Scout Camp and Cricket

Cyril Hayworth's jolly film shows cubs, scouts and adults playing games of cricket where enthusiasm and fun count for more than the rules

This charming film shows a cub and scout troupe setting up camp, with some help from their scout leaders and parents, around Ardingly in Sussex in the early 1950s. Once the tents are up everyone joins in a game of cricket - parents included. Jelly, peaches, ice-cream and a cake end the day. Next morning a scout leader shaves in his car, kids collect firewood and older scouts tinker with a car's engine. An outdoor meal is then followed by another boisterous game of all-in-cricket.

During the Second World War, Cyril Hayworth made several films documenting the activities of both Scouting and Guiding groups from the Forest Hill and Sydenham areas of Greater London, with a handful of these films including material of war-time scenes of bombed out houses and churches, as well as the Scouts parading and marching between district parish churches. Following the Second World War, Hayworth relocated to Sussex and spent time working as a Scoutmaster documenting his, and many other, Scouting and Guiding groups in the district, through parades, camps and other local events across Sussex, along with close friend and fellow Haywards Heath Scoutleader and Scoutmaster, Vic Forster.