Campfire at JHB ZOO
Johannesburg, June 2008

1st - Kengray-B.K. Scout Troop invites the interested ex-Scouts, Scouters and supporters to join them in celebrating its 100th year birthday. The Centenary Campfire will be held at the Johannesburg Zoo on Saturday 21st June. This is the oldest inland Scout Troop in South Africa and one of only three in the world to have operated continuously for a hundred years. The Campfire will form part of the celebration of this achievement and to share some of the joy which this organisation has given to generations of boys and men over the years.

Brief background:

In May 1908 a group of Scouts started meeting in Belgravia under the leadership of Finlayson “Andrew” MacGillivray, who had grown up in Collingwood Road, Kensington, and worked as an electrician at the Simmer and Jack goldmine. He and his wife Ellen lived in Belgravia at the time.

Under his leadership the 1st Belgravia Troop grew and soon younger siblings were clamouring to join, so in due course a Cub Pack was started. The history of the Troop can be followed on our web-site:

Over the years the Troop merged with others from the area – names like 1st Cleveland, 1st Kerk Street Catholic, and 1st Jeppe springing to mind. Meetings were held in Abe Bailey Park, Belgravia, until the late 1930s when the first Highland Road Hall provided a home for what became called “B.K.” for Belgravia-Kensington. Their newsletter went by the name of BeaK!

After World War II the Rover Crew proved particularly active – the photo on the left below, taken by a Staff photographer from the Star around 1948, shows three of them working on a bridge which crossed The Jukskei River at Frankenwald.

In the late 1990 the 1st Kengray Scouts moved from Rhodes Park and a timeous amalgamation ensued, which helped both groups. In 2003 a campfire celebrated the 95th anniversary of the Troop.

In more recent years the Troop has featured regularly at the District Prize-giving and received many group and individual awards. Several Scouts, including both the present Troop and Pack Scouters, have achieved the status of Springbok Scouts, adding their names to an impressive list on display in the Hall.

Successful participation in the KonTiki competition in 2008 was again crowned by an invitation to compete in the Chairman’s Challenge down the Vaal River later in the year.

More details and tickets are available from: Joan 011-648-1657 or joan@trolleyscan.com;  Dave 083 700 8518 or 011-615-3496 (evenings and weekends).

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