrations should have been held in October but
because of the heavy commitments of the Group it had to be postponed until
December.
The Sixties were another busy decade for the Group. Hikes,
camps, competitions all form an important part of a Scout's life. In addition
he is expected to help the Community and the Sliema Group has never missed an
opportunity to serve the Community. The Log Books contain many letters of thanks
for "Jobs well done" by the Sliema Group.
In the November 1964 a team of
cave explorers from our group went in search of a cave entrance on Dingli
Cliffs. What they had hoped for was discovering a new cave to explore; what
they found was beyond all their wildest dreams - evidence of a family or
community of Bronze Age period who may have used the cave as a home.
A catastrophe had befallen this cave in that the extensive roof had
collapsed some 3000 years ago and buried all their belongings where they
stood. The cave was aptly named 'Ghar Mirdum' (Maltese for 'Buried Cave') by
the team inspired by Franz Vella Bamber, after much debate.
Research has been made on Ghar Mirdum, but nothing thorough has so far been
published on these unique finds. Paul Calleja-Gera (ex Scout Master, Senior
Scout Leader and GSL - Sliema Group) built a
website
which he hopes will rekindle interest in the site, and justify the work
carried out by this young team in the very dangerous environment so many
years ago. It may otherwise be lost to modern historians studying our unique
past.
You may see the details of the
findings in Mr Calleja-Gera's
Diary, the many
beautiful and unique
artefacts found and a plan
drawn as
they were discovered. He includes also text from
writings
and lectures by Mr. Francis Mallia, then Curator of Archeology in Malta,
a survey, and
photographs.
Extracts from a film made of the discovery by
MTV in 1965. Paul
hopes that enthusiasts and students of archeology alike will find the evidence
presented useful and will find time to
comment on the
contents to enable him to present a truer picture.
The Main Team of Cave Explorers from the 1st Sliema Scout Group from left to
right: Bernard Storace / Paul Calleja-Gera / Vincent Bugeja / Ernest German /
Vincent Sciberras (front)
It is not all work and no play - the visit by " USS Springfield"
gave the Scouts a chance to visit and tour this ship. In 1966 the American
Ambassador and his wife, Mr. and Mrs. Feldman visited Sliema H.Q. Through
their help five members of the Sliema Group were able to take part in the
World Scout Jamboree held in Idaho in the USA- indeed an experience never
to be forgotten.
Mr. Edward Tortell resigned in 1965 and his place
was taken by Mr. J. Camenzuli. He held this post until 1968 when Mr. A Wain
became the Group Scout Leader. During the Seventies the Group continued to grow.
The usual round of camps, hikes and competitions were held as well as service
to the community. The Sliema Group was instrumental in helping set up the San
Gwann Group in April 1970. The first Mother and Son Camps were held in response
to the popular Father and Son Camps organised by the Cubs, or rather, the
Cub Leaders.
The Ventures, formerly known as the Rovers were also very active during this
decade. In 1971 new colours were presented to the Group by the B P Guild.
The new North District Badge was also introduced. another honour for Sliema
as it was designed by the then G S L Mr. A Wain. Mr. Wain was appointed District
Commissioner in 1972 and the post of G S L was filled by Mr. V. Farrugia. When
the "Ark Royal" visited Malta in 1974 the Scouts were invited on board.
In 1976 Mr. Edward Tortell once again look over as G S L and 1977 saw the
celebration of his Scouting Diamond Jubilee. The decade continued under his
leadership and in 1979 we celebrated 70 years of Scouting. A special investiture
ceremony was held together with an exhibition.
The Eighties started
with "Wings" still at the helm and the Group growing in strength. A good
start for the decade was when some members of Sliema helped reform the St. Julian's Group.
Trips abroad featured highly in the programme during these years. Countries visited
included Sicily, Switzerland, Germany and the U.K. These were very memorable
occasions for the boys. "Wings" finally retired in 1983 knowing in his heart
that he had done a good job!
The new G S L was Mr. Kenneth De Martino. Throughout these years training not
only of boys but of leaders has been an important aim of the Sliema Group. The
boys are encouraged to achieve their awards and badges and the Leaders are
encouraged to participate in training activities so as to improve their own skills
which in turn they can pass on to the boys.
The holding of the World Scout
Jamboree in Australia in 1987/88 gave the Group an opportunity of making sure that
Malta was well represented at this event especially as so many Maltese have made this
country their home. Taking part in a world wide Jamboree is a wish of many Scouts,
thus when the opportunity comes one makes the most of it. The decade of the Eighties
finished with the Sliema Group celebrating eighty years of Scouting. In preparation
for this, the Sliema H. Q. was renovated, a job which had been pending for a long
time. The newly restored H.Q. was opened with due ceremony on 10th December 1988.
A Carvery Night was held at the Union Club, Sliema on 19th May 1989 in the
presence of H.E. C. Tabone. President of Malta and other distinguished guests,
besides Scouters, Scouts' parents and friends. To commemorate our longest
serving G S L - Mr Edward Tortell, a bronze bass relief was unveiled at Sliema
H. Q. on 21 July 1989.
During this eventful year, a Group of Venture
Scouts were fortunate to travel to USA to take part in the National Scout Jamboree.
The climax to the celebrations came on 29th
October 1989 when a bronze bust
of our founder, Lord Baden Powell was unveiled by H. E. Censu Tabone, President
of Malta.
The nineties saw the Group continue to grow. Another first for the Sliema Group
was the appointment of the first female Group Scout Leader Ms Eileen Galea in
1991 when Kenneth De Martino handed over the reigns to take up the post of Hon
General Secretary of the Scout Association of Malta. Activities continued apace
and the next Jamboree in South Korea was high on the Agenda. Once again Sliema was
well represented at this truly world wide event.
Camps, outdoor activities
and community service were all part of the everyday agenda of the Group. Links were
forged with the newly formed Local Council and every effort was made to strengthen
such links.
1995 was a busy year. The Venture Scouts went on a parachuting trip to Holland and the
Troop took part in the 18th World Scout Jamboree which was also held in Holland.
Both were exciting and memorable occasions for all participants.
The year ended on a very sad note as our Venture Scout Leader Matthew Aquilina went
missing on a flight from Tunisia to Malta in December 1995. Despite our sadness the
Group soldiered on.
In 1996 Mr Joe Agius took over as Group Scout Leader
and in 1997 this post was taken over by Mr David Soler.
The improvements to HQ were continued throughout this period and the fruits of
labour can be seen in headquarters today. A truly fitting headquarters for all
our members.
In 1998 we were honoured by a visit to our premises by Dr Jacques Moreillon the
Secretary General of the World Organisation of the Scout Movement. During his visit
a mini Assembly was held which gave not only our Scouts but Scouts from several
Groups in Malta, the opportunity to put questions to Dr Moreillon.
1998 was rounded off by a trip to Chile to attend the 19th World Scout Jamboree.
It is now a firm tradition with the Sliema Scouts to make every effort to send
a contingent to the World Scout Jamboree wherever it may be held.
The 90th
birthday is a fitting end to this millennium and the Group looks forward with
confidence to the next millennium. Our sincere thanks go to all past and present
leaders for giving freely of their time and skills for the benefit of the young
boys in their care.
In the Summer of 2002 the Venture Unit hosted a group of Venture Scouts from the 4th Newcastle Scout Group and the deed was returned when the Unit went to the UK in July 2004 to visit their Scout Group. During this trip the Ventures took part in a multitude of activities such as indoor climbing and rafting and took part in the Sunderland District Mountain Activities (DMA) Challenge, a hill walking competition for Scouts, in the Lake District. They were the first team from outside the UK to ever participate and their route took them up 10 hills, the highest of which, Scafell Pike (at 987m) is the highest point in England. The team proudly returned to Malta with the DMA shield after placing first.
In 2003 Mr Andrew Cutugno took over as Group Scout Leader from Mr David Soler.
In 2005 both the Pack and The Troop Sections, took their members to a Scout
Campsite in the UK (Phasels Wood).
 2007, The Centenary of Scouting around the world! Our Group was again
present at the World Scout Jamboree, this time in Essex in the UK.
A
strong participation of 25 Scouts and 10 Leaders, of the leaders present, Mr
David Darmanin (AGSL) was Sub-Camp Chief of the Glacier Sub-Camp, Mr Ray Manduca
(AGSL) was IST assigned to the Glacier Sub camp, Mr Kevin Camilleri (SL), Mr
Timmy Cutugno (ASL) and Mr Anthony Debono (VSL) were Troop leaders for the
Sliema contingent, Mr Mark Darmenia, Mr Michael Sapienza, Mr John Debono, Mr Jean
Marc Chapelle and Mr James Attard Kingswell (all Assistant Scout Leaders) were
part of the International Service Team (IST).
After the Jamboree we saw the movement of some leaders in the group, mainly
Mr Kevin Camilleri, who moved on to Island Headquarters to become the
Commissioner for Scouts and Mr Timmy Cutugno who took over as Scout Leader.
At the beginning of the Group’s Centenary year in 2009, Mr Andrew Cutugno handed over the GSL plume to Mr David Darmanin, although he will continue to support the Group in the role of AGSL. During this time the Group continued to be active with outdoor activities, and geared up to celebrate it’s first 100 years in style.
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